this was such a fun read!! for those who like regency era vibes with a little spice and a strong female protagonist then this is definitely the one for you. plot moved fairly quickly which was enjoyable, but what made the book was the fabulous dowager marchioness. i need more of this icon immediately. the love interest? great! the dowager? even better. also praise be to a book that has a female character with a backbone and sense, i don't even care if it's historically accurate because it's fun.

3.5/5

I was really craving a fun lil historical romp and this definitely helped with that craving! (A mood readers gonna mood read, what else can I say).

This was definitely a fun read, but it did do that thing that I find very hit or miss with historical books: it leaned into more formal language. It wasn't so formal and so obviously intense that it was distracting or difficult to read, it was just one of those things that I noticed and made me approach the way in which I was reading differently. And that is 100% a personal preference sort of thing. Some people won't care about that at all, but I figured I'd point it out in case you're like me.

Our female main character is a lady of high society is also a thief...that's fun and juicy stuff right there!

This was an enjoyable book, but I did find it to be a bit predictable and rather low-stakes (weirdly). It was also a little too fast-paced. Things were moving really quickly and I can find that to cause other pacing issues (too much filler between speedy big moments).

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be out at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of "The Viscount and the Thief" by Emma Orchard.

This was my second Emma Orchard book and I really enjoyed reading the story. I love how the Emma Orchard's stories are set within historical England but don't follow the traditional tropes in this genre. The FMC is dealt a difficult hand of cards but does not give up in the slightest. She is fiery and self-reliant. The plot was interesting to follow and the tension is high between the two MCs. I loved the revenge plot and how the fast-paced this story was.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

This is a fun historical fiction with a dash of thriller/mystery that drives the plot (beyond the romance.) The book does a great job at exploring uncomfortable family dynamics and the sociopolitical dynamics of the upper crust of England in conjunction with French society and complicated politics. We have this air of revenge - honestly, reminiscent of the ABC show Revenge, with our FMC having a particular hatred of the viscount's father. All in all, this book crafted such an interesting family dynamic and society, driven in its plot constantly to keep the reader engaged. Added on a steamy romance, and this was just all around a fun romp in the historical romance world. A strong 3.5 or 3.75 stars from me!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy.

I enjoyed this historical romance mostly as it avoided a lot of the normal tropes for Atleast the first half of the book. We had a very strong female lead, a broody male lead and some e tracing and some wicked support characters.

The plot was fun, the tensions ran high and excitingly our female lead is no simpering miss but a young woman who has lived her life.

There is a rather amusing undertone to the book as we learn all about our brilliant lead and her quest for revenge.

Overall my only mild criticism is things get wrapped up very fast at the end but it was a very fun stand alone adventure

I have enjoyed all of Emma Orchard's books to date and this new one is no exception. There's usually a lot going on and in The Viscount and the Thief we have the underworld, debauched aristos, the French revolution and more! Sophie our heroine has gained a position as companion to the Dowager Marchioness of Wyverne who is close to 100 years old. Her intention is revenge on the current Marquess who is a Spectacularly Bad Apple. As she enters the house she meets Lord Drake, her to the Marquess who is certain he has met her before...

The main characters in this book are well drawn. If I had one slight complaint it would be that the Marquess was very evil but he was a little bit of a mystery - you didn't get much of a look at him, despite his actions driving the book!

I hope this is the beginning of another series.

Thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for the ARC.

I LOVE a revenge plot. I LIVE for a revenge plot. And while I was a little disappointed the MMC and FMC weren't in direct conflict in this revenge plot (I'm a messy gal who lives for angst), I thoroughly enjoyed The Viscount and the Thief. Emma Orchard has crafted something absolutely spectacular here. Such fun!

This was a great regency romance and a tale of revenge. I don't usually like revenge plots but Sophie's revenge is never against Rafe and the relationship between them moves on quite quickly. Sophie's life is destroyed by Wyvern, Rafe's father. Sophie survives against all odds after being taken on by a powerful figure in the slums. They both want revenge on Wyvern and as Sophie infiltrates the home she meets and falls for Rafe. It is an enjoyable read. As a trigger warning a suicide is described.

The plot of The Viscount and the Thief was certainly fun, and the story moved along at a reasonable pace throughout. The sex scenes did slow things now and then, and while I didn't find them gratuitous or without merit, I did wish a couple could have been a bit shorter in order to get on with the rest of the story. Sophie and Rafe's relationship on the whole worked well. Perhaps a dash of instalove, but mostly I found their interactions believable. The ending was maybe a tad rushed after the long build up, but that is only a minor gripe. Overall, this was a quick, pleasing read that is sure to appeal to readers of Regency romance at the bodice-ripper end of the spectrum. I am giving it 4 stars.

I really liked the premise of this book, following a debutante turned loveable thief seemed like it would be a hoot. However I feel like everything happened really quickly with the stakes coming down so low after being set so high. The romance was predictable and mildly spicey but in a cookie cutter way. I really liked Emma Orchard’s other book but this one was not it for me.

Title : “The VIiscount and The Thief”
Author: #EmmaOrchard
September 29, 2024
4 Stars – A Gripping Tale of Love and Vengeance

This was my first experience with Emma Orchard’s work, and if she keeps writing like this, it certainly won’t be the last!. Sophie’s quest for revenge takes an unexpected turn when she meets Lord Drake, and from the moment they lock eyes, sparks fly. Drake is instantly drawn to Sophie, sensing something familiar about her, but little does he know, she has her own reasons for being at Wyverne Hall—ones that could tear his family apart. What starts as a mission to right past wrongs quickly turns into an emotional rollercoaster as Sophie finds herself battling her growing feelings for the very man she’s meant to deceive.

