"A Most Unlikely Lady" is the latest exciting novel from Darcy McGuire's Queen Victoria's Deadly Damsels series and the perfect blend of hot romance and riveting espionage. Ivy Cavendale is a demure-looking headmistress of an orphanage, but not quite so demure as she looks. When "The Devil's Sons" set their sights on her and her orphans, Ivy reveals her true, lethal character, literally pulling out a gun and facing danger head-on.

Along comes Commissioner Edward Worthington, tasked with watching over the Duchess's new protégée. What he discovers is that the shy Miss Cavendale is a woman of mystery and contradiction, who envelops him in her enigma to unravel. Their alliance to uncover a nefarious intruder at The Widow's Ball sets off an electric spark between Ivy, who is tormented by the past, and Edward, who ignites a trust within her she never dreamed she could have.
McGuire expertly weaves suspense, steamy romance, and an excellent crime thriller.

Fans of "The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" and "Bridgerton" will adore this snappy, action-packed Regency romp, with a wholesome exterior hiding a seriously powerful and exciting heroine.

A Most Unlikely Lady is book 4 in the authors The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series, the books are interconnected, this was my first read from the series and I can confirm they can absolutely be read as standalones.

I really enjoyed this read getting stuck in so easily and finished it in a couple of sittings, our FMC is Miss Ivy Cavendale who on paper appears a typical wallflower, with a past & childhood trauma but we soon discover she is so much tougher than she appears, she is protective of those in her charge & them in danger sparks her inner force to be reckoned with, which also fascinates our swoony MMC Edward.

This was an exciting and entertaining read, a mix of historical fiction, romance, humour, so much banter but also tougher dark topics covered very sensitively.
An all round brilliant read.

Duke business...

Edward Worthington is indeed worthy. He's both a police commissioner and a duke. First and foremost, he's a commissioner and also a spy for Queen Victoria. He has pledged to protect Ivy. He is drawn to the wallflower.

I wasn't sure if I would like Ivy, who is a mix of terrified of everything, past trauma, certified wallflower and attempts to be brave. It doesn't always work out that way. Though she is a daughter of a disgraced duke and the sister of an equally shady brother, who inherited the dukedom, she is poor and just started to be the head mistress of an orphanage. She is a contradiction.

I really liked Edward, the duke of Landsdowne. He is a far superior "Duke" than the one in Miss Scarlett and the Duke. He's smart, sticks to his principals, which means he can't wed or be attracted to Ivy. Nope. He's clever, hard working and needs glasses to read. Yeah, sign me up for some of that. He is working on a case with ties to Ivy and her father and brother.
Recommend.

Dark doings continue in Victorian London!

Once more we follow the antics of one of the Duchess of Dorset’s wallflowers, spies for the Queen.
Ivy Cavendale is the daughter of a scandalous Duke who committed suicide with his son and Ivy’s brother, both members of the sadistic organisation, the Devil’s Sons. Ivy is left with a small income from her father. Frugal Ivy has taken on the role of headmistress of the All Soul’s Orphanage.
Ivy, may look a slight, pale pushover. She proves she’s not. On her first night at the orphanage she confronts a man trying to kidnap one of the girls.
I loved the Ivy’s soliloquy at this moment.
“Wonderful. A girl with a poker, a boy with delusions of grandeur, and a lady quaking in her half-boots. I’m sure the three of us will strike fear into this blackguard’s heart.”
A great start to a tale that involves the unmasking of leaders of the Devil’s Sons
Then there’s the absolutely delicious Commissioner Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne and secret spy to Queen Victoria, who will do anything to protect Ivy.
It seems the Devil’s Sons are targeting orphanages for their prostitution rackets, both here and abroad. How to stop them?
A tense Victorian mystery, and slow burn romance.
(possible triggers for abuse victims)

A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me an ARC of this.

This was my first introduction to the author and this series. I enjoyed it and will definitely be reading the first few books of the series! It took me a bit to get into the book, but once I did I was engaged. This is a historical romance with mystery, drama, secretes and more! The book has Bridgeton vibes and some Nancy Drew vibes. This book follows Miss Ivy Cavendale and Commissioner Edward Worthington. An incident happens at the orphanage where Ivy is the headmistress and that’s how she meets. These two are definitely enemies to lovers. This caused them to have a lot of tension and great banter. They had a lot of push and pull before they even started anything. The attraction I believe was there from the starts. I enjoyed the mystery aspect because it keeps you guessing. Some I was able to guess and others kept me on my toes.

