A Most Unlikely Lady” was a good read overall, but there were a few things that kept me from really loving it.. The connection between Ivy and Edward was definitely a plus. I liked seeing how they bonded and helped each other work through their past traumas.

However, I did find myself struggling with some of the dialogue. At times, it felt a little forced or unnatural, especially when the characters were trying to be witty or funny. It just didn't always land quite right for me and pulled me out of the story a little.

If you love historical romance with a focus on character development and mystery this could be a good fit. Thank you so much for the advanced copy!

Oh my goodness, this book was so good! I loved Ivy and Edward and their chemistry was great. Looking forward to more from McGuire!

When Ivy Cavendale takes up a position of headmistress of an orphanage, she does not expect to have to deal with a potential kidnapper on her first night. Nor does she realise it was a nefarious group of lords behind the escapade seeking to exploit young children for their own gain. She is thrown together with the commissioner of the metropolitan police as they seek to protect her charges and detect who threatens them. The novel is as much about their relationship as the plot to kidnap children. It describes well how both characters are healed through their romance from past traumas. This part of the book is excellent. Not quite so good is the plot which was easy to pick holes in. For example, would a prominent lord seek to kidnap personally two children from a fundraising ball when there were 25 of their contemporaries left in the orphanage with less protection than usual? Despite this the book remains a thoroughly enjoyable read.

the overall story is genuinely awesome, even if the dialogue is a hair weak at points, the plotting was pretty good and characters were generally kinda interesting. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

A Most Unlikely Lady is book 4 in Darcy McGuire's series, the Queen's Deadly Damsels.

Despite the full title of this book indicating it is a regency era novel (the full title on GoodReads is A Most Unlikely Lady: A breathlessly romantic regency read from Darcy McGuire) the book actually takes place in the Victorian era.

The main character, Ivy, suffered abuse at the hands of her father, and is now terrified of men. She has taken a post as the headmistress of an orphanage, and takes her duties caring for the children very seriously, and is content with her spinster life. Until she is forced into closer proximity with Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne, and the Commissioner of Scotland Yard.

Ivy and Edward team up to identify members of a group of depraved men who are preying on orphans, after one of the men breaks into the orphanage where Ivy is working, and tries to kidnap one of the children there.

I quite enjoyed this book although at times I found the dialogue a bit stilted and unnatural, especially when the characters were attempting to be humorous. It just felt cringey to me.

As Edward and Ivy got closer, there were a few steamy scenes between the two of them. I liked the relationship between the two of them, and how they helped each other to get past some of the traumas they experienced earlier in their lives.

I found the other characters interesting and I would be interested in reading earlier books in the series, to read about the other members of the Queen's Deadly Damsels.

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

Miss Ivy Cavendale takes up the role of headmistress at an orphanage, hoping to keep a low profile. But beneath her delicate appearance lies a woman trained and prepared for danger. When a mysterious intruder breaks in, Ivy reacts with unexpected precision. It becomes clear that she and the children are targets of the notorious Devil’s Sons.
Commissioner Edward Worthington, indebted to the head of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels, is tasked with watching over Ivy. He assumes the shy new protégé will be easy to oversee—until he discovers her hidden strength and intriguing contradictions. As their paths intertwine, Ivy—still burdened by secrets and past trauma—finds herself drawn to Edward’s steady presence.
When Edward enlists her help to uncover a threat at The Widow’s Ball, Ivy reluctantly agrees. Though she trusts few, something tells her Edward may be the one person worthy of her trust—and possibly her heart.
A Most Unlikely Lady is the fourth book in Darcy McGuire’s The Queens Deadly Damsels series. The books are interlinked and Ivy obviously does have a tragic backstory which is explored in previous books. I have not read the previous books but I am curious enough to go back and read the other books in the series. Other than that, I did not find it hard to keep up with the story.
I really enjoyed this story. It is really well paced and the story and investigation flows well along with the romance. I am not a huge fan of the secret spy trope and was actually pleasantly surprised that that the romance was not overshadowed here. Ivy and Edward are extremely likeable characters. I loved that Ivy was shy but grew in confidence. She had real issues stemming from her horrific father but with Edward’s patience and encouragement she blossomed. I loved that despite appearances she was no damsel in distress.
Edward was just fantastic. He was smitten from the very beginning and I loved his internal monologues. He was so understanding and genuinely empowered Ivy – his respect for all women really shone through. He also had a traumatic past and has spent most of his life blaming himself for a tragic event which has shaped the man he is. Ivy was just as good for him as he was for Ivy and their love was believable and satisfying to witness.
I loved the banter between Edward and his secretary, and the secondary characters are all very well fleshed out. There is a loose end left at the end of the book and you have a pretty good idea where the next book will take you. Four stars and an extra just for Edward! I received an advance review copy from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Most Unlikely Lady by Dacy McGuire is the fourth installment of The Queen's Deadly Damsels series and if you haven't picked these books up yet, you definitely should.

