Brilliant! Funny and more!

The dark, earnest assassin and the lovely insecure widow with a genius for chemistry!
Violet Hughes, Lady Greycliff, is developing an antidote to poison gas being used by a radical worker’s organization. The prime minister’s agent Arthur Kneland has been deployed as her body guard after a failed assassination attempt.
Arthur’s idea of the widow, before he meets her it must be admitted, is way below par. He should have listened more closely to his employer, Lord Greycliff, Violet’s stepson when he muttered,“Funny how chaos seems to follow behind certain women.” Arthur is about to get the surprise of his life.
Violet is one of the founders of Athena’s Retreat, a salon that fronts for a secret society allowing women scientists to pursue their chosen areas of investigation away from the disapproving society of the times.
I’m not sure if the developing relationship between Arthur and Violet is a slow smouldering burn or attraction at first sight. After all Violet did reflect at their torrid first meeting, that Arthur’s “eyes were what told Violet she would be safe, no matter what.”
As for Arthur I love his acceptance and delight in Violet. To him “something happened when Violet explained a scientific theory. She glowed. Her stained, work-worn hands flew up with a sudden grace, illustrating a point as if pulling the knowledge from the air. What a beautiful sight, watching her revel in imparting secrets of how the world worked.”
This has it all! A Victorian mystery romance that delights! I’m looking forward to more from Everett!

A Berkeley Group 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.)

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett is not your usual Regency Romance. Rather than a simple frolic showcasing Regency London as a playground for the idle rich aristocracy, this novel shines a splash of light on the disgruntled of the times: the poor and working class, middle class, LGBTQ people, and women. There are even people of color in the novel, though their roles are small. (Really, the only ones enjoying themselves in this time period were the wealthy white men.)

The heroine is Violet Hughes, Lady Greycliff, a young widow and brilliant scientist. She is nursing old wounds because her deceased, significantly older husband had tried to quash her brains and turn her into a gentlewoman hostess, the appropriate role for the wife of an earl. He criticized her looks, her outspokenness, and her desire for physical affection. Upon his death, somewhat freed by it, she formed a ladies’ club, the Athena Retreat, for women to come together, support one another, and pursue various scientific endeavors. They pretend it’s merely a social club, but even that is enough to stir animosity among those who don’t belong and find the idea of women socializing to be an outrage.

Meanwhile, Chartists are advocating for universal male suffrage, and some of the protests are growing violent. One group, led by Adam Winters, has begun exploding canisters of gas that poison the lungs of innocent bystanders or those sent to quell the protests. The British government must spring into action.

Violet’s stepson is a government agent. Well aware of Violet’s expertise in chemistry, he asks her to create an antidote to the gas. Unfortunately, as she works on it, word leaks out somehow and she becomes a target. In order to protect her, her son brings in another agent, Arthur Kneland, a skilled bodyguard, one of the best. Arthur is looking forward to retiring, buying a farm in the north country where he grew up, and one last well-paying assignment will set him up. Guarding one female from disgruntled protesters should not be that difficult. As long as he doesn’t get distracted. . .

Of course, he does. From the beginning, Arthur and Violet are seized with undeniable lust for one another, which blossoms into love. The novel leans a bit too heavily into the sex scenes to drive the plot along, but there is also character development, the opening up of their hearts as they confess their inner hurts, and the denouement of the political danger. It took a while for me to get involved with the story because the plot seemed too farfetched, but the characters were both amusing and poignant and the underlying theme of female empowerment made it a worthwhile read.

Lady Violet get awarded a contract from the government for a new scientific discovery.  This brilliant woman who has a club for women that masquerades as a place to convene for sewing and gossip. But is actually a secret place for woman to research and hold scientific experiments.

This new attention brings threats to Lady Violet, enter protection officer Arthur. They have instant chemistry. Violet is a widow and her husband was an abusive prick (verbally, we don't hear it only the after effects on her self esteem) and this bodyguard is teaching her how to love herself. 

But she is a lady of the ton, she has to choose the prudent Earl, the family friend who can keep her reputation intact but is like a brother. 

Will she be able to follow her heart and her lady parts to the man she wants and screw convention?

This book was unputdownable (is that a word?) with entertaining smart characters, steamy romance, STEM sexy talk, woman's rights, mystery, intrigue, and balls (the ones you dance at, you people have dirty minds!)!

I love this cover! I love silhouettes, the colors, font and the heart!!!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Thank you Berkley Romance and Net Galley for the advanced readers copy for my honest and voluntary review.

Reviewed on Goodreads 2/3/21:

DNF'd at 25% in.

This had a lot of promising aspects to it, but something isn't clicking for me. It seems to have mostly good reviews so YMMV.

