Member Reviews
Here comes the white horse…this is one of the most romantic stories I have read in a while. It is sweet, intelligent, swoon-worthy and a little bit sexy. Matthew is definitely a knight in shining armor. Yep, love the scarred heroes. This story has two very intelligent main characters which I really liked and thought they worked well in this story. Matthew and Theodosia are lovely characters who deserve a HEA and definitely get it.
Psst…Kirkman is not so bad and I would love to see him as a hero in another story.
LONDON’S LATE NIGHT SCANDAL gives us an intellectual couple who are meant for each other in so many ways – they simply have to set aside a few beginning roadblocks to see that clearly. Matthew and Theodosia love science, the intensity of making new discoveries. Yet Matthew is in for a few surprises when he sets out from London during the winter season to investigate some points in Theodosia’s grandfather’s most recent papers – only to make a few discoveries of his own along the way.
I love a detailed story, it makes the location, the surroundings, the characters come alive for me and Anabelle Bryant has exceeded at creating a world rich with detail and characters that don’t always act as society demands. Both Theo and Matthew are intriguing people who definitely are attracted to each other yet aren’t entirely certain that they can “fit” in each other’s worlds. I loved Theo’s grandfather, and without giving much away, I think you’ll enjoy encountering him as well. Life isn’t always fair, but those loved ones in our lives try their best to make life well worth living every single day.
LONDON’S LATE NIGHT SCANDAL is intriguing, a lovely Romance with realistic touches that will engage your emotions. I liked this couple, even more so when they allowed the attraction, the passion between them to ignite. If you’re in the mood for a Historical Romance that will touch your heart, engage your emotions, bring you an unusual couple and a very good story then you’ll want to pick up the third story in the Midnight Secrets series as soon as it releases. I had such a good time with Theo and Matthew – and I believe you will as well.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
another wonderful story from a fabulous author! Lord Matthew Strathmore takes his job seriously, and even though he is still suffering pain from a gunshot wound, he travels from London to Oxfordshire to investigate scientist Lord Talbot about a suspect article. Theodosia, granddaughter of Lord Talbot helps him soothe his leg with botanical concoctions, he becomes infatuated with her but what will happen when he discovers her secret? Interesting complex characters and a wonderful storyline fill this book and will keep you wanting more! I had the pleasure of receiving an arc copy from the author,and Netgalley and this is my honest review.
I thought this book was well written but overly descriptive. I found myself skipping through large chunks of it constantly. The premise of two academics falling in love is good, but the story develops very slowly.
I have not read this author before and I see this is part of a series, so if you like the first two books I am sure you would appreciate this one as well.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it more. DNF
I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.
Add another author to my auto-buy list. I thoroughly enjoyed this story by Anabelle Bryant and can't wait to dive into more of her books. Matthew and Theodosia are wonderfully complex characters, obviously made for one another. Bryant gives them intriguing layers, challenging obstacles, and heartrending baggage to overcome before skillfully guiding them to their happily ever after and I was with them every step of the way. I adored their banter, their intellect, and their slowly evolving passion. I appreciated the care and sensitivity the author used in depicting Theodosia's grandfather's debilitating disease while also showcasing the reality of the marked difference in how people react to those suffering from dementia and other similar conditions. There's one scene in particular where Matthew's behavior had me in tears - the good kind - and convinced me he was worthy of both Theodosia's love and mine.
Bryant's prose is beautiful and evocative, stealing my breath with its mental images and eliciting emotions with ease. Take this passage, during the time when Theodosia is fighting her deepening feelings for Matthew:
"First her parents, and now Grandfather. She couldn't bear to fall in love and be broken again. Loneliness didn't hurt nearly as much if nothing was at risk."
Or this one, during a visit to the British museum:
"Winter's distant sunlight poured through the high windows positioned near the crown molding. The noises surrounding them - discreet conversations and nearby footfalls - faded away. The moment became timeless, as if divinity entered the room, fragile and precious for its rarity."
Is it any wonder I'm looking forward to reading more Anabelle Bryant books?
London's Late Night Scandal is the third book in Bryant's Midnight Secrets series but stands on its own. Feel free to begin with Matthew and Theodosia's story. In the meantime, I'll be over in the corner, losing myself in the first two books of the series: London's Wicked Affair and London's Best Kept Secret.
4.5 stars
*Advance copy received from publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is the first time I have read this author. I enjoyed the intellectual banter between the main characters Theo and Matthew. The depiction of her grandfather’s dementia was moving. I love that Matthew put aside his preconceived notions of women in the sciences to see Theo for all she is really worth. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
I'm not sure what I expected in reading this book - but it wasn't exactly what I got. I would say this story is somewhere between emotional and lighthearted in a way that it couldn't really decide where it was going. I liked all the characters, but didn't love them. I liked the storyline, but didn't love it. In the end I was left feeling a little ambivalent.
