This was my first ever historical romance book and after reading this I'm craving more. I didn't realize that this was the fourth book in a series until I finished it, but I didn't feel like I missed something. I don't really care for Alex, I thought he was kind of a jerk. But I absolutely love Olive! She's such a strong, powerful, badass character! And I really love the writing style of the author. Will definitely be checking the rest of the series out!

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks and the author for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly don't know why this is the first book that I have read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. This book has all the elements needed for a rollicking good read. A hot alpha hero on a clandestine mission, a seemingly prim young schoolmistress who is hiding a few secrets join together to try and unearth and a plot to assassinate a prominent British politician.
There's sizzling chemistry straight away, some witty banter thrown in, disguises, intrigue and a wee bit of angst.
I loved the romance and I loved the blossoming friendship between the two half brothers - I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

I haven't read Regency romances in a while but the description of this title interested me. The combination of a spy story with the romance was enjoyable. I would read more by this author. The main characters in this book were likeable and sympathetic and the storyline kept me interested. I recommend this title.

A Relentless Rake is the 4th book in the Lords of the Armoury series. In this book Alexander Sinclair, the Earl of St. James continues the investigation into Scepter. After a failed assassination attempt on the Prime Minister Alec is tasked with finding the people responsible. His search leads him to schoolmistress Olivia Everett and her brother Henry.
Olivia is an intelligent and compassionate heroine who is doing her best to run the school her father began. She takes in as many scholarship students as possible alongside paying students. After a failed elopement when she was 18 she is determined to maintain her family's good name and her reputation. Alec in contrast has developed a reputation as a rake and he is unapologetic about it. While these two work together to solve the mystery of Scepter's next target they can't help their developing feelings.
Another great addition to the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

Love historical romances? Well then this is a book for you!

It all starts with an assassination plot, for king and country the Earl St James has to team up with his half brother to discover the plot to kill the king.

Now there’s a bit of back story between the brothers and their father. And how Nathan Reed came to be. They may appear the same in appearance but they’re upbringing are polar apart.

Olivia Everett school mistress, mathematic wizard and desperately trying to save her family from ruin. She’s centre stage to the drama her brother has brought to her door. Putting her firmly in St James sights.

Though society dictates they should be together. Love really does conquers all. It’s a page turner, one I couldn’t put down and had to finish in one sitting.

<b>Thanks to the author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</b>

There is a plot to take over the government during the Regency period. With the evil Scepter spies and allies riddled throughout the government only 2 men, patriots, are tasked with the job of locating Scepter: Alec, the Earl of St. James, and Nate Reed, his bastard half brother. They hate one another but perhaps the bastard brother’s story will be told in a subsequent book? Hmmm.Their only lead takes them to Olivia whose brother Henry seems to be involved in some way. Alec takes on her investigation but can’t help falling for her. Olivia is faced with a dilemma. Does she trust her brother or Alec… and what about her attraction to Alec?
This a fast paced and steamy historical romance that I would be happy to recommend to my patrons.

**Received a copy for review.**
Alec & Olivia. An Earl & a school mistress.
Alec, Earl of St James has been tasked with conducting a clandestine investigation into who might be trying to kill the prime minister with the help of his half brother, the one who is not acknowledged, by the undersecretary. The one piece of evidence sends him after Henry Everett and perhaps his sister Olivia.
I loved these two. I am convinced that I have never read a sexy conversation around arches, curves, and tension. The way that Alec is surprised by all the sides of Olivia is so well done. The meddling sister who is purposely bad at it was delightful.
The only reason it was not a five star was his reaction to a revelation at Vauxhall. His response to the info she shares made me want to punch him right in the junk while also Gibbs slapping him. I had a hard time forgiving him.
I really want to know more about Aunt Agnes and the leather & bayonets.

This book is filled with mystery, intrigue and captivates the reader from the offset.The subplot of the assassination attempt on the prime minister and the possible overthrowing of the government is gripping and filled with twists that kept me guessing until the end. The romance aspect of this novel was just as interesting and enthralling. The matching of a rogue and a prim and proper misses always makes me squeal with joy, and this one didn’t miss. When a rogue changes his ways for a specific women, my heart soars. These two are both loving and understanding of one another’s past. There wasn’t a perfect wrap up of the story at the end, but that is likely due to there being another book in this series.

