Three years! Clearly it’s time to stop pretending I’ll read this arc, instead of the finished copy that exists. Still wild about the loveliness of this cover, though!

England 1819
A tontine or wager from decades ago could cause the death of many since the one left living would win it all.

Interesting you say? Well, with our heroine working for Bow Street, along with her brother (who is soon out of commission.. think trist, fall from window...) and the case being more than intriguing, it was really more than interesting! Cass is hired by George, Lord Northbrook to ascertain who is trying to kill his father, the Duke of Admore. Tied to this decades old wager. Cass is thrown into proximity to George and it an subtle attraction begins to bloom!

Descriptive, wonderful characters and a mystery bring this story full circle with the inventive writing of this author, I always enjoy! Sit back and be fully entertained!

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Lady Notorious by Theresa Romain is a delightful read full of suspense, romance and revenge, which makes this book so entertaining. I recommend!

This was a total cover buy for me! I absolutely loved the lady in the orange dress and the smirk she is giving the reader… she optimizes the idea of a Lady Notorious. I had to read this book! Sadly, I let this jewel of a book slip to the bottom of the tar pile! Big mistake! This was a great read and I will definitely be adding Theresa Romain to the must read authors list!

Cassandra Benton, Cass and her twin brother, Charles work for Bow Street as a two for one package. When the Lord of Northbrook needs help protecting his father and godfather from danger, he turns to Cass to get to the bottom of the 30 year old tontine mystery that has put his family at risk. While working together they find kindred spirits in one another and the validation for their respective work… but can they solve the mystery before another dies?

This was. Fun and interesting read that seamlessly wove the romance and mystery together that kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.

#LadyNotorious #NetGalley

Reviewed by Monique:
George, Lord Northbrook, needs help: he fears his godfather's life might be in danger. However, the Bow Street Runner who was on the case, Charles Benton, got hurt. Again, Charles' twin sister Cassandra will have to do her brother's job; she knows the work, she is also a Runner, albeit unofficially. In order to gather information, Cass will go undercover as George's notorious cousin.

If only a book blurb could aptly describe the magic that awaits us with starting a new novel by the incomparable Theresa Romain. LADY NOTORIOUS is like the first day of spring after a long, hard winter; like being enveloped in a cozy cashmere blanket: warm and elegant, soft and luxurious. The writing is exquisite, the dialogues are phenomenal and set the author apart from the masses. I found myself gigglin at Cass' clever repartees, then entranced by the inadvertently philosophical musings that eventually colour her and George's conversations. The author's attention to historical detail is astounding, enlightening, yet woven effortlessly into the narrative, particularly with regards to the Bow Street Runners and George's preoccupation with his camerae obscurae. Ms. Romain's descriptions are precise, and colourful; her fictional world bursting with life; and the characters are enthralling creations, even minor ones such as Augustus, Charles, and the most delightful Janey Trewes.

The romance between George and Cass is the epitome of sensual loveliness, embodied in those fleeting touches and subtle looks; LADY NOTORIOUS is all show and no tell, and there is no higher compliment I could pay an author. Ms. Romain never rushes anything, and the easy pace allows the reader to fully embrace the story and the fabulous characters. What a marvelous and unforgettable world is that of LADY NOTORIOUS! I hope this series will go on for a long time, I honestly don't want to let go of those characters! Theresa Romain has written a book about how one can matter, how important it is to follow one's dreams, what love means, and that you should embrace who you are if you are to live, not merely exist. LADY NOTORIOUS is a delight for all the senses, and filled me with joy. A book so wonderful, no review could do it justice.



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

LADY NOTORIOUS is the fourth book in Theresa Romain's Royal Rewards series. Cass Benton is a woman with unique skills determined to survive and even thrive, despite assorted male louts that surround her. Cass and her twin brother Charles work for Bow Street, as well as taking on private cases, in order to support themselves. Their current case has Cass working for the charming and delightfully affable George, Lord Northbrook. Working a case while assuming a different identity gives Cass a little freedom to explore her attraction to George as well as prove that she can be independent. What follows is a superb balance of romance and mystery.

I love a well-written romance, and LADY NOTORIOUS has all the witty banter and beautifully articulated inner emotions and sublime absurdities that I crave. The Duke of Ardmore, George's father, along with a few other aristocrats stand to benefit as the members of the tontine are eliminated. Since recent events make things look slightly sinister, George hires Cass and Charles to investigate. An injury takes Charles out of the game and has George and Cass working together more closely. Theresa Romain tells this story from alternate perspectives and gives readers a glimpse into the true feelings of this hero and heroine. As an intellectual and somebody who has a curiosity about life, George respects Cass for her intelligence and adventurous spirit. Having been emotionally abandoned by his parents -- his mother to laudanum and his father to gambling -- the idea of having an engaging partnership with somebody like Cass is incredibly attractive. As they get to know each other, the level of trust increases along with the attraction. I find it adorable the way George pines for Cass and tries to get her to take him and a possible relationship with him seriously. At the same time, Theresa Romain makes the reason Cass finds for trying to remain detached very credible. For so long, Cass has been the only one she can truly rely on. She worries about trusting George enough to take a chance and fall in love with him.

