A Dash of Disguise (A Lady’s School for Spies #1). By Jacki Delecki. 2022. The Book Whisperer (ARC eBook).

Overall, A Dash of Disguise is an entertaining second-chance historical romance with a mix of intrigue. While I thought some segments of the story slowed, I would continue reading the series to see how a spy school for women develops.

DNF. I feel like our society's grasp of appropriate behavior between men and women has come a long way. Which is why, although I wouldn't have had a problem with this 20 years ago, I was taken aback when the main male character effectively assaults the female character. (Or whatever you would call grappling and kissing a woman you dumped three years ago and now she hates your guts.) Therefore, I stopped at 38%, which is a shame, because this book had potential despite the hero being completely blind to his own actions and the heroine being kinda dumb.

This is the first book of a new and exciting series, A Lady's School for Spies. This is also my first book by Ms Delecki, and honestly, I don't know how I 've missed reading her books. This story was captivating and caught my attention from the very beginning and I simply could not put it down. Perdita is an intelligent, passionate, and spirited woman who refuses to let a broken heart get her down. When she is rejected by the love of her life, she decides to do something with her life instead of willingly settle into spinsterhood. She becomes a spy. Dash broke her heart all those years ago, mainly out of pride, believing, due to circumstances, he could not financially support her. When they cross paths again, they are faced with much danger and must work together to catch the country's traitors. They are also faced with the fact that their love for each other still burns as strong as ever and they may just have a second chance at love.
Suspense, danger, drama, and romance kept me glued and had me turning the pages, anxious to see how things would end. Ms. Delecki did a great job of bringing the story and the characters to life. This was an exciting first book and I can't wait to continue the series!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Lady Perdita Tinley fell in love with Dashiell West, Earl of Beldon. when she was a young adult. She thought they were going to get married until the day Dashiell's father died. A few weeks after Dashiell's father's death he broke Perdita's heart. Dashiell's father left him broke but he couldn't let Perdita know that so he broke her heart until he was able to get the money he need then he got into the spy business. Perdita also got into the spy business and wanted to start a school to teach women the spy. When Perdita's brother disappears she goes to the last person she thought she would ever need Dashiell. While looking for her brother with Dashiell's help Perdita learns what happen when he walked away from her and rekindles their love. I couldn't put this book down. I just reviewed A Dash of Disguise by Jacki Delecki.

A Dash of Disguise is a second chance romance between Lady Perdita and Lord Dash. Imbued with drama and rife with intrigue, it is a novel geared towards those looking for a “dash” of excitement in their own lives. Adventure awaits, you only need to know how to read to partake!

The steam sizzled from the opening page of this delightful regency romance. Add a 'dash' of mystery and intrigue, spies and traitors in the midst of the social engagements of the season and this was an enjoyable, lighthearted story.
The main character of Lady Perdita Tinely was strong willed, unconventional and entertaining. The handsome hero/undercover spy/supposed degenerate was everything you love the main love interest to be. He was handsome, a slight reprobate, mysterious with a title.
This story of spies and romance, balls and kidnappings kept my attention and interest throughout. The cast of characters were diverse and captivating and created a refreshingly different aspect to this style of story. There was action and adventure as well as the romance, which proved exciting and further captured my continuing delight in the adventures. Overall, this was a story that entertained and was a fun lighthearted adventure with just the right amount of steamy romance.

What a great start to a series. Perdita & Dash have an interesting & twisted road to each other. I love the characters. I can't wait to get to know them better. I thought the plot was unique and interesting with plenty of action & suspense. I cannot wait for the next book!

A Dash of Disguise by Jacki Delecki is the first book of the A Lady’s School for Spies series. Lady Perdita Tinley, the daughter of an Earl, has been rejected by the love of her life. Dita has sworn off marriage. She is determined to help her brother Roddy in the fight against Napoleon by becoming a spy. Dashiell West, Earl of Beldon, lives a life of debauchery. When his former best friend Roddy is taken hostage by the French, Dash knows the seedy contacts from his time in gaming hells are the ones to get answers from. Dash and Dita are forced back together in their united mission to rescue Roddy.

Dita is a really cool character. I enjoyed her toughness. I also liked how protective Dash was of her. This book is a cool blend of historical romance and romantic suspense.

Perdita fell in love with Dash as a girl, but he crushed her heart. What happens when they're forced to team up to rescue her brother from French spies?

It's nice to see a Regency heroine who's truly able to hold her own. Dita doesn't need a man to rescue her—she can take care of herself. It was hard for me to warm up to Dash after the way he hurt her, but ultimately, he had good reasons for his actions. A swoony adventure romance!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

An intriguing and captivating story full of suspense, romance, intrigue, danger and a twisty plot what more could you ask for with feisty heroine's and swoon worthy hero's. This author never disappoints I always have sleepless nights as i can't book the books down until the end. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

French spies and a Women’s School for Espionage

Dashiell West, Earl of Beldon, (more Dash than Cash) found himself penniless after his despised father died. He’d left his love with the promise of marriage only to decide out of pride, that as he was without financial liquidity, he couldn’t marry her. Her being Lady Perdita Tinley.
Fortunately Dash is gifted mathematical, and managed to reverse his financial worries at cards.
Dita has had a rather wild childhood. She learned to fight, and think beyond the role of being a wife, who’s sole purpose was to have children and entertain.
When Dash and Dita reconnect the fire is still there. Shall we say that it’s more than a hearth fire, more a wildfire of maelstrom proportions. A distant fire that’s banked until Dita’s brother Roddy, and Dash’s best friend, disappears. Roddy had been a special envoy to negotiating the Treaty of Amiens. Then Dash can barely reign Dita in in her flurried and determined investigations.
Some amongst the emigre French are involved. Unknown to all, Dash has been in deep cover for three years, working on hunting down Fouche’s spy network.
Dita’s goal is to be involved in information gathering, to train women in espionage. She deduced that women can go places men can’t. They see things through a different lens. Any observations would be passed on to the relevant intelligence services of His Majesty’s Government.
Dita does a good job of disguising herself and her feelings, as does Dash. Both are in disguise of one form or another. On many fronts the story’s all wrapped up in its title.
Exciting in parts, and yet I felt more joining of the sone of the dots was needed to be more than just a good read.

A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I love historicals with strong leading ladies!

Perdita is a charming heroine, focused on serving her country in whatever way she can, even if it's a bit unorthodox. She's still getting over the heartbreak delivered three years earlier when Dash abruptly broke off their informal engagement to lead a profligate lifestyle, so working with her friends from finishing school learn to be spies for the crown gives her much-needed purpose.

Dash has an entire library of secrets he's keeping, including the real reason he had to leave Dita behind. Now that her investigatory endeavors are crossing paths with his, he can't avoid his feelings for her any longer. Trying to keep her safe while not being able to be 100% honest with her describes most of the conflict between them.

I really enjoyed the entire cast of characters, and I loved reading about the intelligence community in London in 1802. There's a lot to admire here with the women taking charge of their destinies and using their unique talents to work together as a team. This is a terrific setup for a continuing series, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more.

There were a few minor errors and inconsistencies, but none that seriously detracted from the story. The climax was thrilling and the HEA sublime, though I do wish we'd been able to see more of their post-reconciliation relationship. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This is my first historical (and romance) book that takes place in the early 1800’s, where Ms Delecki introduced us to amazing characters with some suspense, the romance as well as the politics discussed between England and France. I love Dita, who wants to save her country, working as a spy, and is a very forgiving person. Dita wanted to start a school to train women to be spies while asking for Lord Rothborune's approval for the spy school. Dash and Dita <<33 he loved her so much that he built a bad reputation for a purpose.

4.5 Stars
Lady Perdita Tinley was raised to be the perfect aristocratic wife. Daughter of an earl, she had the best of everything. But, when the love of her life rejects her, her ideal life collapses around her. Still, her passionate spirit won't accept the quiet spinster life. Dita transforms into the perfect spy. Dashiell West, Earl of Beldon, isn't the marrying kind. Crushed by his father's death, Dash turned his back on the ton & Dita. His life is a long, blurry series of gaming hells, debauchery, and dissipation. But, the life of a heartless rake may just be his last chance at salvation. When Dita's brother Roddy, who was once Dash's best friend, is taken hostage by the French, Dash's seedy contacts are the only clue that can help save him.
This is the first book in a new series but we do catch up with some old friends from The Code Breakers series. I loved Perdita who wants ‘to do her bit’ in the war against Napoleon & she wishes to start a school for female spies. She's intelligent, feisty & still in love with Dash. I also loved Dash who wasn’t all he seemed & I loved his story as it gradually unravelled. The chemistry between the pair sizzled & they only had to be in a room together for the tension to soar. I love a book with spies & intrigue & this book didn’t disappoint & I look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

When Dashiell West (Dash), the Earl of Beldon rejects Lady Perdita Tinley (Dita), she decides to swear off marriage. Having known him since childhood, she is utterly devasted. So she decides to become a perfect spy and set up her own school. Yet when When Dita’s brother, who was once Dash’s best friend, is taken hostage by the French, Dash’s seedy contacts are the only clue that can help save him. Together, he and Dita must do all that they can, even if it means risky their feelings to do so.
Both Dash and Dita are two strong willed characters, and I found the opening chapter, revealed the depth of their feelings and also the tremendous pain felt by both, when they part ways. There is plenty of action, passion and intrigue in this story. At times though, I felt that there was a lot happening, and needed a bit more detail to resolve all the storylines. I did feel that the self-talk by both characters was a bit syrupy and could have been a bit less dramatic. However, their feelings were intense, as shown by the quick resolution of their breakup.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dash is a dissolute Earl who broke Perdita’s heart. He is working for the crown as a spy. Her brother is being held by the French. They must work together to get him back.

The book was very strong on the details. It was very descriptive. The heroine is very strong, especially when she’s captured by the French. The hero has much to make up for. He realizes his mistakes. The book was very exciting.

Lady Perdita must pair up with the man who broke her heart to rescue her brother. Lord Dash has never forgotten Lady Perdita... They must both overcover their past to find happiness....

A terrific romance! Terrific characters. Great chemistry between the main characters. Every one of their scene sparkles. :) And SPIES!!! Who can resist?

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Adventure, mystery, romance, and SPIES?! Throw in some dresses, revenge and star-crossed lovers, and you've got yourself a whirlwind of a tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Book Whisperer for the ARC.