I was highly anticipating this follow up to one of my favorite debuts from last year. Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the story well enough for what it was, I didn’t feel like it made for a well-executed romance novel. To Catch an Earl is hunting big game, to borrow a phrase from Jen Prokop and Sarah MacLean of Fated Mates, in that the premise of the novel creates remarkably high stakes. Our heroine, Emmy, is a thief, with admittedly good intentions and our hero, Hargrove, is a Bow Street Runner, aka the police. Complicating matters would be that the two have been intrigued by one another for years thanks to the dance and kiss they shared four years ago, though Hargrove didn’t know who Emmy was. Anyway, it’s a high concept romance novel and one that I think could have worked.

Unfortunately, it just didn’t quite make it for me. Specifically, I felt like our leads spent too much time thinking about one another without seeing one another again. And I never really understood their connection. They fall in love, but I was a little confused about why. Like what did they even know about one another? This is not always something that bothers me so I can’t really point to why it irked me more here than it has in other books. I think I just really wanted something besides a physical connection to understand about these two.

All of that said, I did enjoy the writing and the story once I decided to set my issues with the romance aside. I thought it was fun and I really liked Emmy as a heroine. I adore her grandmother. And overall, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series because Sebastian’s adamant opposition to marriage is going to make his fall so, so sweet.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for this early review copy.

I loved the first book in this series, This Earl of Mine, so I was excited for the second installment. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me.

Four years ago, Emmy and Alex met: “They’d talked. Danced. Flirted. They’d shared one perfect kiss.” Spent minutes together, in an underwhelming encounter, IMO, and yet they can’t forget each other? Maybe if there was more of a setup before their meet up I could’ve bought into the romance, but I just didn’t feel it.

Also, not a fan of the whole jewel thief plot. Alex in pursuit of a jewel thief, which is Emmy. This secret hanging over them for a good portion of the book.

One hit, one miss. Not sure if I’ll read the next one or not.

A lively and entertaining read. Emmy is the perfect match and nemesis for Alex. She outwits him at almost every turn and makes fun of him as she does so! It was so much fun to read.

I loved that Emmy was a strong-willed and clever person. She never once became the simpering miss waiting for a man to rescue her. She took control when she needed to and made her own decisions no matter their outcome.

The banter between her and Alex was sharp-witted and funny. It left a smile on my face and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I loved this one. It flowed even better than book one, it was funny, full of banter, steamy, and creative story line. Alex who we meet in book one is set onto a new case. Emmy meet Alex at a ball 4 years before and they fell for each other but Alex had no clue who he meet. Because of Emmy's father profession she has to set into his shoes to save the family which put her back into Alex's world. Their game of cat and mouse made for a fun read. I loved the British Museum bit and all the history and fun words the author put into this book.

Can't wait to read book 3 and see how Seb handles falling in love. Also, we might get some more of these two.

Overall, 4 stars and 3 steam.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely captivated as soon as I started reading and hanging onto every word with incredible characters and a story so beautifully written I felt like I had traveled back to 1816 London and was totally immersed in all that was happening. I loved the instant attraction, repartee and sizzling chemistry between Alex Harland, Earl of Melton and beautiful and elusive Emmy Danvers, daughter of notorious thief, Nightjar. If you enjoy well-crafted Regency Romance that's full of emotions and dramatic twists, don't miss "To Catch an Earl", a Bow Street Bachelors Novel, by gifted author Kate Bateman. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review. I enjoyed it so much, I purchased a copy to read again later.

To Catch an Earl is the second book in the Bow Street Bachelors series, and I enjoyed it more than the first book. Emmy Danvers, daughter of a notorious thief, versus Alex Harland, a Bow Street investigator! It’s an interesting plot in which the heroine is the “criminal” and the hero is fighting the sizzling attraction while trying to uphold justice at the same time 😆...

