To Dance Until Dawn

Girls Who Dare #12

by Emma V. Leech

Girls who dare – Inside every wallflower is the beating heart of a lioness, a passionate individual willing to risk all for their dream, if only they can find the courage to begin. When these overlooked girls make a pact to change their lives, anything can happen.

Twelve girls – twelve dares in a hat. Who will dare to risk it all?

The last book in the Girls Who Dare series, but who is left to take a dare?

Find out in this final, delicious adventure.

Warning: This book has a stubborn, wilful and feisty heroine. There WILL be some cursing and graphically descriptive sex scenes no way even bordering on erotica!

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Romance, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2020

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Dance until Dawn
Girls Who Dare Series #12
Emma V Leech
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaVLeech/
Release date 08/14/2020

Blurb :

Girls who dare – Inside every wallflower is the beating heart of a lioness, a passionate individual willing to risk all for their dream, if only they can find the courage to begin. When these overlooked girls make a pact to change their lives, anything can happen.

Eleven girls – Eleven dares in a hat. Twelve stories of passion. Who will dare to risk it all?

The last book in the Girls Who Dare series, but who is left to take a dare?

Find out in this final, delicious adventure.

Warning: This book has a stubborn, wilful and feisty heroine. There WILL be some cursing and graphically descriptive sex scenes no way even bordering on erotica!

My review :

When they embark in the adventure of a life, will it remove the blinders both wear ...

When the preorder for this 12th title was offered with no blurb and even before Matilda and Montagu own story, I was surprised as I like many theirs would be the last in the series.
So who could be the last of the daring girls, there were left only one but much too young at a time until the sequel series was announced, so yes Phoebe’s story would be the perfect transition between the first generation and the next as she is ten years younger on one side and ten older than the first offsprings.
And her story does for a rollercoaster of a ride.

At the beginning my heart ached for Max, his shy and quiet personality so far from the exuberant Phoebe. Yet he stays in the shadow, ready to intervene if she might need it.
But Phoebe needs no one to stand in her staid but she would appreciate a shoulder to rest her head on.
Max has already lived a full life before meeting her, their age gap is not enormous but she pains to see him as more than one of her parents’ friend, why she dismissed him as too serious and of no interest.
I love the reversed dare plot!
Now will their journey of discovery open their eyes about the other, she to realizes Max is much more than the overbearing protective uncle she always saw in him while will he understand she needs a mate and not someone who will clip her wings at each turn, she is no pretty bird to be put in a cage what even gilded it might be.

Once more Mrs Leech surprised me, Phoebe is still the mischievous and forthright girl she was, with just some more years, and Max is the one making her whole as if he is willing, he will stand by her, hold her hand if she needs him.
Can’t wait now if it is still months ahead for the progenies series.

5 stars.
But next time I will send the author my work schedule as I woke up 2 hours earlier to be able to be well in the story before going to work!
4 hours do a short night.

I just do wonder one thing about the cover, the dress does not match the time period, I hope they will for the sequel series.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

[Dharini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

It was hard to like Phoebe as a woman as much as I did in To Hunt the Hunter, when she was a girl. Her recklessness was passed off as an amusing character trait, despite how often she landed in serious trouble with little regard for the consequences. However, she was spirited, charming and resourceful.

Max on the other hand was absolutely delightful, and a little too good to be true. His character redeemed any of Phoebe's faults, and the incredibly far-fetched plot.

Their jaunt through France seemed like little more than a massive waste of money and a misguided adventure, but seeing the two of them grow into each other was enjoyable.

To Dance Until Dawn was in parts ridiculous, but otherwise a very satisfying read.

[LizardQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. Phoebe's personality bugged me some. She was too reckless and immature. It was like she hadn't really grown up. What was cute in the child not so cuye in the adult. I liked Max but he was a little too self contained and quiet. These two could have used a more open line of communication between one another.

There some editing/grammar mistakes which were annoying. Also a few randomly highlighted words.

I am looking forward to the new series.

