The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray, by Anna Bradley, is #1 in The Swooning Virgins Society, and a wonderful beginning. Although the heroine, Sophia Monmouth, doesn't swoon at all! After being rescued by Lady Clifford and getting her education at Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. - not a regular school, Sophia spends her time helping Lady Clifford solve crimes in unorthodox ways.
It's while she's one of these "missions" that she meets Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, known as the Ghost of Bow Street. He's determined to find the truth about Lady Clifford and her protegés, but he ends up finding Sophia in his neighbor's roof one evening. This part reminded me a little of Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief.
I loved this book as I found the plot interesting, a bit different to what's on nowadays, with a little mystery running along with Sophia and Tristan's relationship. I'm looking forward to the next installment, about Cecilia, another Lady Clifford's protegée.

Sophia is great.

She's clever, crafty, a survivor. And she's been mistaken for a lad (she's in disguise) by Tristan.
Tristan is a former Bow Street Runner (a not very good one, if he can't tell she's a girl and he assumes she's a thief). I did not think he was particular bright, as he assumed she was a thief and tracks her down and then basically holds her hostage after convicting her of a crime, none of which happened. He was just bored and saw her lying on the roof and thought - thief. Guilty. While it is a historical, it feels very tone deaf.

That aside, Sophia is so very interesting, as is the Clifford School and their work, so its totally worth a read for that aspect.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray by Anna Bradley is the first book in what looks to be an intriguing new series, The Swooning Virgins Society. Sophia Monmouth resides at the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. She was one of the first students at the school. When one of their own is unjustly accused of murder, she is willing to do anything to help set him free, be it scaling rooftops and following suspicious characters. Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, never expected to inherit the title. Still, when his brother died, he gave up his career as a Bow Street Runner and is uneasily settling into the life of a peer when he notices a boy lying on the roof of his next-door neighbour's pediment. Confident that the lad can be up to no good, he follows when his suspect leaves the roof to follow an employee of his neighbour Lord Everly, only to be completely shocked to find that the miscreant he has captured is a young lady. What first seems to be an open and shut case of murder soon grows into a conspiracy whose tentacles reach the highest offices in government. I enjoyed reading this book and do recommend it but warn that it does have one plot point that sent me flipping back pages to check Sophia’s age and still has me puzzled as to why it was included. Sophia, despite the title, is not a virgin, and she was betrothed once long ago to a kind and quiet man. My problem is that she’s only 21or 22. How long ago was so long ago that it seemed a lifetime ago, and why would a penniless orphan who lives in a girls' school and solves crimes be betrothed in the first place? It made no sense to me, and I found it to be a flaw in an otherwise delightful book. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: October 27, 2020. #TheVirginWhoRuinedLordGray #AnnaBradley #KensingtonBooks #HistoricalRomance #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #RomanticSuspense

This was a good paced story with very likeable characters. Tristan, Earl of Gray had been a Bow Street Runner until the death of his older brother and he became the earl. Sophia Monmouth often adopted disguises in the line of her work with Lady Clifford. Whilst working on an assignment, Sophie encounters Tristan. At first, they disliked each other but there is an underlying attraction. Sophie is working to clear a friend’s name, who has been charged with murder. Sophie did have a mischievous side but she was also very caring. The perpetrators came as a surprise as to me and the reason behind the acts. There is also the romance developing between Sophia and Tristan but his mother has a lady lined up for him to marry. This was an engrossing read that kept my interest to the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great start to a new series

