this was a strong third entry in the Seductive Sleuths series, it had that element that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. It continued the story perfectly and the characters continued to feel like they belonged in this universe. I was invested in the historical romance element in this world and had that concept that I was looking for. Melissa Kendall has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this, im excited for more in this series.

I did not like this one. The idea was ok but it was way too forced for me. I wish I could say otherwise but this book was not for me.

A heartfelt historical journey with a tender slow-burn romance.
Fontaine Shepherd, the Dowager Lady Kerry, is a complex and driven woman shaped by hardship and survivor’s guilt. When her charitable mission to relocate orphans overseas hits a wall, she takes matters into her own hands—dragging along a reluctant companion in Rosemary Summersby, a practical and proper woman whose life has been built around duty, not adventure.
The story follows their sea voyage and evolving relationship, one built not just on proximity and shared cause, but on emotional growth and mutual understanding. While the pacing is at times slow, and the stakes more internal than sweeping, the novel handles themes of compassion, redemption, and queer awakening with sensitivity.
Readers looking for a more reflective, mature love story between two women—set against a backdrop of Victorian social issues—may find this a quiet but rewarding read. While it doesn’t break new ground, its emotional core feels genuine and its message about love’s transformative power is quietly compelling.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

a sapphic bi4bi historical romance! with two 40+ FMC's AND autistic representation!

I really enjoyed the mystery plot in this. I did like the romance, but I unfortunately didn't feel the chemistry between the characters. And the spicy scenes felt a bit forced.

But I really liked the ending! I hope Melissa Kendall writes more sapphic historical romances.

A Steamy Victorian Romance with Heart and Mystery
Having once lived on the streets herself, Fontaine has made it her mission to rescue children from the brutal conditions of the workhouses. Her efforts eventually take her from the slums of London to the distant shores of Canada. When she meets Rosemary—graceful, proper, and unexpectedly bold—she finds not only a companion for the journey ahead, but a kindred spirit who shares her hidden desires.
Together, the women set out to uncover the truth behind a disturbing silence from the Canadian office meant to receive the children Fontaine helped relocate. It soon becomes clear that someone is exploiting the very children they’ve been trying to save—and he has no intention of giving up his power without a fight. With danger mounting, Fontaine and Rosemary must outwit a powerful adversary while navigating their growing feelings for each other in a society that would shun them if their love were discovered.
This is a steamy, suspenseful Victorian romance featuring two women daring to find happiness and purpose together in a world that demands they hide who they are. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance layered with mystery, passion, and the strength of women standing together against injustice.

Benefactor to the Baroness is an enticing historical romance. What I liked about it was the older age of the characters; it is refreshing to read characters established in themselves and especially in their sexuality, but the narrative still allowed room for character growth.

I thought the main story was interesting but was not given enough depth; these children are being trafficked but the stakes never feel as high as they should be. Seemed glossed over a bit which I couldn’t get past. The romance was also very sudden; there did not seem to be much chemistry between our two main characters. I definitely believed the attraction, but once “love” was mentioned, I thought that seemed like a stretch.

Fun and fast, finished in half a day. Thank you for an ARC!

I'm always looking for for more LGBTQ+ historical romances because the have always existed and I want to read about their happily ever afters.
In this particular book, the realities faced by orphaned children are difficult to read, but I loved that the heroines were fighting to change that and help them.
I also loved that the main subject in this story was a mystery and it was resolved in this book and not leaves as a cliffhanger.
Btw, this is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

The only thing I'm a little bit bothered is that I believe that the cover is AI Generated?? But don't listen to me about that, I'm not an expert.

received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Benefactor to the Baroness is a mesmerizing historical romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The love story between Fontaine and Rosemary unfolds beautifully, intertwined with a poignant exploration of the hardships orphans faced. The novel vividly portrays the harsh realities of these children's lives. At the same time, Fontaine’s unwavering determination to help them is rooted in his difficult past, making his mission all the more compelling. This fast-paced novel features well-developed characters, delightfully precocious children, and a timeless romance. I highly recommend giving it a read! This fast-paced novel features well-developed characters, delightfully precocious children, and a timeless romance. I highly recommend giving it a read!

This third book in the Seductive Sleuths series was an enthralling, well written, unique LGBQ historical romance. It was full of drama, action, intrigue, mystery, missing children, suspense, an exciting and sudden journey across the ocean to uncover a mysterious circumstance, a committee that tries to help provide a better life for orphans and street children, and also so many emotional issues and plot twists that kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the courageous, strong-willed, wonderful heroines and their forbidden, passionate love that had such tenderness, devotion, and a defiance over life's terms rather than their own happiness. The ending was wonderful. I highly recommend reading!

