charmettebooks 's review for:

A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire

3.25

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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À Most Likely Lady by Darcy McGuire is book #4 in the Queen’s Deadly Damsels Damsels series. This book is a Historical Romance, but there are also elements of mystery and intrigue in the story. This was my first read by Darcy McGuire, and I enjoyed the story without having read the other books in the series. 

Lady Ivy Cavendale has taken a headmistress position at a London orphanage, and is managing well until an intruder breaks in one night. As the break-in is being investigated by Scotland Yard, Commissioner Worthington takes a special interest in the case and vows to protect her at all costs. He pledges to stay at the orphanage each night, and also encourages Ivy to work with him to solve the mystery. Ivy has become a target of the Devil’s Sons, a secret group of noblemen who have committed horrible and depraved crimes. 

Edward Worthington has been fascinated by Lady Ivy for a long time, and as they spend more time together, they fall in love. I really liked how respectful and patient Edward was with Ivy, who struggled with past issues as she and Edward got more involved. He also encouraged her in many ways, which I found refreshing and positive. These characters have great chemistry and affection for each other. Both main characters are committed to helping others and fighting for justice, which was a refreshing twist in a Historical Romance. 

I found the author’s style to be overly wordy. She would describe each situation and feeling in multiple ways, which felt repetitive to me. However, I really liked the multi-faceted, complex characters the author creates in this series. The reader sees the main characters fall in love, but they also are working for justice and to pursue criminals. They have complicated pasts and relationships with friends and family members. 

A Most Unlikely Lady has romance, mystery, and intrigue. The ending is happy but also very dramatic as the criminals are found. This novel would be a great choice for anyone who enjoys the Bridgerton series, or Historical Romance in general. 

Thank you to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.