This book was gripping. I was sucked in and could not put it down! The concept was so unique, I loved this book.

Ten years ago Celia Pelham lead a charmed life as a debutant, or so it seemed. A manipulative Dowden forced her to play a prank at a ball that went very wrong. From then on she's known as Miss Infamous. Now she is a paid companion to an elderly lady with her unusual pets. A Christmas house party forces Celia to face her past and the people she hurt. Once again Dowden forces her to do what he wants or he will expose her secrets. Only Richard Redvers knows there is more to her story in the past and in the present. Can he save the woman he loves from a man he has never trusted, who also happens to be engaged to his sister. Richard is a very unusual character, He may be a geek, but he is very good at judging someone's character. He never wavers in his defense of Celia. Complex, this book still moves at a fast pace. Keep a box of tissue handy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is the third book in Minerva Spencer's Rebels of the Ton series, but it can be read as a stand-alone for sure. I will say I was not a huge fan of the second book in the series and was hoping this one would be more like the first one. I was left with many mixed feelings though. The description of the book paints it as being about Celia Trent and Richard Redvers and how Celia was basically a mean girl to Richard ten years prior during the season. In the process, she not only ruins Richard's twin's life and the woman he marries but herself as well.
I will say that I found Celia's character completely unlikeable, even though she learns from her mistakes and changes throughout the book. I just couldn't come to care about her storyline at all or what even happened to her. I also felt that Richard was too good for her and far too interesting. I think that he deserved a stronger heroine for his HEA.
I normally would have compelled me to just stop reading the book, but it was the other storyline of Richard's twin brother, Lucien, and his wife Phyllida that kept me reading. Their story was the real catnip for me and I loved Lucien courting his wife at his brother's suggestion and watching them really grow into each other.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above opinions in the above review are of my own.

I am torn between rating this a 3 and a 4. Celia is a slightly flawed heroine with a great redemption ARC and I adored everything about her story. Richard is also a great hero but a bit inconsistent. I loved the nerdy aspect of him and felt the accomplished lover bit was unnecessary for his character and it took me a bit out of the story. One thing to note is that this book actually features two love stories as it shows Lucien, Richard’s twin falling in love with the wife he was forced to marry during a scandal caused by Celia. I didn’t feel the secondary romance detracted from the book and for me, it actually added to the story as each of the four characters learned more about themselves. My big complaint is not seeing more comeuppance on the villain of the story and wanting Richard to be more awkward in all areas. It was very close to 4 stars and I definitely want to read more from this author.

This was a well-written, entertaining historical romance. Clever and steamy, it held my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Infamous
Book 3 in the Rebels of the Ton series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Infamous is the third book in the series where the mean girl from the second book gets a chance to redeem herself.
Celia is not your perfect cookie cutter female lead. Yes, she is beyond beautiful and was very popular, but when she was young she made many unkind comments towards the wallflowers of society. It is not until a prank gone wrong that things change for her. Ten years after that event that made her a social pariah she is presented with the opportunity to correct her wrongs.
I felt that this was not a very happy story. Celia is still suffering the consequences of her actions and is learning to apologize to those she hurt. Celia then finds herself with the family who she hurt with her actions, but also she finds herself developing feelings for Richard. Richard, who at one time she hurt his feelings when he was an awkward teenager, let bygones be bygones. He feels attracted to her now and in some way becomes her friend.
The romance between them was okay. They shared very sweet moments, but I think it is Lucien, Richard's brother, and Phil's romance that made this story a little better for me.
They were the ones affected by the prank committed by Celia ten years prior. They were forced to marry and had a good marriage at the beginning. Sadly it was their lack of communication that drove them apart, but with Celia's return they got their second chance at romance. (Lucien did something that I didn't agree with but Phil forgave him for it because she admits that it was her fault he did it. Honestly it was a big NO for me, but oh well.)

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for making that happen.

I was not a huge fan of the first two books in the series, but they hit a historical fiction hole in my heart. I enjoyed this one a great deal more, if only because the characters are more likeable. Both Celia and Richard were interesting to read about and I enjoyed following their arc, moreso than I had with the previous two books.

Serviceable and fun.

Infamous is another great addition to Rebels of the Ton series! I am obsessed with Regency England right now as everyone is after Bridgerton! I thought Spencer did a really good job making the characters so realistic to the time and the relationships so complex!

This book ended up being different than what I expected. I really didn't predict the substantive B-plot with Luce and Phil, which was a delightful surprise. While there was fun banter and some general fun shenanigans, this story has a substantial amount of darkness to it. Celia's background has some really challenging content, with the book raising issues about consent and power dynamics. This is pitched as a holiday story, and while technically correct, I'm not sure I would classify it as such. The wedding the house party centers on feels like a much more important part of the plot. Overall, I really liked the protagonists and, after a little bit of a rocky beginning, found myself rooting for them all.

I received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Celia was reigning queen of the London season. She popular and diamond in the first water.

Celia was determine to find a wealthy, handsome man and live happily ever after. Until she made the mistake of falling for evil plot to destroy a wallflower and geek. The plot went terribly wrong and Celia because a piranha in the press dubbed Infamous.


