I devoured The Confessions of a Lady in one sitting—it's that captivating! This spicy historical romance is set in the world of upstairs/downstairs drama, where Penny Smith, a seemingly unremarkable housemaid, secretly serves as a spy for the Prime Minister. Her mission is to keep an eye on Lord William Renquist, the Marquess of Stoneway, who is suspected of being involved with the Devil’s Sons. But as Penny gets closer to Lord Renquist, she finds herself questioning everything she’s been told. His actions don't match the evidence, and instead of a villain, she encounters a man who challenges her heart and her loyalties.

The chemistry between Penny and William is electric from the start. Their slow-burn attraction is masterfully built, culminating in a deliciously intense forbidden romance. The setting of a masked ball adds a layer of tension and mystery, and the contrast between their social statuses—maid and marquess—heightens the stakes for their relationship. What I loved most about the book was the way it balanced the intrigue of espionage with the heat of their connection, all while exploring themes of trust, duty, and redemption.

McGuire’s writing is engaging and vivid, and I couldn’t get enough of the well-developed characters. Penny is clever and resourceful, and William is both honorable and flawed—an irresistible combination. The plot twists kept me on my toes, and though I would have liked a bit more depth in the final resolution, The Confessions of a Lady is a thrilling, steamy read. If you enjoy historical romance with a strong dose of suspense, this book is a must-read!

This was a book about Penny, a maid in the household of William, a marquis. There’s espionage, intrigue and love. The initial description sounded entertaining, which is why I requested to read it. I always love a good upstairs/downstairs story. However, the plot ended up being quite far ferched and ridiculous. The characters fell in love way too quickly (even for a romance novel), and it just felt so forced. It was mostly enjoyable to read, but not one that I’d re-read.

This is an historical mystery and love story that makes an important point about status where your class should not matter but often does. It is great to see a strong female lead as well. However, I found the premise behind the love story unrealistic. A decorated marquis and war hero who had been tortured and endured much privation in conflict falls for a lowly maid. In fact, and against his better judgement while being an agent for the Queen seeking to uncover and punish an awful sex trade he becomes obsessed with the maid. Surely a man of that character and experience would be able to show more self control and wisdom. This love story became the main bill of fair, relegating the more important issue, taking down the sex trafficking ring to one side. Shame, I would have liked a different emphasis.

An Upstairs/Downstairs themed Historical Romance combined with spies & spice.
Penny is the housemaid to Liam Renquist. Penny is illiterate, yet sharp. Liam is an unfulfilled Marquess. Both have individually been recruited as spies to defeat the menace of the Devil’s Sons society. Intrigue, adventure and seduction ensue.

It’s an interesting plot and enjoyable read, yet at times seems implausible. I reminded myself that it is a Victorian era romance, not an historical tome.

Unbeknownst to me, this was the third in a series, but can definitely be read and enjoyed on its own without confusion.

Thank you to NetGalley for this complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book offers a unique blend of historical fiction and espionage, with an intriguing premise centered on taking down the criminal organization known as the Devil's Sons. The plot is engaging, and the themes of social justice provide depth to the narrative. Both main characters, Penny and Liam, are driven by noble motivations, which make their goals admirable and the stakes high.

However, Penny's character development feels inconsistent and detracts from the story's impact. Her belief that Liam is responsible for her mother's imprisonment and involved in sex trafficking creates a foundation for conflict. Yet, her intense and inexplicable sexual attraction to him feels out of place and undermines her motivations. It creates a dissonance that made it difficult to relate to her or become fully invested in the story.

While the book has strong thematic underpinnings and a promising premise, the characters' actions and relationships didn't resonate for me. As a result, the story failed to fully deliver on its potential. That's why I'm giving it 1.5 ⭐.

A BRAND NEW spicy upstairs/downstairs historical romance featuring the Queen's Deadly Damsels!
Another compulsive read from an author who seems to do no wrong. I absolutely devoured this one… You will want to clear your afternoon to read this one straight through, so riveting!

The Confessions of a Lady is the third installment in the Queen's Deadly Damsels series. Penny Smith obtains a position as a maid in Lord William Renquist's houshold in order to find evidence of his membership in a depraved club - The Devil's Sons. This proof would earn her a reward that could free her mother from prison. Unbeknownst to Penny instead of being a villian, William is secretly working for the Queen to bring down the club from within. Romance and intrigue ensue making for a fun fast-paced story. If you are a fan of a little spice, mystery, and intrigue in your historical romances, this is a good one. #NetGalley. #ConfessionsofaLady

I could not get into this book. It moved extremely slowly, especially at the beginning. The “twist” to the crime that was being investigated was obvious from the first few pages. I am not a stickler for historical accuracy in romance, but there were multiple plot points that strained credulity. Disappointed, as I had high hopes for this one.

Thank you to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love a historical romance, especially one set in a post-regency, Victorian setting. Unfortunately, the pacing felt off and the plot fell flat because of it. There was a lot of repetition that should have been edited out to streamline the plot. I liked the characterisation but felt it was too insta-lust between Penny and Renquist to really root for them. A solid 3 stars with further editing.

I had trouble getting into this book. I discovered that it is part of a series and will try to go back and read the earlier books, in the hopes that this installment might be more engaging once I read the others

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t picked up a historical romance in a minute and this one didn’t disappoint! Penny was a great FMC, with a difficult backstory and lots of grit. Even if she was the maid she always knew her worth and could hold her own, and Liam was obsessed with her from the beginning and didn’t care what type of title or society she came from. 🥰
This book kept me hooked with the suspense of both main characters being vigilantes and trying to uncover a secret society without the other knowing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a suspenseful romance!

Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!

