I'm going to round the rating up to 5 stars, but it's really a 4.5 stars. This is the third book by Evie Dunmore that I've read, and this one did not disappoint.

It's no secret that my love for Evie Dunmore's first two novels Bringing Down the Duke and A Rogue of One's Own runs deep and wide. So naturally, Portrait of a Scotsman was one of my most anticipated books of 2021. Did it live up to the others? Heck yes, it did. It was brilliant. My heart will never be the same.

Once again, Dunmore takes us deep into the British Women's Suffrage movement and gives us a glimpse of what our favorite lady suffragists (Annabelle, Hattie, Lucie, and Catriona) have been up to in their fight for women's equal rights. We've followed Annabelle and Lucie thus far. This one is Hattie's story.....

"At first sight, they were still an unlikely match; opposites in looks, upbringing, and temperament. But on the artists color wheel, two opposite colors were considered complimentary. Their high contrast caused high impact, and they looked their brightest when placed next to each other."

This book has it all. Forbidden (albeit unwanted?) love, fight for rights, adventure, art, and let us not forget some amazing steam. But all that said, I think what struck me most about this book and I mean deep down in my little feminist soul - was the writing - such absolutely brilliant writing. Dunmore handles the topics of love and equality the way Monet handled his brush strokes - with stunning precision.

This book was another stellar read for me. I have grown to love this group of strong minded women. This particular story follows Hattie Greenfield, an artist. And the romantic interest is this dark and broody Lucian Blackstone. I loved the "meet cute", the ups and downs of the main dramas (mostly due to a lack of communication) and the strong message that these books hold. Highly recommend!

We are not worthy of Evie Dunmore.

I liked Bringing Down the Duke, I loved Rogue of One's Own and now I ADORED Portrait of A Scotsman. Fans of this story will not be disappointed with Hattie and Lucien's sunshine/grump forced proximity/marriage (ahem, and did I detect a little bit Beauty and the Beast vibes?) book. ALSO, I recently watched Men In Kilts and felt like that was the perfect intro to so many Scottish gems here.

The first 30% of so went super slowly for me. I wanted our MCs to get more face-to-face time and, ya know, get to the good stuff! This really had the slowest of burns in the beginning and it made me a little nervous. But, again, if you have made it to this book in the series you'll have the faith to push through and are rewarded with the pure JOY of the entire second half of this book.

One of the things I loved most about this series is that, while they are a romance, they are not JUST a romance. The plot has so much more, the characters are so much more - to very loosely paraphrase a bit from Evie's own words: "they are fine on their own, but together are brilliant" and that is how I feel with how social issues, historical fiction, and romance all come together in these books.

I am openly an Evie Dunmore fan. She continues to do amazing work with victorian romances and is the author that got me back into them. I'm excited for this to come out so I can recommend it to all my coworkers and all my victorian romance-loving customers! I was anticipating Hattie's store right from the beginning and I was stoked for our adorable little bubbly character to get her match!

Evie Dunmore’s latest installment in the League of Extraordinary Women series follows Harriet “Hattie” Greenfield as she continues to advance the suffragist cause in her own way, through art, education and financial means. Hattie grew up at her family’s dining table, one of the richest rooms in England. While money has shaped Hattie, she struggles with how it cages her in it’s own perpetuated rules. Enter: Lucian Blackstone. Readers were introduced to him during the previous book, understanding that the roguish, almost pirate-like, figure intrigued Hattie. When the two are caught in a compromising moment, they are forced to wed. What ensues is a battle of understanding, growth and love.

Portrait of a Scotsman has done it again, folks! This book had all of the best makings of the prior two installments, but with even more historic issues and struggles seamlessly (and genuinely!) blended into the plot. Not only did I read some amazing romp scenes, but I learned a heck of a lot about late 1800’s England and Scotland. Plus, the ending of this book might not be what you expect (at least it wasn’t for me!) so I hope it keeps you reading on!