I appreciated the setting of this book and read it as a first book from this series.

I liked the main hero Ivy and how she slowly opened up and let herself be vulnerable and consider new things in her life. I did not mind the instant lush but Edward’s interest came on a bit strong at first, his obsession felt a bit creepy. But he did become more soft and patient, just given the timeline, their big feelings almost unbelievable.

The plot and mystery was predictable and I at some points had to force myself to read on.

The book itself brings a lot of heavy topics (abusive father, social justice, trauma, grief...) and handles them well.

Still, I liked the setting and some of the emotional moments. A decent fun read.

Shy, timid Lady Ivy Cavendale is woken by strange noises during her first night as headmistress of All Souls Orphanage. Thinking it likely that the children are testing her she resolves to investigate but takes her pistol – just in case it’s an intruder. And it is an intruder, trying to kidnap some of the children. Aiming for the wall Ivy instead shoots the gentleman in his shoulder. Sending one of the children to fetch the watchman she locks the intruder in the dormitory, only for him to escape through a window. Meanwhile, Commissioner Edward Worthington of the Metropolitan Police is working hard on his investigation into the Devil’s Sons, a nefarious group of Lords involved in the flesh trade, when the news about Ivy is brought to him.
A quarter of the way through the book, nothing else has happened other than Ivy and Edward constantly thinking about each other and Ivy dwelling on the mental abuse she suffered from her father whilst he was alive. Very little else happens until about the last three chapters of the book where some progress is made in the investigation into the Devil’s Sons.
Having read the earlier books in this series I wasn’t expecting an exciting read and, sadly, I wasn’t disappointed.

I was very lucky to read this as ARC and it’s the 4 book in series definitely give it a read


When seemingly fragile Miss Ivy Cavendale takes the headmistress position in an orphanage, it is her chance to stay anonymous in society. But not all is what it seems with Miss Ivy. When an intruder breaks in one night, she’s quick to draw her weapon, and while fear - her constant companion - has mysteriously disappeared, one thing is very clear: she and her charges are the next target of The Devil’s Sons.

Commissioner Edward Worthington owes the head of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels a debt. So, he must keep an eye on the Duchess’s new protégé. How much trouble can the shy Miss Cavendale be? Rather a lot, actually. The diminutive wallflower has been overlooked and forgotten by society's elite, but Edward sees a woman full of fascinating contradictions he’s compelled to unravel.

Burdened by secrets and childhood trauma, Ivy is stunned as Edward ignites a breathless curiosity within her. And when he asks her to join forces to identify the dangerous intruder at The Widow’s Ball, she cannot refuse. She may not trust many, but something tells her she should trust Edward… with more than just this mission.

Ivy Cavendale is another lady who Philippa, Duchess of Dorsett has taken under her wing. Ivy has recently become the headmistress of an orphanage. An incident at the orphanage brings her into contact with Commissioner Edward Worthington, who is also the Duke of Landbourne. I enjoyed the connection between these two, even though they fought against the attraction for their own reasons. Both of them were affected by incidents on their past. I liked the way that Ivy grew in confidence as she was stronger than she thought. The banter between Edward and his secretary, Reading, is amusing, as is the banter between Philippa and her butler. There are some dark goings on and although one perpetrator has been uncovered there is still one to find. I enjoyed reading this book, especially with strong women taking an active part. This is an engaging series and I look forward to reading the next book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
When I first started reading this I was not aware this was a series. I do think you would enjoy this the most by reading the other books in the series first, but it is definitely an enjoyable read as a standalone. You are able to fill in the gaps! I enjoyed the historical romance and mystery components of this book. Ivy is a great FMC!

À Most Likely Lady by Darcy McGuire is book #4 in the Queen’s Deadly Damsels Damsels series. This book is a Historical Romance, but there are also elements of mystery and intrigue in the story. This was my first read by Darcy McGuire, and I enjoyed the story without having read the other books in the series.