What's not to LOVE! Take a dubious school, the Clifford Charity School on the edge of Seven Dials, led by the mysterious Lady Amanda Clifford, and a small cadre of different and fascinating girls.
The fact that they all love to read Miss Radcliffe's stories is rather endearing. There are rules of course. All must be present for any reading to continue is one of the most important.
Take one of their members, Sophia Monmouth, who is an endearing, brave and shrewd spirit, who has mastered the art of surveillance, of disappearing into the background, mostly!
Then take a Bow Street Runner turned Earl!
(Oh my, putting two of my fav tropes together is so a recipe for success! Add in treachery, murder and an innocent branded killer! My cup runneth over! )
It seems these young women, Sophie in particular, are trained in quite different ways at this mysterious school. Ways that scream ... spying, survival tactics? Lady Amanda has some strong connections in high up places it would seem.
Ex Bow Street Runner, Tristan Stratford, now the Earl of Gray, was renowned as 'the Ghost', and when Sophie is pursued by him she fairly groans with dismay over having locked horns with him.
And what caused that? Why Tristan spying a slight youth on the roof next door of the house belonging to Lord Everly. Of course this looks like a would be thief casing the place. Only Tristan found that this is so much more, leading to a young man incarcerated for murder in Newgate, a deadly scam, and a more recent murder of a Bow Street companion, a crime that has so troubled his heart.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This story reads like a gothic romance. I love the play on words in the title, these women are no swooning virgins! The idea of the Clifford School is so unique and what these women do to bring justice to evil people is so fascinating. Every one of the characters is fascinating. The Ghost has a hard time keeping up with Sophia even though he tries very hard. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Would Jeremy be vindicated? Would Tristan believe Sophia? Who is the murderer and why? You don’t have to stay tune for the next chapter, read the book! Enjoy!

I really liked and enjoyed this book.
I loved reading about characters like Sophia, who are strong and capable. I fell in love with Tristan. In the beginning I was not sure if I was going to, just because he seemed so cold and stoic at first. I think Sophia brought out the best in him and I really think that she made him realize that the justice system that he so believed in was really and truly flawed. I only had on problem with this book and it was the title, it suppose to be “The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Grey” but that title is kinda misleading in the fact that Sophia is not a virgin.... so that kinda confused me.
Other than that I really enjoyed the writing style and the story. I really hope to continue on with this series.

A good, well-paced story that leads the reader on a merry chase. Sophia, our heroine, is a strong character, both inside and out. She’s trying to get to the bottom of who framed her friend Jeremy, and crosses paths (literally) with Tristan. Tristan is a former Bow Street Runner, recently made Earl, but not quite ready to give up his investigative ways. Sophia and Tristan eventually team up to uncover a serious plot at the highest levels of the government. The romance is an enemies to lovers build—slowly, with some back and forth, which makes it all the richer. The plot is very well written, and has many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing to the very end. Four and a half stars, because the title doesn’t quite reflect the story completely, and I would have liked more back-story on Miss Clifford’s school and Sophia’s friends there (was there and earlier book I missed?). Overall, it’s a very good read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via NetGalley. This is my freely given, honest review.

How could anyone not be intrigued by the title ‘The virgin who ruined Lord Gray’, yet alone the series ‘The swooning Virgins Society’. The story follows Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, a former Bow Street Runner and Sophia Monmouth, a young woman who scales rooftops and shadows suspicious characters, belong to the Clifford School. When Tristan spies Sophia, on top of his neighbour’s roof, he follows her and soon discovers that is a member of the household, to which Jeremy Ives belonged. Jeremy has been accused of murdering Tristan’s friend, another Bow Street runner. Whilst Tristan does not believe in Jeremy’s innocence, he soon becomes captivated by Sophia, and her determination to see justice upheld.
Once again, Anna Bradley has introduced several wonderful characters to what promises to be a very interesting series. I found myself captivated by the characters of Sophia and Tristan. From the first time Sophia appears in the book as a young child following the death of her mother, her actions throughout the book are justified. She is fearless and passionate, and utterly beguiles Tristan, a man who appears uncertain of his future. Having recently inherited an earldom, Tristan cannot shake off his previous role as a Bow Street runner. His honourable nature and strength of character permeate the storyline. The intensity of their feelings for each other, make them one of the best couples that I have read about. I hope that future books continue to bring to life more great characters, and I eagerly await the next book in the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! I will say that the title feels a bit misleading, and I wish perhaps it was slightly changed to more accurately represent the book, but that's my only critique with this novel!

