A Most Intriguing Lady by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
My review
4/5 stars
It's been a while since I dipped my toes into the world of historical romance, and I really enjoyed that this was how I revisited it.
Mary is cut from a different cloth to the other women in society - she wants a purpose beyond matrimony and motherhood. She is an endearing, ballsy, vulnerable and endlessly likeable. Her character's development was wonderful to watch, and felt totally plausible given the passage of time covered in the book.
Tre is struggling with an illness he finds shameful and keeping it, and many other things, secret. He is stoic, charming, commanding and gentle. I really enjoyed the dynamic that he had with Mary throughout the story, but I particularly enjoyed seeing how their relationship with each other developed over the span of the several years that the story covered.
The real touches of historical accuracy added depth to the story and were clearly very well researched. They helped me to completely immerse myself in the world that the author created.
The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that it felt a little slow to start for me; to the point where I read the first 10% and then went off and read something else before revisiting the rest of the story.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book blurb
Wallflower Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott has a secret. Moving effortlessly unnoticed amongst the ballrooms and palaces of Queen Victoria, her sharp intelligence and keen powers of observation allow her to quietly solve society crimes – coming to the rescue of those whose pride and fortune is at stake.
Overlooked and underestimated, Mary finds missing money, recovers stolen jewellery and saves reputations. When she meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, an unlikely and spirited alliance is formed. But Mary has more than met her match in her sleuthing partner. As she battles the expectations of society and her family, Mary must follow her heart – whatever the cost…
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You can buy the book here now. It's published by Mills & Boon.
For more on the author, you can follow her on Instagram, or head to her Goodreads page.