I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Wow what can I say about this title it was just an awesome read. This book was just something so wonderfully different I’ve never quite read anything like this. You should read to find out you won’t be disappointed. I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

Celia, nicknamed “Lady Infamous” after her reign of terror as the ton’s reigning beauty ends in a marriageable duke marrying Celia’s most bullied target, has learned a lot about herself in the ten years since the incident. Celia has fallen on hard times, and has done what she needed to do to support those she loves - including becoming a lady’s companion.

When her mistress goes to a wedding hosted by none other than the couple she forced into marriage - Lucian and Phyllida - Celia is forced to go along, and face the consequences of her past actions, including Lucian’s twin brother, Richard. But Richard is no longer the socially awkward boy she used to bully. Instead, he’s grown into an attractive and focused man, who has decided to make Celia his own.

I’m not usually a fan of the redemption trope in women - I think because of the fact I dealt with some mean girls as a child - but this was well done. Celia’s growth and motivations made sense and you could tell Celia was no longer the girl she once was. Richard was also great, but I think I loved Lucian and Phyllida the most lol. This was a two pairings in one, and makes for a lovely holiday historical romance.

I definitely loved the writing, and am looking forward to reading more of Minerva Spencer! In fact, I’ve already gone ahead and bought Dangerous, Barbarous, and Notorious

This book continues an amazing series that doesn't disappoint. You have an evil villain, a woman who was more on the mean side but was really a hurt girl lashing out and being manipulated, and then the innocent victims. This upcoming wedding being the catalyst for all to be together again, I was stunned by the things that came to light, and thrilled by the end. Beautiful book. #netgalley #infamous

I loved the story between the secondary characters Lucien and Phil. I wish this book had been about them. I didn't really like Celia or Richard. I will not purchase this for my library.

In Infamous the author has recreated the world of the Ton; the dashing gentlemen, beautiful debutantes and those who exist on its fringes, balancing on the knife edge of approval or ruination. The main character begins as a beautiful but mean debutante, a diamond of the first water, until her downfall is orchestrated by the machinations of another character.
Fast forward ten years and the main characters are brought together again at a house party prior to a wedding…

The descriptions are sumptuous as is the world building, the feelings and reasons for the characters’ behaviour so well described you feel them viscerally. Characters are neither perfect nor blameless, not even the main protagonists which was part of the appeal as each is more rounded and realistic.

A spicy romance.

Trigger warning: content includes mention of but no depiction of abusive behaviour.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Infamous is well-written Regency Romance. Its a little, spicy, a little dark, but still a heartwarming romance. Celia Trent is trying to make a brilliant match in her first season, before her father's gambling debts catch up to them, until she is blackmailed into pulling a prank that ruins her reputation and her future. 10 years later, Celia is a changed person, who regrets her actions, and devotes everything to supporting her illegitimate daughter. She is a paid companion to a dowager, who unknowingly brings her back into the society of the people she hurt. Celia seeks forgiveness, but her blackmailer is also there to throw a wrench in her plans.

I absolutely loved the first two books in this series and was so excited to get an advanced copy from NetGalley to read and review. I am brokenhearted to say I didn't like this one. It was well written, but I really didn't like our main couple, Richard and Celia. There were too many twists and turns to Celia's life since she became Lady Infamous, and I just don't think she really grew all that much from when she was 18. My impression of Richard wavered between oblivious and sweet. I also didn't like their "love story" as it wasn't love, it was lust. I thought the secondary love story between Phil and Lucien was much better and I would have preferred that this book focus on them as the primary story and put Richard and Celia as the secondary story.

It just fell flat for me. Well written, but not my cup of tea.

