Unmasking Miss Appleby (Baleful Godmother Historical Romance Series Book 1)

Unmasking Miss Appleby is my first book by Emily Larkin. Ms Larkin has impressed me with this fantastic story. This book had threads of drama, action, suspense, paranormal abilities, sizzle, humor and phenomenal, lovable characters weaved together. Think it can't be done? It can, and Ms Larkin not only did it, she did it well. I totally enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to reading more from Emily Larkin in the future. Unmasking Miss Appleby is book 1 of the Baleful Godmothers Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger. I'm giving this book 5 stars only because I can't give it 6.

Not only an original story, but one that keeps you guessing. For once I could not predict the story and its outcome. The characters behaved as real living intelligent people. Enjoyable and humorous.

What a wonderful read ! I don't usually pick paranormal like stories but this one was free and what a surprise ,it made me laugh,it had good suspense,and it was a little bit of a tear jerker in the end. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is an extraordinary story I just couldn’t put down. Truly an enchanting book. This story had a little bit of everything; which would seem as though it’s easy to screw up. You are so wrong. There’s a faerie, shape-shifting, romance, mystery, and humor.

Marcus Cosgrove has a blossoming political career ahead of him. One of his ultimate goals is to end slavery. Well, you can’t get that far in your career without making a few enemies. And boy did he have some! On a regular basis, windows would be smashed in, and a surprise left on his doorstep. One night, he and his secretary, Lionel, are attacked and leaves Lionel badly injured. Time to place an advertisement!

Charlotte lives with her aunt and uncle who aren’t particularly kind to her. She realizes she needs to get out and make her own way through the world, but she’s a woman. Imagine her shock and excitement when a faerie is in her bedroom on her 25th birthday to grant her a wish! Let the fun begin! She becomes Christopher Albin and lands a job as Cosgrove’s secretary. They work together to solve the mystery of who is behind the attacks and vandalism. But, can they do it before Cosgrove is gravely injured?

The writing is superb. This is everything I look for in a historical romance. The playful banter between Cosgrove and Charlotte’s many personalities was delightful. When Cosgrove felt betrayed, you felt it too. You were on the emotional rollercoaster Charlotte was on as she dealt with deceit from her family to her feelings for Cosgrove. It doesn’t get any better than this! Amazing!

Great mix of light magic, detective work, and romance. But I was also facinated by the way gender as a social construct was introduced. Very refreshing! Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is my first book by Emily Larkin. Ms Larkin has impressed me with this fantastic story. This book had threads of drama, action, suspense, paranormal abilities, sizzle, humor and phenomenal, lovable characters weaved together. Think it can't be done? It can, and Ms Larkin not only did it, she did it well. I totally enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to reading more from Emily Larkin in the future. Unmasking Miss Appleby is book 1 of the Baleful Godmothers Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger. I'm giving this book 5 stars only because I can't give it 6.

Not only an original story, but one that keeps you guessing. For once I could not predict the story and its outcome. The characters behaved as real living intelligent people. Enjoyable and humorous.

What a wonderful read ! I don't usually pick paranormal like stories but this one was free and what a surprise ,it made me laugh,it had good suspense,and it was a little bit of a tear jerker in the end. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is an extraordinary story I just couldn’t put down. Truly an enchanting book. This story had a little bit of everything; which would seem as though it’s easy to screw up. You are so wrong. There’s a faerie, shape-shifting, romance, mystery, and humor.

Marcus Cosgrove has a blossoming political career ahead of him. One of his ultimate goals is to end slavery. Well, you can’t get that far in your career without making a few enemies. And boy did he have some! On a regular basis, windows would be smashed in, and a surprise left on his doorstep. One night, he and his secretary, Lionel, are attacked and leaves Lionel badly injured. Time to place an advertisement!

Charlotte lives with her aunt and uncle who aren’t particularly kind to her. She realizes she needs to get out and make her own way through the world, but she’s a woman. Imagine her shock and excitement when a faerie is in her bedroom on her 25th birthday to grant her a wish! Let the fun begin! She becomes Christopher Albin and lands a job as Cosgrove’s secretary. They work together to solve the mystery of who is behind the attacks and vandalism. But, can they do it before Cosgrove is gravely injured?

