Lady Ivy Cavendale, daughter of an evil dead duke, prefers to stay out of being the center of attention. Taking the job as Head Mistress at the All Souls Orphanage, leaves her in position to prove she's stronger than she looks. A member of the Queen's Deadly Damsels, she's learned to take care of herself. Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne, secret spy to Queen Victoria, noticed Ivy at a ball. Intrigued, he has the opportunity to work with her to expose members of the Devil's Sons. Attraction between Ivy and Edward will lead to nothing, unless they can overcome fear and guilt.
The fourth book in the series.
I recommend reading them in order with an overlap of characters
Explicit sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I didn’t like this one as much as some of the others in the series. I felt like Ivy had a little bit too much immediate longing for Edward that didn’t quite fit with her personality. I did find the children to be a cute addition to the story.

It was a fun, Regency romance, but in my opinion, it could have used a few adjustments.

Thanks NetGalley for the eARC.

A Most Unlikely Lady is the fourth book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series and like the stories which have gone before this is another cross between steamy romance and thrilling suspense. Lady Ivy Cavendale takes on the lowly position of headmistress at a London orphanage but with the worry that the Devil’s Sons are targeting vulnerable children, Ivy enlists the help of the other deadly damsels to catch the men behind this group of monstrous individuals. However, it is Ivy’s burgeoning relationship with Police Commissioner, Edward Worthington where the passion of the story lies as they both learn to share the secrets of their troubled past.

Hugely entertaining, the passion sizzles on the page whilst at the same time the mystery surrounding the Devil’s Sons continues to be a real challenge for the Damsels who are determined to bring these terrible individuals to justice. With plenty twists and turns and a spicy romance at its core, this latest story kept my interest from start to finish. And whilst it is possible to read this as a standalone story it does make sense to read the series from the beginning as that way you get to know the other damsels and the role they each play in fighting for justice.

A Most Unlikely Lady is a worthy continuation of this successful series and I look forward to reading the fifth, and probably the final book in the series, when it is published later in 2025.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book. All views and opinions are my own.

“A Most Unlikely Lady” was a worthy follow-up novel to the author’s ongoing “Queen’s Deadly Damsels” series. I really enjoyed the previous book in the series (“Confessions of a Lady”) and I’m glad that “A Most Unlikely Lady” did not disappoint.

Ivy and Edward are both well-rounded, headstrong characters, both with past traumas and heartaches that they both struggle to recover from, while having to pursue the nefarious Devils Sons whose members are deeply entrenched within high society.

The novel had a good balance of romance, sexy chemistry and thrilling capers, while not shying away from topics like childhood trauma and abuse. I look forward to reading the next books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

After reading the previous book in the series, this is a fun follow-up! Ivy and Edward are slightly less of complete horndogs than Penny and Liam, but they're still very forward and very into each other very quickly. You can get past is quite easily though, as again the drama is very heightened and fun.

There is a lot of slapping in this book though. For not a lot of reason, and I'm not sure why, but it happened. Speaking of upsetting things, there is a massive trigger warning for this book in Ivy's relationship with her father. If you stuggle with depictions of SA or implied/intended SA, I think you'd be best skipping this. It's done respectfully, but obviously could still be triggering.

Ivy and Edward are a nice couple and the mystery makes a lot more sense in this book than the previous. I will say, Philippa and Edward's relationship was very odd. She offers him friendship but later when he ask for her friendship, she rebuffs it? And she has a massive change of heart about him with very little explanation why. It's a bit odd. Also, her reasoning for disliking Olivia and vice versa is non-existent, beyond being a set up for the next book.

I also don't totally understand why <spoiler> Ivy has to leave the orphanage to join Edward's task force? It's never explained what the task force is or is actually doing that would require all of her time. Could she not just get a deputy and delegate while helping out the task force? I am unconvinced. </spoiler>.

Overall, this is an enjoyable romp with some minor flaws that don't cloud that it's just a good time book. Three stars.

