"The stakes are high in this dazzling and diverse Regency romance, in which a clever duke has made a wager with the now-widowed Viscountess who is the love of his life: To win a second chance with her, he will find husbands for her two sisters - or resign himself to a life of longing in this enchanting tale from award-winning author Vanessa Riley.

Scarlett Wilcox is willing to live out her life as a spinster if it means being able to continue her medical research to help a friend in need. After all, few husbands would tolerate her dressing as a man to attend lectures at the Royal Academy of Science. If the Duke of Torrance finds her such a specimen, she'll agree to a marriage in name only, much to the dismay of her elder sister, the Viscountess.

When she's unmasked at a lecture on ophthalmology, Scarlett prepares to be disgraced, but she's saved by Trinidadian-born physician Stephen Carew who claims her as a cousin. Dedicated to caring for his community, Stephen has no wish to marry a frivolous and privileged lady, no matter how many fall for his disarming accent and seductive charm. But Scarlett proves the opposite of any he's ever met before. Yet the pressure to marry blinds them both to the chemistry growing between them, pitting their brilliant minds against their reluctant hearts - as the Duke and Viscountess await with bated breath to see who will win...A Wager at Midnight."

How about the Duke of Tolerance, amiright?

DNF at 15%. I wasn’t a fan of the first in this series, but I had hope the second book would improve. However, I was reminded of how little I care about these characters, plus the cast just got bigger and more unwieldy. Not to mention, the prose is so overwrought, it’s unbearable.

Exceptional

There was a time when reading Regency romance was not in my wheelhouse. Challenge by an author to give it a try, I have been hooked since that first Regency read. To date A WAGER AT MIDNIGHT is my number one Regency read.
Delving into the world of medical field during the nineteenth century, when women were considered second or even third-class citizens at best.
A WAGER AT MIDNIGHT kept me spell bound as we journey from medicine to science to romance trying to find a cure for a dreaded disease and love.
Love the continuation of the Wilcox sisters and Duke whom we met in A GAMBLE AT SUNSET.
Thank you Vaness Riley for challenging me to read Regency.
Thank you NetGally and Kensington for the ARC of this amazing book. This is my honest review.

This is the first book that I've read by Vanessa Riley, and while her style is not necessarily my personal preference (I'm not a fan of first person narrative), I do think she has a unique and incredibly well-written style. Additionally, I found the story quite interesting. The character were very intriguing and I enjoyed the romance.

I have followed Vanessa for quite some time, but this is my first time reading her work. It was an intriguing buildup to a wonderful romp of a tale. I can't wait for the next one.

A Wager at Midnight is a historically rich and wonderfully diverse Regency romance that gives readers a vivid glimpse of life, love, and medicine in nineteenth century London. Vanessa Riley brings her characters to life with skill and sensitivity. I especially loved the authentic representation of the complex family dynamics. There was so much humor and heart in this story! I enjoyed every bit of it.

Firstly, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of A Wager At Midnight. I am honestly, not sure how to rate it or where to start this review.

Things I liked: I really loved the premise of the story and the idea of these opposites attracted lovers. Scarlett and Stephan's banter was so cute and it was funny getting to watch them attempt to navigate so many obstacles and precarious situations (some that they created themselves LOL). I loved the plot twist at the end with Chrysanthemum. I also feel like Scarlett's character had a good redemption arc for me. I also really loved the epilogue and how the book wrapped up. I would say that the last 50% of the book really had me hooked.

Things that didn't work for me: The writing in the first 35% was a STRUGGLE for me to get through. I really feel like if I listened to this book, I might have liked it a lot more. I also struggled with some of the descriptions of the characters - I felt like I was making up character's looks because I didn't have a good description. I feel like maybe it could be helpful to put the character list at the back of the book, because seeing that first, was overwhelming for me.

Overall, I feel mixed ways about the book. The first half had me tempting to DNF it, but the second half saved it. I would probably read another book by this author, and I am eager to learn what happens with the next sister in the story!

I enjoy this author immensely and was excited to read this book. I read the first in her series and was intrigued by the next installment. I find it so interesting how the author builds in historical events and science into an engaging romance. The information regarding sickle cell paired with women in science was a huge draw for me. I grew to love all of the characters and enjoyed the pacing of the novel. I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in a historical romance with deeper themes of race and science.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read one. What a ride! I enjoy the suspense, romance, and the pacing throughout.

I was unable to finish this book and thus will not be posting a full review. I was immediately confused by the writing and just didn't care for it. Thank you for the opportunity and consideration.

The Wilcox sisters and their Duke Torrance return in this sequel to A Gamble at Sunset!

Scarlett wants things a woman cannot have. She needs husband who will let her pursue her passions. So she makes a deal with the Duke. Meanwhile she continues to pose as a man and attend medical lectures. Mr. Carew discovers her secret. Regency shenanigans ensue!

If what you love about Bridgerton is the tidbits of history and the diverse representation, you'll love this series. There are tie-ins to Riley's other regency romances and the Lady Worthington mysteries.

Thank you to Vanessa, Kensington, and Netgalley for sharing the ARC with me for a honest review.

4.5 stars
Totally addicting story. I couldn't put it down. This is the first book I've read by Vanessa Riley and I can't wait to read book #3 in this series o see what happens next with these intriguing characters. Wonderfully diverse regency with lots of interesting historical tidbits.

