I have enjoyed other books by this author but this one just didn’t work for me. I loved the idea of a blind heroine and spy and mystery but the writing just didn’t grab me. I felt there was too much filler and not enough put into the adventure and the characters were a bit wishy-washy. It’s a sweet read and I am sure many will enjoy it. For me, I like my mysteries a little more solid. I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and freely give my review.

3.5 stars

The voice seemed a bit modern in some ways. The hero/heroine a bit two dimensional and goody goody the villain nefarious.

Not sure I'll bother with the others in the series,

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

I was not a fan of this book. I found the characters shallow and not well thought out. They were constantly contradicting themselves and their opinions. She was always somehow at the wrong place at the wrong time, but that made her constantly important to him. I thought the book had so much potential, but I could not connect with the characters at all.

If you are looking for a story with lovely romance, which is also packed with suspense, drama and a few twists and turns then this is the book for you!

It's got a heroine who is courageous despite her unfortunate circumstances, a hero who is honorable and fearless and will do anything to protect the love of his life, a few villains and wonderful characters.

I guarantee you that you will be drawn into the story from the first page right up until the last page and be totally satisfied. The story is so well-written with great characters and a really well thought out plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Highly recommended!

The Marquess of Mischief by Anna St. Claire was a delight to read. The author did a great job in her descriptions and I felt like I was there with the characters. This story has spies, kidnappings, rescues, heightened senses, blindness, generational vengeance, and so much more. While this book is part of a series, it can be read on it's own.

Anna St. Claire's  The Marquess of Mischief

This was action packed from the first chapter right to the very end. It keeps you wanting more. twists you don't see coming and turns you have to smile at. A little of every thing to hold you to the l#t age.

The second book in The Rakes of Mayhem series follows Christopher Anglesey, the Marquess of Banbury, a man who loves being an agent of the Crown and refuses to give it up just because of his new title and responsibilities. His job forces him to attend dreaded ton events where he often sees his sister’s friend Diana. After a carriage accident leaves Lady Diana Lawrence blind, she resigns herself to a marriage-less future. However, she makes the best of her situation and keeps an optimistic attitude, often going to balls and other outings to appease her parents, who believes Diana will find her love match.

When an unscrupulous man tries to take advantage of Diana, Christopher comes to her rescue and gets her back to her family before her reputation is ruined. However, Diana’s troubles are just beginning, as, while at a museum event with Christopher’s sister, Diana overhears a plot to assassinate the Prince Regent. Luckily for Diana, Christopher’s newest assignment involves thwarting this assassination attempt. As he and Diana become embroiled in dangerous and murderous plots, enemies from the past and present threaten all they hold dear. Diana and Christopher must work together to uncover the villains who are out to destroy them before it’s too late. However, the more they are together, the more they realize how much they care for each other. Will this pair find happiness with each other with so many obstacles in their way?

The Marquess of Mischief is a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance, and I loved Christopher and Diana. They are both such fantastic characters, and their budding relationship is positively swoon-worthy. Though their families have been friends for years, Christopher and Diana are only now seeing each other as more-than-friends. Diana is so brave and smart, and her positive outlook on life is inspiring. She has had so many difficulties in recent years, especially when losing her vision, yet she never loses her optimism and ability to see the good in others.

Christopher is honorable, kind, and thoughtful, and a perfect match for Diana. He is definite book boyfriend material with his handsome looks and swoon-worthy actions. I also enjoyed the other characters in the story, especially Diana’s family and Christopher’s sister and best friends. They are all interesting and dynamic, and I’m curious to learn more about all of them. I have a feeling Christopher’s friends and sister will have roles in future books in the series, and I’m sure theirs will be as swoon-worthy as Diana and Christopher’s.

I adored the romance between Diana and Christopher! They have great chemistry and are a really well-matched couple. I love that their relationship has such a strong foundation, and they seem to bring out the best in each other. I also love how he thinks about her happiness and doesn’t treat her differently because of her vision loss. At one point in the story, Christopher is talking to Diana’s father, and he describes all of the qualities he loves in Diana. He says “My interest is not tied to her eyes, beautiful as they may be. The accident was a tragedy, but it does not have to define her.” The care Christopher shows Diana, the respect and unconditional acceptance, as well as the thought he puts into taking her to places that will appeal to her senses, makes him even more attractive and their love story even more romantic.

Of course, Diana and Christopher’s blossoming relationship is not without obstacles. The deadly mystery behind the assassination plot stands in sharp contrast to Diana and Christopher’s lovely romance. It brings a lot of suspense and intrigue to the story, and other vengeful characters only add to it. It’s interesting to see how Christopher and Diana face all of these dangerous situations and how Christopher fights to protect Diana and keep her safe.

