In this fun historical romance novel in the Dauntless Ladies series, Electra Tanny brings a complicated love story to life in this steamy and emotional new release. Following Oscar and Lydia, neighbors turned childhood lovers and married couple, as their relationship changes, readers will be just as surprised as John, the Duke of Rutland and a friend of Oscar’s, when Oscar asks him to sleep with Lydia. With a host of romantic tropes against a historical backdrop, readers will love the complicated narrative and the multiple perspectives in this novel. Lydia is a unique and feisty protagonist, while Oscar and John contrast in some important ways which make this unexpected love story more intriguing. The characters are the stars of the novel, and the evolution and change of Oscar and Lydia’s relationship makes it different from other historical romances of this type. With an intriguing premise and shocking blurb, this book will definitely catch readers’ attention and bring them into this fun and fascinating story with its clever and relatable characters. Fun, charming, steamy, and engaging, this is a great book and a great series for historical romance readers of all stripes who are looking for a love triangle and a capable female lead.

This story in The Dauntless Ladies Series was an engaging, original, and extremely well written love story. It's beautiful love and passion in its historical setting had me feel as if I was a part of their lives. The characters were complex, interesting, strong-willed, and well developed with such strong emotions, passion, and love. I really enjoyed the surprising ending. I highly recommend reading

4 stars

I found Lydia a bit all encompassing, beautiful, talented, an entrepeneur (even though women weren't able to do anything on their own) . She was a young woman who saved her friend Oscar from penury. She married him rather than having a season. Another reviewer called Oscar a man child and that sort of described his attitude. Not standing up to his friends and being OK with sleeping around. Once Lydia finds out about his intimate relations she expects him to stop but instead he says try it; sleep with my friend, It then goes pear shaped.

This is supposed to be happening around the 1820s I wasn't convinced that it would have that easy. Jane Austen died in 1817 and look how hard it was for her to make money. It's supposed to be a series, I'm not sure I'll want to continue if the women as all so 'perfect'

The narrative covers quite a time scale. I thought the Duke would have been disappointed that John, the baby wouldn't be able to inherit the dukedom. If Oscar had acknowledged the child perhaps he'd get that peereage instead.

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

I love historical romance novels. This reminded me a bit of the Barbara Cartland novels my cousin lent me when I was a teenager.
Lydia is such a strong young woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it.
She's a woman ahead of her time. A wonderful character.
Oscar is a man/child, who never really got a chance to grow up before having responsibility thrust upon him.
John, the dashing Duke, is everything one would expect him to be, kind, caring, considerate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.