LADY NOTORIOUS is a sparkling romance cloaked in mystery with clever dialogue. This story was very cinematic for me, and the characters and locations come to life. LADY NOTORIOUS is a wonderful blend of gothic mystery and light-hearted romance. This hero and heroine are loads of fun to read about as they fall in love and solve a mystery together. I look forward to reading Theresa Romain's next historical romance.

Stevie‘s review of Lady Notorious (Royal Rewards, Book 4) by Theresa Romain
Historical Romance published by Zebra 26 Feb 19

I’ve been greatly enjoying the Royal Rewards series and was delighted to learn that this latest instalment concerns the female half of a duo we encountered in the previous book: Cassandra Benton, who works unofficially as a Bow Street Runner alongside her twin brother, Charles, who is gainfully employed by that fine establishment. The pair also carry out private investigative assignments, and it’s on one of those that we first encounter them this time around. Many years ago, the Duke of Ardmore entered into a tontine with nine of his friends: an investment scheme in which the bulk of the money will eventually be inherited by the last surviving member. Now the duke’s son, George, Lord Northbrook, suspects someone in the group may be trying to hasten the deaths of the other men. George, therefore, is paying Cass and Charles to pose as servants in the household of the next potential victim and find out what’s afoot. All well and good, except Charles is flirting with the lady of the house, and Cass keeps finding herself in awkward situations with George. And then Charles falls out of a window.


Fortunately Charles’ leg isn’t too badly broken, so while he’s stuck at home in their rented rooms recuperating, Cass and George have to come up with a new plan by which they can investigate the mystery. Realising that Charles’ fall wasn’t an accident, George insists that Cass move out of the house where she was posing as a maid and take on a very different role – one that will enable him to keep a closer eye on her – by posing as his disreputable cousin, recently returned from the continent and fleeing an abusive husband. Cass agrees, and soon finds herself staying with George’s family and attending social events, all the while trying to look after Charles and keep up with their work for Bow Street while Charles is laid up.

I love Cass’ solutions to the problem of being in three places at once, especially as it meant we got to see more of a fun secondary character from the previous book. I also like the glimpses we got of some very different facets of society: Bow Street, the upper echelons, and Cass and Charles’ respectable, but not at all high-class, lodgings. I’m also very taken with the segments of the story that take place outside London, notably at Duke of Richmond’s Goodwood Estate.

The solution to the mystery, when it came, was a little disappointing, and I did wonder whether the villains of the piece were being adequately dealt with. Then again, the solution that George and Cass came up with did seek to protect innocent family members from being tainted by association with their relatives’ bad deeds. I enjoyed the friendships that were formed with characters from the previous book and the background romance that Charles had going on while he was laid up. Not my favourite of the series, but charming nonetheless.

Grade: B

I like historical romance that can find its way out of the ballroom. I enjoyed Cass and George both, although I felt a bit cheated that we didn't get to see their initial attraction.

I really don’t know what to say about this book. I liked both the H and the h, but they just didn’t work well together. The mystery of the story is interesting, all the characters are interesting, but somehow the story just seems to fall apart before the ending. The hero is very likeable and interesting, concerned about a tontine his father was involved in as a young man. The members of the tontine are dying, and he’s concerned his father will be injured or killed. He hires the h, who works in investigations, to help discover what is happening. In the course of the investigation, they become closer and realize they are attracted to each other. There is a side romance that is actually quite charming, as well. There’s an interesting story here, but it isn’t easy to find.

I’ve read other books in this series and enjoyed them, and this one was no exception. I like Cass, and I’m glad she got her own book. If you are very strict
about realism in historical romance, this probably isn’t for you. I really enjoyed it, though!