In this book, our fmc is Miss Ivy Cavendale. If you've read these books, the name will be familiar. She's Millie's best friend but also the daughter and sister of some men taken down as part of the Devil's Sons. That said, she has done what she can to survive and she is now the headmistress at an orphanage. When an intruder breaks in one night she is quick to defend her charges but she is pulled into the investigation and with the help of the Commisioner, realizes that she and other orphanage children are in more danger than anyone thought. They are the next target of The Devil's Sons.

Commissioner Edward Worthington owes the Duchess of Dorsett (the head of the Damsels) a debt so he's keeping an eye on her new protege - Miss Cavendale. When he is pulled into the intruder investigation, he is intrigued and he finds himself fascinated by her. He can't seem to stay away from her.

As Edward and Ivy become closer, it's clear that Edward has to take things slowly with Ivy. He knows she has had some trauma during her time with her father. That said, he also has secrets and burdens in his past and believes that no matter how things proceed with Ivy, she deserves more than what he can (and should) give her. He doesn't deserve to be happy but if he can help Ivy and give her a bit of happiness in the short term, he will do whatever he can for her.

I loved these two characters and it was great to see these two characters overcome their pasts. I also loved that we finally got to learn more about Phillipa and Edward's background. It explained a lot and I hope we get to see Phillipa's story in the next book. We also get more on the Devil's Sons and it will be good when we see the last arm of this group brought down. If you're looking for a new historical romance that has great characters, a bit of mystery, romance and sexy times, consider picking this one up. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Adult spicy fun crime thriller series with women who find they have more gumption and nerve than they believed, and find more fun in the bedroom than they ever expected.
Queen Victoria’s secret Deadly Damsels continue to try and bring down the villainous Lords who are kidnapping young women. But their catch might once again involve snaring another, respectable, love lorn Lord too.
Ivy’s life has left her demure and frightened. But she’s found some Lady friends who are opinionated, and able to stand up for themselves. When confronted by an intruder at an orphanage Ivy steps up and defends the children. So starts a possibility of recovery, and love that she desperately needs. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

A Most Unlikely Lady is the forth book in The Queen’s Deadly damsels series and takes up the story of the hunt for the men known as the Devil’s Sons, the men who are behind the horrific flesh ring of child trafficking of young girls from the country who are drugged, then shipped across the channel to France to be sold into prostitution.
Lady Ivey Cavendale, a quiet, retiring former wallflower, introduced into the circles of the Duchess of Dorsett, Lady Philippa Winterbourne, a woman who works clandestinely for Queen, is now trained as and considered as a member of her group of operatives known as the Queen’s Deadly Damsels.
She has only recently accepted the position of Head Mistress of the All Souls Orphanage and is s learning to manage her role. She is about to face her first crisis when she hears a series of thumps along the corridor from her room.
Bullying herself into action she is forced to confront a young man who has broken into the orphanage, terrifying the children. She shoots him in the shoulder by mistake, locks him in the room and sends for the constable.
In the meantime, the intruder escapes and this sets off a series of what seem to be unconnected events that seem to mean nothing at all, but as the day’s pass, could also be part of a plot orchestrated by the Devils Sons.
Commissioner Worthington, Duke of Landbourne, spy to Queen Victoria and friend of Lady Philippa, becomes embroiled in the shooting in his role a Commissioner and also as he has his suspicions about Ivy Cavendale, the daughter of the man known as the Snake; a member of the Devil’s Son who is now dead.
As Edward and Ivy discover they have to work together to uncover who is behind this horrific racket, they also discover they are falling deeply in love, something neither of them ever wants or expects. They both carry secrets, are both damaged and both simply want to live their lives in peace.
Will they, with the help of the Deadly Damsels, be able to discover what is going on, and who are the other members of this deadly triangle before they can spread their hateful pervasion further.
Darcy McGuire has created another steamy romance between the sheets of Regency England in A Most Unlikely Lady with which to while away an afternoon relaxing on the couch.

