A Wanton Adventure was a solid 3 stars for me.

What I liked:

The setting - unique in the sense that it's a cruise to promote women teavelling
Sebastian- He's been hurt and he knows his limits
Sebastians family - loved the dynamic there
Diana's first love - I like that it was real
Diana's friends - cannotvwaitvto read about them
The villians

What I disliked

Diana - she was pretty lukewarm
The trope - miscommunication a huge dislike. Use your words people, you are adults.

Overall a solid 3 star

#AWantonAdventure #NetGalley

An entertaining romance!

I loved this story and its main characters, Diana and Sebastian. Diana is the proper, so perfect lady. Sebastian will let her discover her new self and break free from her perfect image and her perfect behaviour expected by the society. The plot is entertaining. Their story is heartwarming. I enjoyed their relationship development and the chemistry between them.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed the plot of this book, and the idea of an antiquities club for women- I love it when historical romances are feminist and portray the female characters as strong and intelligent, which this novel did.

I felt like both characters were well fleshed out; they each had their own backstory and reasons to be hesitant about falling in love with the other person. Despite this, they overcame what they initially believed and became a strong couple that supported each other. I loved the build-up of tension between them, even though they tried to fight it, we knew it wouldn’t last long!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading more historical romances by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is an opposites attract, differing social status historical romance that is also the start of a new series by Ramona Elmes. Lady Diana is an esteemed Society widow and mother of a future duke, with an impeccable reputation. Bu she is chaffing at the strict image of propriety she is viewed as, despite knowing how important this clean and upright image is to maintain her family's place in society. Especially in light of past events - which is outlined in another book, but this story can be read independently.

Sebastian Devons is the opposite of Lady Diana. A noted rake, a natural born son of a scandalous relationship, and owner of a gambling hell. Despite being popular, handsome, and successful, Sebastian hides bitterness and disappointment from a recent love affair gone wrong, and is reluctant to bare his heart again, especially to another heartless aristocrat who sees him as nothing more than a boy toy to be used and tossed aside.

Sebastian is brought on board to sponsor a group of female aristocrats seeking to start an all female society of historians and adventurers. Lady Diana is recruited to be it's respectable aristocratic face. Together, they embark on an inaugural cruise to promote the society and raise funds, forcing the two opposites to work together. Initially, despite hidden simmering attraction, they distrust and dislike each other, but while travelling together, outside the prying eyes of Society, and against exotic backdrops, they drop their masks, and grow to be friends. As their friendship and closeness grows, they give freedom to their growing attraction and engage in an affair, with boundaries and the expectation for the affair to end, and that they each return to their expected societal roles.

But of course, when love and emotions become engaged, these things are no longer so cut and dried, or so easily contained.

A lovely steamy romance, with a touch of adventure and the exotic while Sebastian and Diana travel to different ports. Diana is finding herself and enjoying new found freedom and experiences as she travels, and sheds the strict expectations of society. Returning to that society and her expected role becomes even more stifling after having shed it for months. There is also family trauma and drama that comes into play as well that adds conflict and spice to the story. And reinforces my belief that it is OK to trim off the rotten limbs of a family tree to maintain the health of the tree, at times, and why sometimes found family are better than some real family.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship, but also loved some of the secondary characters, such as Diana's aunt and father in law as well. This also sets up other characters and relationships for future stories that are very engaging as well, and I enjoyed the feminist aspect as well, with the establishment of female historical society, their misogynistic rivals, and the difficulties they face. This story also draws on other stories by the same author, sharing some cross over characters, and speaking to storylines that were explored in other stories, but this was fine being read alone.

Looking forward to seeing what else happens in the lives of the lady curators!

4.25 stars out of 5

What a lovely book this turned out to be! I admit, it felt a little rough at the outset (Diana was blushing every other paragraph), but once she and Sebastian started spending time together during the leisure tour, the narrative flowed and their deepening connection really drew me in. Widowed Diana feels she is more than a dusty paragon of virtue and wishes to live a little, away from the society's judgmental eyes, while the gentlemen's club proprietor and notorious rake Sebastian, who is at his core a decent and deeply romantic man, feels unworthy of love because he's a nobleman's bastard and therefore an outcast. Their connection is scorching hot, and Sebastian is a very modern, egalitarian hero, and a devoted, passionate lover. Both leads are prone to bouts of insecurity, which a meddling competing suitor and Diana's evil scheming mother try (and almost succeed) to take advantage of. Diana's transformation into the brave woman, honest about her feelings, and Sebastian's adorable disbelief that he is being loved exactly for who he is when Diana publicly claims him bring the book to a satisfying conclusion.

