Blog Tour Review: Duchess If You Dare by Anabelle Bryant

Hi all!

My name is Chiara and I am a Bookworm.

I’m so glad to be bringing you this book. I want to thank Zebra and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a free copy of the book to read. I enjoyed it a lot and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you all.

Disclaimer: Some links below are affiliate links meaning that, at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission on any purchases made. I would like to thank you all in advance for supporting my blog.

Duchess if You Dare by Anabelle Bryant

Blurb

From the glittering ballrooms of the ton to the city’s grittiest corners, London has no shortage of wrongs in need of righting–and the Maidens of Mayhem are prepared for the challenge. United by secrecy and sisterhood, these daring women from all walks of life aim to fight injustice wherever it takes them–even into the arms of unexpected love. This feminist take on Regency-era Robin Hoods from USA Today bestselling author Anabelle Bryant is destined to storm readers’ hearts!

Scarlett Wynn’s tragic childhood taught her that life can be cruel to women with little power. So when a local seamstress disappears, Scarlett vows to find out why. Armed with a weapon and her courage, Scarlett scours London for clues–and crosses the unlikely path of Ambrose Cross, the Duke of Aylesford, at an unlikely place: an upscale brothel. The Duke is trying to solve a mystery of his own, and Scarlett is sure they can help each other–if she can resist the attraction that draws them together…

As Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose is duty-bound to protect his family name from scandal no matter the cost. But Scarlett’s fearless spirit forces him to look beyond his world of privilege. Scarlett is as intoxicating as she is dangerous, igniting a fire in him like no other. When the pair learn both mysteries they’re trying to solve are tied to a string of missing women, the tangled scheme they uncover may put their lives, and their growing love, in mortal danger–and lead them to search their hearts like never before…

“A delightful historical romance with a liberal dash of adventure, plenty of sizzling heat, and a heart of pure gold. A superb start to Bryant’s new Maidens of Mayhem series”

–Lenora Bell, USA Today bestselling author

“Duchess if You Dare is a fantastic read that kept me up late and has me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.”

–USA Today Bestselling Author Renee Ann Miller

My Thoughts

I want to say that I really enjoyed this book and I have agree with that second quote, it really did keep me up late reading this. I was those awful book blogger memes that are just one chapter more, one chapter more, one chapter more. I could barely put the book down.

For me, and I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing but I found the book more adventure than romance, though there was plenty of that too. Our main character, Scarlet, spent more time jumping from roof tops and running through the back-alleys of London, than romancing her Duke. Though I think the Duke spent a lot of time in those horrible parts of London as well.

Scarlet and Ambrose, our darling Duke, grow and develop a lot through the book and it is interesting to see. Scarlet learns that relying on herself can be a very lonely life and that trusting more than herself doesn’t always end in disaster. Ambrose on the other hand learns that all that power and influence he has is nothing if he doesn’t use it. He has to struggle between what he knows is right, what he can get away with in polite society and what society will condemn him for.

Personally, I would have liked to have seen more backstory to our characters, especially when it comes to the maidens and Scarlet. The maidens I think we will see more in the next books which I will definitely be coming back to, but Scarlet, that may have been my biggest let down of the book. There was some information but I never felt like I got the entire picture.

I really would recommend this book. I hope that you read this, and enjoy it as much as I did.

About the Author

Anabelle Bryant

USA Today Bestselling author Anabelle Bryant began reading at age three and never stopped. Her passion for reading soon turned into a passion for writing and an author was born. Happy to grab her suitcase if it ensures a new adventure, Anabelle finds endless inspiration in travel; especially imaginary jaunts into romantic Regency England, a far cry from her home in New Jersey. Instead, her clever characters live out her daydreams because really, who wouldn’t want to dance with a handsome duke or kiss a wicked earl?

Anabelle’s books have been translated into several languages including Japanese and Russian, but writing isn’t all that keeps her busy. Building miniatures, baking and photography are other favorite pastimes. Often found with her nose in a book, Anabelle is just as happy in a room full of people. She enjoys meeting readers, attending conferences and book signings. She has earned her Master’s Degree and is ABD for her Doctorate Degree in education. A firm believer in romance, Anabelle knows sometimes life doesn’t provide a happily ever after, but her novels always do.

Where you can find Anabelle:

Website | Facebook | Newsletter | Twitter | Bookbub | Goodreads | Pinterest

Purchase your own copy:

Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop.org | Waterstones