I love the idea of a secret club for women who are more science-minded being able to express themselves and experiment without worry or prying eyes. I like a bodyguard romance. But I struggled with the characters--they didn't feel real. I felt keenly aware I was reading a book, which may sound weird, but I think you know the feeling when you're lost in a story compared to...not. Going along with that, the dialogue didn't flow naturally. I found myself rereading sections for clarity because it wasn't easy to fall into the rhythm of the prose.

My biggest disappointment was the insta-attraction. Arthur and Violet thought there was something completely electric and unique about each other from the VERY first glance across the street. One simple TOUCH from Arthur folding his body over Violet to protect her from an explosion (their first interaction) and she was all, oh baby, yes yes. Every moment they're around each other they're fighting their impulses and we're only 25% into the book. I would've loved for their romance to instead grow from being protector/protected to friends to a mutual respect/attraction (GIRL GONE VIRAL by Alisha Rai is a modern take on the bodyguard trope that I thought was done really well). I know insta-love/attraction is a common happenstance in romance to kinda get the plot going, so this is a very personal pet peeve. If it doesn't bother you, then I hope you enjoy the book!

I received a free ARC version of this book, but that in no way influenced my views. Thanks to Berkley for the early copy!

Lady Violet is a widow and a scandal, and she couldn't care less. Her husband belittled and emotionally beat her down in life, and she's been working on taking herself back since his death. She's the driving force behind Athena's Retreat, a safe place for women to conduct experiments and research science with no fear of ridicule or retribution. But someone isn't happy about it, and after an explosion rocks Athena's Retreat, Violet's stepson retains a bodyguard for Violet: Arthur Kneland.

BODYGUARD VICTORIAN ROMANCE. Brilliant subplots, scorching chemistry between Victoria and Arthur, and smart, strong feminist friendships sold me on this book. Elizabeth Everett's writing is smart, fun, and thumbs it nose at the ton and the patriarchy while giving us a grumpy, hero and a heroine determined to find her place - and a place for other women - in Victorian society that doesn't involve being someone's quiet wallflower.

A dash of romance, a sprinkle of witty banter and intrigue set against the backdrop of Victorian England is the reader's formula for a delightful read. The plot was fast paced and the characters enjoyable. The chemistry between the protagonists was developed almost instantly and there was no slow brewing intrigue with regards to their inevitable romance. If you enjoy Deanna Raybourn you will most likely enjoy this book.

This book was fun… in a screwball comedy, bodyguard falls for the scientist who runs a secret society for other women scientists way. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but I was surprised at how fun and yet off the charts sexy this book turned out to be.

This story features a heroine, Violet, who has a brilliant scientific mind and a desire to see women like her have a safe space to work on their ideas. Violet also works for the Crown through her stepson, Grey. Fearing for her safety Grey hires a bodyguard to keep her safe until she can finish her formula.

Arthur wants to buy a farm and get out of the bodyguard game. The money that Grey has promised him will go a long way toward that goal. And this is supposed to be a super easy job protecting one widow.

As you can imagine, Arthur and Violet get close and spend a whole lot of alone time together and readers of romance know exactly what happens next. I will say that I was surprised by how hot this couple was. I mean the love scenes are many and oh, so sexy. This couple had tremendous chemistry.

I am glad this is series because I am really looking forward to some of the secondary characters’ stories. A Lady’s Formula for Love was a really entertaining, quick read and I think fans of this genre will truly enjoy it.

So I'm an absolute sucker for the bodyguard/guard trope and then you throw it into the historical romance genre I was super sold. Not only that but the fact that these women were doing research and science in secret was awesome. I liked the twist ending and can't wait to see where Elizabeth Everett takes this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Entertaining romance between a widowed Victorian chemist and her bodyguard. Fun banter, humorous situations, and steamy love scenes. I found the romance to be a bit rushed and chemistry (pun intended) was only so so.

Violet, a widow, has created London’s first social club for ladies. A place of acceptance for women who wish to advance their field of science without ridicule from their families, society, or men. Violet has a brilliant scientific mind but was belittled for so many years by her husband she lacks confidence in herself. An illegal worker’s organization, the Omnis, has developed a harmful gas to use against the constables while rioting. Violet’s stepson, Grey, working for the Crown, asks her to develop a compound to neutralize the gas in the air. When her laboratory windows are smashed with bricks, Grey realizes someone knows her secret and he hires long-time professional bodyguard, Arthur, to keep her safe and investigate who is behind the threats. They meet as he rescues her from an explosion at her club. Arthur just wants to take this last job before retiring to a farm to find peace from the tragedy in his past. Violet is the absent minded scientist with funny dialogue that makes Arthur realize someone so unique is very special. As the attacks to stop Violet’s work intensify, Violet and Arthur have to decide if the past will determine their future. A delightful romance with humor and a mystery to solve.