At first, to be honest, I did not like Theodosia. I found her to be arrogant and abrasive. I love smart heroines who challenge gender stereotypes - but Theodosia came across as extremely insecure and unpleasant. She had an isolated existence and an unusual upbringing, but it didn't excuse her judgmental nature and general unlikeability. I appreciated that she was working very hard to keep her grandfather safe and find her own path in life, but still. I also liked Matthew - but his science guy persona didn't seem to fit. He just seemed to lighthearted and funloving to be a serious scientist. Maybe theodosia was what he needed to bring him out of being science obsessed as a way to deal with his leg injury, but the author didn't really express that.
Overall - it was a nice story - it is definitely a slow burn - so be prepared for that!
I received an ARC of this story for free and am providing my honest review!
London's Late Night Scandal by Anabelle Bryant is perfect. I love how the author takes two characters, the Earl of Whittingham, Matthew Strathmore, and Lady Theodosia Leighton, the granddaughter of the Earl of Talbot, whom both lack certain graces the ton would not approve of, and tell their story.
I remember the Earl of Whittingham giving his sister the devil of a time about getting married, and he chose to just marry her off to anyone, no matter if it was a love match or not! Of course we all know how well that worked, and so now we have Matthew and Theodosia's story.
Theodosia lost her parents at the age of five to a horrific fire that claimed their lives. For twenty years now she has lived with her grandfather, who rescued her from the fire. Getting on in years. her grandfather is now suffering from dementia, and Theodosia, along with her staff take very good care of him. Theodosia has no interest in leaving him alone in his twilight years, and she has gotten used to the upside down life of a loved one with dementia, and how best to care for him.
Unknown to her grandfather, Theodosia has submitted several papers to the Journal of Science and her latest document seems subject to closer inspection by the The Society for the Intellectually Advanced. This is how Matthew comes into the story. He is the Chief of this Society and its up to him to make sure all articles are based on and proved scientifically. The paper has been hotly debated so thinking that the Earl of Talbot wrote this, he sends a few letters of inquiry that Theodosia just tossed. One day while she is sick, the staff brings the mail to her Grandfather and after reading yet another letter, promptly sends out word for the Earl of Whittington to visit!
When Matthew shows up at the door, she is instantly panicked, her Grandfather knows nothing of her articles to the journal for the last year or so, and now she doesn't know what to do with Matthew's visit. However since her grandfather invited him, he is welcomed and is given a room and this is Matthew and Theodosia get to know a little bit about each other and after having dinner with the Earl of Talbot, it isn't long for him to realize what has been going on. He says nothing!
Theodosia, never knowing the feeling of love starts feeling all kinds of 'unexplained thoughts and feelings' and so does Matthew! They are enamored of each other but are both too stubborn to admit it. When Matthew leaves a couple of days later, he starts examining his feelings for Theodosia also known as Bookish, a nickname Matthew gives her!
Theodosia and her Grandfather come to London to see a specialist about Lord Talbot's health about a month or so later and it is there that they further their friendship, and Matthew spends a lot of time with Theodosia escorting her around London. When Theodosia goes home, she knows she really loves Matthew, but does not tell him as she feels their lives would not work out together, with Matthew in London and Theodosia with her grandfather in Oxfordshire seven long hours away.
It takes an extraordinary man to do what Matthew does after this; he knows he has finally fallen in love and he plans to prove it to Theodosia! He decides he will not let love pass him by.
I don't want to say any more -you will have to read on, but you don't want to miss out on this wonderful book. There are so many special moments, so much angst in these characters lives, a book so well written you will want to read more by this author! I know this for a fact because I read one of her books-volume four, out of sync in a different series and loved it so much I went back and read all of her books!
I gave this book 5 stars and impatiently await more from this author! Anabelle Bryant is an automatic one click on my reading list!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and absolutely loved the main characters, Matthew and Theodosia! I really felt for Theodosia and what she goes through with her grandfather who has the onset of dementia because I'm going through the same thing with my elderly mother. I've learned that love and patience goes a long way!!
When they meet, Matthew is intrigued by Theodosia and soon learns that she has a brilliant mind and is very scientific, just like he is. She would rather be reading a science book than to attend a ball in London and is quite happy living in the countryside taking care of her grandfather. Matthew works and lives in London, although he's never cared for the ton and all the rules. When they fall in love, decisions need to be made and he has to convince her to take a chance. A truly wonderful love story and a truly beautiful ending that takes place at Christmas time:)
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will also be looking for more by this author. Not a fluffy read but good characterization and interesting story and sweet romance.