Family secrets, medicine in 1816 London, an independent woman who dresses as a man to be able to attend a science lecture, a hardworking physician, extended family drama. A little lusty scene, but scruples prevail.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing story by a new-to-me author!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is very fascinating from a medical stand point in how far we've come. Without giving too much spoilers, the scene where the wager is placed was extremely tense and amazing. Sometimes I think we take medical technology and advancement for granted now.
I started this series with this book. I feel that you probably need to read the first book to understand what all is going on with the plot.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved this book.

It is a fantastic story of strait laced Trinidadian physician Stephen Carew and slightly chaotic and brilliant aspiring doctor Scarlett Wilcox.

Vanessa Riley's writing style is wonderful with slow reveals of the secrets surrounding the Wilcox family. This is the second in a series which has an overarching story arc, but can definitely be read as a standalone (as I did).

This closed door romance is highly enjoyable with great banter and fantastic insights into London’s Black community during the Regency period. I also highly recommend the author notes for interesting tidbits.

Thank you Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Although I am not necessarily a fan of Regency's, I am whole-heartedly a fan of Vanessa Riley's. This author skillfully creates mesmerizing characters that continue top resonate well after the last page has been turned. I am always in awe of how well she evokes emotion with the simplest of scenes. This was definitely a page turner with a very satisfying happily ever after. Kudos to Dr. Riley for a job well done!

Unfortunately, this was not for me. The writing style is overwrought and chaotic. Riley clearly has a lot of ideas, and crafts intelligent, complex characters with morals and passions you love to root for as a reader. However, from chapter one, the author tries to force so many different elements, feelings, asides, and little quips into single scenes, leaving me frustrated with the frenetic, busy style. It read very much as tell rather than show. I wanted to be able to discover these individualities that made each character tick, rather than having them all jammed into one scene at once.

Once again Vanessa Riley transports readers to another time. I could not put this book down! Vanessa Riley has made me fall in love with another strong, well-written character. Her attention to research and detail made it easy to emerce myself into Scarlett’s world. I quickly became Scarlett's friend talking to her as I swiped the pages. Vanessa Riley skillfully reminds us that we (people of color) were also a part of the splendor of regency.

Thank you, Vanessa Riley, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy.

A Wager at Midnight is a sweet, sultry, and sour love story that had me rolling my eyes, feeling butterflies, and smiling extra hard when the Happily Ever After was delivered.

You know how a kiss on the collarbone is not so innocent, but it also isn’t super risqué? That’s the line Scarlett, the second youngest Wilcox sister, tiptoes across in book 2 of the series. A Wager at Midnight is a low heat novel that gave us a few ‘Scarlett is not a little girl’ scenes without going to the steamy side of Romance.

It was sweet and it was raunchy, yet somehow clean. And our main character, the lovely Scarlett Wilcox, was just plain fearless. Her love interest, the physician, drove me nuts. He was one of those intelligent people who was slow in matters of the heart.

Every time I wanted to tell Scarlett to go easy on the tortured man, he made a ridiculous command. Yes—COMMAND. At one point, I was like, look, I want you to get the girl, but you need to get your mind right first. But then there were those tender moments that made my toes curl while reading. And I forgave him for being not so bright.

The physician lived in Cheapside, a Blackamoor community of Caribbean descendants and immigrants that was so much fun to experience. Cheapside was an unexpected treat. Think the Ton with vivid head wraps (or bonnets). And think gossiping Aunties who knew everything about everybody. The fabulous Aunties made me want to spend more time in Cheapside.

When we first met the Aunties, I wanted to go home with them. They were colorful and engaging, and they said wildly inappropriate things with a smile. I am eager to visit Cheapside again. I’d wager (see what I did there? Wager :o) that there are so many stories waiting to be plucked out of that vibrant community. Vanessa Riley, can you hear me? I’d like to preorder a tale or two set in Cheapside and sealed with a Happily Ever After. Pretty please give me more life in Cheapside.

BUT only after book 3 of the Betting Against the Duke series because at the end of A Wager at Midnight, a huge secret that exploded and left me with my mouth hanging open.

I mean, I had a sneaking suspicion, but I wasn’t positive. Then, I was thrown off course by a new development. And when I was least expecting it, the gasp-worthy reveal came and A Wager at Midnight ended with a heartbreaking situation. I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to breathe in book 3. AND so, we wait.

A Wager at Midnight is an entertaining Historical Romance that challenges what we thought about Regency Romance with characters inspired by real people who lived and flourished during that time period.

It’s so refreshing to read novels depicting characters from the African diaspora who were not enslaved. Virtual flowers for the author, Vanessa Riley, for helping us to imagine another side of the story. And for giving us a different type of love story to add to our favorites.

I absolutely enjoyed this free ARC from NetGalley.

I have one word to describe this book. Joy.

Stephen Carew is a man who reads Jane Austen novels to unwind from his stressful work as a physician.
Scarlett Wilcox is a spinster who dresses as her deceased twin brother in order to teach herself to perform cataract surgery.
Scarlett and Stephen are bound together by family secrets and unusual wagers. I love their banter as they learn to work together to build a better community.

I look forward to the next book and find out how Scarlett older sister, Katherine and the Duke of Torrance manage their HEA. They both deserve an HEA.

I also look forward to Scarlett managing to assist Stephen's previous love interest, Eveline. Eveline needs a champion.

Took a little to get into, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. The differing perspectives gave depth and the book seemed well researched.
I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.