Summary
Three friends vow to expose the man who seduced and killed their friend by starting a gossip paper but, in order to fund it, Olivia asks Sebastian, the Bastard of Baker Street to invest. He reluctantly agrees if Olivia can get her Aunt to sponsor his sister for the season. A rival gang has it out for Sebastian and Olivia gets caught in the middle all while she puts herself in danger trying to track down her best friends killer.

Tropes
Spinster, Ton Society, Virgin heroine, Class Difference, Forbidden Love, Trauma, Emotional Scars, Murder Mystery

The Plot
I thought the plot was pretty original. Both Olivia and Sebastian have emotional, as well as, physical scars that hold them back, but they are both determined and confident in what they want. The adventure/mystery part helped keep the storyline moving even though there wasn’t a lot of steam parts…I was still hooked and finished it in a day!

The Heroine
Lady Olivia Haliford is an on-the-shelf spinster who has to walk with a cane because of an accident in which her mother died. She blames herself for the death and harbors a lot of emotional baggage. She is whitty and funny, but confidently naive! I also appreciated that she wasn’t stupid and gullible as some heroines are…she didn’t believe everything everyone said to her; she used her head.

The Hero
Sebastian Colver is the king of the underground and doesn’t trust anyone or let them get to close. His mother was murdered by someone trying to get to Sebastian so he has a lot of baggage as well. He puts on a front to everyone that he is this terrible man, but Olivia learns that he is a kind man who is loyal and takes care of people without recognition.

The Steam
There is definite sexual energy felt between Sebastian and Olivia throughout the book but only kissing until the end with a steamy bedroom scene.

Stand Out Moment
if we are talking steam, then the bedroom scene, but the scene when he saves her at the end is amazing and not what I expected!

Who Would Like This
if you like regency romance with a bit of mystery mixed in, then you’ll love this one! I guessed the ending wrong!

Final Thoughts
I loved Sebastian and Olivia’s romance and there was just enough mystery/action that neither storyline overpowered the other! I am excited to follow up with the other characters in the next book! ( )

This was an engrossing, non-stop exciting, totally scrumptious read. The lead characters were scrumptious, the villain was vile, and the supporting cast was delicious. From the first words on the first page, you’ll fall in love with Sebastian, the bastard son of a vile duke, who now rules as The Bastard of Baker Street – or King of the Rookeries if you prefer. You’ll also love the feisty, determined, brave, and lovely Lady Olivia Haliford, the spinster daughter of a duke, who doesn’t let her pronounced limp hold her back from anything she is determined to do.

Lady Olivia (Livie) and her friends Henrietta (Etta) Merriweather and Lady Kaitlyn (Kat) Montrose are in deep mourning for their friend Alice. They had all been the best of friends – forever – and now Alice was buried. Everybody said it was by her own hand because she had been ruined, but Livie was sure she had been murdered. The three friends were determined to unmask the man who ruined Alice and took her life. Each of them has a skill that will help them bring the culprit down – and they’ll go further than that – their crusade will bring all of the men who prey on women down. It shouldn’t be the women who are the sole ones to pay for those indiscretions, but that is the way it is now. Their plan is to start a monthly publication that will expose those bachelors who are taking advantage of the ladies of society. Theirs won’t be a gossip publication – they will only publish names and information where they have actual proof. Emma is gifted with words and will write the articles, Kat has a huge network of informants who can find out all of the information anyone would want to know, and Livie has the social skills and instincts to elicit information from the highest echelons of society. So, all they need to set their publication in motion is the funds to finance it. Livie knows just the right person to approach. Will he invest in their project? She’ll convince him – no matter what.

Sebastian Colver rules his empire with an iron fist and trusts absolutely nobody. He can’t afford to have emotions because emotions will get someone killed in his line of work. He has worked many years to make his fortune and now, he is mostly legitimate and one of the richest people in England. He’s been ignoring letters from some woman who has been demanding an appointment with him. She is a very determined lady; he’ll give her that. Then, this striking woman walks into his office and confronts him. How did she manage to get past all of his men? She definitely has courage to show up, uninvited, at his office. She intrigues him, so how can he refuse to at least listen to what she has to say.

Neither Sebastian nor Livie knows the repercussions of the bargain they strike. There are enemies just beneath the surface – and they are everywhere. Is there one enemy – or more? Can Sebastian keep himself safe? Can he keep Livie safe? Is there anyone he can trust?

I loved watching Livie and Sebastian work together and separately. I loved Livie’s courage and determination and I loved Sebastian’s honor – and strangely enough – his honesty. I also adored Livie’s family. It was such a very refreshing change to have a loving and supportive family in a historical romance. I liked Livie’s godmother very much, but the family member I loved the most was Livie’s father. When he told her, “To love another is a gift. And when you find love, you must hold onto it dearly for as long as you can, no matter the consequences. For it can be taken away from you in an instant.” Another thing he said to Livie, “You must be brave with your heart, for true courage is taking a leap even in the face of your greatest fears.”

I highly recommend this book and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )