I love an underdog story. Hildy and Tobias are great together, but have to overcome some rather unpleasant obstacles to find their HEA. Predominantly REVENGE. Loved this book!!
Thank you Tracy Sumner, Wolf Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback

As a newbie reader of historical romance, this was my first book by Tracy Summer. The book was an enjoyable read. The hero and heroine were a bit complex and difficult to relate to.

Regency romance it was an enjoyable read, with interesting characters, some satisfactory heat, and some 4 legged furry cuteness. BTW, I agree with Mccauly and his belief that orange cats are evil - I have the scar on the calf that proves it myself and amongst my group of friends who have all met the Orange Devil (aka Old Hateful) in our lives, we have a saying - Orange is the colour of Hatefulness (at least with one orange cat and his brother!) But that is just a side note :)

I enjoyed this historical romance with all of the characters. The two main characters were Lady Hildegard Templeton and Tobias Streeter.

Lady Hildegard Templeton is a daughter of an Earl. She is quite different than what society expect from a woman of her station. She has created an organization for women or men that want to marry well into society. She talks to their future husband or wife's and has them changing things about their way.  But when she meets her next client she not sure if she can do this because the man is quite handsome.

Tobias Streeter has spent a lifetime building up an empire in the sordid streets of London. He is also known as the king of London. He has finally decided to take a wife but not anyone will do. He needs a suitable wife to ensure a place in society. So he decides to ask the Duchess society to help him.

This was a fun story to read. It had action and adventure throughout it that keep my attention. It also had a few laughs along the way.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley and BookSiren. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

This one did not pull me in as much as I had hoped. I found that it had too many adjectives that were unnecessary and made it hard to get through the story line. I definitely see a draw for readers that like this style of writing. I love historical fiction but I do not prefer all the lace and fluff personally. Every reader is different though and that's what makes books awesome. There's nothing wrong with the writing or author, just not my preference.

Read 17% of the way into this book but kept starting and stopping. I had trouble getting into it and figured it was better to review as is. It was written well just not my cup of tea. That said I read the first book in the series and loved it.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Hildegard Templeton - Hildy to her friends - may be the daughter of an Earl, but following his death, she's impoverished and alone in the world, except for her closest friends who make up the Duchess Society with her. She knows what it's like to be a woman without protection, and endeavours to make sure other young ladies have the best protection they can, with the best husband and marriage contract. When the eldest daughter of a duke is betrothed to The Rogue King, Tobias Street - rumoured by blow of a viscount who controls more of London than the ton - Hildy has to make sure he will treat his wife properly, and that he gains some ton polish too. But as the two butt heads, it's clear that the attraction and chemistry between them is more than most married couples have. Will Tobias go through with his marriage to the Duke's daughter, in order to further his own goals, or will he go with his heart and choose Hildy?

I was blown away by this book. I started it thinking it would be an enjoyable read, probably 3 stars, but as soon as I'd started, I needed to read on. All of the characters, from the servants up to the main couple, were amazing, and this book has definitely set up for the rest of the series. Hildy and Tobias had a chemistry unlike most I've seen before, and they really overcame the expectations they placed on themselves, rather than of the ton. Really, they didn't care for what the ton thought, both being outcasts of a kind, but they wanted the other to achieve all their goals and aims, and would rather be heartbroken and lose the other, than be the cause of their loss. There's a sort of found family feeling to the book too, with the main group not quite what you would expect for friends, but work together so well. I'm glad I've got a copy of book 2 to read now, because Leighton and Helena are definitely a enemies-to-lovers romance waiting to happen!

I loved this book. It is a great love story – powerful with honor and friendship. The author shows how what your think you want may not be what you truly need. Hildy and Tobias are so good together. I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

*I received this book free from Netgalley for an honest review. *

The League of Lords was my first encounter with Tracy Sumner. And I enjoyed it, but because of all the supernatural elements, it was sometimes hard to follow the entire story. Also probably because I only read part 3 (The Duke is Wicked) and part 4 (The Hellion is Tamed). But since I enjoyed Tracy’s writing, I was very happy to see a new series on Netgalley. The Duchess Society series is also historical fiction, but without the supernatural element. It focuses on the outsiders of society: the dukes and duchesses who refuse to follow the rules of the ton. The first story, The Brazen Bluestocking is about Lady Hildegard Templeton – or Hildy as she likes to be called- who has started an organization to help young ladies on the doorstep to the marriage mart. Frowned upon by the ton: a lady should not work, she is determined to ensure that the girls have a chance at a happy marriage. Although Hildy knows, that most marriages are just a business transaction, she can help the girls to find a good husband.