The writing is superb. This is everything I look for in a historical romance. The playful banter between Cosgrove and Charlotte’s many personalities was delightful. When Cosgrove felt betrayed, you felt it too. You were on the emotional rollercoaster Charlotte was on as she dealt with deceit from her family to her feelings for Cosgrove. It doesn’t get any better than this! Amazing!

Great mix of light magic, detective work, and romance. But I was also facinated by the way gender as a social construct was introduced. Very refreshing! Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I wasn't sure about the subject matter, but this book was so well-written that I just thoroughly enjoyed it. The baleful godmother was what I was skeptical about but it was a greatly entertaining book.

Wowser. I crave characters who, when faced with the cards they're dealt, up the ante and make something good out of a bad hand. Which is a long, cliched way of saying I appreciate women with agency. Agency - you know - the term that means the person has the capacity to act and does. Miss Appleby is an "action heroine," guys.

Other reviews will tell you about the plot. Let me add this about the world in which the heroine is gifted with magic, the imaginary world and the real world. England, around 1803. Slavery is still legal in British colonies. Unmasking Miss Appleby shows you a bit of real history about the long fight against slavery. I love learning something real while enjoying a realized, imaginary world that is fiction at its best.

PS This is a romance with the "good parts" left in; no bodices are ripped. I fully expect to reread it.

Disclaimer: I don't know the author and I didn't get a free copy in exchange for a review.

Charlotte Appleby had lost her parent at an early age and was then sent to live with her aunt and uncle where instead of feeling like family she had felt more of a servant. On Charlotte's 25th birthday she receives a strange visitor in her room, a faerie that tells Charlotte that she is allowed to make one wish. The only thing that Charlotte has ever wanted is the ability to support herself and not rely on her aunt and uncle so Charlotte debates carefully and decides to wish for the ability of metamorphosis.

With Charlotte's new ability she leaves her home and sets off to London to find a job now that she has the ability to mask herself as a man since a woman wouldn't be able to obtain work. Answering an ad for a position as a gentlemen's secretary Charlotte finds herself working for Lord Cosgrove but the Lord has his share of problems that Charlotte quickly becomes involved in. Someone had attacked Lord Cosgrove and he feels that his life might be threatened as more events happen.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is the first book in the Baleful Godmother series by Emily Larkin. However, the Fey Quartet series by Emily Larkin is a series of novella prequels that give a look into the ancestors of the characters that we find in the Baleful Godmother series. It wouldn't be completely necessary to read the prequels to understand this series but it was nice to have read more depth into how Charlotte came about receiving her birthday wish from a faerie.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is one of those books that was easy for me to become completely engaged in reading as it crosses so many genres and categories and has a life all of it's own. This is a mix of a historical, romance, paranormal, mystery with a lot of action and adventure thrown into the mix to keep the story flowing. Charlotte's ability to change shapes adds so much into the book as far as helping her progress in her life and then helping her to help her new boss to solve his problems so it all wraps in quite nicely to make one fun story to follow.

My only warning with this one would be to those that do not prefer sexual content. There is quite a bit of it in here with Charlotte not knowing anything about sex with this set in the early 1800's she finds herself tossed into things she had no knowledge of in her new position as a man and the sexual discovery is a big part of the story.

Overall, looking forward to the rest of this series, a great start with a historical romance with a touch of paranormal and mystery in the mix.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

When I first began to read romance fiction, Anne Gracie’s Regency romances were the first to show me how great the genre could be – huge fun, cracking pace, a sense of the period setting while keeping the protagonists real and vivacious to modern me.

Now I have another favourite modern Regency romancer – Emily Larkin. If Unmasking Miss Appleby is anything to go by, I’ll be gulping down her ‘A Baleful Godmother’ series like there’s no tomorrow.

Unmasking Miss Appleby begins with a familiar enough notion – the intelligent, sweet heroine, sadly orphaned, who must now be raised by unsympathetic extended family, denied her rights and modest inheritence, treated as a burden and repressed by rigid conservatism.