Lady Ivy Cavendale has taken a headmistress position at a London orphanage, and is managing well until an intruder breaks in one night. As the break-in is being investigated by Scotland Yard, Commissioner Worthington takes a special interest in the case and vows to protect her at all costs. He pledges to stay at the orphanage each night, and also encourages Ivy to work with him to solve the mystery. Ivy has become a target of the Devil’s Sons, a secret group of noblemen who have committed horrible and depraved crimes.

Edward Worthington has been fascinated by Lady Ivy for a long time, and as they spend more time together, they fall in love. I really liked how respectful and patient Edward was with Ivy, who struggled with past issues as she and Edward got more involved. He also encouraged her in many ways, which I found refreshing and positive. These characters have great chemistry and affection for each other. Both main characters are committed to helping others and fighting for justice, which was a refreshing twist in a Historical Romance.

I found the author’s style to be overly wordy. She would describe each situation and feeling in multiple ways, which felt repetitive to me. However, I really liked the multi-faceted, complex characters the author creates in this series. The reader sees the main characters fall in love, but they also are working for justice and to pursue criminals. They have complicated pasts and relationships with friends and family members.

A Most Unlikely Lady has romance, mystery, and intrigue. The ending is happy but also very dramatic as the criminals are found. This novel would be a great choice for anyone who enjoys the Bridgerton series, or Historical Romance in general.

Thank you to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Queen's Deadly Damsels are back, and they mean business!

Ivy Cavendale is the headmistress of All Souls Orphanage. She needs this job because it provides her with room, board, and small income.
Lady Olivia Smithwick has placed Ivy at the orphanage against Lady Philippa Winterbourne's wishes. Philippa hates Oliva, and rightfully so.

One day, a man breaks into the orphanage, and Ivy shoots him, only wounding him. Commissioner Edward Worthington , Duke of Landbourne, will take over this case and make sure that Ivy is not harmed. Edward is also invested in finding the Devil's Sons, a brotherhood of lords that is in the sex trafficking business. Ivy and Edward will bring one of the main bad guys to justice while also falling in love.

I really enjoyed Ivy, Edward, and Reading's character. The bickering between Edward and Reading was delightful.

Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this cozy ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Rating 5/5

This book is the fourth book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels -series. The book follows Lady Ivy Cavendale and Commissioner Edward Worthington. We have met Ivy in the previous books of the series, and she has always seemed like an interesting character.

In this book, Ivy has started to work as a headmistress in an orphanage. During the first night, there is an incident with an intruder. From there, the book takes off. Police are called; they don’t believe Ivy about the intruder until Commissioner comes over. After that, Ivy and the Commissioner work closely together to catch the intruder and find out his motives. During the investigation, we learn more about Ivy and see how the relationship between the two develops.

This book was by far my favorite out of the four we have. However, the story with the devil’s sons still seems to be far from over. I have enjoyed the series immensely, so if there is to be another book in the series, I will be reading it! I would very much recommend this book to anyone who likes Bridgeton-esque romance with a hint of Nancy Drew.

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.

I have read two previous books from this author; however, this can be read as a standalone. Here, we meet Ivy Cavendale, the new head mistress at the All-Soul’s Orphanage. One night, she encounters an intruder at the orphanage, which thrusts her into a much bigger mystery. She gets involved assisting Edward Worthington, a duke and Commissioner working as a spy for Queen Victoria.

They each have their own emotional baggage they need to address; Ivy has been emotionally and physically scarred by trauma and abuse from her family, whereas Edward never recovered from his guilt over his sister’s death twenty years ago. The two are still attracted to each other and with the other’s help, can deal with their issues in a constructive manner.

Lots of intrigue, mystery, danger, romance that keeps you interested. I enjoyed this and thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I submit my honest review voluntarily.

A Most Unlikely Lady is book #4 in Darcy McGuire's Deadly Damsels series, which focuses on a group of wallflowers who are much more than what they seem. This is Ivy Cavendale's story, who's had more than her share of trauma in the first 3 books and definitely deserves a happily ever after. Lady Ivy finds a new purpose in life when she teams up with another aristocrat to run a Victorian orphanage. She immediately finds that the children are at risk from the Devil's Sons, a dangerous group she is deeply familiar with. Commissioner Edward Worthington is fascinated by Ivy, and vows to keep her and the children safe. I really enjoyed the appearances from previous characters in this book, and how we also get more backstory about one very important character. Ivy and Edward's story is sweet, and I thought this was an excellent installment in the series.

