This the first book in a new series. It was a great read, with a lot of emotion, surprise, and suspense. The characters were wonderfully different from the usual Ton society and where very easy to warm too. The storyline was a wonderful change also, with the ending having you ready to read the next installment. This book can be read alone and does not leave you hanging except for the wonderful set up the next book. There was a fair bit of sex in this book that this reviewer skipped and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. I received this book as an ARC and freely give my review.

This was a "force myself to put it down and go to sleep" story. The writing is excellent and the characters well drawn -- nothing heavy handed here (nothing worse than a romance with oppressing prose) and the story complete and satisfying. At the core, it is a familiar trope -- two somewhat antagonistic people caught in a compromising position through no fault of their own are forced to marry to save reputations. Nothing wrong with that as long as the author can find a way to make it fresh. Minerva Spencer does just that adding an exotic, suggestively dangerous background to our hero that is done with such a light touch, it doesn't overpower the focus on the hero and heroine's story. (Often, such a background swallows the main story and, frankly, I lose interest but not here.). Ms. Spencer draws full characters and brings us along in their growing attraction to each other in a nicely paced evolution that makes sense. The secondary characters are welcome additions with their own intriguing backstories that hold the promise of future stories from Ms. Spencer. In fact, the only complaint I have is a rather direct cliff hanger, but it didn't detract from the ending of this story and it did its job -- my interest was piqued! I definitely will be reading more from Minerva Spencer!

Minerva Spencer brings her wit, quirkiness and unique writing style in bunches for her latest release Notorious. Drusilla Clare has been in love with her best friend's stepbrother, Gabriel, since the day she met him. Problem is, she knows that a man as gorgeous, sexy and scandalous as Gabriel will ever want a wallflower like her.

Gabriel is used to the prickly Drusilla and believes she truly doesn't like him. That's okay - he's not her biggest fan either. The gossip rags continually report his exploits with his two, yes two, mistresses and he is scandal personified. What would he want with an unattractive wallflower?

When circumstances force them to marry, Drusilla is at once ecstatic and depressed. How can she marry a man who will never love her the way she loves him? Gabriel doesn't want to marry her but is resigned to do so to save their reputations - love isn't necessary.

While I liked Drusilla (even when she was catty) I didn't like Gabriel. He was kind of a jerk. Until he was forced to marry her there was no attraction for Drusilla on his part. The chemistry felt forced. And many, many times their conflicts would have been resolved by an adult conversation. The book has good steam and is a worthwhile read. I'm looking forward to reading a book about Eve.

As always Ms Spenser has written a wonderful book. The only complain I have is regarding it's highly unlike able female lead. Dru suffers from inferiority.i get that but that doesn't justifies the way she behaves with Gabriel at every turn.
Gabriel had a very unusual upbringing being the son of a sultan n all. But his mother taught him the all right things. Mia, his mother and the lead of Dangerous was a formidable women. I think there are few female protagonists like her.
Coming back to Dru n Gabriel. They had to get married due to some circumstances. It's usually the hero who is a jerk usually but here it was heroine all along.
The story moved at a good pace with many twists and turns. The leads of the next book are also introduced. Waiting for the next book

3.5 stars.

What's good: North African hero, discussion of Wollstonecraft's feminism, acknowledging English racial prejudice, positive representation of a thruple (not the main relationship), secret child, banter, steamy sex scenes, well matched couple.

What's not: Too many underdeveloped characters (Eva, Byer, Aunt Violet) and subplots, telling instead of showing heroine's charity work and her motivations for it, cliched miscommunication and conflict.

It's fine.

I have mixed feelings about this book and I think my end reaction is that I wished the book was as good as the lovely cover.

I think my biggest issue was that I couldn’t connect to the characters, mostly because both Drusilla and Gabriel were both wishy washy characters who couldn’t decide how they really felt about each other. In the end, there didn’t seem to be much character growth for either of them but particularly Drusilla.

The story concept was good and I’m sure there’s other people who enjoyed these characters more than I did.

Drusilla does not need to marry. She is forced into marrying her best friend’s brother, Gabriel, who is a rogue and someone she always had a crush on. Will he see her as more than an obligation? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

A fine read.

