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The Swooning Virgins Society #4
The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington
In the heart of Mayfair lies the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls, where a secret society of extraordinary young women conspire to bring England’s wickedest aristocrats to justice...
In London's brothels and bawdy houses, sin and scandal run rampant. Yet as Emma Downing knows, far worse perils often lurk within the lavish homes of high society. Emma has been tasked with uncovering secrets at the Lymington family's country estate—the scene of a rash of mysterious disappearances. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, is no easy mark, and Emma fears he may see through both her disguise and her feigned indifference to his seductive charm...
Recently returned to England after a long absence, Samuel finds his family in chaos amid disquieting rumors floating about town. His young cousin has become a worthless rake, several housemaids have gone missing, and then there is Emma, who is clearly not the naïve debutante she pretends to be. Yet irresistibly attracted despite his mistrust, he joins her in a daring game of cat and mouse. For Emma will unearth the truth even if it brings ruin to Samuel's family—but the threat is as inescapable as their mutual desire...
In London's brothels and bawdy houses, sin and scandal run rampant. Yet as Emma Downing knows, far worse perils often lurk within the lavish homes of high society. Emma has been tasked with uncovering secrets at the Lymington family's country estate—the scene of a rash of mysterious disappearances. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, is no easy mark, and Emma fears he may see through both her disguise and her feigned indifference to his seductive charm...
Recently returned to England after a long absence, Samuel finds his family in chaos amid disquieting rumors floating about town. His young cousin has become a worthless rake, several housemaids have gone missing, and then there is Emma, who is clearly not the naïve debutante she pretends to be. Yet irresistibly attracted despite his mistrust, he joins her in a daring game of cat and mouse. For Emma will unearth the truth even if it brings ruin to Samuel's family—but the threat is as inescapable as their mutual desire...
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
53 people are currently reading
890 people want to read
About the author
Anna Bradley
44 books850 followersAnna Bradley writes Regency and Georgian historical romance with heat, heart, and happily-ever-afters. Her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal, and her debut novel won the Romantic Times’ award for Best First Historical.
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Anna is originally from New England, but now makes her home in Oregon, where she lives with her family, an overgrown English garden and a menagerie of wayward pets. If she isn’t writing, she’s probably hiding in a corner reading, chasing the dog, or herding the cats. Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
Find Anna on the web at www.annabradley.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 30, 2022
I'm really enjoying "The Swooning Virgins Society" books from one of my favorite historical romance authors, Anna Bradley. In a world where so many historical romance books blend together, The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington manages to stand out.
I've jumped around a bit with this series, but these books can easily be read out of order. Feel free to jump in at any point, but just know that all of the books seem to be equally as engaging and interesting, even if the concepts are all a bit far-fetched.
I really enjoyed the set up and pacing of this story. There is a little bit of a mystery and suspense element to this one, which isn't usually my thing but seems to be consistent with this series, but it has been working for me. I enjoyed Emma's hunt for truth and vindication, and I liked how strong she was as an MC. I also always like a large, sort of gruff male MC, so that worked for me as well.
Sure, the plot was a bit ehhhh with believability, but that's sort of par for the course in romance books. All in all, very enjoyable historical romance mystery read from the always wonderful Anna Bradley.
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I've jumped around a bit with this series, but these books can easily be read out of order. Feel free to jump in at any point, but just know that all of the books seem to be equally as engaging and interesting, even if the concepts are all a bit far-fetched.
I really enjoyed the set up and pacing of this story. There is a little bit of a mystery and suspense element to this one, which isn't usually my thing but seems to be consistent with this series, but it has been working for me. I enjoyed Emma's hunt for truth and vindication, and I liked how strong she was as an MC. I also always like a large, sort of gruff male MC, so that worked for me as well.
Sure, the plot was a bit ehhhh with believability, but that's sort of par for the course in romance books. All in all, very enjoyable historical romance mystery read from the always wonderful Anna Bradley.
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October 24, 2021
Barbara’s rating: 3.7 of 5 Stars
Series: The Swooning virgins Society #4
Publication Date: 11/2/21
Period: Georgian – 1795 London
Number of Pages: 377
Lady Amanda Clifford runs the Clifford Charity School For Wayward Girls. Each of the girls who have been featured in the series was found in truly dire circumstances and has been taught to be strong, resourceful young ladies. They have also been taught to have a strong sense of vengeance and respect for justice. Five years ago, fifteen-year-old Emma Downing was the fourth girl rescued by Lady Amanda and possibly the most damaged by her circumstances. Now, it is Emma’s turn to take on an assignment for the school and it will take all of her skills and talents to succeed.
It seems maids have been disappearing off the country estate of Samuel Fitzroy, the Marquess of Lymington and no trace of any of them have been found – until one turns up as a courtesan at Madam Marchand’s brothel. That maid, Caroline Frances, shares a tale of a Lord who seduced and debauched her, then left her on the steps of Madam Marchands. She even names the Lord who did the deed. It is now up to Emma to investigate Lancelot Banning, Viscount Lovell, and come up with the evidence to either exonerate him or convict him. To do that, Emma will live with Lady Amanda’s friend Lady Crosby and pretend to be her granddaughter, Emma Crosby, who just happens to be on the continent with her father.
Lord Lovell is the cousin of Lord Lymington and the two of them grew up together – in the same house. They are more like brothers than cousins and Samuel is very protective of Lovell. When a young debutante (Emma) starts flirting with Lovell, Samuel warns her away because he knows Lovell is head-over-heels in love with Lady Flora.
Samuel nor Lovell have any idea that Emma suspects Lovell of some very dire deeds, but Samuel certainly comes to question her and her motives when he keeps encountering her at places no well-bred young lady should be. She intrigues him – and she repels him. Yet, when Emma’s life is in danger, Samuel knows he has to save her.
I believe this was the final book in the series and it had a lovely epilogue that included visits with Sophia (The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray), Cecilia (The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington), and Georgiana (The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere). I’m always a sucker for a good epilogue.
I enjoyed this story but was left with a number of questions and no answers. First, since Emma is impersonating a real-life person, how will the person, the grandmother, and Emma explain all of that to the ton when the actual granddaughter appears? Emma and Samuel – and the entire family – will be shunned by the ton when they discover Emma’s time in Madam Marchand’s service – how would they explain that away? It just seems it was made much too easy and there was a rather blasé attitude to a very serious social issue.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: The Swooning virgins Society #4
Publication Date: 11/2/21
Period: Georgian – 1795 London
Number of Pages: 377
Lady Amanda Clifford runs the Clifford Charity School For Wayward Girls. Each of the girls who have been featured in the series was found in truly dire circumstances and has been taught to be strong, resourceful young ladies. They have also been taught to have a strong sense of vengeance and respect for justice. Five years ago, fifteen-year-old Emma Downing was the fourth girl rescued by Lady Amanda and possibly the most damaged by her circumstances. Now, it is Emma’s turn to take on an assignment for the school and it will take all of her skills and talents to succeed.
It seems maids have been disappearing off the country estate of Samuel Fitzroy, the Marquess of Lymington and no trace of any of them have been found – until one turns up as a courtesan at Madam Marchand’s brothel. That maid, Caroline Frances, shares a tale of a Lord who seduced and debauched her, then left her on the steps of Madam Marchands. She even names the Lord who did the deed. It is now up to Emma to investigate Lancelot Banning, Viscount Lovell, and come up with the evidence to either exonerate him or convict him. To do that, Emma will live with Lady Amanda’s friend Lady Crosby and pretend to be her granddaughter, Emma Crosby, who just happens to be on the continent with her father.
Lord Lovell is the cousin of Lord Lymington and the two of them grew up together – in the same house. They are more like brothers than cousins and Samuel is very protective of Lovell. When a young debutante (Emma) starts flirting with Lovell, Samuel warns her away because he knows Lovell is head-over-heels in love with Lady Flora.
Samuel nor Lovell have any idea that Emma suspects Lovell of some very dire deeds, but Samuel certainly comes to question her and her motives when he keeps encountering her at places no well-bred young lady should be. She intrigues him – and she repels him. Yet, when Emma’s life is in danger, Samuel knows he has to save her.
I believe this was the final book in the series and it had a lovely epilogue that included visits with Sophia (The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Gray), Cecilia (The Virgin Who Vindicated Lord Darlington), and Georgiana (The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere). I’m always a sucker for a good epilogue.
I enjoyed this story but was left with a number of questions and no answers. First, since Emma is impersonating a real-life person, how will the person, the grandmother, and Emma explain all of that to the ton when the actual granddaughter appears? Emma and Samuel – and the entire family – will be shunned by the ton when they discover Emma’s time in Madam Marchand’s service – how would they explain that away? It just seems it was made much too easy and there was a rather blasé attitude to a very serious social issue.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 5, 2021
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (There are 2 but they are directly following each other.) This may feel like a 2 flame to you.