🧸Book Review🧸

4⭐ 3🌶️

I have been definitely enjoying this series and this book was another great instalment as we work up towards the finale. I read this book super quickly because I was so sucked into the way these two characters had a constant push and pull between them.
The emotions of the MMC and allowing himself to love was glorious to read. He really went through a roller coaster of emotions before he could forgive himself and love the FMC. The FMC was what filled the cracks in his heart and it was just wonderful. I look forward to the next instalment and solving the riddle of who are the leaders of the devil's club.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Darcy McGuire for a copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

A Most Unlikely Lady is part of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series, but the good news is — you can totally read it as a standalone! If Sherlock Holmes met the Bridgerton universe, this book would be their beautiful, sassy lovechild.

The story follows Ivy, the headmistress of an orphanage, a brave and fiercely independent woman who doesn’t back down from danger. Edward, the chief of police, is everything you’d want in a historical romance hero — protective, determined, and absolutely swoon-worthy. The two of them join forces to catch a ring of criminals involved in the kidnapping of children… and, of course, fall in love along the way.

I didn’t realize how much I could love historical romance until I read this book. It made me smile constantly! The tension, the banter, the stolen moments — it was all so perfectly written. Their romance is surprisingly spicy (yes please!), and Edward… what a man you are!! 😍

I also appreciated how the author tackled the societal expectations of the time. Ivy fights for her independence in a world where even being alone with a man was considered scandalous — and Edward doesn’t try to tame her, he helps her discover who she is and what she truly wants. That dynamic? Chef’s kiss.

This book gave me mystery, passion, witty dialogue, and a heroine I could truly root for. I’m already adding the rest of the series to my TBR. If you love historical romance with a twist of danger and a whole lot of heart, this one’s a must-read.

This is the four book in the series and another great read. It not just a Victorian romance but is also full of action, suspense, drama, intensity and adventure. Another great addition to the series and I can't wait for more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Enjoyed the continued story line and back story and eventual plot twist - loved the friendships and learning more about the characters.

This book was really good. I enjoyed Ivy and Edward's relationship. it was sweet. It was also spicier than I expected. Good book though. Loved the ending.

This fourth book in The Queen's Deathly Damsels series was a captivating, exciting, and heartwarming historical mystery romance. I really enjoyed the characters as they evolved both personally and also their chemistry for one another. I highly recommend reading!

Bridgerton fans looking for a historical romance addiction, look no further than the 4th in the series - the Most Unlikely Lady. I have not read the others, and it didnt matter at all, as they are stand alone books.
A gorgeous Victorian romance full of action, emotion, drama, romance, intensity and adventure, The Most Unlikely Lady is a fun historical tale with a resourceful FMC. A superb historical romance fans of the genre will read in one sitting, Darcy McGuire’s A Most Unlikely Lady is a must-read. I loved it and am going to buy the previous ones now. Also, its an absolutely beautiful cover, as they all are. Nice and bright and very eye catching.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Queen's Deadly Damsels are still working to uncover the leaders of the Devil's Sons, a sex-trafficking organization led by unknown aristocrats. On her first night as the headmistress of an orphanage, the usually timid Ivy confronts an intruder intent on kidnapping one of her charges. She musters her courage and shoots him. He's able to get away and now Edward, Duke and Police Commissioner of Scotland Yard becomes involved. He must protect Ivy and the children. No hardship since he sees the beauty and courage in Ivy that she thinks is missing. Mentally abused by her father, with the help of Edward and her Deadly Damsel friends, she discovers her empowerment and strength. The organization's Crow and Wolf are accounted for, now we need to discover the identity of the Snake. I can't wait!

I read this and a bunch of other historicals back to back, so unfortunately this one did not really stick out to me, it just blurred with the rest I have read recently.

This was an entertaining regency romance and thriller. It has a first time romance, with lots of exploration, some surprise spice, and healing after trauma. The MMC is very patient and encouraging, and let's Ivy move at her own pace, after suffering mental abuse from her family.
The crime mystery plotline was intriguing and added tension and drama, as it explores some dark layers and villainous characters in society. I liked the support from Ivy's friends, the comedy aspects when they are talking about scandalous events, and the bond Ivy has with the children.

