The Royal Secret focuses on the scandalous lives of some of London's elite - lives filled with secrets, romance, espionage and mystery. It was this premise, and the author's name (I adored her earlier book, The Midnight Rose), that prompted me to request an advanced copy of this book. But while the story promises a delightfully salacious royal scandal and long-held secrets, my feelings for the book are a little more complicated than I had anticipated. Ich weiß gar nicht was ich zu diesem Buch sagen soll... Ich hatte ja mit vielem gerechnet, aber nicht mit dem, was ich hier bekommen habe. Bisher kenne ich nur die Sieben-Schwestern-Reihe der Autorin (und mag sie auch sehr!), aber das hier war was ganz anderes. James Marwood works at Scotland Yard when Richard Abbott, one of Lord Arlington’s clerks, dies. Marwood is set on an investigation of the circumstances surrounding Abbott’s death, and relates his findings to Lord Arlington, Undersecretary of State. The Love Letter is a sweeping novel that encompasses secrets, murder, treachery, love, lies, and questions of identity and loyalty spread over two timelines - the period immediately before and after George VI coming to the throne, and 1995 when actor Sir James Harrison dies without fulfilling a promise he had made many years earlier.

The story line, in my opinion, was faultless. It had so many twists and turns and around the half way mark it becomes a very fast-paced read! There was (LOTS!!) danger and mystery but also a lot of love in many forms. It was the perfect balance and such a unique story, as all of Riley’s books are!

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In the video, the couple were holding hands tightly, with them rubbing each others fingers and palms. Commenting on the video, one person penned: "Such an intimate gesture that says so very much about how they see each other. They need each other. Lovely to see."

Following the death of Cat's husband in the last book, Marwood and Cat have developed something more than a friendship but less than a romance, until Cat's latest commission brings her into conflict with Marwood. these terms and conditions in full. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, do Cat Hakesby carries on her late husband’s business as an architect and surveyor. She is commissioned to build a new poultry house for the king’s sister, which requires her to travel to France where the king’s sister resides. ROMANCE: There was no Romance tag before the promotion of this drama. To those who keep asking if there will be romance or not, the first episode will give you hints (so better watch it).

Meanwhile, Marwood and Cat meet once or twice a month to listen to music or go to a play or go for a walk in finer weather. It is an alliance of mutual assistance rather than affection as she prefers to keep her independence. After the end of last outing, they don’t make plans for the next time, as they usual would. That unsettles Marwood a bit. “She could forgive his unfortunate liking for low comedy, but not the way he had ogled the orange girl in front of her very eyes. (…) His boorish behaviour towards Mr Fanshawe and his guest had been almost equally bad.” Later, he extends his olive branch by writing her a letter with a plan to see a new play. She curtly expresses her refusal without any explanation. And now, it gnaws at him when he sees Cat with someone he is after. Despite my reservations regarding the choppy nature of the narrative at times, I did enjoy this read, although not to the same extent as other titles I have read by Riley. The Butterfly Room remains a clear favourite. Sung Yi Gyum’s family consists of a nobleman father, his stepmother, a slave, and a younger step-brother, Sung Yi Bum. His father won’t accept Yi Bum as his legitimate son due to his mother’s low social status. As a result, Yi Bum is barred from seizing certain opportunities, creating a world of resentment towards his older step-brother, Yi Gyum. Another added: "Isn’t this when she was depressed and feared being left alone? Maybe that’s the reason of the comfort." And a third penned: "He’s so protective over her.. as a husband should be." The Love Letter is the latest historical crossed with romance and thriller elements from saga queen Lucinda Riley. Originally published in 1998, as Seeing Double, it received fairly mediocre reception twenty years ago. Conditions of the time and the main storyline crux, which is closely linked to the British monarchy, contributed to this book’s downfall. Now, twenty years later and due to the success of The Seven Sisters series, along with seven other well received saga novels, Lucinda Riley has provided The Love Letter (aka Seeing Double) with another chance.