The little twist here is provided by a baleful godmother who, on Charlotte Appleby’s 25th birthday, suddenly appears to grudgingly grant a gift of faerie. It’s all the result of some favour done a few generations back, and the faerie would be thrilled if she can make Charlotte regret her choice of gift, but Charlotte’s no idiot. She asks all the right questions and, mindful of her yearning for independence and for useful occupation, she negotiates for the gift of metamorphosis. She promptly transforms herself into a male body and goes off to apply for the job of secretary to the abolitionist, Lord Marcus Cosgrove. It’s a job more dangerous than usual, considering Cosgrove’s enemies, but Charlotte – as Christopher Albin – is keen for employment, believes in the cause and has a secret faerie weapon.

There proceeds a brilliant gender-smeared adventure and love story. Charlotte’s sheltered life as a woman becomes exposed to the more earthy knowledge that a man is expected to know. She has to learn what her new body is like (and has to change back into a woman the first time she needs to pee, because she can’t quite work out how it works with her ‘pego’). Marcus thinks Albin is an oddly sheltered young man, having to explain so much, like the activities in the brothel where they go to fetch Marcus’s wastrel of a cousin.

Charlotte learns about a whole new world as Marcus holds these man-to-man talks. She discovers her own body, in both its gender expressions, and in her plan to rid herself of of inconvenient desire for her boss go well until they don’t, and she falls in love with Marcus Cosgrove.

Marcus’s life isn’t simple. He was betrayed by his wife, who subsequently died tragically. As an abolitionist, he has enemies. Someone plots against his life – but is it the threat from his political enemies, from those who might suffer financially from an end to slavery, from his former best friend, his late wife’s distraught brother, or that wastrel cousin, who will inherit title and estates if Marcus dies without producing an heir.

The story twists and turns; there’s danger and violence. Every time Charlotte shifts her shape into a new form, she has to learn how each new body works (I love the sense of these scenes – Charlotte suddenly as a sparrow having to practice flying because she initially gets vertigo). But she grows as a person while learning how best to protect herself and the man she loves, and the causes they both hold dear.

Bright, vivacious, funny and clever – I had the best time reading this book and can’t wait to read more in the series.

A sexy Regency fairytale-like romance with a paranormal twist that's really spellbinding! I have never read a regency quite like this...it has everything; fascinating characters, and a gripping story! Danger, passion, and twisted plots, all swirl together in this unexpectedly wild tale of a lover's heartbreak shrouded in danger and violent attacks! I totally fell for Marcus, Lord Cosgrove instantly. He's so handsome, commanding, and a revolutionary thinker. Marcus is trying to dig himself out of a personal and political hell-hole and uncover who of his many enemies is trying to destroy him. Charlotte Appleby is a kind of sweet Cinderella, trying to make a bad situation bearable, when an unexpected gift is bequeathed to her on her twenty fifth birthday... she chooses her irreversible fate, once wished, there's no turning back... I loved all the sexy secrets, humorous situations and dark edged mysteries, but I really fell in love with the clandestine romance of Charlotte and Marcus' falling in love...it's truly heart-meltingly magical! A Must Read!

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
While this book has rather incredible & fantastical scenes, it was ruined by all the sexual scenes. I simply slide past those areas of explicit sex. However, sexual discussion & events were through the book via language and descriptions.
Charlotte's character was well written and I enjoyed reading most about her beginning & understood the reasons she had for becoming a male in 19th century London.
Some people may well wish to read the book regardless of the sex.

I found Unmasking Miss Appleby fun and very unique. This is book one in the Baleful Godmother series and she is that. She has to give Charlotte Appleby a unique gift but it does not mean she has to like it. On the other hand Charlotte knows what will help her the most and goes for it. There are some often used tropes in the book. It starts with Charlotte living with her Uncle and his family who treat her worse than they treat their servants. It is great fun when Charlotte uses her gift to escape and start a new life. It is more fun to see everything that happens to Charlotte as a result. Romance, danger and tension are all a part of what is a fun romp. Great characters and a unique idea make this a must read. I will be looking to see what will happen to the next characters after a visit from the Baleful GoodMother.

