As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?


I didn’t realize this book was a part of a series. But I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book. I enjoyed the unique aspect of Ellie and her friends running an investigative agency! Also Ellie and Harry relationship was fun to read too! If you enjoy historical romance, you’ll enjoy the this book!

Glasses wearing bluestocking wallflower stole my heart! Ellie and Harry are so cute together- I love their banter, stolen kisses, partnership and finally getting their HEA. Harry is that charming mystery man but turns into so much more with understanding and love for Ellie. Like we get the side characters of her friends and then his uncle. Enjoyed the crime solving plot and then the ending melted my heart!

I love Kate’s series and this one is no different. Enjoy this investigation firm - solving crimes for all sets of people in London. Love the strong female bond and friendship with these leading ladies. Then leading men that fall hard for their ladies. Can’t wait for Daisy to get her HEA!

Oh boy! Another one that fell a bit flat for me. There were elements that I loved-- the supporting characters, being the main one. I like the series overall, but this one slow and not memorable.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Kate Bateman's books and this was no exception. So much good romance and so many laughs. This might be her best couple yet!

This was classic Kate Bateman™ with an extremely capable heroine in both lust and mistrust of the hero…who is down so bad from the first.

The whole fictional boss thing felt like Charlie from Charlie’s Angels—which I’m assuming is intentional since his name is, in fact, Charles. I could’ve maybe done with a bit more humor and action, but overall it was a low-angst romp.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️/5

I received an eARC from NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

Hot, hot, hot! Bateman's romances are always thrilling and this one is no exception. Ellie is a great lead character and is well-matched with Harry. Their connection is palpable. I loved every page.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman
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Two unlikely allies team up to solve a case. When Ellie meets “Henri” at a party, she is smitten. She knows not to trust him, and yet agrees to his help on a case. Who is he really? And how far can she trust him?
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What I liked:
-Our two characters have some great bantering together.
-I loved the case they worked on together.
-Their trip to the Tower of London.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed Ellie’s story but I think I liked Second Duke’s the Charm more. I’m really excited for Daisy’s book though, I love her character.

I have to admit, I started out thinking I would not like this story and kudos to the author for proving me wrong. Ellie meets Harry/Henri at a party and is intrigued when he kisses her under mistletoe and then pretends to be her non-existent employer to help get a job for her investigation agency. He has his own agenda, which was surprisingly not what you will expect when reading this book.

The romance is sweet with spice and I can’t wait for Daisy’s book.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another hit for Kate Bateman. This one has my favorite type of hero which is an overly charming thief you just can't resist. I really loved the heroine in this as well. She keeps up with his shenanigans and even creates some of her own. Banter is top tier, adventures are fun and adorable and I am still on the Kate Bateman bandwagon, possibly driving it, after this book.

Harry, though a scoundrel, is charming and handsome. Ellie is a woman who is part of an investigative agency. When Harry, an ex-thief steps in to help, Ellie is very suspicious but taken with Harry. This is a fun and romance novel that will hold your attention and keep you reading to find out what happens.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman is a fun book for anyone who loves historical romance. This book was fast-paced and the romance was so adorable to read. I loved our main leads, they were relatable and had some great banter as they were trying to solve the crimes in this book. The mystery itself was solved pretty quickly, but I enjoyed the second one that came up because it added to the romance. Kate Bateman is a fabulous writer, and I will read pretty much anything she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Kate Bateman for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I really liked the first novel in Bateman's new series and the second one continues the frothy fun of three ladies running a detective agency, solving crimes, and falling in love. I thought the timing of different reveals was interesting in this book, revealing a few choice spoilers earlier than I would have thought, but it was nice to see the characters just move on and keep up the detective work. It felt like things were low stakes because everything resolved easily, but Harry and Ellie are fun and Harry is such a rogue. It was great.

Oh how I adore Kate Bateman's books. This is my 8th read from her and she has cemented herself as one of my very favorite historical romance authors. She manages to keep coming up with the most creative plot lines, and her characters are always perfection. I particularly liked our hero in this one, Harry. While he is no doubt a scoundrel, he also says the sweetest things to our heroine, Ellie, making the bluestocking turn red. Every interaction they had together was filled with chemistry. I'm already anxiously awaiting Bateman's next release!

This was just so good from beginning to end! It was a quick, enjoyable read- I read it in one sitting on a rainy Saturday morning! The mystery was well written, the couple had chemistry, and it was just all around a good time! I will definitely be reading more by this author.

‘As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?’
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3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the second book in Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series and is a historical romance and mystery.

A fun adventure, but this was not my favorite of Kate Bateman’s books. I still enjoyed it and Harry made up for any reservations on my part. He’s charming and cheeky, waltzing in and upending King & Co’s status quo. Ellie and her two best friends that run the investigative agency together under the supposed leadership of the fictional owner, ‘Charles King.’ In walks Harry, claiming more names than any honest man has the right to. And one of the names he claims? That of Charles King himself, declaring so in front of a difficult potential client. With his mysterious past and criminal reputation, Ellie is reluctant to trust him, but he has a case of his own to be solved and he needs the services of King & Co to set things to rights.

This is a quick read and one of those mysteries that you have to suspend belief a bit because it feels a bit madcap, but it’s a fun journey the whole way. The big reveal didn’t have the impact I was looking for, as you could see where it was leading and I wish there had been a bit more to unpack there.
Sounds like Daisy’s story is next, looking forward to reading it!
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I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGallery for sharing an eARC of How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman with me. This is my honest review.

I enjoyed this fun read. Ellie and Harry were likable characters with solid chemistry and boy did they generate plenty of sparks with every interaction. This wonderfully witty and effervescent book will have you most happily getting your read on.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is such a fun read. Ellie and her friends, Tess and Daisy, are women of the ton, but also private investigators. When Harry , a scoundrel fresh from the continent, helps Ellie win a lucrative job at a ball, he joins the ladies in their investigation to gain their trust and ultimately to hire them to help him prove his true identity as the Lost Earl.

What I loved about this book is there’s no manufactured third act break up, only quests, heists, and near death experiences.

Kate Bateman does it again. How to Fall for a Scoundrel is book #2 in Her Majesty's Rebels series. I have enjoyed reading this series. The author making 3 women head of a detective agency makes for a great, steamy, sometimes comical read.

Ellie and Harry are the perfect couple. She is a co-owner of the all women detective agency King & Co., he is a conman trying to prove his identity. Together, they make a great team, not only as detectives; but, also steaming up the bedroom. Their witty banter and obvious love for each other, keeps you wanting more. Can't wait for Book #3 and see who captures Daisy's heart.

Thank you NetGalley.

This caper of hidden identities and mysterious pasts is sexy and charming and very entertaining.

Perhaps Ellie, Tess, and Daisy were too easily taken in by an enticing smile and handsome face, but it did lead to an adventurous investigation and lively romance. Ellie and Harry had spades of chemistry that also punctuated their conversational sallies. It was a lot of fun following the clues with these two, especially when it forced Ellie out of her comfort zone.

Harry and his uncle were two undeniably interesting characters. I didn’t always completely understand his uncle’s motivations for the way he raised Harry. But the investigation into his past and their happy-ever-after ended this story on a very satisfying note.

I can highly recommend this book if you like a steamy historical romance with some intrigue and drama. This is book two in the series, but it stands well on its own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Always love a Kate Bateman romance, and I really loved the first in this series. This was a great addition to the series, and didn't feel like just a remix of the first the way a lot of historical romances can. Really looking forward to the third book!