The second installment in Her Majesty's rebels is the bomb. A fast paced steamfest with a HEA. I was enthralled with the characters and the plot from the first scene. Ellie Law and Harry are the perfect couple- their interactions are scorching and they make the reader feel as if they are part of the story. A command performance by Mrs. Bateman. I can't wait to see what she has in story for Daisy.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Kate Bateman takes readers on a romantic adventure with some charming characters. Harry is a debonair rogue known by many names who charms his way into Ellie’s life. Ellie always saw herself as practical until Harry. Readers will be entertained and delighted by the plot twists in this fast paced story. With the quick wit of the character dialogue and the excellent author pacing readers will be pleasantly surprised when they get to the end. I recommend you pick up a copy.

Eleanor Law is one of the founding members of King & Co., and she delights in solving mysteries, proving that women can be just as skilled as men in solving crimes. When a con man pretends to be her boss "Charles King," she's forced to play along with the ruse to help solve her latest case. Henri Bonheur asks to be called Harry and swears his criminal past is behind him. As the two grow closer, can Eleanor trust him? And what will happen when his past catches up to them?

Henry matches wits with Eleanor frequently, and it's a game that both find invigorating as well as flirtatious. The latest case in question is a stolen Book of Hours that had belonged to Bonaparte and is rumored to bring luck to whoever possesses it; supposedly, after it was stolen, Bonaparte began to lose. Henry has an eye for details and knows what does and doesn't belong in particular places, so he is a very helpful addition to King and Co. There's a reason why Henry approached Eleanor, and their mutual attraction means their close proximity over the course of the novel deepens into true affection and love. This is a fun romance, with a hefty dose of adventure, sleights of hand, and thievery along the way.

In HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL, Kate Bateman has given readers imperfect yet incredibly likable, whip-smart, complex characters. Harry's mysterious arrival in Ellie's life begins an exceptional story that is complicated yet fun. While Harry slowly and steadily inserts himself into Ellie's life, his secrets are cleverly revealed while their undeniable attraction becomes much more. Two years ago, a review I wrote stated "My 2nd Kate Bateman book has cemented my "fan" status." Seven books later, that hasn't changed. I loved Harry and Ellie and I loved their story. HIGHLY recommend.
WHAT I LOVED: Steamy-Wonderful Characters-Funny-Witty-Entertaining-Romantic-Unpredictable-HEA

I received a complementary copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I adored this book! Bridgerton meets Sherlock Holmes, How to Fall for Scoundrel is a fun take on the Regency Era Romance. It follows the story of 3 women who began their own private investigation firm, under the guise of a fictitious boss named Charles King. How to Fall for a Scoundrel focuses particulary on Ellie and a self proclaimed con-man who has offered to pose as Charles King. This is the second book in a series, though you don't need to read the first book to follow the story. I hadn't read the first book before reading it and I had no trouble following along and there was no point where I felt I was missing something. The story was fun and fast paced, spicy but not over done, and I liked that there were two mysteries to be solved. I will definitely be following this series!

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is a bright, fun, effervescent Regency romance with elements of “Charlie’s Angels” and “Remington Steele”. Kate Bateman is very good at writing romances that have heart, heat and fun but also touch on subjects such as misogyny and loss. Every time I read a Bateman book, I enjoy myself greatly, and How to Fall for a Scoundrel is no different. Looking forward to continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Kate Bateman has become one of my favorite authors over the past few years, and I always look forward to whatever adventures her books will take me on. This time around, an anonymous rogue and a brilliant investigator band together to solve crimes and fall in love—and it is charming to say the least.

An easy read, HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL opens with a mysterious meet-cute (that is very cute indeed) and what follows is a fast-paced, well-written romp through regency England. I really enjoyed the back and forth between Ellie and Henri, with their matching quick wits and sometimes clashing thoughts on the best way to proceed, and though I might’ve hit on a couple of accurate predictions for how things would play out, they certainly kept me engaged to the very end. And invested. Y’all, I was SO invested in seeing them through to happily ever after.

Filled with details that make everything feel that much more real and immediate, female characters who are strong, smart, and supportive, and plenty of hints for what’s to come for the third member of King & Co., HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL is, simply put, a book worth falling for.

