4 Stars for Harry and Ellie!

The way that this romance starts with a kiss, literally, was the best thing ever! Harry and Ellie meet under the mistletoe at a ball and from there, they are swept up in each other.

Kate Bateman certainly knows how to draw a reader in! Ellie was adorable and spunky! "Harry" was a  mysterious, sexy rogue.

According to Harry, "Rule #4: Never mix theft with seduction". And boy oh boy, do Harry and Ellie mix work and pleasure.

The banter between Harry and Ellie is the best part of the whole story. I love that Ellie doesn't back down and holds her ground. Harry has such a way woth words and has everyone blushing!

Harry and Ellie's first real kiss was incredibly spicy! I love how it played out and I loved seeing Ellie come out of her shell! Have your fans nearby! My favorite person was definitely Carlotta, heehee! What an amazing singer ;)!

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is a must read for historical romance lovers! It is a fun and romatic read! Kate Bateman creates such an original world with Tess, Ellie and Daisy and King & Co.! I will definitely be buying a paperback copy when the book officially releases! And I can't wait for Daisy's story!!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of Kate Bateman's, How to Fall for a Scoundrel.

This was a fun and light read for me. I enjoyed this second in the series more than I did the first book. This can be read as a stand-alone as not knowing the story of the first book’s couple doesn’t hinder you from understanding what’s going on in this book. One thing I would say is that I was hoping to see more of the romance develop between Harry and Eleanor. I didn’t find myself as invested in their relationship as the story progressed faster than their relationship did.

** Thank you St.Martin’s Press for providing this ebook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

ARC BOOK REVIEW: How To Fall For A Scoundrel by [author:Kate Bateman|14031754]Kate Bateman

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Banter: 💬 💬 💬 💬 💬

Summary: Ellie is swiftly taken with a strange man whom she meets at a ball seems to be a thief at first glance, but this scoundrel has some rules of his own that make what he does morally sound. Being a man of many names, Ellie decides to use him to her advantage in her investigator business when women are not meant to do men's work. Not only does she swoon at the kiss he plants on her at the ball, but this mysterious scoundrel is hiding something, so she has to keep on her toes. Will she fall for this handsome and charismatic scoundrel? Or will she send him to the gallows?

What I Loved: I became instantly obsessed as soon as Ellie was kissed. The ultimate page-turner for romance lovers, Kate Bateman knows exactly what she is doing and I cannot wait to read more of her books in this series! I love that this book was a standalone and was easy to get into. Ellie and her two best friends Tess and Daisy have a very dynamic and fun relationship in this book which helps the fact that Ellie is a little self-conscious and not at all 100% confident with her looks and brains. I loved this book because it also had multiple points of view from both Ellie and her scoundrel. There is a great mixture of romance and sex in this book and the author even gives you a little bit of a bonus at the end.

What I Did Not Like: I wished for more of this couple working together to solve more mysteries and wished it would have been longer or even for Kate to write more on this couple and their future adventures if any.

Good/Bad Ending: SPICY ending, with an opening for the next book in this series. Loved the closing.

Vibes: Bit of a slow-burn, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8270592/">Miss Scarlett & The Duke (PBS Masterpiece)</a>, If Pride & Prejudice were Robin Hood

Special thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest, and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

not for me. this just didnt have the depth I'm used to (from other historical romances! comparing apples to apples), it felt stilted to read, and I wasn't fully connecting with the characters. barely finished. wasn't really satisfied. It very much felt like it was written heavily influenced by the perspectives in modern times. If you like the premise of this book, I'd recommend the Hells Bells series by Sarah MacLean instead.

"How To Fall For A Scoundrel" was the first book I read by Kate Bateman, but it certainly will not be the last.

I absolutely enjoyed all the banter and sleuthing in this fun, light-hearted lovestory that follows law-abiding Ellie who, together with her two friends, runs a private detective agency, and reformed thief Harry. Together, they have to solve a case, but the real mystery is Harry's true identity.

Although this is the second installment of the "Her Majesty's Rebels" series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Kate Bateman once again has written a compelling love story with characters that you root for and a mystery that carried the reader through the pages without wanting to put the book down. The ladies of King and Co are bold and unapologetically themselves in a time when that would have diminished their prospects, yet they continue to find men who find this just as alluring as the reader does. I eagerly anticipate the final installment in this trilogy.

