This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. Both Ellie and Harry are charming, interesting, and very easy to root for, in spite of their very different personalities. The pacing of the book made it a quick read, because I needed to know what would happen. There are a couple of different subplots to anchor the romance, and I do love a story that combines love, adventure, and mystery. Kate Bateman/K.C. Bateman is one of my 'reliable reads' authors. I always adore her storytelling and the way she conveys the chemistry of the couples. I can't wait for Daisy's book, as I have a few theories.

* I received an advanced digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

I love everything that Kate Bateman writes and this book did not disappoint. This book is part of Her Majesty’s Rebels series and this is the story between Eleanor Law and Henri Bonheur (or Harry). Ellie and Harry meet under the mistletoe, share a quick kiss and then end up having to be professionally associated. At first glance, Harry seems to be a conman and possible reformed criminal. He uses a lot of aliases and Ellie doesn’t know which one is the real him. He does come to the rescue of Ellie’s and her friends by posing as Charles King from King & Co. London’s most successful private investigation form.

I am a huge fan of spy/investigative/mystery historical romances. The chemistry between the main characters was sizzling. It turns out that Harry has a mystery of his own and it’s possible that Ellie and her friends can help him. As they uncover his mystery, Ellie and Harry have to face their undeniable attraction. All the characters are charming. I love the funny, witty and fast paced dialogues. There is enough suspense to keep you reading until the end. So, just be prepared to settle in with this book. You will have to finish even if you have to read it until 3am (speaking from experience). I love the friendships between the women and I kept cheering Harry on as he built up Ellie’s confidence in herself. A great read! A definite add to your TBR pile.

This book will be released August 20, 2024. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Is there much more exquisite than a finely-written, banter-y historical romance? Not much, imo.

@kc_bateman is an expert at writing these. Did I swoon? Only every time Harry flashed those delectable dimples. Only every time Ellie realized she is just as desirable as Harry is.

What a gorgeous, fun, sexy caper! You should 100% add this to your TBR. Join Ellie, Harry and the rest of Her Majesty’s Rebels as they solve crime and sort out secret identities.

Visit illicit gaming hells in disguise. Meet up with double-crossing crooks. Make out (in Italian!) a hairs-breadth from your mark.

Oh man! This has been a journey. I couldn’t put this book down. I had so much I needed to do after work, but how could I when Ellie and Harry were calling my name? These two are going in my top favorite couples. I ADORE them.

I received an arc in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

#romance #historicalromance
#arc #ellieandharry #netgalley #katebateman #smp #stmartinspress

This was such a fun adventure!! I loved Ellie, who is so smart and so good at what she does and is so outraged at this stranger claiming to be her fictional employer!! Harry is an absolute cinnamon roll of a thief. I loved him!! I loved them!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a DRC of this title.

One of my favorite current historical romance writers, Kate Bateman has never let me down, and this one’s another winner! Looking forward to having this one as part of our collection and recommending it to patrons! 4.5 stars/5.

This was a fun read! I liked seeing the business the ladies had developed grow further, and it's always a fun twist when a conman worms his way into someone else's con. The chemistry was on-point, and the adventure/intrigue enjoyable. Looking forward to the next one.

This is my first book by this author and it was delightful. It was a very fast and easy read. Both character are enjoyable. Harry is a charming rouge without any cruelty in his bones. He is a reformed thief helping the PIs solve a few cases in exchange for their help to move on from his past. Ellie is a bluestocking with social abilities so that is nice. The romance was open door and I liked that Ellie was very confident in her wants and desires. I didn’t read the first and had no issue jumping into this one and need to go back and read the first. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I found that this novel was so well-written that I did not have to read the first book in order to understand it.

This was a charming romance centered around one of the founding members, Ellie, of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm. Interestingly this company is run by women and the "king" person is fictional...until now!

There is plenty of intrigue, and we even have an unforeseen twist that makes this book even more interesting. There are plenty of sensual scenes between Ellie and 'Harry' as he prefers to be called. And they will curl your toes.

My only complaint that kept me from giving this book a four-star rating was the overuse of certain words, one of which is 'dimple'. Ugh!

This was a very fast read that you may be able to do in under 5 hours.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Publishing Group/Macmillan Publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

This novel was a quick fun read. The mystery elements of this book weren't executed very well. The chemistry between the main character and the love interest was undeniable, however the romance aspect of the novel wasn't written as well as it could have been. The structure of this novel was also poorly executed, since I found unnecessary bantering scenes occur way too often and drag on too long. Overall, the novels as still enjoyable to read, but it didn't live up to it's potential.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this novel!

Harry is a scoundrel from the beginning with his thievery knowledge and multiple names/identities.
Ellie is one of the three women running an investigative agency under the Charles King name.
Their attraction flares as they work together and there are fun hot sexy scenes.
Well written, good dialogue, and an interesting turn of events.
Second book in a series, really enjoyable.