Emmy’s father made a mission of his life to retrieve all the French crown jewels that were lost during the Revolution and hope to return them to the French royal family. Years after he died, Emmy and her brother are blackmailed into stealing the rest of the jewels. So Emmy is pushed into continuing her father’s legacy and taking up the Nightjar role again. But her job is not as easy as before when Alex, her long time crush, is after her at every turn and successfully predicts her next moves.

After returning from Waterloo, Alex joins his two best friends to open a gambling club and works as a Bow Street detective. At the end of the first book, he was granted an earldom for his services to the crown. He’s upright, honorable, an alpha hero! When dealing with the irritatingly attractive adversary 😆, he has to face the tough dilemma: arrest her or protect her? The game of cat and mouse between them is quite fun to read 😂.

This book has very promising premises and the writing flows very nicely. I feel that the execution could have been better. There are details that are quite unbelievable or come too easily, and the catching of the culprit at the end doesn’t seem to be grand enough 🙈. All in all, I think this couple has better chemistry than the couple in the first book 🔥, and their enemies-to-lovers relationship is portrayed well. This book has almost no angst without many surprised twists and turns, so if you’re looking for something light and pleasurable, this is for you!

4.5⭐️ for me!

*Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Before he went to war, Alex and Emmy met, danced, and shared a kiss that neither has forgotten. Alex Harland is now a war hero, Earl Melton, partner in a gaming house, and a Bow Street runner determined to capture Nightjar. Emmy Danvers is a jewel thief, a very good jewel thief. Following in her father’s footsteps (and due to a blackmailer), she has become the infamous Nightjar. Their story is a fast-moving “catch me if you can” adventure. The chemistry between these two is sizzling, but how can romance bloom under the circumstances?

The characters in this story, are intelligent, strong-willed, and quite daring. Emmy and Alex enjoy challenging each other. Emmy’s brother Luc and her friend Sally are in cahoots with Emmy. Her grandmother Camille provides a connection with society and very clever encouragement and wisdom. Alex gets help and some snarky observations from Seb Wolff, his partner and fellow Runner. The second installment of the Bow Street Bachelors is an exciting story full of action, drama, danger, humor and fun. I enjoyed and recommend To Catch an Earl. I look forward to Seb’s story.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a magnificent cat and mouse historical romance novel, a delightful read, written with a humorous voice, endearing characters and a intriguing plot. I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

The premiss of the series is three veterans of the Napoleon wars, return to London, open a gambling den, the Tricorn Club and use their skills learn in the war to help Bow Street. The three of them stopped a plot to free Bonaparte, in the previous book, and each were rewarded by the Regent with titles. This book centers on Alexander Harland, a second son, the spare, of a Duke, now the Earl of Melton. Before he went to war, he had met the woman of his dreams at a Masquerade, but he never saw her face or learned her name. That woman is Emmy Danvers, who had crushed on him for years, but as the daughter of a master jewel thief, known as The Nightjar, had no hope of ever having the life she desires, a loving husband who knows all her secrets and children. Her father had been a French patriot, recovering all the French crown jewels, stolen by French revolutionary leader, Georges Danton. But her father died, before recovering all the jewels. Her brother, Luc, was injured in the Navy. They had been living with their grandmother, Camille, until they started receiving blackmailing letters from Danton's son, threatening to expose them if they do not steal back the rest of the jewels and give them to him. The Nightjar, seemed to have retired, but now is back in the game, and Alex quickly deduces that Emmy is the thief and the woman he has been dreaming of for years. While they play their game of cat and mouse, Camille is plotting their union. Delicious!

This book was kind of a split decision for me. Some things I really liked but unfortunately they were almost equally matched with things I didn't. I really liked the concept behind this book. It promised to lead to a story that was fun, exciting and emotional and I felt the author partially delivered this but I also felt there was plenty of untapped potential. I liked the characters. Their chemistry was spot on but I would have loved to see more romance and meaningful emotion in their relationship. Add in some personal pet peeves and a few "what!!?" or "Why!!?" moments and I was left with a good read that left me feeling a bit let down.