This is between 4 and 5 stars for me, but closer to 4, mostly because of some pacing issues and the occasional repetitive monologuing. One little peeve: way too many characters with similar names! On page 1 alone, the author introduces three male characters whose names start with an S (Stuart, Sam, Sebastian) in the span of four sentences, and there are something like six characters throughout the book whose last names start with an H!

This is the first book in The Brazen Curators series by Ramona Elmes and it's off to a good start.

I’m always a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers trope, and this definitely delivered. Diana is a bored widow craving something more from life, and Sebastian is the charming rake she’s all too familiar with. When they’re forced to work together, sparks fly. I really enjoyed both characters, and once I got into the story, I was hooked. There’s witty banter, great chemistry, and a whole lot of heart. Sebastian’s quiet devotion to Diana? Total swoon.

If you’re in the mood for a read with a fun twist, complete with antiquities, sea voyages, and a good storyline, then this is worth checking out. It’s a heartfelt and satisfying start to what’s shaping up to be a really great series.

4 ⭐️ / 3🌶️

If you love good banter, then you will certainly love this story. Sebastian and Diana are neighbors. He runs on the wide side and she is a strict proper lady. Or is she? Traveling together on a cruise, they are in each other's company and find new and intriguing thinks out about each other. Well written and fully engaging, this pair of characters will keep you on your toes.

This was a new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters were great and believable and I will get the next book to see what happens next.

My heart went out to Lady Diana when she recognized herself in a caricature, as being among the “The uneventful but much-needed steady ladies of London society”. As a widow, she is freer than most to let go and enjoy life, but being a product of her past, she is locked into being a role model of good behaviour. Her neighbour, on the other hand, is the King of the Den, and despite his reputation as a rogue, he has never been anything but kind to her. When they are paired on the adventure of a lifetime to explore the possibilities of a cruise for women to raise money for the Historical Society for Female Curators, Diana and Devons enter into an adventure that opens their eyes to the world around them, but also to the desire for change. Diana wants to live a little and not constantly adhere to the rules of society, and Devons does not want to do anything that will tarnish Diana's reputation in spite of his desire for her. The cruise takes them through the warm waters of the Mediterranean, offering a feast of delights. It is only towards the end of their voyage that the past comes back to visit Diana, and she is left in a state of quandary. Manipulated into a corner, it is only when she discovers that mischief makers have conspired against her, she finally learns to stand up for herself and chooses the blooming attraction between her and Devons, but it takes an audacious act to convince him that she accepts him as he is. The novel, a copy of which I received as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, comes to a lovely conclusion, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

At a crossroads...

Lady Diana once met Sebastian Devons in a time of great need and he was kind to her. Sebastian is a rake, an illegitimate gaming den owner with more than a penchant for sin and vice. Diana is now a widow with a young son and is recognized and ridiculed for being the most prim and proper lady of the ton.

Diana is restless with her role in life that she has been regulated to as a widow. She's looking for more.
Sebastian is bored, limiting himself to the den and frolicking with women due to a failed fling. He wanted to propose marriage but was ridiculed. These two are both at a crossroads with their lot in life and Diana is breaking out of her cage by creating a club and he's assisting her. He reacts badly when he overhears Diana and Lilah (his prior lover) having a chat. That was poorly done on his part.

I thought the characters were well thought out and crafted. They had their arch and journey and they were well suited, despite being opposites. They both had a lot going on internally, more than society deemed them to have.
Recommend.
4.5

A Wanton Adventure is the first book in a new series, The Brazen Curators. It's a thrilling love story between a widowed lady of the peerage and the illegitimate son of a noble. Ramona Elmes is a wonderful writer and I found myself drawn in from the first page to the last.

Diana, the widowed Marchioness of Hensley, is considered by many in the Ton to be the paragon of propriety. At first she finds safety in this role, especially as she grieves for the loss of her husband. She also wants to protect her young son, the future Duke of Huxton. But as Diana emerges from her grief, she grows unhappy with the expectations of this role. Especially when a newspaper posts a caricature of "The uneventful but much-needed steady ladies of London society." Not only does the caricature resemble Diana, but the accompanying description fits her to a T as well. She feels the need to break away from the role. To still be respectable, but to be an individual too. So Diana looks into joining a women's club to expand her interests.

Sebastian Devons is the illegitimate son of the Marquess of Derry. He and his half-brother Malcolm own and operate the most successful gentlemen's club in England. Deeply hurt by a dowager viscountess (Lilah) who told him while he was wonderful to bed it was beneath her to marry "the by-blow of a lord" Sebastian is embittered and distrustful of most ladies of the Ton. He and Diana have a friendly acquaintance sort of relationship that is growing into an attraction, until he mistakes a frenemies discussion between Diana & Lilah for something else. The budding friendship/attraction is derailed by Sebastian's cutting remarks and Diana's outrage.