If you enjoyed - The Crown on Netflix, Billy Elliott the Movie/Musical, Bridgerton on Netflix, The Regency Vows series by Martha Waters, or Sixteen Scandals by Sophie Jordan - you’ll love Portrait of a Scotsman!

I'm really beginning to love Evie Dunmore's books. Each one is passionately researched, with care taken to historical notes, and for fiction that always seems unnecessary but appreciated.

In Portrait of a Scotsman, Dunmore turns her attention to Hattie Greenfield and her unlikely opposite, Lucian Blackstone. When Hattie and Lucian are seen kissing in front of society, Hattie is strong-armed into marrying Lucian to maintain her honor and womanly dignity or risk becoming a fallen woman who not only ruined herself but her sister's ability to marry well. Of course, what Hattie doesn't realize until later is Lucian strategized the whole affair in an attempt to better position himself within London society. A rogue upstart needs a good marriage to better position himself, and Hattie is that marriage. Once Hattie realizes what he's done, she aims to escape--but Lucian is a step ahead of her, absconding with her to Scotland to keep her close as he tours a new investment, a coal mine.

If you think a Scottish coal mine is a weird setting for a suffragist romance novel, you would not be wrong, but it weirdly works for this book. Dunmore drops plenty of mythological metaphors throughout Portrait of a Scotsman, but none is more apt than Hades and Persephone. In a way, this is a bit of a classical mythology retelling. Maybe one of the better retellings I've read recently. Hattie has a great arc going from clueless wanna-be painter to clued in artist, and Lucian somehow manages to make the reader love him, despite being adamant that he's unlovable. If there's anything I wished for that seemed missing it's the lack of the suffragist characters, as the book primarily takes place removed from London, but the new cast of supporting Scottish characters makes up for it.

All in all, I'm ready for another installment.

Dunmore just continues to impress me as this series continues! I absolutely adored this newest addition to the series, and I could not wait for Hattie's story. I don't even know where to start with this review, because it had so many things I loved.

I highly suggest this book if you love:
-One bed trope
-Hades/Persephone vibes
-Pride and Prejudice vibes
-Historical romance
-Enemies to lovers
-Forced marriage

I think what I loved most about this book, was we got to explore different social classes. We went beyond the upper class and the blue stockings, and got an inside look at the life of coal miners. It was beautiful to see this side of history, and explore more than our usual Oxford suffragettes.

I especially loved this inclusion, because it helped showcase Hattie's character development. At times in this book she could come off as a spoiled brat, but as the story progresses we see her develop into the person she longs to be. I love that we see her not only continue on as a suffragette, but she also starts to take a stance on the class division in society. It was just an amazing journey, and felt like you were growing with her.

Although I usually get frustrated with communication issues between characters, especially as a reader who knows how easy it would be to fix the problem, in this book it worked. The miscommunications between Hattie and Lucian, felt justified because of their different upbringings. In fact, I think I would have been mad it they didn't have these issues.

I can not express enough how much love I had for all the history that imbued this novel. I could tell that a lot of research went into this work, and it resulted in something beautiful. I love these books, because I learn from them, just as much as I get enjoyment from them. This time we got to see history of the art world, the coal mining industry, and of course suffragettes. It was just a truly magical combination.

And of course I feel like I have to mention the spice in this book was impeccable. It was more of a slow burn lead up to the spice, but it was absolutely worth it.

I just loved almost everything about this book, the only thing I wanted was more. But that's always how I feel about Dunmore's books. I can not wait to see what is next for my favorite band of suffragettes in Catriona's story!

This book has stolen my heart. It has seriously pummelled it as well, but in the end I forgave it, because it was the best kind of book pummelling.

I loved Hattie in the first two books of the series, so I have been waiting eagerly for her story. Lucian Blackstone was not the kind of man I envisioned for her, but then that is the point. They are found in a compromising position, and the only acceptable option is for them to marry.