This is the second book in Bateman's <i>Bow Street Bachelors</i> series. Bateman does banter reasonably well in the beginning but that falls away when the characters get caught up in the story. I hoped it would be a theme underlying all the seriousness.

The premise is that she is a clever jewel thief, called Nightjar, who steals from wealthy wives of visiting diplomats leaving behind a black feather so they know she had been there. Emma is known for her mastery of disguise, given how many people she has fooled so far. Inexplicably, she wears a unique perfume every time she goes jewel hunting.

He is the Bow Street runner who is in hot pursuit. In reality, he is Alexander Harland, the Earl of Melton, and she is Emmy Danvers, also known as Emmeline Louise d’Anvers, the daughter of France’s most sought after jewel thief. There is much attraction between the two leaving the hero conflicted.

There's intrigue in the story about Bonaparte and Napoleon and how someone is hunting her, but the plot overall is lackluster, and despite its promising beginning, the characters then fall into predictable lines.

I think the first thing I found so interesting about this book is the story is different. Emmeline is a thief who only steals the jewels that once belonged in the French crown. Her father died and she had to take up the work he had not finished. Alex Harland is the Earl of Melton and having returned from the war is working for the Bow Street Runners. He has made it his work to recover the jewels the 'Nightjar' has stolen.
They had met one night four years ago at a masked ball. He never forgot her as he went away to war. She had not forgotten him either. Can they find love with him hunting her for being a thief?

This book was so much fun to read. Emmy Danvers just wanted to live a normal life but her family thought that was an awful idea. She is on a mission to complete what her father started. Alex Harland, Earl of Melton and a Bow Street runner has been put on the case of the missing jewels with his friends. Oh what a merry weave she leads him on. All the while, Alex is just waiting for her to fall into the trap. The trap captured them both. She has been in love with him and he is now coming to the conclusion that he is also in love with her. You just have to love these two.

A female jewel thief, an ex-soldier/Earl working with the Bow Street runners make a entertaining story. Emmy is carrying on the family legacy, stealing back the french Crown Jewels to restore them after Napoleon’s defeat. Alex is chasing her, in more ways than one (wink). Of course they fall for each other during the chase. The story is nicely balanced between the suspense of the jewel heists and the building romance. Enough twists thrown in to keep you guessing, and we’ve got a good book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

The Bow Street Investigator and the jewel thief...a story of wrestling with what is right and wrong, and steamy sexual chemistry! Who is the rightful owner of artifacts when they are liberated from their original home? Is it wrong to return them to their origin? Big questions to ponder and consciences to examine...I loved Alex struggling with these questions while Emmy just wanted to keep the blackmailer away from her loved ones. It's complicated by the incredible sexual magnetism between these two people.

Emmeline Louise d'Anvers is the daughter of the French jewel thief Nightjar. Her father set out to liberate the French Crown Jewels that were used by revolutionary forces that traded them for support for their cause. Emmy's father was determined to return the jewels to the Bourbon Throne. He died before he got the last four. Nightjar's nemesis was Danton and his son Emile wants the jewels and blackmails Emmy's and her family. She aided her father in her teens has no choice but to resurrect Nightjar and get the jewels.

Alex Harland, Earl of Melton is the second son of a duke. He gained his title in service to the king during the war. He's co-owner of the Tricorn gambling Club with his two long held friends, Benedict Wylde now Earl of Ware and Sebastian Wolff now Earl of Mowbray. They help Bow Street with sensitive cases on occasion. Alex met a mystery woman four years ago at a masked ball, just before he went to war, and has never forgotten her. He's determined to figure out who she is and explore their chemistry. He soon discovers his mystery woman is Emmy and she is the thief he's trying to capture. This begins the dance as to how Emmy will recover the remaining jewels to keep their blackmailer off their backs and Alex's conflict over how to arrest and yet protect her. Very interesting plot twists to accomplish this HEA. I just loved it!