A Most Unlikely Lady is a fun, action-packed historical romance with a spy-thriller twist. Ivy Cavendale may seem like a shy schoolmistress, but she’s anything but ordinary, and when danger strikes, she proves she’s more than capable of protecting herself and those she cares for. The chemistry between Ivy and Edward is strong, and their partnership adds depth to the fast-paced plot. With mystery, romance, and a dash of danger, this is a great pick for fans of strong heroines and Regency adventures.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire

This one had me raising my eyebrow at the couple’s opposing personalities. Opposite attraction should be complementary; to me, it’s like the person can fill in the weaknesses and strengthen them together, like sunshine and a grump. This is not the case. The male protagonist has stalker possessiveness vibes toward a demure, mentally scarred lady (who is wary of men).
I couldn’t enjoy the story because I didn’t feel the connection with them.
The author is skilled at writing with imagery and storytelling, so I’d be interested in other works, passing on this one. 2.7 out of 5.
This is an honest review sponsored through NetGalley.

A Most Unlikely Lady is the fourth book of the Queen’s Deadly Damsels series. This is Ivy Cavendale’s story, a character we have met in the previous books. She’s a wallflower with a mysterious background, but it is clear that she is hesitant about the ideas of love and intimacy. A friend of the other Deadly Damsels, Ivy asks their leader, Lady Phillipa, to train her in self-defence.

At the start of A Most Unlikely Lady, Ivy has just taken a role as the headmistress of an orphanage and courageously defends the children from an intruder. At Phillipa’s request, Commissioner Edward Worthington has been keeping a close eye on Ivy and takes over the investigation. They soon realize that this break-in is related to the criminal trafficking network, the Devil’s Sons. Edward decides he must spend nights at the orphanage himself to protect them while they attempt to draw out the leaders of the network. As they spend time together, Ivy and Edward find themselves unable to ignore their connection and curiosities despite their traumatic pasts.

When I say I love this series, I mean it. Darcy McGuire is an auto-buy author for me. I wish this series could last forever, but I also know that she will treat her readers to some other great projects one day.

What makes it great is that the author is equally talented at writing multiple genres and mixes them together for a delectable read. The romance (and spice) that she writes is exceptional every time. I always fall in love with the MCs and absolutely drool over their relationship. But the action and mystery elements are just as good!

Truth time- sometimes when I read a historical romance, I skim the parts that are not relevant to the couple’s relationship. However, I have never once been tempted to do that with any books in this series, including this one. I read every single word of the action scenes and try to scope out every clue to solve the mystery on my own. It is always a blast!

While A Most Unlikely Lady is gripping entertainment, the emotional deep dive into Edward, Ivy, and Philippa’s past made this book even more consuming than the last. They all have real trauma that needs to be healed. I think Edward was the perfect companion for Ivy to explore intimacy and romance with, as he was patient, attuned to her needs, and flexible. I was so happy the wise Phillipa was able to give Edward the push into making better decisions, even if she needed to heed her own advice. Phillipa is my favorite, and I was so happy to see more of her in this book, even if her tragic story made me cry. She deserves her own HEA so much.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, but think the series is best read in order. The book does a good job of telling a complete story and reminding the readers of important details from previous books. However, the cast of characters becomes much richer if you are familiar with them and the overarching mystery of the Devil’s Sons is too essential to miss out on. If you start now, you can catch up before the next book is released!

Thanks for the ARC!

A Most Unlikely Lady
by Darcy McGuire
Pub Date: Jun 06 2025

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

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC!

The cover of this book is absolutely stunning! I really love the colors and it genuinely grabbed my attention so quickly and I could not wait to read.

Ivy is such a strong and devoted character! She is sick of the men in her life and their many scandals. She starts an orphanage in order to spread some good into the world. She meets Edward, another lost soul, and they form a tentative friendship due to criminal mischief! I loved the romance, the slow build and the suspense! This was a funny and quick read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This is the fourth book in a series and even tho I have not read any of the others, this book worked great as a standalone.

A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire has everything you want in a regency romance: pining, tension, suspense and a beautiful love. This was so fun! Thanks to Boldwood Books for the arc.

Absolutely loved this, I’ve really enjoyed every book in this series and can’t wait for the next one!

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Not bad! Time-pass read

Miss Ivy Cavendale becomes a headmistress at an orphanage. One night, she deals with an intruder, relieved that the fear that had gripped her for years hasn’t stopped her from saving her charges. Soon, it’s clear that 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. So, he agrees to watch her latest ward, Ivy. It doesn’t take long to realize that he is attracted to her. But Ivy has childhood trauma, and danger surrounds them.
Can they identify the criminal and make their happy ever after?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Ivy and Edward.

