3.5 stars

When painfully shy Phoebe North finds herself accused of theft and facing potential ruin, she is shocked, along with the rest of London, when the Duke of Leomore, the ton's most eligible bachelor, claims she is his betrothed. Though the daughter of a simple country squire is overwhelmed by society, she's no fool; she fully understands that the engagement is a ruse only meant to last until she and her friends from the Society for Single Ladies apprehend the real thief. Leo is delighted to buy some time to put off marriage a bit longer. He wants no part of love after seeing how such passion destroyed his reckless parents and he simply wants friendship with his wife. Imagine his shock at the terrifyingly romantic bent of his feelings toward Phoebe.

For her part, though she is very attracted to Leo, Phoebe sees the impossibility of a true marriage with him due to the vast separation between their classes and her family's particular unconventional behavior. Soon Leo has set about to convince an ever reluctant Phoebe that a true marriage could work between them.

This was a different read and I enjoyed many aspects of it. I think this new series has potential and I'll follow it. This was a good read for me in the end, but I did get bogged down a bit in the repetition from both main characters of all the reasons they couldn't be together and Leo's constant insistence on not being in love. At times it felt like I was rereading sections of the book I'd already read, but in the end it was mostly satisfactory, though I would've liked to see Phoebe's family put in their place a bit more.

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

The Society for Single Ladies consists of spinsters, debutantes who have failed in past seasons and women who are categorised by society as ‘single. Phoebe North finds herself invited to the group, by her cousin Amelia, who she is visiting and acting as her companion. With a stutter, she is perceived by many as not being part of the ton, but she soon finds herself engaged to Leo, the Duke of Leomore. Leo proposes an engagement to Phoebe, when she is accused of stealing a necklace, soon after her first dance with him. Whilst the engagement is done to protect Phoebe, Leo finds himself captivated by her honesty and Phoebe is also enamoured of him.
Both Leo and Phoebe were great characters in their own right. Leo is able to see beyond the superficial nature of the ton to realise that Phoebe is the right person for him. Phoebe, despite her stutter, for which others see as a weakness, is a quiet yet strong-willed character. She has a mind of her own. This was a lovely story with many great secondary characters.

It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
I found this story entertaining, engrossing and well written.
I appreciated the well written characters, the setting and the plot that kept me interested till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

The Girl with the Pearl Pin is the first book in a new series by Lynne Connolly, one of my favorite authors. Centering on mysteries and a group of “forgotten women” who have formed a club, The Society for Single Ladies series is looking like yet another winner by Connolly.

Of particular interest to me was the title which felt reminiscent of both The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl with the Pearl Earring. I especially liked the pearl pin itself and how it was used in the plot, giving it weight and import. I was less impressed with the “prom dress” cover because this publisher has been so good in the past with creating great covers for Connolly’s books. In the end, that is neither here nor there since Connolly’s writing is what’s really important to me.

The Girl with the Pearl Pin is significantly more lighthearted than either her Emperors of London or her The Shaws series, both of which dealt with particularly weighty matters like treason and possible death. I loved those series and I also love this foray into a more light and easy tone. After all, Connolly continues to explore interesting subjects in the past and illuminate the times through interesting and different people.

While this is set in Georgina England, Angela Childers is quite reminiscent of the Countess of Jersey who, in fact, ran a bank and was a patroness of Almack’s, one of the great arbiters of Society. I enjoyed that and the clear picture it presents of women in positions of power. There is no question that women were powerful and I enjoy reading books that portray that. But Angela is not the principal lead here, though I do wonder if she will get a book (I’m hoping yes.).

Her cousin Phoebe, who Angela neatly sets up, is in fact, the lead. Phoebe is a likeable character who is a bit of a doormat with her family but shows to great advantage when away from them. In London, and with Leomore, she is outspoken, interesting, thoughtful, and kind. I absolutely love how Leomore sees her and I also love how it is made clear that her intelligence, wit, and bearing are deeply appreciated not just by Leomore but by his grandmother as well. This is important because it clearly shows how substance over style is favored. After all, a bit of fluff cannot command an army of servants or take care of an estate and a great estate requires a mistress equal to the task. Only a foolish man would marry a bit of fluff. This is not just small subtext within the book but is writ large in the story of Leomore’s parents.

But back to Phoebe. She has mettle and strength when it is needed but never loses her tenderness and compassion. She is perfect as a duchess for exactly that reason. Connolly drew her so well that I could see her in a few years as a great lady with great polish and an arbiter of Society. This is a gift of Connolly’s. Her characterization is superb and she routinely writes people who are relatable, unique, and still utterly of their times.

