*le sigh*

I think I just don't like Evie Dunmore's writing and that's fine? I wanted to like this for multiple reasons - marriage of convenience, Beauty and the Beast allusions, A SCOTTISH MAN - but I really can't handle the way she characterizes her main characters. True, there's some interesting conversations at play here (did I read a romance book with Marx in it?) but reading a feminist book about a woman who really isn't that into feminism was just ... a weird choice?

The last 10 percent of this book is also just bonkers. That's all I'm going to say.

I adored Hattie and Lucian's story! Their marriage started out rocky and watching them work toward their HES had me riveted to my seat. I couldn't put it down!

Portrait of a Scotsman was not my favorite book in the series, but it was still as fun a read as its predecessors. Evie Dunmore continues to weave a story full of plucky heroines, slow-burn romance, and themes of feminism.

My favorite aspect of this book was the romance (duh). Lucian and Hattie do not start out on good footing, and it really only gets worse before it begins to get better. I’m a sucker for the angst that arrives along with slow-burn and hostility-to-love romances and I was served a wonderful helping of it in Portrait of a Scotsman. I really loved following Lucian and Hattie’s journey together as they begun to understand one another better and deeper feelings developed.

Unfortunately, Hattie’s character left something to be desired and that kind of killed my overall enjoyment of the book. I didn’t dislike her completely, but she definitely was not my favorite. There were times while reading where I found Hattie to be overly naive, judgmental, and a little snobbish–especially towards other women.

Another thing that really affected my overall liking was the ending. The book seemed to be wrapping up quite nicely and then with only a few chapters left another wrench is thrown. I didn’t actually mind that plot point per se, but I did mind that it happened with so little time left and felt completely rushed.

These books are very entertaining and I love Evie Dunmore’s writing! Portrait of a Scotsman wasn’t my favorite in the series but it also wasn’t a bad book. It was simply lacking in comparison to the first two, and my issues with Hattie’s character and the rushed ending definitely affected my overall enjoyment. I still love these books and I cannot wait to read Catriona’s story next!

Set against an important historical backdrop of political activism and change, Evie Dunmore’s A League of Extraordinary Women series epitomises the very spirit of the women whose passion, vision, tenacity, and courage powered the suffrage movement in Britain. The third book in the series focuses on London banking heiress and Oxford scholar Hattie Greenfield, who, after being caught in a compromising position, finds herself married to the ruthless financier Lucian Blackstone. Their attraction is palpable, but while Hattie continues to hold on to her romantic notions of love and wedded bliss, Lucian is driven by an old desire for revenge . . . until a journey to Scotland slowly changes everything between the newlyweds. Based on the Beauty and the Beast romance trope, this was one of my most eagerly anticipated reads of the year, and rightfully so. Evie Dunmore’s beautiful writing simply dazzles as she brings together two characters who never expected to find love with one another. My fave in the series so far!

Another hit from Evie Dunmore! Loved the first two and now I’m adding this one to the list! Phenomenal writing, characters, and a message of strength and passion.

Evie Dunmore's third book in this series was wonderful. We got the story of Hattie Greenfield and Lucian Blackstone, and they were a force. I loved the storyline and the romance between the two characters and enjoyed reading about their adventures. You should definitely read the other two before this one because other characters are mentioned in this story.

I had read some other reviews, not too intensely because I don't like my own thoughts on a book to be flavored by the thoughts of others, but one stuck out with a complaint about Hattie. The opinion was that she was just acting so ridiculous they couldn't read the book.

I think, while I see the argument, it isn't a full consideration of the character. While yes, Hattie did the scandalous thing of kissing a man while unmarried, she was also an independent woman. She was a forward thinker and surrounded by others that encouraged women to take up more space. She was frequently directed into these small spaces by her family because she wasn't as "clever" as the rest of them. I feel like her behavior, while frustrating and childish in a way, it wasn't badly done. I feel like it showed how she fought, because that was the only avenue left to her. She spent her husband's money not because she cared to, but because she couldn't do anything else. She said terrible things to him because there weren't other options for her to utilize. Was it annoying at times to read, sure. But for me, I felt as though I understood where she was coming from.