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
It’s not really necessary, each story stands alone with its own mystery and only brief appearances of other characters. But if you want more background on the Swooning Virgins Society and Lady Clifford’s school for girls that Emma was brought into at 15, then start with book 1. The epilogue is one big happily ever after between them all!
Basic plot
Emma is trying to solve the mystery of servants going missing at the Lymington country estate. Simon, Marquess of Lymington, has returned home to find his family in chaos – servants missing and his cousin needs a firm hand. Emma is trying to glean information from Simon’s cousin, but Simon himself quickly steps in to try to control the situation.
Give this a try if you want:
-1795 time period - I love that this isn't the typical regency - I do wish it had a bit more details that showcased that
- A mystery focused romance – each book in this series has its own mystery the heroine is working on and it’s the main focus of the plot
- Lower steam – There are 2 scenes here but they are directly after each other (scene 1, he tells her to sleep, and it picks up with scene 2) so I counted this as 1 flame, since it feels like 1 long scene, but it may feel/be counted as 2 by you.
- Soldier, aristocrat hero and a clever heroine that has survived danger and abuse in a brothel
My thoughts:
I know I’ve whined about the mystery focus on pretty much every book in this series so I’ll keep it brief. I miss her older works that were all romance focused. It’s just my personal preference. If there’s going to be mystery, I want them on page together pretty much the whole time (which is probably why I enjoyed book 2 the most, as they were together at a secluded country estate for most of the book) and while this book did have some of that, it also had a lot of just Emma crime solving time and I wanted more romance.
The mystery itself was decent. Like other reviewers have said, I wasn’t really sure how pretending to be a real person in society was going to work out long term – it’s never addressed and it doesn’t bother me that much, though I just wish it had been written with a different solution to her masquerade in society.
I found Simon to be a rather unique hero. Our first view of him, he’s described as:
He was the tallest man Emma had ever seen, and the wide, powerful breadth of s shoulders exaggerated the effect of his height, making him look positively massive. It wasn’t his size that arrested Emma’s attention, though.
It was everything else.
He had none of his cousin’s fashionable prettiness. Everything about him was hard, dark, forbidding, and excessively masculine. His clothing was impeccably tailored, yet somehow every seam appeared on the edge of bursting with the effort to contain him.
He’s also someone that wants to discuss full frontal military assaults, whether people want to hear them or not, and it’s mentioned that “Charm seemed to whither and die in his presence”. So it was kind of enjoyable watching him fall in love with Emma and struggle through that. I did enjoy him, he was quite caring and patient with Emma, and even though there’s a cruel moment with him, I understood where he was coming from trying to protect his heart at that point. I did want some more depth to his character, I felt like I didn't know him extremely well by the end of the story as so much focus was Emma, her secrets, and solving the mystery.
Emma has suffered and has a dark past that she hides. With her line of work of trying to find the culprit of who is involved with the missing servants, she has to create the lie of being a society debutante around her to get information. I usually struggle with books that have a number of lies in them. To some people it’s not a big deal but my own personal experiences, it just makes me so angry. I can do some little things or certain circumstances, but in this particular story, it did get to me. When Simon realizes there are lies and he is begging for the truth, and she refuses to budge, it was hard to read. It was resolved fairly soon after (there have been some stories where it drags until the last chapter, and those I usually can’t abide) and I did feel that it was forgiven though, so that saved the story a bit for me.
So overall I enjoyed this one. This series is nothing I would want to reread, and nothing that truly gripped my heart like her previous work has done, but overall pleasant.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (There are 2 but they are directly following each other.) This may feel like a 2 flame to you.
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
It’s not really necessary, each story stands alone with its own mystery and only brief appearances of other characters. But if you want more background on the Swooning Virgins Society and Lady Clifford’s school for girls that Emma was brought into at 15, then start with book 1. The epilogue is one big happily ever after between them all!
Basic plot
Emma is trying to solve the mystery of servants going missing at the Lymington country estate. Simon, Marquess of Lymington, has returned home to find his family in chaos – servants missing and his cousin needs a firm hand. Emma is trying to glean information from Simon’s cousin, but Simon himself quickly steps in to try to control the situation.
Give this a try if you want:
-1795 time period - I love that this isn't the typical regency - I do wish it had a bit more details that showcased that
- A mystery focused romance – each book in this series has its own mystery the heroine is working on and it’s the main focus of the plot
- Lower steam – There are 2 scenes here but they are directly after each other (scene 1, he tells her to sleep, and it picks up with scene 2) so I counted this as 1 flame, since it feels like 1 long scene, but it may feel/be counted as 2 by you.
- Soldier, aristocrat hero and a clever heroine that has survived danger and abuse in a brothel
My thoughts:
I know I’ve whined about the mystery focus on pretty much every book in this series so I’ll keep it brief. I miss her older works that were all romance focused. It’s just my personal preference. If there’s going to be mystery, I want them on page together pretty much the whole time (which is probably why I enjoyed book 2 the most, as they were together at a secluded country estate for most of the book) and while this book did have some of that, it also had a lot of just Emma crime solving time and I wanted more romance.
The mystery itself was decent. Like other reviewers have said, I wasn’t really sure how pretending to be a real person in society was going to work out long term – it’s never addressed and it doesn’t bother me that much, though I just wish it had been written with a different solution to her masquerade in society.
I found Simon to be a rather unique hero. Our first view of him, he’s described as:
He was the tallest man Emma had ever seen, and the wide, powerful breadth of s shoulders exaggerated the effect of his height, making him look positively massive. It wasn’t his size that arrested Emma’s attention, though.
It was everything else.
He had none of his cousin’s fashionable prettiness. Everything about him was hard, dark, forbidding, and excessively masculine. His clothing was impeccably tailored, yet somehow every seam appeared on the edge of bursting with the effort to contain him.
He’s also someone that wants to discuss full frontal military assaults, whether people want to hear them or not, and it’s mentioned that “Charm seemed to whither and die in his presence”. So it was kind of enjoyable watching him fall in love with Emma and struggle through that. I did enjoy him, he was quite caring and patient with Emma, and even though there’s a cruel moment with him, I understood where he was coming from trying to protect his heart at that point. I did want some more depth to his character, I felt like I didn't know him extremely well by the end of the story as so much focus was Emma, her secrets, and solving the mystery.
Emma has suffered and has a dark past that she hides. With her line of work of trying to find the culprit of who is involved with the missing servants, she has to create the lie of being a society debutante around her to get information. I usually struggle with books that have a number of lies in them. To some people it’s not a big deal but my own personal experiences, it just makes me so angry. I can do some little things or certain circumstances, but in this particular story, it did get to me. When Simon realizes there are lies and he is begging for the truth, and she refuses to budge, it was hard to read. It was resolved fairly soon after (there have been some stories where it drags until the last chapter, and those I usually can’t abide) and I did feel that it was forgiven though, so that saved the story a bit for me.
So overall I enjoyed this one. This series is nothing I would want to reread, and nothing that truly gripped my heart like her previous work has done, but overall pleasant.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
November 3, 2021
Dark doings within the ton!
1790, Fifteen year old Emma Downing found her way to the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. Her arrival was disconcerting, with “great gouts of blood” staining her dress, but as Lady Amanda Clifford noted, Emma had survived the abuse she suffered at Madame Manchard’s brothel. “That made her extraordinary. No, more than that. It made her a miracle.” The School for Wayward Girls is dedicated to bringing justice for young woman abused at the hands of the aristocracy. Now Emma will join their ranks.
Five years later, 1795, Emma is on the hunt for a nobleman who is abusing courtesans at that same establishment, the Pink Pearl.
Emma is concerned about two missing servant girls who’d disappeared from Lymington House, “and now the third, Caroline Francis, is pointing her accusing finger at Lord Lovell.” A charming young rakeshell who managed to keep the worst of bad company whilst his cousin Samuel deployed as a Captain with the Royal Navy during the war. Is Lovell capable of the level of debauchery hinted at?
Now that he’s home, Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington is trying to help Lovell change his ways. He’s also concerned about missing servant girls and wants to talk to Caroline Francis. Sam and Emma are at Madam’s on the same night unbeknownst to Emma.
Samuel and Emma’s paths cross frequently in their seperate investigations. Samuel knows Emma is more than she seems. Emma knows Samuel is astute and dangerous. It doesn’t help that both of them feel a strong pull of attraction. These two are at daggers drawn but maybe they should join forces, stand back to back, and turn their knives outwards towards the true culprit, when they track that person down.