I came into this book theoretically blind. I had not read any of the prior novels in this series, A Relentless Rake works great as a standalone. I may have been missing some prior information about Sceptor, but I could not tell.

While I really enjoyed this novel, I have to say I enjoyed the suspense related to Sceptor more than the budding romance between St. James and Olivia. The connection between the two felt rushed, and I can't help wondering if the characters would have ever noticed each other if not for the circumstances of their meeting. From what I've seen, this is common for the historical romance genre--and I have read a lot of historical romance. While this pairing of personalities wouldn't work in a contemporary romance, I think they come together perfectly here.

I have to point out that this heroine is not your stereotypical, blissfully-ignorant innocent. It is so refreshing to have a world-weary woman as the lead.

I have never read anything by Anna Harrington before, but after this book, I'll definitely be checking out more titles by her.

Anna Harrington is one of the Historical Romance writers I like the most currently. Her books are romantic, emotional and she doesn't shy away from the ~spice as so many historical romances are wont to do nowadays - though there could have been more. A Relentless Rake is no different. I really enjoyed the first part of the book as it reminded me of one of my favorite historical romance series, The School for Heiresses (by Sabrina Jeffries). The main characters had good banter between them and Olivia yearning to be able to be seen as more than just a proper school mistress was something the reader could feel empathetic about. However, the second half of the book was somewhat of a letdown, mainly because of Alexander, the mmc. I really disliked his treatment of Olivia, and his reasoning for it was dumb. The main internal conflict, therefore, felt weak and Alexander's motivations for it were kind of insulting.
It's a shame the second half of A Relentless Rake was so much less enjoyable than the first, as had it continued to be fun with a lot of banter and some ~spice, it would have been easily a 5-star read. As it is, I'm giving it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because I will continue to read the series and the first half was really that good.

This was sweet and sexy and super addicting! I enjoyed the characters, they were well developed and I felt I wasn’t missing anything. I truly enjoyed the subtle intrigue and the twists of the story. Their attraction was developed and moved along well. Their chemistry in atheism darkness of V was a sexy page turner. Looking forward to more by this author and in this series.

High three stars

The fourth installment of Anna Harrington's Lords of the Armory series is a good addition to the collection, though it not without its problems. It features proper schoolmistress Olivia and Alec, an earl who works secretly for the crown and is trying to uncover a plot to assassinate the prime minister. Alec has been tasked to follow Olivia, whose mathematician brother is suspected of being involved in the plot.

Trust between the two is limited. Not only is Alec unsure if Olivia is innocent of being involved, but his past has taught him to be distrustful in general. Olivia has secrets of her own to protect, and she's also not sure who is telling the truth: Alec or her brother. They one thing they can't deny is their mutual attraction.

Both Alec and especially Olivia are interesting, but I feel like the opportunity to get to know them is minimal. Olivia is apparently a brilliant mathematician, and it is her work that her brother is celebrated for. But while her genius is acknowledged, it is not celebrated. She has a past that figures prominently in Alec's temporary (and totally hypocritical) anger at her, but she still manages to run a school that gives girls--including scholarship girls--a chance. Alec has a past too, though he's has less success in turning that part into something good...at least until he gets past his stupid anger at the (truly not so devastating and yet totally understandable) secret she kept.

Additionally, we don't see much of the two getting to know each other beyond the uncovering of their respective secrets. Olivia and Alec never crossed paths or even knew of each other's existence until Alec began investigating her for the crown. In the few weeks that the story spans, they rarely spend any quality time together, so it's hard to know what their feelings for each other are based on.

If you can get ignore the speed of their relationship and the lack of true substance in their attraction, you'll find that the story is fast paced and relatively exciting. There are also teasers for the next installment, Captain Reed's story. I, for one, am looking forward to it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Olivia is an amazing woman who has pushed her own needs to the side for years in order to make sure that no scandal ever touches the Everett school. She knows that if there is any scandal it would cause people to pull out their children and their money and the school would be finished. Now she has her work cut out for her when her brother Henry gets himself into trouble, and it could put the school in jeopardy. Alec is on the case and begins watching Olivia to see if he can get any information about her brother.. This leads to a few very interesting encounters.. in her bedroom.. while hes wearing a mask..

Alec is actively following Olivia to find out what her brothers up to, trying to convince her that her brother is hiding something, and Olivia is just as sure that Henry is just a mathmatician trying to get into the Royal Society, nothing else. While they are each trying to prove their side, the chemistry between them begins boiling over.