Hattie and Lucian are both complicated, their backgrounds and circumstances shaping them into real, flawed, struggling characters. There were times when Hattie infuriated me and Lucian had all my empathy, and times when I swapped sides. Mostly, though, I loved them both, and was delighted, infuriated and put through the emotional wringer by their uncomfortable union, and how they dealt with it.

Evie Dunmore’s research and attention to historical detail is incredible. I know so much more about working conditions for miners in the 1800s now, and it made me think a lot about my own privilege, and about how so many of the constraints put on different factions of society in the Victorian era still resonate today.

Portrait of a Scotsman is smart, complicated, fun and swooningly, beautifully romantic. It’s my favourite of the series so far: I identified with Hattie in so many ways, and Lucian has edged out Tristan in the Fictional Hero Magnificence stakes (!!!)

The Happy Ever After isn’t easily won, (in some places it is downright traumatic), and it is all the better for that. I cried big, dolloping tears.

Evie Dunmore is an incredible author.

Portrait of a Scotsman follows Hattie Greenfield (London banking heiress, Oxford art scholar, and secret suffragette) and Lucian Blackstone (mysterious and grumpy Scot who made his fortune through scandalous and unsavory means). After Hattie finds herself in a compromising position with Mr. Blackstone, she has no choice but to marry him, despite the fact that he is a far cry from the knight in shining armor she always envisioned for herself. But both of them soon realize that perhaps there is more to the other than they first thought.

I am not kidding when I say I read this in a single night. I couldn’t stop. Hattie and Lucian have such explosive chemistry, and their differences in personality make their relationship a constant roller coaster in the best way.

I’ve loved Hattie since the first book, so it’s no surprise that she stole my heart all over again in the very first chapter. She’s bright and witty and charming, naive and headstrong, and perhaps the most relatable of Dunmore’s heroines for me. And Lucian…mm. It’s hard to write a dark, brooding hero that I really love, but Evie Dunmore DELIVERS with Lucian.

As usual, Dunmore excels at weaving in political issues of the time that are still relevant today. The novel takes us all the way to Scotland to dive into the conditions for workers in a coal mining community. The issue of women’s rights is, of course, at the forefront, and complicates Hattie’s relationship with a husband who legally owns her—something that we hadn’t gotten to explore to the same extent in the previous books. I wasn’t sure how that was going to resolve in a way that would feel satisfying, but the ending took me by surprise, which can be tricky in a romance, when a happily ever after is assumed.

It may just be that I’m a sucker for Beauty and the Beast or Hades and Persephone-esque stories, but this is easily my favorite of the three books in the series. Each expands on and complements the last, so while you could probably read them each as standalones, I certainly recommend reading them in order.

And as a final note: this convinced me that being kidnapped by pirates might not be so bad. Which was unexpected, given that there are no pirates in this book. (That’s all I’ll say on that, and if you want to know how it managed that, you’re just gonna have to read the book…)

Now if you’ll excuse me I’ll just be screaming into the empty moors of the Scottish highlands.

The third installment of The League of Extraordinary Women is fun, sexy, and does not disappoint. Read the other two first, but don’t sleep on this series!

If you like historical fiction, badass female protagonists, and dark and dangerous love interests— this series is for you!

Evie Dunmore has done it again! Portrait of a Scotsman is Hattie’s story. Hattie is a member of the women’s suffragette union in London, an aspiring artist, and a member of a prominent family. She’s a bit quirky and shy. She’s also prone to slipping her protection agent and sneaking about London on her own. Hence how she finds herself in the company of one Lucian Blackstone one afternoon when she’s late for an art tour.

Lucian Blackstone is a self made wealthy Scotsman living in London. He plays the long game, plays a little dirty, and calls in his debts at just the “right” times. He doesn’t have many friends, and keeps his secrets locked down tight. One afternoon, Lucian and Hattie are caught in a precarious situation, and they must marry in order to avoid more scrutiny.

Lucian and Hattie are drawn to each other, and this book is the most delicious, slowest of spicy slow burns. I laughed, I cried, I smiled like a loon.

Beauty & The Beast esq, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, “there’s only one bed”, and enemies to lovers. Honestly what’s not to love about that?!

