Evie Dunmore does it again! I loved the first installment in her A League of Extraordinary Women series and this was a great addition. Loved the history as much as the romance, this was a great read for the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage.

This book was a delight from start to finish! I devoured it in a day and a half, and went through the whole spectrum of emotions. Good characters, solid plot, excellent feminist history and representation. A delight to read!

A Rogue of One’s Own By: Evie Dunmore

Rating - 5 / 5 Stars

Publication Date - 9/1/2020

** Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and of course, Evie Dunmore, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing delivery from Evie Dunmore! Why am I even surprised?? I absolutely adored this book! Dunmore did an incredible job of weaving history and romance and I can sense the research she did in order to do so. Picking up a year after the ending of Bringing Down The Duke, we follow Lucie Tedbury and Tristan Ballentine as the perfect enemy-to-lover storyline comes together! I cannot express how much I loved this couple. As much as I loved Annabelle and Sebastian, I knew for a fact from the moment we read of interactions between these two, that I would LOVE their story. Tristan gave me all of the feelings, and while I was sadly disappointed with the character development of Sebastian (the reason I gave it 4.5 out of 5 instead of the 5), Evie perfectly encompassed both Tristan and Lucie.

I could rave about this book for ages, I have all pros and no cons!

On top of the amazing writing this book hold, Evie provides a sample of another story...ONE I CANNOT WAIT TO READ!!!! FALL 2021 COULDN’T COME QUICKER!

Amazing Work, Evie!

Picking up a little while after "Bringing Down the Duke" we have our Oxford Suffragists doing their best to buy up the majority ownership in a publishing house so that they can surreptitiously change the tone to a little less how-big-should-my-bustle-be and a little more we-should-stop-domestic-abuse.

Here we follow Lady Lucie in her saga to obtain the publishing house only to be halfway thwarted by her childhood nemesis and one of England's most scandalous rogues, Lord Ballentine, who buys up the other of the house. Lucie, determined to get her way, asks him to name his price for the 1% controlling interest. Ballentine responds with a salacious offer in true historical romance roguish fashion.

Enemies-to-lovers is tried and true in the romance genre so there were any surprises there but there are some added layers of depth. And of course they set up the couple for the next book along the way.

3.75 stars

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Pub Date - 9/1/20.

I'm still relatively new to the historical romance genre and I thought Bringing Down the Duke was just okay so I was hesitant about this one. It is a long one - at almost 450 pages I think it's a bit much for a romance novel. It did take about 50% before the story picked up but once it did, I couldn't put it down! I loved the passion Lucie felt towards the suffrage movement - gotta love a girl who will do whatever it takes to fight the patriarchy. And even after falling in love, she stays true to her value. I absolutely adored Tristan. I'm a sucker for a guy who has been secretly in love with the woman for half his life.

It's not my favorite historical romance but overall I still enjoyed it so give it a try!