I like historical romance where the main characters are intellectuals. This usually means an usually and interesting plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
I appreciated the plot, engrossing and entertaining, the fleshed out cast of characters and the well researched historical setting.
I rooted for the characters and found the romance interesting and sweet.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The instant attraction and romance between two intellectuals. When the Earl of Whittingham, Matthew Strathmore, shows up at the door of Theodosia Leighton's home in Oxfordshire, it's a surprise, but not to her grandfather, Lord Talbot. He's there at her grandfather's invitation to discuss some theories that were recently in the Royal Society publication. Only these aren't exactly her grandfather's theories. Science, mathematics, astronomy, botony, Theodosia can converse them all, but she's never met a man like Matthew and Matthew's never met a woman like her. When her secret is revealed, Matthew promises to keep it and returns to London. She'll never go back to London, until an opportunity to help her grandfather turns up and a fortunate encounter reveals what the heart knows and wants. (****4 1/2 Stars)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
As usual another wonderful story from this author.
A great addition to this series and full of adventure and tension.
The characters were great , they fit together beautifully, and I can’t remember enjoying a plot so much , there was something very addictive to it .
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
Theodosia is the granddaughter of the Earl of Talbot, a renowned scientist. Matthew is the head of the Society of Intellectually Advanced. He arrives at the Earl’s home to question some calculations from his last paper. What Matthew doesn’t know is that Theodosia submitted the paper under her grandfather’s name since he has become forgetful. Thus begins an interesting story of two scientific people who discover love has no reasoning to it at all!
Theodosia and Matthew’s characters are so well defined by the author that they come alive on the pages. Theo and Matt are the perfect couple, even if she doesn’t want to change her circumstances. I like their banter and the fact that even if her theories can’t be proven He doesn’t condescend or think less of her. The heartbreaking reality of dementia is wonderfully portrayed. Ms. Bryant doesn’t disappoint and this book, which can stand alone, is another good story in this series.
This was a great historical romance with two characters that were unique. They were both into scientific research and studies than anything else. I loved how their relationship grew, it wasn’t an instant love. It was a deep relationship that will last. It was thoroughly romantic. The one thing that detracted from the story was that I felt the story was a little too long and dragged a bit. I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.
My first read by this author.
I have to be honest, I was thinking about DNF-ing it most of the time.
I don’t know why is this happening to me for the last couple reads I got from NetGalley but I know for sure why this one didn’t work for me.
While it sounds exactly what I like to read (wounded hero, an intelligent heroine), this book focuses more on her worries over her grandfather than the romance itself.
I got the feeling that the author put quite a research into this story because everything was described into details. Everything.
There were some parts that didn’t intrigue me that much so I just skimmed the sentences.
The romance took around 10 % of the whole book. Maybe less. I like to be connected to the MCs, I like to see their relationship progress.
This book really didn’t suit me at all. I know the author probably took time with this book but it just didn’t work for me.
3 stars.
I really like Anabelle Bryant, but was sad to see myself skimming over parts of the book. The story just dragged in some parts and I felt the heroine was a little whiny and a coward. She hates being alone and is lonely, but when presented with love, she runs. Annoying. I’d give the novel 3.5 stars.
The start of “London’s Late Night Scandal”, by Anabelle Bryant (Kensington Books/Zebra) really drew me in. It was lovely to have two leads who are scholars, and to watch how the hero’s erudite mind analyzes the heroine’s beautiful features with a fascination born both from the smitten man and the academic mind.
Theodosia is a refreshingly unconventional heroine and Matthew, the wounded hero who falls for the gray-eyed beauty, is kind, charming and handsome.
Unfortunately for me Matthew’s nerdy tendencies aren’t explored enough and even if his ailment is thoroughly described (meaning the author doesn’t forget he has some difficulties, as many authors often do), it doesn’t stop him from breezily carrying the heroine.
For the most part the story was enjoyable, even tackling some serious issues as dementia, although I found myself skimming through parts of the London sightseeing, which seems well researched, the sex scenes or Kirkman’s involvement in the plot.
The tale of Theodora and Matthew has all elements I love: an independent intelligent and scientific woman only our hero can appreciate; a would be lover trying to trick her into a marriage she does not want; a woman who has experienced tragedy learning to open herself up to love. Unfortunately I could not connect with the characters in the beginning. They just seemed wooden and not sympathetic. There were times in the rest of the book they became real to me but in the end I could not connect. I will not recommend this book to my patrons.