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS, SERIES LAST BOOK, ADVENTURE

Book 1 is the series: Girls Who Dare which is the last book and it gets that 5 STARS rating as most of the other 11, if not all. It is a terrific historical romance drama filled with excitement and with the characters having some hair raising adventures; for some it's for love is the reason they participate.

Lucian & Matilda our last couple from Book 11, their adopted daughter, the natural daughter of Lucian "s late younger brother stars utmost in this one. We have met her over the years & know her to be a real handful growing up as a little girl, so it's easy to understand she isn't the quiet obedient miss the Ton expects the younger ladies to be.

The Earl of Ellisborough, Max a 29 year old widower knows several of the men of the
Girls who dare family & their brothers & by this he knows Max & Matilda, plus Phoebe. He had known her as a young girl, but suddenly realized she was a young woman old enough to get married & be some man's wife. That thought hit Max & made him feel very funny & strange that it took awhile & A friend to tell him that he loved Phoebe.

The headstrong young Lady she was Phones got into a few jams & Max usually popped up very soon afterwards. Strangely, she thought he only was protective towards her because he was a friend of her Dad's. However, she gets herself into a really big bad embarrassing situation that could & just might ruin her throughout the Ton, the awful rake who involves her tells her not to worry that maybe Max will marry her. She really doesn't understand his comment & then he tells her that obviously Max is in love with her & she is shocked & amazed.

Max does fond Phoebe all tied up & at a horrible location & minutes later people of the Ton walk in on them, Max says he was asking het to be his wife & they leave.

After escaping the party knowing questions will still be asked about what the Rake did they decide to go find the Rake & apprehend him. That decision starts an adventure of love given, love found, & love cemented. The storyline is well written, with great. characters some that have been mentioned since Book 1. A really great BLURB is provided.
Some sexual related things.

RECOMMEND

[Lotten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poängen med att välja att läsa To Dance Until Dawn när jag däckade i Covid var att jag behövde något välkänt och mysigt att läsa, och som vanligt så levererar Emma V Leech precis vad jag behöver. Jag tycker alltid om det Emma V Leech skriver, jag gillar hennes sätt att beskriva känslor och händelser. Hennes romanceböcker har det jag efterfrågar, och så även To Dance Until Dawn.

To Dance Until Dawn är den tolfte och sista delen i serien i Girls Who Dare, och eftersom det är 11 kvinnor från början var det inte klart vem den här skulle handla om. Det visade sig vara Phoebe, som är ett barn i de tidigare böckerna (och som spelar en stor roll i Matilda får sin Lucien), som nu är vuxen. To Dance Until Dawn är inte min favorit i serien och det beror främst på att jag inte är så förtjust i Phoebe. Hennes beteende som barn var på gränsen mellan charmigt och bara bortskämt, och för en vuxen fungerar det inte lika bra. Dessutom tycker jag att de missförstånd mellan huvudpersonerna som ska driva berättelsen inte fungerar hela vägen, i synnerhet inte på slutet. Phoebe misstolkar alldeles för ofta, och det är kopplat till hur hon är som person.

Nu är den här serien slut, men jag kommer att ge mig på nästa serie, Daring Daughters, nästa gång jag vill läsa en Emma V Leech. För det kommer jag att vilja.

Betyg: 4-

https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 It's Over stars!

To Dance Until Dawn is the last book in the series. This book is about Phoebe (Matilda and Lucien's adopted daughter) and Max.

Max is newly introduced into this timeline, which takes place 10 years later, since Phoebe was a child in the previous books. It's a good book to end the series and also a good book to lead you up to the next set of series, which is about all the kids grown up!

I loved Phoebe in the series, I found her really adorable and she totally made Lucien's character endearing and sweet. It's interesting to see how she has grown up into a woman. I will admit, I was a little annoyed with her in the beginning. She is spoiled and doesn't really understands the bounds of her limitations. She's always getting into trouble and at times, for no reason.

I liked Max a lot and kind of wished we had glimpses of him in the previous books. He's 8 years older than Phoebe and he loves her dearly. I also like that Lucian approves of Max, it's just that Phoebe doesn't give Max the time of day.