Read this if you like found family, close proximity, witty banter, mutual respect, and when a character finds their voice AND their happily ever after. Sensitive readers should check trigger warnings if you haven't read the first three books, as the mystery in this series deals with dark subject matter.

This is book 4 in 'The Queens Deadly Damsels' series. They appear to be a series of interconnected standalone stories, and having not read books 1-3 did not impact my understanding or enjoyment of this book, however, having read it, I definitely wish I had read the prior 3 as I reckon they will be great stories judging by the snippets of the other ladies we meet in this book.
I was totally engrossed in this story, finishing it in 2 sittings over the course of 9 hours, I just didn't want to put it down but alas real life interrupted me!
Set under the reign of Queen Victoria, the women are understandably constrained by societies standards of the time, however they show strength and confidence at times that gives them some modern day grit!
There's some really tough topics addressed, such as abuse, orphanage, illegal homosexuality, grief and violence. The topics are inkeeping with the setting and handled appropriately. To counterbalance the harsh realities of many of the characters, we also see humour, warmth friendships, trust, and love.
There are some fairly explicit discussions and scenes, the language all being time-setting appropriate.
Fans of period romances with a bit of mystery and thrill to them will absolutely love this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The story follows Miss Ivy Cavendale, a headmistress of a London orphanage, who joins forces with the commissioner of the Scotland Yard to find and catch an intruder who broke into the orphanage. On the way, they encounter all sorts of danger, and sparks fly.

I loved it. The story gripped me from the very start and I was hooked. I enjoyed the new characters, and I loved catching up with the ‘old’ ones. Philipa is just the best, so badass.

The twist at the end I could see coming, but I felt it worked well, and didn‘t take away from the enjoyment. I highly recommend this book and the whole series as well.

I do love a good regency romance. This was good. I enjoyed this very much! There was a great plot, romance, mystery, spies... What a fun ride and emotional one this took me on.

~~ arc review✨
a most unlikely lady is the fourth installment of the queen's damsels series, but as you can read it as a standalone as well. this book focuses on miss ivy cavendale who, after her fathers and brothers scandals, is left with a tarnished name and almost no financial security vows to never trust a man and is now the headmistress of all souls orphanage. That is, until she finds an intruder at the orphanage and is thrust into the middle of a much bigger mystery alongside duke and commissioner edward worthington. while both characters carry their own heavy emotional baggage, it is soon obvious that they can't seem to stay away from each other.
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let me start by saying that this is not your average duke-meets-lady regency romcom. this book focuses on trauma, grief, post trauma healing, justice, and much more!!! while i was very emotional reading these themes, i know they can be triggering for some so please check the warnings before starting.
i loved how this story didn't have a slow start, how it stepped right into the action and kept that pace with its storyline. as with all regency inspired books, i really loved the overall vibes and especially the concept of the queen having a group of women called the deadly damsels.
the plot focusing on so many important themes like injustice towards women, verbal abuse and harassment, and trauma recovery were balanced amazingly with the romantic aspect and the ongoing mystery. although the mystery wasn't that much of a mystery, i think it added enough tension without dragging anything down. if only the emotional resolution had a bit more space because i felt like after everything the ending came a little bit rushed.
the characters tho... i loved (almost) everyone and i'd love to talk about them one by one but the main characters need their own moment because both were imperfectly perfect. ivy made me cry and my heart ache more than i could count with everything she had to endure and went through. but she also made me smile, be proud of the woman she became, and cheer on for her. the character development she, herself, went through is just amazing and so empowering. her strength, her composure, her bravery when it comes to those she loves, and her fierceness... she might be one of my favorite female characters. but let's also take a moment for edward, who might be the most caring and delicate man ever written. the tenderness he treated ivy with, understanding the trauma, respecting her and her ideas, and him being in awe by ivy's fierceness and bravery made everything so much better. he's also not the duke you'd expect, his quiet vulnerability and hauntedness added much more depth to his character. while both of their backstories made me cry a lot, i loved the way they healed each other.
overall, a most unlikely lady is a steamy (A LOT so definitely beware) but emotional historical romance with sharp but vulnerable heroes and lots of mysteries among the noble. i'll probably be picking up the former books but this one comes out june, 6th!!!
thank you so much to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital copy of "a most unlikely lady" in exchange for an honest review.