I really ended up loving Olivia and Alec together, there are some really beauiful scenes when they are revealing their past tragedies and we get a peek at what makes them tick.. Revealing their secrets really brings them closer together, then we just have to deal with figuring out the mystery of who blew up that building and how they are going to catch them.

I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and how everything is going to be resolved

In the beginning I started rooting for a wrong step-brother but then I warmed up to the right one. The story is sweet and engaging and I have enjoyed it. I will probably read the story with the step brother as well.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange of the honest review.

4.5 stars

An e-ARC has been provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was so good, I loved it! I haven't read much historical romance that revolves around revolutionists, so I found this plot to be unusual. I love how well-researched it was, especially after how it was briefly explained in the author's note.

I may not be a mathematician but I truly had a fun time reading about it and how it relates to the entire plot. It wasn't just something used to create a bluestocking heroine, it was an interesting choice that I paid off if the brilliance of the plot is anything to go by.

I enjoyed both Alec and Olivia -- they were both so strong individuals, yet vulnerable and jaded. My heart went out to both of them after hearing of their pasts -- with all that trauma and hatred they've carried for most of their lives. Initially, I didn't understand how emotionally heavy this book will be, but it surprised me how it tugged into my heartstrings.

I've only ever read one other book by this author since I've just discovered her last year. I especially appreciated how she wrote Alec; it was refreshing to read about a man who is not afraid to apologize and who can draw strength from his vulnerability. For some unexplained reason, his character has made such an impact that I doubt I would ever forget him.

My only negative comment would be that it tends to be tedious. There were parts that were slow and almost boring -- somehow the excitement falters. Though there were scenes that would put you at the edge of your seat, it didn't have a steady flow, which makes the story feels longer.

The romance was enjoyable. It did take up a bigger chunk of the book, with bits and pieces of the mystery/mission here and there, but towards the latter, it balanced out. This is a refreshing historical romance wherein the conflict wasn't about the romantic relationship and society standards at all.

I'm excited to read the next book, which is about Captain Reed, who also appeared in this book. I believe you can read this series as a standalone, though this book and the next share the same plotline in terms of the involvement of the revolutionists so you might need to read them in order. While waiting for the next book, I'll make my way into the first three books in the series and see how it all ties together. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book without having any background of the series and the first installments so know that you don't have to actually read them, but I think it would create a better experience if you do so.

An in-depth review will be uploaded to my blog in the coming days.

I received "A Relentless Rake " from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Anna Harrington is a superb historical romance author. Her beautiful stories have so much intrigue, sizzle, and sensuality. The rapport between all the characters is outstanding... romance at it's best. Olivia Everett and Alexander Sinclair are both searching for answers as to who Henry Everett is working with. Their first meeting leads to many more secretive beautiful encounters. Alec, as a result of his past, seems to see everything either in black or white. Olivia, because of her past, seems to shield herself from revealing her true self. They both learn to trust one another to move past hurt and betrayal, and to take that leap of faith.  Another superb story of love and endurance.

A Relentless Rake by Anna Harrington

Alexander Sinclair Earl St James is heading a small group of men instructed with the task of finding who is responsible for trying to overthrow the government. They know it is a group called Spectre but the don’t know who the ringleaders are. The only piece of evidence is a a torn corner of a mathematical equation whixh was found in the rubble of the damaged building. Leading them to Henry Everett and his Sister Olivia who own a school and are both mathematicians.

A quick moving story with many twists and turns. Following the turbulent relationship between Alexander and Olivia.

Wow what a wonderful start to a new series! This story had it all ..an interesting and unique plot , steam in the right places (1 full scene and 1 partial scene ) . Looking forward to the next book which follows the illegitimate brother of the Earl featured in this book .

This book was so perfect. It had all the makings of a truly exceptional piece of work. I adored Harrington's writing and her characters. I loved that we got to see some amazing secondary characters as well!

The premise was unique and very well done, and the best part was that it actually delivered on all its promises. I was either on the edge of my seat or smiling from ear to ear throughout the book.

And can we just take a second to talk about the SIZZLING chemistry. Honestly, it was leaping right off the page. I can't remember the last book I read with such well written and tasteful intimacy.

All in all, I absolutely adored this book and I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it!

ARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been super into historical romances lately and this one was amazing! Thank you so much for the early access!