While I preferred the first book in the series (Never Blow a Kiss), I thought this was a good follow up that kept a similar tone and feel

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Things I loved about this book:
1) It's a second book in a series that works just fine on its own merits. Since each couple is an individual couple and not related or close friends with the other, you can read Jasper and Frankie's story as a love story on its own without reading any of the rest of the series.
2) Frankie is exactly as she's described. The math isn't heavy handedly shoved into the plot. She just sees math in places where math would be like gambling or croquet and goes with it. She's confident in her skills there but completely human in all the rest of it. She's practical and logical to the point where sometimes you think she's written to be non-neurotypical but it's more of a hint and not a hammer.
3) The events of the story did a great job at driving the plot forward and letting the two MC come together in a way that didn't feel contrived. There's a little lust at first sight but both MC have good reason not to act on it.

Things I have mixed feelings about
Cordelia--- she's perfectly good at keeping the plot going. She's fun as a character and she acts exactly how you would expect a 15 year old to act around society---- trying to be adult and ending up a little "too much" and embarrassing. It is a little odd though having her running around going to things when she's not "out." In society's view she's still a child so she shouldn't be invited to a house party or a ball at her own house. It's a little jarring historical inaccuracy that gets ignored for the purpose of plot.

"Never Gamble Your Heart" is the second installment in the "Secret Society of Governess Spies" series, set in 1838 England. The story follows Francis (Frankie) Turner, a math genius who becomes the governess for Jasper Jones' fifteen-year-old niece, Cecelia. When Frankie's impulsive younger sister goes missing, she infiltrates Jasper's gambling den to uncover a disturbing pattern: wealthy young women are being married off to impoverished men, often against their will, due to societal pressures. As Frankie navigates the challenges of her new role and Jasper's intriguing but complicated personality, she teaches Cecelia how to count cards and uncovers the truth behind the sinister dowry schemes. With an engaging mix of romance and mystery, Frankie and Jasper's relationship evolves amidst schemes and tension, leading them both to unexpected realizations about love and trust.

I love the spy/mystery/secrets in this series! The chemistry between Frankie and Jasper is hot, marked by witty banter and a slow-burn romance that keeps readers engaged. Frankie’s brilliance in mathematics adds a unique twist to the traditional governess trope, while Cecelia’s spirited nature provides comic relief and charm. The interplay of danger and intrigue surrounding the dowry scheme creates high stakes that enhance the romantic tension. With clever plotting and relatable themes of self-discovery and empowerment, this novel offers an entertaining escape into a world of love, mystery, and the fight against societal norms. I really enjoyed this story and I really love the beautiful cover. I found myself rooting for Frankie and Jasper to fall in love and be successful, despite what life had thrown at them. There was some redemption going on in here that added a surprising twist. All in all, I highly recommend this book.

A light, fun read about a governess society of spies that are working to unravel a dowry scheme—some silly moments, but overall enjoyable.

Frankie Turner is the newly installed governess in the home of gambling hell owner Jasper Jones. I loved Cecilia, Jasper’s 15-year old blunt and bold niece and Frankie’s new charge. I also can’t wait to read more about the Dove who is the spymaster.

I’m excited to dive into the next book in the series!

This wasn't fully what I was expecting. We have a little romance, a little mystery, a little thriller, and some coming of age and redemption of characters going on here.

We have our main character Frankie, infiltrating a gambling hall by posing as a teacher for the owners niece. Can she uncover the plot of how young wealthy woman are being married off to older broke men so they can take control of their dowries? Well here we have it a great plot albeit a little convoluted.

I felt the romance plot should've in the middle was a little disjointed and a bit forced but it worked with the unfolded of the story.

Would probably read the sequel but not an epic thriller .

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and am leaving my review voluntarily.

This was such a fun, mysterious, historical romance! Plus, add a little spice with the nanny trope? Love it!!

The book starts by introducing us to Frankie and Jasper, throwing us right into Frankie trying to get the governess job. I really appreciated that we were thrown into the action because sometimes the lead-ups in books can drag on. At first, I thought I had missed something because the book was reading like we were supposed to know who Jasper and Frankie were. I’ll admit, I might have known who they were if I read the first book (oops!). After this book though, I just may go back and read the first.

I did think some of the danger was far-fetched but still liked it in the book as it made it more interesting. The love story kept the plot moving, but I think that the danger really added to the book and it would’ve been a much more boring story without it.

Cecelia, Jasper’s fifteen-year-old niece, was easily my favorite character in the book. She was so witty and always up to no good whether it was trying to find Jasper a wife or trying to put ladies in precarious situations.