The read was a bit angsty, in the sense, Max and Phoebe always thought the worse in each other, but the banter was good at times. It kept you on your toes. I still love Matilda and Lucien's story ARC the best, but Phoebe and Max's story comes in a close second.

I know 12 books is a lot of books to cover, but you really do understand the story better since all characters are referenced in the book. Just my suggestion.

[Maria Cruz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not love this one

Frustrated because I had looked forward to this last book but it did not meet my expectations. Phoebe was very immature. Made impulsive decisions left and right with no lessons learned and the inner dialogues went in circles.

Phoebe would do something reckless out of spite and not communicate, then get herself in a pickle, then have regrets, then convince herself she wasn’t good enough for max, then they may have a partial heart to heart where MAX apologizes… and she would think shes in love, again, then go and do something reckless. Cycle repeats.

The book also starts with Max very suddenly in love. Except they knew each other so you can’t really claim love at first sight. And Phoebe also changes her tune rather abruptly. It made the story less intriguing as their feelings were more or less decided instead of developed. And then reading how Phoebe dismisses Max constantly and can apparently fall in and out of love so quickly with him made her so engenuine.

Ultimately though I just lost my patience with this one. The whole book is trying to justify Phoebes actions when I strongly feel she was in the wrong repeatedly and treated Max unfairly. Not a great love story and a disappointing ending to this long series.

HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Steam: yes, light

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mischief in the making

Well Phoebe was a handful when her mother married her (father) Lucien! Phoebe is beautiful, illegitimate, a card purse, lock picker and a great shot! Max has grayed before time and is much too serious and stodgy to Phoebe! Phoebe has a way with children and is totally uninhibited and slightly scandalous! Opposites do attract Lucien who has raised Phoebe to be fearless loves her dearly and is friends with Max! He gives Max permission to woo her but not to stifle her adventurous spirit! Phoebe is a heiress and has received several marriage proposals but no kiss has made her heart flutter and butterflies in her stomach! Max was married before and dreads London marriage mart and thinks Phoebe would be way too much trouble at first! But one more rescue of getting her out of a mess with a card shark and all around vile man Max must try to win her without her knowledge! Phoebe in one scrap too many starts to realize there is way more to Max then meets the eye and a man that doesn't cosset you and trust you in spite of all your quirks well....it's in his kiss and a dance until dawn!!

[Avidreadersbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enticing page-turner

A daring and adventurous spirit, Lady Phoebe Barrington, is forever getting into scrapes. She knows how to shoot a gun, cheat brilliantly at cards and pick a lock and she will not condemn herself to bring the expected wife of the ton who stays at home doing needlework while her husband goes on adventures. That is her worst nightmare.
After a disastrous first marriage, Max, not even thirty in the marriage Mart for a wife, falls head over heels in love with Phoebe. But Phoebe is blind to his affections as he is only her father's friend to her, forever chastising her for her escapades and therefore lumped into the older category.
But after a sudden turn if events including a theft, Max declares his intention to marry her when they are found in a scandalous position and they rush to Paris to catch the perpetrator.
Needless to say, the adventure ( which Max agrees to catch Phoebe's attention and also because of a stolen dare ) brings them close and love and passion blossoms. A happily ever after and exciting glimpses into the lives of all the peculiar ladies.

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to finally get to experience Miss Phoebe Barrington's story! I loved her a the precocious 8 year old & now at twenty years of age, she is still the same hoyden, devil may care, outspoken lady that has turned down many proposals but she wants love like her Papa & Mama's love.

Maximillian Carmichael, Earl of Ellisborough has been in love with Phoebe for awhile but she only notices him as her papa's friend, which he is but he is not as old as Lucian Montagu as Max is only twenty eight. He had previously been in a loveless marriage which took his wife & son from him in childbirth - now he was serious, honorable, stern & needed some adventure in his life, which was Phoebe.

The antics with these two was so much fun from London ballrooms to a fancy Paris gambling establishment. The adventures & trouble Phoebe gets into is fun & Max is always there to assist her with the problems. They were perfect for each other - he calmed her & she made him live & have fun. Buy the boxed set of the 12 books & binge read - you will love all the Girls Who Dare!