Intrigue and romance. A powerful combination. I must say I loved the chemistry between Sam and Emma! I loved Emma’s repartee, so unsuitable for the debutante she’s supposed to be. But then she is an “original”.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
1790, Fifteen year old Emma Downing found her way to the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls. Her arrival was disconcerting, with “great gouts of blood” staining her dress, but as Lady Amanda Clifford noted, Emma had survived the abuse she suffered at Madame Manchard’s brothel. “That made her extraordinary. No, more than that. It made her a miracle.” The School for Wayward Girls is dedicated to bringing justice for young woman abused at the hands of the aristocracy. Now Emma will join their ranks.
Five years later, 1795, Emma is on the hunt for a nobleman who is abusing courtesans at that same establishment, the Pink Pearl.
Emma is concerned about two missing servant girls who’d disappeared from Lymington House, “and now the third, Caroline Francis, is pointing her accusing finger at Lord Lovell.” A charming young rakeshell who managed to keep the worst of bad company whilst his cousin Samuel deployed as a Captain with the Royal Navy during the war. Is Lovell capable of the level of debauchery hinted at?
Now that he’s home, Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington is trying to help Lovell change his ways. He’s also concerned about missing servant girls and wants to talk to Caroline Francis. Sam and Emma are at Madam’s on the same night unbeknownst to Emma.
Samuel and Emma’s paths cross frequently in their seperate investigations. Samuel knows Emma is more than she seems. Emma knows Samuel is astute and dangerous. It doesn’t help that both of them feel a strong pull of attraction. These two are at daggers drawn but maybe they should join forces, stand back to back, and turn their knives outwards towards the true culprit, when they track that person down.
Intrigue and romance. A powerful combination. I must say I loved the chemistry between Sam and Emma! I loved Emma’s repartee, so unsuitable for the debutante she’s supposed to be. But then she is an “original”.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
December 30, 2021
The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington was a delightful read featuring a romance between a woman investigating several missing women and the Marquess whose family may be connected to the disappearances.
Emma Downing knows the depravity that goes on in London's brothels, just as she knows the same behavior is found behind the closed doors of the homes of high society. Assigned to uncover who is behind the disappearances of several young women at the Lymington country estate, Emma poses as a debutante to get close to those she suspects are involved. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, has recently returned to England to find his family in turmoil with rumors about his cousin floating around. After meeting Emma, Samuel realizes she's not the naïve young women she pretends to be and soon finds himself helping her in her quest for justice.
Prior to joining Lady Clifford's school, Emma spent time in a brothel as a young girl. Her experiences when she was young made her the perfect person to put in place to discover what happened to the missing women as the most recent victim has a connection to the brothel. Samuel has recently returned home from the Royal Navy to a very different situation than the one he left. With his cousin going gown the wrong path, Samuel is determined to help him as the pair grew up more like brothers than cousins.
Upon first meeting, Emma and Samuel are immediately drawn to one another although they both quickly realize the other has ulterior motives. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game the pair played as they both tried to figure out what the other was after. I did enjoy when they ultimately decided to pair up to figure out what happened to the missing women as they worked well together. I liked that Emma never simply gave in when Samuel wanted to do things his way as she contributed some great ideas to their investigation. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel was great and I enjoyed the steamy scenes.
Overall The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington was another fantastic installment in the series and I highly recommend the series for anyone looking for a great historical romance series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Emma Downing knows the depravity that goes on in London's brothels, just as she knows the same behavior is found behind the closed doors of the homes of high society. Assigned to uncover who is behind the disappearances of several young women at the Lymington country estate, Emma poses as a debutante to get close to those she suspects are involved. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, has recently returned to England to find his family in turmoil with rumors about his cousin floating around. After meeting Emma, Samuel realizes she's not the naïve young women she pretends to be and soon finds himself helping her in her quest for justice.
Prior to joining Lady Clifford's school, Emma spent time in a brothel as a young girl. Her experiences when she was young made her the perfect person to put in place to discover what happened to the missing women as the most recent victim has a connection to the brothel. Samuel has recently returned home from the Royal Navy to a very different situation than the one he left. With his cousin going gown the wrong path, Samuel is determined to help him as the pair grew up more like brothers than cousins.
Upon first meeting, Emma and Samuel are immediately drawn to one another although they both quickly realize the other has ulterior motives. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game the pair played as they both tried to figure out what the other was after. I did enjoy when they ultimately decided to pair up to figure out what happened to the missing women as they worked well together. I liked that Emma never simply gave in when Samuel wanted to do things his way as she contributed some great ideas to their investigation. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel was great and I enjoyed the steamy scenes.
Overall The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington was another fantastic installment in the series and I highly recommend the series for anyone looking for a great historical romance series.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
October 20, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
Emma Downing is all too familiar with the seedier side of London, but she’s just as aware that high society homes can also hide dangers of their own. Emma’s benefactor has set her the task of learning what’s going on at the country estate of the Marquess of Lymington, where three housemaids have gone missing under mysterious circumstances. Samuel Fitzroy, the Marquess of Lymington, won’t be easy to fool and Emma is immediately fearful he’ll see through her flimsy disguise and her attempts at indifference to him.
Samuel has been away serving in the Navy for some time and is disquieted to return to find his family in turmoil. His beloved cousin has turned into a disreputable rake, several of his housemaids are missing, and now he must contend with Emma, who he knows is far from the innocent debutante she pretends to be. Despite his misgivings, Samuel cannot squelch his attraction to Emma, beginning a risky game that could result in ruin for them both.
As has sometimes been the case with this series, the mystery very much overshadowed the romance here. Don’t get me wrong, I love some good mystery/suspense in my romance, but I think I didn’t care for it so much here because the mystery was happening for the most part separately from any romance and the heroine was actively working against the hero. I really had a hard time liking or rooting for Emma despite her tragic past, just because of the volume of her lies to Samuel, especially given how long those lies were allowed to continue. Even after Samuel had come to trust Emma and ceased seeing her as the enemy, rather than finally working together, she still kept him mostly in the dark. The mystery here was really solid, but that lack of cohesion just had me wondering what business Emma even had investigating a problem at Samuel’s property given that she was still unwilling to involve him in solving it. I did find Samuel charming even if I couldn’t quite understand his attraction to Emma beyond her physical attributes, but his gruff exterior hiding a cinnamon roll center was endearing. The last quarter or so of this story in which Samuel and Emma were actually working together was lovely and I have to give this book credit for holding my attention and actually making me want to finish it, because that hasn’t been happening much for me lately. Overall, this wasn’t my favorite, but I did enjoy it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Emma Downing is all too familiar with the seedier side of London, but she’s just as aware that high society homes can also hide dangers of their own. Emma’s benefactor has set her the task of learning what’s going on at the country estate of the Marquess of Lymington, where three housemaids have gone missing under mysterious circumstances. Samuel Fitzroy, the Marquess of Lymington, won’t be easy to fool and Emma is immediately fearful he’ll see through her flimsy disguise and her attempts at indifference to him.
Samuel has been away serving in the Navy for some time and is disquieted to return to find his family in turmoil. His beloved cousin has turned into a disreputable rake, several of his housemaids are missing, and now he must contend with Emma, who he knows is far from the innocent debutante she pretends to be. Despite his misgivings, Samuel cannot squelch his attraction to Emma, beginning a risky game that could result in ruin for them both.
As has sometimes been the case with this series, the mystery very much overshadowed the romance here. Don’t get me wrong, I love some good mystery/suspense in my romance, but I think I didn’t care for it so much here because the mystery was happening for the most part separately from any romance and the heroine was actively working against the hero. I really had a hard time liking or rooting for Emma despite her tragic past, just because of the volume of her lies to Samuel, especially given how long those lies were allowed to continue. Even after Samuel had come to trust Emma and ceased seeing her as the enemy, rather than finally working together, she still kept him mostly in the dark. The mystery here was really solid, but that lack of cohesion just had me wondering what business Emma even had investigating a problem at Samuel’s property given that she was still unwilling to involve him in solving it. I did find Samuel charming even if I couldn’t quite understand his attraction to Emma beyond her physical attributes, but his gruff exterior hiding a cinnamon roll center was endearing. The last quarter or so of this story in which Samuel and Emma were actually working together was lovely and I have to give this book credit for holding my attention and actually making me want to finish it, because that hasn’t been happening much for me lately. Overall, this wasn’t my favorite, but I did enjoy it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
September 26, 2022
3.25/5 This one just never sparked joy it was just pretty sad :(
Even the epilogue was like I choose pain 🫠
Even the epilogue was like I choose pain 🫠
October 24, 2021
I have previously been a big fan of Bradley's 'Besotted Scots' series which gave me high hopes for this book. Sadly, I found very little to excite me. It was not bad, it just didn't make an impression on me. It did not make me want to read the rest of this series and it did not make me feel anything besides slightly entertained.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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November 21, 2023
3.5 stars
September 7, 2021
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Emma Downing has scars that mark both her skin and her soul, and secrets that she wishes she didn't have to hide. When girls start going missing at Lymington House, Emma is enlisted to find out the truth and prove the guilt of Lord Lovell. Lord Lymington, Samuel, does not trust Emma's charm or beauty, but they team up to find out the truth of the missing girls. Sparks fly between Emma and Samuel, and they both find out things aren't always as they seem.