This was a great, light-hearted read. Perfect for those who love historical romance and want to start dabbling in mystery!

Thank you, NetGalley and Lindsay Lovise, for the amazing read.

This book was infuriating. If you want a math obsessed heroine who is actually compelling and multi-faceted, I would recommend convergence of desire. I would not recommend this book.

💫 Historical romance, governess/spy/math genius (!!!) x gambling club owner (she's the governess to his niece, who he recently became a guardian to)
💫 Slow-burn with non-stop banter right from page 1
💫 So much scheming and running around
💫 Mystery solving subplot, which is super high stakes and also solved so cleverly

This was so swoony and wholesome, I'm definitely gonna go back and reread it <3

-- ty to the author and the publisher for a gifted copy!

Scheme upon scheme, that is the theme! I love watching Frankie play Jasper like a fiddle! 🤭
I truly enjoyed Lindsay Lovise’s debut novel and she is only improving in this second addition. I am absolutely loving Jasper’s worldly inelegance paired with Frankie’s delightful quirks and brilliance. Her lack of belief in her own likability actually adds to her charm. She is at once the most likeable character while simultaneously being utterly blind to it. This story packs in so much that is hard to know where to start. The mystery is incredibly compelling, the love story all encompassing. That is something so unbearably compelling in a seemingly unlovable character, not only finding a match, but becoming another’s entire world. The characters that Lovise has created deeply resonate and burrow into your heart. I found myself on tenterhooks awaiting each new revelation. To know how much i enjoyed this book, I need only look back through my notes and see such thoughts as… “scheming little minx”, “he is such a softie”, ‘her mother is horrible”, “he is not only a good man, but the best of men” and my favorite, “men are such idiots”. Truly, I could not have had a more enjoyable time.

He’s a rake!!! & I’m his number one fan!!!

This book was so deliciously fun. Tension, banter, hate to love. Everything I love out of a historical romance. Loved the dash of mystery aspects & the two main characters having to work together

The Dove offers to find Frankie's missing sister in exchange for Frankie joining her network of underground governess spies. Lately there have been a number of wealthy young women compromised by impoverished aristocratic men and forced to marry. One thing these men have in common is that they are all members of Jasper Jones's gaming hell. Jasper recently became the guardian of his fifteen-year-old niece, making it the perfect opportunity for Frankie to join the household as governess to discover if Jasper is the mastermind behind the Dowry Thieves. Frankie is a delight. A mathematical genius, misfit, outspoken, and truthful. Jasper doesn't know what to make of her. The King of the Underworld is soon besotted with his niece's governess. Things get real at a country house party as Frankie narrows in on the real culprit. Full of fun, spice, and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm looking forward to Ivy's story next.

Frankie Turner is a lady who wears spectacles and is unfortunately poor to boot. She works as a governess who happens to frequently forget her charges while contemplating mathematics principles...

When Frankie’s impulsive younger sister goes missing, she doesn't know what to do to search for her, but she discovers marriages are quickly happening between “troublemaking” women and men who don’t deserve them — she assumes her sister must be involved. The only commonality of these marriages is all the grooms are members of a gaming hell owned by Jasper Jones who just became guardian to a sullen fifteen-year-old, so she gets hired to be his governess..

Jasper suspects his new governess is guilty of something, but he is too busy trying to run a business and be a guardian to his niece. He catches Frankie teaching his niece how to count cards and later breaking into his study. When he finally learns Frankie’s true reason for being there, he immediately agrees to help find her missing sister by offering to pay a fake dowry and leaves him watching men fawn over her. As they work together to find her sister and uncover the schemes behind the marriages, what Jasper loses isn't what he expects - it's his heart.

It's an easy, quick read with some great laughs and seriously sweet moments. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC.

Frankie Turner will spy for the Dove, owner of Perdita's Governess Agency, in exchange for finding her sister. She is sent to spy on Jasper Jones, working as his niece's governess. Frankie is outspoken, quirky and a brilliant mathematician. Young debutantes, also outspoken with large dowries, are being threatened into hasty marriages with older gentlemen who lost their fortunes. The gentlemen are known as the Dowry Thieves. Jasper Jones is a self-made man, owner of Rockford's, a high class gaming hell. All clues to the Dowry Thieves, lead to Rockford's. Frankie must find proof of Jasper's innocence or guilt. After she proves Jasper's innocence, they work together with interference from his fifteen year old niece, to identify the ringleader. Murder, kidnapping and decit, keep Frankie and Jasper looking for answers.
Heated kisses/descriptive sex..
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I just loved this one! It's a wonderful mix of historical romance and mystery with such a great premise with the governess spies. This is the second book in this series, and once again, Lindsay Lovise does a great job creating this world of intrigue and romance.