Series: Royal Rewards (Book 4)
Publisher: Zebra (February 26, 2019)

This is the fourth book in the Royal rewards series. The hero, George, Lord Northbrook hires Bow Street Runner siblings, Cassandra aka Cass and Charles to solve a mystery involving his father and to keep his father safe. I really enjoyed the characters, George and Cass. Their character development was very unique where George is a beta hero while Cassandra is an alpha heroine. George was sweet and funny while Cass was strong and independent and the romance in between them was tender and adorable. As a photographer, I absolutely loved reading about George's hobby and experiments with the light exposure on film. I really liked this aspect of his character development which didn't have a whole lot related to the storyline itself but made George's character seem more real to me. It was difficult to reach HEA for both Cass and George but it made this book a fun read. This is book four in the Royal Rewards series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone book.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

Lady Notorious was a fun, quick read. Cass Benton works as a Bow Street Runner with her twin brother Charles. She's hired by Lord Northbrook (George) to solve a case involving his father and a bet he and a group of men made when they were young; the winner of a large pot of money is the surviving member of the group. Now that the money has grown exponentially the members of the group are dying, and George is worried his father is next. (The plot is very Sherlock Holmes-y.) I really enjoyed both George and Cass, although I will say they both had very modern sensibilities that felt a bit unrealistic. George is aware of his own privilege, and Cass is working really hard to keep both herself and her brother on their feet. I really enjoyed this book, though - it was a fun, quick read with charming main characters and an interesting set up. It was also great to read a historical romance that isn't centered on balls, and that held a larger cross-section of society.

I was grateful to receive a free copy of Lady Notorious in exchange for an honest review. I liked the introduction to the story and I had high expectations. However, the plot fell short, and I just couldn't stay focused on the characters, or the story. On behalf of the author, Theresa Romain, I did not read the other books in the series, and maybe that is the reason I couldn't seem to get into this story. Unfortunately, this was not a good read for me.

very sweet book. If you like historical this is the book for you. If you like a spy like historical with ladies in disguise. Please read this book. here is a summary of the book.

Who knew love would be her secret weapon?

Cassandra Benton has always survived by her wits and wiles, even working for Bow Street alongside her twin brother. When injury takes him out of commission, Cass must support the family by taking on an intriguing new case: George, Lord Northbrook, believes someone is plotting to kill his father, the Duke of Ardmore. Decades before, the duke was one of ten who formed a wager that would grant a fortune to the last survivor. But someone can't wait for nature to take its course—and George hopes a seasoned investigator like Cass can find out who.

Cass relishes the chance to spy on the ton, shrewdly disguised as handsome Lord Northbrook's notorious "cousin." What she doesn't expect is her irresistible attraction to her dashing employer, and days of investigation soon turn to passionate nights. But with a killer closing in and her charade as a lady of the ton in danger of collapsing at any moment, Cass has no choice but to put her life—and her heart—in the hands of the last man she ought to trust.

Cassandra Benton, working undercover as a Bow Street Runner, takes on a case for George, Lord Northbrook to find out who is trying to kill his father.

This is the fourth book in this particular series and I felt that I needed to read the other books to understand what was going on. The book jumps right into the story with very little backstory. Also Cassandra is a very strong and independent character but I found George to be less than a spectacular beta hero. I wasn’t wowed by this one but may be enjoyed by some.

A fun historical romp with some unusual characters. Romain doesn't stay in the upper classes for her characters. A lot of fun.


Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I've read six of this author's books now, and I think she has a very broad perception of social class during this time period. Most other books have a MUCH more defined separation (and based on what I know of this era, that seems fairly accurate), but for Ms. Romain, it's no issue at all for a pseudo-Bow Street runner to marry a duke's heir (same for her other books). Whatever separates her H/h from getting together is usually based on character development, romantic misunderstandings, or other issues, not the impossibility of merging upstairs and downstairs, so to speak. I really like that the author makes unexpected choices (a blind hero - gasp, women who are not virgins - double gasp, impossible relationships), but this fluid treatment of what I think should be a much larger issue makes it increasingly hard to buy into the stories.

For this particular book - I liked the heroine. She was fun, capable, independent, and sassy. Yes, she had trouble getting over her issues and learning how to trust and depend on others, but I couldn't really blame her, given her background. (Her brother sure was annoying) The hero was... not really good for anything except a few jokes and as eye candy. (Why wouldn't he have been married already? A handsome duke's son??) I didn't see a whole lot of growth in him as a character either, which left me with a general feeling that he didn't really deserve her. I realize his character was probably reflective of many aristocratic men of that time period (indolent with not much to occupy their time except dabble in little hobbies, some more innocuous than others), but I thought if the heroine was going to be so socially anachronistic, the hero could have been a little bit too. Anything to make him a little more interesting, I guess. Overall, I mostly enjoyed the story but would not re-read.

I received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The writing was great. If you are looking for a HR with a strong, independent female character then this is the book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I love romances with a little mystery! I really enjoyed reading about Cass & George as they tried to solve the mystery. I also enjoyed the side characters, they add a little extra to the story. This is the 4th book in the Royal Rewards series but I haven't read any of the other books and it didn't detract from the story at all. I am looking forward to going back and reading books 1-3.