I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewer: Andrea
The Summary:
In this steamy novel from Ashlyn Macnamara—“a born storyteller” (Jennifer McQuiston) who “brings all the elegance and romance of the Regency to life” (Tessa Dare)—a dutiful young lady tries to resist the charms of a rogue from the legendary Bow Street Runners.
When Lady Elizabeth Wilde and her sisters are summoned once again to their chronically anxious father’s deathbed, she’s shocked to find that his worries are at last justified. He’s terribly ill, and Lizzie suspects poison. But when she seeks help from the Bow Street Runners, her request is answered by a rough-hewn rogue known only as Dysart. Though his irreverent charm by turns shocks and captivates her, a man of Dysart’s background is an altogether inappropriate choice for a duke’s daughter—isn’t he?
Although Dysart has his reasons to disdain polite society, the promise of supplemental income from a noble’s coffers is too tempting to deny. But if Dysart means to apprehend the culprit who poisoned the duke, he’ll need to avoid any and all distractions—like the delicious swish of Lady Elizabeth’s hips. Yet as the investigation begins to unearth secrets he’d rather remain hidden, Dysart must decide at a moment’s notice whether to hold Elizabeth at arm’s length . . . or pull her dangerously close.
The Review:
I cannot praise this book highly enough! If you love historical romances, you must read this novel. The love story is wound tightly and expertly throughout the perplexity of the duke’s mysterious illness. There are just enough tantalizing scenes to break up the maze of this Victorian Clue. Everyone’s a suspect in this whodunit.
Lizzie is a smart, strong female protagonist with a clear voice. Dysart is the typical kind-hearted bad boy those fans of the genre will book crush on. After hiring the devilish Dysart, Lizzie finds another riddle in the life story of her dashing hero, which adds another layer to this well-written thriller. Lizzie’s sisters are boldly painted, and I wonder if they will be characters in future novels of the series. If so, sign me up!
The novel’s pacing is brisk enough to keep the reader wondering without that typical “slag” in many historical romances, and while some might say the novel is light on history, I found that another enticement. It keeps the reader from being bogged down my extraneous info while maintaining the historical setting in a way that show “real life” for women of the ton.
I seriously doubt you’ll be disappointed.
