DNF @ 54%

Disappointed in this one and couldn't bring myself to finish. As soon as I saw that this book was inspired by National Treasure I was so in, but unfortunately...that inspiration is barely there. The main romance is very instalovey as well which regrettably wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review

Alexandra Prince is upset to be left at home again while her older brother and sister travels to America. While she is out to get coffee at the nearby coffee shop she overhears men discussing a robbery of the crown jewels. After speaking with her friend, she decides to share the information with Benedict Drake, the detective inspector with the Scotland Yard. Ben is working to solve another case that has him puzzled when he meets Allie so she is not impressed when he does not appear to want to take her seriously. As it becomes apparent that someone is watching Allie's shop, she and Ben start working together on the case. As they try to figure out what is going on, they become closer and embark on an affair. Ben falls first and Allie must be persuaded that their relationship is worth keeping. A great start to a new series from Christy Carlyle.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

A romance where trouble finds the FMC, yes please, thank you. Allie overhears a plot to steal the Crown Jewels seeks the help of Inspector Benedict and together they resist each other while also investigating the mysterious group. I was captivated by the writing I could not put this book down, Allie and Ben were perfect for each other, he was down bad for her and I was here for it.

It’s good enough to read for the cover alone if I’m being honest. It was cute with some intrigue, but the romance was a definitely instalovey and that threw me off balance a bit. The mystery was truly a mystery…and may still be a mystery…? The motive still confuses me but it was entertaining nonetheless. I’ll always read a Christy Carlyle historical romance!! I’m very much hoping we get a book two.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️/5

Alexandra Prince has always wanted to tag along on her family's archeological adventures, but due to childhood illness she's used to being left behind. This time, however, she's left in charge of her family's antiques shop. While visiting the coffeeshop next door, she overhears a group of scoundrels ostensibly planning to steal the crown jewels. Alexandra immediately takes the threat seriously and heads to Scotland Yard to inform the authorities.

Enter Inspector Benedict Drake (known as "Duke", which is kind of a nonsensical nickname BUT titles with Duke in them sell well so more power to Carlyle for finding a creative way to incorporate it). Drake is on the fast track to leadership and impatient to impress his boss, so although he thinks Alexandra is a bit nuts, he decides to check out her tip. She's also HOT, which helps.

As they investigate, the two bicker a lot, which is always fun! It's a lot of this trope: she's competent and wants to help but he wants her to stay out of danger, so she intervenes and it ends up being good that she did, which he finds exasperating but also bewitching.

Ben and Alexandra are great characters, but I found the side characters and associated side plots lacking. Ben's boss is trying to set him up with his daughter (which would secure Ben a future promotion), and the two are just cardboard cut-outs. I also didn't understand the villain's motivations or character at all.

The romance is definitely the best part so if that's what you're here for, you'll be pleased!

This was an interesting story. It was about a Detective , Benedict, and a shop owner, Alexandra. It was not your usual ton story. And I loved it because of that.
Both Ben and Alex had led very isolated lives. But from the moment they met, you could feel their attraction to each other.
Throw in a blackmailer, thief, master of disguise and you have a very interesting story.
A lot of romance and mystery
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Super fun adventure-type romance between an outspoken bluestocking and a gruff Scotland Yard inspector. Alexandra (Allie to her friends and family) has been left behind to run the family antique shop while her siblings are off on an excavation and she overhears some possibly nefarious plotting at the coffee shop next door. She’s instantly off to Scotland Yard to warn someone and instantly connects with Ben, the serious inspector she meets there. Ben’s pretty much the only person to take her seriously, so she’s extra impressed by him. It’s most definitely instant attraction for both of these two, but they’re doing their best to keep things professional. Somehow, they end up entangled with each other through this mystery and have to team up to put all their clues together. Really enjoyable read.

Review of "Princes of London" by Donna F
The first book in the new series, "Princes of London," introduces readers to Allie, the youngest sibling in a family that owns an antiquities shop. While her brother and sister embark on thrilling adventures, Allie is left to manage the shop, feeling somewhat inadequate compared to her overachieving siblings.
The plot takes a turn when Allie overhears a conversation about stealing the crown jewels at her favorite coffee shop. She reports the potential crime to Scotland Yard, where she meets Detective Inspector Benedict "Duke" Drake. Duke takes her tip seriously and begins investigating the matter himself. As the investigation progresses, Allie and Duke develop an intriguing chemistry, and it becomes apparent that what Allie heard might be connected to another case Duke is working on. The story is filled with action, mystery, and captivating secondary characters, including Duke's sister, who I hope will get her own book in the future.
While I enjoyed the romance and the mystery, I felt that a couple of red herrings should have been resolved rather than left hanging. This lack of closure was a bit disappointing, but perhaps future books in the series will address these loose ends. Despite this, I am eager to read the next installment in the series and see where the story goes.

I really enjoy a bit of a detective story in my romance so this was right up my ally!

Allie and Ben live different lives. He works for Scotland Yard and she runs her families antique shop while they go off on adventures and treasure hunts. Then one day she overhears a plot to steal the Crown Jewels. She goes to report it and they finally meet. And the attraction is there!

The two of them are trying to figure out this mystery while also deciding they want to be together. But that could put her in danger.

I really liked both characters so much. They were both so driven and you could feel their chemistry. The detective bit was great as well, there was so much going on and it moved so fast!

