Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

A Touch of Steele by Cathy Maxwell is a third person dual-POV Regency Romance. Gwendolyn and Beckett almost kissed back in Dublin, igniting an attraction that neither can forget but don’t know how to pursue starting a courtship. When Beckett calls in a favor and needs Gwendolyn to assist him with learning more about his mysterious mother, they won’t be able to hold their already strong feelings back.

The major mystery element here is the identity of Beckett’s mother. When the book opens, he’s going around to different brothels to speak to the oldest employees there to see if he can learn anything about who she was or where she is if she’s even alive. Nobody seems to know anything but there is a lead that takes him to the home of a marquess, which is why he needs Gwendolyn. The people who know the truth will do anything to keep Beckett from finding out and revealing it to the rest of the world.

Gwendolyn and Beckett’s romantic arc is made up of quite a bit of pining and noticing how the others in the marquess’ home view the other. Gwendolyn is the most beautiful woman in the entire group of visitors with the marquess’ own son pursuing her while Beckett is not only attracting the attention of debutantes, but also the attention of his former romantic interest who is now married. The two only have eyes for each other even if they can admit someone else is attractive or a good catch. Beckett’s former flame, Violet, is the one of the biggest obstacles between them as Violet isn’t willing to stand aside and let anyone else have Beckett while the other obstacle is the mystery of Beckett’s mother.

What I liked was how claustrophobic everything became over time. We start outside of the marquess’ home and the longer we spend there, the smaller the cast seems to become and the fewer people show up. It helped set the atmosphere and build up to the grand reveal. I love smaller casts of characters that are allowed to be fleshed out more, especially in a romance where the tension between characters is a major part of what makes the genre so enjoyable.

Content warning for mentions of pedophilia and attempted child murder

I would recommend this to fans of Regency romance with a strong mystery subplot and readers looking for a romance that acknowledges and respects sex work

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of A Touch of Steele written by Cathy Maxwell via Netgalley. This is part of The Gambler's Daughters series, but could be read as a stand alone as the author does a fine job in exploring past characters. Beckett Steele, is trying to learn more about his birth mother who he believes lived and died in a ladies bawdy house. After having had a head injury, he is now remembering bits and pieces about his youth and wishes to learn why the Marquess of Middlebury assisted him in being removed from the courtesans home and then paid for him to be schooled and commissioned in the army. However, he needs the help of Gwendolyn Lanscarr, someone from his past who he almost, but didn't, but really wanted to kiss. She had asked him for help in the past and now he requires her to pay back the favor by indirect assisting him in his investigation. Gwen too is desperate to start the kiss that she was so eager to explore before they were interrupted so many years ago. I absolutely loved this story and will now go back and read the first two stories about Gwen's sisters and how Steele played a part in their earlier life.

Satisfying end to the gamblers daughters. Steele and Gwen were destined for their HEA from the 1st book and finally found it but not without twists and turns along the way. Sometimes you need to walk away from what should have been to find true meaning in what you’ve been blessed to find.

3.4 stars
First off, this has one of the best opening lines I've read in awhile: "He'd asked for the oldest whore in the house." Great, right?
Sadly, after that, it was just...okay. I liked the plot, and the reveals near the end. I didn't particularly care about any of the characters. I may have cared more if I'd read the 2 previous books, but I doubt it. I strongly fell it needed another pass at editing, especially the unnecessary exposition and over explanation of character feelings and motivations. Yes, that would shorten the book by a good bit, but it would've been a better read, for me.

I've been looking forward to this story since Steel appeared in the first book and it was worth every minute of the wait.

Here we have his quest to find out who his mother is, who IS him, and with that he demands a price from Gwen, which is purely for her to be a companion to letters from a lady who is very fond of whist, and in exchange he would be able to enter the property that he thinks belongs to his father and find answers to his questions.

Beck, always a loner, ends up fighting for his feelings for Gwen out of fear of several things: not thinking he's good enough, status, fear of rejection and a few other clichés that we love, but he comes to his senses and declares his love (which didn't have to be on the last pages like in many other HR books - many points in his favor in my opinion).
Gwen is a force to be reckoned with and also declares right away that she's always been in love with him.
That Lady Midlebury could have had another ending, honestly.
I won't go into details or I'll give away too many spoilers, but it was a good read and I believe it closed this trilogy very well.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved every single thing about it. The characters, the setting, and the story still have me in a chokehold.

