I really enjoyed this book - there was good banter amongst the MCs. I would read more by this author.

I really enjoyed Archie and Maisie's story! Whating them fall for one another and then work together was so much fun!

I have not read any of Ms Essex's books before, and I have to say, this was a real treat!
Archie is the third son of a marquess and a very talented young political writer. He has his sights set on the new Lord Advocate and writing an expose on him and he figures the best way to get information on him would be to charm his daughter Maisie. Maisie is a painter and when Archie asks her to paint his portrait, she agrees. But she will not succumb to his flirtations because she sees right through his charm. But when he offers to pose for her in the buff, things take a more passionate turn between them. But with Archie's true intentions to find and expose her father's deepest and darkest secrets, can she really trust him and their growing attraction to each other?
A very well-written story full of drama and passion that had me hooked from start to finish. The storyline flowed smoothly and I really enjoyed the characters interactions and the witty banter between them. I look forward to reading more from this author!
My thanks to Oliver Heber Books and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed reading Mad Rogues and Englishwomen, This is the first book I have ready by this author. The initial thing I noticed was the chemistry between Archie and Maisie. I loved that Maisie was a a strong and independent artist. I felt like the character were really well written and relatable. I became really invested in their journey. I would recommend this if you like regency romance as well as art. The author did a great job of describing Maisie’s art. I would rate this a four out of five. This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Mad Rogues and Englishwomen." The hero and heroine, Lord Archie Carrington and Miss Maisie Conway, are independently-minded working adults. Archie runs a news magazine and Maisie is a budding artist. Maisie's greatest fan and marketing guru is her younger sister, and it's she who initiates the setup that brings our couple together.

Elizabeth Essex uses language to great advantage to get us into the mind of the artist. Maisie tends to see things in vivid color - specifically the shades of the oil paints she uses. I didn't always know exactly what those colors were, but based on the context, I could imagine. She also uses the scents of Archie's ink and paper and Maisie's oils to place us in the scene.

This story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, giving us a different perspective on the Regency era. It also includes a bit of a political mystery, as editor Archie investigates a news story that directly involves Maisie's family and the paupers she's trying in some small way to help.

I highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy historical romance, Regency-era stories, working gentry, and social topics.

This review is written from an Advance Reader Copy provided at no charge.

4 1/2*STARS*
The oldest daughter of the new Lord Advocate in Edinburgh, Sir Richard Conway, Maisie sees the move to Edinburgh as a new start for her drawing and painting. From her attic studio, she observes people living on and off the streets. Archie Carrington is the third son of a marquess, the youngest-ever editor of the Edinburgh Review. Instigated by his father, Archie is digging for information on Sir Conway's appointment as Lord Advocate. Consenting to model for Maisie is his opportunity to snoop in her father's study. At each session they learn that first impressions aren't always right. It's inevitable, they become more than artist and model. Unexpected is Maisie's challenge against the man who was never a father. Very hot and very engaging.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is a first class historical romance full of wit, sensuality, heat and lots of heart. The main and secondary characters leap off the pages and the descriptions of the poverty and the politics of the time will keep readers turning the pages as they find themselves completely gripped by the story. This book made me cry so I couldn't award it any less than 5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Loved reading the engaging and enthralling historical romance story. When Maisie agrees to paint Archie Cunningham's portrait, she knows he's interested in her younger beautiful sister, Flora, but can't help being drawn to his flirtatious ways. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of twists and turns, and a must read riveting love story.

Lord Archie Carrington knows a beauty when he sees one. Barmaids and countesses alike fall beneath the charm of the youngest-ever editor of Edinburgh’s sharpest political and literary quarterly. So when he sets out to write an exposé on the new Lord Advocate, the clever Scotsman devises a plan to charm his opponent’s shy portraitist daughter out of her smock—and her family secrets.
But Maisie Conway knows a rogue when she sees one and although she agrees to paint Lord Carrington’s portrait, she rebuffs all of Archie’s attempts at flirtation and familiarity. That is, until Archie offers to pose nude as a life drawing lesson and Maisie cannot resist the opportunity to uncover all of his manifest charms.
An entertaining, interesting & enjoyable romance. I really liked both Archie & Maisie & loved how their relationship changed & developed. The characters had depth & the pace was good. I thoroughly enjoyed it
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I liked this a lot and now want to read the other books in the series. The two leads were excellent and stayed true to themselves while realizing what they wanted