I feel that Anna Bradley has really hit her stride with the last two books in this series. They get better and better, and that's saying a lot because I'm a super fan. Her writing is some of the best out there. I just loved Emma and Samuel's relationship. This book is dripping with emotion and sexual tension. I could feel the constant pull between them, and it makes for amazing chemistry between these two. The mystery was excellent. It is up there with my favorites by her.
I'll read anything she writes because she is amazing, wonderful, great, and all the other synonyms I could use to describe how perfect and special her stories are.
Emma Downing has scars that mark both her skin and her soul, and secrets that she wishes she didn't have to hide. When girls start going missing at Lymington House, Emma is enlisted to find out the truth and prove the guilt of Lord Lovell. Lord Lymington, Samuel, does not trust Emma's charm or beauty, but they team up to find out the truth of the missing girls. Sparks fly between Emma and Samuel, and they both find out things aren't always as they seem.
I feel that Anna Bradley has really hit her stride with the last two books in this series. They get better and better, and that's saying a lot because I'm a super fan. Her writing is some of the best out there. I just loved Emma and Samuel's relationship. This book is dripping with emotion and sexual tension. I could feel the constant pull between them, and it makes for amazing chemistry between these two. The mystery was excellent. It is up there with my favorites by her.
I'll read anything she writes because she is amazing, wonderful, great, and all the other synonyms I could use to describe how perfect and special her stories are.
December 24, 2021
3 stars mainly because I found it hard to like Samuel as he seemed very fierce majority of the time. Even if he softens over time, he still came off as arrogant and fierce to me. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel was meh, it’s not the best, because of Emma continuously defies Samuel and Samuel is always angry.
I felt the mystery in the book took up too much of the story, which in turn compromised the relationship building between Emma and Samuel. Nevertheless, the first 3/4 of the book held my attention before I was getting bored with the mystery and skimmed the last few chapters. Hence, the 3 stars.
I felt the mystery in the book took up too much of the story, which in turn compromised the relationship building between Emma and Samuel. Nevertheless, the first 3/4 of the book held my attention before I was getting bored with the mystery and skimmed the last few chapters. Hence, the 3 stars.
August 24, 2021
Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review..
I did not know that The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington was the 4th book in the series. I thought the book was delightful I am read to read book 1,2,3. 4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy Reading Lisa 📚
I did not know that The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington was the 4th book in the series. I thought the book was delightful I am read to read book 1,2,3. 4 star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Happy Reading Lisa 📚
November 18, 2021
Great story overall. Emma comes from a horrid past that has always haunted her. Sam is a scowling grumpy lord. Of course they wind up melting each other’s hearts. There were a few places in the story where I was a little lost until I kept on reading and got the other character POV but it didn’t take away from the book. This story kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who the villain was and when it was revealed I was shocked. I’ve loved this series and this was another great addition to it. Just enough drama, intrigue, angst, and romance. Anna once again did a amazing job!
August 27, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
As the final girl from the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls, Emma Downing feels she owes Lady Clifford more than she can ever repay. After escaping a notorious brothel, she was cared for by the school, and now works to find the truth about what is happening to maids who are going missing from the estate of the Marquess of Lymington, recently returned from the Navy. When one of the maids turns up at the very brothel she used to be imprisoned in, Emma will have to face her fears and past enemies to discover if it is true that Lord Lymington's cousin, Lord Lovell, has played a role in the disappearances, and to do so, she masquerades by day as Lady Emma Crosby, a naive debutante new to town, to get close to the handsome Lord Lovell. But wherever he is, is his cousin, Lord Lymington, who seems to have an issue with Emma, and is thwarting her at every move. And when he realises she has also be involving herself in the investigation into his missing maids, he wants to put a stop to it, but is the old adage correct, and two heads are better than one?
It's a little sad that this is the end of this series. I've loved each book, and the characters have all been fantastic. In the previous books, we've seen parts of Emma, and she's always put on a brave face, and been a bit of a mystery, so I was really looking forward to her own story, and learning about why she was at the Clifford School. Her story was awful. She was put in the brothel when she was 15, and kept pure until the madam auctioned off her virginity to the highest bidder, and she became his plaything. But when he threatened her with a knife, she fought back, and fled after the death, to the safety of the Clifford School. She has the scars - both physically and mental - from her time there, and will do everything to help protect the girls, and get them out, if she can. To hear that woman are going missing, and the only one who may be able to help is at the same brothel, she has to go back, and that's when she first crosses paths with Lymington, who is waiting in the library while Lovell spends time in one of the boudoirs. I loved the chemistry between Lymington and Emma. He was gruff, and didn't like that she was getting close to Lovell, and when he realised he was jealous, he fought it, but by then it was too late. He also respected her, and trusted her, and it was really refreshing to see. They were the perfect match for each other, and as the mystery ramped up, it was wonderful to see them working together, and talking through their ideas - even if they disagreed with each other. Though I'm sad it's the end, the epilogue was more than I could've asked for, and really wrapped up the series. I can't wait for Anna's next book!
As the final girl from the Clifford Charity School for Wayward Girls, Emma Downing feels she owes Lady Clifford more than she can ever repay. After escaping a notorious brothel, she was cared for by the school, and now works to find the truth about what is happening to maids who are going missing from the estate of the Marquess of Lymington, recently returned from the Navy. When one of the maids turns up at the very brothel she used to be imprisoned in, Emma will have to face her fears and past enemies to discover if it is true that Lord Lymington's cousin, Lord Lovell, has played a role in the disappearances, and to do so, she masquerades by day as Lady Emma Crosby, a naive debutante new to town, to get close to the handsome Lord Lovell. But wherever he is, is his cousin, Lord Lymington, who seems to have an issue with Emma, and is thwarting her at every move. And when he realises she has also be involving herself in the investigation into his missing maids, he wants to put a stop to it, but is the old adage correct, and two heads are better than one?
It's a little sad that this is the end of this series. I've loved each book, and the characters have all been fantastic. In the previous books, we've seen parts of Emma, and she's always put on a brave face, and been a bit of a mystery, so I was really looking forward to her own story, and learning about why she was at the Clifford School. Her story was awful. She was put in the brothel when she was 15, and kept pure until the madam auctioned off her virginity to the highest bidder, and she became his plaything. But when he threatened her with a knife, she fought back, and fled after the death, to the safety of the Clifford School. She has the scars - both physically and mental - from her time there, and will do everything to help protect the girls, and get them out, if she can. To hear that woman are going missing, and the only one who may be able to help is at the same brothel, she has to go back, and that's when she first crosses paths with Lymington, who is waiting in the library while Lovell spends time in one of the boudoirs. I loved the chemistry between Lymington and Emma. He was gruff, and didn't like that she was getting close to Lovell, and when he realised he was jealous, he fought it, but by then it was too late. He also respected her, and trusted her, and it was really refreshing to see. They were the perfect match for each other, and as the mystery ramped up, it was wonderful to see them working together, and talking through their ideas - even if they disagreed with each other. Though I'm sad it's the end, the epilogue was more than I could've asked for, and really wrapped up the series. I can't wait for Anna's next book!
November 3, 2021
Loved this book! I’m not sure if this actually the last book in the series but it was a great ending if it is the last book.
I love Emma and how strong she is. She has her past demons but is determined to find out what happened to the missing servants of Lymington house which leads her to her main suspect, Lord Lovell. Lovell is the cousin of our hero Samuel, Lord Lymington who is trying to get his cousin onto the path of marriage and out of trouble. Samuel and Emma butt heads a bit but I absolutely loved their romance and build up.
The mystery and plot was really great as well. I didn’t know who was behind the missing girls but I was excited to find out.
Here is my Daniel Brixton’s appreciation moment. He really loves and looks after the Clifford girls and he is one of the best adoptive father figures they could have.