'Unmasking Miss Appleby' by Emily Larkin is book one in the "Baleful Godmother" series. This is the story of Charlotte Appleby and Lord Cosgrove. Charlotte is living with her extended family who treat her worst than a servant! Until the day of her birthday when she is visited by a fairy God Mother who let her choose a through some wishes to pick one. Charlotte chooses to be able to shift from a man to an animal. Charlotte's thought is that she can shift into being a man and earn a living so that in a few years she can move away with the money she earns to the country to continue her life as her true self. She takes a job with Lord Cosgrove who is in need of a secretary and someone to help him find out who is trying to kill him.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

I was very surprised by this book. You feel for Charlotte and the situation she is in with her family. On her 25th birthday all that changes. You see her grow not only in personal strength but in knowledge and love. She is a force to be recokoned with. She is honest and loyal Marcus well he is a man that has had a sad past with his first wife. You feel sorry for him he trust and loves with all he has yet he is blind to things right in front if him. I really liked this book the questions Charlotte asked about man things is so funny ! Haven't we all wanted to know those answers at some point ? I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. And I have found a new author !

Likable characters and good pacing make this book a very pleasant read. I love a smart protagonist (who doesn't?) and I felt like cheering when Charlotte's first instinct on being offered a magical Faerie gift was to be cautious and inquisitive. Gender-bending and hidden identity stories can sometimes fall a little flat if the core relationship is not well defined, but I found that this book did a good job with that and justified its ending well.

I received a free copy of this book. This voluntary review reflects my honest opinions.

I don't read a lot of historicals anymore, but if more were as well done as this one was I would be reading them again.

The premise caught my attention, and I thought ok, that's kind of like Cinderella but different and I was very pleased that the story held my attention throughout the whole story

I thoroughly enjoyed this, there were several laugh out loud moments as well as a few that had me in tears. For me this is the sign of a good story/good author.

"This review is based on a review copy I received."

I thought this was a cute regency romance. That said, the plot is woman poses as man to gain independence from oppressive family and get ahead in that era. It's not Larkin's fault, but that plot has been done to death and she did not add any new twists other than the protagonist is a metamorphosi and can actually change into other forms, among which include a man. So it wasn't a woman, hiding being a woman, and being discovered. But the plot played out very similarly. I would have like to have seen a bit more done to spice things up as a result.

4 - 1/2 stars! This is the first book I have read by Ms. Larkin, but not the last. I read it just after finishing another romance book which had an interesting story, but the writing just seemed force and stilted. This book took right off feeling airy and amusing. I loved the premise and the main characters. Refreshing read, and yes, steamy love scenes too.

In the interest of transparency, I got a copy of this book for free. Admittedly I don't often bother writing reviews, but this book warrants it - I loved it! It puts a fun twist on a fairy tale theme, and I found the characters well developed and the plot interesting and complex. I enjoyed this so much I bought other books in this series and have enjoyed them, too! Highly recommend this book and will continue reading this author's work.

I haven't seen Emily before. How could I have missed her? I really enjoyed reading this book even with tissues. Marcus is shunned because his wife fell from their roof and slipped to her death. Charlotte is living with her aunt and uncle who hide her away and use her dowry for their daughters. Charlotte has a woman pop into her room. She is a Fey and owes her a debt. She wants to be able to change into anything. She turns into a man and now works as Marcus's Secretary. Now they try together to find who breaks his windows and puts manure on his steps. Charlotte is now Albin and works to find who wants Marcus dead. She has fallen for him. Marcus finds who and what she is. Major Spoiler. He is banished by Marcus who walks but took the knife instead for Marcus. This is a very active book. I can't count how many times Charlotte turns for him. It is an an almost adult read. There are a few scenes here and there. Please don't let this book get away! I have volunteered to read and review this book.

This short story grabbed my attention quickly when Charlotte received her magical gift of metamorphosis, and it definitely kept my attention through her sometimes amusing, but often courageous lessons in learning to live life as a male. Charlotte, living as Christopher, discovers that her new employer is experiencing some annoying vandalism which rapidly escalates into something much more sinister. She uses her magical powers, as well as considerable resourcefulness, to discover the culprit and risk her life to save the sexy Lord Cosgrove. A good read which you won't be able to put down.
I received a free copy of this book to review, but did not receive any renumeration.

I was unsure if I would like the magical and historical aspects of the book, but was thoroughly caught up in them both. The sex scenes were tastefully written and could have been even steamier. Nice plot and realistic villains.

