Dancing with Danger written by Kerrigan Byrne is a historical romance novel set in England. It is the third book to the Goode Girls series.

Mercy Goode is intelligent, observant, and opinionated. Nothing detracts her from speaking her mind even if it deters the opposite sex from pursuing a romantic relationship with her.

Raphael Sauvageau is mysterious, loyal, and selfless. Born into a life of criminality with his brother, his goal is to escape it by any means necessary even if the consequence is his death.

Both Mercy and Raphael start off their journey with the murder of someone they were both acquainted with. From then on, a series of encounters occur while they conduct their investigation on the matter. The banter was fun and there is undeniable chemistry between these two characters. However, their love for one another felt slightly rushed since there was not enough interaction to convince me it was anything but attraction. I also felt that Raphael was a complete mystery up until the end.

"It surprised him to find that his hand had found its way inside his suit coat, to rest over his chest. She made the muscles around his lungs squeeze at the same time his heart seemed to double in size and radiate a confounding warmth."

I recommend this book for those who love historical romances with a hint of mystery. It had some unpredictable reveals which I appreciated a lot. Mercy felt like a modern girl living in the wrong time period. Very smart with great investigative skills. Raphael was just the right man to accept all of who she is. Overall a good story, but beware of the instant love.

Fast paced. Delightful characters! Mercy is a young woman way ahead of her time. When she meets Raphael her life changes. They are truly made for each other.

Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Ohhhhhh Kerrigan is at the top of my list as fave go to authors! I’ve read every book , most more than once! Funny, sexy, hot, mysterious. She has everything in them!! Love it love her!!

Book 3 of the Goode sisters. Blue stocking, clever, witty Mercy catches the eye of Raphael, a gang leader. I loved how Mercy was full of sass and called it how she saw it. Great opening scene showcasing Mercy’s strength and intelligence. Mercy and Raphael have met before briefly in book 2, but it still was instant attraction. I’m not usually a fan of insta- love, however this was done very well. Their banter was fun and the writing really conveyed the fondness Raphael had for Mercy. Usually Byrne’s stories give more background early on, this time the reveal was later. I have to say I prefer it earlier, so I can get a better understanding of the character. Overall, I really enjoyed it, but I’m anxiously awaiting Gabriel’s story. I couldn’t stop thinking the whole time about his chance for love.

Once again, am always a fan of anything Byrne puts out.

My only complaint is that I wanted more angst. I love the slow burn romance and this one felt quick. May just be me.

Other than that, I loved Mercy's character. She's witty and feisty. I love Raphael's broken soul.

Also, can't wait for Gabriel's story. Just putting that into the book universe.

Content Warnings: smut, violence, abuse

Dancing with Danger by Kerrgan Byrne
A Goode Girls Romance #3

This was a delightful short romp of a romance that was exciting, engaging and a wee bit unbelievable but oh so very fun to read!

What I liked:
* Mercy: made me laugh as she sleuthed and tried to be so wise. A good sister, curious, intrigued by Raphael and seemed prone to getting into trouble.
* Raphael: strong, lethal, smart, giving, cunning, and definitely hero material even if a ruthless criminal. He was intrigued by Mercy and found her difficult to resist.
* The romance between Mercy and Raphael – the dance between them was fun to watch.
* Gabriel: I want to know more about him and about his backstory. I am hoping he has a book of his own.
* Felicity: Mercy’s twin but her opposite in temperament, good sister, giving, kind and worth of a book of her own.
* Wondering who Felicity will end up with as there seems to be more than one man as a potential love interest.
* The hints at the back stories of Raphael and Gabriel.
* That one of the plot possibilities was thwarted (whew).
* That there was an eventual HEA for Mercy and Raphael.
* Everything really except…

What I didn’t like:
* DI Trout…for more reasons than one.
* The way Raphael and Gabriel were raised and what they must have suffered.
* Having to wait to find out what will happen next.

NOTE: This can be read without previous books BUT I think having read the previous books might make this easier to understand and perhaps more believable.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

I was so excited for this story and see Mercy get her story and finally her revenge but her snarky personality kind of ruined the story for me. Im actually shocked people want tobearound her for long periods. It made me not want to finish the book.