They meet again at Seely House, which will be the home for the Historical Society for Female Curators. Sebastian will be a silent investor, but the female club members will hold all decision making power. The first plan of action is to build up interest & support, and to do this they're going to test the idea of a leisure cruise for women. Circumstances work out so that it will be Sebastian & Diana to test out the cruise. They will write letters back home sharing their experiences of the cruise and the ports they visit. These letters will be posted in two newspapers who have agreed to help sponsor the club for exclusive rights to the story. If they're lucky enough to be allowed to borrow artifacts, they'll be displayed at Seely house for visitors.

The atmosphere is icy between Sebastian & Diana at first, but they do work things out and become friendly again. They try to be resolved to be friends only, but they can't deny the attraction between them. It grows throughout the trip, and they both agonize over what will happen after the cruise. Sebastian is afraid of having his heart stomped on again. Diana is unsure of Sebastian's feelings and overwhelmed by the "Paragon of Propriety" role she's still expected to fill. It doesn't help either that they're both being manipulated by multiple people- Diana's manipulative & abusive mother, her dull as ditchwater suitor Arthur, and Sebastian's nasty ex Lilah.

The ending was so heart-warming, I loved to see their story of happily ever after. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series, and I'm interested too in finding Diana's sister's story. A Wanton Adventure was an enjoyable read.

Thank you Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC. This review is voluntary and in my own words.

3.5 Stars
One Liner: Pretty enjoyable!

Diana, a widow and the most proper Lady in London, is restless. She decides to join the antiquities club for female scholars and write newspaper columns about traveling to historical sites. However, she doesn’t expect to be partnered with Sebastian Devons, the man she loathes.
Sebastian Devons owns London’s most notorious gentlemen’s club and indulges in vices to forget his failed love. Wanting a change, he agrees to travel with an antiques club member but is shocked to see that his partner is Diana.
This trip might give them more than just content for a travel column!
The story comes in Diana and Sebastian’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
The book sets the stage for the series and also seems to be a spin-off of another series, so we are introduced to quite a few characters (Lady this, Lady that). Luckily, it doesn’t get too overwhelming once you get into the flow.
I admit I liked some of the side characters more than the main ones. I sympathized with Diana quite a bit, though her ‘kindness’, at times, was worrying. Still, most of her actions, thoughts, and insecurities align with the character development. Not always easy to read, but it doesn’t feel forced or odd.
The MMC took a while to impress. He didn’t try hard for a long time, so I had to wait until he started to be sensible. Also, he’s a bit mercurial and moody, which doesn’t help.
The plot pacing is uneven, which means it takes time for things to happen. There’s quite a bit of miscommunication at the beginning and in the end. They go on for a while and get resolved on a page.
I liked the leisure cruise concept and the places they visited. The reports were shorter than I expected. There isn’t much talk of antiques, but there is some. That said, we get some descriptions of the places the ship stops en route.
The romance and spice are okay. Not as good as I expected, hence the three stars. It has some angst, which is unavoidable since the book is set up for it. While I enjoyed such stuff in my 20s, I’m too tired for all that drama in my 30s. Sigh!
There’s an epilogue with a nice HEA and a lead for book two. I might give it a shot, though I’m more curious about another character.
To summarize, A Wanton Adventure has its moments and is an interesting read if you want something to fill the time.
Thank you, NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is a fun read with some artifacts and travel thrown in for fun. The plot is different from many other romances which made it even more enjoyable because it felt fresh. Diana has lived the prim and proper life with much pain in her childhood. She wants to find herself. Sebastian is intrigued by Diana, but feels he would never be considered worthy of her. I received an advance copy from Net Galley for my honest opinion, and I truly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to what might arrive in the series.

I am not done yet and will finish reading this but you cannot call him a champion for women when he kind of hated women for a third of the book. Like sure he seems to be shaping up but noooo!

Diana was lovely, I liked her a lot. She is seen as a very prim and proper woman in society and it is reenforced all around her. But she wants to be more than that and make sure that she is not missing out in life so she decides to take some risks that she never has before to grow.

Sebastian was okay supposedly a rakeish man that gives in to sin for enjoyment but we don't really see it.

I will say this book was firmly okay. The setting felt a little different for me as she was traveling and writing about her travels but in the end it didn't pull me in. 2.75 overall.