This historical romance has two female heroines. They both have colourful characters, and are trying to find a way to be needed and useful. The orphaned children from the poorest part of London seems a good place to start. Maybe they would be better off in the new territory in Canada.
I must admit I did skip over some of the steamier scenes, but that is just because it was not interesting for me.
It is part of a series , the previous books have the type of romance I personally prefer.
The story is good, with a mystery to solve and a little danger to face.
Good fun.

Two women decide to take on improving the lives of orphaned children and orphanages. I love the plot and the mystery. The characters are fantastic both primary and secondary. The third book in the series that can stand alone. I'm not a fan of LGBTQ steam, just not my interest at all, so there were parts that I skipped over. I like the series and generally enjoy this author. I believe there is a place for LGBTQ just like paranormal, Westerns, etc. I own that I missed the category so don't let my opinion deter you from reading a great plot.

Dive into a world of forbidden love and courageous defiance with this enthralling historical romance novel. Immerse yourself in a meticulously crafted setting, rich with historical detail and atmosphere, where a vibrant tapestry of characters come to life. Experience their struggles and triumphs as they navigate themes of love, rebellion, and self-discovery amidst a backdrop of societal constraints and expectations.

The novel's LGBTQIA+ focus adds a unique and powerful dimension to the narrative. Witness the protagonists as they challenge deeply ingrained societal norms and prejudices, forging their own paths towards love and acceptance. Their journey is one of resilience and courage, a testament to the enduring power of human connection in the face of adversity.

Through masterful storytelling and evocative prose, the author explores the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of historical events on individual lives. The narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of tenderness and tension, capturing the essence of forbidden love and the exhilaration of defiance.

This book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, particularly those who appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of LGBTQIA+ experiences within a historical context. It is also a compelling choice for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted romance that transcends time and place, reminding us of the timeless nature of love and the unyielding spirit of the human heart.

Rosemary and Fontaine are on a quest to remove children from a workhouse and find better lives for them. They end up with five children on a ship going to Canada. Along the way, their attraction to each other grows. The romance was very sweet and they are obviously good for each other.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I'm going to start off by saying that I usually struggle with historical romances for one reason: there is no true happily ever after, in my opinion. They can only end one of a few different ways. All of which shed a light on the past (and ever present) struggles of LGBT individuals.

That being said... I really enjoyed Benefactor to the Baroness. The story had a lot going for it. I loved that the main plot point was a mystery that needed to be solved. Fontaine and Rosemary, and many of the side characters, were brought together with the same goal of helping street children/orphans that were going missing. A mystery that spanned across an ocean and is very near to Fontaine's heart given her own childhood.

I enjoyed that both women were widowed as in the coming of age historical romances I've read there is a lot more pressure in terms of getting married and having kids versus the pressures in this book which revolve more about maintaining social standing and not being shunned from society. I found the characters in this book to be quite lovable, and I loved how a variety of people came together when it mattered most. This left me feeling hopeful.

The chemistry between Fontaine and Rosemary is palpable very early on, and I thought the way they interacted and approached each other to be tantalizing. Each time I was left wanting more. I thought the spicy scenes were overall pretty well done, though the plot is definitely the main focus (I give it a 3/5 on the spicy scale).

Because I enjoyed this book much more than expected, I would absolutely read another sapphic historical romance by Melissa Kendall.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This review and it's contents are left voluntarily and are my honest opinion.

I would also like to thank those on one of my discord servers for explaining to me what a "walking suit" is.

Additional info about Benefactor to the Baroness down below... if that's your thing.
(Beware of any spoilers in the content warnings.)

Pace: Medium (but plot moved along nicely)
Mix of plot and character-driven (heavier on the plot)
Features: Strong character development, lovable characters
Moods: adventurous, mysterious, inspiring, hopeful
Rep: widowed MCs
Tropes: one bed
Content Warnings (provided by author): alcohol use, explicit sex, homophobia (related to time period), human trafficking, physical abuse, child abuse/violence
Additional Content Warnings (from me): murder, arson, blackmail

Romance, sex, intrigue, what more could you want? A fictional story with elements of fact, it seems. Fontaine wants to help the orphaned and destitute children to be properly looked after and helped to find decent work and not be exploited. Rosemary attends one of these meetings and becomes acquainted with Fontaine. The children Fontaine thinks she has been helping by sending them to Canada have gone missing and she wants to know why. She talks Rosemary into accompanying her over to Halifax to find out. They discover things are greatly amiss and determine to investigate. This is not exactly a "whodunnit" but there is a bit of a mystery to investigate.
Quite a good read and children were sent over to Canada, (whether or not they wanted to go I don't know but don't think they had a choice) so they could have a "better" life. I'm sure in some/many instances what happened in this story is true to life.