This has been a terrific series so far, and Larceny is also excellent.
I found Dante's character fascinating. He is honest, but he can be deceptive. He is "extraordinarily nice," but his sister and niece know that he can be condescending, too. He is very intelligent, but he doesn't listen to good advice. In short, Dante is like real people: a ball of contradictions. His good points far outweigh his bad points, though, so he is likeable. Also, he does a good grovel when necessary.
Willie is interesting to watch, too, because she is struggling to leave a frivolous life behind and become a true adult. Her path is complicated, but her efforts to improve herself are honest. She has a pretty clear view of herself, and that moves her character forward through the whole book. I love that she forms a group of true friends from her traveling companions.
While Dante and Willie are doing their best, we get to travel with them and see 1889 Europe. The location details are very well done (even better than in the first book IMO), but they do not bog things down. I found myself wondering about all sorts of places they went and doing some Googling. The secondary characters with them provide entertainment and insights as we go. There are lots of allusions to great art and literature in here, and I couldn't help but think of Room with a View (book and movie) while reading the parts in Venice.
I enjoyed this very much, and I want to read it again more slowly and pick up bits I missed the first time. But the very ending (not the HEA but the last line) killed me, and I am dying to discuss it with someone! I highly recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading this second book in the Lady Travelers Guide series. It was just as entertaining as the first one was. The characters feel so real that I want to join them in their adventures. I can not wait to see what will happen next.

I received an ARC from the author for purposes of an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the Lady’ Traveler’s Guide series and so much fun! Great characters and good story.

Take one fun loving, nearly destitute, widow. Partner her with a stuffy, uptight, rich gentleman, who has a family business that's about to go under. Add in the opportunity to travel, the intrigue of art theft, the excitement of traveling to Europe, and the possibility of a big payday...What do you have.? The latest in the Lady Travelers Guide books by Victoria Alexander!

What fun this book is! I adored the first book in this series and the novella as well. Once again we're swept into the machinations of a group of older ladies, looking to make mischief, well meaning mischief, but mischief all the same!

Lady Wilhelmina Bascombe (Willie), married for love. Unfortunately her husband left her in debt, and her family has written her off. She has one chance to live independently and is determined to make that happen.

Very proper Dante Montague, is the curator of his grandfather's failing museum. While taking stock of the museum's artifacts, he realizes one of the most highly prized paintings is a fake! If he can find the real painting, perhaps the museum will survive.

Willie and Dante head to the continent in search of the same thing, dragging a contingent of mother and daughter tourists with them! What can go wrong?

Once again the amount of research Ms. Alexander puts into her books shines though. I'm always amazed and learn something new about history when I read one of her novels. This is a gem.

This may be my new favorite series. From the detailed descriptions of the European cities to the engaging dialogue, I feel like I’m right there with a characters experiencing the adventure.
Lady Wilhelmina Bascombe, or Willie as she’s known to her friends, carefree life came to a crashing end when her husband dies and she realizes that she is on a verge of being penniless. Instead a finding a rich husband she decides to take charge of her life and find a way to secure her future, which means settling her husbands debt and using the remaining funds to reclaim a panting her husband used for a loan. After auctioning that painting she will have enough money to be independent, but she has no means to get there. Yet fate intervenes in the form of the Lady Travelers Society and its three meddling founders - who manage to have Willie “host” a tour of Americans.
Dante Augustus Montague is the only member of his family that shares his love of art and wants to preserve his family’s legacy. But when cataloguing the art his grandfather left in the family museum is notices that one of the paintings in a valuable three piece set is a fake and he is determined to find it. He soon discovers that Lady Bascombe was in possession of the painting and is on her way to Venice to reclaim it. Not wanting to lose site of it again, Dante forces his sister and niece to join the tour so that he can be there when Lady Bascombe reclaims the painting.
But nothing goes according the plan, Dante and Willie weren’t expecting the attraction that they felt for each other and Dante struggles with telling Willie the reason he joined the tour. This adventure is filled with laughter, undeniable chemistry, and a little bit of larceny. Wonderful read and cannot wait for the next installment.

This was Ocean's 11 meets historical Italy and add a bit of romance. This was a hilarious romp through Europe in pursuit of a painting of an adult nature. I absolutely love the hero and the heroine. They were a perfect fit for each other.