Enter Tobias Streeter, a successful business man, born on the wrong side of the sheet. Tobias wants to enter society. Therefore he needs to marry into the ton. Hildy is in search for a husband for Mattie: a young woman who wants to study and practice medicine. Her father wants her married, so she needs a comparable husband who lets her be.

For both Mattie and Tobias the wedding will be convenient. And Hildy will be expanding her clientele with also Mattie’s four younger siblings. However, while preparing Tobias for his courtship with Mattie, sparks are flying. Only not between Mattie and Tobias.

Tobias can’t imagine a more stubborn, intelligent, witty and frustrating woman than Hildy. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but Tobias can’t afford to be distracted from his goal: getting ties within society. But after several events, Tobias needs to ask himself if getting recognized by the ton is worth the risk of losing the one woman who has captured his heart. A wonderful story about expectations and dreams and brazen women who wish to follow their own path. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

I enjoyed the start somewhat and found Tobias interesting, a little gruffly and mysterious. Hildegard was not as interesting, i did not connect with her as much. Their insta-love/romance was so quick and sudden that i just went; What? Why? It wasn`t enjoyable to me. But it is a personal reference, i know other reviews that liked it, and i think the writing was good but the book could be longer, take some time to explore their relationship and not jump into it.

Hildegrad Templeton is a part of The Duchess Society, a group of women helping other women to be prepared for marriage. And not in the traditional 19th century sense of marriage, they want women to have more independence and will.
Hildegrad is employed to help Tobias Streeter prepare to marry a young women who wants to be a doctor. He is the secret son of a viscount who became rich smuggling and is known for buying up the assets of England elite. Both are only wanting to marry for personal gains and not for love.
Problem is that Tobias and Hildegrad have an instant attraction that could throw a spanner into these marriage/business plans.
I'm really loving The Duchess Society so far. The characters all have interesting back stories that really captivated me. And I'm really routing for them to find their happy ending. The books follow the traditional romance pattern but they are still enjoyable all the same.
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Wolf Publishing for my complimentary eARC copy.

Not that this matters since the book has been published and archived but this was lovely and quite witty. The banter was amusing and I enjoyed the lady’s character and spunk.

From the first sentence to the very last page, this book was amazing. Sumner is a very talented author I enjoyed this book very much. Will be recommending to my audience!

The Brazen Bluestocking by Tracy Summer is one of those HOT fun to read historical romance novels. It is listed as the first book in a new series called The Duchess Society. This series was introduced in the novella called The Ice Duchess.

Lady Hildegard Templeton, a daughter of the ton, but shunned for her father's behavior and penniless with too many dependents. Her solution is to become a matchmaker and help women negotiate for a better, safer marriage. She knows that no marriage will save her.

Tobias Streeter is presently getting ready to marry into an aristocratic family. He is marrying a woman who has no desire to marry a man and only wishes to become a doctor. Hildy is hired by the bride’s father to move this forward (he needs the money).

Together Hildy and Toby become more entangled as she tries to help him meet his goal for the future. She has found the only man she will ever love and he is to be someone else’s husband. Unless… impossible things happen.

The Brazen Bluestocking by Tracy Summers is a good read. The new series The Duchess Society is going to be a series that will be fun to read!

I really enjoyed this book a lot. From the start i was compelled by the great characters, unique storyline and an amazing writing style.

I loved Tobias character. He was trying to pretend he was a bad boy when in reality he was just a sweetheart. He was both very funny and smart.
Hildy was also very interesting. She was mature and independent and i loved that about her.

The side characters such as Mac and Mattie were also such a great addition to the book.

You could feel from the start that the two main characters were made for each other.
They both had amazing chemistry. And their banter was extremely amusing and funny.