I adore Kate Bateman books and "How to Fall for a Scoundrel" is one of the best ones yet. The chemistry between our shy wallflower Eleanor and the ever charming Harry was so much fun. I loved Harry's easy-going style and how he gave Ellie the confidence to come out of her shell. Ellie and her crime-fighting partners have another case to solve, but what they find out along the way of solving one case leads them directly to solve another case involving Harry. The plot flows along nicely with a couple of good twists and turns, and can be read as a stand alone story. I love this series and am looking forward to reading the next book.

Kate Bateman’s second book in Her Majesty’s Rebels series, How to Fall for a Scoundrel, delightfully continues where book one ends with the story of three devoted, female friends, Tess, Ellie, and Daisy, and their own private investigations firm, King & Co. One of the founding trio, Eleanor Law, known as Ellie, is practical, level-headed, non-titled, and fixated on the rule of law. Unexpectedly, she is kissed under the mistletoe by a charming scoundrel who mysteriously has a vague handful of names when asked, but hangs onto “Harry” with Ellie and her world. Harry involves himself in King & Co.’s investigations and is drawn to Ellie, with one becoming more adventurous and the other eschewing a colorful past.

While none of us would want to give up the bold, brawny, breathtaking, and brooding males so often in this genre, Harry is a hero just as enticing with his dimples, handsome presence, cheerful approach to life, Shakespeare-quoting comments, and panoply of talents – some lawful, some not so much. Harry and Ellie closely work together and even pursue an investigation regarding Harry. He also brings out Ellie’s own beauty and zest for life. This writer makes a love story captivating and memorable by letting her characters’ strengths play freely. One can even forgive the “abuse” of a basil plant and relish a trip to the Tower of London with such a delectable and sensual story. The proposal scene is unbelievably fun and sweet, and I had to read it twice for the sheer joy of it.

To review this book, I reread book one, and that was no hardship. It was enjoyable and brought back how much I enjoyed it the first time. It was a pleasure being in their lives once again. This writer is one of my favorites, and I impatiently look forward to the third book and hope it is about Daisy and her dagger.

I am grateful to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Kate Bateman for giving me an opportunity to read this book early. I enjoyed every page of it. This opinion is all my own.

What a fun book!

Ellie is part of a trio of women crime solvers helping to seek justice in the world. Our hero, whatever his name may be at the time, is her exact opposite. When they unexpectedly team up, everything becomes a bit chaotic, for the best reasons.

I had SO much fun reading “How to Fall for a Scoundrel.” Kate Bateman is always one of my go-to writers, and this may be my favorite of hers so far. The chemistry and banter between our hero and heroine are fan-freaking-tastic. The friendships of Ellie and her co-workers, Daisy and Tess, are well built and add to the humor and heart. I had a smile reading so much of this book.

Another great book by Kate Bateman!

Eleanor Law has a successful private investigation firm in 1816 London. Her friends Daisey and Tess have proven that ladies can solve crime. Ellie kissed a scoundrel, Henri Bonheur, at the annual Christmas ball. She was more of a wallflower than a sought-after woman, so that kiss meant a lot to her. Henri hinted that he had a past and wanted to help the ladies solve a few crimes. When he knew they were very talented, he asked them to prove he was the long-lost Earl of Cobham. I enjoyed Henri and the ladies as they solved their crimes creatively. The developing relationship between Henri and Ellie was fun to watch as she changed from a wall flower to a desirable woman. Great characters and love story.

Another great one in the majesty's rebels series. Cant wait for Daisy's book and that dark highway meeting. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a chance to read this warm, witty, romantic, book!

<i>How to Fall for a Scoundrel</i> is a light, entertaining and beyond charming read from Kate Bateman. Being the second book in the <i>Her Majesty’s Rebels</i> series and my first time reading from Bateman, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from not having read the first book (although I should remedy that now!)

Ellie is one part of King & Co. - the best investigative firm in London that nobody knows is run by three women. Harry is attempting to reform his criminal ways and what better way than to pose as the elusive Mr. King to help Ellie and her friends bring in more cases? And if he and Ellie accidentally fall in love along the way, and his true identity is also revealed?