I'm so happy that I stuck with this series. I might not have enjoyed the previous book so much, but I loved this one.
The story starts 10 years in the past (I mean everything is in the past, we are talking about a historical romance here) when our characters are 17-18 and are attending a specific ball.
Richard and Celia, our infamous girl, are there and things look ominous. There is no real connection between them apart from the fact that Celia is cruel to him and she is trying to get engaged with Richard's twin.
There and then everything goes wrong.
10 years after and everyone is still struggling to find their footing, but this is the time when resolutions, paybacks and redemption take place.
Since I hate spoilers, the only thing that I'm gonna say more, is that Richard is the funniest, smartest and most intriguing male character in a historical romance. His chemistry and smart banter with Celia makes up for all the bad things that happen in this book.

Thank you @NetGalley for the ARC.

n Infamous (Kensington, $15.95, 9781496732873), the third Rebels of the Ton romance, a bullying bad girl reunites with her greatest victims and the unlikely result is a tender romance.

Celia Trent is a former Regency mean girl, a Queen Bee of the ballroom and diamond of the first water fallen on extremely hard times. Richard Redvers is an antisocial younger son of a loving and wealthy family. He has neither skill nor patience for most conventional social interactions. During the season they shared, Richard was a frequent target for Celia’s vicious barbs and withering observations, but took little notice of it. Like everyone else, Richard was mesmerized by Celia’s beauty. That changed when she participated in a reckless prank that changed the course of his family’s future forever, forcing Richard’s far more sociable and minutes older twin brother Lucien, Lord Davenport, into a marriage of convenience with the season’s greatest wallflower. That trick was a co-production but only Celia was ensnared in the scandal.

Ten years later, partially due to a mix of serendipity and the insularity of the Ton, the group is brought together under one roof for a Christmas season house party and the wedding of Lucien and Richard’s younger sister Antonia to the one man in England Richard could never stand. It’s the societal equivalent of a powder keg, and an effective and original starting point for a steamy country house dramedy that involves an abundance of secrets and lies.

A boarding school tormentor, the Duke of Dowden has the role of manipulative unindicted co-conspirator behind the scenes of the scandal. While he got off scott-free, the controversy thoroughly ruined aristocratic but poor Celia’s reputation and obliterated any chance to make a profitable match. Ironically it was desperation and fear of drudgery, which had fueled her jealous and hateful behavior in the first place. Branded Lady Infamous after that incident, Celia has been surviving in a series of genteelly subservient positions ever since and now serves as a companion to an older aristocratic matron attending the wedding, while sly, duplicitous Sebastian, has been free to debauche and pillage unfettered due to both his gender and high rank. Despite the elite and historical setting, there are aspects of the story that are sadly relatable. It’s due to that inequality of consequences that the Duke was able to become the seemingly charming fiancé to the highly eligible Antonia.

Another appealing aspect of this romance lies in the individuality of Spencer’s characters and how much insight we glean about how they think and what they value from their interior monologues which are full of realistic desire, self-criticism, and doubt. Since this is a book about redemption and growth and the gap between public presentation and private lives, that interiority is invaluable. The combustible attraction between the (reformed ?) mean girl Celia and the studious Richard would seem unlikely without access to those thoughts. With them, the chemistry is undeniable. Spencer’s writing of their escalating flirtation and affair is delightful and scorching hot. Plus,Celia and Richard aren’t the only unlikely lovers in question. Lucien and his wife finally get a chance to explore their love after years of distance and mutual pining. And with these two potential serpents in the garden, on top of who belongs with whom, the central question of Infamous is who has really changed for the better and who hasn’t. Strangely, the one thing that is never quite clear is the real logic and animus behind the elaborate prank. Those motives are obscure at the start and remain somewhat murky throughout.

A compelling story of the redemption of a spiteful mean-girl. Showing that best intentions are often overshadowed by poor choices and lack of options. Celia was a beautiful, charming young woman who appeared to take delight in making others feel small. When life hand her a truly raw deal, having the man intends to marry trapped into a marriage with a wallflower she tormented, Celia ends up thrust out of society most indelicately. Spending the next many years in servitude she ends up escorting her employer to a wedding house party for the same gentleman’s sister. Mortified there is no escaping it, and she finds herself having to re-examine feelings she may have harboured for his socially inept brother. Mix in the return of certain villains responsible for the scandal years past, we begin to see that her meanness was a shield to hide the truth of her shabby home life. Many misconceptions from all sides create a compelling story of love, redemption and reinvention.

