Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (hhttps://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/a-lady-never-tells-by-lynn-winchester/)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


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Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Slowish burn

Relationship dynamics: The Gentle Lord (H) / Tje Kung Fu Proficient Spy (h)

Sexual content: None. Kissing and mild fondling only.

Triggers: Violence; violent death; drug use (opium dens); heroine who is usually independent and adept, but who becomes a bumbler as soon as an attractive man appears

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some typos, incorrect word usage and comma splices

Review: For any reader who does not appreciate long descriptions of spy training (in this case, Kung Fu training) and long, very detailed introductions to characters (protagonists and villains alike), this book will seem incredibly slow paced. The author also spends a great deal of time in the point of view of the villain, which won’t be to every reader’s taste. It is clear that a great deal of research went into both the setting and the skills displayed throughout the novel, but an unfortunate typo has turned Gunter’s Tea Shoppe into Gunther’s Tea Shoppe, which detracts from the reader’s perception of the quality of the research.

Richard and Victoria are a cute couple with a slowly developing relationship – she definitely has to let him grow on her. I did find, however, that certain of their unchaperoned activities were unlikely to have been acceptable to society in the historical setting. Richard has a bit of a changeable character: he is gentle and sensitive to people’s feelings, but also wants the heroine to “beg” for things and to submit to him. He is also intensely focused on the heroine from the beginning of their acquaintance. I did not find him to be the most engaging hero, but neither was he abhorrent. Victoria is a well-trained fighting and spying machine (although she overestimates some of her skills, like that of disguises). She is also a bit changeable. For most of the book, she wants nothing more than to serve king and country, but then suddenly cries at the thought of never being married, which hadn’t ever bothered her until that point in the story. The supporting characters in this novel are very well developed – in some cases, like the villain, to the point of unnecessary repetition. That being said, I fully intend to look into the second book in the series when it comes out and see if it is of sufficient interest to continue the series.

Princess Bride quote version: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means” – Inigo Montoya



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria is a fighting machine built to do the work of the Crown. She is daring and a Daring. She is strong focused and determined. Richard is trying to find purpose in his life when he meets the enigmatic Victoria. He is able to see through her disguise and the beautiful person she is.

This is the start of a great series. The characters are wonderful. The Daring family is like a group of super heroes. The remind me of the characters in the Incredibles movie. They are vibrant, spunky and fun. The story is filled with intrigue as they try to solve the problems facing their investigation. It is also a love story between Victoria and Richard. It is about building a relationship and accepting the person for who they truly are. It is about becoming a unit and working towards a unified goal. I can’t wait to see how the series will unfold.

An enjoyable though rather far fetched story. The characters were interesting and the plot unusual. I might have given it 5 stars but that I found the Americanisms distracting when set in Regency London
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so engrossed in this story I did not want to put it down.
This story was about Victoria (Vic) and Richard and how their relationship grows. But this book is also about Vic’s family. Vic and her family (4 sisters and a brother) have been trained since they were young to be spies for the Government. They have been taught to fight – with and without weapons, how to blend in society so they can find out information. Richard runs into Victoria while she was on an assignment, and he is intrigue by her. He then runs into her again, dressed as herself, and he knows it is the same person, because he is still intrigue by her. This an also a very clean romance story.
This is the first time I have read a book by this author, and it will not be the last. I feel this book was written well. I hope Lynn Winchester will write books on the rest of Victoria’s siblings.

I received a copy of this book thru NetGalley, with no obligation to review.

This was an interesting read. I really liked the idea of a family dedicated to be historical spies and serving the crown and I really liked the fact that most of them were women, but I do feel that the book tried to be two things at the same time: intrigue and romance and didn't quite achieve it. It's not a bad book at all and both main characters and lovable and wonderful, but at the same time, I feel it could have been better executed. But it was a good book overall and I am intrigued to know what happens next!
*I was given an ARC by the publisher. My views are my own.*

The first in a new Women of Daring series, this book showcases the Daring family whom certainly live up to their name. Victoria (Vic) is a well-trained warrior and Richard is a bored viscount. They ban together to fight a group of opium importers. We learn who some of this group are, but the others will be left for the next book and hopefully the other Daring siblings to handle. Lynn Winchester is a new to me author and I look forward to reading the next book in this series. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Absolutely fabulous book! I read Regency romance - around 5 books a week. I found Winchester’s A Lady Never Tells to be wonderfully creative and refreshing. I loved her heroine Victoria Daring. Winchester infuses some humor into her intrigue and romance. And she brings to life a romantic swoon-worthy hero in Richard Downing. “Cursing under her breath, she looked up into the face of a man who couldn’t possibly be of earth… His striking green and gold eyes flashed with self-reproach, but that disappeared quickly, a look of shock rising up to fill his gaze with a brightness that made her heart thud. Dark brows arched to disappear behind a dashing fall of blond locks. And his lips...the bottom one fuller than the top, they quirked into a lopsided smile that made her belly flip.” The Darings are my new favorites. Crossing my fingers that the next book will be about another Daring adventure. I was given a copy of this book.