This third book in The Gambler's Daughters series was a captivating and well written historical romance. It was full of drama, action, intrigue, mystery, muder, kidnapping, a stolen life, and so many intense emotional issues and plot twists that kept me very entertained. The characters were determined, interesting, and likable. I enjoyed their class difference romance that over comes many obstacles to fond a true and forever love. The ending was delightful. I highly recommend reading!

What a great blend of romance and mystery. This is the third book in the series but does stand alone fine. Gwendolyn is the one looking for adventure and she gets plenty of that. I laughed and couldn't wait to read the next chapter. When the story seems to slow down it takes off like a rocket. Definitely a book I will recommend to friends.

While this is the third book in a series of three, it can be read as a stand alone. Gwendolyn has loved Beckett Steele for a long time. When he finally approaches her about a payback from a couple of years ago, she is more than ready! Beck is a self made man. He grew up in a brithel not knowing who his mother is. As he begins to search for her, an old nemesis lays wait and his journey takes another turn. This is an interesting story with twists and turns. I fully enjoyed it!

A fantastic addition to the Gambler's Daughters series! In this book, Gwendolyn Lanscarr owes Beckett Steele a favor and *SURPRISE* he calls in said favor. They attend a house party together, looking to solve a mystery . As an attraction grows, Steele believes he is not good enough for Gwen which she disagrees with. As several dangers arise, they find their attraction to each other growing stronger.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

I was given an ARC copy of this book in return for a review.

Another great historical romance in the Gambler's Daughters series. In this book, Gwendolyn Lanscarr owes Beckett Steele a favor and he calls in this favor. Beckett and Gwendolyn attend a country house party, Gwendolyn as a whist partner of Lady Orpington and Beckett as her supposed nephew. Find out what Beckett intends to find out while at the home of Lord and Lady Middlebury. How Gwendolyn and Lady Orpington end up spending their time at the party. And watch the romance between Gwendolyn and Beckett grow. Pick this one up in May 2025.

Yay for historicals!! Honestly this had SOOOOO much potential to be a 5-star read, I was shocked that it wasn't.

To be fair, this series fell flat with me but I wanted to see what would happen to the last Lancastarr sister.

Fast summary:
Gwendolyn, the last remaining unmarried Lancastarr sister sees no rush to marry, especially since she is already in love with Mr. Steele (whom we met in book one). Mr. Steele finally calls in his favor from Gwendolyn and it involves playing cards with an insufferable Lady in a country mansion. Mystery births? Murder? Multiple Kidnappings? We have it all!

Honestly, this book was a page turner. The mystery around Beckett's birth hooked me and I just wanted to know more. I really enjoyed that the cousin was not a villain and you liked him as well...made me wonder if Cathy Maxwell will write his story next.

Unfortunately, I dont think the author really capitalized on the wonderful momentum she built throughout the story. Gwendolyn at times was annoying. I am not a fan of a FMC that is pinning for the MMC-- unless she goes through a 'F- him! I'm going to live my life' moment, which causes the MMC to do a 180. She had maybe one chapter where she was like, 'forget him' but, alas, that was short-lived.
Lastly, the ending of this book was the biggest disappointment. He just lets his aunt win?!?! He doesn't talk to his cousin or tries to work out a middle ground? Then, a man who has always yearned for family his whole life, suddenly marries a fairly tight-knit family and instead of cultivating that he is going to jump on a boat and travel the world with Gwendolyn?!?!?! Didn't make sense to me.

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Art of a series but it does stand alone. Gwendolyn Lanscarr fell for Mr Steele in Dublin. When he comes to collect his favour, they are thrown into an adventure to find his origin. Intrigue, mystery, dashed with comedy. It is a well balanced story.

A Touch of Steele is an absolute gem, deserving a full five stars for its flawless blend of captivating characters and a thrilling, suspense-filled plot. Every interaction between Beckett and Gwendolyn crackles with raw intensity, immersing you in a world where passion and mystery intertwine seamlessly.

Gwendolyn is a fierce, sharp-witted heroine, driven by a fierce sense of justice and the belief that Beckett harbors deeper feelings for her than he's willing to admit. Beckett, the enigmatic and distant lone wolf, is irresistibly compelling with his shadowy past and his steadfast refusal to let anyone get close. The chemistry between them is electric - despite Beckett’s attempts to remain emotionally distant, Gwendolyn steadily chips away at the walls he's built around his heart.