I absolutely loved Bringing Down the Duke and after finishing A Rogue of One's Own, I can with confidence say I will read anything (and love) Evie Dunmore writes. I didn't want this book to end and just wan to fast forward to next fall so I can read the next installment. This second book continues the stories of these smart, intriguing suffragettes we met in this first installment of the series. I love getting to know everyone in this world and look forward to Hattie & Catriona's stories (and maybe if their circle of friends could expand by like 5 or 6 people so this series could never end, that would be great too). For those who love romance & enemies to lovers storylines, you will definitely be obsessed with this book but for those who like their romance with a side of women's rights and political justice, you will be enamored. Evie Dunmore manages to find the perfect balance of developing Lucie & Tristan's story while exploring Lucie's work for women's rights and really painting a picture of just how marginalized women were (and sadly, sometimes still continue to be). This book had me cheering for the good guys, wanting to strangle the bad guys (and girl!) and on the edge of my seat as the story unfurled. This was one of those books that I was desperate to finish, yet as I neared the end I wanted to slow down time so the book would never end. We are living in weird times and I"m finding that the best way to calm my fears and stress with what's going on in the world is to escape into a great book and for that purpose, this book was a dream come true. So many thanks to Evie Dunmore & Berkley for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in one day. I have no regrets because it was absolutely fan-freaking-tastic.
One of the worst things about getting an ARC is the wait for the next book in the series. I mean, I loved Bringing Down the Duke when I read it, and I was so thrilled when I was approved for an ARC for this book, and it was a joy to come back into this amazing world Dunmore has created. Based in history, Dunmore crafts a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat but also laughing and cheering the characters on. There is something to be said for books like this – that bring entertainment and good cheer to your day.
This is a book that is so delightful and wonderfully written. It is so easy to fall into reading, there is a cadence to the writing that draws you in and leaves you wanting more. I sat down to read it in the morning, then had to go to work, so I was anxiously waiting for lunch so that I could finish the last few chapters. I was on pins and needles wanting to see what happened to Tristan and Lucie.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and Dunmore has slaked my appetite for it, as it is done so beautifully in this book. So fabulously done that it was a seamless transition from one to the next, and I didn’t feel that it was jarring at all.
Another thing I really loved is this book still revolved around the central theme of the suffragist movement, and Lucie’s part in that. We have previous characters making appearances as well, but this story is very much focused on Lucie and her life. There is so little I can say because this book left me breathless and wanting to read it again it was so good. Like I said, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series as WOW Dunmore stuns.
While the plot itself is fairly simplistic, it is done in a way that you can’t help but appreciate. You may know what is going to happen but it doesn’t make it any less exciting or breathtaking to read the story and see how small things unfold.
The characters were likeable to a great extent. You felt for Lucie and you felt for Tristan. And you felt for their individual struggles and how their struggles made it hard for them to know each other. Then you have some fantastic moments of build up and ire between them. All in all, I loved the chaotic nature of their relationship. It made it wonderful to read.
Of course then you have parts of the book where you want to grind your teeth because the “bad guys” are doing bad guy things. And it’s very much a “NOOOO” moment in the book, but you KNOW they’re going to get their happily ever afters…anyways my heart was pounding in this book, and it left such a sweet aftertaste that I’m still sighing thinking about this lovely book.

A BIG FAT THANK YOU to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. An honest review was requested although not required.

While I personally did not like the character of Lucie quite as much as Annabel from Ms. Dunmore's first book, this book is sheer perfection and I could not in good conscience give less than 5 stars. The writing is superb. The story felt so genuine that despite a few over-the-top sequences, I was fully swept away. And the dialogue! It. Was. FABULOUS.
Cannot recommend this author highly enough. And let me just say, I cannot WAIIIITTTTTT for Hattie's story, which I assume is next.

I think I might be crying a little ... this book was everything I wanted.

I came to this book directly after rereading its predecessor Bringing Down the Duke. I was extremely nervous and kept repeating the question "what if it isn't as good as the first?" in my head. It was all for nothing.

If you liked Evie's debut about Annabelle Archer and Sebastian Montgomery but didn't want to read the rendition just something just as good if not better, pick this book up. I was literally arrested and hold hostage (gladly) from the first page. The first chapter we are giving a glimpse at the first meeting of Tristan Bellantine and Lady Lucie, which gives so much insight into the two people it's crazy and serves as a perfect setup, opening up the story wonderfully. Seeing as we had already "met" them as side/supporting characters previously.

Lucie is still a hard as nails suffragist. No sleep for this one as she works to right the wrongs against the female class. She's able to obtain a business to help spread the word and facts of the mistreatment of women but on the cusp of victory, it turns out that Tristan is the silent co-owner of the same company. Pining, sarcasm, heated glares and chaos ensue from there.

Tristan has his own reasons for the being the thorn in Lucie's side, besides an almost life long Lucie fantasy affliction. One of those being trying to outmaneuver his despicable father, and just being free to be himself without his current constraints. With these fiery personalities a gauntlet is thrown along with a proposition and of course are both picked up by the other.

I loved both of them immensely! They both have reputations that preside them but also hinder them. I thought Dunmore did a phenomenal job of transporting the reader (me) to another time, while still making it relevant and hilarious.
I found Tristan a prefect swoon worthy bad boy (of the time). He was understanding, nonjudgmental, held so much charisma, and was capable of holding his own while standing next to the warrior that is Lucie. While also oozing to the brim lustful desire, and making you feel like he would know exactly what to do.

Lucie's side shows us so much of her and even the insecurities she hides beneath her steel composure and sharp whip of a tongue. I loved how we go to explore the constant battle of being an independent while also just being simply a woman. About how we have choices and we should be allowed all of them regardless of what might be the social norm. She's fierce and mighty, but she's vulnerable and full of heart. If I could have anyone in my corner it would be this woman. She in her own right is also deserving of praise with the ooh's and aah's.