Leomore (That would be Leo, or George but no one calls him that.) is an interesting character. He has both his parents’ terrible example and his grandmother’s exemplary example before him and has learned lessons from both. His desire for marriage is nothing more than affection (which is so in keeping with the times and comes from his grandmother) but he finds himself quite possessive and protective of a miss who has neither family nor fortune. I absolutely loved his thoughts on marriage to Phoebe – how he had doubts once meeting her family, how those were natural and just and how in the end, they didn’t matter. That worked so beautifully for me.

Phoebe’s family was horrible. Of all the book, their entrance and continued stays on the page felt melodramatic and off-kilter for me. Lucinda the sister, and their mother both felt like villains twirling their mustaches. They lacked any heft to their characters beyond their absurd scheming. I kept waiting for Leomore to lose it and tell Lucinda the only reason that Phoebe hadn’t made a great match was because her sister Lucinda was such a horrible person that it was hurting Phoebe. That’s how truly horrid Lucinda was. I’m not sure that Connolly will eventually give Lucinda a book, but she certainly has a great deal of growing up to do before she could be palatable to me. Her use of the pin and a horrible childhood friend against Phoebe was reprehensible and ties back to the mystery at hand, because this is also a mystery story.

Phoebe and Leomore become engaged when Lady Latimer accuses Phoebe of stealing her jewelry which is family heirlooms. This eventually is what leads the Society to try their hand at crime solving. As Leomore and Phoebe become further embroiled in the mystery, events continue to pile up leading to the idea of a grand conspiracy. I am hopeful that this conspiracy will continue to play a role in later books. There are plenty of characters who have opportunities for books so I look forward to that. Angela uses her power at her bank (in a way reminiscent of stories I have heard about Lady Jersey) to help with the case, and eventually the mystery is solved.

I did feel the ending was a little too easy and too pat, though. Everything got wrapped up in a big bow and the sense of walking off into the sunset was too strong. I would have preferred something a bit less perfect. That said, there was a potential coming book telegraphed though I doubt it will be next. I’m excited to read the next installment of The Society for Single Ladies and seeing yet another side of women’s life in the Georgian period. After all, at the moment, Connolly has another series The Daring Dersinghams which also explores the roles of women in Georgian England. The two series are not connected, but I do think they complement each other very well.

As always, I am eager to read the next Connolly book!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review 3.67 stars rounded up to 4. This is the first in what appears to be a loosely connected series featuring members of a club of spinsters who decide to help solve mysteries in part by using the fact that they are often overlooked and privy to information that others don't even realize they have revealed. This book features Phoebe North, a young lady born into country gentry, in town visiting her cousin Angela, who owns a bank and moves in high society.

Phoebe finds herself unexpectedly engaged to a stranger when he saves her from an accusation of jewel theft by announcing that he and his betrothed were stealing a few private minutes alone. Even more surprising is the fact that her rescuer is the Duke of Leomore (Leo). Phoebe is grateful for the rescue but knows that the fake engagement must end as soon as possible. Unused to the spotlight and often suffering from a stutter, Phoebe knows she is the last person that Leo should wed. Leo is determined to marry to please his grandmother and select a young lady able to carryout the duties of a duchess without any hint of love in the match. Despite Phoebe's background and her lack of confidence in herself, Leo finds himself drawn to her and contemplating if his previous view of marriage needs to be changed.

The mystery of who actually stole the jewels is a nice side story to the romance, although readers likely will figure out the motive before the on page reveal. The romance between Leo and Phoebe develops at a good pace and not just all at once which I appreciated. One thing that I can always count on from a book by Lynne Connolly is that the setting will be accurate to the 1700's; readers looking to avoid wall paper historicals will definitely enjoy this book. Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next title in this new series.

OMG, I’m in love!
I do adore Leo.

