As this book opens, we meet a delightful scoundrel as he inquires if Ellie is expecting a kiss. The question is because she is standing beneath mistletoe. Said scoundrel takes full advantage of tradition when he notices there is still one berry left on the sprig and kisses her. There is quite a bit of verbal sparring as he learns her name but she doesn't learn his. At least not until one of her partners at King and Company joins them, Lady Dorethea 'Daisy' Hamilton gets a name out of him, Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas.

Alas this name is a play on the one 'Puss 'N Boots' gives to his master and Bonheur translates to good time/lucky. This isn't the last we see of this gentleman this particular evening as he insinuates his way into their business through a man who is insisting on speaking with their fictional boss Charles King.

After that encounter, he and Ellie slip away to discuss this situation in private.

The next day, Ellie explains what went down at the ball to Tess and Daisy. Then Henri arrives bearing a gift, a rather large basil plant.

This first case he undertakes with Ellie, is one where he will not only show his skills but also draw Ellie out of her normal blend in type of undercover. Not to mention the fun and sometimes scathing verbal banter they seem to enjoy so much. Tess and Daisy get involved as well when the decide to see who wanted to purchase said the stolen item.

Some danger, a lot more intrigue with regard to Henri's identity, another item to be recovered. All with plenty of flirtation that leads to romance and some serious sizzle.

I loved this book, and I can't wait to read the next one!

How to Fall for a Scoundrel was such a fun read that was fast-paced and exciting! I thought it was light and entertaining with wonderful characters. I loved Ellie and Harry coming together, their witty banter and chemistry, and their great HEA.

I liked Harry and Ellie a lot. I was very curious about Harry and I knew he was up to more than it seemed. He was so charming! I really liked Ellie, she was such a studious wallflower who was by the book so I enjoyed seeing her loosen up and come out of her shell, and being more bold. They had a lot of witty scenes together that had me giggling, I loved their verbal sparring and playful back and forth. I loved watching Harry and Ellie get to know one another, the flirting happening between them, and the building attraction as they got to know one another.

I loved Ellie and her friends Tess and Daisy and their mission with King and Co. I liked the cases the ladies were investigating and the adventures they had because of them. I also loved how Harry inserted himself into their business and pretended to be Charles King, that had me laughing. I really liked learning why he approached them in the first place and finding out who he really was.

This was one of those stories that made for a quick and lively read that was just fun and enjoyable. It was a light in the drama department – it was definitely more amusing drama - and it moved along at a good pace. There were great details, I got just what I needed when I needed it and felt invested. It made for a delightful read that had me smiling.

A scoundrel with a fake name makes the acquaintance of wallflower Ellie, and offers his thieving experience to help with her investigative firm. Harry is not at all what he seems and is definitely hiding secrets, but he and Ellie work very well together and also make for a flirtatious and clever pair. They’re involved in a series of investigations which involve disguises, sneaking, and fake identities. But the romance is sweet and steamy and fairly low-angst. We get even more mysteries to solve when it comes to proving Harry’s identity, and Ellie is ultra-competently on the case. Fun, light, adventurous read.

I enjoyed the friendship between Ellie, Tess, and Daisy as they became a very successful PI firm under the guise King and Company run by Charles King who is nonexistent. While at a ball, Ellie was kissed by a mysterious stranger and sparks flew. As he later introduced himself as Charles King, he took on a new client with the client only willing to talk to him. As the chemistry and attraction grew between Harry and Ellie, it keeps you reading to see what will happen next. Another great mystery story by Kate Bateman that will find you not disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

If Charlie's Angels and Bridgerton had a book baby HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL would probably be it. This one was a delightful regency romance romp. Pick this one up for the romance and not the mystery (I will admit, the fact that the MC runs a PI firm really attracted me....) the "mystery" took a major back seat to the romance. How to Fall for a Scoundrel was filled with the usual sexism and chauvinism befitting the time period along with clever women working around society's expectations for them.

It has been a while since I’ve read a historical romance and How to Fall for a Scoundral was a great reminder of how much I love this genre! The book was a really fun read full of banter, chemistry, spice, and some mystery.

Eleanor and Harry meet under the mistletoe and he gives her a fake name. The two could not be more different. Eleanor is an investigator and the daughter of the Lord Chief Justice while Harry is a thief and conman who isn’t very forthcoming about his past. Harry would like Eleanor’s investigative help in exchange for posing as the fictional male head of her agency

I think this book was a great blend of romance and mystery. There were some surprising twists that I really enjoyed.

This is the second book in Her Majesty’s Rebels series. I read this before the first in the series and was able to follow along easily. I can’t wait for the third!
4.5/5

This was a charming Regency Romance with mystery, intrigue, and a delightful scoundrel!

