reviewsbyerin | "Engaging Deception" by Regina Jennings

Olive Kentworth has a secret. She's been hidden away from the world for years, first caretaking and then mourning the loss of her mother. But she's been developing her talents as an architect along the way. Her cousins have allowed her to design plans for some of their buildings, and people have taken notice and inquired after the genius behind the work. Olive agrees to draw up plans for a home addition as long as the design is credited to her cousin Amos.

Maxfield Scott is one of the premier architects in Joplin. Why is someone adding onto the Blounts' house and ruining his beautiful creation? It's hard to believe the uncouth Amos Kentworth could be behind it. Max doesn't need this kind of distraction. He's only looking for distractions that are fun and good, like Ruby Dennis. She takes his mind off the loss of his wife and the responsibility of his young children at home.

Speaking of his children, Max needs someone to watch them during his dates with Ruby. Shy and quiet Olive Kentworth seems like a respectable young lady, even if she is Amos's cousin. But as Maxfield gets to know Olive, the attraction of Ruby's shallow gaiety fades away. Maybe steady and sensible is what he needs.

Olive can't believe her good fortune. Being able to study Maxfield Scott's library while he courts his lady friend is allowing her to expand her education and form more ideas for touches of beauty in her designs. But when his attention swings her way, Olive shrinks back. He can't learn her secret. Wouldn't he only say she was unqualified and merely a woman who should stay away from construction sites?

This novel was my favorite of the Joplin Chronicles series, and probably because I related so well to Olive. I know what it's like to feel like family responsibilities have kept you from doing what you might have otherwise. To see her follow her dreams actually made me cry a couple times. I liked Max too, especially when he was in his role as father. Overall, I recommend this book for anyone who likes their historical stories with a good helping of laugh out loud on the side.

I received my copy of this book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.