If you love strong heroines, dark hearts still made of gold somehow, stories with unwavering determination, or dabble in bodice rippers, this book should break that scale you measure by.

I am eagerly awaiting the next story about one of these Extraordinary Women and the excerpt of it did nothing but make me want to learn to time travel. I am very much jealous of the future me reading it. I'm pretty sure I love you Evie Dunmore, you are definitely "one-click" status worthy.

One evening last fall I curled up on bed with a book in hand. Something nice to pass a rather gloomy time. I have, of course, heard some really great things about the book and that was in part why I bought a copy for myself. I always loved a Jane Austen type of romance but something written by a modern author, set in Victorian era and said to be quite steamy? Always sign me up to try new things! Fast forward many a time when I burst out with laughter, gasped in a uniquely ‘no, they DID NOT JUST’ way and – full transparency – pulled an all-nighter devouring Sebastian and Annabelle’s journey, I was head over heels in total adoration with „Bringing Down the Duke”.

Immediately after I first finished BDTD (I have re-read it since then), I knew Lucie, Annabelle’s suffragist mentor, would get her own story and the love interest would be none other than Tristan. The scoundrel with an earring from the ball. The rake that apparently had intimate knowledge of the fact Lucie owned a cat. He was the type you should NOT trust. Ay. Naturally I was so into it and the book wouldn’t be out for another 11 months or so!

Lady Lucie has set her sights on buying shares in a publishing house all to further much needed agenda of empowering fellow women in Britain. Or - just plainly staging a coup against the Parliment but desperate times call for desperate measures and she has worked her whole life for this. And all would go according to plan if not for her old nemezis Lord Ballentine who, for some reason, has set his sights on the same major publishing house, will not leave the boardroom and most certainly will not budge unless she agrees to spend a night in his bed. Lady Lucie does not need another scandal. Lord Ballentine could not care less being the second son and all. With a lot of at stake and spades of unresolved sexual tension, their battle of will and words begins. Can this be won by either side of the argument?

Well, guys. To say this book was clever would be an understatement. Lucie and Tristan delivered on all fronts proving to be exceptional main characters I sympathized with, rooted for and wanted to occasionally give some serious scolding to when they were being entirely too stubborn for their own good. I loved getting to know them as individuals and learning their backstories as well as reasons for their actions. The character development was a joy to read. They were both very unique because sure, she was a fierce and determined suffragist and he was a silver-tongued devil who would seduce everyone and their mother but they were also a breath of fresh air. The similarities to other heroines and heroes could be drawn but at similarities it would end. Lucie and Tristan were terrific examples of what true craftmanship of extraordinary characters looks like. I could never get enough of them. All this thanks to Evie Dunmore who - with just two (extremely different, might I add) books under her belt - has now solidified herself as one of my favourite authors.

A reader can tell if careful research and passion for it go hand in hand when it comes to the end result. I could tell because Evie Dunmore wrote a book that was one of a kind, heartfelt and witty. The characters were fleshed-out and not without their faults (this I love; who needs a boring, perfect hero(ine), am I right?!). The romance toe-curling and exciting (if you blush, YOU WILL). The combo made me all the more interested in the time period and other regency romance books. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect book to significantly sweeten the stuck-at-home social distancing time the pandemic has brought upon us. „A Rogue of One’s Own” (AROOO in short, still makes me lol) also couldn’t have been a better standalone-ish sequel to already terrific in its own right „Bringing Down the Duke”.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a truly good book that isn’t afraid of itself. A good book that winks at the reader and makes them genuinely smile and melt because of the little things (omg, THE CAT). Not just regency romance or romance enthusiasts because I know for a fact it can be enjoyed by outside of genre bookworms, too. Do yourself a favour then and pre-order this gem. Lucie and Tristan will set your heart on fire and you will thank them for it.

**massive thank you to Evie Dunmore herself and NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

A ROGUE OF ONE'S OWN is Dunmore's sophomore historical romance novel. And while it doesn't quite live up to BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE, I really, really love Dunmore's recipe: giving a history lesson along with the romance. The exquisitely detailed setting of this book elevates it above most of its genre cohorts.

Lady Lucie, introduced to us in DUKE as the spearhead of the Oxford suffragist movement, is an ambitious woman. She wants freedom for women, and she wants it N-O-W. Her efforts have been largely unsuccessful thus far, and so she has resorted to a harebrained scheme to purchase a publishing house. Lucie needs London Print; unfortunately for her, she's not the only one. When Tristan Ballentine thwarts her plan, she must decide whether to play his game or go back to the drawing board. Little does Lucie know, Tristan is playing for keeps.