Gritty, but so well written. I loved Mercy. Such a tough but sweet soul.
Raphael is so intriguing and sexy. So alpha.
Mercy is quite the sleuth. Her brother in law warns her to leave the detective work to him.
Raphael has a lot of secrets. This is a shorter novel, but has a lot of action.
I almost thought Raphael had no way out of his underworld crime- boss lifestyle. He's very dedicated to his brother, who has it even worse.
Mercy is one of my favorite KB heroines. I hope that I read more of her and Raphael in future books.
I read this, but want to listen to the audio too.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have loved previous historical romance novels written by this author. She has an uncanny ability to bring characters to life and make you enchanted by their passion for each other. Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters in this novel. It was a world that didn't feel real enough for me. I loved how fierce and independent the heroine was but I felt that the hero was so enamored with her that he found everything she did as adorable and small. He just didn't seem to really value her talents for crime solving.
Entertaining nonetheless.

Byrne is fast becoming a favorite in historical romance for me after reading 4 of her books.

This is third in the Goode Sisters series (I intend to read all), and features an unconventional (for the time), strong young heroine who investigates the death of a friend and an underworld gang leader trying to get he and his brother out of the dangerous family business.

There is an instant attraction and lots of chemistry between the two which I feel the author is especially good at writing. I’m also noticing that Byrne’s stories are a bit more 🔥🔥🔥 than other HR where sexy times are concerned and sometimes a little more adventurous/darker there as well.

Definitely enjoying her books and looking forward to future reads.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #OliverHeberBooks for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

I'm definitely a fan of this saga. I loved this "enemies to lovers" romance between Mercy and Raphael, the chemistry was off via charts and I couldn't get more of them.

I don't want to say much because it is I short book but omg at the middle of it I was crying because everything felt so hopeless even when I knew Mercy and Raphael would get their happy ending.

I loved Mercy's relationship with her twin Felicity and Raphael with his brother Gabriel.

I'M DYING to read Felicity's and Gabriel's story.

Another winner in the Goode sisters series. Mercy and Raphael met in an earlier book and the attraction between the two was instant. I love any book where the hero is attracted to the heroine for her brain. I also enjoyed the cloak and dagger escapades these two had and how it sets up the next book in the series. Smoking hot scenes and a great cast make this book an enjoyable romp.

4 stars

It's written well and I have read book 1.5 a novella in this series. It struck me as a Beauty and the Beast story but not as you'd have imagined, Beauty is our hero, Raphael and the Beast would be his brother Gabriel. My suspicion is that he will be the next book. I'm definitely tempted to go back and read Titus and Calton's story. I think the author likes to write strong archetypal men and for me the hero was a very strong character and seemed to overwhelm the heroine, Mercy. The passion scenes were well written and I wanted a HEA for the couple. I would recommend this book.

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

❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
I love KB and while I really enjoyed this book all I was left with was wanting more! Because this is a bit shorter I wanted more of their journey together and more plot- pretty much with KB I would read a 1000 page book if that’s what she chose to give us.

Our heroine is not your typical Ton socialite. She avoids society because it doesn’t have room for a forthright and plain spoken woman. Our heroine is trying to solve the murder of a friend when she comes across our hero- a kingpin of a crime syndicate. They are both a little enthralled with each other and keep coming across the other and not wanting to leave for the fascination on both parts.

I liked both characters individually and while I had a good sense of who each was I felt like I still could know more as well as have more of their journey together. The beginning was slow and the end was a little rushed and when I got to the end I just wanted more! But overall I got the fantastic anti hero KB is known for writing, a take no prisoners heroine, some definite heat and a lead up to the next book that has me eager as hell!

4-4.5 stars!!!!!! I LOVED Mercy & Raphael!!! Their encounters were so humorous, with their quick banter back and forth! Mercy is one of my fav heroines due to her independence & confidence! The plot of this book had me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next! I also LOVED the exchanges between Raphael & Gabriel!!! I couldn’t help but fall in love with their characters, even though they are villains! And my goodness, I am chomping at the bit to get a hold of Gabriel’s book next!!

Kerrigan Byrne has delivered another delicious book with steamy scenes, humor, action, and suspense!! Winning formula for sure!!! I am trying to work my way through all her books!!!

FAV QUOTES:
“Because justice, as everyone knew, was a woman.”

“Excitement is often born of fear.”

“She’d eclipse him with a brilliance to shame the sun.”

“I would give my life, if only for a moment beneath the sun that is your smile.”

Thanks to Net Galley for an ebook for an honest review!

Mercy Goode is a beautiful maiden, with nice figure, but men flew when she opens her sharp tongue.

Rapahel Savageau is the leader of the "Faunes" a smuggling gang.