While this story just didn’t grip me like I’d hoped it would, I also don’t really have any complaints. The characters were fine, although, I just hate misunderstandings.
The relationship between the H/h was ok. It seemed a bit rushed to me. I understood her feelings, as it was explained that she’d been pining for the H. I felt like the Hero kind of flipped on a dime. He wasn’t attracted to her, but then he was?
Also, the side story with Visel, And Eva was a bit confusing. Why did Visel hate Gabriel? Is Eva crazy? Are they connected?

All in all, it was an ok book. Everything was ok.

Notorious is connected to the "first" book of another series by Minerva Spencer, with the son of the heroine of that novel, Gabriel, forced into marriage with his sister's friend Drusilla. They're caught in a mistaken situation set in motion by the antagonist Visel, who has returned from war with an unclear dispute with Gabriel. This is a tricky book to review, because everything about it is quite predictable--Drusilla has been in love with the handsome, dynamic Gabriel for years, who is the baseborn son of a sultan and his kidnapped mother. Of course Drusilla is not pretty and is convinced that Gabriel will never care for her, and acts out accordingly. You know where this will go. That said, it was well-written, and I went along for the ride and was entertained. A heads up though: I grew up on 80s and 90s bodice rippers, and if you're looking for cultural sensitivity and modern views, this won't be it, and to borrow a phrase from the old days, it might be a wallbanger for you. Me, it was a total guilty pleasure.

I so very much enjoyed this book. There are a ton ( pun intended) of historical romances out in the literary world; Minerva Spencer has added a unique and exciting voice that has been warmly embraced. Notorious is sure to receive a similar welcome. I can’t wait for the next book in The Rebels of the Ton series.

This book is a stand alone but “Gabriel” was introduced in a previous series by the author.
I enjoyed the story of Drusilla and Gabriel. Their banter was interesting, witty, and funny. As much as I liked the couple, I struggled at times to make connection with Drusilla. Her insecurities were brought up consistently and hindered her emotional growth for me. I did enjoy her fierce loyalty to her family. I believe
Gabriel ‘s growth was more fluid. Overall, this was a good read from Minerva Spencer.

4 stars

Drusilla is an awful name in my opinion but this story is very good. She's been in love with the hero for several years and because she's so frightened of being rejected she's very antagonistic towards him. Gabriel, the hero, has a complicated back story but is a quite a merry character although easily aroused to anger. They end up in a marraige of convenience instigated by the baddy but we later find out he isn't the worst villain. The arguements went on a tad long for me but the passionate make up scenes compensated. Gabriel's step sister takes a minor part and I would anticipate she is the next heroine of the series. I enjoy Minerva's writting it's witty and well thought through. I recommend this book.

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

This is a stand-alone book.
The premise of the book is this: Drusilla who is adamant not to get married is rescued from the clutches of a nasty scoundrel from none other than her best friends brother Gabriel and in return is then caught in a compromising position with her. Gabe does the right thing an offers up a less than stellar proposal to Dru who isn’t happy but eventually accepts. Dru has harbored feelings for Gabe for years and now she is about to become his wife.
Gabe can’t quite figure out his sharp-tongued wife who blushes when he gets close to her. Can they put aside their differences and make this marriage work? You really need to read the book for the answer.
This book is definitely one to remember. I absolutely loved it. The character growth was spectacular. I really enjoyed how the characters evolved. The story unfolded at a nice pace and kept me intrigued throughout the book. I anxiously await the next book in the series so that I can see what happens to other characters that were in this book as well as new ones.

This was a wonderfully written regency romance, full of wit, humour and steamy scenes. An emotionally deep read, loved every page. My first book by Minerva Spencer but definitely not my last.

This book is an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Although this is the first book in the “Rebels of the Ton” series, our protagonist, Gabriel/Jibril, was introduced to us in the “The Outcasts” series as the son of the Sultan of Oran and the daughter of an English duke (who had been kidnapped by Corsairs and sold into a harem, where she was forced to become one of the sultan's lovers).

Even though Gabriel was a bastard, he grew up with all the privileges conferred on the title of the nobility. However, after his father's death, life on the Arabian peninsula became dangerous (especially due to disputes over who would stay in power in the region), so Gabriel's mother returned to England, where she ended up marrying a marquis, and Gabriel decided to move in with her, as there wasn’t much else that held him in Arabia.