Lady Violet Hughes is a bit different from the other ladies of the ton. For one, she is the founder of a secret society for women scientists. She also, is undergoing a top secret experiment on behalf of the Crown that has put her in danger, so much in fact that she has been assigned a body guard, a rather dashing bodyguard. Arthur Kneland is grateful for this assignment, all he has to do is protect Lady Violet so he can retire to Scotland and live his life without the drama that comes with protecting powerful people, He just has to stay focused, which is proving increasingly difficult the more he gets to know his charge,

This promising new series from Elizabeth Everett has an irresistible premise and cast of eccentric and diverse characters to root for. Arthur and Violet have wonderful chemistry, and Arthur shows a 21st century concept of consent that will delight modern readers. I did feel as though the flow of the story was a bit disjointed, but I think this story will still set up for a strong series that will delight fans of Evie Dunmore and new converts to the genre thanks to Bridgerton.

Oh Violet... oh Arthur....

I adored this feminist AF book. It was just what we need right now. I love that this Regency era novel was easy to read as well as giving us all the feels.

In this book you will find many women who are striving to make innovations to pave their futures but are hindered by their biology. Its fascinating to hear of things we now have being "invented." I recognize that this is a work of fiction but it still gave me the ability to consider how things may have once been.

Also, a young widow and a guard getting together. You know I'm sold!

Thank you so much Berkley Romance ans Netgalley for the advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own.

Cute concept - Victorian era bodyguard romance between a widowed scientist who runs a secret female science society and the man assigned to protect her when she's under attack - but overall pretty poor execution.

The book starts with an explosion, both of a bomb and of characters on the page, and it was probably meant to engage us in the action right away but only served to make our entry into the setting confusing.

Frankly, I think the entire plot about Violet's formula and the danger she/the society was in was underdeveloped - I just finished reading it and I already can't really remember what her formula was for or why the villains were after it. Outside of her two closest friends the plethora of side characters aren't memorable and I think we could have done with trying to keep track of fewer of them.

The romance between her and Arthur was pretty good (and steamy!) and I did appreciate that they were both a little bit older than the usual early 20s-type protagonists. I also thought Violet's emotional journey to move on from her toxic ex-husband was handled well but as a whole, this book just wasn't really for me.

Lady Violet has a secret society for femme scientists and she is busy working on some sort of secret chemistry formula (I’m sorry. I don’t remember why she’s working on this formula, why it’s important, or who it is for. I just know that her life is in danger and someone is trying to sabotage her work, So her step-son hires Arthur to protect her until she finishes the formula. And there is an instant attraction between Violet and Arthur, though Arthur does try to resist his feelings.

This was a fun, charming read. While I’m not a fan of consenting adults having guilt about their attraction (Arthur suffers from this), I did love Violet and Arthur’s dynamic. I love how supportive and in awe Arthur was of Violet’s brain. I loved watching Violet heal from a toxic relationship (her deceased husband was an A+ jerk who belittled her). And I loved that while the main couple was hetero, there was a plethora of queer characters (who will maybe get their own books at some point??)

Elizabeth Everett’s debut novel is a delightfully witty, humorous, romantic, and exciting story filled with lovable characters who will quickly capture your heart. The story is excellently crafted and well-plotted without being predictable.

After her husband died, Lady Violet Hughes was a shadow of the vibrant, fun-loving, brilliant young lady she had been before her marriage. After years of abuse to her self-esteem, she had shrunk into herself. Her dream now that she’s a widow has been to create a retreat, Athena’s Retreat, where other women like herself can be themselves – without the censure of unsupportive spouses and family. These are all brilliant ladies who engage in studies in every scientific field imaginable – botany, chemistry, paleontology, biology – just to name a few. Lady Violet has sunk a considerable chunk of her fortune into creating that retreat and now she needs to gain at least a moderate acceptance from the ton in order to make it acceptable for ladies to become members. Of course, the public face of Athena’s Retreat will be benign and will not show the projects and experiments that are carried on in the non-public areas.

Arthur Kneland is an ultra-elite bodyguard who has just retired from a special branch of the Queen’s service. He has guarded and protected everybody from foreign despots to villains to – well, you name it – all in the name of the Crown. He’s been stabbed, shot, and almost anything else and he is still mostly in one piece and retiring. He’s only had one failure in his service to the Crown and that was his very first case as a very green 18-year-old. That case still haunts him and caused him to exile himself from England for twenty years. Now, he’s back and looking to find a farm to call home – right after he takes this one private case for a good friend – Lord Greycliff. Grey wants him to provide protection for his stepmother, Lady Violet Hughes, while she is working on a very important project for the Crown.

