I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Earl And The Reluctant Lady is the third book in Robyn Dehart’s Lords of Vice series. Each book in the series is written as a stand-alone, however there are characters that appear in all 3 books.
It’s love a first sight when Fletcher Banks, Earl of Wakefield sees Lady Agnes Watkins. She too is intrigued by him but nothing comes of it because her overprotective brother threatens Fletcher’s livelihood and he believes that he’s not good enough for her in any case. Three years later Fletcher is charged with protecting her while her brother is away and the feelings he’s been suppressing are making it difficult for him to keep his hands off of her. I struggled a bit with this story because I prefer a strong heroine. Agnes seems to hate herself and I found it made me uncomfortable. Medium Steam. Publishing Date November 12. 2018. #NetGalley #theearlandthereluctantlady

Rating 4/5

Agnes' mother was the cream of the crop! She wins the title of Most Embarrassing Parent of all-time hands down. Poor Agnes suffers because of her mother being an attention whore, and ends up joining a secret group of women who serve to fight crime. Fletcher has lusted for her since the moment he laid eyes on her, but a secret mission interferes with his courtship and so he chooses to leave her alone and instead seeks the embraces of widows. Agnes' and her group set out to change his rakish ways and in the process, Agnes falls in love with him and vice versa.

A really, sweet romance that shows if you're fated to be together, you WILL be together. No matter how long it takes you both, love always will find a way.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for a fair review. Good book. I did find the transition into the intimate scenes to be stilted. It was almost as if a chapter was cut out before those scenes. I also found an instance where it said Fletcher took his shirt off when he already supposedly had it off. I liked the characters Agnes and Fletcher and I will definitely read more by this author.

I enjoyed Agnes and Fletcher's story. It was well written, kept you interested and really had some spice that you can sink your teeth into.

It was fascinating to see this two flirt and remain constant with each other through the years. It was interesting to see Agne's brother be so against Fletcher. I started to wonder if he was doing this just to get Fletcher to just pursue Agnes more. There was as part in a story that threw me off, when they became engaged. That it became know of their engagement but yet her brother was not aware. It was kind of odd.

The mystery of the stalker was interesting. I honestly did not guess it at all through the story. I still don't know how he managed to get into her house without being noticed.

Overall it was a good read.

Fletcher Banks, Earl of Wakefield, has no power with his title. His grandfather is the Duke while his father holds the Marquess title. Fletcher needs to earn a living until his elders die. He uses his charm and wit to seduce secrets for the Home Office, but when he meets Agnes Watkins, he realizes that he his tired of being the government’s Rake-for-Hire. The problem is her brother is his supervisor and he needs his approval to keep his job. For three years he keeps away from Agnes until circumstances throw the two together and all bets are off.

Agnes isn’t you average fading wallflower. She is a member of the Ladies of Virtue, a group of select woman who are trained to fight and work their bums off to prove their worth to the ranks of crime fighters. As part of LoV, she takes up the task of making covert weapons for ladies of the ton to protect themselves. A blade concealed in a fan is only one of the many items she’s constructed over the years. She never leaves home without a weapon or two, and she certainly knows just how to use them. Another part of her duties to the LoV is to reform a man from what they see as a deadly sin. Fletcher’s sin is lust and Agnes decides to take him on as her subject.

This is the third book in the series and what is really interesting is the novels take place at the same time. I remember a scene from the second book that came up again in this novel but told from Agnes’ point of view. For an author, this is a very bold choice. How DeHart keeps it all straight is a wonder, but she does and it has worked out beautifully so far.

DeHart weaves her carefully crafted threads and produces a witty, romantic escapade that will have historical romance lovers devouring as fast as they can. There are several more Ladies of Virtue and I’m excited to see what DeHart has in store for each and every one of them!

I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4 stars

This is the story of Fletcher and Agnes. They are both in secret organisations and Fletcher is being blackmailed by Agnes's brother to stay away from her. I was a bit confused about Christopher because of his attitude at the end of the book, he either wanted his sister to marry Fletcher or not. I think I'd have prefered a little more suspense and activity on the stalker. The romance was of the on/off variety which is ok for a bit but after a while I wanted it sorted! I've read some of the books in the series and this continues with the Lady X problem but doesn't really move it on. You don't have to have read those to enjoy this. I liked the character of Fletcher and felt he shouldn't have been so apologetic for the things he was made to do as part of his job...there was an explanation for Agnes but it came quite late in the book. I think I'd have liked Agnes to get a bit more passion from Fletcher especially as he was muted as a great lover. I found it refreshing that Agnes's mother was given the space able to explain her actions and I was sympathetic to her reasoning. I recommend this book as an enjoyable romantic escape.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hmmm, yes, a historical romance was just what the doctor ordered this fine, Halloween day. I have no idea what attracts me so much to the genre, but the old speech is fascinating (yes, I'm boring, whatever 😒) and the wit of them is simply so entertaining! Not many of my friends agree, they find them yawn-inducing, but I'm glad I'm not the only fan in the world 😂


This was a delightful read, of course, with a very good writing that carried well and was never stilted (at least to me 👀). There was just the right amount of description, narration and conversation, which made the storyline easy to follow and enjoy.