In “Notorious” Gabriel is already a man (he arrived in England when he was still a teenager) and, despite facing several prejudices (in addition to being a bastard, Gabriel has clearly a mixed race, and the culture and religion he grew up with - the Islamic - is different from the English one - the Christian), he had been “accepted” by the aristocracy due to the connections that his mother's and stepfather's family have.

Drusilla, our heroine, is a young and very rich heiress who, despite being intelligent and with a sharp tongue, is very insecure, especially when it comes to her physical appearance. Drusilla is best friends with one of Gabriel's step-sisters, and has been in love with Gabriel since they were introduced, however, because she thinks he would never be interested in someone like her, she decides to try to get under his skin at every possible opportunity, since she believes that this is the only way he would pay attention to her.

Early in the story, Gabriel and Drusilla end up committing themselves to a situation and, due to Drusilla's reputation being ruined, they end up getting married. And, as both are very stubborn and used to getting what they want, the dynamic between these two ends up being full of sparks (and unresolved sexual tension, of course).

In particular, I found Gabriel's character much more interesting than Drusilla. Especially since, although he tries to adapt to English customs, he does not necessarily find the English way of life better than what he learned while growing up in Arabia. It is also evident that he suffers from having to leave his country and beliefs to live in a place where he will never be fully accepted.

In comparison, Drusilla appeared to me to be a spoiled and insecure girl, who, out of fear of rejection, prefers to be harsh with other people. I also found her a bit of a hypocrite, because while she said she was in favor of gender equality, and in fact she makes some good arguments in discussions with Gabriel, after sleeping with him she basically started doing everything he wanted.

Unlike most historical novels that we usually see, “Notorious” shows us a little of another culture and the difficulties that an immigrant faces in a country where he isn’t welcome. However, I found the romance between the characters a little unrealistic (but "insta love" is generally not uncommon in historical romances). I would particularly like to have seen more scenes with Samir (Gabriel's bastard son), especially the part where Gabriel tells his mother about the boy's existence.

In general, I found “Notorious” an interesting read and I am excited to read the sequel, which will have Gabriel's step-sister, Eva, and one of the villains of "Notorius" as the main characters.

3.5 stars.
Solidly written and with two complex, intense leads, “Notorious”, by Minerva Spencer (Kensington Books), is an engaging historical novel addressing themes of feminism and the role of women in 19th century Britain, as well as social, religious and cultural differences, biases and prejudice.
Drusilla and Gabriel are interesting and multifaceted characters, with substance. Both are outsiders in some way – Drusilla as an intelligent, active woman in a society condemning women to passivity and subservience; Gabriel as the very handsome, charismatic, enigmatic and exotic product of two different, opposite societies and cultures.
I liked the slow revealing and awakening of emotions and feelings, the domesticity of having a married couple discover a universe of passion, desire, sexuality and sensuality. The writing style and the fluidity of the prose kept me engaged in the reading. The cover is beautiful.
There was a lot going on with the protagonists and the side characters – no boringness or blandness here, where even the villain is riveting - and that somehow affected the intensity level within the romantic couple.

A solid 3.75 stars

*Thanks NetGalley for the ARC*

I was drawn by the cover and blurb and this was a very pleasant surprise indeed. First of all, although the POVs were from both leads, I genuinely feel this was more a Gabriel aka Jibril! (more on that later) story. We got a lot of his background, more on his family and I honestly just felt I knew him more. Drsuilla came across as an independent assured woman of means who secretly had always been very drawn to Gabe and because she felt she had no chances, bickered with him instead. These 2 had very strong personalities and tended to always clash with each other until the Book fates brought them together.

How they came together is a book staple but i really appreciated that Gabe did not do a woe beside me routine before doing what he must. It would have been even greater fun seeing how their marriage of convenience evolved into long lasting affection if there had been just a little more communication. I understand that Drusilla was insecure due to circumstances and all she knew (or thought she did) about Gabe but there were indeed frustrating turns when she just refused to talk!