Two years after the death of her husband and Lady Wilhelmina Bascombe is just returning to society and beginning to understand that the extravagant life she previously led was a sham. That her husband mismanaged their money, and the debt collectors have come calling. Her only saving grace may be a painted left to her by her grandmother. The problem, Willie's dearly departed used the painting as collateral to attain a loan from a collector in Rome. Luckily, the Lady Travler's Society is here to help. Posing as a "hostess" of a small tour of Europe, Willie will be able to afford the trip to Rome to reclaim her painting.

Dante Montague's passion for art has led him to the position of curator for his late grandfather's art collection / museum. It's a wonderful collection, but what could really put the museum on the map of places to visit would be Dante finding the missing piece of a triptych painting. Dante's traced the painting's whereabouts to Lady Bascombe. Dante decides to become apart of Willie's tour of Europe in order to assure that the painting ends up in its rightful owner's hands.

What niether Willie nor Dante expect is to fall in love with one another. But to forge ahead with their relationship someone has to give up their claim on the painting.

I enjoyed this second book in the series as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series. The descriptions of travel from Paris, to Morocco, to Rome were very detailed and the vividness of the landmarks and places of interest were wonderful. I felt like this aspect, however, was a bit unbalanced with more time spent describing some places and others just received a mere mention.

What I especially liked about this story is the role-reversal, of sorts, in that Willie is the one with the reputation (making her I supposed the "bad girl" in lieu of being a "bad boy" romance), and Dante is the one who has never had a real "adventure" instead following the rules to a T. It was interesting to see Dante and Willie bring out their own respective characteristics in each other. Willie teaches Dante how to have a little fun, and Dante teaches Willie that it's ok to enjoy the simpler things. I do wish that Willie's reputation was a bit more scandalous, but given the time period it was, just not really by today's standards.

Beyond the romance, I loved that we get to see Willie trying to come into her own after the death of her husband. Retrieving and then turning around and selling her painting will ensure that Willie is able to live comfortably for quite sometime. One cannot fault her for fighting Dante on the painting's true ownership when her life is on the line. And Dante, wanting the painting to preserve his family's (namely his grandfather's) legacy is not a small thing either. Wanting to honor our name, our blood is no small feat. I think sometimes we can forget about things like that.

So I liked how, ultimately, the romance takes all of this into consideration. What would a love be if it was tainted by taking something away from the other person? Or, what are you willing to give up for the person you love? If you aren't willing to give it up, is your love not as strong? A lot of interesting quandaries and I think Victoria Alexander handled it wonderfully.

I can't wait to see what adventures await the Lady Traveler's Society next.

Wilhelmina, Viscountess Bascome, Willie to her friends, needs to get to Venice to retrieve a valuable painting her late husband used as collateral for a loan. After his untimely death, Willie learned that they were debt ridden and she is basically penniless. When she learns about the painting, it seems like the answer to all her problems, she just needs to get to Venice. She calls on her godmother, Poppy, knowing she is a founding member of the Lady Travelers Society, hoping she will be able to help. Poppy and her friends arrange for Willie to led a tour of American women to Venice. Willie has no experience traveling - but really, how hard could it be?

Dante Montague is also on the hunt for the painting. The painting belonged to his grandfather and was recently discovered missing. Dante will do whatever is necessary to retrieve the painting and return it the family museum - a legacy left by his grandfather. He tracks the painting to Willie and convinces his sister Rosaline (Roz) and his niece Harriet (Harry) to join the tour to Venice so he can tag along and reclaim the painting.

Dante makes it his mission to befriend Willie, but soon his feeling change and he wants her in his life, but he also wants the painting and the longer he waits to tell her his true purpose, the harder it gets. He is repeatedly warned by Roz to tell Willie the truth, but he never finds the right time.

Willie is falling for Dante, hard, but she has made mistakes in the past and is not willing to make them again. When she learns his true reason for joining the tour, she is heartbroken and angry. But she is not willing to let go of the painting either.

When the reach Venice, they form a truce to retrieve the painting - but gaining the painting will most definitely cost them any chance at happiness, as neither is willing to give it up.

This book was so delightful, it is well written - I was astounded at the amount of research that must have gone into the writing of this story, the descriptions of each city were amazing and very detailed! The secondary characters were wonderful and added so much to the story without overshadowing the love story and there is an appearance by "Val" Percival, Marquess of Brookings, a lot of amusing banter, a bit of steam, betrayal, heartache, larceny, surprises and a grand romantic gesture. The road to HEA is not easy for these two - but it is quite an enjoyable journey!