The romance part of this novel is a bit formulaic and full of tropes. Enemies-to-lovers, secrets ultimately uncovered, catty villains, virgin seduction, etc. Dunmore executes these pieces well enough, but the story has been told (many times) before. I would have rated the novel 3 stars if not for the incorporation of fascinating historical events. Rather than leaving the suffragist movement to be a backdrop, Dunmore takes us right into the midst of it. Lucie receives letters from mistreated British wives, criticism and shunning from society mavens, and rejections from newspaper editors. She works around the clock for the Cause and constantly frets about not having enough time to do all she needs to. Her passion - and equally, her exhaustion - felt genuine. Dunmore's setting of both time and place is the book's crowning achievement and worthy of 5 stars.

ROGUE nets out with four stars. I am very much looking forward to the next EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN book. In the meantime, I highly recommend ROGUE to fans of historical romance.

Earlier this year, I read Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke, the first in her League of Extraordinary Women series of historical romances, and I LOVED IT! So I was beyond thrilled to get my hands on a copy of the second book in her series, A Rogue of One’s Own.

A Rogue of One’s Own is the story of the formidable Lucie, leader of the suffragette movement, and her lifelong rival and perennial playboy, Tristan. Lucie and Tristan were both supporting characters in Bringing Down the Duke, so this story was a fun opportunity to revisit Dunmore’s glamorous world of Lords and Ladies and all of her wonderful characters like Annabelle, Catriona, and Hattie.

What I loved most about Bringing Down the Duke was the joyfulness of the story, and I was so glad to find that A Rogue of One’s Own had that same warmth and happiness. It was just so much fun to read!!

I especially loved Lucie. She is a fiercely independent woman on a mission and a fearless fighter for her cause. I admired her drive and passion, and as someone who has always felt passionate about politics, I could really relate to her sense of duty to her cause. I also thought extravagant and flirtatious Tristan was a perfect counterbalance to Lucie’s rigidness and their romance had a fun push-and-pull, will-they-won’t-they nature to it.

I can be a bit picky when it comes to romance novels, but Dunmore’s books stand out to me because she adds so much depth to her stories in the form of subplots and storylines, language and descriptors, and setting, on top of her fantastic romantic stories. I love the world that she has created in this series and I look forward to reading it for years to come.

This book is a fiercely passionate historical romance that holds true to the suffragist movement while playing romantic havoc on readers’ emotions. The last quarter of the book had my heart racing! Evie Dunmore already gave us the beautiful, steamy Bringing Down the Duke, and with A Rogue of One’s Own, she gives us the scandalous romantic intrigue of another extraordinary lady, Lucie Wycliffe.

Once again, Dunmore takes readers on a beautifully sweet adventure to 19th century London and the women’s suffragist movement. It’s obvious that Dunmore has put a lot of time and research into creating her world. A Rogue of One’s Own is infused with rich details that bring the story to life, sweeping readers right off their feet.

The chemistry between Lucie and Tristan is undeniably intense. Their love/hate banter keeps them on their toes and provides a delicious lead up to their intimate encounters. Dunmore did a wonderful job of showing readers how an independent, headstrong woman like Lucie could eventually fall for a handsome rogue. I particularly liked that Lucie maintained her independence, even going so far as to agree to a long-term engagement to Tristan rather than risk her rights by agreeing to marry him. She stays true to her values while discovering that Tristan loves her for her passion, her fight, her intelligence—he loves her for herself.

Dunmore’s writing is beautiful and immersive, her characters are compelling and so heart-stoppingly human that it’s impossible not fall in love with this story. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

If you’ve read Bringing Down the Duke, you may recall a certain militant suffragist and a rake having some unresolved lusty antagonism. This is their book and their unresolved repressed lust gets unpacked in the most glorious way possible.

Tristan is, to use a very historically accurate term, a himbo. Shallower than a  kiddie pool. So gorgeous that everyone lusts after him. He literally can’t step foot anywhere without being mobbed and oh, did I mention he has his own line of “Ballentine” cards? He’s the Victorian equivalent of a reality star. Lucie is a determined, focused woman on a mission to get women the vote and most pressingly to liberate women from their oppressive reality. She has no time for men but most especially for beautiful empty-headed ones that used to love to tease her and aggravate her when they were children. Unfortunately, the publishing house Lucie has recently acquired to further the Cause with the help of her friends has a second owner. A madenningly beautiful, slightly evil one who is bound and determined to thwart Evie’s plans at every turn. Cue the sexiest and slow burn-iest battle of wills that I’ve read in a long time. 