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

Daughter of a legendary thief, Emmy Danvers has always hidden on the outside of society. Outwardly accepted by the ton, but only because they don’t know her and her family’s secrets. Until a specter from her father’s past appears and threatens to reveal her family’s secrets unless her family can deliver to him the French crown jewels. But in doing so, Emmy is put at odds against the one man who makes her heart race. The one man who she has adored for years. The one man who has the power to ruin her utterly.

Alex Harland, the Earl of Melton, is a man of the law. A man of duty. Only once has he allowed himself to follow his heart, and the object of his desire disappeared on the eve of his deployment to the Penninsula, leaving only the lingering memory of her perfume. Now that the war is over, Alex devotes his attentions to the new gaming hell he runs with two of his friends and catching criminals. As members of the Bow Street Runners, Alex is called upon to solve a series of jewel heists. Heists which place him firmly at odds with the one woman who stole his heart many years ago...


Kate Bateman is a new to me author. I’ve heard good things about her, and I was eager to read this book when it appeared on NetGalley.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The writing style is excellent, engaging. Kate Bateman writes in the kind of style you can slip into and be instantly transported into the ballrooms and backrooms of Regency London.

I absolutely adored the majority of the characters. I found Emmy charming and just a little quixotic. Her personality sparkled. I’m not ashamed to say I adored her. I also adored her equally eccentric grandmother, Camille. Camille is the kind of meddling grandmother I am here for. She reminds me of the great meddlers from Marion Chesney, Barbara Hazard, and Georgette Heyer. Her advice is many times spot on, but often not always the best for the situation... “No, Grandma, I am not going to go flirt with the nice policeman while we’re casing the British Museum.”

In fact, it’s Camille’s advice which leads to one of the big headdesk moments in the book -- Alex recognizing Emmy’s perfume. Thankfully, this bit of airheadedness was telegraphed.

I also really liked Luc and Sally and wished they’d gotten their own book. I am happy to see that Seb is up next... He, quite frankly, was one of my absolute favorite characters in this. His advice was spot on.

If only Alex had listened... In fact, my lone issue with this book has to do with Alex. He’s an anti-hero in the vein of Vegeta, Loki, and Sterline (from Leverage). He does some pretty problematic things that put the sex and actually the whole relationship very firmly into dubious consent. I especially disliked his handling of the resolution of the book... please talk to your love interest... Please...

That being said. I liked the romp this book took me on. The hunt for the French Crown Jewels was fun... having the “g+entleman thief” turn out to be a woman was a nice way to use the trope. In a way it reminded me of the Thomas Crown affair, which isn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed the look into Regency London, especially the British Museum. Other than some issues with modes of address, I didn’t catch much in the way of anachronisms.

The fact that the hero and the heroine’s brother were disabled and didn’t magically get better was great. Alex’s literal blind spot were both acknowledged and important to the character. His war experiences colored his life. I am loving all of this disabled rep that we are getting in Regency romance right now. More please!

Frankly this book was breath of fresh air after some disappointing offerings. But I’m also torn because the dubious consent is so very very dubious. How do I rate this?

The thing is, I want to read more. I’ve already picked up the first book, which I’ve missed. And I am dying to read the third... more Seb please! And so because of that I'm giving this...:

Four Stars

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley, thank you St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read it.

Kate Bateman is a newish author for me and i enjoyed a previous book of hers, this one was just as good and i really enjoyed how they came together. I look forward to reading more from her.

I really enjoyed this book, Ms Bateman writes very well, and her storyline was interesting and kept me hooked.

Emmeline D’Anvers, now known as Emmy Danvers, is the scion of an aristocratic French family, now settled in London. Her parents are both dead, but she lives with her grandmother Camille, and her brother Luc.

Her father was the Nightjar, a jewel thief who made it his life’s work to steal back the French Crown Jewels to return them to the French State, and who died before he had finished. The Danvers are being blackmailed into stealing the the rest of the jewels by a villain, and as Luc has lost a foot fighting, Emmy has to be the jewel thief.