This kindle edition also included the novella "The Rise and Fall of Reginald Everheart", but I will review that separately.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the author*

A throughly delightful story! Adventure awaits as the Lady Travelers Society sets a tour group off to Venice. Lady Willie is leading a group of mostly American women and their daughters thru France and Italy, showing them sites she supposedly has seen. Guide book and maps in hand, she shoulders the responsibility of these women with a personal end-goal.

This book is a great, fun read!

To be featured on my blog and on Goodreads.

A fantastic concept for a series. My one issue: the American spelling in the name of the club the women are in! They're meant to be British!

I loved this charming travel adventure story. The opposite attracts/forced proximity stories are delightful if done right, and Victoria Alexander nailed it with this story. The supporting characters are delightful, the mystery kept me guessing and the setting of the Paris World Fair is not one I've read much about. I can't wait to read more books in this series and hope that the covers keep the same style as this one, because it is gorgeous.

Enjoyed this even more than the first in the series. The friendships among the secondary characters was wonderful, and every scene was vividly memorable. Looking forward to more!

The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger is part of the Lady Travelers Society series. It tells the story of Lady Wilhelmina ("Willie") Bascombe. She is a widow who is on a search for a painting belonging to her family. The painting is now in Venice. In order to travel to Venice, she has agreed to host a tour for the Lady Travelers Society. The tour consists of mothers and daughters ... and a dashing man named Dante Montague. Dante is in search of the same painting, which he believes belongs in the family museum that he curates.

Before Willie leaves on the trip, she meets with Poppy, her godmother, and one of the founders of The Lady Travelers Society. Poppy tells her: "I must tell you, Wilhelmina, that the most wonderful things in life are often those we least expect" (eBook loc. 187-88). This novel, and Willie's trip, is full of the unexpected!

This is a delightful, fast paced read. Like The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentleman (reviewed previously at my blog), it is a fun-filled romp. The reader will join Willie, Dante, and a likable group of secondary characters on a trip across Europe. There is humor and a bit of adventure, as well as the joy of armchair travels through Paris and Venice of another time.

I enjoyed the characters of Willie and Dante. It was interesting that they both were pretending to be something they weren't initially. Willie was pretending to be more efficient and well traveled than she actually was, and Dante was pretending to be more dashing and worldly than he was. This led to some interesting scenes and surprising exchanges between the two.

The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger is an engaging, lively read with likable characters and lovely historical settings. I enjoyed it, and look forward to my next travels with The Lady Travelers Society.

Victoria Alexander's second Lady Travelers Society novel is a sparkling gem filled with witty dialogue, intriguing characters, and a delightful romance that unfolds against the backdrop of some of Europe's oldest and most beautiful cities. I didn't want to put it down.

Willie and Dante are so much fun! Poor Dante. He's a brilliant businessman, passionate about his art and his family, who accompanies his sister and niece on the mother/daughter tour being "hosted" by Willie with one goal in mind: retrieve his grandfather's painting before Willie can. He's had the lady thoroughly investigated, of course and expects what rumor and reputation suggest. What he discovers is someone more complex, more intelligent, more challenging, more lovely. Will his goal change mid-stream? Will the lady become more important than the painting? Will she ever forgive his deception? Will his sister spend the rest of her life saying, "I told you so?"

I adored Willie. Growing up without the loving guidance of caring parents, she eloped with her charming husband at a young age and embarked upon a madcap life that was all parties and fun. It all comes to a crashing halt when she finds herself a widow at twenty-eight, is deserted by all of her "friends," and discovers her philandering husband has left her not just penniless but in debt. Recovering the painting left to her by her grandmother will bring her the much-needed funds to ensure her survival. Hosting the tour is a means to an end. She doesn't expect to enjoy it - or the people on it - quite so much. She doesn't expect to discover how much more she really is, or to make friends, real friends, or to find love - the deep, lasting, genuine kind. But will that love survive Dante's deception?

I enjoyed Alexander's first Lady Travelers book but this one is even better. The entire cast of characters is a delight, vibrantly drawn and encouraging the reader to know them better. I'm hopeful some of them will show up again in future Lady Travelers books. The cities visited on the tour are also characters of a sort. Alexander's descriptions are a feast for the senses, making me feel as if I were right there with Willie, Dante and the others, absorbing the history, the scenery, and the romance of their destinations. It made me want to book a tour of my own!

If you enjoy witty banter, heartfelt romance, and characters that leap from the pages, all set within some of Europe's most fascinating cities, book your own tour with Willie and Dante in Victoria Alexander's The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger.

4.5 stars

This was an entertaining historical romance. I enjoyed the main characters, Willie and Dante, and thought that the storyline was different and interesting for this genre. The romance was touching and I liked the chemistry between the main characters. I really enjoyed the picturesque setting and the touch of mystery. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

I LOVED Willy and Dante's story!!