⭐ 4
🌶️ 1.5
🥵 Spicy chapters: 15-16, 17, 21
📚 Tropes/Themes: Inspector x governess-ish, romantic suspense, spicy lessons, tortured hero, trauma healing
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
💔 Triggers: Foster care/orphanage, adoption, toxic/abusive parents, mentions of: child/sex trafficking, suicide, & being institutionalized, very slightly graphic mentions of CSA

💬 This was an enjoyable read! This is the 4th book in the Queen's Deadly Damsels series, and the second one I've read (I've read #2 and now #4 lol) but functions well as a standalone. I had grand plans to read books 1&3 but life 😅

I loved the mystery aspect- something I remember from the second book. And I didn't figure this one out until the very end so it kept me guessing. I also really loved reading as both the MCs help each other work through their trauma and heal. The romance aspect of the story was so sweet and extra swoony. You could just feel the tension between them. McGuire does a great job of blending the romance and mystery elements together into one story.

I did have some questions in the beginning that took a while to be explained which made me feel a little lost, and I realized I really dislike regency/UK slang for genitals. I get that's a weird thing to realize but since this is spicy and the commissioner has a very dirty mouth 😏 it stuck out to me.

I would caution readers to check triggers with this book, it was darker than I expected and while most things were just mentioned as part of their past, they are important to the plot.

This fourth book in the story is a cute one with a lot of 🌶️. Ivy and Edward were a sweet couple, but really Philippa and Olivia were much more interesting to read . I anticipate an enemies to lovers for those two ladies soon .

My rating 3.5 ⭐️

Overall, this was an enjoyable and intriguing read. I love when historical romance mixes with mystery, adding suspense and tension, and this series has both of them. While I enjoyed the mystery part in which the Duchess of Dorset and her Damsels, better known as Queen Victoria’s Deadly Damsels, work hard to take down the Devil’s Sons, a group of powerful men involved in human trafficking and prostitution, I wasn’t very convinced by the romance aspect. I am not a fan of insta-love, so Edward and Ivy’s romance didn’t really work for me and, sometimes, I felt it repetitive and that it took too much of the story. A Most Unlikely Lady is not my favourite book of the series, but I will definitely keep reading it.

Without a doubt, this is the best book in the series so far! From the very first page, the plot pulls you in with its gripping tension, layers of secrets, and a delicious undercurrent of mystery. The chemistry between the characters crackles with energy, and the romance? Absolute chef’s kiss — the perfect blend of instant attraction and a deeper, meaningful connection as they get to know each other.

I especially adored the forced proximity trope and the playful “please teach me” moment (you know the one 👀).

We also make serious progress on the Devil’s Sons storyline, and get some juicy glimpses into Philipa’s arc — I’m beyond excited for her book!

Highly, highly recommend this one — it's a must-read for fans of romance with depth, drama, and just the right amount of spice.

BOOK: A MOST UNLIKELY LADY
AUTHOR: DARCY MAGUIRE
PUB DATE: JUNE, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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For me, this book was an okay read, it's smack in the middle. I liked the FMC, I didn't really like the MMC and I felt the book was more focused on the romance and I didn't get much on the mysterious band of bad guys they were fighting. It was disappointing because I wanted more of that.
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The FMC was amazing and she overcame so much trauma from the men in her life. She really grew into herself as the headmistress of the orphanage and I admired how hard she worked and cared for the kids. I liked the MMC in the beginning, but that soured when I read what he did. As far as I'm concerned, he was guilty and should feel guilty!
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I liked the other side characters, especially the women who fought hard to keep the snake, the wolf, the crow. It was brave of them and they all seem interesting. I wouldn't mind reading other books in the series.
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The book was okay, the characters had an okay chemistry and relationship and I'm glad the bad guys were taken care of. It was a fast, simple read.
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