[Book Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book, I had such high expectations and sadly none of them were met.
Phoebe's character was meant to be adventurous and brave but she just came off as reckless, naive and foolish. She acted very childish for someone who was supposed to be smart and perceptive. Worst of all Phoebe went from being a confident woman, who knew her own propensity to get into trouble and also her ability to handle the situation, to a weak self-conscious ninny who promised to stay quiet and not get into trouble.
Max's character was like a teenage girl crushing on the popular boy in school. It was cute initially but soon got boring.
Phoebe and Max don't work as a couple and even the story was a little too ridiculous.
The reason I didn't DNF this book was because I wanted to read about Lucian and Matilda.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE EPILOGUE!

I will go straight to the heart of my review and say that if I just read the epilogue and nothing else then the book gets five stars. If I focus mainly on the story between the hero and heroine then it would have gotten 3.5-4 at most.

The hero is my kind of man. He is dependable, mature, serious and knows what he wants. The heroine is of course young and exhibited impulsiveness and immaturity which I guess made them sort of compatible. I must admit I may have skipped a few pages since the plot twist is not as captivating for me as the other books in the series. Nonetheless, it was still entertaining and worth reading. I find that with the author’s style it is best to read the series in order to better appreciate the charcaters and the story.

[Bookosaurous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but...

When you are engrossed by the talent of a writer you adore, you sometimes set the bar too high...and that is exactly what happened to me with this story. This is a good story...Phoebe is a burst of fresh air...but then after one has read and practically lived the story of her parents, her story seems somewhat lacking. I missed the intensity, the sizzling chemistry between the lead pairs. I missed the layer of the characters, their depth. This story seemed to be a bit rushed and more like a landing zone between the earlier and the upcoming series.
Having said that, I assure readers that this is not at all dull or boring. This is a fast paced story and you will feel alive with Phoebe. And there's promise for a lot more to come.

[Dee Jay Blaylock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that Phoebe is grown and still the irrepressible person she was when young. Looking for love in a marriage, she ignores the one person who already loves her. In her eyes, Max is a friend of her father’s who looks out for her and she thinks of him as an uncle although he is only several years older that she.
He always seems to be there when she needs help and that seems to irritate her. When an unscrupulous baron compromises Phoebe, Max steps in and declares that he and Phoebe are engaged and saves her reputation. A rapid trip to Paris where Phoebe learns she is not a sailor, needs Max in more ways than she could imagine and a trip to an infamous gambling hell all lead to a HEA for Phoebe and Max.

[Kiley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book 12 of the Girls Who Dare series (seriously?) is really...not about any of the original 11 ladies who comprised the members of the Peculiar Ladies' Book Club. Therefore I didn't find it necessary to read it. I gave this book 1 star because of that fact, not because it was a bad book. I just wasn't interested in it.
However, I realized, after reading the first 11 books and writing reviews on them that I had, in fact, read all 12 previously but had just failed to review them the first time around. That being said, I decided to skip reading this 12th book for the 2nd time. While it was a decent enough story, I just didn't feel like wasting the effort again. Unfair, I know, as is this review. I'll leave it to other readers to critique it. ;)

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

His chance at Love

I have loved Phoebes character since she was 8 going on 30. I am so glad she got her story. Phoebe loves adventures and can’t sit down for more than a few minutes. When she meets Lord Alvanly, she thinks he has an adventurous side also.
Max has been in love with Phoebe for awhile but she only notices him as her papas friend even though he’s only 28.
When Alvanly uses Phoebes pick locking skills he ties her up and escapes with a valuable painting. Phoebe feels guilty and wants to hunt him down.
Max lets Phoebe know he will help her track Alvanly down all the way to Paris.
A wonderful story with a great ending!