This is a great addition to the series, and I would recommend it to readers who love heartwarming and romantic historical romances with suspenseful intrigue. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for providing m e with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I love historical romances and was intrigued with a blind heroine. Diana had lost her eyesight in a carriage accident and is valiantly learning to live with her disability. She’s young, beautiful, an aristocrat, wealthy, with a loving family and giggles (a lot). Christopher is Diana’s best friend’s brother and their families have known each other for years. Christopher is also an aristocrat, young, wealthy, handsome, loving family, etc. He is also a spy with a nickname, friends with other aristocratic spies with nicknames - it’s one cliche after another. There is a mystery involving an assassination plot to solve and a vengeful lunatic..

The book was well written in that the story progressed along, no editorial errors, and firmly set in the Regency period. It was also predictable and unfortunately boring. Not even going fishing saved this insipid romance.

Warning: the story starts with an attempted rape.

Customer Review
Nelle Renn
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
The story has intrigue due to a threat to the Prince Regent. The heroine has recently been blinded and over hears a plot. The hero works for the crown and has been lifelong friends with the heroine’s family. Then enter a crazed brother of a Viscount and you have a story. I felt there is a little confusion regarding the location of the heroine’s father’s stable. I really liked the heroine’s horse being a hero. There were wonderful support characters. I received an ARC for an honest review.

LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The main female character Diana was incredible and wonderful. Instead of getting depressed and despondent about her vision she kept a hopeful outlook. Yet at times she missed reading and riding among many other things most people take for granted. She is realistic and I admired her fortitude. It helped immensely that she grew up in a supportive and loving family. But getting reacquainted with Christopher awoke in her an aspect of living life that fulfilled her in many ways. Christopher was extremely caring and sensitive to Diana. He found ways to stimulate her senses that created a sense of self that brought a smile and contentment she had long thought lost. The romance was one aspect of the story. Then there was the dangerous aspect of the story. A madman was after Diana to destroy her. There was also a threat of an assassination against the Prince Regent. All these aspects made for an intriguing, suspenseful, action-paced, dangerous story. I could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting. Excellent writing. This is the first book I have read by this author and now I plan on reading more of her work. This is a must read. I highly recommend this.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Inspirational
Page-turner
Romantic
Realistic
Unpredictable
Witty
Wonderful characters

The premise of The Marquess of Mischief is interesting and entertaining with a recently blinded heroine and friend of the family as her hero and friend. This romantic tale does not have the dynamics and ‘edge of your seat’ excitement that was in the first book of the Rakes of Mayhem series, The Earl of Excess, but it is super enjoyable. The secondary story of a deranged villain trying to kill the Prince Regent and wreak vengeance on the heroine’s family pulls you along with its unusual circumstances and kind of bumbling thieves.

Diana is adorable and strong in the difficult situation of having lost her eyesight during an accident the prior year. The Earl of Banbury is a gentleman and an agent of the Crown. Both are great characters, honest, loyal and a good couple together. Their romance is kind of a slow burn with them having been family friends for a long time. Lady Diana is in danger having overheard a plot to kill the Regent. Christopher, as an agent, has been assigned to investigate said plot. This gives both of them the opportunity needed to spend time together to fall in love.

Anna St. Clair writes a sweet romance with a couple who never thought to marry, but they find their HEA through difficult circumstances.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Marquess Of Mischief is a heart-felt, sweetly romantic read that keeps you turning the page. This gentle story of friends to lovers also is full of intrigue and action. I enjoyed the natural blossoming of new love between the couple.

Christopher Anglesey, the Marquess of Banbury, is an agent with the Crown and isn’t looking for love or marriage. Lady Diana Lawrence is beautiful and intelligent. Diana lost her sight in an accident. Diana is placed in the cross-hairs of a conspiracy that threatens her life and those lives around her. Christopher pledges to keep her safe. Christopher is a responsible, caring character. Christopher is a man of action, yet helplessly falls under Diana’s spell. Diana’s character is brave, thoughtful, and lovely inside and out. I enjoyed how both characters have good hearts, and it was refreshing to have a decent and kind couple, no rakes or vapid debutantes here!

I loved how Christopher and Diana’s relationship unfolds. There is familiarity from knowing each other for years, and the romance that slowly blooms from friendship is enchanting and resonated with me. The couple’s courtship is sweet and fun to read. The intrigue and action kept me turning the page. There is plenty of content, and the pace was perfect. The Marquess Of Mischief is the second book in The Rakes Of Mayhem series. I loved the first book, and this one exceeded my expectations. This novel was an engaging, eye-catching romance that left me smiling.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A plot to kill the Prince Regent soon gets more complicated when Lady Diana Lawrence is attacked at a ball. Christopher, Lord Banbury, rescues Diana from her attacker not realizing the man is the Boss in planning the assassination. Placing himself as her protector, Christopher discovers the lady fills a part of his empty life. For Diana a life with Christopher will be safe and rewarding since she is blind. Can a blind young lady help find a killer without her sight?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A gentle romance threads its way through a novel of revenge and a plot to assassinate the Prince Regent, bringing The Marquess of Banbury and Lady Diana together in an effort to find the culprit. Christopher has known Diana since she was a little girl when he and Diana's brother got up to mischief together. However, when he realizes that the conversation he overheard involves Diana, he suddenly finds himself becoming very protective of her and rescues her from what could have been a devastating situation. After a serious carriage accident in which Diana was blinded, Christopher does everything he can to put a smile on her face and helps her to readjust and find new ways of enjoying life. With both their families and the Prince Regent in the sights of a crazed Lord, there is a race against time to avert a disaster, making Christopher realize just how important Diana has become to him. The novel comes to a good conclusion, bringing friends together. I received a copy of this book through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Christopher Anglesey, the fifth Marquess of Banbury, inherited by accident but works for the Home Office. He finds mischief and creates it just as well.

