I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is filled with murder, mystery, and romance.
When Tristan sees a younger boy laying on his neighbors roof his boring new life as an earl allows him to return to his life as the ghost of bow street.
Sophia was plucked from the streets and taken to a school where she learns how to met out justice.
When Tristan and Sophia start investigating a murder together, it leads them to see the other in a new light.
I loved the romance between Tristan and Sophia. The murder and mystery were interesting and weren't just in the background like in so many romance novels. I also love how once Tristan got involved Sophia wasn't sidelined.
Their relationship was great with a well deserved HEA.

The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray
Anna Bradley

Sophia Monmouth's mother was murder when she was seven. She lived on the streets until Miss Amanda Clifford found her and took Sophia to her school. Sophia was trying to find out information.
Jeremy, a rather slow child, was accused of killing a Bow Street Runner. Who just happened to be the best friend of Tristan Stafford, the Earl of Gray. Tristan was a Bow Street Runner known as, the Ghost of Bow Street, and an Earl, He wanted to see Jeremy convicted and hung. She had to prove him innocent. She went to the trial and almost didn't recognize him. He had been beaten, Starved, and his clothes were rags. What was worse, he did not understand what was happening to him. Tristan was following her, he thought she would make trouble. He became Earl when his older brother died. He did not want it but his mother made him.
The story was sweet in places, but can you imagine all the awful things that happened to a boy like Jeremy. Those who had anything to do with the Clifford School wanted to help. It was well written, and you were totally involved in this tale. The dash to discover the truth was more important after his trial. The characters were charming and eager to help each other. There was plenty of action to keep your attention, it was easy to read and moved smoothly along. I would highly recommend this book.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I received an advanced reader's copy of The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray by Anna Bradley.

I loved the gothic feel of the story. The descriptions of the streets of London and other locations are rich with detail.

I loved the characters in this story. Sophia Monmouth has unusual skills. She is acrobatic and able to follow people without being caught. She is willing to do what it takes to help her friend who has been unjustly accused of murder. Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray was a Bow Street Runner who work with Sophia to figure out who actually committed the murder. Sophia and Tristan have chemistry.

There's action throughout that kept me turning pages and some unexpected twists.

This was an excellent read and a great start to a new series.

This is my first time reading a book from this author and it won't be my last. There is something so different about this book, the characters who add a special touch, the plot, and so much more, I loved it! I also love the mystery, romance and adventure. This book had me laughing at times too. This book was hard to put down and when it was over I wanted more.

I hope this book can be purchase as a physical copy.

I can't wait for Cecilia's story and the other books in this series

I will definitely recommend this book.
Ratings:5/5
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray is the first book in the Swooning Virgins Society Series by Anna Bradley.

In this tale we meet the man who is called the Ghost of Bow Street, former runner, now Lord Gray and Sophia Monmouth, a young woman rescued from the streets when she was a young girl. Now she is a woman who uses all the skills she has learned to protect those that cannot protect themselves.

Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, first sees Sophia when she is hiding on the roof of his neighbor’s house. She is trying to find evidence to free a young man that is accused of a murder. Tristan follows her because he is also trying to keep the man accused of murdering his friend behind bars.

Tristan and Sophia must decide whether to work together to right the wrong done to their friends or to fight each other.

This was a very interesting read. I really liked how Anna Bradley kept the story going until the very end. I was annoyed at the way Tristan felt only HE was the one who knew the true story.

I will definitely be reading the next book in the series!

This book has a little bit of everything—humor, adventure, romance, mystery, and steamy sex scenes. The writing is top notch, the story suspenseful, the characters vivid and relatable. Anna Bradley is a new-to-me author, and I can't wait to work my way through her back list! I highly recommend this book.

I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.

This was my first read by this author and most certainly not my last! This was such a blast, from beginning to end. The plot moves quickly so the reader is never bored and the writing flows naturally.
The characters are witty and have great banter, as well as chemistry. Their interactions were fun to read.
This reminded me a bit of The Alienist but steamer.
Filled with mystery, action, drama, and romance; this is one not to be missed.

This is a beginning of a series. While each book is tied to another, and the world building is the same, these do not need to be read in chronological order. For Lord Gray, she pairs up a soon-to-be-ex-Bow Street runner with a tough woman looking for answers. In this case, the Spare has now turned into the Heir (Earl of Gray). This book has a well matched pairing and the dialogue was crisp and fun. I loved the teasing and hate turned love aspect of the book. The mystery portion is well paced and works well to keep the pair together (whether they like it or not).

Bradley always keeps the steam levels in a neutral place. Definitely not a clean romance, but also nothing gratuitous, either.

Lastly, and this is also true for most if not all of Bradley’s books, she doesn’t employ the Big Misunderstanding to move her stories along. The mystery plot and witty dialogue handle it for her.

I am posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story

The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray, by Anna Bradley, is available at booksellers on 10-27-2020. This is book 1 in Ms Bradley's new The Swooning Virgins Society. I think we're off to a good start. The main characters are likeable. The plot is well done We have Lady Clifford who runs a girls school that is more interesting than any regular boarding school. She a sneaky one. Tristan is complex, newly made lord and ex-bow street runner. He's having a tough time deciding who he is. Sophia has interesting talents. I giggled at the name Lord Gray, tea anyone? A butler named Tribble was the best. My favorite Stat Trek episode is The Trouble With Tribbles. All in all an enjoyable read.