The main plot is interesting and, while I think I know who the head villain is, I’m still not quite sure. That being said, this isn’t what I’d call a romance. It’s more of a who-done-it/spy/intrigue read. There is a romance subplot, but it never really takes center stage until the last few pages of the book.

There is no cursing (I think), sex (for sure) and a total of 2-3 kisses. So, very lite on the sort of romance I enjoy, but worth a read if you like a good dose of intrigue enhanced by a few bad@ss female spies.

On a side note: I found the author’s bio very interesting — the things she chose to highlight that is, ...California-born conservative ....[when not writing] spends her time raising fours kids and making sure her husband is happy. No judgement here, it’s just interesting.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<b>SUCH AN INTERESTING FEMALE LEAD!</b>

Many historical fiction novels have 'atypical' female leads, but usually that means they are studious, have a smart mouth and a quick wit or perhaps even a profession. Victoria, the female lead of this book, is the first one I can positively say was 'atypical' and in the best way! It gave a nice spice to the genre and I can't wait to read more of this series!

<blockquote><i><b>"There are so many more things a person can do simply because they were born with berries and not bosoms."
- Victoria Daring</b></i></blockquote>

<b>THE THINGS I LIKED</b>

<u>Victoria</u>: How can you not love a highbred lady, who doubles as a kung-fu fighting, french speaking spy??

<u>Plot</u>: As the name of the genre 'historical romance' suggests, the romance in these books are often the thing that carries them. But that was not the case here, because there was actually an interesting, engaging and surprising plot that went beyond mere romance - and I loved it!

<u>Relationship</u>: Not only was Victoria Daring a great female lead, her counterpart Richard was equally awesome! I loved his fierceness and his clear infatuation with Victoria.

I thought the premise of this book was intriguing and looked forward to reading about spies and the ton. Unfortunately, there were a lot of instances that didn't ring true for me for a period piece. I made it to 30% on my kindle before I gave up on the book. I couldn't get behind the characters and didn't care what may happen to them.

I enjoyed this read! It was one that captured me from the beginning. Lynn does a great job bringing her characters to life.

Can a woman raised to be on the top of what was expected from her, find someone whom will accept her wholly.

Right from the premise of the book I was intrigued, the Darings siblings were introduced as a group of super agents in the making with an historical background.
Then there were many breaches in the historical rules, how a second son of a duke could be a Viscount, was he rewarded a tittle?
It is the regency period, never a young woman on the shelf or not could have been allowed to go out with a gentleman without someone acting as a chaperone.
The main characters are nice persons, Richard, after some years of wandering among the London society, finds himself bored and looking for giving a true meaning to his life.
Victoria is herself lost, her upbringing made her a powerful weapon but her heart is confused on how combining spying and a family life outside hers. She has so many uncertainties, when her job requires self-confidence.
So when they partner, they also bring focus on themselves and those around them.

I loved the idea and the relationship between the different Darings, each has its own strong personality. But the more the story progressed, the more I had doubts about Victoria, for the eldest and supposed strongest, she was quickly unsettled and lacking reactions. And I am not fond of women with wobbling knees when around handsome men. For all her training, she lacked a bit of strength to control her own feelings. Sure, nobody is perfect, and flaws help to render a character more realistic, I would have preferred her less emotional and perturbed when around Richard, more focused on her mission.
I am very much interested in her sisters’ and brother’s evolution, they all sound a great group of very various and vivid personalities.

In all, it was an entertaining read with a suspenseful background and a bunch of colorful characters.
4 stars

I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Entangled. I purchased my own copy.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I thought the premise of this book was excellent and the overall plot was entertaining. I thought Victoria was a great character if a bit too modern acting, but I'm not holding that against the author since that's a pretty common theme of current Regency fiction since women certainly weren't that independent at that time as a whole. I really liked that there was an awesome family with great relationships with her sisters to support our heroine as well, who gave all been trained to have skills other than trying to find husbands (in the case of Victoria's sisters). Actually I think these relationships were the highlight of the book for me, not the romantic one.

My biggest issue is the lack of appropriate titles. As the younger brother of a Duke, Richard would be Lord Richard, not referred to as Lord Downing. And unless I missed it, how did he become a Viscount? Because unless he was made a peer for service to the country, his only title would be Lord Richard. It throws me off in books when there's inaccurate title/references to titles when the characters are speaking to each other.

Despite the above comment, this was promising and I am interested to see who else in the Daring family may get their own story.

This novel was an enjoyable read, with a kick-ass heroine. Lady Victoria Daring has lived in China with her family all her life until the are called back to England to work for His Majesty’s personal spy network. Victoria is a talented fighter as well as a master of disguise. Lord Richard Downing, a viscount, is bored with his life and with some of the friends he has. While attending an event, he comes across a maid with the most astounding blue eyes that he cannot forget. When he discovers it is Victoria, he sees her as someone who does not conform to the typical debutante and wants to know her. Victoria is shocked to discover someone has seen through her disguises, yet cannot help but be intrigued by Richard, but he is part of her list of suspects. Richard becomes more entangled with Victoria and her family, trying to discover who is responsible for the attacks going on within the city. Their attraction grows and develops in love, but Victoria cannot let Richard be involved with her dangerous life style. Victoria will do anything to keep Richard safe, even from herself.