King & Co investigation firm gets stirred up in a surprising way when an audacious stranger ambushes Ellie as she tries to procure a new client. Pretending to be the fictional boss, Henri 'Harry' Bonhuer is up to something devious when he forces his way into the business Ellie and her two friends have created.

They are between a rock and a hard place, so they reluctantly agreed to give him a trial run. Ellie is chagrined by this but becomes reluctantly charmed as this former thief shares his secrets bit by bit. He claims to have been a thief and a conman for years but there is something kind about him and a twinkle in his eyes.

As they solve mysteries together, it becomes clear that 'Harry' has a mystery of his own he needs help with. One that could lead them to his real name and a past he has many questions about. But in solving this mystery, it could cause Ellie to never have a chance with him at all. Which is so inconvenient as she may actually have some feelings for the rogue.

When Ellie meets Henri Bonheur at a ball, she almost immediately spots him for a con man. His name is her first clue. Somehow Harry manages to talk his way into helping with an investigation pretending to be the mysterious, and non-existent, Mr. King of the King &Co. Investigations firm. His help was his way of testing the firm before he hired them to help him. As annoying as the man is, Ellie manages to fall for him (and he for her). Daisy and Tess see the spark and the possibilities, and decide to help Cupid along. This is a very charming story, well-written, fast-paced, with mystery, secret identity, fun and humor, and a lovely romance. The characters are engaging and likeable. Ellie and her partners are intelligent and confident. Harry is handsome, smart, and a reformed (almost) rake. The chemistry between Harry and Ellie is electric. Harry’s uncle is an entertaining treat. This heartwarming addition to the Her Majesty’s Rebels series is brought to life by the talented Beverley A. Crick.

Flash back to the eighties! This cast of characters strongly reminded me of the TV series Remington Steele. In this case, 3 women are the owners and investigators in the private investigation firm, King & Co. Cue the suave, debonair, handsome stranger who steps into the role of the fictional boss, Charles King.

I really enjoyed following their investigative cases. I loved the interactions between Ellie and her girlfriends. While Henri/Harry was suitably mysterious, he was SO mysterious that I felt his persona was lacking. I also didn’t feel the romantic connection between Ellie and Harry. The insta-love was very jarring as Harry admits he sees Ellie across a crowded ballroom and he is in love!?! There was certainly chemistry but there was little tete a tete for them to develop a believeable relationship.

While I have enjoyed other stories from this author, this was a miss for me.

3.5 stars

I’m pleased this story was a step up from the first in the series. The connection and chemistry between Harry and Ellie throughout the book was spot on, and the detective agency the women ran seemed much more cohesive than in the last book. The friendship between the three women was still a bright spot, their support and teasing with each other is a great addition to this story.

The banter between Ellie and Harry is delightful. He is such a tease and I quickly fell head over heels for him. I was hoping he wouldn’t disappoint Ellie. It seems Ellie’s insecurities were the main thing that stood in her way, nothing Harry said or did.

While the initial case the women took, along with Harry this time, was interesting and kept things moving, once that was resolved the flow of the story was disrupted. There was a build-up with their next case, which was ultimately resolved, but it seemed a bit anticlimactic in the end.

That being said, the characters in this book are all amazing. I cannot wait for Daisy’s story as she’s the most vocal and outrageous of the friends.

Oh, oh, oh, this one is just wonderful! What do you call a smash up of "Charlie's Angels" and "White Collar"? Just fabulous, that's what! While short on detail and superficial, this story is just right if you are looking for a little escape to a far distant time with a hot romance.

Eleanor Law is most comfortable observing than participating. That has served her well in solving several cases for King & Co, the successful private investigation firm she and her friends, Tess and Daisy, run. "Charles King" is their invention until he comes to life in the form of a very hot rogue.

Instant attraction is an experience Ellie never expected to experience. But Henri Bonheur, aka Charles King, aka . . . is so. so very attractive that she is speechless when he steals a kiss and steps in to secure the case of the missing priceless book for King & Co.

Harry is on a mission to leave behind his past and he needs Ellie and her friends to help him make a new future. Falling for Eleanor was not a part of the future he planned, but she is now all the future he wants.

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

A studious lady detective meets her match in a charming thief in the newest additions to Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series.

I adored How to Fall for a Scoundrel! This was a quick, easy read with plenty of spice and a double mystery that kept me entertained and engaged.

Ellie Law is one of the three ladies behind the successful King & Co. detective agency. When a charming con artist introduces himself as Charles King, the fictional owner of King & Co., to assist Ellie in securing a new case, the two are quickly thrust into an unlikely alliance. Spending time with Harry, Henry, Henri, Enrico, is both vexing and exciting for Ellie and sparks quickly fly between the two!

