what a charming and unique set of characters in a very modern take on the historical romance genre. absolutely perfect for the historical romance fans AND the naysayers. give this a chance, it'll show you how fun that genre can be.

Always impressed when an author can take “a villainess of majestic proportions” and redeem them, turn them into a character you understand, empathize with, and cheer for their HEA.

Sam is a wonderful character. Phoebe’s demons were no match for Sam. He emits so much light and joy, the darkness had no choice but to recede from her life.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

from the moment miss phoebe was introduced, she gave me lizzie vibes from boys of tommen...do with this what you will, as im not certain i mean that in a critiquing way! this prickly lil tough cookie was so intriguing and i was fully invested in not only her personal character development but her blooming romance with fenley. everett has always been a reliable auto-read author for me and i def recommend her books!

Elizabeth Everett did not take the easy road with this book: casting a very difficult heroine who majorly messed up and deeply hurt and betrayed the adored main characters of her previous series is not for a faint of heart writer! The beginning of the book was slower for me and I worried if it would all come together as a believable love story- the heroine, Phoebe, is paired with a bright sunshine younger man hero, who initially contrives to court Phoebe’s younger sister, thus forcing them all in close proximity. Thankfully Everett does not take the courting sister plot very far (they are just clearly incompatible and the sister pretty quickly sees where the hero’s heart truly lies!)- and while there were some shenanigan side plots with intrigue I didn’t find overly compelling, the book really clicked once Phoebe and Sam are alone and intimate at length. And here is where I applaud Everett for her depth as a Romance Writer, who knows that intimate scenes are there to drive the plot and relationships in an extraordinary way that only the Romance genre can pull off. I loved the way Phoebe and Sam came to each other, and where they ended up especially! I am really amazed that a book that could be weighed down with tragic backstory for the sake of tragedy, or unlikeable villainy for the sake of villainy, or a tidy redemptive arc, eschews these easy traps and gives us a very real, compelling portrait of two complex individuals with complex lives committing to each other in love. A gorgeous book, and enormous thanks for this advanced reader copy.

I was in the mood for a historical, and this hit the spot perfectly!

Lady Phoebe Hunt has been dragged back to England after her father’s death reveals a mountain of debt. She’s determined to settle his affairs quickly and return to America, where she’s built a new life.

Samuel Fenley has worked his way up from a humble shop boy to a wealthy investor. He’s ready to buy Phoebe’s crumbling estate.

The tension between Phoebe and Sam is electric, and their every interaction is packed with emotion. Watching Phoebe wrestle with her past while slowly opening herself up to the possibility of love was such a satisfying journey.

The angst in this story kept me glued to the pages, constantly wondering how they’d find their way to a happy ending.

And that cover? Absolutely gorgeous—just as stunning as the story inside!

If you’re in the mood for romance, emotion, and a bit of drama, this one’s definitely worth a read.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this free ARC!

This was a wonderfully done novel, it had that concept that I was looking for and had that historical element that I wanted. The characters worked in this world and was everything that worked in this type of book. Elizabeth Everett has that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel for the genre.

Lady Phoebe Hunt is back in London and placing adverts in Sam’s newspaper to auction off her family’s home in London as well as their country estate. Phoebe was sent away after getting mixed up with some sinister plots and accidentally shooting a man. Sam has made good investments and at twenty five is already very wealthy. He knew Phoebe because she was a friend of his sister at Athena’s Retreat, a secret group of women scientists.

Sam was recently turned down for a railroad consortium he wanted to invest in because he doesn’t have a title and he resents it. He goes to Phoebe’s home and offers to buy it and when he meets her younger sister, asks to court her. He likes the idea of having children that have blue blood. He knows Phoebe has scandal in her past but he finds himself attracted to her. He can see past her icy layers, that she is broken and wonders what happened. Phoebe has spent the last four years in America where she worked as a detective. She had to come back to London after the death of her father, to help her mother and sister who are forced sell everything to pay off his massive debts.

Phoebe has been though a lot of abuse and feels she is unlovable plus she has a lot of secrets. The secrets unfold throughout the story and we see how she has dealt with the terrible things that have happened to her - it’s emotional and sad. She is a scientist and is fascinated with the study of electrical currents and Michael Faraday’s work and I liked reading how she finds refuge studying his experiments.

Sam is a wonderful hero who comes from a loving family (plus they have pet hedgehogs!). Phoebe and Sam grow closer as Phoebe’s past secrets catch up with her. Also, we see many interesting characters in this story from the author's Secret Scientist series (which I haven’t read yet, but now I want to).

I wanted to know how Phoebe and Sam would work everything out and it was pretty angsty. I loved the grand gesture at the end! It was a big one! This was 4 ½ stars for me and I rounded up to five. Thank you to Elizabeth Everett, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Lady Sparks a Flame completely captivated me from the first page. The way the author weaves their stories together is nothing short of magical. Each moment Phoebe and Samuel share is charged with emotion, and I found myself holding my breath during their most vulnerable exchanges. It’s this combination of heart and ambition that makes their love story so compelling. Ultimately, what I adored most about the book, is how it beautifully captures the journey of two people navigating their pasts while daring to forge a future together. It left me feeling inspired and hopeful, reminding me that love can indeed spark a flame that lights the way through even the darkest times. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves a romance that’s rich in emotional complexity and character growth.

This book swept me off my feet with its perfect blend of tension, romance, and personal transformation. But what I loved most was the chemistry between Phoebe and Sam. The emotional dance between them; her reluctance to trust, his persistence to break through was chef’s kiss. The writing beautifully captures their growing connection, making every moment between them feel both tender and electric. This is a story of redemption, vulnerability, and the strength of love to overcome even the most stubborn divides. An absolute must-read for fans of historical romance!