I think this book could be read as standalone because there are no spoilers for the other books besides the epilogue but it doesn’t hurt to start from the beginning (which I failed to do, I need to read book 1 still).
I need to check out other Anna Bradley books soon!
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I love Emma and how strong she is. She has her past demons but is determined to find out what happened to the missing servants of Lymington house which leads her to her main suspect, Lord Lovell. Lovell is the cousin of our hero Samuel, Lord Lymington who is trying to get his cousin onto the path of marriage and out of trouble. Samuel and Emma butt heads a bit but I absolutely loved their romance and build up.
The mystery and plot was really great as well. I didn’t know who was behind the missing girls but I was excited to find out.
Here is my Daniel Brixton’s appreciation moment. He really loves and looks after the Clifford girls and he is one of the best adoptive father figures they could have.
I think this book could be read as standalone because there are no spoilers for the other books besides the epilogue but it doesn’t hurt to start from the beginning (which I failed to do, I need to read book 1 still).
I need to check out other Anna Bradley books soon!
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
November 1, 2021
The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley is the fourth book in the Swooning Virgins Society….even though none of the women swoon. In this novel the main character of Emma Downing is a strong woman who as a member of the Clifford Charity School is determined to do her part. The women from this school have all undertaken a journey to take down some of the most detestable, wickedest men.
Emma is pretending to be the granddaughter of a society lady in order to find a killer of servants. She is investigating the missing servants from the Lymington Manor. It was suggested that Lord Lovell was a person of interest, so Emma is trying to worm her way into the family.
And then she meets Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington. He is suspicious, blunt, and takes no questions. He wants Emma to back off from his brother and Emma finds Samuel interesting - very interesting! The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley is a fun HOT read.
Emma is pretending to be the granddaughter of a society lady in order to find a killer of servants. She is investigating the missing servants from the Lymington Manor. It was suggested that Lord Lovell was a person of interest, so Emma is trying to worm her way into the family.
And then she meets Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington. He is suspicious, blunt, and takes no questions. He wants Emma to back off from his brother and Emma finds Samuel interesting - very interesting! The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley is a fun HOT read.
August 19, 2021
I enjoyed the the mystery and the suspense of the story, but the desire that Samuel has for Emma had me all a Twitter. I liked the plot behind the story, it definitely held my attention during the book. I definitely liked that the book was a page turner. The romance between Samuel and Emma I thought was the best part. Their relationship was a slow process, but as they dove deeper into their spying they held nothing back. This is a good story.
November 2, 2021
One star less because of the suspense side. I loved the love story.
April 9, 2022
This is last book in this series. The h is Emma Downing acting as Lady Emma CROSBY under the guise of a debutante and her first season with her Grandmother Lady Crosby as her sponsor. The H is the Marquess of Lymington, Samuel just returned from the British Navy where he served as a Captain.
Mystery
Lady Clifford sent Emma undercover to discover if Lord Lovell murdered 3 girls that served at Lymington House.
Mystery Solved
Lord Dunn is the Murderer. He tried to pin the murders onto Lord Lovell. He strangled all of his victims. The first was because she displeased him. The next was because she knew too much. The third he used her to set up Lord Lovell and then strangled her. She was working as a courtesan. He unsuccessfully tried to strangle Emma's friend Helena but she found her just in time. They had been given a locket by the last girl Caroline that she stole from Lord Dunn. Emma wore it to Lord Lymingtons Ball to lure the Murderer out. He dragged Emma to the ice house locking her inside and went back for her later to strangle her. Lord Dunn was caught in the act and subdued by Samuel and Daniel Brixton Lady Clifford Bodyguard.
Quote:First Kiss
The kiss had been an impulse. One minute he had been warning her against Lovell and the next thing he knew he had been kissing her hand.
Quote Samuel view about Brothels
Some gentlemen overlook their culpability in all their dealings,but not every gentleman. A gentleman may choose noto to visit a courtesan,whereas most courtesans don't choose to become one. If there is any wrong doing in the practice it lies with those who have choice.
Quote Awareness
Lord Dunn had taken Lady Emma to the dance floor and Samuel couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from her.
Not blue tonight but green.
The color of her gown made no difference. She was tempting no matter what she wore.
No doubt she was even more tempting out of it.
Quote Desire
God help him he wanted it. He wanted to match wits with her to scheme and battle and scrap until he overcame her and then ...then he wanted to take her to his bed and hold her breathless body in his arms until she begged him to sink into her heatto take her to claim her.
Quote In Love
Have you ever been in love Lady Emma?
No. She laughed but it was a broken laugh forlorn sound without joy. The devotion Lord Lovell and Lady Flora feel rheir happiness in each other seems very far away from me.
How can this be?
Desire isn't love
Quote: First Kiss 💋
When she didn't move away he cradled her face in his hands leaned toward her and here in this place with fragrant roses dripping in lush petals from the arbor above them he brought his lips 💋 down on hers.
He'd known she'd be delicious addictive but this...he'd never known a kiss could steal your reason could make you dizzy with want. He traced his tongue over her bottom lip. She gasped and the soft surprised sound went straight to his cock shattering his control.
Emma. Touch me
Quote: Lust
Do you feel that? He moved his hips in a restrained thrust as he settled her more snuggly against his erection. That's what you do to me.
Quote: Gentleman stop
No. I want you too much . Emma. You steal my logic my reason. This her jerked his hips against her is why we can't be alone together in a dark garden. Everything about you the way you move your scent your voice your wicked delicious mouth... He pressed a hard desperate 💋 to her lips 💋. You make forget I'm a gentleman.
Quote Emma in love
Love? No that wasn't...she wasn't in love with Samuel. She'd made mistakes these past few weeks- a shocking number of them- but surely she couldn't have been such a monumental fool as to fall in love with the Marquess of Lymington?
Quote: Kissed Her
He'd kissed her before in the rose garden and again in the darkened alcove at Vauxhall but this kiss was different because he was different. Samuel held her as if afraid she'd break overwhelmed with a tenderness that made his throat close.
Quote: Love making
I want to see you in the moonlight. I want to see and kiss every inch of you.l dream about tasting you there and here.
Tell me you want me Emma. Let me hear you say it.
I do want you Samuel more than anything.
Look at you with the moonlight gilding your skin. I've never seen anything as lovely as you Emma.
His mouth followed the path of his hands leaving a trail of damp kisses across skin that reveled in the touch of his lips shivers rising in their wake.
Quote: Making Love ❤
Open for me sweetheart fingertips stroking her inner thighs.
God so warm and wet for me Emma so soft like silk.
Oh oh Emma's knees went weak as he stroked and teased at her stolen bud.
Please. He drove her higher with each touch setting her body ablaze crooning to her as he wound her tighter his whispers dark and wicked urging her on commanding her to take her pleasure to come for him. The heat between her thighs intensifying pulling tighter with every nudge of his fingers until it snapped exploding in a wave of heat shooting tendrils of pleasure from her core all the way to her fingertips. Emma stiffened clinging to Samuel crying out. God I have never seen anything more exotic in my life as watching you come for me Emma.
He nudged her legs apart and settled his hips between them his eyelids heavy over glittering gray eyes. Such a tease Miss Downing. I want you Emma. Yes. Wrapping her leg arnhem cradling him between her thighs pressing her hips tightly together and dragging a hoarse groan from his lips. He slipped his hand between her legs his fingers slick with her arousal. Samuel pressed the tip of his cock against her and slid in slowly.
His strokes quickened. His thrusts deepened. Come for me Emma slipping his fingers between her legs to stroke her swollen core.she exploded in a sudden burst of pleasure. Ah Samuel.
Quote Love making 💕
He took her lips in a hot deep kiss 💋 quickening his pace until their hips were moving together in a timeless rhythm.
Another thrust then another but just as Samuel was sure he would explode Emma let out a soft cry her neck arching as she came again in a rush of wet heat.
The tight squeeze of her body around his cock tore a guttural moan from Samuel's chest. He threw his head back and fell over the edge in a ckimaxso intense his body shook with it hot white flashing before his eyes.
They were both still panting when he gathered her against his chest and fell onto his back takings with himself she was sprawled on top of him. Once Emma had caught her breath she struggled onto her elbows and gazed down at him in wonder. I It's never felt like that for me.
He reached up to cup her cheek in his palm. Nor for me either Emma.
Quote:Declaration of love ❤
I never thought a man could come to mean so much to me but you hold my whole heart ❤ in your hands ✋. Your everything to me. I love you Samuel. 😍
Proposal
Emma my love I know myself to be a presumptuous demanding arrogant Marquess but I'm hoping you'll agree to marry me in spite of it though I daresay you could find a more agreeable husband.
