A great mix of investigation and romance!

I liked this romance. I found the main characters, Ivy and Edward, captivating. Both carry secrets and hidden wounds that impact their current lives. Following a dangerous incident, we assist in the special relationship developing between them while they investigate. We gradually discover their pasts that explain their actions and their contradictory natures. I enjoyed the intrigue, suspense, and investigation combined with the romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A very enjoyable romp

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had not read the previous books in the series but felt right at home with the characters. The plot is a great mixture of mystery, romance, and historical events, some spicy bits that can be skipped if you are not of fan of such. This is a very enjoyable romp!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley but this review represents my honest opinion. I loved the beginning of this book. I've been fascinated with these characters for a while and I was so happy to get their book that I read it immediately. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed in where it went and the pacing. For characters who were so traumatized, the healing just didn't feel genuine. I wish authors would avoid certain topics if they're not going to handle them more in depth. The author also usually balances the spicy content with the story much better than they did in this book, where it felt like the plot actually stopped at one point and then continued after 100 pages of nothing but spice.

Still, it's a fast, easy read with a satisfying end for these characters. It's a decent installment in a series with a couple of unexpected twists and cute relationships and characters. I'm glad I read it and fans of the series should not miss it.

Ivy Cavendale, the daughter of a deceased archduke who was deranged and dissolute, decides to take control of her life. She wants to move away from her aunt and live independently. The opportunity arises when her friend, Olivia, offers her the chance to run an orphanage. Ivy accepts without hesitation.
One of her first nights on the job, a man tries to break into the room where the girls are sleeping. Ivy, who is trained in self-defense by her friend Philippa (one of the infamous "Queen's Deadly Damsels"), grabs her gun and shoots the intruder, saving the girls.
Entering Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne and Metropolitan Police Commissioner. He is investigating a criminal gang called the "Devil's Sons" (a name that speaks for itself) that is involved in shady dealings and prostitution. Edward is also a friend of Philippa's and has been asked to protect Ivy at all costs. Naturally, Edward is interested in Ivy. When he learns about the nighttime raid, he immediately goes to her and offers to stay at the orphanage until the culprit is found. Does this seem like your usual Korean drama's plot to you, too?
My favorite part was the investigation, even though it only takes up a small part of the story.
As for the characters, both Ivy and Edward have difficult pasts. Scarred by a manipulative and disturbed father, Ivy has decided that she never wants a romantic relationship. Edward, on the other hand, carries a sense of guilt for something he did in the past and believes he doesn't deserve happiness. Ivy is somehow intriguing, though somewhat predictable at times. Edward, however, is just "meh." He enters the story by brutally beating up another character and then wallowing in his personal martyrdom. To quote Philippa, "Good God! You sound as dramatic as a young miss at her first ball. Should I call Stokes to bring you some smelling salts?" Exactly.
What is my favorite character? Reading, Edward's secretary, is my favorite character. He's Edward's Victorian version of Alfred. Unfortunately, he only appears at the beginning. I also liked Stokes, Philippa's butler. Together, they're hilarious. I hope they have more of a presence in the other volumes of the series.
Important note: the book is spicy and explicit. One of the scenes reminded me of bondage. In short, he says he'll stop if she tells him to (safe word).

I hadn't read any of the previous books and was able to understand the story well enough. Ivy's story is so sad. Her courage is amazing. The author does an excellent job or writing her character. Edward is an interesting character and I appreciated his character's past and how it holds him back from love. A book with deep topics that cause one to reflect. I truly enjoyed it!

The abused daughter of a villain, Lady Ivy Cavendish, finds her power and the love of a noble Duke/Scotland Yard Commissioner in McGuire's 4th "Queen's Deadly Damsels" novel. This can be read as a standalone (the side characters just won't mean much to you).

Lady Ivy Cavendish has taken on a new project since her evil father murdered her evil brother and himself in one of the previous books. She's been trained by Lady Phillipa to be a Queen's Deadly damsel and help them take down the final two partners in a sex trafficking scheme AND she's been put in charge of an orphanage of 30 kids. When the orphanage is burglarized, Commissioner/Duke Edward Worthington moves in to protect Ivy and the kids and solve the case. Forced-proximity, plenty of balls, and slow-burn romance ensue as Edward struggles to hold his passion for Ivy in check until she works through her father's abuse.