It’s been a while since I have read a book by Mrs Lynne Connelly and it is all my wrong doing, I purchased her last series but it went lost on my overloaded kindle shelves.
I can definitively say, even if the storyline is more then great, this book is a must-read because of Leo. Never he failed Phoebe, he might have his doubts but never he lost his composure and let distrust win the game.
He is a man whom never abuse from his position, he dislikes bullies and the like of them in the ton.
When he sees disparaging and belittling, he stands on the side of the victims.
Sure he is not flawless and makes a lot of mistakes but he does not hide behind his fault and accepts full responsibility when he does wrong.
A man after my own heart, ready to let the woman who came to count a lot for him find her inner strength, to help her find her own pace and to make peace with her past.
Phoebe has found in her cousin’s home a temporary respite. While her cousin is a very sought after heiress, she is a nobody, overlooked by everyone as a poor no one.
Until she crosses the path of one of the most eligible bachelor. A man whom in the span of few minutes will become her Champion.
For once, someone stands by her side, even if it is a temporary agreement.
Both know their only one finality to their fake engagement until the need of the other began to jostle their so ascertained understanding.
Each will cope differently, while Phoebe rushes straight into the lion’s den, then needs to steel herself to not give in despair, Leo asses his weapons and fights with everything he has.
Sure, at time I was upset at Phoebe inability to voice her thoughts and concerns, choosing often to bend instead of standing chin up but sometimes in the plot she found her say and expresses it despite her stammering. But it is her sweet and caring personality whom attracted Leo, so difficult to fault her for loving her family and forgiving their failing until their reach a no-return step.
Of course, Leo because of his past, has an issue with the emotion called love, he was a witness of what maddening love might cost. Why he is so afraid to open his heart but Phoebe without being noticed will creep slowly behind his defense walls.
A lovely and very entertaining read about love beyond reason.
As a first in a series, it was a great opening and I do wonder what will come next as there were aplenty of nice side protagonists.
A big 5 stars rate.

I was granted an advance copy by Netgalley and the publisher Kensington Books but I also purchased my own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a decent historical romance. I found Phoebe shy and reserved but at times showed wild abandon and assertiveness. I was not crazy about her constantly mentioning how she wasn't worthy of Leo. The author consistently brings it up and produces a weak heroine because of it. Phoebe is lead by her insecurities and she allows Leo to take control of situations and push her into marriage despite her misgivings.
I wish she was a strong character that would have made this novel that much more enjoyable.

All Phoebe wanted to do was escape her small town life, her eccentric family and her unwanted suitor so a season in London with her cousin seemed like the perfect escape. Of course things don’t go quite as planned when she’s at her cousin’s party and is accused to stealing a diamond necklace. No matter that there is a witness that knows that she couldn’t have possibly done it and that the thief only ran into her (literally). But Phoebe isn’t part of London society and the finds herself the center of unwanted attention. Naturally a dashing hero comes to her aid... by claiming that he just proposed to her.

The Duke of Leomore is under pressure from his grandmother to find himself a wife. He attends a party seeking out potential candidates his grandmother approves of. Phoebe of course is not on the list but her cousin Angela, the independently wealthy bank owner who has made it clear to the world that she has no desire to marry. A disastrous dance puts Leo into the role of hero for Phoebe and indirectly lands them in their predicament. To help her out he declares her his fiancé because people can say what they want but they cannot do much to the fiancé of a duke.

Together with the help of Angela and get semi-secret club, The Society of Single Ladies, Phoebe and Leo try to figure out what really happened to the necklace. With the owner of it spreading lies about town it doesn’t make things any easier. With the engagement so public the couple is forced to keep up appearances which is made increasing because their families, a disgruntled former suitor, a spiteful former mistress and their growing attraction and affection for each.

So what happened to the diamond necklace? Who has it? Who is willing to kill for it? There is a conspiracy happening and it’s up to the dynamic duo and their friends to get to the bottom of it and shut up its loud mouth owner once and for all.

It’s a love story of course and a mystery so I liked it of course. It’s kind of hard not to like Phoebe she’s all sweetness and niceness. However I couldn’t stand her family they were the WORST. Especially her sister. I would have liked to see her really stand up to them but I get it family is complicated. But what Lucinda was willing to do and how even knowing the truth her mother did nothing and said nothing? That was awful. And what kind of man thinks that forcing himself on a woman is going to make her want to marry him? Can’t understand that thought process at all. And how is it that Angela and Leo were the only ones concerned with Phoebe’s wellbeing at all? Sure her father sort of stepped in but these people did nothing to protect her didn’t ask her what she wanted and were content to believe a lie. Did they truly not know her at all? I expected that somehow there would be a situation where they would try to switch sisters on poor Leo. Who I liked and it was nice that he could overcome his childhood upbringing so he could have a real relationship and learn that love isn’t a bad thing.

I requested this book because I liked the cover and I’m a sucker for the time period so I couldn’t resist and it didn’t disappoint. I was completely enthralled and stayed up all night to read it.