Night at the Opera (American Heiress, #1)

by Stacy Henrie

[sstaley]

I just finished reading Night at the Opera. This historical romance is a great combination of romance and mystery. Gwen Barton, an American heiress travels to England to "find" a rich aristocrat with a title. (At least that's what her mother wants for her.) Gwen feels marriage didn't come her way in America because of her disability, a leg injury from her childhood that has left her with a noticeable limp. While there in London, she helps a gravely injured man in a private booth at the opera. Her heart is stolen by this mystery man and it's her goal to find out who he is after the powerful kiss they shared.

This mystery man happens to be Avery Winfield, a British spy and nephew of a duke. He's avoided marrying and staying single, but things all change once he meets Gwen. The two main characters are both so likable. In many novels you don't like one or the other, but I loved both Gwen and Avery. They had wonderful qualities, but both had reasons not to believe in themselves which kept them apart for awhile. Gwen is so kind, loving, and brave. Avery is stalwart, brave, and kind. They are very much alike and of course their fears and pride get in their way.

This book is mainly a romance with a mystery about who the German spy is that Avery is hunting. The book takes place in the early 1900's, right before World War 1. I felt enough was done when it came to the spying aspect. I feel like this story was more a romance than a spy novel, so I was satisfied with the balance between the two aspects. I especially loved Gwen and her noble work at her cousin's orphanage.

If you like a historical romance with intrigue, angst, and a slow burn romance, you will love reading, Night at the Opera.