I sadly did not enjoy this read at all. The plot was very weak and predictable. The "twist" towards the end felt unnecessary and somewhat disappointing. The book was too full of cliches and I didn't believe in the romance between the two main characters. It felt far more lustful, than love.
I would not recommend this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Confessions of a Lady by Darcy McGuire!

This book was a delightful and spicy read! Imagine a blend of Bridgerton and Law & Order SVU, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect. We follow Penny, who unexpectedly finds herself undercover as a maid, tasked with accusing the Marquess, Liam, of some serious crimes. But, in a delightful twist, they fall for each other, uncovering secrets about themselves along the way.

I truly enjoyed diving into this story; it was such an easy and engaging read. On a spice scale, I'd give it two and a half out of four chillies. 🌶️🌶️

While I thoroughly enjoyed the premise and the sizzling chemistry between Penny and Liam, I did find a few aspects that detracted from my overall experience. There were some anachronisms that felt a bit out of place for the time period, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. Additionally, at times the narrative got a bit bogged down in excessive details and descriptions, which felt unnecessary to the plot.

However, despite these minor hiccups, the captivating storyline and the unexpected twists kept me hooked. I was genuinely surprised by certain characters not being who they initially seemed, which added an element of excitement and intrigue.

Overall, I'm giving The Confessions of a Lady 3 stars. While I had a good time reading it, it might not be a book I revisit. This is the third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone with different characters in the same universe. If you're looking for a light, fun, and breezy historical romance with a touch of mystery, definitely give it a try!

A spicy upstairs/downstairs spy adventure with a lot more passion than plot. Romance lovers will find this a quick, heart-racing read, but little thin on the spy plot/through storyline of the series.

Millicent's former maid, Penny, has taken a position in the home of the new lord Renquist to determine if he is also a part of his brother's evil plot and earn reward money to free her mother from debtor's prison.

Liam, Lord Renquist is thankfully, the opposite of his father and brother and wants to make amends for his family's evil doings by taking down the Devil's Sons as a covert agent.

The moment he meets Penny, it's love at first sight, but pressing an upstairs/downstairs relationship isn't the honorable start to his new life. They fight their attraction to each other but ultimately a spicy love affair ensues, and they team up with the rest of the Deadly Damsels and their hubbies to take down 1/3 of the baddies.

Now we know there are three main baddies the ladies need to take down in the sinister Devil's Sons gang before they ship off or kill any more young women which means at least TWO more books to this fun and sexy series!

This historical romance that had me hooked from the first chapter. It’s sexy, it’s sweet, and it’s just the right amount of dramatic intrigue. If you’re into upstairs/downstairs romances or Bridgerton-style passion, this one’s going to make your heart race.

At its core, the story is about Penny, a smart and resourceful housemaid working as a spy for the prime minister. Her mission? To gather intel on her employer, Lord William “Liam” Renquist, a marquess suspected of being tied to a shady criminal organization called the Devil’s Sons. But as Penny digs deeper, she starts to see a man who’s more complicated—and a lot more appealing—than she expected. Oh, and Liam? He’s also a spy working against the same enemy, which just adds to the delicious chaos.

Penny and Liam have a spark that practically jumps off the page. Their banter is sharp, their stolen moments are sizzling, and their connection feels both tender and electric. I loved how their romance unfolded amidst danger and secrets. I also liked how Penny is such a strong character. She’s determined, clever, and never lets her position as a maid define her. She’s not afraid to call Liam out on his privilege.

The book is part of McGuire’s Queen’s Deadly Damsels series, but you don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy this one (though I’ll definitely be going back to check them out).

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have found my way into the ‘feral romance’ portion of the literary world and I’m not complaining. The tension and lusty madness that takes place in this book kept me up until 2:30am and I finished it in 2 sittings. I am in love with Penny and Liam, both super tough, both wanting better for the world even at their own expense, and both ready to fight figuratively and literally to make it happen. The touch her and die is strong with this one.

The plot is also dark and deep and related to stopping sex trafficking, which is one thing I really love about this series. It’s something I make an effort to learn about in my personal life and rooting for characters in a fictional story gives me hope that good will prevail in reality, too.

I have a feeling I know whose storyline next and I am highly anticipating it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review Posting Jan 31, 2025

This book was an enjoyable read. There were a few instances that were a little morbid for my tastes but over all I liked it and would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. The following is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I quite liked the characters and I loved the plot. I am usually not a fan of historical romance, but this book was enjoyable right to the end. And if it hooked me, I am sure it can hook many others :)
Minor negative, I felt like the book blurb uncovers more than it should, as I kept wondering when that ball will happen, so that’s why I give it 4 stars. That part made the start very slow for me.
However, I enjoyed the plot in general, and especially the part after the ball. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author in the future, as well as the first two books I haven’t had a chance to read.

The world building/begging plot felt so dense for a historical romance that I lost all interest in the main characters and felt myself trying to skip parts of the book to see if any of it interested me. Ended up DNFing at 20%

Penny is a housemaid with a mission. She works as a maid in the house of Lord William Renquist and although she spends her day as a servant, her ultimate goal is to find out who is harming the local serving girls and selling them into servitude. Penny soon realizes that although she sees the Lord as a potential suspect, the Marquis’s reputation and how he treats his staff don’t add up. Romantic and spicy entanglements ensue.
A suspenseful and steamy story about an upstairs/downstairs dynamic set in England, this story gives Little Dorrit vibes - her parents live in the workhouse and she is working to set them free - and the romance between the main characters is complicated and delicious. I like both personalities too, she has a take-no-prisoners attitude that she employs with everyone, and the Lord is secretive but solid, and a grumpy-charming main male character. I loved the combination of mystery and romance, and although I have not read the first two novels in this series, I enjoyed this book so much that I am immediately placing them on my TBR list. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.