This is my first Anna Bradley, but it certainly won't be my last! This was the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and action, as well as having a dark gothic feel to it. This is a random thought, but if anyone has read the Webtoons titled Purple Hyacinth, this was giving me verrrry similar vibes, which I loved! If you're looking for a book that only focuses on the romance, you might be a bit disappointed, but I found the unfolding murder mystery to be mesmerizing. And the characters! Sophie was a heroine I immediately rooted for; she's brazen, outspoken, intelligent, and *gasp* wears breeches haha. And then we have Tristan, who was a refreshing hero in that while he was stoic and grumpy, he was also unproblematic and caring towards Sophia, despite his resistance to his developing feelings for her. The two of them made a compelling pair, and their banter and dancing around one another was entertaining from start to finish. I wasn't sure if we'd get a good dose of steam in this, as it's always a toss-up with historical romances, but after a bit of a slow burn build-up the author did indeed give the sexy times I was hoping for!

I definitely want to pick up book 2 when it's released, which follows one of the other women at the Clifford School who we got glimpses of in this book. Bradley is definitely an author I will now be keeping an eye on. She deserves more recognition for her work, so if you're looking for an entertaining historical romantic suspense novel, then give this one a go!

***Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review***

Sophia Monmouth was plucked from the streets as a child. Now she spends her days chasing after justice, scaling walls to bring hidden truths to light. She’s determined to free her wrongly accused friend from prison, and no one, especially Tristan Stratford, a Lord with carries just as many secrets as she does, is going to get in the way. But desire soon wars with justice, and succumbing to their developing feelings may just lead them into the worst danger of all…

This was my first by Anna Bradley and I found myself really loving it! There is a lot packed into this novel with a murder mystery, the burgeoning romance, the trauma of the past, and the class division between our two main characters. I will say I probably would have preferred a bit more romance to action, but that’s just the sort of reader I am. And also I love the way she writes love scenes, they’re just so lovely, with the right amount of steam and sweetness and I honestly just wanted more.

Tristan starts the book in a bit of a rut. He’s had to shoulder responsibilities he doesn’t want, leave behind his career as a Bow Street Runner behind, and he’s still stuck on the murder of his friend. And then he meets Sophia who quickly turns his life upside down, making him question everything he once knew.

I absolutely loved Sophia! With all she’s been dealt with she was honestly so strong. I loved how much emphasis was put on her abilities, even from the very first she’s scaling rooftops. She’s a hunter of justice and she’s determined to uncover the truth and save her wrongfully accused friend and the way she goes after what she wants was brilliant.

If you’re a fan of crime novels you’ll find a lot to like here. There’s a lot of talk of the murders, a lot of investigating and snooping. The way the justice system is discussed is fascinating and I enjoyed finding out more about the time period. Also the scenes inside Newgate Prison were absolutely chilling, the words Anna Bradley used were brilliant at describing just how horrendous the conditions were for the prisoners.

All in all this was a brilliant book of murder, suspense and love and I’ll definitely be eagerly waiting for the next one!

Really, this book was wonderful. It had everything that I look for in a good book-
Strong-willed, independent heroine- check
an interesting hero who isn't macho possessive- check
a slow build, steamy, culminating romance- check
a mystery it takes both of them to solve- check
Sometimes, all those components still don't add up to a satisfactory book. This is not one of those times. I recommend Bradley's work.

