I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Published: August 20, 2024
Series: Her Majesty’s Rebels
Pages: 304

I love Kate Bateman as an author and “How to Fall for a Scoundrel” was an entertaining and lighthearted book to read. The hero, Harry, is most definitely a scoundrel in retirement and is quite an interesting and likeable character. Then you have the heroine, Ellie from the first in this series who has established King & Company private investigations…along with her friends, Tess, Duchess of Wansford, and Dorothea (Daisy) Hamilton. When I say entertaining…you have a P.I. and a charmer who has everyone eating out of his hand, even the heroine finds it hard not be so attracted to this con man let alone trust him. In the end, confessions become known, and both the hero and heroine have fallen head over heels in love. This is a fun historical romance with loveable characters…including the sub characters. Straight-laced spinster meets her bad-boy and the story keeps you smiling from page to page. Highly recommend the read.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the second book in Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series and this one I enjoyed!

Eleanor is one of the co-owners of King & Co, London’s most discreet private investigation company, along with her friends. One day Ellie meets ‘Harry’, he says he’s a former conman who is looking to retire from being a thief and wants to work with the ladies at their private investigation company. He says a former thief is the best to work on solving other cases after all. He even poses as their fictional boss and gets them out of a bind since he’s determined to work with them and prove he can be useful. Harry has some secrets and a mystery of his own and wants help from Ellie too.

I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series! Ellie and Harry together were so good and so much fun. I loved seeing them work together on the mysteries as well and their chemistry was just so fun. While not an absolute favorite from this author for me, still such a solid addition!

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

3.5 stars

I think this story was a bit better than the first in this standalone series. I think it was a bit humorous as time went along how Henry met Ellie. They both aren’t what they seem but Henry would like Ellie and King & Company’s help. I’m interested in Daisy’s book for sure.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I am a HUGE fan of Kate Bateman's books, and of this series, but I have to say this one was not as exciting as the others. The leads were fun and charismatic, but I felt like there wasn't any real conflict for them to overcome. However, even th0ugh there wasn't that kind of excitement, there was plenty of the other kind. Ellie & Harry had ridiculous chemistry, and I really enjoyed their banter. Harry is an absolute flirt, but with a heart of gold, and Ellie is his perfect no nonsense foil.

While it's part of a series, the book can stand well on its own, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance.

I love Kate Bateman's books including this one. It has delightful characters and a very different and original premise. Harry and Emma are lovely and a wonderful match, even if she doesn't know it yet. Tess, Daisy, and Hugo are great too.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Paperbacks for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was just amazing. I loved it so much. Dare I say that it might actually be my favorite by Kate Bateman... This was just such a fun and cute read. I loved the two main characters, how they met, and how they worked together in different situations and got to know one another. I loved the friend group and how the other girls kept helping the main couple get closer together. And this really just had so many unexpected events that it kept me wondering what would happen next. I truly loved this one and can't wait to read Daisy's book. I just love Kate Bateman's writing so much and this one definitely didn't disappoint!

This one was quite the cute read. Henri/ Harry is quite charmjng and I honestly had my doubts about whether he was worthy of Ellie but of course! They are a lot of cute banter and of course the mystery to solve. I just found it odd how trusting Tess and Daisy were about him... A former criminal who now just took on the name of Charles King.... I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. But it didn't... And it was a nice little low angst twist which is what you need sometimes.

Steam: 🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️

Thank you to SMP Romance for the review copy!

Series Info: While you could read these as interconnected standalones, I would recommend starting with book 1: Second Duke’s the Charm. Her Majesty’s Rebels follows a group of women who started a private detective agency together.

Review: Who doesn’t love a reformed rake? …What about a reformed thief?

Eleanor “Ellie” Law and her fellow members of King & Co. have finally stumbled upon a case that won’t hire them until they meet their boss, the fictional Charles King. Lucky for them, the mysterious “Henri Bonheur” volunteers to pose as King for the job.

I am such a sucker for the wallflower & rake trope, and I loved watching Harry and Ellie fall in love while solving mysteries together. This is the perfect book for when you are looking for something light and vibey. It was the perfect read for me after some books with darker themes, and was just so much fun.

Kate Bateman’s books are always quick reads for me, with low angst and a fair amount of steam, and this one absolutely met my expectations!

🎧 The narration was excellent, the characters were well crafted and I was able to disappear into the story.