I really loved Ellie’s and Harry’s relationship. The romance develops quickly, and I would have appreciated a bit more tension between the two before they get together, however, it was a sweet romance and kept entertaining by Ellie’s friends and Harry’s past as a thief and con man. Tess and Daisy were often present in the book which I enjoyed. The mystery wasn’t as suspenseful as I expected but it was a nice side plot. Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet and funny histrom! It’s definitely one to reach for if you don’t want a lighter read. I’m looking forward to Daisy’s book!

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman

This is the second book in the series.

We meet Miss Law in the previous book, she is one of the three ladies who runs King and Company, an investigative agency in London.

She's used to being overlooked, she's perfected it really, so she's shocked when she meets a mysterious man who begins their acquaintance with a kiss. This starts an adventure and several new cases, one of which will decide her future.
There is plenty of mystery, clandestine meetings and undercover rendezvous while attempting to uncover the truth.

Enjoy.

I’ve read several of Kate Batsman’s books now, and I think she just kept getting better and better. This is probably my favorite one so far. A mystery, a fun plot, great female friendship, and a MMC that utterly charmed me from the first page. I haven’t read an historical this fun in ages.

Eleanor is brilliant and loyal and interesting, but content to stay on the sidelines. A wallflower by choice. Working with former thief Harry drags her out of her comfort zones in the best ways. Her growth over the course of the novel is exactly the journey we all wish for ourselves, I think. As always, her friendship with Tess and Daisy is supportive, teasing perfection - and I cannot wait for chaotic Daisy’s book.

Harry is all easy charm on the surface, kind and generous, but he definitely has secrets. I won’t reveal them, but I truly enjoyed getting to see under his thief persona. He was such an unexpected character, and brought so much to an already interesting story. I loved him with Ellie, and I loved him on his own, and I want a Harry in my own life.

This book was a fun fast read. Ellie and her 2 friends run a detective agency under the guise of being under the tutelage of a mysterious Mr. King. Enter a perfectly mysterious scoundrel to fill that role. If you can resist falling for Harry, you’re a better woman than me! He’s delicious to look at and the perfect mix of sincere and carefree. But he needs the skills of the ladies and he’s not as upfront as he might have been so suspicion sets in and doubts plague our heroine. Once the mystery is solved, Harry eases Ellie’s fears and all is well. Kate Bateman weaves a wonderful tale and you won’t want to put this one down.

Kate Bateman's books are so comforting to me! The plot structure is almost always the exact same, but instead of the books being boring, the similarities make them even more enjoyable. I liked Ellie and Harry/Henry, although I would have liked a few more scenes of just the two of them bonding and getting to know one another. I also really wanted to see Ellie interact with her parents! They mentioned her father so often, and I think there was a missed opportunity to include a very sweet father/daughter relationship in this book.

I love the Rebels books. Kate Bateman is a master at the historical romances. Ellie and Harry have great banter and are enjoyable in the story. Their relationship is interesting and entertaining. Also love Tess & Daisy. Can't wait for the next book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, and I give my review freely

How to Fall for a Scoundrel-Her Majesty's Rebels Book #2

by Kate Bateman-I read Second Duke's the Charm and gave it 4⭐

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publication 8/20/24, Read 8/23/24

Format: eBook, 320 pgs.

Setting: London 1816

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press |St. Martin's Paperbacks for this ARC 🧡! I voluntarily give an honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

✔️ Historical/Regency Romance
✔️ Mystery
✔️ opposites attract
✔️ hidden identity
✔️ investigation agency
✔️classism
✔️insta-lust
✔️steamy

Summary: Eleanor "Ellie" Law 22 is co-owner of King and Company-a private investigation agency with her two friends Tess and Daisy. They are out to prove that women can solve cases just as well as men. A con man claiming to be their fictious boss "Charles King" wants to work with them, and to get proof of his real identity - Henri "Harry" Bonheur 26. Ellie takes on his case and they fall for each other. Will Harry's troubled past come back to haunt him, or will Ellie accept a reformed criminal?

I enjoyed Ellie and Harry's banter and Harry being a reformed "bad boy." Ellie was a smart little wallflower out to prove herself. Tess and Daisy were great friends who encouraged her to "act a little bad" with Harry. He brought out her adventurous side and she attempted to make him more respectable. I loved their HEA and can't wait for Daisy's story!

Here we freaking go!! I loved this one, and has firmly placed Kate back at the top of my autobuy historical romance authors!!!

Every time I read a book by Kate Bateman, I fall in love with her writing a little more. Her plots are so fresh, fun, and engaging; you can't help but get lost in the story.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is a wonderful historical romance full of mystery, charm, intrigue, and steam. The banter between the characters was delightful. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.