4.5 Stars
Behind the doors of the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls there lies a secret society of brilliant, fearless women who are bringing justice to London's most corrupt aristocrats, one nobleman at a time. Other young ladies might occupy their spare time with drawing or needlework, but Sophia Monmouth spends hers scaling rooftops and shadowing suspicious characters. Her objective: to gain information that will free Jeremy Ives, a friend wrongly accused of murder. She hasn't bargained on being spotted and followed back to the Clifford School by a mysterious earl who holds almost as many secrets as she does. Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, earned the nickname the Ghost of Bow Street because no man has ever escaped him. Sophia--all soft curves beneath her disguise--is a unique challenge.
The start of a new series & it was a very well written story that flowed effortlessly & with strong characters it made for an enthralling read. I loved both Tristan & Sophia, he’s not had a good year, first his brother dies & he very reluctantly becomes the Earl which means he has to leave his job as a Bow Street Runner, then his close friend & fellow Runner Henry is murdered but the murderer has been caught or has he? Sophia was rescued by Lady Clifford years ago & she knows Jeremy is no murderer & she’s determined to find the true murderer. I loved the chemistry between Tristan & Sophia & the underlying sexual tension, they constantly clashed but grew closer with each meeting. I found the book to be a riveting read & found the visit to Newgate to be harrowing, the description really brought home the conditions & treatment of prisoners. I would have loved to have had closure for a couple of characters who were wronged. I look forward to more in the series & finding out more of Lady Clifford’s backstory
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

4.5 stars rounded up!

Sophia Monmouth is wholly unlike most young women, spending her time skulking after suspicious individuals rather than perfecting her embroidery. Her current task is to clear the name of a young man who’s been wrongly accused of murdering a Bow Street Runner. She didn’t expect to be seen and then trailed back to the Clifford School by a mysterious earl with too much curiosity.

Tristan Stratford may now be titled Earl of Gray since his late brother’s death, but before that he was a successful Runner, earning the nickname Ghost of Bow Street. Sophia is a new challenge for Tristan, but the murdered man was his best friend and Tristan is determined to see the man responsible brought to justice. He’s convinced Sophia is lying or just wrong about the accused man’s innocence, but as he trails her to Newgate and beyond, Tristan grows increasingly uncertain. His desire for Sophia is most inconvenient, especially as she challenges his views on justice and duty and they both find themselves in more danger than they imagined.

Now this is more like it. I’ve enjoyed many of this author’s books, but the last few releases have fallen short for me. This book, however, is much more in line with the first books I read by her and reminds me why she’s a favorite author. I was very unsure of Tristan as a hero at first because he was so arrogant and judgmental, assuming the worst of Sophia for no good reason. But he really had a good heart and he allowed Sophia to open his eyes to what was actually happening and didn’t shy away from it, instead working with her to make things right. I enjoyed Sophia as a heroine and appreciated that she was a bit unconventional. These two were very sweet together, especially Tristan, but a couple more scenes with them together and just focused on each other would’ve been nice. I’m intrigued by this concept and would’ve liked a bit more backstory on the Clifford School and why Tristan was so predisposed to mistrust anyone associated with it in the first place. There also seemed to be a few loose ends in the final action scene that were never taken care of and I would’ve liked more information there, though this didn’t detract from Tristan and Sophia’s HEA so I’m not too fussed about it. Hopefully more details will be forthcoming later in the series. I like where we seem to be going here with this mystery/suspense, almost gothic feel and I’m looking forward to more.

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

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. What a great tale. Mystery, strait-laced peers, an incorrigible young woman and a school that is rather special on it's own. When all of these team up you get a well written and compelling story. I can see follow-up books with the rest of the school's students at some future date and I have no doubt that they will also be intriguing.

4.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray was the first book by Anna Bradley I picked up, as while she was on my radar since at least her first series with Lyrical, this was the first book that really stood out and piqued my interest due to the undertones of suspense in the blurb and on the cover, even if it does have a somewhat cheesy title. And it absolutely delivers, bringing a near-perfect blend of mystery and romance, with an almost Gothic feel.

I was drawn to Sophia right away due to her daring. I liked that she was willing to do crazy things like scale rooftops and chase after suspicious people in the name of seeking justice for a friend. Her schemes made the story a lot of fun.