As for Lucian, he was a lovely partner for Hattie because he allowed her to be terrible without seeming to hold it against her. He saw her rebellious behavior and as he got to know her more he understood it. Was he perfect? No. He said shitty things and hurt her with words too. I did feel as though he was the one with the olive branch though.

I enjoyed their story, and the last little bit before the end is the main reason this is a 4/5. Whe you read it you may agree, but if not let's discuss the question in the readers guide at the end of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC

Hattie, daughter of Julien Greenfield, Britain’s most powerful banker, had very specific expectations about her future husband—he would be a friend with whom she could discuss books and art, a sweet man with lovely hands.

When an inauspicious series of events forces her into a quick marriage with Lucian Blackstone, a self-made businessman who is rumored to go to any lengths to best his rivals, and is known to have brought more than one peer to ruin, Hattie is both angry and disappointed but can’t deny the undercurrent of attraction running between them. As for Lucian, Hattie is a necessary element of a plan to avenge a long-ago wrong, and he’s determined not to be bewitched by her charm or joie de vivre.

Yet a trip to Scotland to inspect a newly acquired coal mine pushes them closer together—overcoming some of their defenses but revealing long buried secrets and resentments. Both stubborn and unwilling to yield, they may needlessly sacrifice their feelings for each other.

This might be my favorite of the Extraordinary Women series. Lucian is certainly the love interest most closely matching my type, and Hattie lives less in her head than Annabel or Lucie so is more apt to say what’s on her mind without analyzing it which spurs communication.

Some of the things I loved about the book:
🔥Lucian (let’s not analyze this! 😂)
🔥Discussions of art and literature, especially WUTHERING HEIGHTS.
🔥Hattie’s relationship with the women of the mining community and her burgeoning awareness of class issues and intersectionality.
🔥Historical details about women’s lack of rights within marriage. (Astounding!)
🔥Lots of fun scenes, like Flossie explaining sex to Hattie and a carefree wedding in Scotland.
🔥The steam! 🥵🥵🥵

I understood why Hattie made some decisions she did towards the end of the book but I didn’t necessarily enjoy them. I also knew that Lucie was being protective of Hattie but she was also so dismissive of Lucian, I got frustrated.

If you are a fan of the series or of historical romance, you’ll definitely want to pick this up!

Yet another fun read in the series by Evie Dunmore. Like her other novels sharing similar themes, Portrait of a Scotsman, incorporates women’s rights beside grappling with being an independent whole person, all woven into a satisfying historical romance.

Evie Dunmore is the queen of entertaining, thoroughly researched feminist historical fiction love stories that shed light on parts of British history I knew little about. In this third book in her League of Extraordinary women series, we get to know Hattie, an artist and aspiring photographer who gets rushed/tricked into a marriage to notorious Scotsman Lucian. Together the two work through their baggage, get to know one another and after a trip to Scotland FINALLY consumate their marriage! This slow burn romance is definitely worth the build up because once things heat up it gets REAL steamy! My one critique was that I found this was a bit longer than it needed to be but I loved the author's historical notes at the end! Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical romance with great depth and heart!

I absolutely adore this series, and Hattie’s book was just spectacular. The forced marriage and her various escapades and then their time away in Scotland, as she starts to learn more about the brooding husband she didn’t want … so many delicious tropes, and so many unexpected twists. I love when a romance book can keep me on my toes, and I certainly did not anticipate where this one was going, but what a wonderful ride it was! I don’t know if there will be more books in this series, but I can only hope so, because these books are some of my favorites.

I loved this book. It's definitely my favorite book of the series so far. Hattie and Lucien had my utmost attention from the very start and I love the rollercoaster of their relationship.

I love how much conviction Hattie has about what it's like to be a woman; not even trusted to leave the house alone, and yet men can do as they please. I also really appreciated how she learned over the course of the book that what it means to be a privileged woman as she is can be so different than so many other women and how that spurs her to really get into the fight for women's rights.  She grew so much in the book and I am so proud of her for not backing down from the tough things and facing some of her privilege head-on.