Allie overhears a robbery plot so she heads to her long time friend Ben, a detective, and the adventures begin. From one of my favorite authors, a fabulous plot, with action, suspense and so much more. Allie is dynamic and intelligent. Ben is a great listener and give Allie lots of space to expand. A fast story, that will draw you in and keep you entertained from beginning to end. Don't miss this one, it's a gem.

Reading this delicious Edwardian era historical romance felt like unwrapping a Christmas gift.
I am a huge fan of Miss Scarlet & the Duke, and if you are too, you don’t want to miss out on this read. It’s the perfect blend of intrigue, tension and poignancy.

Here are just a few of the reasons I loved it and can’t stop thinking about it:

1. Lush, gorgeous prose that’s so evocative you feel as if you are in the moment with the characters.
2. A brooding hero who has overcome a childhood of poverty and obstacles to become one of Scotland Yard’s top inspectors.
3. An unconventional heroine who is impulsive and outgoing and has a vocation as an antiques seller. She’s the youngest sibling in a notorious family of explorers, treasure hunters and archaeologists and longs for an adventure of her own.
4. A steamy, slow burn plot that radiates sex positivity and feminine affirmation.
I absolutely adored this book - one of the easiest five star reads I’ve ever had!

When Alex overhears a plot to steal the Crown jewels in her favorite coffee house, she goes to Scotland Yard to report the incident. Benedict Drake, known as Duke to his colleagues, listens to her account instead of dismissing it - and they both walk away from their first meeting feeling like something in them has irrevocably shifted.
The incident Alex reported has far more insidious implications, and Alex and Ben are thrown together more and more frequently.
The more time they spend together, the more impossible it becomes to ignore their growing attachment.


I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE NEXT PRINCES OF LONDON BOOK!!!!

I'll admit the cover really lured me into this one. The premise was fun and I was happy to have a historical romance than wasn't the typical nobles and ballrooms and etiquette. It really made even the general expected fresher and more interesting than usual. I also appreciated that despite the MMC as a cop this doesn't really come across as copaganda - there are critiques of the system and a more nuanced look than could have easily wandering in. I really liked Duke and I thought that both Duke and Alexandria were complex and well written and the plot was layered with enough twists and emotional growth to keep it from being a one-note. While I didn't love this book it is a solid addition to the genre and I look forward to more from the author to see what the other Price siblings get up to.

Allie's family owns a jewelry shop, and one day she accidentally overhears a plot to steal the crown jewels. She notifies a Ben, who's a detective. Then she continues to get involved!! Haha

The romance element was believable and hot. The perfect use of grumpy sunshine trope.
The mystery was a bit confusing, and a bit over the top, like "Sherlock" levels of, "what just happened?" Fortunately, I almost always put the relationship aspect of the story higher than solving the crime. ALL Notable Pets had a HEA.
Thank you to Avon for the copy of this book.

A delightful and refreshing story about a detective and the heroine of the story trying to thwart thieves. It was a great regency romance and I enjoyed reading it . Christy Carlyle created a great mystery. The story was very well written and I loved the characters.

While this was an easy read, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Too insta-love and the stakes weren’t high enough with the mystery.

This was a cute romance mystery. Alex and Ben had good rapport and worked well to solve the mystery, but their love story could have had more page time.

#netgalley

Great start to the new Prince series....

Allie Prince doesn't fit in with her famous family. She was left behind while her brother and sister went off to have an adventure. Don't worry, adventure is coming for you, Allie. Detective Inspector Benedict Drake didn't get M, but he did save a mutt. That's the kind of man you keep around. Benedict is serious and all about his job, which he takes seriously. He doesn't quite know what to make of Allie, it is 1896, after all. But Allie is determined to save the day.

Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride...its a bit of Miss Scarlett meets National Treasure.
Recommend.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy and held my interest, though there was a lot of explaining versus action and letting conversations speak for themselves. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

What a wonderful story! This book has it all - instant attraction, deep emotions, and a mystery to solve. There are so many touching moments in the story that allow the reader to know the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Yet lighthearted incidents also cause the reader to smile. You will want to read this story!

I love novels that take place in the late Victorian era. There's just something about the time period that makes me nostalgic. It's the right amount of past and present. And Christy, the talented author that she is, writes the scene of the crime (pun intended 😄) with a masterful touch.

The romance is a nice slow burn, albeit with some instant attraction between the leads, which I'm not complaining about in the slightest. Nothing best than a slow burn romance with two leads who are attracted to each other from their first meeting but tiptoe around each other like love sick fools. No, they don't come off as love sick fools in this, both of them are actually quite mature about it, but you get my meaning.

The spice is good although I wish the scene had been longer. Also, there's only one sex scene in the whole book. Wish there had been more.

Both characters have deep and meaningful backstories and relationships with their friends and families, which I enjoyed reading about. Something I always like in a romance: when the characters can stand on their own two feet. And these two characters definitely are definitely their own individuals.

There's a thriller/crime subplot in this that I really enjoyed reading and if you've read the blurb, then you know what it's about. Christy again knows how to hook you in, this time with some good crime solving bad ass characters. Yes, that's right. Characters! BOTH the leads work together to catch the bad guy, which was nice. And thrilling! I really enjoyed the scenes where these worked together to catch the illustrious thief.

I can't wait to see where this series goes! I assume due to the series name we're going to get books for the MFC's brother and sister, which are characters I can't wait to dig into. With the little we saw of them in the book, I already know both will be great characters to read about.

Note: I received a free copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.