Alex Harland, Earl of Melton, has returned from battle, and has become the co-owner of a club, The Tricorn with his friends Seb and Ben. They also moonlight as undercover enquiry agents for Bow Street.

When Emmy realises that Alex, is on her trail she is worried that he will catch her, and also determined to thwart him, she is also, secretly, excited by their interactions, since she had kissed him incognito four years ago, and has never forgotten him.

Alex has also never forgotten his kiss with a masked stranger, and he always has finding her in the back of his mind, he is infuriated and entranced by Emmy in equal measure, he works out very quickly that she is both his masked stranger, and the Nightjar. He is disappointed and angry that his potential soulmate has put him in a position where he must bring her to justice, rather than ravish her.

Then begins a delicious game of cat and mouse, where they both try to stay one step ahead of the other. They tease and irritate each other as Emmy tries to complete her last 3 thefts, and Alex tries to foil her. The banter and chemistry between them is done beautifully, and they are more and more attracted to each other. Soon Alex is working on how to stop the thefts, and save Emmy from the noose, and keep Bow Street happy, when will he realise he is in love?

What I really loved about this book were the characters, I particularly liked Emmy, who is clever, resourceful and brave, she doesn’t bemoan her fate, she just gets on with it, and is prepared to,face the music. Alex was a little bit arrogant and pompous, but this was soon undermined when he gets feelings! I love this trope of the proud and haughty man, completely undone by falling in love. I also enjoyed the side characters, especially Camille and Seb, who continually hold Emmy and Alex to account respectively for their true feelings.

I also loved the way Emmy collected words from different languages for which there are no English equivalents. It’s just the sort of game I like myself.

Highly recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Oh I did enjoy this story very much! It moved along at a good pace. The main characters of Emmy and Alex were very engaging. They had an electric connection and I just loved the way they tried to out wit each other. The humour made me laugh out loud. In many ways they were the complete opposites, she was a criminal, he worked for Bow Street, she was petite, he was tall and strong. There were also some very likeable secondary characters, especially Emmy’s grandma, Camille. She was a joy! This is a great addition to this fascinating series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don’t remember how I came across the first book in this series, but I did devour it in one sitting. Historical/Regency romance is a new thing for me, I use to never read them. I’ve been all over them the past year though. This author was a new to me author with the first book in this series, she will be one I follow now.

This book was just as enjoyable as the first one was. Her writing style is easy to read, and it’s one of the things I like the most. Alex and Emmy had great chemistry together. The spark they created was present from beginning to end. I can’t wait for the next one in this series!

If you haven’t read her yet, please do! If you don’t read this genre, just try it. Don’t dismiss it like I did, I regret not trying it sooner.

Emmy Danvers was raised knowing not to touch what she didn’t plan on stealing. However, when she ‘touched’ Alex Harland she didn’t think he would remember her years later. Even though she recalls everything about that one kiss. Little does she realize he remembers it as fondly as she does. And the smell of her perfume.

Years later Emmy is working as the elusive thief Nightjar and has just pulled off a major heist. Alex Harland is now the Earl of Melton and is working as a Bow Street Runner. He is assigned the case and upon arriving at the jewelry shop, recognizes a scent from years ago – but he never learned the identity of the woman he kissed. He is determined to find her now!

Kate Bateman writes a wonderfully charming and witty cat and mouse game between Emmy and Alex. The sexual tension that builds between the two characters matches the criminal/Bow Street Runner suspense. Both are clever, highly intelligent, and determined to win. The stakes are high for both – for Emmy, it is a matter of family and the gallows; for Alex, it is his career since the stolen jewel belonged to the Prince Regent.

This is the second book in the Bow Street Bachelors series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone story. Set aside some quiet time because you are going to want to finish this exciting, steamy tale in one sitting! Grab a cuppa and enjoy!! Thank you to the author and St. Martin’s Press for sending me the ARC through NetGalley. My honest opinion is happily provided.