I vowed I would not take on any new authors/series in 2024 so I could tackle my TBR list. It is close to 500, but I read the blurb for this audio book and I couldn't resist the pull. A first Susanna Craig for me, and I was not disappointed. Includes the tropes of hidden identity/meddling aunt/love between the classes.

Companion, Julia Addison is the daughter of a clergyman, now employed by her brother's wife's aunt. Julia loves acting but it's an unseemly profession so she writes reviews for Mrs. Goodes Magazine for Misses. Scottish Play write, Earl of Dunstane a.k.a Ransom Blackadder is the author of a play Julia gave a not so great review. The two meet when Julia and her Aunt sit in his box, when the ticket manager sells the seats unbeknownst to him. Sparks fly, friendship ensues and slowly leads them to love. A threat to the paper, a plot twist or two and of course the necessary HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this 2nd in the series, so of course I have to see how it all started. Listen away, you will not be disappointed.

Performer had a great take on the characters, and relayed the emotions perfectly. as the writer intended.

This fun and steamy Regency era romance, as advertised, will be enjoyed by You've Got Mail and Bridgerton fans and those who like an enemies to lovers trope. It isn't necessary to read the first book in the series in order to keep up with this one, but I'm interested in the rest of the series now. Strong, intelligent female leads are always appreciated. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job of bringing all of the characters to life.

A magazine for young ladies is a really fun premise! I liked reading about a heroine who had the opportunity to indulge her love of writing. I am a big fan of theater so it was really fun to read about Julia getting to explore her love of theater.

It's always fun to watch a man who is grumpy and thinks he doesn't need anyone fall in love. I did like how hard he fell for Julia. I didn't find their dynamic the most interesting part of the story. The chemistry wasn't there for me. However, the plot was interesting enough that I still enjoyed this one.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book is how well it read as a standalone. I hadn't read the first book but I didn't feel lost at all. I think this series is fun but I have read a lot of similar series so I'm not sure I will continue it. I recommend it for readers who like a theater setting and a grumpy hero.

I listened to the audiobook version and Elizabeth Jasicki did an amazing job! You may recognize her from Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore. I highly recommend the audio for this book.

Goode’s Guide to Misconduct continues to deliver females of independent, determined nature that you can’t help but love. Julia is no exception, she is courageous enough to go after what she wants without fear. Her love of the theatre compels her to find a place in London despite the unpopular nature. Aunt was a delightfully and surprisingly supportive character. I loved her charming goading, constantly encouraging Julia in her deceptions and secrecy. Graham and Julia’s bickering and banter brought a wonderful tone to their romance. I love a good enemies to lovers tale, whether true enemies or simply gentle rivals, it breeds are delicious angsty longing to their emotions. I enjoyed the soft, often melodic tones of Elizabeth Jasicki. She reads with a lilt as smooth as butter. Her masculine Scottish voice for Graham was masterfully done. It is often a tricky bet to get a great masculine character voice in a well read woman, but she achieves it wonderfully so. A wonderfully enjoyable story that was delightful to listen to.

I was drawn to this book because of the description of Bridgerton meets You’ve Got Mail, but ultimately I didn’t buy the comparisons. Julia Addison wants to be an actress, but became a secret theatre critic for Miss Goode’s magazine. Graham McKay, the Earl of Dunstane, is hardly seen in London as he prefers to stay in Scotland. They accidentally meet at the theatre when they go see Othello, and she wrote a scathing review of the play. He writes plays under a pseudonym, and he tries to out her identity as the critic. Here is where the hero showed his misogyny. He did grow to love Julia, but he was cold and his ideas of women were problematic. The setting is mostly in the theatre, which became old pretty quickly. Ultimately, The Lady Plays with Fire was entertaining but I didn’t love it as I thought I would.

Enjoyable historical romance, well described characters & steamy plot. Highlighted by the great narration.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ALC.

Thank you to Susanna Craig, RB Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was okay. Longer than it needed to be; the pace plodded a bit in the beginning and I was bored enough at 45% to want to quit it, but told myself to push through to at least halfway. Then I got busy doing something, the story got more interesting, and I decided to finish it.

I grew fond of tragic Graham but remained indifferent to Julia. She didn't seem to have much personality aside from love of theatre, and Elizabeth Jasicki's narration didn't do her any favors, often delivering her dialogue without finesse. "Shrewish" comes to mind but is a little too harsh to be accurate. She just didn't endear me.

Jasicki's a very talented narrator, but I'm afraid she's not to my taste. I don't think she's that old irl, but she sounds it, and I struggled to reconcile her voice with the young heroine. It took me out of the story.

Overall, a pretty standard historical romance that lacked energy, blathered a bit, and largely failed to draw me in.

I didnt realize when I requested the book that it was part 2 in a series and generally I hate reading ou5 of order but I had a grand time with this couple. The banter was witty, the tension was tip top (as was the spice) and I loved seeing them get to know each other and fall in love without too many miscommunications and unnecessary added drama. Had a bit of a slow start but wonderful overall

3.5 stars rounded up

Not my favorite book from this author, but a fun historical romance with a spirited heroine! The Lady Plays With Fire follows Julia- a clergyman's daughter working as a lady's companion and secretly writing anonymous reviews of plays for a notorious lady's magazine. Graham McKay is a Scottish earl and the secret author of a play that Julia criticized. He wants to find out her identity, but they accidentally meet at a theatre before he uncovers who she is. And romance proceeds. Apparently this is loosely retelling You've Got Mail, and I can kind of see that. It's entertaining and worth a read if you like historical romance with modern sensibilities! I thought the audio narrators did a pretty good job as well. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

One of our secret columnists, Julia, has made an enemy of a certain playwright for her scathing review of one of his plays. That playwright is the pseudonym of grumpy Scottish earl Graham who prefers solitude and sarcasm. On a chance meeting at the theater, Graham and Julia meet face-to-face without knowing that the other person is their secret rival. However, they continue to run into each other in London and then Julia is trying to find out more information and subsequently influence a play that Graham is a patron of. It’s kind of messy to follow, but things heat up once they realize their attraction for each other and Graham opens up about his history. While this book felt like a slow start for me, I enjoyed seeing these two come together and how the final drama was resolved. Narration was great!