She’s balanced out well by the law-abiding former Bow Street Runner-turned-Earl Tristan, Lord Gray (although I feel like Bradley missed a trick by not taking advantage of the Earl Grey tea puns!) I like how he has a mysterious persona of his own in the Ghost of Bow Street, which makes him and Sophia perfect adversaries, but also a wonderful couple once they come together. In typical fashion for this setup (and it does seem like this trope is very popular this year), she challenges him to think outside his by-the-book sense of morality, but Bradley makes it her own with her distinct style.

As this is the first of a new series, I can’t wait to see what happens next (book two looks so good!) And if you love historical romance that tends toward the more Gothic or suspenseful, with a feisty, determined heroine and a hero who can match her, then you’ll enjoy this book.

I have been in a deep historical romance mode and love when one surprises me. I liked the unexpected twists of suspense and adventure. I also really enjoyed that SHE is the wild card in this story instead of him skirting the edge of the law. Tristan is very straightlaced and Sophia is the one who bends the rules and that role change created a really fast moving and enjoyable read. Thanks, Anna, for sending me a copy to read!

Will he be able to open his eyes in time to see past his own vision of right and wrong ...

Wow, I just loved this book, I read it in no time considering I worked today.
The words flowed smoothly, the plot was intriguing, the protagonists a mix of lights and shadows with side characters I want absolutely see again and learn more about them

Sophia is a force to be reckoned, in spite of her pint size. She is the product of a drama and the uprising she was granted when she was rescued and given shelter by Lady Clifford.
I confess I would have loved to learn more about this school, in this installment we learn few about the training provided there, if there are more pupils than the group of friends, what is the true goal behind this peculiar school, and of course wha are the inhabitants.
Tristan is ready to do his duty to his title, until he spies a boy lurking on this neighbor’s roof. Just it is no boy but a miss who leads him to a merry chase.
From there, begins a race alternating between a hunt and a courtship, as their hate-love and suspicious-trusting relationship moves on.
It was a delight to watch them run after and around the other. While they are far from perfect, she is no shrew nor he is a rogue. They are persons who made do with their circumstances and try to adapt when changes upend their lives.

While the end is satisfying, I wondered about the villains’ first victims, did they have to pay for crimes they did not commit as not all the bad guys did get their right comeuppance.

After some thoughts as I wondered why give this book such a name, I came to realize the Virgin of the title is not related to a virtuous maiden but at the group of friends, Sophia included, very keen of gothic novels and their swooning and weeping heroines.

4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Know that this is almost more a mystery than it is a romance, although this is a swoon worth couple. Sophia is determined to prove her friend Jeremy did not murder Lord Gray's friend Henry. Sophia is an orphan who is making her way in the world, often dressing as a boy. Tristan- Lord Gray- has only been a Lord for about a minute (he is the second son); he's been a bow street runner (aka law enforcement). He wants to find the villain who killed his friend and he wants to know what's really going on at the Clifford School. What he finds is Sophia and, once they decide they should work together, they also find love. They are good characters and the atmospherics are nice. The title doesn't really make sense (Sophia is not a virgin) unless I missed something. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A fine read.

This was a great, easy read filled with mystery, bit of suspense, and of course romance.
Sophia is an orphan, saved by Lady Clifford and raised in the Charity School for Wayward girls. Tristan, Lord Gray, has recently retired from being a Bow Street Runner. They meet while Sophia is trying to clear the name of a dear friend of hers who happens to be innocent of the crime he is being accused of. Tristan tries to stop Sophia from interfering with the law and it's judicial system, but he can only deny the facts she presents for so long. Soon the two of them are embarking on a mission to find justice for the murdered victim, and free an innocent. But of course when two single people spend that much time together there is bound to be some heated moments. Can they solve the mystery in time, and figure out a way for an orphan and a Lord to live happily ever after?
I received this story in exchange for my honest review.