Celia was the most beautiful girl during her London season. The attention she got was enough to make every other girl jealous. She could have it all. The perfect husband with money and a title!

That is.. until an (evil) prank goes awry, leaving her reputation in shreds. Celia falls on hard times and is practically destitute, with no friends left.

Several years later she is working as a companion to an elderly Lady, and has to accompany her to a society wedding. There of course she will have to confront the clique she was once in. The man she had once hoped to marry (Lucien), the powerful man who ruined her (and is trying to again) and…

Then there is Richard… Lucien’s younger brother, who isn’t quite as studious or ridiculous as he used to be. He’s actually quite gorgeous and Celia is definitely noticing.

But… will her past, her hardships and secrets stand in the way of the love that is starting to blossom between them? And will Celia have the courage to find out?

Absolutely loved this historical fiction! (yes I’m a bit biased as it is one of my favorite genres)

It has love, intrigue and even some nice and spicy scenes (not fade to black, not too spicy)!

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a bit different from the others in the series as the theme was much more serious. At times I found myself on the verge of tears from the indignities certain characters were made to suffer. However, there was just enough humor to keep it from becoming too maudlin.

It really shows how perceptions can be wrong (very, very wrong) and how you really should not judge someone without getting to know them. A great deal of heartache can be spared that way.

I definitely recommend this book, and the entire series.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and easy to read. Perfect romance for an afternoon read. I loved the way Celia and Richard met and interacted with each other.

Infamous by Minevera Spencer, book three in her Rebels of the Ton series is a tale of redemption and second chances and the lives of four people whose lives were forever changed after a terrible trick ends up going dreadfully wrong. The story begins ten years after that night. One couple, locked in a cold marriage, is trying to find their way back to each other, while the other couple find each other after dealing with much pain and conflict.

Celia, once the reigning beauty of her social group and called Lady Infamous after a trick gone wrong, has fallen on hard times; is nearly penniless, her reputation in shreds. When Celia is forced to attend a society wedding as a companion to an elderly guest, she must confront the circle she once ruled. Then there is Richard, the studious boy Celia used to ridicule, who is now gorgeous, wealthy, and more-than-a-little famous. As a youth, Richard was infatuated with Celia, and it appears he is still intrigued by here. Meeting again after ten years, Celia and Richard are magnetically attracted to each other; sharing off-the charts- chemistry. Richard and Celia’s journey is a long one, filled with consequences from the past. Lucien and Phyllida are the other couple, mired in ten years of a marriage full of misunderstanding and trouble. Their journey back to one another is tenderly passionate. Both couples have a second chance at happiness if only they are brave enough to take that first step.

Ms. Spencer wrote a charming, clever, and heartbreaking story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with of tragedy, redemption, amusing banter, sizzling chemistry and love, as well as two romances in one. I highly recommend Infamous to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This I think, (3rd in a series) has been the best book of the lot.

I adore Minerva Spencer's books, and this one knocked it out of the park for me. Richard and Lucian Redvers are twins, Lucian is the Earl of Davenport and Richard is the slighter, spottier, less assured younger brother, who has a passion for insects and is a naturalist. When they enter society as young men, they are both attracted to Celia Trent, diamond of the first water and leader of the mean girls of society. Lucien is in love with her, and planning to propose, Richard is also attracted but looks on at the unfolding scandal, knowing Lucien is her preference.

