I enjoyed the scientific society element of this book, it reminded me a bit of older Amanda Quick novels with secret lady societies and there were some truths faced about privilege in the book that I hope continue into future books.
Lady Violet has been assigned a bodyguard, Arthur, by her stepson. Violet is working on an antidote for a spray formula used by protestors that has caused harm and killed one man. Her stepson asked her to work on it on behalf of the government. There are threats against her work in the book.
The Athena Society is set up in a new wing of her house, where they have laboratory space for other women working on various scientific research. There are rumours about the society so they are planning a deliberately dull open house to support the idea that the women are focusing on domestic sciences when they meet there.
Violet has self confidence issues. She married her late husband because he was older and she appreciated his level of knowledge and self-confidence; he agreed to let her continue her chemistry research on their marriage. But she was unprepared for the demands of married life and his expectations for her being a political hostess, so they disappointed each other and she is still hearing his litany of complaints about her behaviour in her head when she does something he wouldn’t like. Being able to continue with her research uninterrupted is so important to her, which is why she declines other offers and largely stays out of the social scene. But it is also because her friends in the society don’t help by excluding her from planning things because of her past lack of success. Their apparently well meaning actions are not helping her self confidence.
The hero, Arthur, is facing his own turning point as this is supposed to be his last job before he buys a farm back home in Scotland so he can return to the land of his youth. Falling for the woman he’s protecting isn’t part of the plan. There is a social gap, she’s got a persistent suitor, they have different ideas for their futures. The attraction is well done, and so is the romantic development.
CWs: there is deadnaming of a secondary trans character by their family members and the hero brings up his (secondary character's) former name in the context of knowing who his bio family is (because the family members may have been the reason the hero, a bodyguard, was hired - also, I suspect so that the author can make it clear he is trans and the other characters know, it is not a secret).
There are also references to verbal and physical abuse.

Arthur and Violet were such a great couple. I loved their chemistry and romantic tension. The idea if a secret society of women scientists was really unique and interesting. Some if the pacing was a little uneven but overall this was a really fun read!

I was not anticipating to actually love this romance. The unique way of its writing and the story plot was one to look forward. I cannot wait to read more of Elizabeth's books!

Fun, quick read for fans of historical romance. I thought the characters were unique and loved the focused on women in STEM.

This had so many things I enjoyed! Bodyguard romance + scientists + lots of brooding + swooning. The setup for future books looks interesting as well.

3.5 stars -- I am always here for women in STEM in a historical and this books definitely delivered that character type & the accompanying tropes really nicely. Add in a bodyguard/his client trope? Love it. The parts of this book I found most successful were the characters and the overall writing-- there's a nice wit throughout and I really enjoyed the dynamic with Violet & Arthur. I thought the plot was a little messy, so that dinged things down a bit, but this was a really fun take on a Victorian historical that I would recommend!

A Lady's Formula for Love is a fun, charming historical romance following a widow who runs a secret society for lady scientists, and a nearly retired counterassasin hired to protect her.

I'm always a fan of historical romance with lady scientists and this one did not disappoint. It has a sweet, semi-forbidden love story but also addresses issues of the time in terms of class and gender, while maintaining a light touch.

Lady Violet is a forgetful genius who gets absorbed in her work, sometimes forgets to eat, and pays little attention to her clothing getting worn and out of fashion. She is kind to everyone, perhaps overly trusting, but has been hurt by the words of her deceased husband who made her feel unseemly for experiencing physical desire or for caring too much about her work.

Arthur is reserved and keeps to himself- determined to keep his charges safe and never again let feelings get in the way. There is an immediate spark between him and Lady Violet, but she is in danger from political rebels because of her scientific work for the government.

I won't say more, but I found this to be enjoyable, heart-warming, and funny at times, if a bit on the flowery side of romantic language near the end. Definitely worth a read! I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I tried. I so honesty tried to read this but I hate romances that begin with insta-lust. I thought I could power my way through but at 21% I gave up. There were so many characters introduced in a short amount of time. I know I'm supposed to care about them because this is part one in a romance series but I don't. Maybe if I kept reading I would get a better feel for the setting and characters but I don't like the main guy and there's no going back to that in a romance.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. A story about a group of lady scientists in 1840's London when that was not the expectation was compelling. I did enjoy this story very much.
I loved the interactions between Violet Hughes, Lady Greycliff and Arthur Kneland. They each have their own baggage and bring their histories to the relationship. I think the fact that they are both older and have some experience helped their relationship. They were not hindered by parents who were looking out for them or matchmaking. I liked that Violet had her own opinions and that Arthur listened to them.
The idea that someone is out to hurt Violet and that Arthur is there to protect her adds an element of suspense to the romance. I was not expecting the culprit to turn out to be who it was so that makes me like the story even more.
The story does touch on a number of topics relevant to the time period including women's rights as well as advances in science and math. Having the women work behind the scenes and not being acknowledged for their contributions highlights the disparities between the sexes at this time.
I will admit that getting into the story was slow going at first. I struggled to figure out what was going on and it seemed very disjointed. It was as if I stepped into a story that had already begun. Fortunately, this didn't last long and within 20 pages I was drawn fully into the story.

A fun quick read - love my historical romances to include a brainy heroine, a hero who lets her be her and a cast of quirky, delightful side characters just waiting in the wings for their own books.

