This was an entertaining story but maybe a trigger warning should have been added. At first I was very confused as to who the main character was. Was is Thomas or Robert? These two brothers were constantly in almost every scene together and I couldn't keep track of who was who.

Ugh, the drama!
This book could've been way shorter, like literally half its size should've been cancelled, it was repetitive and the way the miscommunication between the couple was written made me feel mentally exhausted, it turned into a chore.
The plot was messy, it looked like the author had many ideas for the book, so instead of chosing one, she took all of them, you get the villain story, and the strong independent woman, the miscommunication trope, and the can't-get-over-my-ex trope.
I don't why the decision of making the book quite lengthy was taken, but I'm not happy about it 🤦‍♀️
The characters were irritating, i didn't like the cat and mouse routine, and the whole on again off again kept me breathless, not from the thrill mind you, but from the frustration.
* I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and publisher in exchange of an honest review *

The Rake and the Spinster

This is my first read by this author, and it is quite a treat. It held my interest from the very first page. Rose and Thomas knew one another from childhood, but life separated them. He went on to be a rake, and she became a spinster with a mission. Thomas’s father wanted him to reform, and the balls of the ton brought Rose and Thomas into the same sphere. A story of love, loss, and intrigue began. Rose’s spinsterhood had a reason behind it, and as we find out the reasons, we also see the love between Rose and Thomas begin to flourish. However, there is a villain and deadly danger waiting in the winds. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with suspense, secrets, determined spinsters, and rogues in need of redemption. Rose and Thomas will have challenges to overcome, but they have love on their side.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Thomas Ashton, Lord Newbury and heir to the Duke of Kennet, has spent most of his time in the ton as a rake, along with his younger brothers. But when his parents give the sons an ultimatum - marry by the end of the year or lose their inheritance, Thomas knows he needs to restore his reputation, and there's no one better than Lady Rose Timmons, former friend, and renowned protector of the vulnerable. It's not an easy arrangement, but Rose knows that this will be her last Season as a member of the ton, before retiring to Yorkshire, and she's planning on exiting with a bang. But soon their hearts are engaged, and as much as they want each other, Rose isn't willing to ruin Thomas' future, not for her own benefit.

I found myself hooked to this book straight away. It's not the longest - about 300 pages - but so much happens in that time. Lady Rose is the eldest of 6 siblings, and has been in society for nearly a decade now, she's seen four of her siblings married, and now that her youngest sister, Cecily, is set to debut, Rose is about to have her final season. An incident when she was younger has left her scarred, and she will do anything to protect other young ladies - of all classes - from those who want to hurt them. I adored this aspect of Rose's life, and the way in which she had formed her ring of accomplishes and informants to help her efforts. Thomas took a little longer to warm up to, but soon it was clear that though he meant well, he wasn't always the most smart in social situations. A lot of the events in the book tried to pull the couple away, and there's some really dark scenes (tw for attempted rape) which affect both characters immensely. I think some of the drama may have been a little contrived, but I adored the final pages, and can't wait to read Robert's book - he really deserves his happy ending after what we learnt of him here.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Forever Dragonblade Publishing for providing me this arc via Netgalley!
For the past few months, I have been in a terrible reading slump, which means that I'm also in the hunt for THAT book that will remind me of what is staying awake until light starts peering from the window because I just. Can't. Put. It. Down.
Unfortunately, this was not it. It was not a bad book, don't get me wrong. But it didn't grab me.
I really liked the overall concept and the characters were fun and well built, however the sudden change in Thomas didn't really convince me (call me a skeptic), and the romance didn't fascinate me.
3 stars - read it if you're not in a slump, you might appreciate it more than I did.

This first book in the Ashton Park Series was awesome. Always a good sign when a series begins with a bang. Which this one did. Lady Rose is a spinster who fights against rakes & rogues on behalf of the vulnerable ladies of society. Thomas, Lord Newbury is her most recent scoundrel. Even though she has known him since childhood, and has admired him for most of that time, she is under no illusion as to his character and is dedicated to keeping him from societies young debutants. This story left me longing to read more which is always a good omen for a series.
Thank you Abigail Bridges, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

From the first page to the last you will spellbound by The Prizefighter's Hart. Emily Royal has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with great cast of characters that come off the pages and pull you into this emotional ride that keeps you involved until the very end, great dialogue and with a strong plot that bring this read together perfectly! Ahhh...the game of love can be a tangled web for Thea and Griffin paved with a daughter that is a handful who causes mischief wherever she goes. As Thea and Griffin fight their insecurities and memories of the past they travel on a journey filled with drama, hope, amazing passion, and finding the secret to a happy ever after.

To Stop a Scoundrel follows Lady Rose Timmons, a spinster whose mission in life is to protect other young women from men with nefarious intentions. Rose has a very personal reason to do so. She has a network of informants, from both the upper and lower echelons of society. Thomas Ashton, heir to a dukedom, needs to be reintroduced to polite society and set his name to rights so he can find a proper bride. He enlists childhood friend Rose to help him restore his reputation.