The story was very fast paced, very original and entertaining. I loved how we were able to read about both Tobias and Hildy thoughts and also found the epilogue very adorable and sweet.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Starting off, I received a copy of the prequel back then, and I didn't really like it at all. I remember rating it around 2.75 stars, so I didn't have high hopes for this one, despite the pretty cover and the premise. But hell, this was such an improvement. I really enjoyed Hildy and Toby, I mean, they're cat parents. This was just a perfect mix of romance with some angst and a sprinkling of humor. The writing, I feel could have been better? Sometimes it just felt like a lot of flowery words and the message could have gotten across better in a simpler way. I did feel that things tied off too neatly near the end, and the final conflict a little ??? and out there but it was still a thoroughly enjoyable read. I'm actually quite excited to read the second book!

Tobias Streeter is an unknown self made man. But would like to be a known architect. The only way he knows how to get there is a marriage of convenience.
Lady Hildegard Templeton has a seedling company of making sure women are given their right place in marriage. She also has an aging household and estate that she needs to support somehow.
Hildy and Streeter meet so the marriage can follow through. But is that the marriage that needs to happen? Will pride or love win the day?
Couldn't put down the book. The writing was superb and the plot one one havent seen before.

A defiant society outcast.
A forbidding rogue who doesn’t believe in love.
And a passionate wager.

Tracy Sumner has written another #mustread amazing story that shows us love always finds a way!

Daughter of an earl, Lady Hildegard “Hilary” Templeton hasn’t conformed to what society expects from a woman of her station. Industrious and unique, she’s created an emboldened organization for women on the cusp of marriage, The Duchess Society. Called a bluestocking to her face and worse behind closed salon doors, she vows to marry for love. And nothing but. Although the emotion has never shown itself to her. Until she meets him.

Bastard son of a viscount and king of London’s sordid streets, Tobias “Toby” Streeter has spent a lifetime building his empire, and he needs the Duchess Society to find a suitable wife. An asset to expand his worth in society’s eyes. But he vows his search will have nothing to do with love and everything to do with vengeance. Until he meets her.


I adored these characters and their interactions whilst trying to fight their magnetic attraction to each other, it made for a fun read. I also liked seeing characters from the prequel novella, The Ice Duchess, it was nice to see how Georgiana & Dexter’s life was going.

The chemistry between Hildy and Toby is pretty damn hot — these two definitely know how to light each other a flame while they conquer Toby’s daring wish list 🔥🔥

I appreciate that the author chose to have a LGBTQ relationship for one of the characters—during a time where having such relationships could result in hanging. I also like how this particular character got her happy ending as well 😍

The drama in this story stems largely from two people believing they A. Never want to marry, B. Finding themselves insanely attracted to each other yet not committing, C. Each of the MC believing they have nothing to offer the other, D. Inability to communicate because each time they are together they end up in bed, or on the table, floor, wall, etc. so, yes there were times where I was screaming in my head for these two to just TALK to each other!! In the end though everything works out, Toby & Hildy get their HEA!

Overall 5 Stars ⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥 | Smoking Hot Chemistry ❤️‍🔥 — Highly recommend and can’t wait for the next book!!

Hildegard Templeton is known as the Mad Matchmaker because she helps women find suitable husbands. She also makes sure that the marriage contracts have suitable protections in place for these young women after marriage. A spinster and the only one left to care for her property and servants it is imperative that she makes money. Tobias Streeter, known as the Rogue King, is a viscount’s by-blow who has built an empire from the ground up. Hilde needs to bring Tobias up to scratch so he can fit in with the ton and marry one of their own. He doesn’t love his intended but they have an arrangement that will benefit them both. Once Hilde and Tobias meet sparks start flying. Will they trust each other enough to give up the futures they have planned? OR will love not conquer all this time?

The chemistry between these two characters was so strong that I couldn’t wait for their next encounter. Tracy Sumner did a marvelous job bringing to life their desire for each other. They are a perfect match. I completely enjoyed the story and the characters!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced ebook for an honest review.

I found this a fun read!!! The characters were entertaining and the storyline was strong. From the first you can feel the attraction Hildy and Tobias have for one another. Then to read as the story unfolds and all the complications which arise and you see how they muddle through.

I was gifted this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.