PUB DATE 2.9.2021 Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy of A LADY'S FORMULA FOR LOVE (The Secret Scientists of London #1).

This debut historical romance was full of dazzling chemistry, both literally and figuratively. Take a genius STEM heroine and a gruff bodyguard amidst a clandestine mystery full of danger and intrigue and you have the formula for a fabulous read. .

WHAT I LOVED:
-Headstrong, brilliant women in science willing to go against the grain.
-Devastatingly sweet one moment and "smelling salt" steamy the next.
-The 'Whodunit' element
-Witty banter and
-Arthur- (sigh). My favorite kind of hero. Reserved and standoffish on the outside but totally devoted on the inside.
-Mature couples- I love that they had lived life a bit. Their respective backstories played well into shaping them personally and together.

I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

FOUND: Thank you @chloe_liese whose review put this on my 'request now' list.

#ALadysFormulaforLove #NetGalley

This period piece was adorable and I really liked the scientific background. I just wish the character development was a little stronger and that the novel felt more fleshed out.

Forbidden love, secret science ladies, and seriously hot sex scenes are just three of the elements (see what I did there?) that make this debut romance explosive in all the best ways.

In addition to being an accomplished scientist, heroine Violet is lovably earnest. She’s so committed to her dream of furthering the scientific ambitions of the women in her orbit that she’s willing to give up her chance at love with her hot bodyguard Arthur, who is charmingly stick-in-the-muddish (except in bed). The secondary characters are memorable and the entire book is a delight.

I adored Lady Violet and her brilliant mind. What really grabbed me about this book is it focuses on female scientists at a time when they weren't accepted or even acknowledged. Yet Violet has created a secret club for the brilliant women scientists and she is her own person. She faces many challenges from society to conform but she doesn't. And falling for her protector Arthur was just another way she defies society. The chemistry between them is steamy yet sweet, and their banter was enjoyable. A definite read for anyone who wants to see a strong, smart heroine in her love story!

Lady Violet Hughes is a secret female genius in a time when women were not allowed to be smart. After the death of her nobleman husband, Daniel, Violet creates a secret women’s scientist club in her own home called, Athena’s Retreat, and puts on the front that it is just a woman’s social club. But someone knows her secret, and that she is working on a top secret project and is trying to stop her at all costs.

Enter her bodyguard, Arthur Kneland, who she can’t help but be attracted to the instant she sees him and he her. The chemistry between them is insane and electric and this book got STEAMY. I loved reading as they pretended to not care for each other and eventually give in but all as a back drop to a more interesting plot. Women, some common some noblewomen, wanting to do more with their life than be a housewife during Victorian England.

I loved the feminist themes in this book, the female friendships were so wonderful to showcase. Women wanting to study medicine, chemistry, physics all while wearing a corset and full dress? I mean they are heroes in my eyes. I highly recommend this lovely book to those that are wanting to discover not only what life was like in Victorian England for a strong intelligent woman, but also those wanting a steamy romance. Be prepared for a chapter to knock your socks off and then the next chapter discuss scholars and chemical theories. Classism was also at the heart of this book as Violet was a noble and Arthur is a commoner and their relationship is basically not allowed in society.

Elizabeth Everett’s writing is so enjoyable to read and there was never really a dull moment. I only wish there was more mystery and science and a little less drama and romance but it is a historical romance novel so that’s on me. I hope Violet’s friends may end up with their own books soon, I will definitely be waiting to read more about the Secret Scientists of London.

Recommend for: Historical Romance readers, those who love Evie Dunmore’s books, and those who enjoyed A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed reading this book. This book has a few different aspects - romance, mystery, historical setting, science and ties it all together well. I liked the main characters. I hope others do come out in this series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1842 London, there is a secret society of smart women scientists. They work in mathmatics, chemicals, explosives and whatever interests them. The head of the group is Violet, Hughes (Lady Greycliff). She is widowed and is currently trying to help the government come up with an antidote compound to a gas bomb. Arthur Kneland is 40 and has worked for the government abroad for 20 years in security. Arthur is hired as a body guard for Violet after break-ins at the society headquarters.

I really loved the set up and the idea of this book more than book itself. I liked the MC's and appreciated them as a more mature couple. The mystery was good in addition to the romance but the organization behind the plotting was a bit vague. Sadly the pacing and amount of extra people created more confusion than interest. I'm giving 3 stars and will look forward to another adventure now that the premise has been set.

This historical romance is really a rom-com too, plus it has the added appeal of a very intelligent female protagonist and fun supporting characters. The romance is mild with some spice thrown in, so it should appeal to many different types of readers. I look forward to recommending this to romance readers who like historicals and who might enjoy the added dimension of the science.

Okay, it took me about 100 pages to get into this one because that's when the chemistry (sexual that is) really took off. The first part of the book sets up the Secret Scientist ladies personalities, actual chemistry experiments, back stories, etc. and I just wanted more Arthur & Violet! They do get a LOT of romantic scenes in the back 2/3 of the book. I didn't care much for the uncompelling mystery storyline except that it created a bit of danger for the main couple. I was totally in this one for the romance. If you are too, you won't be disappointed!

There is nothing I love more than a smart heroine, so what's not to love about a heroine who is a genius when it's not in-fashion to be one? This book was funny, charming and sweet, with just the right amount of smolder. I DESPERATELY want to read more stories about the women in this club.