Love the struggle between love, respect, and individual fulfillment. One of the traits I love in regency romances. How women struggle to be respected. Ms. Larkin does this with grace, humor, romance, and fantasy. HEA a must and always entertaining. Without a doubt, one of my favorite authors. Keep 'em coming!

Well written fantasy, Mystery , Danger and suspense . I enjoyed the story itself. Even though some where funny and fit the story ,
I did not care for some of the steamier scenes. I had to flip through several pages in one part . Other then that an enjoyable read.

It was a funny story. The writing was good. I rated it so low because of the explicit sexual content. I spent a lot of time flipping pages to get back to the story and away from the porn. I don't want to be there with them. I want to leave them at the bedroom door. I wish writers would offer a PG version. HMMMN! that's an idea. They could make money off both sets of readers!

Enjoyable plot that kept me engaged. Marcus is an earl and would be addressed as lord not sir! Drove me crazy! If you're going to publish a regency novel, and do all the research into everything else, you think you would get the titles correct. Seemed like a large mistake to me and I almost couldn't look past it. Charlotte was a bit too innocent for my taste. It always seems so condescending, somehow, for the man to be explaining sex to a woman. It loses the passion and romance when they have to explain the act. But I did finish the book and I'm glad I did. I like the mix of a little magic with the regency setting. I liked Charlotte and thought her character was well developed with intelligence and integrity. Marcus was so-so as a hero. The trip to the brothel was hilarious.
WARNING: there is sex in this book, it is not erotica, but enough to be a steamy & hot adult romance. Please do not read if you are looking for something PG.
Romance-4/5 Steaminess-3/5 Explicitness-3/5

Wowser. I crave characters who, when faced with the cards they're dealt, up the ante and make something good out of a bad hand. Which is a long, cliched way of saying I appreciate women with agency. Agency - you know - the term that means the person has the capacity to act and does. Miss Appleby is an "action heroine," guys.

Other reviews will tell you about the plot. Let me add this about the world in which the heroine is gifted with magic, the imaginary world and the real world. England, around 1803. Slavery is still legal in British colonies. Unmasking Miss Appleby shows you a bit of real history about the long fight against slavery. I love learning something real while enjoying a realized, imaginary world that is fiction at its best.

PS This is a romance with the "good parts" left in; no bodices are ripped. I fully expect to reread it.

Disclaimer: I don't know the author and I didn't get a free copy in exchange for a review.

This was this first book of Ms Larkin I have had the opportunity to read. Let me tell you I was so impressed that I immediately signed up for her new letter and for arc. This is the first book of a series in it there is a young woman orphaned who set out to make a life for herself, but there is a twist a faerie godmother gives her the ability to change herself into other shapes. Due to her gift she finds work as a male secretary where she finds mystery and a possibility of love. This was truly a wonderful reworking of fairytales of old and with a regency- era twist plus magic it was a hard book not to finish in one sitting. I truly loved it and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

This read just turned my weekend reading upside down, I had other books planed for these two days off work and now I have this whole series to read, already in line in my kindle.
I’m in a historical romance books period, thanks to the discovery of Virginia Heath work at a book fair in Paris, so this book appeared in my books recommendation thread, and as paranormal story is my first love in romance story, I just jumped in.

The story was so intense, each one of the main characters so very well constructed and developed.
Charlotte even if she is naive, is no weak woman, with the right circonstances, she is able to do what she wants without using the wrong side of her gift. Instead of helping Lord Cosgrove, she could have take a dark turn. In her new skin, her world is now inside-out, she faces things she would never has if she stayed a woman. But she has some backbones and takes the bull by the horns if necessary.
Marcus Cosgrove is a deeply wounded man by the events of his past, plus his life is also at stake. Lord Cosgrove is no sweet man but he is one who cares and fights his battles undaunted. Why he is looking for a new secretary, and the so innocent Christopher Albin is the sole one accepting this dangerous position.

The author slowly built the tension of her plot, mixing different threads the heroes will have to disentangle, the point of view from each one showing how they struggle to understand and comprehend what they are facing. The paranormal side is perfectly integrated, as we see with what Charlotte must deal with each shape changing, it adds a sweet and sometime funny touch to this story.

