Lady Notorious

by Theresa Romain, Gabrielle Baker (Read by)

Overview

London society knows George Godwin, Lord Eastbrook, as a fun-loving rogue—but since a near-tragedy, George has preferred scientific experiments to scandal. Yet his favorite thing of all is matching wits with Cassandra Benton, a maddeningly clever investigator who works alongside her Bow Street Runner brother. Skilled and shrewd, the Benton twins once helped George's family, and he never forgot the irresistible Cass.

When a long-ago wager resurfaces to endanger the life of George's reckless father, George calls upon the Bentons again to identify the threat. An injury sidelines Cass's brother, so she and George concoct a new plan: Cass will investigate from within the heart of the ton by posing as his notorious (and fictional) cousin. It will mean days and nights at George's side, but the self-reliant Cass is sure she can resist the intoxicatingly attractive heir. If only he wouldn't keep making her laugh, and tempting her into wicked nighttime confessions . . .

As they find passion in each other's arms, love begins to bloom—but danger still surrounds them. Society says they have no hope of a future together. And as the case takes unexpected twists, they might soon have no future at all . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798874859558
Publisher:	Tantor
Publication date:	07/30/2024
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Theresa Romain is the bestselling author of more than twenty historical romances, including the Holiday Pleasures series, the Matchmaker trilogy, the Royal Rewards series, and the Romance of the Turf series. Praised as "one of the rising stars of Regency historical romance" (Booklist), her books have been finalists for the RITA award, received starred reviews from Booklist, and been named to the Best Books of the Year list by NPR. Theresa is hard at work on her next book from her home in the Midwestern USA.

Gabrielle Baker is a highly respected and experienced British voice actor with her own studio at her home in Kent, England. A trained actor, she has become a bestselling audiobook narrator for award-winning authors around the world.

Editorial Reviews

12/03/2018
Romain’s fourth Royal Rewards Regency (after Lady Rogue) effervesces with romance as the sister of a Bow Street Runner and the heir to a dukedom join forces to solve a mystery. Cassandra Benton and her twin brother, Charles, a member of the policelike Bow Street Runners, are hired by George, Lord Northbrook, to learn more about the tontine, an investment his father participated in decades ago. The Duke of Ardmore, George’s father, and nine other men invested in the tontine with the provision that the sole survivor of the investment would receive the proceeds. Two investors died during the first 39 years, and three more suspiciously died within the past year. Posing as George’s cousin, Cass attends society events with George to discover who might be killing the tontine members. Their work puts them in close proximity, and soon they decide to explore their mutual desire. The physical attraction between Cass and George is enhanced by George’s admiration of Cass’s tenacity as she continues her injured brother’s Bow Street work, and Cass’s appreciation for George’s pursuit of the camera obscura and dedication to his family. Moving and complex characters highlight this novel, which is enhanced by mystery and complicated by period class distinctions that make a match between Cass and George seem impossible. Regency fans will enjoy this stirring adventure. Agent: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Romain’s fourth Royal Rewards Regency effervesces with romance…Moving and complex characters highlight this novel, which is enhanced by mystery and complicated by period class distinctions that make a match between Cass and George seem impossible. Regency fans will enjoy this stirring adventure.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Regency readers in search of a historical that eschews the tried-and-true in favor of something different will adore Romain’s latest superbly written romance, the fourth in her Royal Rewards series, because it successfully delivers well-developed, refreshingly different characters; an inventive plot richly imbued with danger and desire; and plenty of bold sensuality.” 
—Booklist

From the Publisher

2019-02-19

A female investigator agrees to help a nobleman who fears his father might have been murdered.

Cassandra Benton is an essential part of her twin brother Charles' success as a Bow Street Runner. George, Lord Northbrook, has hired them to help solve a perplexing mystery. Forty years earlier, George's father, the Duke of Ardmore, entered into a financial pact with 10 friends; each member contributed an equal sum to a pool of investment funds, and the last one alive will inherit the entire amount. However, three men in the pact have died under suspicious circumstances in the past year. When Cass' brother breaks his leg and can no longer work, Cass feels the weight of responsibility for keeping the family afloat. Fearing for his father's life, George agrees that Cass should continue to work on the case alone. He hatches a plot to pass her off as a cousin, allowing her entrance to the ton where they can quietly investigate which of the remaining members might have a motive to commit murder. Romain (Lady Rogue, 2018, etc.) deftly weaves together the romance and mystery plots in this pleasing, enjoyable novel. Both characters grapple with dilemmas of family and identity. George focuses on scientific experiments as a distraction from his parents' addictions. Of particular note, Cass' character arc is carefully crafted, believable, and wholly feminist. No longer content with a pattern of "saving" her brother and putting men first, Cass is determined to focus on her own goals, needs, and happiness. Although they are from different classes, George can't help but be attracted to a woman as competent and self-assured as Cass, but can she keep her newfound independence while entangled in a romantic relationship with George?

A refreshing historical romance featuring a partnership between equals.

Kirkus Reviews