[Lauren Sancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Before I begin let me say you should read the fist 10 books of the series. The characters and plot will make so much more sense and be more meaningful if you do. That being said... I was a little worried that perhaps this story would be one too much for the series but it was in fact the perfect transition to the next series. Phoebe could be a bit annoying at time but Max was absolutely wonderful and I must say their adventure was the most exciting of the whole series. It was the perfect end to the Girls Who Dare and the perfect beginning for Daring Daughters! I can’t wait to read the new series!

[Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic finish for the "Girls Who Dare", sort of...

... because wait there's more. The Peculiar Ladies stories have all been told. But Emma V Leech continues with the next generation in a new series of their children with the upcoming Daring Daughters series.

I don't want to say too much about this book because the characters are kept secret on the blurb. I will say it's EPIC! Not to be missed and discovering who the story belonged to made me shed a tear. You will love it!

Okay time to dive straight into the next book. YaY!

[Emily Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting conclusion and an auspicious beginning

If you have read the previous books in this series you know it was impossible not to love the irrepressible Phoebe as a young girl. To see that promise I’m a grown woman; one who is every bit as unconventional, smart, accomplished, and brave, has been wonderful. Thank you Miss Emma for allowing Phoebe to grow up, and to do so retaining her strong character.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I was really looking forward to this book and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved Phoebe and Max’s story and i love how the other characters pop up in all the books in the series. I can’t wait for the Daughters That Dare Series! The teasers of the upcoming characters were brilliant i am now praying for a suprise early release as I’m not sure i can wait till February 2021!

[Diandra Fernandes · Rating 2 out of 5]

O pior da série.

Phoebe, quando criança, era um encanto, inteligente e fofa.
Sua versão adulta, é uma moça mimada. Quer que as pessoas apoiem e acreditem em tudo o que ela decide fazer, por mais absurdas que sejam suas escolhas. E, se o pobre do Max não concorda de imediato, ela já o rejeita.
Está sempre comparando tudo com a liberdade que recebe do pai (Freud explica).

A trama é fraca. Precisei dar um tempo antes de conseguir terminar. Chaaato.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

A spirited and bright young woman and the daughter of his friend, max has fallen in love. But she sees him as boring and uninteresting. He wants to protect her, but she wants to make her own decisions and be adventurous. Then ...He takes one of the slips of paper from the hat and accepts a dare.

[Melba Hard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thieves grand adventure

Just what you would expect from Phoebe, never afraid of anything or anyone but gets herself into so many scrapes. Now however she has found someone to support and protect her along with love.
I'm looking forward to the next series, however will I keep up with all those children!Delight ful story

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another amazing story in the 'girls who dare' series

This is another wonderfully amazing story in a series that only gets better as it continues. The plot is a surprisingly unique tail of love and adventure. The characters are beautifully portrayed. This book will suit anybody who loves steamy historical romances that have plenty of twists and turns.

[Linda Burris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigued

I was intrigued and I recommend this book and this author. Her books are worth reading and as you read each one you can't wait to get to the next one. I enjoyed Phobe and max as they fell in love and had their adventure. A great series, Girls Who Dare. Read it you will enjoy it.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

***not a standalone, all books must be read in order***

I really skimmed this only for more Montagu and Matilda which doesn't disappoint. The central story between Pheobe and Max I didn't really care for. They flee to Paris to recover a stolen painting. Not the best story. Also, Max didn't feel real to me.

[AprilGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

A well written novel with an exciting storyline.
A fitting end to the series with a lead into the next series.
I did get a little annoyed with Phoebe during the read, she did behave like a spoilt child more than I liked.
I prefer a shorter read length I must say even though these books are by no means overly long.

[Claudia Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter

The man to take one of the dare's, follow up goes on an adventure with the woman he is loves. She has always thought him as a man. This is way to show her who he really is.

[Diana Whiteman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoebe

Lovely introduction into the new series of Daring Daughters. I am intrigued by the two young Frenchmen and Viscount Oakley, as well as the two Adolphus young ladies. February can't get here soon enough!

[Dottiebears · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Max. Phoebe, not so much. She was charming and precocious in the last book. As an adult she was dumb, vain, foolish, and thoughtless. ugh. I was disappointed in the ending of this series