 I loved so many things about this book. I loved that it’s about a feminist heroine and it's a feminist book and it makes a point of showing the horrible reality of being a woman in the 19th century but it stays firmly rooted in the history of the time. The author doesn’t just tell you, she shows you the frustrations and injustices inherent at every turn.

And that brings me to my new book boyfriend, Tristan. I’m an unapologetically hero-centric reader and if the hero doesn’t work for me, the book most certainly won’t. Tristan worked for me on every level and let me tell you why: he reminded me of my book husband Sebastian, Lord St Vincent. That’s the highest compliment I can pay any hero, btw. He was like a most beautiful onion with so, so many layers to him, there was so much more going on beyond the beautiful, rakish, empty-headed flirty facade (he’s secretly a poet, y’all * swoons dead away*), and just when I thought I had a handle on his character, the author would reveal another little detail, something else to complete the puzzle that was Tristan. I won’t spoil my beautiful misunderstood baby here, you must experience him for yourself but I’ll say that one of my favorite things about his character was seeing him recognize his privilege and doing something about it. I adored Lucie just as much. Her character was also complex, layered and so heartbreakingly real. I came close to frustrated tears reading about Lucie’s uphill battle, her frustrations, her insecurities, and the high price she paid for daring to buck the norms. These two characters are compelling enough as individuals but together as they find each other, they’re irresistible. They are both victims of society’s rigid gender rules except Lucie fights it at every turn and Tristan puts on a mask and leans in. They first find themselves and then they find each other and oh my heart! Make no mistake, this book is swooningly romantic. One of my favorite things about reading romance is that moment when you realize the MC's have fallen in love. Too often I feel this is told rather than shown and I get cranky that I get cheated out of that heavenly stomach swooping feeling. In this case, I saw Tristan and Evie’s gradual descent from adversaries to lovers to friends to HEA. Reader, it was glorious. 

I am also a huge fan of gestures and Tristan makes so many, big and small. His love has been just bubbling under the surface since they were children but he had been so emotionally abused that he failed to recognize his feelings for what they were and oh when he finally does *swoons dramatically*


The romance is always front and center but this book is heavy on the history so if that’s not your jam then steer clear. There’s no historical wallpapering here, this author does her research and pairs it brilliantly with the romance. I can’t tell you how many times I had to pause in my reading to look up a historical detail in this book (vinegar Valentine’s are a rabbit hole. Google at your own peril).

So all this word vomit was to say that this is the ultimate most epic-est enemies to lovers slow burn and I loved every single detail, every glance, every touch, every word of dialogue. It was simply glorious. If I had a quibble is that I wish there had been more steamy sex scenes but the sexual tension made up for it. The peek at the next book has me making grabby hands because sweet Hattie is being paired with an anti-hero and I have never anticipated any book more. Five solid enthusiastic stars.

Lucie is the daughter of an earl, but she is estranged from her family and has been for years. She has always been a suffragist, and insulted her father in front of his peers, causing her to be practically disowned. She's nearing thirty, and has lived in Oxford, working with the suffragist chapter there, for some time. Tristan's mother is Lucie's friend, and they were acquaintances growing up. Tristan always had a crush on Lucie, but he showed her in a really awful way - by playing pranks on her during their youth. Lucie always hated him as a result, and doesn't like him much as an adult, either. The gossip rags make Tristan out to be a playboy (even more so than he really is) and she doesn't like the way she believes he treats women.

Lucie is dead set on never getting married. In fact, her team is working on convincing members of parliament not to pass an act that solidifies a wife's property becoming her husband's upon marriage. While her other friends aren't against marriage, Lucie sees it for the legal trap that it was in those days. Meanwhile, she knows nothing of Tristan's situation. His mother is caught in that trap, and he is too, in a way. Though he's a man and able to pursue a career, I would argue that his father is financially abusing him as he abuses Tristan's mother. Tristan's father is forcing his son to marry within three months, or he'll cut Tristan off and put his mentally ill mother in an asylum.