#AnnaBradley #TheVirginWhoRuinedLordGray #TheSwooningVirginsSociety #Netgalley #LyricalPress #romance #historicalromance

Highly enjoyed. This book wasn't as lighthearted, witty, and swoon worthy as some of Anna Bradley's precious novels. (I'm looking at you More or Less a Countess) but overall it was a good read. A bit more mystery than romance for me but I loved all the interactions between Sophia and Gray. Hopefully there is more to this series as some of the supporting characters were really interesting and I would love more about them!

Normally, Anna Bradley is one of my favorite romance writers, but I struggled with ‘The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray.’ **Spoiler alert** Leading lady, Sophia, was not a virgin, so not the right title. **Mini-spoiler** - The line ‘her blood on his tongue’ – ew!

So, the story had interesting aspects. Sophia running around in britches and climbing columns to lay on a roof, her loyalty to Jeremy. Lord Gray chasing her, pretty much continually through the book. He seemed to care for her with his heart even though his head kept him trying to figure her out. Their HEA was well-written, just missing something.

As with any review, take my thoughts with a grain of salt, read the book and decide for yourself. I like the set-up of Lady Clifford’s school and am interested to see what happens in future books.

Sophia's friend has been accused of murder and she is determined to find the person responsible so that her friend is not hanged. What she doesn't count on is another person interfering with her investigation...none other than a former Bow Street runner.

When Tristan sees a boy hanging out on the roof of the house next door, he ends up chasing him when he leaves. It is not until he catches him that he realizes it is not a boy at all, but a beautiful woman. The man that Sophia is trying to save just happens to be the man that killed Tristan's friend.

Determined to see what Sophia and her friends are up to, Tristan agrees to help Sophia in her quest for justice even when he doesn't think that they have the wrong man in custody. Can they learn the truth together?

I loved Sophia and Tristan's story! I loved the bantering between them and how they worked together to discover the truth. This is a most read for historical romance fans!

I loved this story! I enjoy romance novels that have “more” than just romance. This book included mystery, stealth, and a little bit of blood and gore. The love story between Sophia and Tristan was satisfying as well. 5 stars.

Tristan Stratford was a Bow Street Runner, in fact a very good one, until his older brother died. Now he is the Earl of Gray. Sophie Monmouth is an orphan who is part of the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls (at least that’s what is says on the sign). Lady Clifford has schooled her students with the routine skills of reading and writing, and investigative skills to rival Bow Street (just not the authority). Tristan watches Sophie climb down from his neighbor’s roof and chases her. Sparks fly, not the romantic kind, not just yet. They discover that they are interested in the same murder case, but for different reasons. Can they work together to solve the murder? How long will they fight the attraction growing between them?

Tristan and Sophie are so good together. Both are smart, caring, and protective. The other characters in the story are likeable and engaging. This story has drama, danger, romance, and a good dose of snarky humor. The mystery that is a real page turner; the villains somewhat surprising. This an awesome beginning to this series. I look forward to the further adventures of Lady Clifford and the girls of her school.

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

Tristan Stratford was formerly known as the Ghost of Bow Street, due to his successful career as a Bow Street Runner. Now, due to the death of his brother, he is forced to assume the title of the Earl of Gray, and give up his fulfilling career. Before he departs for Oxfordshire to assume his duties, which include marrying a local lady hand picked by his demanding mother, he becomes embroiled in a tangled web, with a most intriguing young woman. And it all began by his looking out his window and noticing what he thought was a boy perched on his neighbor’s roof….

Sophia Monmouth was an orphaned street urchin when she was chosen by Lady Clifford to become a student at the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. Lady Clifford is a unique and somewhat mysterious woman, one whose students are involved in more than ladylike pursuits. When one of their own is falsely accused of murder, Sophia is tasked with finding the truth. The initial investigation has led Sophia to Peter Sharpe, the servant to a lord living next to Gray. Her agility allows her to scramble up to the pediment above his door, where she can keep watch. When Sharpe leaves, she follows, unaware that she was spotted by Gray, who is now following her.

The ensuing chase has Sophia confident of escaping her own pursuer, until she realizes that he’s the Ghost of Bow Street, and is quite capable of keeping up with her. Gray realizes that he’s pursuing a beautiful young woman, not the boy he originally thought, and also that she’s heading back to the Clifford School. It doesn’t take long for Gray to find out Sophia’s identity and the reason for her pursuit of Peter Sharpe. He is initially appalled because the murderer she is intent on proving innocent is accused of killing another Bow Street Runner, Henry Gerrard, one of Gray’s dearest friends.

From the onset, it’s clear that Gray and Sophia are on opposing sides. Their initial meetings are rife with Sophia’s snarky comments, which Gray secretly appreciates, as he fights his increasing desire for the unusual young woman. Circumstances change, and Gray comes to see that Sophia’s friend is, indeed, innocent, and that there is a whole underlying conspiracy, one which touches both the nobility and the Runners. Now working together, Gray and Sophia become closer, grow to admire each other greatly, and give in to the sizzling passion between them.