In all, a awesome story of betrayal, forgiveness and second chance with a touch of magic.

I’m a verified customer on the store.fr

Charlotte Appleby had lost her parent at an early age and was then sent to live with her aunt and uncle where instead of feeling like family she had felt more of a servant. On Charlotte's 25th birthday she receives a strange visitor in her room, a faerie that tells Charlotte that she is allowed to make one wish. The only thing that Charlotte has ever wanted is the ability to support herself and not rely on her aunt and uncle so Charlotte debates carefully and decides to wish for the ability of metamorphosis.

With Charlotte's new ability she leaves her home and sets off to London to find a job now that she has the ability to mask herself as a man since a woman wouldn't be able to obtain work. Answering an ad for a position as a gentlemen's secretary Charlotte finds herself working for Lord Cosgrove but the Lord has his share of problems that Charlotte quickly becomes involved in. Someone had attacked Lord Cosgrove and he feels that his life might be threatened as more events happen.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is the first book in the Baleful Godmother series by Emily Larkin. However, the Fey Quartet series by Emily Larkin is a series of novella prequels that give a look into the ancestors of the characters that we find in the Baleful Godmother series. It wouldn't be completely necessary to read the prequels to understand this series but it was nice to have read more depth into how Charlotte came about receiving her birthday wish from a faerie.

Unmasking Miss Appleby is one of those books that was easy for me to become completely engaged in reading as it crosses so many genres and categories and has a life all of it's own. This is a mix of a historical, romance, paranormal, mystery with a lot of action and adventure thrown into the mix to keep the story flowing. Charlotte's ability to change shapes adds so much into the book as far as helping her progress in her life and then helping her to help her new boss to solve his problems so it all wraps in quite nicely to make one fun story to follow.

My only warning with this one would be to those that do not prefer sexual content. There is quite a bit of it in here with Charlotte not knowing anything about sex with this set in the early 1800's she finds herself tossed into things she had no knowledge of in her new position as a man and the sexual discovery is a big part of the story.

Overall, looking forward to the rest of this series, a great start with a historical romance with a touch of paranormal and mystery in the mix.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

When I first began to read romance fiction, Anne Gracie’s Regency romances were the first to show me how great the genre could be – huge fun, cracking pace, a sense of the period setting while keeping the protagonists real and vivacious to modern me.

Now I have another favourite modern Regency romancer – Emily Larkin. If Unmasking Miss Appleby is anything to go by, I’ll be gulping down her ‘A Baleful Godmother’ series like there’s no tomorrow.

Unmasking Miss Appleby begins with a familiar enough notion – the intelligent, sweet heroine, sadly orphaned, who must now be raised by unsympathetic extended family, denied her rights and modest inheritence, treated as a burden and repressed by rigid conservatism.

The little twist here is provided by a baleful godmother who, on Charlotte Appleby’s 25th birthday, suddenly appears to grudgingly grant a gift of faerie. It’s all the result of some favour done a few generations back, and the faerie would be thrilled if she can make Charlotte regret her choice of gift, but Charlotte’s no idiot. She asks all the right questions and, mindful of her yearning for independence and for useful occupation, she negotiates for the gift of metamorphosis. She promptly transforms herself into a male body and goes off to apply for the job of secretary to the abolitionist, Lord Marcus Cosgrove. It’s a job more dangerous than usual, considering Cosgrove’s enemies, but Charlotte – as Christopher Albin – is keen for employment, believes in the cause and has a secret faerie weapon.

There proceeds a brilliant gender-smeared adventure and love story. Charlotte’s sheltered life as a woman becomes exposed to the more earthy knowledge that a man is expected to know. She has to learn what her new body is like (and has to change back into a woman the first time she needs to pee, because she can’t quite work out how it works with her ‘pego’). Marcus thinks Albin is an oddly sheltered young man, having to explain so much, like the activities in the brothel where they go to fetch Marcus’s wastrel of a cousin.

Charlotte learns about a whole new world as Marcus holds these man-to-man talks. She discovers her own body, in both its gender expressions, and in her plan to rid herself of of inconvenient desire for her boss go well until they don’t, and she falls in love with Marcus Cosgrove.