This book was a roller coaster of emotions. It was highly readable and entertaining. I greatly enjoyed it, even though there were several instances I wanted to throw the book across the room.

There were a lot of characters introduced. Rose had great chemistry with Thomas's brother Robert (I really want to read his book). I don't feel we ever really got to see the chemistry or the romance develop fully between Rose and Thomas, circumstances kept them apart for a large majority of the story.

This story is full of angst and should come with trigger warnings for attempted rape and attempted murder. This story was much more graphic than I expected in this genre, but I think it fit the story and the characters.

The epilogue was surprising, it spoiled the future books that will probably feature the brothers. The last quarter of the book added a lot of unnecessary drama and obstacles, and didn't necessarily endear me to the hero further.


This is my first book by Abigail Bridges and I'm excited to read more, especially in this Ashton Park series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.

What a refreshingly different book! I loved it. I loved the characters, Rose's mission was to expose all of the dishonorable rakes of the ton. I also loved how easy it was for Thomas to fall in love with Rose.

The only thing I hated was every time you thought they had overcome the thing that kept them apart, something else came up! This book was an emotional journey for me. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. I also feel like it dealt with very real themes and consequences that women experience.

I don't want to say too much and spoil it but it's definitely not like your other romance novels.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read

2.75/5/ Glad to be trying out a new-to-me author. Apart from a few slightly anachronistic expressions, the author had generally a good grasp of the period and setting. The spinsterish Lady Rose Timmons reluctantly agrees to a mutually beneficial working relationship with the rakish Lord Newbury, the object of her youthful infatuation. She will help relaunch his entrance back into respectable society in order to find a wife as decreed by his father, while he will assist her to covertly eradicate deceitful villains masquerading as gentlemen targeting innocent debutantes.

So the premise is a bit weak, but I was ready to be entertained. Even when they fell for one another after just a few encounters, I was going along for the ride. The writing was good enough and some of the secondary characters were interesting, especially the hero's brother, Robert, who actually made for a more compelling hero. However, the author decided to throw in a several unnecessary curveballs towards the end, probably because by then the romance was pretty much a done deal otherwise. The first might potentially be a huge traumatic trigger for some readers, (view spoiler) and the second was a major WTH moment for me (view spoiler) There was too much going on and not enough time spent building up the initial re-acquaintance of the protagonists, nor did the author mention what happened to Rose's pet cause which formed a major part of the story early on. I might however be persuaded to check out Robert's story.

This story is a roller coaster of a tale that finally ends with a HEA. The MC are Lady Rose Timmons, the spinster, and Thomas Philip Elihu Ashton, Marquess of Newbury, heir to The Duke of Kennet. There is a lot of family dynamics throughout the story and the reader gets to know the characteristics of several of them including Thomas’ brothers Robert and Michael. Thomas, Robert, and Michael have been living the lives of rakish scoundrels for several years avoiding polite society completely and not worrying about their future. Their father has had enough and decides it’s time his sons start living up to their potential, their allowance is cut, mistresses broken off, and the three are forced to move home. It’s time to clean up their acts, attend society events, find wives, and start the next generation.

If that’s not enough of a plot the author adds in Lady Rose Timmons who is on her 9th season and plans to retire to the country after she helps her youngest sister make a successful match. Lady Rose is also known as the spinster who thwarts scoundrels that attempt to ruin young ladies. She has a large network of spies throughout London and knows the comings and going’s of all in society. She also has a history with the Ashton brothers as she grew up next door to one of their homes and used to play with Thomas and Robert. Rose has been hurt very badly in her past and carries the scars both inside and out, she believes that she cannot marry due to her past.

There is an attraction between Thomas & Rose — yet due to numerous conflicts it takes them almost 80% of the book to become a solid couple. Even then there are additional trials these two must face. It was almost exhausting reading about everything these two went through. I found my mind wandering while reading this story, there was just so much baggage included. Honestly I felt like a good third of the book could have been edited out as it really didn’t add to the romance and made the story drag in places. This story was almost depressing in parts and I felt like it was headed to a tragic ending throughout most of the book. Not an uplifting romantic read.

I will likely read the next books in the series because I am curious about Robert & Michael. Hopefully there will be some happier times for Thomas & Rose as well.