The relationship between Sophia and Gray is so wonderful – they share a playful and warm camaraderie, which extends beyond the bedroom. I love seeing the softer side of both of them, as they have had pasts which have somewhat hardened them. This is the first in the new series, the Swooning Virgins Society, but that only pertains to the fiction they read. In real life, Sophia is fearless, brave, determined, yet vulnerable enough to open herself up to love. Gray is equally brave, intelligent, and so protective of Sophia. Their romance is genuine, strong, and sweet while being very steamy. There are some fearful and heartbreaking moments, as Gray and Sophia save each other, both physically and emotionally. I love every part of THE VIRGIN WHO RUINED LORD GRAY, and I am so impressed with Anna Bradley’s excellent writing, which delivers everything I want to read in a historical romance. I can’t wait for the upcoming installments in this series, and I hope to learn more about the mysterious Lady Clifford and her “wayward” young ladies.

"The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray" by Anna Bradley
Oh, what a wild adventure is wrapped up in this Historic Romance Suspense story. I loved this adventure so much that I couldn't put the book down, a real page turner. While this is true for me, I do expect the same will be true for anyone else who likes to read this genre. Happy Reading !!
Note: Be sure to read the author's notes at the end of the story for some fun educational information. I received a copy of this book as a gift. Also, this is my honest voluntary review.

What a treat. The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray, by Anna Bradley, was a rousing adventure with a huge twist of romance. Sophia Monmouth is not a drawing room heroine, someone raised to attend balls and routs. She was plucked from the slums and raised at the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. There, she and the other pupils learn that justice isn't always found in a court of law. It sometimes needs a nudge. Along the way, she meets with former Bow Runner and Ghost of Bow Street, now Earl Gray, Tristan Stratford.
Initially on opposite sides, they learn to work together to find the truth. Sophia wants to save an unjustly accused man and her friend from the hangman's noose; Tristan is just as determined to find the killer of his fellow Bow Street runner. It turns out, they want the same thing — and end up wanting each other.
The writer is extremely talented at writing scenes in which one of the characters nearly is killed, adding a thread of danger to the book. Despite the difference in stations — she, after all, is a lady of the streets and he is an earl — Tristan doesn't hesitate once he realizes he's in love. I, for one, would have enjoyed a scene where the earl meets his mother with his new wife, as opposed to being told about it in the epilogue. A lot was wrapped up quickly; at the same time, this was a book less about class divides and more about finding love, recognizing it and grabbing on. Oh, and it's a riproaring tale with a political subplot and wonderful supporting characters whose stories, we are sure, demand to be told. Just excellent.

This is a Historical Romantic Suspense. I loved the journey to who done it and what's going on in front of the St. Clemet Dane's Church! Our heroine is tailing a suspicious man who claims to be a witness to the latest murder but she knows her friend didn't do it. Our hero is a former Bow Street Runner who's unexpectedly become an Earl he doesn't want to be. He's board and sees a urchin lounging on the roof of his neighbor's house. When it's obvious the urchin is following the Lord's servant, our hero follows because he's curious. This begins a delightful adventure.

Tristan Stratford is the Earl of Gray taking the mantle from his favored, deceased brother. He's hiding out in London from his over wrought mother and his soon to be betrothed in the country. He was the Ghost of Bow Street but now finds himself retired. That doesn't stop his curiosity when he spies Sophia Monmouth on his neighbor Lord Everly's roof. She's disguised as a lad and tailing Peter Sharpe. Peter identified Jeremy Ives as the murderer of Henry Gerrard, a Bow Street Runner and Tristan's good friend. The problem is Jeremy didn't do it, he stopped to help being a good boy. Jeremy is the kitchen boy for the Clifford School for Wayward Girls and he's simple, about 7 years old in maturity. He is Sophia's good friend and she's determined to free him from prison where he'll be found guilty & hanged soon. Being highly intelligent and resourceful she's figured out things are just wrong with Peter Sharpe and she's determined to find out what.

I loved the matching of wits between Tristan and Sophia. She soon gets him on her side and they together investigate what's going on and how deep it goes into parliament & Bow Street. The more time they spend together the more he grows to appreciate her and soon love insues.

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

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was quite fresh and original and the whole premise was immensely appealing to me. I thought Sophia and Tristan were wonderful characters that were each very likable and strong on their own but when put together they created something even better. Loved the stark differences between them and the chemistry they shared. The story itself is well written and reads easily. There is a blend of excitement, suspense, mystery, drama and romance. So, if I liked all these things why only a four star rating? I wish the book had focused more on the romance aspect and a bit less on the mystery and suspense.

I really enjoyed this book from the moment I started reading it I was hooked. Sophia is a spitfire and so fun to read. Lord Gray has a fun time trying to keep up with her. I really liked the overall of the book on how it was a murder case to solve. The book is fun, entertaining, swoon-worthy and enjoyable read. I hope Lyndon gets his own book. The title does not match the book though but other than that I would read this book again.

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley/author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*