Both characters were VERY well written, especially Fletcher, his witty comments were nice to read!


More detailed review available on my blog and on Goodreads :)


*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book which was kindly provided through NetGalley by this book’s publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ***

This novel is well written and sweet. Agnes is a beautiful young debutant not looking to get married in fear that she would be like her mother who has many lovers. She meets Fletcher who is taken by her beauty, intellect and shy personality but he cannot court her due his own insecurities and her brother's insistence that he not touch her. This leads to years of watching and yearning for the one thing they both want:each other.
I liked that Agnes is an unconventional woman of her time period. Unmarried and in peruse of other ambitions and yet her beauty and her scandalous mother prevent her for being seen for more than what she was. FLETCHER is a likeable hero charming, bold and hot. Their love scenes were scorching and yet I wanted more from him. He seemed a bit too whiny and insecure. Thank goodness he pulls it together and goes after the woman he loves.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. DeHart does it again. Fletcher and Agnes each suffer from everyone wanting them but not really. I love Agnes' role of weapons maker. The women of the Ladies of Virtue are great characters. While reading this story you feel the longing and compassion of Fletcher and Agnes. How can these two people learn that love is real and it happens unexpectedly? Great story, great characters as always. These stories are always feel good stories and I love reading their happy endings.

During her second London season, viscount's daughter Agnes Watkins is overshadowed by her own mother, who consistently seeks male attention for herself, relegating the socially awkward Agnes to the position of wallflower, much to her embarrassment. As such, Agnes has given up the hope of marrying, deciding to just stay single and avoid the lie that she believes love is. Fletcher Banks, the Earl of Wakefield, and elite spy, searching the ballrooms for a widow he is assigned to gather information from. Instead of finding the widow, he meets Agnes and is immediately captivated by her. Unfortunately, Agnes' brother happens to be the man in charge of doling out the assignments to the members of Fletcher's spy organization and he happens to hate Fletcher. Summarily warned off, Fletcher spends the next few years seducing secrets out of women, but never forgets Agnes. Meanwhile, Agnes, who thought Fletcher could be different, maintains her vow to never marry, becoming rather cynical and joining the Ladies of Virtue group to try to do some good in the world. Starting with convincing Fletcher to reform and give up his lustful ways.

Fletcher flits from widow to widow giving and taking pleasure but nothing more, even though Agnes is the only one he wants, because he believes himself to be undeserving of love. Agnes hides her social awkwardness behind a seemingly cold facade and has convinced herself she doesn't believe in love because she doesn't want to end up life her parents, or more specifically like her mother. When a persistent admirer begins to frighten Agnes and threaten her safety, Fletcher realizes he must protect her at all costs, if only he can convince her to allow him.

I really enjoyed this one, it's a quick read but it kept me engrossed and rooting for this couple. I'd highly recommend it.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

Very likable characters, good humor, warmth, and chemistry. Very enjoyable read.

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
This novel brings together romance and mystery. Agnes Watkins has no desire to marry. Many men admire her for her beauty, but also see her to be just like her promiscuous mother. Agnes is intelligent and she is recruited by the Ladies of Virtue. Fletcher Banks, Earl of Wakefield, needs to prove himself after a disaster land him in hot water with his superior, Chris Watkins. Fletcher is known as the greatest lover, which Agnes believes she can reform him. However, Fletcher has always desired Agnes, even though she is completely off limits. Fletcher agrees to keep Agnes safe. When threatening letters to Agnes keep coming, Fletcher knows he needs to do more to keep her safe. They agree to be "courting" even though Agnes does not want to marry and the women in Fletcher's family are destroyed by the men. Neither planned on falling more for the other, but love works in mysterious ways. When Agnes gets in trouble, will Fletcher be able to save her in time?

Agnes Watkins is the most beautiful lady in London, maybe even in England. The big problem is that Agnes' mother is jealous and wants the men who are would be suitors for Agnes. It doesn't matter if her mother is still married to her father. Fletcher, Earl of Wakefield meets Agnes at a ball. Since he is not in direct line to inherit a title and needs the money, he works for the Seven, an elite spy organization. His immediate superior happens to be Agnes' brother who is very protective of her and he threatens Fletcher that it would be bad if he pursues a relationship. He dances with her once a year at the ball where he met her. For three years he has wanted her, but has also spent that time, seducing other woman for their secrets. He is known as London's greatest lover. Someone is leaving disturbing notes for Agnes. Her brother finds out and leaves to check on a lead. He asks/threatens Fletcher to watch over her and to not touch her or he will make sure he will have no job. He has no choice but to agree. Agnes is one of The Ladies of Virtue who train in self defense and help keep crime off the streets. There is so much attraction between that cannot be denied. He proposes and she accepts. Then, Agnes gets kidnapped. Who can the kidnapper be? Will she be freed without harm? This book is very interesting. I love the Ladies of Virtue and the Seven. Both are subplots that add a lot to the story. I am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series. I received this book from Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. The opinions expressed are my own.