I loved every word of this delightfully entertaining, lighthearted, and totally improbable book. Our hero is definitely a scoundrel and you will love him – you won’t be able to help it, and our heroine is constantly wondering what he is going to pull next! Yet, they were made for each other and you will delight in seeing them work toward their HEA.

We met Eleanor (Ellie) Law in the first book of the series when we first learned about the establishment of King & Company private investigations. Ellie, along with her friends, Tess, Duchess of Wansford, and Dorothea (Daisy) Hamilton knew business wouldn’t come their way unless they had a male at the head of the firm. Therefore, Charles King came into existence. If you are old enough to remember, think of the old Remington Steele TV show.

Henri (Harry) Bonheur, Comte de Carabas – and many other names – is a gambler and a con man claiming to be Charles King, owner of King & Company. He is a charmer who has everyone eating out of his hand, even Tess and Daisy are fine with him taking on the role of Charles King. Ellie can’t believe it! She also cannot believe she is so attracted to a con man who cannot be trusted. What is he really up to?

When Harry finally confesses who he really is and why he has sought them out, the ladies cannot wait to help him. Even Ellie wants to help him though she is sure that if they are successful she will lose him – and she’s gone and fallen in love with the scapegrace ne’er do well.

If you are looking for a fun, entertaining romance with a lovable, bad-boy hero and a straight-arrow spinster who wants to spread her wings, give this book a try. It will keep you smiling from cover to cover. You – and Ellie – will always be wondering what Harry will be up to next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fun fun fun! A quick, adventurous, spicy romp to brighten up a cloudy day. Bateman does it best! Thanks to SMP for the ARC copy!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! I love Kate Bateman, and this book was a fun continuation of her Her Majesty’s Rebels series. This book had a great plot, with Eleanor (Ellie) being a female detective, who teams up with a “scoundrel” and recovered thief - Harry. They have to retrieve a stolen museum artifact, and later, solve a case of lost identity. The pacing is nice and moves along well, and it’s steamy and fun. I read this at the beach, and it delivered what I wanted for a pleasant, historical romance read. Though I liked this book, I don’t think it was as sweet and thoughtful as some of Bateman’s other historicals - but that’s okay, it delivered on the fun and steam I wanted. I recommend this book for fans of Bateman, historical romance, and adventures.

4.5 stars. This was such a fun book! I loved the chemistry and banter between Ellie and Henri/Harry. Ellie is used to being in control and one step ahead of others in life and in her work as an investigator, but Harry continually pushes her buttons and devises outlandish but effective schemes to achieve their goals as they partner up (albeit reluctantly on her end). There is lots of action and intrigue as Ellie and Harry handle multiple investigations, including searching for a stolen Book of Hours that once belonged to Napoleon, retrieving a stolen gemstone that once was in the Crown Jewels and eventually looking for proof of Harry's own identity so he can reclaim his place in society. The only thing knocking it down to 4 stars was that I felt like the story lost momentum and dragged a little in the last 1/3, as Ellie and Harry were separated by circumstances. Otherwise, this was one of my favorite books by Kate Bateman so far.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Her Majesty's Rebels are back at it again in this ridiculously fun second book of the series! I will admit, I tend not to fall for scoundrels, preferring white knights, but Bateman writes her Scoundrel, Henri Bonheur, so fantastically, I found MYSELF falling!

Eleanor Law is a dream of a strong heroine: quick-thinking, resourceful, smart, and caring. She's completely unprepared for the insta-lust that she feels, and is returned by, Henri Bonheur, the charismatic man with a past who is bored with his life and wants to use his skills for the greater good. Nothing is as it seems, however, and Bateman writes many-a-plot twist to perfection. There's mystery! There's danger! There's dimples! There's a hot man saying dirty things in Italian. WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?!?

I was on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the entire ensemble cast. The sexual tension was TOP NOTCH. This book is the definition of a page turner. You spend your time furiously tracking the mystery, danger, and the romance. It's just SO FUN.

Can the third book be out already? I'm ready for Daisy to find her man!!! ❤️

Trigger warnings: shooting/person getting shot

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
🔥🔥 - 3 spicy scenes, mild details

[ thank you @smpromance for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

PUB DATE: August 20, 2024

Well my friends, Kate has done it again! I loved book 1 (Second Duke’s the Charm) and I loved this one!!