Sexual teaching/healing and all-around spiciness occur but....it's in an orphanage with 30 kids in the rooms next door. Take a cold shower! Also, what kind of orphanage has only ONE lady for staff? She doesn't ever cook them a meal, teach them anything, bathe them, clean the house, etc. At one point she reads them a story. What?! Are the kids entirely self-sufficient and all get along perfectly without any discipline, mediation, etc?? I feel like we needed a different setting or more staff to help it all make sense. Never did a child wander into her room after a nightmare or otherwise cock-block the couple. Is that believable? Absolutely not.

Also, the big showdown with the villain near the end felt eerily familiar to the one in the first book. Didn't the damsel get drawn away from a ball to be confronted in a stable then as well? I could be wrong, I read a lot of these books. Anyway, two evil overlords down, one to go. Or is it an evil overlady?!

Thank you to Boldwood Books for this ARC!

First of all thank you to the author and publisher for giving me an advanced reader copy on NetGalley! Also I just need to say I have read all of the other Deadly Damsels books in the series and this one might be my favorite. I think Darcy McGuire might be one of my new favorite historical romance authors along with Evie Dunmore and Liana de La Rosa.
Okay enough fangirling, let’s get concrete! Why did I enjoy this novel as much as I did?? Leading into this book, I wasn’t sure how McGuire would be able to take Ivy from her traumatized and emotionally and sexually shut off place to a place of healing and openness to love and pleasure. I actually wondered if this would be the weakest of the series because I wasn’t sure you could believably take Ivy from point a to b within a single novel. I was wrong. Ivy and Edward’s growth felt earned and sexy despite the trauma that preceded the characters. Also Edward was such a fucking dream! Truly the sweetest, sexiest, and most empathetic partner Ivy could have asked for me.
In addition, being the vengeful fuck that I am 😂 I always love that the villains in these novels experience *consequences* for their evilness. (Get ‘em girls!) The only thing I would ask McGuire to change in the future is having the endings occur a little less quickly. I feel like I often end up stunned that the book is over because so much happened in the last 2-3 chapters!

Darcy McGuire is becoming one of my historical romance authors—her books are sweet but spicy, funny but dark, and packed with enough intrigue to keep me flipping pages way past bedtime. And Ivy Cavendale is my new favorite heroine. She’s got this whole "shy wallflower with a secret knife collection" thing going on, and I am obsessed. The book opens with her taking charge of an orphanage (already wholesome), but then an intruder breaks in, and instead of panicking, she shoots him. Not fatally, but still—iconic. And when Commissioner Edward Worthington (who, by the way, is a duke *and* a detective, because why not) shows up to investigate, their chemistry is instant. He’s all brooding and protective; she’s all "I don’t need a man, thanks." The romance is slow-burn in the best way—lots of lingering glances, accidental touches, and Edward being ridiculously patient with Ivy’s trauma (her backstory is rough, fair warning). But when they finally get together? Whew. Let’s just say McGuire doesn’t skimp on the steam. Plot-wise, it’s part love story, part spy thriller, with a villainous group called the Devil’s Sons pulling strings in the background. The last third of the book is basically one big, dramatic showdown, and I ate it up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Spicy, male female, 3rd person dual point of view, historical romance with my favorite trope of forced proximity. This is the the fourth book in the Queen's Deadly Damsels and can be read on its own but I recommend reading them all. Well written with humor, mystery, and steam (I found the spice here top notch). Perfect length and though there are some tough topics a non-stressful read. I can't wait to read the next installment!

This one starts out with a bang and drew me in. It was a good balance between the romance and plot to take down another member from The Devil’s Sons.

Like the others in the series, it’s a heavier story where the main storyline centers on preventing trafficking. Along with both the MC being tortured souls and still trying to find ways to overcome it. I felt this was handled well and the progression of their relationship was at a good pace.

Ivy’s internal thoughts showed her crushing hard on Edward and I enjoyed the humorous moments of her thoughts. I was intrigued with the storyline and the last half of the book seemed to be quicker paced and everything started flowing and didn’t want to put it down.

A Most Unlikely Lady is the fourth book in the Queen’s Deadly Damsels.

There are two encounters that are long and steamy.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

CW: heroine sexual psychological abuse from parent.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! This is like knock off India Holton and I’m sorry but you just can’t compete with her on this type of novel, not worth the effort imo

When I started reading this book, I didn’t realize it was part of the series. Although I was able to enjoy it, I think my enjoyment would’ve been enhanced that I read the other books first..

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

A regency romance with plenty of orphaned and good works along with mystery and a bit of a thriller all rolled into one. A good read.

"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.