I have learned something new each time I pick up one of Evie’s books, as she takes you on this wonderful historical journey through the eyes and experiences of her characters.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this digital ARC with me!

Complex, entertaining and lively.
Women's rights, mystery and romance combine to make a wonderful story.

Evie Dumore delivers yet again! She truly possesses a talent for writing historical romance that not only delivers sexual tension, but deconstructs problematic romance stereotypes in a refreshing manner. The third book focuses on Hattie Greenfield, a banking heiress and an art student at Oxford. She attracts the attention of Lucian Blackstone, a ruthless business man who has built reputation from nothing and earned the animosity of London's noble class.

This attraction ends with Lucian whisking Hattie off to Scotland to visit his hometown. Distrustful of his intentions, Hattie eventually warms up as she discovers that Lucian is not as heartless as he appears and finds artistic inspiration in the rural landscape. It's perfect for readers, who love enemies to lovers, but explores the question of whether these relationships are really based in mutual respect and admiration. Dunmore also continues storylines from other books by involving lesser-known historical events and pointing out the flaws in the mission of the suffragettes. Excellent overall.

I fell in love with this historical romance. It has all the best tropes and they are incredibly well executed. Enemies to lovers, only one bed, forced proximity/arranged marriage, broody strong dark haired guy who's actually a softie inside. *Swoon*

Hattie and Lucian were both interesting and mulit dimensional characters. They had layers, growth, and development. They're romance evolved at a good pace and felt believable. The spicy scenes were excellent and I loved the importance of consent throughout the book. So much exquisite sexual tension!

I enjoyed the writing style and will be picking up other books by this author. And I'll be sharing this book with everyone!

I would recommend this book for those wanting an interesting historical romance with well developed characters and lots of spice!

An absolutely wonderful story that includes details for lovers of philosophy and art alike! I appreciated the spin on enemies to loves and also liked the look at politics of the Victorian era.

This may very well be my favorite of the series - though it's very hard to make that determination without me rereading them all back to back.

I just absolutely love Evie Dunmore's storytelling. - I always find myself learning something new about this era when reading a book by her and I can never stop myself from googling things to find out more (photography in this time period was my big search this go-round). At this point I will read anything Dunmore will share with us ... her investment in the story she is telling and the ways she shares it is just among the best around. The feminist vibes combined with smart, powerful women and charming men who understand a woman's worth set in one of my favorite eras in history is just the best thing around.

Dunmore's characters just jump off the pages and I have been looking forward to meeting both Hattie and Lucien more in-depth since their names were first mentioned and I couldn't have been happier when I turned that final page unless I had found a whole other book by Dunmore attached to it.

Thank you so much for an early copy for review!


Thank you so much for sharing an early copy with me and I can't wait to add this title to my bookshelf!

These books are so much fun but I found this installment to be a little lackluster compared to the others. It's a story about a painfully naive woman unlearning the things that have been instilled in her since birth. It's very frustrating to read at times and while I do think it talked about important social constructs, I just did not enjoy its execution. I'm not sure how to describe it but Hattie did not seem like a consistent character, even while she was undoing all of that internalized misogyny.

There were several instances of info-dumping through a conversation that felt more like an inquisition than a natural conversation between two people. And I will admit I skimmed these, and several other, sections.

I did enjoy the discussion of Hattie's learning disability and I thought it was handled quite well.

Overall, this one fell flat for me but I will absolutely continue to read the subsequent books in the series.

Dunmore has yet to disappoint in The League of Extraordinary Women series. 19th Century England will never ever look the same to me. I can't wait for more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, Bringing Down a Duke and A Rogue of One's Own. However, this latest installment was just ok. It was lacking the charm and camaraderie I've come to expect from this series. I love history, but in this case the story felt bogged down by it. I had a hard time getting invested in their relationship and I’m still scratching my head about the last quarter of the book.

All that aside- I'll still pick up A League of Extraordinary Women #4 when the time comes.