This is the second installment in a series following the lady detectives of King & Co. Ellie Law kisses a handsome stranger under the mistletoe, only to learn that the man she kissed is claiming to be Charles King, who she knows does not exist. The ladies team up with handsome rogue, Harry, to solve a case for an Egyptian museum and then work together to solve the case of Harry's true identity. I love historical romance, and this definitely has all the elements I've come to love and expect from the genre. But Ellie is not the most interesting female protagonist to me. However, I would like to read Daisy's book, if there's going to be one - it's definitely set up for hers to be quite interesting!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

Part mystery and mostly romance, this second installment in a series involves a rakish thief with a checkered past joining forces with a private investigation firm of three society ladies.

This was just OK for me. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the second in the series. There is plenty of steam between Harry and Ellie, but not a lot of chemistry that I could find. A decent romance, just not my favorite.

⭐️⭐️Another Win for Kate Bateman⭐️⭐️

Kate Bateman delivers a captivating Regency romance in *How to Fall for a Scoundrel*, the second book in the *Her Majesty’s Rebels* series. This novel masterfully blends adventure, intrigue, and steamy romance with Bateman’s signature wit and charm.

**What I Loved:**

- **Dynamic Protagonists:** Eleanor Law, a clever investigator, meets her match in Harry, a reformed thief with a mysterious past. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their banter is electric. Bateman skillfully crafts their relationship, making every interaction a delightful mix of tension and attraction.

- **Exciting Plot:** The story is filled with thrilling escapades, including sneaking into the Tower of London and unraveling secrets that keep you on the edge of your seat. The narrative’s balance of romance and suspense is spot-on, ensuring a thoroughly engaging read.

**Favorite Quotes:**
- “To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
- “You are remarkable. Never forget it.”

**Conclusion:**
*How to Fall for a Scoundrel* is a delightful mix of romance and adventure that will leave readers swooning and eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you enjoy strong heroines, charming rogues, and witty banter, this book is a must-read.

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from St. Martin’s Press publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄 @StMartinsPress
⭐️When possible reviews are cross-posted on the following:
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As this book opens, we meet a delightful scoundrel as he inquires if Ellie is expecting a kiss. The question is because she is standing beneath mistletoe. Said scoundrel takes full advantage of tradition when he notices there is still one berry left on the sprig and kisses her. There is quite a bit of verbal sparring as he learns her name but she doesn't learn his. At least not until one of her partners at King and Company joins them, Lady Dorethea 'Daisy' Hamilton gets a name out of him, Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas.

Alas this name is a play on the one 'Puss 'N Boots' gives to his master and Bonheur translates to good time/lucky. This isn't the last we see of this gentleman this particular evening as he insinuates his way into their business through a man who is insisting on speaking with their fictional boss Charles King.

After that encounter, he and Ellie slip away to discuss this situation in private.

The next day, Ellie explains what went down at the ball to Tess and Daisy. Then Henri arrives bearing a gift, a rather large basil plant.

This first case he undertakes with Ellie, is one where he will not only show his skills but also draw Ellie out of her normal blend in type of undercover. Not to mention the fun and sometimes scathing verbal banter they seem to enjoy so much. Tess and Daisy get involved as well when the decide to see who wanted to purchase said the stolen item.

Some danger, a lot more intrigue with regard to Henri's identity, another item to be recovered. All with plenty of flirtation that leads to romance and some serious sizzle.

I loved this book, and I can't wait to read the next one!

How to Fall for a Scoundrel was such a fun read that was fast-paced and exciting! I thought it was light and entertaining with wonderful characters. I loved Ellie and Harry coming together, their witty banter and chemistry, and their great HEA.

I liked Harry and Ellie a lot. I was very curious about Harry and I knew he was up to more than it seemed. He was so charming! I really liked Ellie, she was such a studious wallflower who was by the book so I enjoyed seeing her loosen up and come out of her shell, and being more bold. They had a lot of witty scenes together that had me giggling, I loved their verbal sparring and playful back and forth. I loved watching Harry and Ellie get to know one another, the flirting happening between them, and the building attraction as they got to know one another.

I loved Ellie and her friends Tess and Daisy and their mission with King and Co. I liked the cases the ladies were investigating and the adventures they had because of them. I also loved how Harry inserted himself into their business and pretended to be Charles King, that had me laughing. I really liked learning why he approached them in the first place and finding out who he really was.

This was one of those stories that made for a quick and lively read that was just fun and enjoyable. It was a light in the drama department – it was definitely more amusing drama - and it moved along at a good pace. There were great details, I got just what I needed when I needed it and felt invested. It made for a delightful read that had me smiling.