Marcus’s life isn’t simple. He was betrayed by his wife, who subsequently died tragically. As an abolitionist, he has enemies. Someone plots against his life – but is it the threat from his political enemies, from those who might suffer financially from an end to slavery, from his former best friend, his late wife’s distraught brother, or that wastrel cousin, who will inherit title and estates if Marcus dies without producing an heir.

The story twists and turns; there’s danger and violence. Every time Charlotte shifts her shape into a new form, she has to learn how each new body works (I love the sense of these scenes – Charlotte suddenly as a sparrow having to practice flying because she initially gets vertigo). But she grows as a person while learning how best to protect herself and the man she loves, and the causes they both hold dear.

Bright, vivacious, funny and clever – I had the best time reading this book and can’t wait to read more in the series.

Steamy historical romance with paranormal / shifter elements.
Charlotte Appleby is forced to be an unpaid servant in her uncle's home after her father's death. Treated horribly by her aunt and cousin...when her Fairie? Godmother, (neither beautiful or nice) appeared on the designated day. She gave her choices careful thought before choosing metamorphosis, then took the opportunity to flee the house that had become a dreadful prison to her.
She took a secretary position in the form of a man and became as important to Marcus Cosgrove as she became to him as they struggled to solve the mystery of who was tormenting and trying to kill him.
Using her unique gift they chased the answers down in her guise of Christopher Albin and shocking Marcus when she transformed into a bear in front of him.
She seduces him in her original form as Miss Brown. Grab this book and read it for you won't be disappointed in Marcus' reaction when he realizes Christopher is Miss Brown or vice versa. There is a HEA after they solve the mystery but the way there is a steamy and humorous romp. I received an ARC from Netgalley to peruse..

A sexy Regency fairytale-like romance with a paranormal twist that's really spellbinding! I have never read a regency quite like this...it has everything; fascinating characters, and a gripping story! Danger, passion, and twisted plots, all swirl together in this unexpectedly wild tale of a lover's heartbreak shrouded in danger and violent attacks! I totally fell for Marcus, Lord Cosgrove instantly. He's so handsome, commanding, and a revolutionary thinker. Marcus is trying to dig himself out of a personal and political hell-hole and uncover who of his many enemies is trying to destroy him. Charlotte Appleby is a kind of sweet Cinderella, trying to make a bad situation bearable, when an unexpected gift is bequeathed to her on her twenty fifth birthday... she chooses her irreversible fate, once wished, there's no turning back... I loved all the sexy secrets, humorous situations and dark edged mysteries, but I really fell in love with the clandestine romance of Charlotte and Marcus' falling in love...it's truly heart-meltingly magical! A Must Read!

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.
While this book has rather incredible & fantastical scenes, it was ruined by all the sexual scenes. I simply slide past those areas of explicit sex. However, sexual discussion & events were through the book via language and descriptions.
Charlotte's character was well written and I enjoyed reading most about her beginning & understood the reasons she had for becoming a male in 19th century London.
Some people may well wish to read the book regardless of the sex.

I found Unmasking Miss Appleby fun and very unique. This is book one in the Baleful Godmother series and she is that. She has to give Charlotte Appleby a unique gift but it does not mean she has to like it. On the other hand Charlotte knows what will help her the most and goes for it. There are some often used tropes in the book. It starts with Charlotte living with her Uncle and his family who treat her worse than they treat their servants. It is great fun when Charlotte uses her gift to escape and start a new life. It is more fun to see everything that happens to Charlotte as a result. Romance, danger and tension are all a part of what is a fun romp. Great characters and a unique idea make this a must read. I will be looking to see what will happen to the next characters after a visit from the Baleful GoodMother.