The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat as it slowly unravels the secrets of Beckett’s past. It’s a beautifully crafted romance that strikes the perfect balance between suspenseful moments, heart-pounding tension, and a love story that feels both timeless and achingly real. A must-read that will keep you hooked from start to finish!

Beckett is on a quest to find his mother or his father. He collects favors from influential people to use later. He calls in a favor from Gwen to go to an exclusive weekend in the country where he believes his father may be. Though attracted to Gwen, he feels he is not worthy of her. She disagrees! As several dangers arise, they find their attraction growing stronger. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

From the moment the mysterious Mr. Steele “almost” kissed her, Gwendolyn Lanscarr's life was changed. Beckett Steele has lived his life as a loner but, after a war injury, he is desperate to find the pieces of his missing past. Gwendolyn thinks Beck owes her favor, but he's the one who inevitably needs her help, support, and love.

This is the third book in The Gambler's Daughters series. Beck and Gwendolyn meet in the first book, so their attraction is already established when this story begins.

I've been waiting for Beck and Gwendoly's tale and it was well woven. Beck does not remember much of his past. He lived in a brothel for a number of years before being removed and sent to school. He assumed that his mother was a prostitute and that he was the illegitimate son of a lord. After a war injury triggers memories, he starts searching for clues...eventually needing Gwendolyn's help to gain access to a country house party.

I thought the writing was pretty clearly foreshadowing the truth about Beck and I liked how the duo worked together throughout the story. Because the couple had met before, the chemistry was already there. There were a few things at the end that kept this from hitting five stars for me, but I am hopeful that there might be a spinoff series with another gentleman that might continue the story a bit.

Tropes: Road Trip Romance, Forced Proximity/House Party, Disguised Character-ish

Steam: 1

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review

Cathy maxwell always weaves a great story and this one did not disappoint! Mr. Steele has been in and out of the heroines life and finally he calls up on her to help him with a mission and they're thrown together. My one negative point about this is that the "mystery" or twist of this book is so very obvious, it didn't compel me to keep reading it. I actually put it down for several weeks before finally coming back to it because i knew what was going to happen. That said, Cathy Maxwell is a great writer and she always delivers a fun romance romp!

Romance, mystery and a quest for origins. It’s gotta be good. And it lives up to the promise. Beck enlists Gwendolyn in his search. She is to act as a whist player to insinuate them into a manor party where the answers may lie. It becomes quite the adventure: secrets revealed, betrayal exposed, guns ablaze and with a bit of kidnapping thrown in for spice.

Of course, Gwendolyn has fallen in love with Beck. No fainting miss, she is fearless both when it comes to getting them out of danger and in acknowledging her love him. She is a very strong character. She faces things squarely and forces herself to see clearly. At points she feels disappointed in him or feels rejected. However she intentionally turns herself around, choosing to acknowledge that his motives come out of a life of fear and hurt.

Beck starts out as a man adrift, searching for his identity and unable to trust or be in a relationship. He too is a strong character - resolute, sexy and mysterious. Although obsessed with his quest, Beck is falling in love with Gwendolyn. He wants to protect her, though she ends up protecting him most of the time. He is solicitous and passionate. While he is determined in his quest he is just as determined to see to her needs.

It is a fun romp filled with mystery and adventure. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cathy Maxwell is one of my go to reads for historical romance. A pure delight from start to finish. I was so looking forward to Steele’s story and it did not disappoint. Gwen and him together are a fierce combination; so much humor, sass, adventure and heat, plus a truly dynamic female heroine who is brave and bold. I’m sad for the trio of sister stories to come to an end, but an eagerly anticipating Maxwell’s next creation.

What a delicious ending for the Gambler’s Daughters series. After a chapter or two, I thought I had the ending figured out. Nope, there were still a few surprises. Although A Touch of Steele is third in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone.

I loved how Gwendolyn always wants to help Beckett as he is firmly sending her away for her own good. Gwendolyn chips away at the hard shell around his heart with her sweet personality. And, Beckett -- he is a good man, just the man for Gwendolyn. He has good motives and treats those who have wronged him, more than fairly.

Just as I, you will love how Cathy Maxwell brings the three gambler’s daughters to aa very satisfying ending!