Good romance with unconventional characters

Maisie is a talented painting artist and portraitist. Archie is a journalist and newspaper editor. They are two passionate people. They share similar interests in social concerns and a desire for justice, which will draw them closer together. With hidden purposes, Archie commissions Maisie to paint his portrait, and attraction blossoms between them.
I enjoyed the author’s description of the art of painting. I thought it was interesting that the author tackled the harsh realities of being a social outcast, but it took up a significant portion of the novel. It is more than just a good romance; I felt sad and thrilled while reading it.

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

Archie, an editor, is looking for a newspaper scoop on the new Lord Advocate that has just come to Edinburgh. He decides to seduce the man’s daughter to learn his secrets. Reclusive Maisie, crippled in one leg from Polio, is not taken seriously as a person and an artist. When Archie begins to see her worth she becomes confident to share her views on the plight of the poor in the town. Can they both bring about some social reforms? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for my honest review.

“Mad Rogues and Englishwomen” is the first novel I have read written by this author, it is the fifth book in the Highland Brides series. Sisters Maisie and Flora Conway have relocated to Edinburgh, Scotland with their father, Richard Conway, who has just received a plum government posting. Maisie is a spinster, she has a lame leg after an extended illness in her youth, and is a genius level painter. Maisie rarely socializes, she is forced to do so by her sister. Lord Archie Carrington, youngest ever editor of Edinburgh’s premier political and literary publication “The Review” wants to fill in all the blanks regarding Richard Conway’s sudden rise to Lord Advocate and relocation from England to Scotland. He sees his way in through the sisters, particularly Maisie, whom he commissioned to paint his portrait. The more time Archie spends with Maisie, the clearer her character becomes. He appreciates her banter, her quick wit, her smarts, and of course, her talent. Maisie sees through Archie’s roguish charm, she likes that Archie sees her and not her disability, she is clever and speaks her mind. All the while, Archie does not disclose his intentions regarding Maisie’s father, to write a truthful expose on the man. I really enjoyed this story about two passionate and talented people, Archie for his magazine and printing presses, and Maisie for her art. Even though Maisie tucked parts of herself away after she recovered from her illness, Archie was able to crack her defenses and let free Maisie’s passionate inner nature and her strong will. Between Archie and Flora, Maisie socialized more, so she was able to make friends in her own right. The overall plot was very good, Archie and Maisie were the center, then reason for the two coming together, the appointment of the Lord Advocate, Richard Conway. The story delved deeper into the very real plights of the poor and the uninhabitable places where they were forced to live, the addiction to opium and gin by poor adults as well as children, and the child laborers forced to work for a pittance. The story didn’t lag, it moved right along and kept me interested. Fergus and Agnes were important to the story as were Archie’s numerous friends and their wives. This book is definitely scorching hot, Archie ups the ante when he offers to pose for Maisie in the nude, first with a muscled arm and the curve of a calf, and his cravat thrown off to show a tantalizing bit of skin. Another sitting Archie shucks off every stitch, mesmerizing Maisie as she lets her charcoal fly across the page in her first study of human male anatomy. The sex scenes fit in well with the story and are tastefully written. This book is more than a simple romance, it is an emotional read that includes romance, two characters that are at odds with their fathers, the uncovering of a questionable past, Archie’s wavering morality for a story, growth and change of Archie and Maisie, incredible sadness, and, of course, a happy ever after that leaves the reader with a smile. Recommended for fans of Elizabeth Essex and lovers of the genre. This book prompts me to seek out others by Elizabeth Essex. This book was provided by NetGallery, the thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Some historical fiction I have read feels like a lunch, not too heavy but satisfying. Others like this book by Elizabeth Essex feels more like a three course dinner! To class this as an historical romance is doing it an injustice, it is a social commentary on the treatment of the poor and indigent in Edinburgh particularly but also the rest of Britain. This novel is set not too many years after the French Revolution when the mindset of Britain was fear of uprising in the lower orders. The book also is about women's fight for some level of autonomy, our heroine is a gifted artist who does not realise how gifted she is, her journey towards self awareness is a joy to read. Archie is the youngest owner of a widely read publication in Edinburgh and also the fourth son of a Marquess. He straddles two worlds but knows which he prefers. Their romance is sweetly drawn and slightly steamy but nothing that should greatly offend. I was delighted to receive an ARC of this thoroughly enjoyable story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers.