A scoundrel with a fake name makes the acquaintance of wallflower Ellie, and offers his thieving experience to help with her investigative firm. Harry is not at all what he seems and is definitely hiding secrets, but he and Ellie work very well together and also make for a flirtatious and clever pair. They’re involved in a series of investigations which involve disguises, sneaking, and fake identities. But the romance is sweet and steamy and fairly low-angst. We get even more mysteries to solve when it comes to proving Harry’s identity, and Ellie is ultra-competently on the case. Fun, light, adventurous read.

I enjoyed the friendship between Ellie, Tess, and Daisy as they became a very successful PI firm under the guise King and Company run by Charles King who is nonexistent. While at a ball, Ellie was kissed by a mysterious stranger and sparks flew. As he later introduced himself as Charles King, he took on a new client with the client only willing to talk to him. As the chemistry and attraction grew between Harry and Ellie, it keeps you reading to see what will happen next. Another great mystery story by Kate Bateman that will find you not disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

If Charlie's Angels and Bridgerton had a book baby HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL would probably be it. This one was a delightful regency romance romp. Pick this one up for the romance and not the mystery (I will admit, the fact that the MC runs a PI firm really attracted me....) the "mystery" took a major back seat to the romance. How to Fall for a Scoundrel was filled with the usual sexism and chauvinism befitting the time period along with clever women working around society's expectations for them.

It has been a while since I’ve read a historical romance and How to Fall for a Scoundral was a great reminder of how much I love this genre! The book was a really fun read full of banter, chemistry, spice, and some mystery.

Eleanor and Harry meet under the mistletoe and he gives her a fake name. The two could not be more different. Eleanor is an investigator and the daughter of the Lord Chief Justice while Harry is a thief and conman who isn’t very forthcoming about his past. Harry would like Eleanor’s investigative help in exchange for posing as the fictional male head of her agency

I think this book was a great blend of romance and mystery. There were some surprising twists that I really enjoyed.

This is the second book in Her Majesty’s Rebels series. I read this before the first in the series and was able to follow along easily. I can’t wait for the third!
4.5/5

This was a charming Regency Romance with mystery, intrigue, and a delightful scoundrel!

King & Co investigation firm gets stirred up in a surprising way when an audacious stranger ambushes Ellie as she tries to procure a new client. Pretending to be the fictional boss, Henri 'Harry' Bonhuer is up to something devious when he forces his way into the business Ellie and her two friends have created.

They are between a rock and a hard place, so they reluctantly agreed to give him a trial run. Ellie is chagrined by this but becomes reluctantly charmed as this former thief shares his secrets bit by bit. He claims to have been a thief and a conman for years but there is something kind about him and a twinkle in his eyes.

As they solve mysteries together, it becomes clear that 'Harry' has a mystery of his own he needs help with. One that could lead them to his real name and a past he has many questions about. But in solving this mystery, it could cause Ellie to never have a chance with him at all. Which is so inconvenient as she may actually have some feelings for the rogue.

When Ellie meets Henri Bonheur at a ball, she almost immediately spots him for a con man. His name is her first clue. Somehow Harry manages to talk his way into helping with an investigation pretending to be the mysterious, and non-existent, Mr. King of the King &Co. Investigations firm. His help was his way of testing the firm before he hired them to help him. As annoying as the man is, Ellie manages to fall for him (and he for her). Daisy and Tess see the spark and the possibilities, and decide to help Cupid along. This is a very charming story, well-written, fast-paced, with mystery, secret identity, fun and humor, and a lovely romance. The characters are engaging and likeable. Ellie and her partners are intelligent and confident. Harry is handsome, smart, and a reformed (almost) rake. The chemistry between Harry and Ellie is electric. Harry’s uncle is an entertaining treat. This heartwarming addition to the Her Majesty’s Rebels series is brought to life by the talented Beverley A. Crick.

Flash back to the eighties! This cast of characters strongly reminded me of the TV series Remington Steele. In this case, 3 women are the owners and investigators in the private investigation firm, King & Co. Cue the suave, debonair, handsome stranger who steps into the role of the fictional boss, Charles King.

I really enjoyed following their investigative cases. I loved the interactions between Ellie and her girlfriends. While Henri/Harry was suitably mysterious, he was SO mysterious that I felt his persona was lacking. I also didn’t feel the romantic connection between Ellie and Harry. The insta-love was very jarring as Harry admits he sees Ellie across a crowded ballroom and he is in love!?! There was certainly chemistry but there was little tete a tete for them to develop a believeable relationship.

While I have enjoyed other stories from this author, this was a miss for me.