The romance between Sophie and Drake is electric, with plenty of passion and suspense woven into their story. The steamy moments are intense but feel natural, adding depth to their connection rather than overshadowing the plot. Sophie’s internal struggle between her desire for revenge and her unexpected attraction to Drake keeps the tension high, making it hard to put the book down. The author excelled in creating the characters of this book with undeniable chemistry and witty, engaging dialogue that makes their interactions feel real and captivating.

If you’re in the mood for a historical romance that mixes fiery romance, hidden motives, and a dash of intrigue, this one is well worth the read. Orchard knows how to weave together a compelling story that will keep you hooked until the last page!

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I am sharing this review voluntarily.

Many thanks to the author #EmmaOrchard , the publisher #BoldwoodBooks , and #NetGalley. #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Romance #Regency #RegencyRomance

5 stars

Great story. I guessed who Nate was in relation to our hero, Lord Drake. Sophie has been under Nate's wing and he has schooled her in stealing and protecting herself. She goes as a companion to Drake's grandmother with the aim of getting back a family heirloom from Drake's monstrous father and ribald step-mother. The passionate scenes are well written and we get a good incite to both their back stories. Thoroghly recommend this author.

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

I wanted to like this book, but the storyline didn't pull me in. The main characters are full of secrets, which should be interesting. However as a reader you're in the dark about so many things, which is probably intentional. There are readers who enjoy this kind of plot device, but I'm not one of them.

I found this book very refreshing. Sophie is not your typical swooning heroine, this lady is made of sterner stuff and she's got debts to settle. Drake is in the unfortunate position of loathing his father, but loving his grand mother and when their path cross, things become.....complicated. I would recommend this book to anyone.

What a great Regency romp “The Viscount and the Thief” was! There’s nothing like a good Regency romcom that stays on point but also doesn’t lose you in the process. This was my first time reading an Emma Orchard novel and it definitely won’t be my last.

We follow Sophie as she attempts to avenge her family, and take back what’s her’s. Lord Drake, who instantly feels something towards Sophie when he first meets her years before, might make the revenge plan that much harder.
The budding romance between Sophie and Rafe is filled with tension and excitement. And the steam factor in this one as we move along?Super hot! These scenes flow well with the novel and doesn’t feel forced.

Grab this one when it hits the shelves in November for sure!

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I really enjoy Emma Orchard's Regency romances, and I was excited to pick up her newest one. I have to say, it might be my favorite of all her books so far. The Viscount and the Thief tells the story of Sophie, an aristocrat from France, who arrives at Wyverne Mansion to be a companion to the dowager lady, though in reality, she has hidden intentions. While there, she meets Lord Drake, the heir to the brutal Marquess of Wyverne, yet he seems to be completely different from his father. As Sophie and Drake spend more and more time together, their mutual attraction becomes something they can no longer ignore.

What I liked about this book was the well-written, believable plot and the carefully developed motivations of the characters. Because of this, the intrigue never feels like just a pretext for the romance. Sophie arrives at Wyverne Mansion with a clear plan, but for a long time, she struggles to reconcile her goals with her growing feelings for Drake.

As always with Emma Orchard, the romance is skillfully written. The pining and tension are really palpable, and although it’s not exactly a slow burn and there are plenty of spicy moments, they don’t feel forced into the plot. Once again, it's clear that the author excels at writing natural and witty dialogue. The only thing I could criticize is the somewhat two-dimensional nature of the villains (while I can understand the Marquess, I would have liked more depth to his wife), but this is just a minor point.

Overall, the book is a great read, and Emma Orchard remains one of my favorite historical romance authors. I’m convinced that all Bridgerton fans should pick up this and her earlier books.

This uses the regency romance in a way that worked well together with the characters. I enjoyed getting to go on this journey and thought the setting worked well overall. I thought the romance was realistic and enjoyed how the characters worked with that element. Emma Orchard has a strong way of telling the story and can’t wait for more.

5/5 Stars

"The Viscount and the Thief" by Emma Orchard is a compelling romance set in the Regency era that we all know and love so well. It was so good, I read it in a single Sunday. Taking place in the spring of 1811, the story follows Sophie Delavallois, a smart, strong young woman with a secret plan, as she becomes the new companion for the Dowager Marchioness at Wyverne Hall. There, she meets Lord Drake, the mysterious Viscount, who feels a strong connection to her and is sure he knows her from somewhere. As their attraction deepens, Sophie is not quite torn between her desire for revenge and her growing feelings for Drake, but it makes her plan more difficult to pull off.

Orchard’s writing features clever dialogue and well-developed characters, making the chemistry between Sophie and Drake exciting and full of tension. The romance unfolds at a good pace, keeping readers eager for more. The story is filled with intrigue and unexpected twists, as secrets come to light and characters’ true intentions are revealed. Orchard also pays attention to the details of the Regency period, bringing it to life in an enjoyable way.

This book will resonate with fans of "Bridgerton," Julia Quinn, and anyone who enjoys passionate historical romances mixed with a bit of mystery. Readers who like complex characters, family secrets, and redemption stories will find plenty to enjoy in "The Viscount and the Thief."

It's important to mention that even though the cheerful cover might seem quite innocent, I consider the book a 4 out of 5 for spice, as it includes adult themes that aren't suitable for younger teens. This engaging story is best for adult readers looking for a sensual and thrilling Regency adventure.

Thank you to both Boldwood Books & Net Galley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.