'Unmasking Miss Appleby' by Emily Larkin is book one in the "Baleful Godmother" series. This is the story of Charlotte Appleby and Lord Cosgrove. Charlotte is living with her extended family who treat her worst than a servant! Until the day of her birthday when she is visited by a fairy God Mother who let her choose a through some wishes to pick one. Charlotte chooses to be able to shift from a man to an animal. Charlotte's thought is that she can shift into being a man and earn a living so that in a few years she can move away with the money she earns to the country to continue her life as her true self. She takes a job with Lord Cosgrove who is in need of a secretary and someone to help him find out who is trying to kill him.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

I was very surprised by this book. You feel for Charlotte and the situation she is in with her family. On her 25th birthday all that changes. You see her grow not only in personal strength but in knowledge and love. She is a force to be recokoned with. She is honest and loyal Marcus well he is a man that has had a sad past with his first wife. You feel sorry for him he trust and loves with all he has yet he is blind to things right in front if him. I really liked this book the questions Charlotte asked about man things is so funny ! Haven't we all wanted to know those answers at some point ? I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. And I have found a new author !

Likable characters and good pacing make this book a very pleasant read. I love a smart protagonist (who doesn't?) and I felt like cheering when Charlotte's first instinct on being offered a magical Faerie gift was to be cautious and inquisitive. Gender-bending and hidden identity stories can sometimes fall a little flat if the core relationship is not well defined, but I found that this book did a good job with that and justified its ending well.

I received a free copy of this book. This voluntary review reflects my honest opinions.

I don't read a lot of historicals anymore, but if more were as well done as this one was I would be reading them again.

The premise caught my attention, and I thought ok, that's kind of like Cinderella but different and I was very pleased that the story held my attention throughout the whole story

I thoroughly enjoyed this, there were several laugh out loud moments as well as a few that had me in tears. For me this is the sign of a good story/good author.

"This review is based on a review copy I received."

I thought this was a cute regency romance. That said, the plot is woman poses as man to gain independence from oppressive family and get ahead in that era. It's not Larkin's fault, but that plot has been done to death and she did not add any new twists other than the protagonist is a metamorphosi and can actually change into other forms, among which include a man. So it wasn't a woman, hiding being a woman, and being discovered. But the plot played out very similarly. I would have like to have seen a bit more done to spice things up as a result.

4 - 1/2 stars! This is the first book I have read by Ms. Larkin, but not the last. I read it just after finishing another romance book which had an interesting story, but the writing just seemed force and stilted. This book took right off feeling airy and amusing. I loved the premise and the main characters. Refreshing read, and yes, steamy love scenes too.

In the interest of transparency, I got a copy of this book for free. Admittedly I don't often bother writing reviews, but this book warrants it - I loved it! It puts a fun twist on a fairy tale theme, and I found the characters well developed and the plot interesting and complex. I enjoyed this so much I bought other books in this series and have enjoyed them, too! Highly recommend this book and will continue reading this author's work.

A well written story with a unique premise told in both a funny and poignant way. This regency romance has more than a touch of the paranormal and maintains a high level of suspense through to the end. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good romance.

I haven't seen Emily before. How could I have missed her? I really enjoyed reading this book even with tissues. Marcus is shunned because his wife fell from their roof and slipped to her death. Charlotte is living with her aunt and uncle who hide her away and use her dowry for their daughters. Charlotte has a woman pop into her room. She is a Fey and owes her a debt. She wants to be able to change into anything. She turns into a man and now works as Marcus's Secretary. Now they try together to find who breaks his windows and puts manure on his steps. Charlotte is now Albin and works to find who wants Marcus dead. She has fallen for him. Marcus finds who and what she is. Major Spoiler. He is banished by Marcus who walks but took the knife instead for Marcus. This is a very active book. I can't count how many times Charlotte turns for him. It is an an almost adult read. There are a few scenes here and there. Please don't let this book get away! I have volunteered to read and review this book.

This short story grabbed my attention quickly when Charlotte received her magical gift of metamorphosis, and it definitely kept my attention through her sometimes amusing, but often courageous lessons in learning to live life as a male. Charlotte, living as Christopher, discovers that her new employer is experiencing some annoying vandalism which rapidly escalates into something much more sinister. She uses her magical powers, as well as considerable resourcefulness, to discover the culprit and risk her life to save the sexy Lord Cosgrove. A good read which you won't be able to put down.
I received a free copy of this book to review, but did not receive any renumeration.

I was unsure if I would like the magical and historical aspects of the book, but was thoroughly caught up in them both. The sex scenes were tastefully written and could have been even steamier. Nice plot and realistic villains.