Lucien. What can I say. He can be an ass and he can be insensitive. But he has a dark past and he is trying to avenge his family and will do so by any means necessary - yep I am a goner for that type of romantic male. I love how much he grew and let himself open up to Hattie; and how he learned how to treat her even when it goes against what he wants. He goes from forcing her to travel with him to letting her do what she needs to do as an individual.

The story line around the mining town and the injustices there had me absolutely hooked. I was immediately attached to the people and in shock by all they go through just to survive. Hattie has some great points about how the women have to work as hard as men (illegally) and then go home and tend the house and family, an unpaid and unending job with no rest. 

I wanted to be mad at the ending, but it was so unique and not at all the easy wrap up that you might have expected. I loved it even more for that. I cannot wait for more of this series and I have to admit I will be very sad for it not to focus on these two, my favorite couple.

3 stars
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore has many ideas going for it. The beauty and the beast troupe, the grumpy hard man and the woman who ends up being it for him, and the surprising excitement when none was planned.
It was ok for me and I still will be looking for more from the author.

Book three in the League of Extraordinary Ladies about women fighting for rights in 19th century England follows a woman who finds herself forced into marriage to a disreputable man, whose backstory will make all the difference in her finding a way to love him. Finally addressing the different views of the poor vs. the wealthy women in the fight for rights, Dunmore adds complexity to the women's suffrage and civil rights campaigns from her first two books in the series. A blend of history, political commentary, and romance.

This is one of my favorite historical romance series. The chemistry between Lucian and Hattie was excellent. I liked learning about the suffrage movement and Hattie's interest in photography. I didn't love some of the events in the ending, but I understand how it made sense for Hattie's character.

Portrait of a Scotsman
By Evie Dunmore

This is one of the most fun regency era romance series I have read. The characters are fun and the chemistry is hot. In this installment, Hattie and Lucian were amazing main characters and I just loved reading about their slow-burn romance. The swoon in this story was really worth the wait.

I enjoyed this one a lot.

I very much enjoy this series and this might actually be my favourite so far! The art aspect of this was really interesting, especially all the information on early photography. I also love Hattie and how she really came into her own, discovering who she was and what she wanted to do with her life. Throw in a dark and brooding Scotsman and it's a perfect recipe for love, longing, and heart. Highly recommended!

Portrait of a Scotsman is the third book in the League of Extraordinary Women series, and I think it is my favorite one yet.
While I won’t get into politics, reading a book about the suffrage movement in the 1880s at this point in time made me feel even both inspired and honestly a little deflated. I loved that this book focused not only on women’s rights but also on poverty and class differences. I also enjoyed seeing it from a historical perspective. I love how these books weave historical knowledge throughout the story.
The story itself is fantastic. I liked Hattie in the other books and was happy to finally read her story. I loved seeing her realize how sheltered she was. Hattie makes one of the most accurate statements about why women want dominant men in the bedroom. Lucian was unexpected; he grew on me, probably similar to how he grew on Hattie. Lucian was by far my favorite of the love interests in this series. He is dark and brooding with a tragic past, simply looking for someone to love him whom he could love in return. In other words, my male love interest kryptonite.
I’ve really enjoyed this series, and Portrait of a Scotsman is my favorite so far.

Love everything about all of evie Dunmore’s books! This one is no exception! So much great historical detail and plot + all the romance you could ever want (featuring a rake/historical bad boy with a troubled past!) + sweet Hattie!

Oh how I adore this whole series! Portrait took the place of my favorite, and it’s not just because I love purple 😍 Hattie frustrated the ever living out of me in the beginning with her uppity attitude, but she grew on me so much as the novel went on. I was a fan of Lucian from the start. I don’t know if it was his bad boy reputation, or the fact that I could just see that there was more to him than the high society saw, but I just loved him.

Their time spent in Scotland was my favorite (obviously). Seeing the reasons Lucian is the brooding man that he is, and watching Hattie’s character grow had me burning through the pages. I needed them to work through their differences and misunderstandings so badly!

I’ve said it before, any novel that involves characters fighting for rights will hook me. I love seeing the passion behind wanting to create a world of equality.

I recommend this whole series! 😍

Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for this arc in exchange for my honest review!