3.5 stars

Not a bad read though I didn't get a strong sense of romance from the two protagonists. Archie is trying to find out why Maisie's father was given a plumb job. Maisie is the elder sister who is lame and a talented artist. Archie manages to get Maisie to paint him. He originally flirts with the younger sister but realises that Maisie is the one. He's worried how he's going to square his liking for her with his investigative skills and printing operation. He also has hassle from his own father.. There are plenty of Archie's friends in the story and though it didn't say on goodreads I think this book is part of the Highland Brides series. There's a lot of poverty and squalor that Maisie tries to highlight with her Art and in fact it's Maisie that causes the denouement. There's lots of sex that seemed to happen around the life drawing sessions.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book: Mad Rogues and Englishwomen
Series: Highland Brides, Book #5
Release Date: 09/05/2023
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Book Length: 392 Pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Edinburgh, Scotland
Nineteenth Century

Lord Archie Carrington who is a bit of a rogue; it doesn't matter if it is a tavern maid, milkmaid, noblewoman or an heiress. He loves all kinds of women! He is the youngest ever editor of Edinburgh’s smartest political and literary quarterly. Now he intends to write a story on the new Lord Advocate. A nobody who got a very impressive-high ranking position. Was it done honestly or dishonestly?

However he must win over this new advocate’s portraitist daughter over to discover any hidden skeletons in their family's closet. This should not be difficult, afterall charm and flirtation is his specialty with women. Except he never met a brilliant woman like Maisie Conway before. He is definitely attracted to this woman, as he loved smart women even this one with a lame leg.

Artist, Maisie Conway, is no fool and she can smell a rat and his hidden agenda! She agrees to paint his portrait but she rejects whenever he tries to flirt and get closer and come on to her for information. That is until he offers to pose nude! Something women artists in this time period are not allowed to do-is to paint the human body. It was a golden opportunity she could not resist!

However both are very passionate people, hers as an artist and his as a journalist. Soon they both see one another’s heart as one thing leads to another. They both enter into a world of desire and romance. Is it real or is Archie just using Maisie for information? Is it a game of betrayal and deception or real love? Can Maisie and Archie ever trust each other and have a real love that will last forever? Read and find out.

This is the last book of the series and Essex research is definitely impressive and riveting. A book readers don’t want to miss!

I received an advance readers copy for free from Netgalley for an honest review that I voluntarily agreed to.

Mad Rogues and Englishwomen was a delightful read. It drew emotions out of me that I wasn't expecting. I quite enjoyed it. It was sweet, sexy and tugged on my heartstrings. It was also political in nature. I loved that it didn't shy away from difficult subject matter. I think the author combined all these elements was clever. I definitely look forward to reading more of this author's work.

A very good but very emotional read. Her passion lies in her art and his is in the free press. While their first meeting was due to his mission, they found many things to learn from each other. But when tragedy struck, together with some friends, they moved to change the world. Very engaging read with some socioeconomic truths then that are still true today.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

Addicting!!! Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It draws you into the story instantly. It was an easy read, while still containing a complex story, and the descriptive writing is almost POETIC. I couldn't put it down.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I would give it full stars for research, particularly insights into art history, and I also liked the premise. But I just couldn't warm up to many of the characters (one exception meets a jarringly grim fate). I also ended up disappointed in how the plot played out. The Big Secret emerged at the very end, when it was moot, and everything was smoothed over instantly.

As far as MC's went, I was happy that the MFC had her character arc, as the words "lame" and "plain" were used to describe her so many times it bothered me, but at certain points she came across as smug or self-righteous. I didn't care much for the MMC, although I wanted to. It's emphasized how charming he is, but despite some early humorous banter between him and MFC, his self-centeredness was cloying. I never felt that he ever quite grew up (the final straw was that at 36 years old he blamed his father for his poor decisions).

There is a strong theme here of justice for the lower classes, which I appreciate, but I felt little relaxation or sense of closure after reading, which is ultimately what I'm looking for in a HR.