I simply adored Frankie! She's fantastic and
so very intelligent. I loved how dedicated she was to finding the culprit and helping her sister and all of the other young women who have been targeted. Jasper was a great hero! He's perfectly grumpy, but deep down, he's a big softy. His relationship with his niece was sweet, and I loved his growth throughout the book.

The chemistry between Frankie and Jasper was amazing, and I couldn't get enough of their delightful banter. They were really a great couple. Overall, this book was so much fun!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Frankie is the outspoken and socially awkward governess sent to spy on gambling hell owner Jasper, who has a 15 year old niece living with him after his brother passed away. Everyone here is pure chaos and delight. Frankie is a mathematician and a terrible spy, so she keeps getting into trouble with Jasper. And Jasper cannot help but be totally intrigued by his new governess. Throw in the mischievous teenager, and we’ve got a really fun book.

Frankie will stop at nothing to find her missing sister. When she puts together an interesting trend between “troublesome” women getting caught in compromising situations with undeserving men and being forced into marriage with them, she believes her sister must be involved somehow. She finds that all the grooms are connected in a certain gambling hall owned by Jasper Jones so to get to the bottom of it, she infiltrates his house by becoming a governess for his 15 year old niece. Shenanigans ensue.

Lindsay never misses! I just adore her stories and the 2nd story in her Secret society of governess spies was so fun. Lindsay has such a knack for writing her characters, you not only fall in love with the primary ones but the secondary ones too! I’ve found myself reaching out to her, begging for her to give us a story on the secondary characters now, MORE than once! The chemistry between Jasper and Frankie is sizzling right fron the very start and Frankie is one of my favorite characters so far!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Forever publishing and Lindsay Louise for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions in my review are honest, voluntary and my own.

I adored "Never Gamble Your Heart" and its FMC, Frankie. Frankie is smart, funny (even when she doesn't mean to be) and honest. She takes on the role of governess in the home of rake and gambling hell owner Jasper Jones, who has recently become guardian to his 15-year-old niece, in order to determine if Jasper is the mastermind behind the Dowry Thieves, a group of impoverished and distasteful men who have managed to end up in compromising positions with very well-dowried young women. Jones knows Frankie is not a normal governess and tries to replace her, but finds his efforts stymied by the Dove (for whom Frankie is working), and then by his eventual desire to help Frankie once she reveals her true purpose.

Jasper and Frankie have excellent chemistry and their banter is incredibly amusing. Frankie is often funny without intent, but it never seems to bother her. Jasper never once tries to make Frankie less than who she is, advocating for her in every situation. He manages to be protective without smothering and he, too, is honest with Frankie about his eventual intentions almost from the start. I do wish the Dove was a little bit more explained, but I plan to keep reading the series so that isn't too big of a complaint for me.

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

This book, one in the Rogues Gambit series, was a very captivating, original, and well written romance. A bluestocking, bespectacled spinster, a rogues gambling den owner, a secret spy organization, house parties, murder, kidnapping, an evil mastermind of terror to single rich woman of the ton,and so many more plot twists and emotional issues that kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the characters' humorous, witty, and attraction that could not be denied. The young neice was a bonus enjoyment. I can't wait for the book two. I highly recommend reading!

Ms. Francis Turner was hired as a governess for Jasper Jones’ niece, Cecilia. Frankie was placed in Jasper’s home to assist the Dove, a mysterious figure who i investigating why so many aristocratic woman are being matched with penniless lords, known as the dowry thieves. Frankie is not an acceptable governess in Jasper’s thinking but he agrees to keep her around until her replacement arrives. Frankie and Cecilia bond and she assists Frankie in doing one of the two things she was warned not to do. Never Gamble Your Heart is a slow burn but doesn’t disappoint the reader when Frankie and Jasper finally realize they actually are good together as a couple. I haven’t read the first book in the series but the main characters also make cameo appearances in the current one and I am anxious to read their story next.
I received an ARC from NetGalley anf I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Mystery and romance!

I found the story delightful!
I loved the introduction; I could feel the enemies-to-lovers trope. From the beginning, the tension between Frankie and Jasper was perceptible and kept me turning pages. Humour filled their interactions. This romance is mixed with mystery, resulting in a captivating story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.