***This story should have a trigger warning for assault, attempted rape, and attempted murder. ***

To Stop a Scoundrel by Abigail Bridges is a new series and as far as I can see, Bridges' first novel. She hit it out of the park. It is romantic; it is sexy; it is complex; and it is just about as good as it gets. Plus, it makes me hungry for the next in the series. The two leads: Lady Rose and Sir Thomas Newbury are not nearly as buttoned up as they seem. Lady Rose had been brought to scandal a few years prior and has determined she will be a spinster, but not before she gets her sister, Cecily, married to the ideal husband. Since her fall from grace, she has perfected a network of spies and knows which are the worthwhile men and which are not. She has been tasked by her father to supervise Cecily's season and all her visitors, weeding out those "gentlemen" not worthy. In this stead, she runs into Thomas and Robert Ashton, childhood friends, who have returned to society at the behest of their parents for several reasons: guard their sister, Beth, who is also making her come out; marry and produce an heir for the dukedom. They have had their time to sow wild oats and now it is over. They decide to work together.

This is an extremely well-plotted story with multiple storylines and plenty of activity. The story between Thomas and Rose was wondrous but the teaser stories of Robert and Michael were excellent as well. The men's relationship with their parents was one to envy and Rose's family was well-rounded, as well. This was the best book of the genre I have read of late. The pacing was excellent. The letters between Thomas and Rose were entertaining. The sickroom scenes were realistic. All in all, I fully recommend this book. You will love it!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of To Stop a Scoundrel by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #tostopascoundrel

Lady Rose Timmons has been in love with Thomas Ashton, Lord Newbury, since he lives across from her as a young boy. Now she spends her time, protecting the vulnerable young women in London's Society from the scores of scoundrels who would prey on their innocence. Yet Thomas finds himself captivated by Rose, the more time he spends with him. Whilst he needs a wife, and an heir, he finds that Rose is all he can think of. Yet they are both unaware of the dangers they face, in trying to stop one man, from Rose’s past, who is intent on harming them both.
I am thrilled to have a new author to follow. Abigail Bridges brings to life two characters, who have strong feelings for each other, but can’t seem to communicate these feelings without causing grief. At times, the intensity of their feelings, threatens to destroy their relationship, making for such a great read! Thomas’ family, particularly his brother and mother, also bring added depth to this story. I found myself captivated from start to end and look forward to reading more about this family in the Ashton Park series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first time reading anything from this author so I was excited to receive an ARC of the first book in this new series. I loved the characters and their backstories. I felt Bridges took a familiar trope of the spinster and the rogue and added a new twist to it. I thought the subplot was exciting if not a little busy at times, and there were too many obstacles to get to the HEA but it did not detract from my enjoyment. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thomas Philip Elihu Ashton, Marquess of Newbury, had to search through a lot of pubs in London to find his two brothers. Their parents wanted them home for dinner and a talk. So Thomas was the oldest, Robert was second, and Michael was third. They had a sister Elizabeth who was starting her first season.
Lady Rose Timmons was in the attic looking for a gown to wear to a ball. Her cat had ripped it up and her mother did not want to get her one since she had been to ten seasons. She was definitely a spinster, well on the shelf. She did not want to outshine Cecily, her sister. It was her first season and she was nervous and maybe a little scared.
This was an amazing story. The three boys were to escort their sister and mother to all the balls and musicales through the season. They also had to give up their lodgings and mistresses. There are a few twists to this tale that make life difficult for both families. The characters were wonderful and so much was happening. I loved it and loved it more when they started looking for brides. It surprised me that so many interesting things could happen in a love story. I thought the excitement was great and so fun.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little hesitant at the start of the book but I quickly warmed up to Rose and Thomas.
Thomas has been ordered by his father to get his act together along with his brothers. He must marry but his reputation as a rake isn't helping matters.
Rose grew up with Thomas and his brother. Now a spinster she is determined to protect women from rakes and scoundrels.
I liked that this was instalove as Rose and Thomas had a foundation as childhood friends. I like how strong Rose was and how Thomas evolved.
Can't wait for book 2.

We love a lady on a mission! Rose is working to out the local rakes and save her peers from heartbreak. This dynamic plays out so well with our hero, Thomas, a rake and childhood friend of Rose’s. I couldn’t put this book down and stayed up late reading it. A perfect historical romance! Thankful this is just the first in the series and there will be more!

I don't even know where to start with this review. Rose and Thomas's story is definitely one I'll read again. It has so many twists and turns. You think you have it all figured out and it keeps going. This is definitely a favorite. READ IT!!

Lady Rose Timmons purpose in life is to protect other woman rich or poor from rakes and scoundrels.
Rose has a vast network of spies and informants that she often uses to gain information to bring a man down.

Lord Thomas Newbury is one man Rose is determined to keep away from her sister as this is her first season in polite society.
For the last 10 years Thomas has shunned the ton and lived peacefully with his mistress but now his father is demanding that he finds a wife and start taking his responsibilities seriously.

This was a fantastic read, Rose is a independent, strong woman who knows her own mind. Thomas also is a very strong character and I loved that when it came to Rose he did not always say the right things which led to a few misunderstandings. Great banter between the couple and their relationship was a slow burn which I prefer. This was well written and moved at a good pace. Lots of great characters which I will enjoy getting to know as the series progresses.