I love a historical romance with spice and an independent heroine, and How to Fall for a Scoundrel delivers both to its readers! Ellie is one of the three women who secretly make up King & Company, the private investigative agency owned by the fictional Charles King. When a handsome stranger shows up at a ball and introduces himself to one of King & Company's potential clients as Charles King himself, Ellie is shocked and intrigued.

Harry came to London searching for the highly secretive Charles King to get his help solving a mystery of his own, and he ends up falling in love with Ellie as he works with her to solve a theft.

I love Harry. He's charming, funny, and skilled a thief, but he puts his skills to good use helping the women of King & Co solve crimes that might otherwise have taken them more time. He believes in what they're doing, and he is drawn to Ellie's wit and intelligence.

I recommend this book to historical romance lovers who like a bit of mystery and a charming, reformed MMC in their stories.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was so excited to read this one. It did not disappoint, Kate Bateman has rapidly become one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait for more from her..

I thought book 1 was fun. 3 amazing ladies serving and investigators and for the queen sometimes - charming and witty.

Book 2 continued the trend and was a blast as well. Ellie and Harry were just so cute together. He's a theif and a con artist and steals her heart with his easy manner and dimples. There chemistry was just hot. Banter was cute. Overall a fab read. Cannot wait for book 3.

London - 1816

Eleanor Law, who prefers to be a wallflower, is rather surprised to find herself under the mistletoe at a Christmas ball with a rather handsome stranger demanding the requisite kiss. But it happened, and she shocked herself by enjoying the brief event. His overt flirting also surprised her, as she was having fun sparring with him. Introducing himself as Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas to Ellie and her friend Daisy, he is quite intriguing.

Ellie, Daisy, and their friend, Tess, are the backbone, and only members of King & Company, a small private investigation company in London. They purport to work for Charles King, but there is no such person. When asked by a Mr. Bullock to be introduced to Mr. King, the ladies insist that he is too busy, and that one of them would help him. A very valuable book has been stolen from an exhibit he runs, a book once owned by Napoleon, and Bullock will only speak to Mr. King. That is when "Henri Bonheur" ambles up and introduces himself as King!

Just who is Henri Bonheur? He claims to be a reformed scoundrel, vowing not to continue with his thieving ways. But he will be more than happy to help King & Company work with Mr. Bullock. Ellie isn't as convinced as she is entranced with Henri, who now wants to be called Harry. He is, however, very clever, and soon the two are embroiled in an international experience, as well as a potential love affair!

Danger lurks, and Harry's past catches up with him, but he and Ellie are determined to finish this adventure, and to discover more about each other. Which event will be the most dangerous?

HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL continues the story of Her Majesty's Rebels with a thoroughly enjoyable tale.

I completely enjoyed this story. Henri has lived by so many names and lived on so many lives. Ellie wants to work for herself and live a peaceful life. They met in the most fantastical way and they ventured many experiences. They learned to like and respect each other along the way.
This was a sweet and fun adventure! I truly enjoyed the banter, the spicy, and the love.

HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL
How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the 2nd book in Her Majesty's Rebels series. And what a delightful read! Kate Bateman writes the most delicious books. There are feisty females, hunky --sometimes clueless-- heroes, witty banter, sizzle and intrigue. I chuckled out loud at some of the antics!!!
Tess, Ellie and Daisy establish King & Co., a secret investigative agency, to help other women who have been bullied/manipulated by men and don't have the means to escape them. "Charles King" is the fake name for the requisite male boss . The 3 women are "Her Majesty's Rebels".

Although Eleanor "Ellie" Law is a wallflower at balls, she is inquisitive, determined and funny. She is at a ball when a strange man approaches her and steals a kiss. He tells her a false name. Then he shows up at King & Co. and announces he is THE Charles King, their pretend boss! He offers to help Ellie solve a new case recovering a manuscript. She soon learns that not only is he a scoundrel, but a con man and thief --but oh, so charming!

Henri Bonheur, or Harry as he has asked to be called, claims that his criminal past is behind him. He is a master at solving crimes. As he and Ellie work together, a definite attraction grows. Witty sparring, humor, lust and steamy scenes are fun to read. The chemistry grows as they recover a stolen book by pretending to be paramours sneaking away for a tryst, recovering a stolen jewel via blackjack, or recovering important documents hidden away in the Tower of London. The scenes have so much humor and laugh out loud actions!