I don't want an agreeable husband Lord Lymington I want you.
Mystery
Lady Clifford sent Emma undercover to discover if Lord Lovell murdered 3 girls that served at Lymington House.
Mystery Solved
Lord Dunn is the Murderer. He tried to pin the murders onto Lord Lovell. He strangled all of his victims. The first was because she displeased him. The next was because she knew too much. The third he used her to set up Lord Lovell and then strangled her. She was working as a courtesan. He unsuccessfully tried to strangle Emma's friend Helena but she found her just in time. They had been given a locket by the last girl Caroline that she stole from Lord Dunn. Emma wore it to Lord Lymingtons Ball to lure the Murderer out. He dragged Emma to the ice house locking her inside and went back for her later to strangle her. Lord Dunn was caught in the act and subdued by Samuel and Daniel Brixton Lady Clifford Bodyguard.
Quote:First Kiss
The kiss had been an impulse. One minute he had been warning her against Lovell and the next thing he knew he had been kissing her hand.
Quote Samuel view about Brothels
Some gentlemen overlook their culpability in all their dealings,but not every gentleman. A gentleman may choose noto to visit a courtesan,whereas most courtesans don't choose to become one. If there is any wrong doing in the practice it lies with those who have choice.
Quote Awareness
Lord Dunn had taken Lady Emma to the dance floor and Samuel couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from her.
Not blue tonight but green.
The color of her gown made no difference. She was tempting no matter what she wore.
No doubt she was even more tempting out of it.
Quote Desire
God help him he wanted it. He wanted to match wits with her to scheme and battle and scrap until he overcame her and then ...then he wanted to take her to his bed and hold her breathless body in his arms until she begged him to sink into her heatto take her to claim her.
Quote In Love
Have you ever been in love Lady Emma?
No. She laughed but it was a broken laugh forlorn sound without joy. The devotion Lord Lovell and Lady Flora feel rheir happiness in each other seems very far away from me.
How can this be?
Desire isn't love
Quote: First Kiss 💋
When she didn't move away he cradled her face in his hands leaned toward her and here in this place with fragrant roses dripping in lush petals from the arbor above them he brought his lips 💋 down on hers.
He'd known she'd be delicious addictive but this...he'd never known a kiss could steal your reason could make you dizzy with want. He traced his tongue over her bottom lip. She gasped and the soft surprised sound went straight to his cock shattering his control.
Emma. Touch me
Quote: Lust
Do you feel that? He moved his hips in a restrained thrust as he settled her more snuggly against his erection. That's what you do to me.
Quote: Gentleman stop
No. I want you too much . Emma. You steal my logic my reason. This her jerked his hips against her is why we can't be alone together in a dark garden. Everything about you the way you move your scent your voice your wicked delicious mouth... He pressed a hard desperate 💋 to her lips 💋. You make forget I'm a gentleman.
Quote Emma in love
Love? No that wasn't...she wasn't in love with Samuel. She'd made mistakes these past few weeks- a shocking number of them- but surely she couldn't have been such a monumental fool as to fall in love with the Marquess of Lymington?
Quote: Kissed Her
He'd kissed her before in the rose garden and again in the darkened alcove at Vauxhall but this kiss was different because he was different. Samuel held her as if afraid she'd break overwhelmed with a tenderness that made his throat close.
Quote: Love making
I want to see you in the moonlight. I want to see and kiss every inch of you.l dream about tasting you there and here.
Tell me you want me Emma. Let me hear you say it.
I do want you Samuel more than anything.
Look at you with the moonlight gilding your skin. I've never seen anything as lovely as you Emma.
His mouth followed the path of his hands leaving a trail of damp kisses across skin that reveled in the touch of his lips shivers rising in their wake.
Quote: Making Love ❤
Open for me sweetheart fingertips stroking her inner thighs.
God so warm and wet for me Emma so soft like silk.
Oh oh Emma's knees went weak as he stroked and teased at her stolen bud.
Please. He drove her higher with each touch setting her body ablaze crooning to her as he wound her tighter his whispers dark and wicked urging her on commanding her to take her pleasure to come for him. The heat between her thighs intensifying pulling tighter with every nudge of his fingers until it snapped exploding in a wave of heat shooting tendrils of pleasure from her core all the way to her fingertips. Emma stiffened clinging to Samuel crying out. God I have never seen anything more exotic in my life as watching you come for me Emma.
He nudged her legs apart and settled his hips between them his eyelids heavy over glittering gray eyes. Such a tease Miss Downing. I want you Emma. Yes. Wrapping her leg arnhem cradling him between her thighs pressing her hips tightly together and dragging a hoarse groan from his lips. He slipped his hand between her legs his fingers slick with her arousal. Samuel pressed the tip of his cock against her and slid in slowly.
His strokes quickened. His thrusts deepened. Come for me Emma slipping his fingers between her legs to stroke her swollen core.she exploded in a sudden burst of pleasure. Ah Samuel.
Quote Love making 💕
He took her lips in a hot deep kiss 💋 quickening his pace until their hips were moving together in a timeless rhythm.
Another thrust then another but just as Samuel was sure he would explode Emma let out a soft cry her neck arching as she came again in a rush of wet heat.
The tight squeeze of her body around his cock tore a guttural moan from Samuel's chest. He threw his head back and fell over the edge in a ckimaxso intense his body shook with it hot white flashing before his eyes.
They were both still panting when he gathered her against his chest and fell onto his back takings with himself she was sprawled on top of him. Once Emma had caught her breath she struggled onto her elbows and gazed down at him in wonder. I It's never felt like that for me.
He reached up to cup her cheek in his palm. Nor for me either Emma.
Quote:Declaration of love ❤
I never thought a man could come to mean so much to me but you hold my whole heart ❤ in your hands ✋. Your everything to me. I love you Samuel. 😍
Proposal
Emma my love I know myself to be a presumptuous demanding arrogant Marquess but I'm hoping you'll agree to marry me in spite of it though I daresay you could find a more agreeable husband.
I don't want an agreeable husband Lord Lymington I want you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2021
The story opens with Emma being saved by Lady Clifford and brought to the Clifford School for Girls at the age of fifteen. Orphaned a year earlier, she had been groomed by a Madam to be a courtesan serving one man. He held a knife on her and she ended up stabbing him. He ran off never to be seen again. Five years later, Lady Clifford has charged Emma with investigating the disappearance of two maids from Lymington House. Samuel, the Marquess of Lymington, doesn't realize Emma suspects his cousin of being a murderer. Emma is posing as the debutante granddaughter of Lady Crosby. Samuel knows something isn't right and he sets out to discover her secrets. With a murderous villain on the loose, these two need to work out their differences before someone else is killed! SPOILER.... I was surprised the man Emma stabbed didn't show up again. I was sure at the beginning of the book he'd cause trouble, and I was wrong! I can't help thinking how did Samuel and Emma explain who she was to society when they got married? What happened when the real Emma Crosby returned to London? How would Lady Crosby explain she was lying to everyone about her granddaughter? Samuel married a low-born courtesan. Wouldn't they be ostracized by most of his peers? The other women from the Clifford school are seen in the epilogue, but I'm hoping for a prequel about Lady Clifford. I received and ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2021
He is intimidating because he is gorgeous and unaware of it, stoic and unyielding because he despises weakness and is determined to rectify past wrongs, unapproachable and irresistible.
She is a woman in hiding. She is adept at masquerading as something she is not to ferret out the answers she needs. She is resolute in her vow to protect other vulnerable women from her fate.
From the moment he eavesdrops on her meeting, he is caught in her web. From the moment he glowers at her, she is ensnared.
They must join forces to solve a string of disappearances and murders, and every time they meet more secrets are uncovered between them.
I could not put down this wonderful romance with its unconventional main characters and unique plot. Highly recommended if your historical romance TBR needs a stern brunch daddy and a resourceful, blue collar heroine.
A huge thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
She is a woman in hiding. She is adept at masquerading as something she is not to ferret out the answers she needs. She is resolute in her vow to protect other vulnerable women from her fate.
From the moment he eavesdrops on her meeting, he is caught in her web. From the moment he glowers at her, she is ensnared.
They must join forces to solve a string of disappearances and murders, and every time they meet more secrets are uncovered between them.
I could not put down this wonderful romance with its unconventional main characters and unique plot. Highly recommended if your historical romance TBR needs a stern brunch daddy and a resourceful, blue collar heroine.