Arthur certainly has his work cut out for him when he finds himself surrounded by quirky, brilliant, secretive ladies who don’t quite trust him – or anyone else for that matter. Their explosive experiments cause him much alarm – especially when there are explosions happening that are far from benign. Lady Violet will not believe that one of her ladies could be involved in a plot against her and therefore is always putting herself in danger. Arthur himself is in danger as well – at least his heart is. Despite his considerable strength of will, he finds himself more and more drawn to Lady Violet – and she appears to be drawn to him as well.

Can a Scottish farmer's son and an English lady find their HEA? Is the villain of the piece one of Lady Violet’s ladies? Or, is the villain Adam Winters, the violent leader of the violent rebel group Omnium Democratia? Or, is the villain Violet’s suitor, Earl Grantham? Or – someone else entirely? You’ll just have to read this delightful book to find out.

This was a great, fun-to-read mystery, but the ending left just a little to be desired. I’m sure this is a personal preference, but it is important to me as a reader. I want the romance to be totally complete in the book. I really dislike it when the book ends with the proposal and acceptance. I always want a wedding and some follow-up from that. An epilogue is absolutely one of my favorites. In this one, I would have LOVED to see their wedding and a scene from several months down-the-road when he receives his ‘honors’. I’d like to know what those honors were. Was he granted a title – maybe a Baron or something? Did he just get medals or was it more substantial? For me, it just felt a bit unfinished because I had too many questions. Therefore, I’ve given it a 4-star rating.

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

3.5 stars

This was an amusing historical cozy romp set in 19th century London. Widowed Lady Violet, who possesses a brilliant scientific mind, was constrained by both society and her husband during her marriage. Now that he's gone, she and like-minded friends have formed what purports to be a social club for women. But, it's actually a sort of scientific inquiry lab, where a whole host of serious scholars and researchers can conduct experiments free of male censure.

Violet is secretly working on an poison antidote for the government. Her stepson is quite fond of Violet and is worried about her safety as there are several dissident groups around that want to derail her work. Enter Arthur, who is an experienced bodyguard who long ago shut off his emotions so he could protect his charges -- some of whom were pretty despicable people. He wants this to be his last job before he retires and moves back home to the rural countryside with his parents and sister before tragedy struck their family and influenza left him the sole survivor.

But Arthur's cold calculated professional attitude and Violet's scientific single minded focus are derailed when an electric sexual and emotional chemistry springs up between them. Meanwhile, the bad guys have found a way into the club and are causing problems, committing vandalism and stealing documents. Can Arthur protect Violet when he is totally distracted by her mere presence?

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was fantastic - I loved both main characters and felt like they both changed from knowing each other. It was a romance between two adults who weren't sure how that romance would fit into their lives. And the club and all the women were entertaining. A great new author find and I can't wait for her to write something else.

Total winner. Brilliant and brave widow running a secret club for a gaggle of eccentric fellow female scientists falls for the gruff and guarded man hired to protect her. Take my money.

There’s a lot to love in this book. First of all the women and STEM plots are among my absolute favorites. I love that these women are literally blowing stuff up. Secondly, the chemistry between Violet and Arthur is most excellent. There are a lot of characters to keep of track of and in the beginning I worried that the pacing wasn’t going to work for me but in the end it wasn’t a problem. I enjoyed this one a lot.

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Lady's Formula for Love gave me big "A League of Extraordinary Women" series vibes with a STEM-twist and I am here for it! Lady Violet leads a women's society that secretly are just brilliant ladies creating and researching (my researcher heart adored seeing this!) but when she starts working on a top-secret project, Arthur is hired as her bodyguard to ensure her, and her works, safety.

I really enjoyed Violet and her character in this story. She wants to push boundaries and pursue what makes her... her! And all the other women in science she works with (I hope we get more of them in this series!) and how they all fit together in hopes and societal expectations. This book also had a mystery element (who behind the attacks on Lady Violet?) that was a fun bonus to the romance storyline.

I am a sucker for multiple POV in romances (I'm selfish and want to know what both sides think!) and I loved seeing both Violet and Arthur's perspectives with the exception that the POV changes weren't as obvious as they should be which pulled me out of the story wondering "wait who is this now?" However, my biggest issue was that it jumps right into action which actually left me a little confused for the first bit of the book as I got my bearings with the time period and characters.

Good book. I like reading romance, but especially romance that emphasizes that a woman can have love AND her own passions (whether that be a career, a hobby, an outside interest of any kind). It was especially interesting to read such a romance novel set in this particular time period.