Because he's trying to form some semblance of independence, Tristan is living in Oxford on his own. He borrows money to buy a publishing house to ensure some income. It so happens that Lucie and her team has purchased shares in the same house, with the intention of publishing their feminist findings in women's magazines. Tristan has his own reasons to dissuade their methods. It's clear to the reader that he has every reason to be on the same page, but he knows they won't make a profit if they do this. Lucie needs Tristan to sell her some shares so she has majority ownership. On a rather sexually charged whim, Tristan offers them to her if she'll sleep with him for one night.

Lucie doesn't give in right away, but eventually she does, and one night turns into many. It's a slow burn until we get to the steamy scenes, but there are many, and they are all lovely. This couple has so much passion and energy between them - rivalry, friendship, hate, love, lust, history, business. There are some serious fireworks.

I know I just wrote FOUR PARAGRAPHS about the plot, but I guarantee that's not even half of it. I'm keeping the spoilers at bay. This was just such a gorgeous read. In addition to the awesome romance and explosive erotica, there's this fabulously feminist main plot, beautiful portrayals of friendships between women, and cameos from historical figures. I also must note that our hero is queer, which I don't see a lot of in man/woman romances. I really loved the representation. Tristan is totally my latest book boyfriend.

As with most romance series, you don't have to read Book 1 to understand the story of Rogue - but I highly recommend it, because Bringing Down the Duke is a delight.

My thanks to the author (you must follow Evie Dunmore on Twitter - she's great AND FOLLOWS ME BACK 😭), publisher, and NetGalley for hooking me up with a copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a 5 star read for me!

A wonderful follow up to Bringing Down the Duke. This story centers around Lady Lucie and her plans to promote women's suffrage through the takeover of a mild mannered magazine. Dunmore's second in the A League of Extraordinary Women series doesn't disappoint.

I truly loved this book so much. I didn't think Evie Dunmore could improve on what she started in Bringing Down the Duke but I actually did, in fact, like this book more. Lucie is such a compelling leading lady -- she is a multi-dimensional character with wants and needs and principles that she believes in over everything. Lucie really resonated with me as a character, as I related to her so deeply in all aspects from her innate drive and perfectionism to her overwhelming rage at the patriarchy.

Dunmore is so excellent at situating discussions of feminism and the patriarchy in their proper historical context while still feeling fresh and modern. This book is also a really interesting look at the politics of building a social movement. It touches on lots of the central flashpoints in social movements: what it means to build a movement, the necessity of delegation, the dangers of a cult of personality and whether it lasts beyond an individual person's career or arc really interesting.

Also, good god is this book steamy. Dunmore is so skilled at building up tension that you couldn't cut with the sharpest of knives. I found the treatment of virginity and sex to be particularly well done, as it was both historically appropriate while still being progressive.

I was worried that the ending would leave me unsatisfied and would require Lucie to either forgo her happy ending or sacrifice her beliefs. I won't say what happened but I will say I absolutely loved all parts of this book, especially the ending.

LOVE Lucie and Tristan! Love their chemistry! Love their banter! Such a great follow-up to Bringing Down the Duke! Can't wait to see what Dunmore does next in this series!!

I adored this! While I didn’t love this one as much as it’s predecessor, I still loved it. I found the first half to be a bit slow, romance-wise, but I appreciate the research that must have gone into the historical aspect of it. I love that Lucie was so passionate about women's rights and wasn't willing to compromise on her beliefs for a man. Her strength is amazing! While I was hesitant about Tristan at first, I think his story arc was well-written and his character development was great. Can't wait for Hattie's story next!

4.5 stars. Evie Dunmore once again displays her writing skills with this second book in the League of Extraordinary Women series. This time we have a prickly heroine matched with a roguish guy with a sweet side.

Lacy Lucinda is from the aristocracy, but is estranged from her family. A leader in the suffragist movement, she is a fierce and focused worker. Her efforts to purchase a printing house for the suffrage work is thwarted by Lord Ballentine, her childhood nemesis, war hero and known rogue. Lucie and Tristan are an unlikely pair, but things are revealed in the story that demonstrate that they may have more in common than it seemed.

Tristan was a yummy hero; a man with a sad past and a romantic heart. He was devious, but sentimental. He was just the right guy to soften Lucie. She undergoes a lot of soul searching and re-evaluating her perception of herself. The story had a somewhat unusual ending, but it fit the situation.

This was a very compelling story and I loved the relationship between Tristan and Lucie. There was, perhaps, a little too much suffrage information at the end (it's clear Dunmore is passionate about it), but overall, a great story. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

ARC provided through Netgalley.