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the friendships it showed and Gabriel's mom was an utter delight! I would have loved to know how she got to her present place in this book and felt it was glossed over, but a little research indicates that she is in earlier books that I will now look for. I sincerely feel this was the first period romance I read that the Hero was a Muslim and it was a delight especially because the author did not make a big deal of it at all. It fit in so well. She wrote about his place of birth and palace intricacies with an assured hand that I really appreciated and I genuinely delighted in that. It truly did not feel like inclusion just for the sake of it. I also enjoyed the LGBTQ representation and how it was portrayed.

This was a very easy read and I honestly did not put it down once I started. It has a whole lot of plot going on with the mistresses, and duels and past palace stuff but all in all was a great read.

Anyone who read the story of Gabriel's mom — Mia, now the Marchioness of Exley (Dangerous) — had to wonder how her son would adjust to English life. It's hard to go from being an almost sultan to a young man of mixed heritage in an England that is all about bloodlines. But here is Gabriel Marlington, man about town, the scourge of his sister's best friend, Drusilla Clare. The two do NOT get along, mostly because Drusilla uses her needle-sharp wit to plague Gabriel. And that, because she has loved him for years and as a dowdy heiress, she is hardly going to attract him. He might be exotic, but he also has connections to some of England's first families (grandson of a duke) and he is gorgeous. Drusilla is so sharp, she's almost unlikable but the gift of author Minerva Spencer is to make us understand why she is the way she is. Spencer also explores what made Gabriel such a hedonist and goes beyond stereotypes in his culture clash; the young man literally went from fighting for a crown to English boarding school. Think of the adjustments. Caught in a compromising situation, the two have to marry, and more complications follow. This is a complicated story, with Gabriel bidding goodbye to his (2) mistresses who love him and each other, taking care of a child from the past (his? you'll have to read to find out) and trying to make a go of his marriage. Which isn't easy because Drusilla is so determined not be hurt. The side characters add much to the story (oh, we can't wait to see what happened to Eva). All in all, a rousing read. Minerva Spencer is a witty writer who can tell a complicated story. So glad I received an e-ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.

This was a decent romance, and i enjoyed reading it, but I wouldn't call it a great book. This was my first by this author, and while much of the book was well written, funny, sexy and clever...overall it was only okay. I am unsure if this is Spencer’s general writing style, or if this was a one-off that just didn’t hit the mark.

The main characters are interesting and offer some historical insight to the Wollstonecraft movement and a minor nod to being a POC in this time period. The romance itself is a solid use of the enemies to lovers trope and the relationship slowly burns to serious hotness. The peripheral characters were also fun and the plot is set up perfectly for the upcoming book in the series.

The characters however don't really seem to grow. Other than falling in love, the two of them walk away somewhat unchanged. The sub-plot of a feud between our bold protagonist and the bad guy just didn't seem to do anything that furthered the story. The hostility is explained in a few brief sentences, the resolution of the current conflict feels rushed and like it was just a method by which to introduce characters that will then make up the next book. While I get the point that it is one in a series, it feels more like a story cut short than a book with some room for further growth.

This is my first time reading this author but I’m happy to say it will not be the last. I really enjoyed Dru and Gabe’s story. Gabe is not your normal hero he was raised by a sultan who had a harem and until he was 17 thought that would be his life also. While there are times he seems to miss his country and family he seems to adapt and be ok with the English lifestyle pretty well. Gabe has known Dru for 5 years she is his step-sisters best and only friend, so he is familiar with her. He doesn’t have any love for her in the beginning like she does for him and if they weren’t compromised I don’t know that they would have ended up together. Once they are he is completely dedicated to having a successful marriage so that sort of makes up for his lack of feeling in the beginning. Dru was a little shrewish sometimes and prevented them from having harmony sooner I think, had she not been so sharp with him and acted like she hated him he may have developed feeling for her earlier. I like how accepting she was of his son and that he was pretty quick in telling her about him and not trying to hide it. They have some misunderstandings to overcome and some people who don’t want to see them happy but I was happy their story was the main focus. I’m anxious to read Eva’s book although I was hoping she would end up with Tommy. It seems he might have been in love with her and it would be nice to read about a pining hero. But alas it doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

After reading some reviews I was hesitant to read this even though it’s an arc and was free some reviews mentioned things that I usually avoid. Like hero having a son by previous lover and that mistresses played heavily in the book. While those two things are both true I think for me it was handled in an acceptable way.
Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for providing me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.