My Thoughts:
This is the fourth book in the series and works as a standalone with possible minor spoilers for the previous ones. I read the first and second, so I have an idea about the mystery/ overarching plot.
This is predominantly a romance despite the threat of an intruder and a dangerous gang lurking about. The gang hasn’t been dismantled yet, safe to say there will be more books in the series.
We met Ivy in the previous books, though I’m not sure about the Commissioner. The events related to her family occur in book #1. In book #2, there are hints about her trauma. Here, we get more information.
Though the romance is made to seem like it is not insta-love, it actually is. Still, I appreciate the attempt and the conversations that take place as Ivy learns to overcome her fears. That said, it is a spicy (4) book with open-door scenes.
The first chapter can be a hit or a miss. That’s because it clearly shows the FMC’s character – someone who has always thought of herself as weak. Her inner monologue can be a bit grating, but she proves herself with her actions.
The MMC is okay, kinda stereotypical, but he does the job. We get more than a glimpse into the Duchess’s past through him, so that’s good.
A couple of kids shine despite the limited page space. I'd be happy to meet them in the subsequent books.
The mystery is lackluster, TBH. The villains were too apparent the moment they were introduced. But then, this is not a mystery read but a romance with a touch of danger.
There is an epilogue that doesn’t really give us much except a wee bit of info about the side characters.
To summarize, A Most Unlikely Lady is a quick and easy read despite the triggers and the hints of danger. Let’s see what happens in the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

“Because I do want him. Most ardently.
But even more than wanting, she missed him.”

✨ The Vibe:
Trauma, trust, and undercover missions - this is not your average duke-meets-lady romance.
A story about healing, justice, and discovering that not all men are monsters… even if some definitely are.

📖 The Plot:
After her father’s and brother’s scandals left her with little more than a tarnished name and no financial security, Ivy Cavendale - daughter of a duke - vowed never to marry. Fueled by her father’s bitter lies about men, she’s carved out a new path as the headmistress of All Souls Orphanage, devoting her life to something meaningful.
That is, until she finds an intruder at the orphanage - an encounter that spirals into an unexpected investigation linked to a much bigger case… and to Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne and Queen Victoria’s undercover operative.
He’s carrying his own emotional baggage - haunted by guilt and the trauma of loss - but together, Ivy and Edward slowly untangle not just the case - but each other’s wounds.

✔️ What I Loved:
No slow start - this story dives in right away and keeps the pace.
Ivy’s independence is refreshing and realistic - her strength feels earned.
Edward is more than the brooding duke stereotype - haunted, determined, and quietly vulnerable.
Their emotional connection grows naturally, with great chemistry and some heat, but never overshadows the plot.
The criminal subplot adds just enough tension without dragging the romance down.
The balance of trauma recovery and romance is handled with care.
The cover? Gorgeous. The kind that makes you click “Buy Now” before reading the blurb.

➖ What Could’ve Been Stronger:
The mystery wasn’t much of a mystery - I saw the villain coming early on. A twistier resolution would’ve elevated the final act.
The ending felt a little rushed; I wanted just a bit more space for emotional payoff.

💭 Final Thoughts:
A Most Unlikely Lady is a heartfelt, slightly steamy, emotionally satisfying historical romance with a sharp heroine, a complicated hero, and just enough criminal intrigue to keep things moving. I read it in under 12 hours - and I’d happily pick up books about the other characters in this world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ More, please!

Book 4 in ‘The Queen’s Most Deadly Damsel’ series, this was a delightful and unique Regency romp. This can definitely be read as a standalone, though the whole series is great! A fun mystery, and the romance was slow burn and super cute.

Filled with romance, mystery, and humor, this follows Ivy, who has taken on a new position as an orphanage headmistress. On her first night, she stops an intruder from kidnapping one of the children. As the mystery unfolds, she teams up with Police Commissioner Edward Worthington to solve the case.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Sometimes, you're just in the mood for a little historical romance.

Our FMC is the new headmistress at an orphanage where someone has tried to abduct a girl. Our MMC is the commissioner who is tasked with watching out for her. And of course, they have the hots for each other.

I did find these characters to be quite insta-love and insta-lust...and I really don't like that. This book tried to make it seem like they weren't insta-anything, but they really were. It made it quite a bit more annoying with the character saying things that implied they weren't insta, when they really were (and it didn't feel like the characters were being like that purposeful, it just felt like weird writing). Sorry, I am very picky about that sort of thing. I just do not like insta-love or insta-lust or insta-anything.

There's also a little bit of a gang-type of situation going on in this story as well, and that was kind of fun!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.