Ellie is definitely smitten. Harry just oozes with charisma and charm. But his identity is still a mystery. I won't tell you more and spoil the ending. I will tell you this is a book I will read again because I enjoyed it so much. Ellie and Harry make a great couple with sizzle and swoon. I can't wait for Daisy's story in the next book! I received an ARC from NetGalley for this book for my honest opinion.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Her Majesty's Rebels series. In this one we get Ellie's story, I have to say I was not a fan of the first part of the book. I really loved the second half. It was a good story and I liked the chemistry the characters had. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, the second in Her Majesty’s Rebels series. We were introduced to Ellie in the first book. Here’s where I’ll add that I appreciated how each of the three women—Tess, Ellie, and Daisy—are portrayed with depth and intelligence. Some authors will introduce ancillary characters as a way to push readers to the next book in the series. Bateman never makes it feel like that’s her motivation. The secondary characters of Tess and Daisy in this story are integral to the story.

Ellie Law is a wallflower who doesn’t have the confidence in herself to believe she is as beautiful or worthy as her two best friends. Because her father is a barrister, they don’t have the kind of money her friends have, so she dresses more plainly. Wherever she is, Ellie attempts to fade into the background, and for the most part, she’s quite successful. Until Henry Bonheur comes along. Henry is a conman and a thief, but incredibly charming (the best conmen always are) and he immediately ingratiates himself to Ellie. Although she quickly figures out he has given her the wrong name (it’s Harry), it doesn’t stop her from being intrigued by him. Remember, he’s extremely charming.

In the last book, we learned that the three women started a detective company and called it King & Co. The King featured in their name is a fictional man who owns the company while they do much of the legwork. When a potential client insists he must meet Mr. King before he will consent to their services, Ellie is prepared to send him on his way when Harry steps in and introduces himself as the elusive Mr. King, explaining he doesn’t want anyone to know who he truly is. It works, but Ellie is furious. Harry shocks her by telling her he knows Mr. King is a fictitious character, but as a “retired” thief, he wants to work with them. On repeated occasions, he proves himself worthy of the job.

In addition to being charming, Harry is also a shameless flirt, but the most appealing thing about him is the respect he has for Ellie and her capabilities. Ultimately, she finds him irresistible. Because he is hiding something in his past, he refuses to fall in love with her, but it’s clear he has. Meanwhile, despite her own efforts, has fallen in love with him. When his secret is revealed, Ellie assumes everything is over between them now. But Harry has another surprise up his sleeve.

I enjoyed the banter between Harry and Ellie, and also between the two of them and Ellie’s friends Tess and Daisy. The adventures that Harry and Ellie go on to solve crimes are exciting and fun. It becomes clear that they are perfect for one another. While Harry has to give up a life of crime, his change is negligible compared to Ellie’s transformation. With Harry’s help, and her friends’ encouragement, she comes to recognize her own value and have confidence in herself. At the beginning, if Harry had asked her to marry him, she’d have felt inferior to him (not pretty enough, not clever enough, etc.), but by the end, she has confidence in her worth and doesn’t question it. My only complaint about this book is that it’s over.

I enjoyed this second in the series following three smart, sassy women who launch their own detective agency in regency London. Their agency uses the aegis of the name of the fictional "Charles King" to add a man's name to their work, which works well until a client insists on meeting Mr. King face to face. Enter Harry of-the-many-last-names who offers to act as Mr. King while seducing Eleanor Law, the wallflower with the quick mind who is one of the women behind the agency. Add some banter, smoldering attraction, and a long lost earl and you have the makings of a scandal. 3.5 stars for some pacing issues and a bit of the weary "just talk to each other!" trope in the third act conflict.

Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series follows the women behind King & Co., a successful private investigation agency in London. How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the second installment of the series about Eleanor Law, the daughter of the Chief Justice who definitely thinks his child is some sort of secretary or research assistant for King & Co.’s owner and namesake, Charles King. Unfortunately for pops, Ellie is not only a detective, but she co-owns the business with her two best friends. Oh and also Charles King is a totally fictional man created to give their firm legitimacy. Because patriarchy.

Ellie gets smooched by a mystery man at a holiday party just before receiving a job inquiry to recover a stolen artifact. This customer absolutely refuses to speak to anyone but Charles King himself. Before she can decline the job, Ellie’s mystery man swoops in and introduces himself to the potential customer as [insert gasp here] Charles King!

Henri Bonheur (d/b/a one million different identities but we’ll call him Harry) is a recently reformed thief who has given up a life of crime to assist King & Co. By assist I mean he inserts himself directly into their business without asking first, but who are they to turn down a human willing to pretend to be their boss when he has access to means of information a woman never could. Harry knows how to think like a criminal, and could potentially offer a completely new perspective to their agency.

This is one of those novels that is so captivating that suddenly you’ve have hit the epilogue and you’re completely BEREFT that it’s over. There are mysteries, delightfully supportive female friendships, a couple that is down real bad…it will engage you from cover to cover. This is probably my favorite Kate Bateman series so far. If you’re a fan of Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series, this one is right up your alley.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Release Date: August 20, 2024