They 've already met a few months ago in the previous tome of the "Goode Girl" serie. They will encounter again in this tome on a murder scene where Mercy will proove her wits.. Raphael know he should avoid this bluestocking but the circumstances put them very close and he can't resist to kiss this impetuous girl. And one kiss will not be enough........ even if the timing is awful.

This book keeps its promises with sexual tension, sparkles, discovery of the past of Raphael and Gabriel Savageau. The only criticism is that it's too short. I would have appreciate staying longer with Mercy and Raphael...

This book should be read in the order of the serie.

Love this book!! Mercy is outgoing, loud, willing to speak hr mind in a time when that was unattractive. She catches the eye of a roughed criminal. She is unwilling to be told what to do, but he tries to do it non the less. The sparks fly and these two go on a adventure to local the killer of their mutual friend.

This was my first Byrne and I don’t know how I have missed this author. I loved this book. It seemed very short to me, I finished it within three hours. I could not put it down. It’s the third in a series but it can easily be read on its own. Though I now want to get the other books so I can read about all the other interesting characters.

Now about the two here. The rapport between Raphael and Mercy was instant. I loved that she’s the woman this hardened criminal couldn’t get out of his mind from when he met her first months ago (in the previous book). She considers herself a daring investigating detective and she’s not far from her opinions of herself. She is good. I really liked this woman. I also liked the charismatic Raphael. He’s a criminal and thankfully the author didn’t gloss over his misdeeds. They were out in the open for the reader. He’s been a killer, thief and smuggler of drugs and admits to it. The fact that he wants to leave it all behind but thinks he can’t made him palatable.
The writing leapt off the pages for me from the witty dialogues, to the steamy attractions and intense scenes.

The prose was beautiful. Set in 1881, Mercy is shown to have a lot of independence, going about wherever she wanted without any worries of anyone stopping her- a bit hard to believe for Victorian England but everything happens so quickly that you’re not given the chance to ponder much about it. She meets Raphael on the same premise as the murder of her friend and where both are arrested in the aftermath. He escapes and she tries to follow him later in the hopes of finding her friends killer. By their next meeting Raphael – who is planning his death in sacrifice for his brother to have a life- decides to have a night with her. A last meal for a dying man. And what a meal that was! The love that developed may feel too quick for some readers but considering the urgency of the plot- he had days to live- it worked and was presented well. The action-packed last chapters were intense, and I wish I had the next book in hand!
I can’t wait for it because I fell in love with Gabriel and his deep quiet love for Felicity too.

**Thanks to Netgalley for this arc. All the opinions here are my own.**

Dancing With Danger (A Goode Girls Romance Book 3) by Kerrigan Byrne
Rating: 5-stars
**WARNING** Spoilers below!
Summary: Mercy Goode is trying to solve a murder of a woman she knew who had asked for her help. She encounters Raphael at the murder scene, who happens to be wanted for various crimes yet sinfully handsome (and he is the victim’s cousin, but that is not known immediately). Raphael is trying to be a martyr so his brother can finally live a life, but Mercy messes up all his plans. They eventually sail off into the sunset.
I really enjoyed this book (this is the first I have read by Ms. Byrne). The first chapter or so I had a hard time following exactly what was going on as the writing style was very descriptive and took a little getting used to. Once I adapted, I really enjoyed the story. Mercy was a strong female lead who knows who she is and is not afraid to be her, even to the detriment of attracting a husband and annoying her parents to no end. Raphael has done many bad things, but he is not a bad man. Born into the life of smuggling, drugs and more, he did not have a chance to escape his life until this story where he and his brother, Gabriel, form a plan to fake their deaths and flee. It is impossible to hate Raphael and the chemistry between him and Mercy is hot!
There is a lot of steam in this book, along with an ending that does not feel so rushed as many books seem to be these days. Also, Ms. Byrne included an epilogue, which is a must for me in any good book. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend you pick up a copy if you want a fun mystery romance.
I received a free advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

2.5 I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Xpressl Book Tours for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
When I saw that my request for viewing this arc had been aprooved I couldn't have been happier. Kerrigan Byrne is one of my favorite historical romance writers and I absolutely the Victorian Rebels series. Because of that it saddens me to say that I did not like this book. There is nothing I hate more in romance than insta love, or an undeveloped relationship, which happened here. Three conversations and one night together later, they were confessing their love and risking their lives for each other. This also lacked the depth, the intricacy and the boldness I grew accustomed with her books. I am really curious about Gabriel and Felicity's book tho!