I fell in love with Ellie and Harry!

I loved their relationship, the dynamic they had, their banter, the chemistry!! Everything! I loved when they worked together to solve the mystery of recovering a priceless manuscript and also Harry’s identity. They were just the best team. 💚

Plus, it was great seeing Tess and Daisy again. I adore the friendship between those three women.

I was instantly hooked from the first page and couldn’t get enough. I highly recommend this series! Now I can’t wait for Daisy’s book and see her get her happily ever after!

Tropes: false identity; MC's team up to solve a case; opposites attract
Steam level: 3
Part of a series, but works fine as a standalone.

This is a fun, clever HR with plenty of steam and some solid research for the world building. It's just all around entertaining and I preferred it to the first book in the series. (Beautiful cover, btw). I love the "fictitious boss" trope (yes, I was a Remington Steele fan as a kid, and yes, I just aged myself) and thought Harry was delicious. I liked Ellie as well, although I did think she tumbled into bed with Harry slightly sooner than a young woman of that period, with her straightlaced personality, would have.

If you're looking for a lightweight, twisty-turny HR with a dollop of spice and a yummy MMC, look no further.

Great addition to ladies of "King and Co" . The case in this book is very interesting . I loved the characters and am looking forward to the next book .
The chemistry between the main character and the love interest was undeniable. I loved the banter between them and the friends

Adorable first meeting. I didn't know that about mistletoe.

Haha. this guy is fun! And just telling her all his business.

Why only a few weeks?

Daisy's taste in men is questionable. I like it.

William Bullock was a smart businessman in real life.

Huh. I never thought of superstitions like that.

I don't blame Morris.

Ah, the age-old discussion of if two wrongs make a right.

This is so hot.

Ooh, delicious plot twist.

Dayum. I love Daisy.

Sneaky.

Well, the Emberton men sure are interesting.

It's always strange to remember that the Tower had a zoo.

These girls have Ellie's back.

The story never dragged, which I appreciated.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman is the second book in a new series called Her Majesty’s Rebels. The book centers around three women who run King and Co. The business is an investigative agency, only there is no Mr King. Until a man introduces himself to Eleanor Law as Henri Bonheur (Harry) and informs her that he would like to be Charles King AND then he introduces himself to a client as Charles King.

The women of King and Co. are willing to give him a chance, not to be their boss, but as a colleague. It is clear that this unknown man is quite interested in Eleanor. After helping solve the first crime with the team, they will be hard pressed to turn him away. The other factor is the secret of who Harry is and why it is a secret. There is much that Ellie and Harry have to admit and address.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read one novel that had a similar trope, but it wasn’t as engaging as this book by Kate Bateman. I enjoyed the characters of Ellie and Harry. Hugo was a hoot! How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman was a good read!

This was such a fun historical romance. This follows Ellie one of the investigators at King and Co who meets “Henri” or so he says. He claims he is a reformed rake and wants to hire King and Co. I loved the relationship between these two and where it goes throughout the book. You’re not sure at first if Henri/Harry can be trusted and I liked the way his motives are revealed. I love a historical that does something a little different and Kate Batemans books do that.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

What a delightful read! The scoundrel is incorrigible and funny. She is smart but her heart fell for him almost immediately. Wonderful investigative escapades later, they have their HEA and now, we have bloodthirsty Daisy’s tale to look forward to!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

📚✨Book Review✨📚

How to Fall for a Scoundrel
Author: Kate Bateman

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

Notes: I received a copy of this book as an advanced reader, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What I Liked:
🎩 First and foremost, the ladies of King and Co are so amazing. I’m obsessed with them! I love ladies who take control of their fate and create lives for themselves. This trio is certainly no exception!

🎩Second, Harry was a mystery that I was delighted to figure out. I loved that you never really knew his true story, at least for a good portion of this book.


What I Didn’t Like:
🎩 It was a little bit predictable what would happen in this story. Honestly, it’s not really a negative for me but if you are looking for more plot twists and turns this might not work for you.


Final Thoughts:
🎩Kate Bateman had fast become one of my favorite historical romance authors. Her books always feature strong women, often with more feminist views compared to others in the time period. I would totally recommend any of her books!

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