This was such a fun romance from Page 1 - a perfect summer read in the form of a Historical romp with a Charming Devil of a hero and an intelligent Blue-stocking heroine. Ellie and Harry have incredible chemistry, and watching them investigate crimes, swindle thieves, and save the day for multiple people was a delight. Seeing them get their HEA was even better. Fans of the Historical Romance genre won’t be let down with the quick, delightful and steamy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Eleanor Law and two of high society women friends run King & Co., a Regency London private investigation firm which is very successful. The fact it is secretly run by the fairer sex thrills its owners. No man called Charles King actually exists until a handsome con-man “helps” Eleanor out a party by pretending to be her boss. Ellie goes along with the pretense in order to solve a very lucrative case.

Going by the name of Henri Bonheur as well as several other aliases, Harry insists he no longer is a criminal and only wants to help Eleanor and her friends. What he does not say immediately is that Harry needs their help for a personal problem in return. Ellie is drawn to Harry but knows his trustworthiness is very suspect.

They work well together solving their assignment becoming ever closer. Harry is keeping more than one secret from Ellie having to do with his background and the reason he needs her help. This book is the second one in the Her Majesty’s Rebels series but can read as a standalone.

A perfectly serviceable historical romance with a dash of mystery. There were moments of greatness in the chemistry and banter between the two MCs, but not enough to elevate it beyond three stars for me. I can say that the period detail felt well researched and the dialogue and descriptions never jarred in the anachronistic way that many historicals can fall prey to! I'd be up for giving another title by this author a try.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman is a great summer beach read. The second in a series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. This time Ellie meets a conman who says he is the "Charles King" that the ladies' PI firm is named for, although Charles King doesn't exist. However, Ellie finds herself falling for Harry and his ways and somehow overlooks the fact that he's a conman. But love wins out and it's a fun novel. Thank you to the author publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of historical romance books, so I enjoyed this one as well! I loved the added mystery component of solving crimes together, and enjoyed getting to know Ellie and Harry and their building connection. I felt like there could’ve been a little more to build up their chemistry, but overall I liked this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Kate Bateman's books, and her latest series is really fun. Three friends have formed a detective agency, but as they're women, and no one would hire them if it were known they're actually running the agency, they create a figurehead owner named Charles King. Charles King is always too busy to see clients and no one asks too many question.

Perpetual wallflower Eleanor (Ellie) Law is surprised when a handsome rogue kisses her at party. She's even more surprised later in the evening when the rogue introduces himself to a prospective client as the mysterious Charles King.

Ellie is forced to work with Harry the rogue, and as much as she protests, she can't help but enjoy his company. Their romance is really delightful. Ellie tends to feel overlooked when compared with her beautiful friends, but Harry sees her in a way no one else ever has. But Ellie is very much on the side of law and order (her father is the Lord High Chief Justice), and finding herself attracted to a man with multiple names who may be a thief is very unexpected.

This is basically the plot of Remington Steele and it's really fun. Ellie and Harry are very cute together, and the book is really funny. I like my historical romance with a side of comedy and this one delivers.

Kate Bateman's How to Fall for a Scoundrel is a historical romance following Ellie, an investigator and co-founder of a private deteticve agency she operates with her friends. One day, a conman named Henri Bonheur enters the scene and pretends to be her fictional boss Charles King. Suddenly, Ellie finds herself partnering up with the conman to solve cases, falling for the man along the way.

This book is the second in the series and while I didn’t feel it was necessary to read the first, I feel like I would’ve understand the friends a little better had I read it. It wasn’t my favorite romance but I did enjoy the story. I did feel like some of the banter went on for too long and I found myself skimming some of the chapters.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC.

How to Fall for A Scoundrel is a light mystery with a romance mixed in. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for this advance reader's copy! This is the 2nd novel in Kate Bateman's Her Majesty's Rebels series. This story is about Ellie's adventures as a detective (in hiding/disguise) with her two best friends, who together run the King & Co. agency. There is no Mr. King, and Ellie meets the mysterious self-proclaimed thief Harry at a ball, and he quickly declares himself to be Mr. King. The mystery parts of the story were not my favorite, which is why I gave this book 3 stars. Ellie and Harry have great chemistry and are thrown together in many situations as they work to solve mysteries and crimes together. I enjoyed their story and the rapport between the three friends who work together in the detective agency. Overall a fun Historical Romance.

A great story with amazing characters. I loved Harry and Ellie and the instant connection they had. It’s a fun read with surprises that I was not expecting. It’s well written, very entertaining and I would highly recommend it as a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.