Lady Diana Lawrence, is legally bound due to an accident but keeps going through courage and strong will. Her hero is her horse Bandit.

These two get thrown together by mischief, mayhem, and outside forces. As they enjoy activities to show Diana her life can have fun and joy.
A madcap race to find a villain out to cause trouble. Misguided in his belief of right and justice.

Come along as we journey around London on this suspenseful, witty intrigue that will have you so enthralled to the end. You can feel in the details as if you are there. To say more would be to spoil the great plot

Delightful story of a woman, Diana, who is blind due to a carriage accident. A long-time acquaintance, Christopher, comes into her life again. They spend time together trying to thwart an assassination attempt of the regent. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book & it had all the elements that work for me - well-written, good pace, interesting story, lovable characters & Bandit, the heroic horse but most of all, the book left me smiling & feeling happy.

Christopher Anglesey was never supposed to be the Marquess of Banbury, but after the death of his older brother, he now held the title. He has continued working as an agent for the crown & now his friend's sister, Diana, has heard a conversation discussing a murder plot against the Prince Regent's life.

Lady Diana Lawrence is a lovely, brave & intelligent young lady that had her debut season & then a carriage accident left her blind. The doctors don't know why she is blind & hope it will only be temporary, but it has been six months since her accident & she still cannot see.

Christopher & Diana & their families have been acquaintances for years but there has never been anything between Christopher & his friend's sister. Their romance grows slowly but there are other obstacles in their way - the threat to the Prince Regent, a past revenge threat to Diana's family will threaten her life, tends to put their romance on simmer until they can solve life threatening cases. I loved the characters & Bandit, Diana's horse was a star & Christopher was such a tender, understanding suitor showing how much he cared for Diana & only wanted ease her adjustment to being blind. The ending was fantastic!!! ​ I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.

I love Christopher & Diana! Watching Diana embrace life despite her blindness was so heartwarming. I loved the natural progression of their relationship, having known each other most of their lives it took only one extreme circumstance for him to see her in a new light. The care he took in drawing her out and finding ways for her to enjoy everything was beyond romantic. He never saw her limitations and made sure that she didn’t either. The mystery of the story was drawn out but in just the right way. Allowing all the tensions of intrigue to pull us into the story. A truly delightful tale of love without limits!

As a second son, Christopher Anglesey never planned to become the Marquis of Banbury. However, his brother's death forced him to assume the title and its responsibilities. Still, he refuses to relinquish his dangerous job with the Crown or marry. His job requires he maintains a presence at most ton events. On the heels of a successful first Season, a carriage accident on the way home from London leaves Lady Diana Lawrence blind. Christopher & Diana’s paths frequently cross as Diana is best friends with Christopher’s sister Catherine. Diana overhears plans to kill the Prince Regent, placing her in the crosshairs of a killer. Christopher's assignment is to thwart the plan.
This is the second book in the series & is easily read on its own. A well written well paced book with strong characters. I loved both Christopher & Diana, he’s honourable, dedicated & finds himself fascinated by Diana. Diana is a strong woman who is coping with losing her sight & she’s held a torch for Christopher for quite a while. I loved how Christopher saved Diana from being ravished at a ball & Christopher finds himself attracted to Diana, the pair first became friends & spent time together whilst falling in love. I loved the mix of romance & intrigue & read this engrossing book in two sittings. My only quibble was that I found it surprising that Christopher was able to take time away from the investigation to take Diana on outings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Can he save her from a mad revenge plot…

When I read the blurb a few weeks ago, I was determined to read it. There is nothing more I love than a hero/heroine who fights their way in life whatever impediment destiny has thrown on their path.
This is sweet love tale with a dash of danger.
Diana and Christopher are perfect together, and there is nothing which can come between them.
The story just could have been shorter as there are aplenty of little nothings which distract everyone from the main plot. If the maid dozes, she might be too old and need to retire, if the valet has reason to be grumpy, his employer must learn why…
The narrative jumped a bit too much from here and there, which drowned the action part, as why the villain goes from a revenge scheme to killing the prince regent.
In all, it is a cute tale with a lovely couple.
3.5 stars rounded up.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen sweet lovemaking scene.