Once the reigning beauty of her social set, Celia--whom the newspapers dubbed Lady Infamous--has fallen on hard times and is practically destitute, her reputation in shreds. When Celia is forced to attend a society wedding as a companion to an elderly guest, she must confront the clique she once commanded; the gentleman she'd once hoped to marry--who is now wed to a girl Celia relentlessly taunted; and the powerful man who ruined her life a decade before--and is threatening to do so again...

Years later Celia was invited to the wedding of sister of the man she destroyed 10 years earlier and face the humiliation of past.


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. He still seems intrigued, but Celia has acquired a shocking secret along with her hard-won humility. Will it put an end to the love blossoming between them? Does she have the courage to find out.

TW: sexual assault, rape

I've learned that when I pick up a Minerva Spencer book, I'm guaranteed three things: steamy romance, complex characters, and a dark narrative. Spencer doesn't shy away from unsettling topics, which makes her books different than the typical historical romance, hence the TWs.

Celia is a former mean girl who pulled a prank at a ball ten years ago, ruining the lives of several people and resulting in the nickname Lady Infamous. In the present we follow Celia, twin brothers Lucien and Richard, and Phil, Lucien's wife, as they all gather for a Christmas wedding. As the wedding day draws near, shocking truths from that long-ago night emerge, as well as secrets kept in the ten years since then.

Overall, I feel like the writing was well done and that Spencer told a compelling story. Even when the characters had traits or did things that were unlikable, I was rooting for all of them to get their HEA. There are also some Easter Eggs for those who have read the previous book in the serious, Outrageous.

If you're looking for a page turner, second chance romance, or just a book with some interesting characters, I would highly recommend.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a story within the story. I was surprised. It was implied on the synopsis that it will Celia and Richard story only but you end up having two loves stories with all four characters having their points of views related by the author.
Nevertheless it was still an enjoyable read full of angsts.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Infamous by Minerva Spencer.

This is one of my favorite books by Minerva Spencer. There was angst and drama that kept me up reading late into the night. I loved how Celia, the once mean girl, was redeemed. Richard was the perfect hero for Celia. The secondary romance was also great. I loved how the various story lines came together and the story was resolved at the end.

Classic Minerva Spencer! I felt there was a bit of a misstep with the previous book, Outrageous, but Infamous more than makes up for it. I hurt deeply for three of the four main character - Richard seems just fine ;) - and at times I felt like I was riding an emotional roller coaster. And yet this made the characters all the more relatable! Bottom line: this book is so good, I read it in one evening.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 STARS
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I liked this one! A very fun story, and such fun characters.

I liked this one significantly better than the previous book. This one was much more in line with my thoughts on the first book. A very fun and creative regency romance.

I think fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this as well!

This might be the best book this author has written!
I've read Minerva Spencer/S.M. LaViolette before and I think she's an excellent author. She has definitely outdone herself this time.
Witty dialog abounds making this a very enjoyable read. Furthermore, this story is actually two romances in one. The story centers around twin brothers who both find their way to a HEA. There are also lots of interesting secondary characters. Hugh, the stepfather is actually featured in the earlier book "Barbarous." He plays a fairly large role in this book and I'm looking forward to reading his story.
This book also features an evil villain, salty old ladies and a bunch of amusing pets.
The main female character is a former bad girl who has needed to reform due to reduced financial circumstances and a scandal which has made her a social outcast.
I recommend this book 100% and I plan on reading many others from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free copy for this review.
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Studious Richard Redvers was infatuated with Miss Celia Trent, and his twin brother Lucian planned to marry her. But a gambling father and a prank-gone-wrong have left mean girl Celia destitute. A decade later, she's forced to face her past when she has to attend Richard's and Lucian's sister's wedding as a companion to an elderly guest.

This is the third book in the Rebels of the Ton series. Besides a brief appearance from book two's couple, this book stands completely alone.

I had mixed feelings about this book because it wasn't just about Celia and Richard - which the blurb implies - but a large overarching story about how Celia was manipulated and her actions had unexpected consequences. There are dual love stories and secrets to be uncovered. Because so many elements are packed in, I felt like Celia and Richard's romance didn't get to develop as much as I wanted. I did, however, like the fallout at the end. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

Tropes: Class Difference, Ugly Duckling, Twins, Working Heroine

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Infamous #NetGalley

This book contains two different love stories but the main one is between Celia and Richard.
A bad girl who is reformed and a studious boy who turned into a gorgeous man. This story is amazing.
Minerva Spencer has written another amazing book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Delightful period piece for fans of the Bridgerton series looking for new characters to love to hate! Celia Trent is portrayed as a mean girl, but as the story develops the character portrayal gradually reveals a complex and imperfect heroine, becoming known as Lady Infamous after an accidental social scandal. Great collection of characters, witty and engaging writing, and a fast moving plot keep this story going. Would recommend!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

As a fan of the show Bridgerton, there was no way I could skip this enticing historical novel. It perfectly encompasses the social norms and the atmosphere of the Ton, and makes the reader feel as though they were literally a part of that society. A gorgeous historical read!