Celia is one of the spiteful 'popular' girls of the season. She has to make a good match, as her father is a gambler, and she knows she will be destitute if she does not. Her insecurity, precarious position, and the manipulative and evil hand of Sebastian Fanshawe, Duke of Dowden create a perfect storm where she plots to compromise Richard with Phyllida, a much less flashy and sparkling wallflower. Things go awry, ably (and deliberately) assisted by Fanshawe, and Celia is ruined. Dubbed Lady Infamous, she is persona non-grata, and abandoned by her father, she has to fend for herself. 10 years later she is now companion to Lady Yancy.

The prank targeted at Richard, actually implicates Lucian, and as a result, Phyllida and Lucien have to marry. This marriage of convenience, has developed into true feeling on both sides in the ten years and 2 children since the scandal, but Phyllida protects herself from succumbing to her feelings for her handsome husband by holding herself apart from him and encouraging his extracurricular activities. Lucien, desperately in love with his wife, wants to break through her reserve, but doesn't know how. When Celia, now known as Mrs Pelham turns up at the house party being held at the Redver's family seat, because Miss Antonia 'Toni' Redvers has accepted a proposal from our villain, The Duke of Dowden.

Richard has grown up in the ten years since, now handsome and successful, he is in line for a knighthood because of his work as a naturalist. he is as attracted as ever to Celia, and supremely unbothered by the animosity of Fanshawe, and the tricks and slights against him as a younger man.

He is very suspicious of the motivations of Fanshawe, and determined to protect his sister, and nudge his brother into resolving his issues with his wife. He is also supremely aware of the changed circumstances between Celia and himself, and his sexual attraction to her.

After 10 years of humiliation and hard graft, the last thing Celia wants is to be a servant at a Christmas house party featuring most of the protagonists from her season a decade ago, but she has no choice. As she faces up, yet again, to a series of humiliations- the mean girls turning on her, being threatened by her old nemesis, and seeing the people she hurt because of her actions, she also has to wrestle with her attraction to Richard, who stirs her blood in a way he never had 10 years ago.

Richard's analytical mind, and disregard for the petty slingshots aimed at him, unlike most of the Ton, and almost all of the women, (as they can't afford not to), stands him in good stead. He can see the relationship dynamics playing out, and he suspects Fanshawe is to blame for Celia's situation and behaviour is some way. Determined to make sure Dowden is sincere in his affection for Toni, he observes and analyses all the protagonists, but it is Celia who has the information, and eventually the bravery to speak up.

This was a high angst story with a really fleshed out character development arc for Celia, and to a lesser extent, also Lucien and Phyllida. Celia goes from a precarious high, to painful and damaging lows and then redemption, which was emotional and exciting to read. The heat and feeling between Celia and Richard was very high and the Marriage of Convenience trope of Lucien and Phyllida was a truly satisfying secondary love story.

Fabulous, read it.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own..

Also posted to Goodreads

Thank you letstalkbookspromo, kensingtonbooks and Minerva Spencer for having me on this tour and for the gifted copy.

This is the third book in the Rebel of the Ton series. I had not read the first two but really enjoyed this one without having read the others first. I had heard the other two are steamier so I will have to read those too.

Celia is society's belle until she got pulled into a scheme and got caught. Pushing the wrong people into marriage and her into infamy. Ruining her reputation she must work for her living.
Ten years later she must attend a house party with all the major players involved or affected by the scheme.

As humiliated as Celia is, she must stay to keep her position. We learn more about what happened to her circumstances and everyone's intentions. Situations for some weren't so bad even though they were forced. But Sebastian can go to Hades, those silver tongued handsome rich men are the worst. Celia may have been a mean girl and was being very mean but she didn't deserve what happened to her. No woman deserves what that man was doing.
Thank goodness she had a Richard to look after her.

The Most Infamous Mean Girl of the Ton is About to Become Your Favorite Heroine


Infamous has a Mean Girls premise which I absolutely loved. Ten years ago, the beautiful debutante Celia Pelham orchestrated a cruel trick by locking one of two male twins in a room with an unwanted wallflower, Phillida. Unfortunately, the wrong twin was locked in the room. It is Lucien Redvers, the handsome earl who Celia has had her eye on all season and is intending to wed who is trapped inadvertently and who proposes to Phillida out of a sense of duty and honor.