The banter between Will and Dante had me laughing out loud!! I loved watching the two of them fall in love after having disastrous experiences in the past. They were so cute together!!

I've loved this series and I hope that Alexander has many more books for it in the works!!

Favorite Quotes:

Willie and her father, the Earl of Hillborough, hadn’t spoken in nearly eleven years. On occasion, she missed the father he might have been but not once did she regret the loss of the father he was.

From the look on Marian’s face one would have thought the clouds had parted and a shaft of celestial light had shone upon her. Willie wouldn’t have been at all surprised if the dulcet sounds of heavenly choirs weren’t ringing in Marian’s ears at this very moment.

Yes, well, the idea of daughters someday sounds delightful when someday is very far off. But then someday arrives and you’re living with this clever, subtly deceitful creature whose greatest joy in life is outwitting you because she thinks you are the enemy of all she wants in life. Oh, and she’s certain you’re stupid, as well…

I suppose if one is going to have a reputation it should at least be interesting.

I stopped being horribly narrow-minded about that sort of thing years ago. Mind you, I do not approve of infidelity or flagrant immorality but I have come to accept that even the best of us are fallible… Not me, of course, but most people.

My Review:

I rarely read historical fiction but this was cleverly amusing, good fun, and an educational travelogue of sorts, I pleasantly toured through Europe with first-class accommodations and a lively set of fellow travelers, without having to leave my home. I toured Paris without standing in even one line, nor was I forced to endure a screaming baby or a bratty child kicking my seat while trapped on an airplane for hours. I also learned quite a bit about art and history, and that the Eiffel Tower was expected to be a temporary structure, and my mother always scolded me for reading fiction while claiming it was a waste of time! This was my first experience reading Victoria Alexander’s work and I found it delightful amusing and well plotted. Her characters were intriguing quirky, well drawn, and wily. Despite the unexpected length and considerable time required to complete a book of 544 pages, I reveled in the refreshing change of pace of an infrequent genre and the crisp style and tone of the narrative as well as the conundrums and entertaining storylines. But my favorite parts of the book involved the amusing banter and clever exchanges between the feisty characters as they engaged in humorous battles of wit and sass as they trundled along and melded their individual agendas into a united caper.

I'll admit, I found this story a bit slow in the beginning, but I am glad I stuck with it. It ended up being a really fun read. Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger is the second book in the Lady Travelers Society series. In a way, I wish I had read the first book because I feel like I would have gotten more background on how this society started. However, I still enjoyed the story.

Once the trip with Willie and her companions got underway, I was pulled right in and was eager to take the journey with them. I loved watching Willie and Dante fall for each other. They were really cute together and their flirtations had some laugh out loud moments. The rest of the characters added a lot of color to the tale as well. I enjoyed that aspect of the story almost as much as the romance part. The author did a wonderful job of describing late 1880s Europe. If you are looking for a fun romance with a little adventure, then definitely pick this one up. I'm going to have to go back and read the first book!

Victoria Alexander can write; I’ve read a few of her stories and every time it amazes me how much I enjoy her stories. She puts a lot of work in the research which is show how exact and colorful she describes all the places characters visit.

Everything about this historical romance worked for me. From the way Willie had to grow up when her husband died and leaves her with debt
and then is “forced” to go on this great journey to help her change her life. Willie and Dante were a great combination. They banter was funny, the connection and chemistry was felt the more time they spent together. I think that special something to this story were the American mothers and daughters.
I could just picture myself walking along side them and having a witty conversation or simply observing the way they interacted amongst them.

I don’t remember the last time I read a historical romance that held me to my seat and wouldn’t let go until I read the last line. It reminded me how much I love and how much I miss reading this type of books.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

The Lady Travelers Guide to Larceny with a Dashing Stranger (The Lady Travelers Society, #2)
by Victoria Alexander
Larceny, romance, humor, life and all of the challenges in between. What a read! I must say that the truly unexpected way of the stories plot line to each of the characters were an absolute delight! You will love the secondary as well as the primary characters. Each element of this book just makes the next wonderful. There were a couple of spots that I could not get through so I had to unfortunately go 4 stars instead of the five the book should of had. All in all this will keep your attention and keep your emotions on the roller coaster ride. The author is one that has a flair in writing a story and keeping her readers enthralled. Her gift of writing makes each chapter one you cannot wait to continue. So buy this one and just enjoy the read. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom