Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion

I loved the first book of this series, and this book didn’t fail me at all. In this book you will find historical romance mixed with mystery, great banter, chemistry/tension between the characters and steamy scenes.

I really liked the story between Eleanor and Harry and all the shenanigans they get themselves into and out of. In this book you will find fast paced, short chapters and a well written historical romance. I loved the characters in this book the most and I really enjoyed that we got to see characters from the first book in this one. Eleanor is just a woman in a man's world, her and her two friends run a detective agency, but to the world the women are just his assistants because no one would hire them if they all knew that it was run by them. One night at a ball they’re asked if their boss would like to take a job, they all agree that he would but the gentlemen asking won’t tell them what the job is, until he meets their boss and this is where you will meet Harry. Harry is a con man, well that is what he likes to tell people and that he is a thief. However, some things are not adding up to Eleanor. She is the one that is picked to help him out after he helps her with the job that he helped them get, by acting as their boss.

I was laughing and smiling so much reading this book. I love that this book shows that women can do anything just as well as men but so much more too. You will find Eleanor, this is just the sweetest, funny, smart and kind and she has it bad for Mr. Harry. She gives as much as she gets from him but when things start getting more serious between them, can she get over the fact that he is a rake? I found Harry to be kind, caring, understanding, very smart (street smart and book smart), and he is hiding a secret from everyone. I loved that he was there to hire the King & Company to help him with his matter but ended up falling for Eleanor and helping them first and can we just talk about that secret like I didn’t see that one coming lol. I just adored this couple together and I can’t wait to see what book three will bring us next with these amazing women running the King & Company.

I want to thank NetGalley and SMP for the opportunity to review this book.

Eleanor Law is one of the funding members of a private investigation firm.. However when she is having a hard case, she is willing to accept help from someone who she knows is not telling the truth about who he is. What will this cost her in the long run?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc. Another fun read from Kate Bateman! I love reading her books.

4.5 Stars
How fun!

As I started reading this fun story I kept picturing Pierce Brosnann, it was lovely. What fun to have someone come into your relatively quiet and pretty ordered life and completely throw it off balance in the most charming and wonderful way.

Miss Eleanor "Ellie" Law, the daughter of Sir Edward Law, the Lord Chief Justice and her two best friends Tess and Daisy are partners in an investigation firm. They could be wildly more successful if they were men, so they created a male boss that they work for, never realizing that their bluff would be called. Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas, if that is his real name, claims the position.

While they collaborate on several cases Ellie discovers hidden talents and desires. She is smart, observant, has a very analytical mind and finds she enjoys a bit of chaos in her life. However, she has to protect her heart, because she can see where she could have it broken very easily. Henri brings the bits of chaos but also helps solve cases. He, however, has a very big secret he needs the ladies to help him with. He has broken and fractured a few rules and maybe laws along his way back to England, but that isn't the biggest surprise he has for the intrepid trio.

This was a fun, fast paced story that had the perfect mixture of mystery, love, passion, humor and discoveries. There were moments of stress and drama, but there were moments where I caught myself giggling because Henri managed to charm Ellie or surprise her. The characters have depth and such chemistry that I wish I had friends like Ellie has. This is the second book in the series and I am seeking out the first right away.

Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely love this Regency romance series - Her Majesty’s Rebels. I throughly enjoyed the first book and went into this one with high expectations - I was not even a little bit disappointed. Bateman writes such strong and daring female characters; it’s impossible not to love these three young women who run a successful private investigation firm under the guise of having a male boss. In this second book, a scoundrel appears and pretends to be their boss to help with a case. The male characters that Bateman creates are always in awe of their women and without ego. The chemistry between Ellie and Henri was palpable, and their witty banter was so fun. In addition, the camaraderie between Tess, Ellie and Daisy is just as strong, and their support for one another is lovely.

I can’t wait to read the third book in this series which releases on July 29, 2025.

I just adore Kate’s historical romances! They are always so wonderful! Her writing is so good! I really enjoyed this one from her. The story was great! The characters were perfect! Can’t wait for the next one!

This is the second book in a series, and maybe the best one! The element of mystery was very strong, and I liked the duplicitous nature of Henri. The strong female friendship is very present in this book.

Another great read from Kate Bateman. Harry and Ellie bring out the best of each other and work as a team in this romantic mystery. Their story built on the first boom and flushed everything out more fully.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Intimate Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (one scene had a morning after that was pretty close to the initial scene so I combined flames – might feel a bit hotter than listed)
Humor: Yes, especially some delightful banter
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, not too far in the future

Should I read in order?
You can grab this out of order – it’s book 2 of Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels and has some minor character crossover but I found it fine alone! (Three friends run a private investigation business and each has a story)

Basic plot:
Ellie meets the infuriating Harry when he pretends to be his fictional boss and they begin working on a case together.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency – 1816
- light elements of holiday time romance with mistletoe kiss
- working women – heroine owns a private investigator business with 2 friends
- hero with dimples
- thief / pickpocket hero
- hero falls first
- bespectacled heroine
- secret identity
- hero speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian and a bit of Russian and Portuguese
- hero has heterochromia
- he calls her his ‘brilliant girl’
- he trusts her to protect him in dangerous situations
- working together on a mystery
- medium steam – 3ish full scenes

Ages:
- heroine is 22, hero is 26

My thoughts:
This book was just literal perfection to me!!! I am so in love with how Bateman just keeps delivering me these books that are pure romance catnip to me. I’m grinning like a fool, kicking my feet in happiness, little hearts bursting above my head.

I found this whole book so delightful. I love both mains so much. Ellie is just so sweet and funny and kind and smart and Harry was really her perfect match. The way he falls for her, the way he trusts her, the way he calls her brilliant and uplifts her, while also taking small breaks to whisper naughty things in her ear….

I loved every moment of this story. It was funny and swoony, and such good tension and I am so in love. Love, love, love

Loved the case-solving aspect of this - Kate Bateman is a great author and this was a really fun read. Give me more detective agencies in historical romance!

This tale is an irresistible blend of mystery, romance, and wit that will kept me captivated from start to finish. The story introduces us to Eleanor Law, a brilliant and determined investigator at King & Co., London’s premiere private detective agency, who is ready to prove that women can crack cases just as well as men. Enter Henri Bonheur, or "Harry," a charming, mischievous con man whose criminal past is as dubious as his intentions. When the two are forced to team up on a case involving a stolen manuscript, sparks fly—both professionally and personally.

The exchanges between Harry and Ellie deliver the perfect balance of tension, humor, and fiery chemistry. Ellie, with her sharp mind and unyielding conviction, is a refreshing heroine, while Harry—devilishly charming and oh-so-flawed—proves to be the perfect foil to her serious demeanor. Their banter is delightful, the mystery they unravel is gripping, and the growing attraction between them adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the story.

The danger in the plot also provides a sense of adventure and intrigue that drives the story. As Ellie and Harry dig deeper into the case, they must confront their own pasts and the choices that brought them together—making for an emotionally satisfying and thrilling read. With a sharp, clever narrative and characters you can’t help but root for, this is surely a romance you won’t want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and am voluntarily leaving my review.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the second book in Her Majesty's Rebel series. This is a stand-alone read.

A missing Earl and a scoundrel all rolled up in one story will keep the reader turning the pages as he inserts himself into a investigative company run by three women Ellie, Daisy, and Tess. The romance between Ellie and Harry is the primary focus.

It is an easy to read as well as entertaining story. Looking forward to the next in the series.

A delightfully witty historical romance that pairs a sharp-tongued heroine with a charming rogue. The chemistry between the main characters sparkles from their first encounter, and their verbal sparring matches are pure entertainment. While the plot follows familiar tropes, Bateman's skilled writing and character development elevate this above standard fare.

The historical setting feels authentic without being heavy-handed, and the supporting cast adds depth to the story. Some plot points felt a bit rushed toward the end, but the emotional payoff still satisfies. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy their historical romance with a healthy dose of humor and heart.

While I didn’t like this as much as the first book in the series, I did still enjoy the romance between Eleanor and Henri. As well as the mystery thread through the book. I can’t wait to read the third book in the series.

Absolutely delightful read, with charming characters and repartee. I did not read the first book in the series, but that did not affect my following this book. Eleanor Law is the daughter of Sir Edward Law, the Lord Chief Justice. If she had been born a male, she would have become a lawyer, but as that is not permitted in her time period, she became an investigator, opening a business, King & Company, with her two best friends, Lady Dorothea Hamilton and Tess, the Duchess of Wansford. Like Charlie's Angels, the three do the investigating, but unlike Charlie's Angles, there is no Charlie. However, in order to get clients, they must pretend that they assists, Charles King. Eleanor is neither titled or wealthy and acts as a wallflower, but she is approached by the handsome and charming Henry at a Christmas ball when she is unaware that she is standing under mistletoe. After a kiss, Henry introduces himself as a reformed wealthy thief who out of boredom is looking for something to do and offers his services to pretend to be Charles King to help them procure a client. Eleanor doesn't quite trust him, is he bored or up to something? But after working together in several cases she succumbs to his charms, as he does to her, and eventually does find out what he is really up to. One strange thing though- Henry gifts her with a basil plant. I grow basil and it is nothing like described in the story.

I was lucky to have been gifted by the publisher to an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.com. This is my honest, unbiased and voluntary review. I look forward to reading Daisy's story.

This book is everything I love about Kate Bateman—fun, flirty, and impossible to put down! Ellie Law is sharp, independent, and unafraid to go toe-to-toe with Harry, the titular scoundrel whose charm and secrets keep her on edge (and readers hooked). Their banter is electric, the chemistry sizzles, and the twists, while not shocking, are deeply satisfying.

Bateman nails the balance of wit, intrigue, and romance, with Ellie and her private investigation firm adding a fresh twist to the historical romance genre. If you’re into clever heroines and spicy, swoon-worthy heroes, this one’s a must-read!

Ellie works for a man who doesn't exist--until one night a handsome stranger kisses her under the mistletoe then inserts himself into her conversation, claiming to be the elusive Charles King. He convinced Ellie to let him pose as her employer to secure a job, and even though she doesn't know who this many really is, she can't seem to stop the feelings that come up whenever he's around.

I absolutely adored this book, just like I did the first in the series. I loved both the main characters, and the rest of the cast was also delightful. I'm excited to read the final installment!

"How to Fall for a Scoundrel" is an excellent second installment in Kate Bateman's "Her Majesty's Rebels" series. Bateman is an incredibly solid historical romance writer and her talents are on display here. Ellie and Harry have excellent chemistry and entertaining banter, and their romance flows well. This is not a book where the MMC lies till the end, which I appreciated. There was a bit of a third-act separation, but it was not really due to miscommunication, so it didn't bother me as much as it otherwise would have.

I adore Harry's faith in the abilities of Ellie and her friends/co-owners in King & Co. He is not bothered by her wit or her intellect, and in fact finds those to be qualities which make him esteem her even more. As in the previous book in this series, the interactions between Ellie, Daisy, and Tess are funny and sweet, and demonstrate just how much these women care for each other. Their conversations run the gamut from bawdy to poignant and I am so looking forward to reading Daisy's story and seeing how the fortune teller's prediction plays out for her.

There were some things that took me a bit out of the story - we hear about Ellie's father a lot but never actually meet the man. And it is rather unbelievable that a young, unmarried woman of the ton would have the level of freedom and unencumbered movement enjoyed by Ellie (and Daisy, for that matter). But Ellie and Harry's story is lovely enough to mostly overcome the book's minor issues.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own.

This was an excellent book!! I enjoyed the character development as well as how the plot was developed throughout the story. The author was able to to do a good job with all aspects of the story. I would recommend to others.

A cute follow-up to the first book in this trilogy about 3 unconventional Regency era friends, though I didn't quite like it overall as much as the first. Ellie is a likeable enough heroine, but except for Harry's shady past and his admiration for Ellie's intellect, he felt kind of flat to me. It also had about 3 different plots that seemed to flow into each other. They weren't hard to keep track of, but I did wonder where it all was going for awhile.

Daisy is the most daring of the trio, so I'm looking forward to her story (which I'm guessing will be one of the Italian thieves from this book).