A huge thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, returned to England to take up his title only to find out that two young servants have disappeared from his countryseat. He travels to London to try and find the one young woman who may be able to shed light on the missing girls. While waiting at the Pink Pearl to interview Caroline, he overhears a conversation between one of the courtesans and a mysterious young woman who has the most distinctive voice. When he encounters Lady Emma Crosby, he knows she's the one that had visited the whore house. Why was she there and how did she know the courtesans? Samuel is determined to find the killer, that is, if he can rein in his growing attraction for Lady Emma.
I've read the other books in the series and was happy to finally read Emma's story. Ms. Bradley does a good job of teasing out the details of Emma's past, but I knew right away the title was steering readers in the wrong direction. Emma was no virgin and I was disappointed that I started reading this book expecting one scenario only to find out it was something totally different. The mystery in the story kept the plot moving along nicely and the growing attraction between Emma and Samuel was sizzling.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
I've read the other books in the series and was happy to finally read Emma's story. Ms. Bradley does a good job of teasing out the details of Emma's past, but I knew right away the title was steering readers in the wrong direction. Emma was no virgin and I was disappointed that I started reading this book expecting one scenario only to find out it was something totally different. The mystery in the story kept the plot moving along nicely and the growing attraction between Emma and Samuel was sizzling.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
November 7, 2021
What’s that old joke, if you were going any slower, you’d be going in reverse? What is the fundamental reason that authors will often plot at a glacial pace until around the 75% mark then speed to the resolution? The campaign platform that I’m running consists of legislation that requires authors to parse out the action within their novels to varying degrees. Only in fantasy novels will allowance be given to meandering plots and overly stuffed world building. If you are into this idea, along with wiping out student loan debt, the mandatory use of the Oxford comma, and the cloning of Sebastian Stan, vote for me in 2024. By this thinking, you can imagine that The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley would be in violation of my initiative. I’m not sure what the penalty is yet, possibly banning the use of the word bosom for 6 months.
I’m not going to do my usual compliment sandwich because I don’t know if I have that many pros. I can describe a little bit of the plot, although it is convoluted with no true resolution. Emma Downing, a former courtesan, goes undercover as the granddaughter of socialite Lady Crosby in 1795 England in order to solve the disappearance of 3 women from Lymington House. One of the women has been located in the service of Madame Marchand, proprietor of the brothel, the Pink Pearl (a little too on the nose, Bradley). Emma believes Lord Lovell, cousin to Lord Lymington, to be the culprit of the disappearances. She enters society to determine either his guilt or innocence and all the while falls in love (with his cousin..sorry, didn’t mean to bury the lede).
I have two major complaints about this book. Firstly, as if you couldn’t tell from my above meandering, it was SLOW. Like as if I was driving a car and a turtle with a flat tire passed me while flipping me off yelling “suck it!” - slow. I understand that we need to build up the disappearances and the circumstances behind the elusive involuntary courtesan. That being said, hints and clues dribble out slower than the leak in my tub faucet. (Note to self, fix leak in tub faucet) Additionally, when we do finally meet the culprit, I’m not entirely sold on their motive. Let me rephrase that, I’m not at all sold on their MO. I’ve watched enough true crime and have researched senseless crime. But this is a book - it should make sense! Unless the book is from the perspective of the villain, you can’t make a case for just violence for violence sake. You don’t get an Alfred, “some men just like to watch the world burn” moment, unless you build the crimes into the main thrust of the story or your story is told from the view of the antagonist. I think Bradley wanted to write a mystery novel, but was waylaid by the historical romance aspect. She throws in the romance when it suits her. Most of her plot threads are left hanging with no resolution.
The second complaint I have is with the realism in this book. Emma is a former courtesan who eventually marries the hero, Samuel (spoiler, this is a romance novel). At one point, she comes clean and he learns her truth. Keep in mind that she has slipped into the ‘diamond of the first water’ persona quite easily, as she’s been parading around as the real granddaughter of Lady Crosby. While we don’t meet the real Lady Emma, we know she exists, she just hasn’t made her presentation at court yet. Which leads me to believe that when the real Emma Crosby has her “coming out” the ton is going to reject her, and it will be revealed that a courtesan was parading around as a virginal debutante the entire time. Maybe they thought, ‘eh, no one will remember what she looks like’. Well, having her be the belle of the ball, might not be the best idea then. If Carrie taught us nothing, we never remember the prom queen, right? I don’t know what the equivalent of dumping pigs blood on someone during the big dance was in the Regency era. Probably...dumping pigs blood on someone during the big dance...nevermind.
I may be a little harsh on this because I’m not into the ‘courtesan turned lady’ concept. Most of those books, however, devote a modicum of plot to dealing with the prostitution angle and how it affects the relationships in the book. Literally everyone in Samuel’s family knows she’s a former prostitute and is like “dude, whatever” and move on. Which I applaud in 2021 because it’s a job and sex workers deserve a living wage and health insurance. But in 1817? No way in hell. At least one conversation would be had where Ma Lymington was like, “Yeah, Samuel, if you marry that girl our legacy and estate will literally be in ruins”. We get nothing like that here.
We don’t even really know what happened to Emma during her very violent run-in with her one-and only client. Bradley only indicates that while Emma is not a virgin, she’s never experienced an orgasm or enjoyment from sex.
Good on her for getting hers, truly. But we aren’t going to be privy to what happens when the newly minted Lady Lymington makes her first appearance in a London ballroom after everyone knows her history as a kept woman? I’ve read enough HR to know that it would be ugly, but Bradley just glosses over this.
I can’t say that I would recommend this book unless you are a completist and want to finish out the series. Although, having only read one of the four, I’m not likely to venture into the others. I think there are better authors that handle both mystery HR and courtesan turned lady HR in a more deft hand. Seek out any Amanda Quick, Lisa Kleypas, etc.
I’m not going to do my usual compliment sandwich because I don’t know if I have that many pros. I can describe a little bit of the plot, although it is convoluted with no true resolution. Emma Downing, a former courtesan, goes undercover as the granddaughter of socialite Lady Crosby in 1795 England in order to solve the disappearance of 3 women from Lymington House. One of the women has been located in the service of Madame Marchand, proprietor of the brothel, the Pink Pearl (a little too on the nose, Bradley). Emma believes Lord Lovell, cousin to Lord Lymington, to be the culprit of the disappearances. She enters society to determine either his guilt or innocence and all the while falls in love (with his cousin..sorry, didn’t mean to bury the lede).
I have two major complaints about this book. Firstly, as if you couldn’t tell from my above meandering, it was SLOW. Like as if I was driving a car and a turtle with a flat tire passed me while flipping me off yelling “suck it!” - slow. I understand that we need to build up the disappearances and the circumstances behind the elusive involuntary courtesan. That being said, hints and clues dribble out slower than the leak in my tub faucet. (Note to self, fix leak in tub faucet) Additionally, when we do finally meet the culprit, I’m not entirely sold on their motive. Let me rephrase that, I’m not at all sold on their MO. I’ve watched enough true crime and have researched senseless crime. But this is a book - it should make sense! Unless the book is from the perspective of the villain, you can’t make a case for just violence for violence sake. You don’t get an Alfred, “some men just like to watch the world burn” moment, unless you build the crimes into the main thrust of the story or your story is told from the view of the antagonist. I think Bradley wanted to write a mystery novel, but was waylaid by the historical romance aspect. She throws in the romance when it suits her. Most of her plot threads are left hanging with no resolution.
The second complaint I have is with the realism in this book. Emma is a former courtesan who eventually marries the hero, Samuel (spoiler, this is a romance novel). At one point, she comes clean and he learns her truth. Keep in mind that she has slipped into the ‘diamond of the first water’ persona quite easily, as she’s been parading around as the real granddaughter of Lady Crosby. While we don’t meet the real Lady Emma, we know she exists, she just hasn’t made her presentation at court yet. Which leads me to believe that when the real Emma Crosby has her “coming out” the ton is going to reject her, and it will be revealed that a courtesan was parading around as a virginal debutante the entire time. Maybe they thought, ‘eh, no one will remember what she looks like’. Well, having her be the belle of the ball, might not be the best idea then. If Carrie taught us nothing, we never remember the prom queen, right? I don’t know what the equivalent of dumping pigs blood on someone during the big dance was in the Regency era. Probably...dumping pigs blood on someone during the big dance...nevermind.
I may be a little harsh on this because I’m not into the ‘courtesan turned lady’ concept. Most of those books, however, devote a modicum of plot to dealing with the prostitution angle and how it affects the relationships in the book. Literally everyone in Samuel’s family knows she’s a former prostitute and is like “dude, whatever” and move on. Which I applaud in 2021 because it’s a job and sex workers deserve a living wage and health insurance. But in 1817? No way in hell. At least one conversation would be had where Ma Lymington was like, “Yeah, Samuel, if you marry that girl our legacy and estate will literally be in ruins”. We get nothing like that here.