Fast forward ten years ahead to a Christmas house party celebrating the engagement of Richard and Lucien's younger sister to the "meanest boy" in London, and it is quickly evident that the lives of many people have been changed forever by Celia's terrible choice of pranks.

If you are not caught by that point in the story, you will soon be by the deep pain of the characters. The plot rests on a series of miscommunications, failure to communicate, and misunderstandings--which can sometimes be a very tedious plot device. In this case, Minerva Spencer is such an excellent writer that while the miscommunications are frustrating, they create great tension and the plot works as a whole very well.

This book made me cry. That is a rare occurrence for me. The characters in Infamous are breathtakingly well-developed and come alive very quickly. When the hero of this book turned out to be a twin, I did not realize that meant it would be a double love story--but indeed it is, and the second love story is one which drew me in even more than the first. And the first has an excellent premise.

At first, I was a little put off the hero in this book at first. There were a couple of reasons for that, but I think it was intentional on the author's part. He is excessively nerdy and he also prefers to have older women as his lovers because they are more "needy" (yuck).

But the other three primary characters are so incredibly full of life and their arcs are so compelling that it didn't matter (and Richard, the main hero, becomes very sympathetic in time).

There is steam and tension, but it is the mending of broken hearts and past pains that makes this story so special.

Six out of five stars.

Side Note: I have not read any of the other books in this series but very much enjoyed this one nonetheless.

I haven't read anything by Minerva Spencer but Infamous didn't disappoint. The characters were great and there were so many great moments in the book. Definitely reading again!

Loved it! Read it thrice (so far) and each time my emotions were uncontrollable.

Got reminded of SEP's "Ain't She Sweet" and I love that one as well.


Everyone deserves a second chance and mean person might have a backstory though what they do shouldn't go unnoticed/ unrepented. Oh how she's suffered but still has grown stronger and what a character it was.

When a person has had a hard way of growing up which comes out as meanness, there is usually a person/ group that leeches off the vulnerable person. Most times they don't even realise the mistake and are usually hidden behind a societal mask of goodness/ superiority. We have such characters here as well.

The author has included and addressed several social issues - which holds till date.

An awesome read with strong characters (loved Richard, Lucien, Phil and definitely Celia) and unusual subject line.

Worth reading again and again!

Wonderful historical romance story of a mean girl humbled and she finds her happily ever after. I wasn't sure I would love this story as much as I did because I have issues with mean girls in my past. But Celia was brought down big time and learned her lesson. In reality the meanness was a mask, a cover for fear of the ton finding out her position in society was one step from financial ruin every day of her life. It was her armor to keep others from looking too closely at her life. Her father had a title but he was a terrible gambler and just one step ahead of his creditors. Her mother was an actress and left her money with her daughter when she died to take care of Celia. When her house of cards fell because of a bully duke she had to find employment and disappeared from society for 10 years. I loved seeing Celia Trent learn her lessons and finally find genuine love.

Celia is the Duke of Dowden, Sebastian Fanshawe puppet, he pulls her strings. He knows her secrets and for his own entertainment has her say mean things and start rumors within her circle of friends. As we see through this story he's the real bad guy here. Later he shows up as the bridegroom to the sister of her former hopeful bridegroom, Lucien Ramsay. She had hoped to have Lucien offer for her but when a practical joke intended for his twin, backfired on Lucien. She ended up labeled Lady Infamous and disappeared from society. Her father left her alone and penniless as well.

The story picks up 10 years later with Lucien & Richard's little sister's wedding event over Christmas. Celia is now employed as a companion to Sebastian's aunt's friend and they go to the wedding. It's the last place Celia wants to be but she needs her job. As the event unfolds, Richard digs into Sebastian's background as he has always tried bulling Richard. Richard is sure he needs to stop the wedding. He's also getting to know Celia as he finds her fascinating.

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