I enjoyed the story of Sebastian and Diana. I loved Sebastian and his romantic side from other novels so it was great to read how love story. This romance was about acceptance, overcoming abuse, advocacy for women, changing times, and unconditional love. The characters were well developed and likable. There was humor, witty banter, angst, slow burn steam, and familial relationships, bad and good. The love was built on friendship and had a strong foundation so it was completely believable. Although it was frustrating that they just didn’t tell each how they felt which would have eliminated a lot of misunderstandings. This story had a little bit of everything, social issues, strong women, survivors, shame, villains with no real danger, new friendships, a frenemies to lovers trope, lots of steam, and a HEA. I really enjoyed this story.

Are you ready for a sizzling cruise from London over Le Conquet, Porto, Malaga and Sardinia all the way to Livorno? Join Diana & Sebastian for the trip that will rock Society!

She’s a widowed marchioness, tired of being labelled the ton’s most proper Lady, and he’s the by-blow gentlemen’s club owner who assisted her once, years ago, when her sister needed rescuing. He’s also her backyard neighbour and likes to play ball with her little boy.

After they both get roped into the Historical Society for Female Curators, their wires get crossed. A bump-in at the museum, a snide comment by the viper who broke his heart, and suddenly their fragile friendship is on the rocks. A trifle uncomfortable when they’re ready to leave town on a two-month leisure cruise to raise funds for the HSFFC...
Luckily the salty sea breeze clears the air. He’s looking for a distraction, she looking for adventure, maybe even a fling... but not with him. Tight quarters make for close company, and every port brings them closer. Soon their simmering attraction turns into a torrid affair – because they could never be more. Or could they?

Everchanging scenery, her cheeky companion, class-difference, curiosity, lust, a healthy dose of jealousy, a hovering Italian Count, a pop-up wannabe-fiancé and two fools in love determined not to lose their hearts, make for a fascinating and delectable voyage to the Mediterranean!
I loved both the MCs and their tumultuous journey so much! It’s the kind of enthralling story that just sucks you in, and once you’ve set sail, there’s no stopping till the end. It’s witty and fun, passionate, emotional and intimate with a dash of heartbreak, has plenty of flavour, and is set against a gorgeous backdrop. This was a fantabulous frenemies-to-lovers romance, and a wonderful introduction to what’s to come!

PS if you’ve read The Ball of Sin series, you’ll spot quite a few cameos as well.

Diana, the most proper lady in London, has grown restless. After joining an antiquities club for female scholars, she volunteers to write a newspaper column about traveling abroad to visit historical sites. Yet much to her dismay, Diana has been partnered with Sebastian Devons, whom she loathes. Sebastian, owner of London’s most notorious gentlemen’s club, engages in vice to forget a failed love. Needing a change, he agrees to partner with the antiquities club and is shocked to set sail with Diana, an annoying, intriguing, and familiar face.
A new author to me & this certainly won’t be the only book of hers I will read. A fun, entertaining romance. I really liked both Sebastian & Diana & loved the chemistry between them. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope & this book is a good example of the reason why. The banter was a joy & added to the story. I really liked how more & more of the couple’s characters were revealed as the story progressed, which made for an engrossing read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This was interesting. Not a personal favorite. The romance was unbelievable, and I was confused. Still enjoyable, though!

I have really enjoyed this reading. The two main characters seem to be fully opposed but throughout their trip to continental Europe they discover - and the reader as well - that they feel really nicely together. Unfortunately Addie is very (too much) proper and cannot believe that Sebastian has a true interest in her despite his previous love relationships. This book is also peppered with humour and the fluid writing makes the book a delightful read.
To summarise I recommend this book and I have already been ordering other books from that author!

Dragonblade Publishing is releasing another successful novel in their Flame line entitled “A Wanton Adventure” written by Ramona Elmes. This is book one in The Brazen Curators series. The main woman in this story is Diana, a widow with a young son destined to become a duke. Diana was known as a paragon of proper behavior by the ton, a description she is beginning to dislike, especially since she was chosen to be a part of a women’s antiquities club based on her righteous behavior. Opposite her is a very rich by-blow of a noble, known rogue, and owner of a gentleman’s gambling club Sebastian Devons. As different as two people could be, these two are chosen to report on their travels from different perspectives. Close proximity works its magic on these two personalities sparking a connection that only grows. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed, the plot fun and interesting. There was much more to these characters than they showed to the public, which was revealed as the story progressed. Diana needed to loosen the tight strictures that was holding her together after the death of her husband, Sebastian was there to help her take that leap. Diana and Sebastian couldn’t keep their hands off one another forever. Great secondary characters enrich the story. A very passionate story that is the beginning of a promising series. I definitely recommend “A Wanton Adventure”.