We don’t even really know what happened to Emma during her very violent run-in with her one-and only client. Bradley only indicates that while Emma is not a virgin, she’s never experienced an orgasm or enjoyment from sex.
“God, I’ve never seen anything more erotic in my life than watching you come for me, Emma.”
Emma cupped his bristly cheek, “I never have, before.”
His heavy-lidded eyes widened.
“Never?”
“Never.”
Samuel went still for an instant, but then a satisfied smile curved his lips.”Only for me.”
“Only you...I didn’t think women could er..do that”.
Good on her for getting hers, truly. But we aren’t going to be privy to what happens when the newly minted Lady Lymington makes her first appearance in a London ballroom after everyone knows her history as a kept woman? I’ve read enough HR to know that it would be ugly, but Bradley just glosses over this.
I can’t say that I would recommend this book unless you are a completist and want to finish out the series. Although, having only read one of the four, I’m not likely to venture into the others. I think there are better authors that handle both mystery HR and courtesan turned lady HR in a more deft hand. Seek out any Amanda Quick, Lisa Kleypas, etc.
November 13, 2021
Wonderful story of Miss Emma Downing and Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington. Emma is working with Lady Clifford (owner of an unorthodox school for young girls) to solve a crime that has occurred at the Lymington country estate. Samuel appears to be a hard, unfeeling, grumpy man, but underneath he cares for his family deeply and would also like to solve the problems at his estate. Loved these characters - Emma is strong and determined with many secrets to hide and Samuel is all steel on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside. Their relationship is wonderful to watch, including their relationships with their families. The intrigue will have you turning the pages and the emotions will have you enthralled.
March 14, 2022
In the 4th installment of this series, it is Emma's turn to step up to a challenge. She had endured so much in her young life but was saved from the streets.
She is set to the task to find out what has been happening to the disappearance of maids from an estate. Disguising herself, she soon comes into contact with the Lord of the manner.
Samuel has just returned home and finds the home in chaos. When he comes into contact with Emma, he realizes she is not all she seems.
Suspense, intrigue and of course a building romance keeps this story moving until the end!
She is set to the task to find out what has been happening to the disappearance of maids from an estate. Disguising herself, she soon comes into contact with the Lord of the manner.
Samuel has just returned home and finds the home in chaos. When he comes into contact with Emma, he realizes she is not all she seems.
Suspense, intrigue and of course a building romance keeps this story moving until the end!
April 1, 2023
A very enjoyable historical romance with a bit of mystery. Nice addition to the series.
October 25, 2021
This is the fourth in the series, I've read this series from the beginning but you can pick up the series at any point and not have too many spoilers.
The title is a bit of a misnomer. Emma is not a virgin, she has worked as a courtesan and she has suffered because of it. I'm assuming the title is to keep in line with the others in the series.
The plot was well thought out I was surprised at who the baddie turned out to be. I'm usually not surprised so fair play to the author for keeping me guessing. I'm not enamored with the series but it is an entertaining read.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The title is a bit of a misnomer. Emma is not a virgin, she has worked as a courtesan and she has suffered because of it. I'm assuming the title is to keep in line with the others in the series.
The plot was well thought out I was surprised at who the baddie turned out to be. I'm usually not surprised so fair play to the author for keeping me guessing. I'm not enamored with the series but it is an entertaining read.
I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 27, 2021
Clever and beautiful Emma Downing is a member of the Swooning Virgins Society, a group of young and brave women set to bring the corrupt members of the aristocracy to justice. She owes a great debt of gratitude to Lady Clifford, the founder of the Society, who helped her escape a life of shame and suffering by bringing her to her Clifford Charity School and she’d hate to let her down… So she pours herself into the task of investigating the disappearance of two young maids and the alleged involvement of a rakish member of the aristocracy. What Emma is definitively not looking for is love, because love doesn’t exist and even if it did, she wouldn’t deserve it…
Lord Samuel Lymington has just come back from serving in the Navy, finding his dear cousin in big trouble. He really has to help him get his life straight and having the seductive Emma in his way is a big nuisance… Especially when he is the one who’s being bewitched by her.
Anna Bradley is firmly in my top ten list of authors and this book was a real treat, full of intrigue, mystery and most of all Romance with the capital R. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel is over the top and sparks fly when they verbally spar as well as when they kiss passionately. Both characters are wonderfully brought to life by the writing talent of the author and the reader can’t help feeling for sweet and brave Emma and suffering with her until her deserved HEA. Definitively a page-turner
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Merged review:
Clever and beautiful Emma Downing is a member of the Swooning Virgins Society, a group of young and brave women set to bring the corrupt members of the aristocracy to justice. She owes a great debt of gratitude to Lady Clifford, the founder of the Society, who helped her escape a life of shame and suffering by bringing her to her Clifford Charity School and she’d hate to let her down… So she pours herself into the task of investigating the disappearance of two young maids and the alleged involvement of a rakish member of the aristocracy. What Emma is definitively not looking for is love, because love doesn’t exist and even if it did, she wouldn’t deserve it…
Lord Samuel Lymington has just come back from serving in the Navy, finding his dear cousin in big trouble. He really has to help him get his life straight and having the seductive Emma in his way is a big nuisance… Especially when he is the one who’s being bewitched by her.
Anna Bradley is firmly in my top ten list of authors and this book was a real treat, full of intrigue, mystery and most of all Romance with the capital R. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel is over the top and sparks fly when they verbally spar as well as when they kiss passionately. Both characters are wonderfully brought to life by the writing talent of the author and the reader can���t help feeling for sweet and brave Emma and suffering with her until her deserved HEA. Definitively a page-turner
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lord Samuel Lymington has just come back from serving in the Navy, finding his dear cousin in big trouble. He really has to help him get his life straight and having the seductive Emma in his way is a big nuisance… Especially when he is the one who’s being bewitched by her.
Anna Bradley is firmly in my top ten list of authors and this book was a real treat, full of intrigue, mystery and most of all Romance with the capital R. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel is over the top and sparks fly when they verbally spar as well as when they kiss passionately. Both characters are wonderfully brought to life by the writing talent of the author and the reader can’t help feeling for sweet and brave Emma and suffering with her until her deserved HEA. Definitively a page-turner
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Merged review:
Clever and beautiful Emma Downing is a member of the Swooning Virgins Society, a group of young and brave women set to bring the corrupt members of the aristocracy to justice. She owes a great debt of gratitude to Lady Clifford, the founder of the Society, who helped her escape a life of shame and suffering by bringing her to her Clifford Charity School and she’d hate to let her down… So she pours herself into the task of investigating the disappearance of two young maids and the alleged involvement of a rakish member of the aristocracy. What Emma is definitively not looking for is love, because love doesn’t exist and even if it did, she wouldn’t deserve it…
Lord Samuel Lymington has just come back from serving in the Navy, finding his dear cousin in big trouble. He really has to help him get his life straight and having the seductive Emma in his way is a big nuisance… Especially when he is the one who’s being bewitched by her.
Anna Bradley is firmly in my top ten list of authors and this book was a real treat, full of intrigue, mystery and most of all Romance with the capital R. The chemistry between Emma and Samuel is over the top and sparks fly when they verbally spar as well as when they kiss passionately. Both characters are wonderfully brought to life by the writing talent of the author and the reader can���t help feeling for sweet and brave Emma and suffering with her until her deserved HEA. Definitively a page-turner
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2021
In London’s brothels and bawdy houses, sin and scandal run rampant. Yet as Emma Downing knows, far worse perils often lurk within the lavish homes of high society. Emma has been tasked with uncovering secrets at the Lymington family’s country estate, the scene of a rash of mysterious disappearances. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquis of Lymington, is no easy mark, and Emma fears he may see through both her disguise and her feigned indifference to his seductive charm. Recently returned to England after a long absence, Samuel finds his family in chaos amid disquieting rumours floating about town. His young cousin Lancelot Lovell, has become a worthless rake, several housemaids have gone missing, and then there is Emma, who is clearly not the naïve debutante she pretends to be.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own the series is very good & I do like to start at the beginning. The story flowed well & the characters had depth. I really liked both Samuel & Emma & thoroughly enjoyed their road a HEA. I loved the epilogue, which rounded off the series beautifully. However I was left with some questions unanswered, which droped this lovely story from five stars to four
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own the series is very good & I do like to start at the beginning. The story flowed well & the characters had depth. I really liked both Samuel & Emma & thoroughly enjoyed their road a HEA. I loved the epilogue, which rounded off the series beautifully. However I was left with some questions unanswered, which droped this lovely story from five stars to four
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
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