Availability:
Library | Call Number | Format | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Canton Public Library | FIC LOVISE | NEW BOOK LOCAL HOLDS | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Duxbury Free Library | FIC LOVISE, LINDSAY | BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Holbrook Public Library | LOVISE | BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Marshfield Ventress Memorial Library | LOVISE | BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Milton Public Library | FIC LOVISE | NEW BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Plymouth Public Library | LOV | 14 DAY BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... Weymouth Tufts Library | LOVISE | 14 DAY BOOK | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
In this delightfully witty Victorian romance, a governess spy running away from her past falls for an ex-soldier turned railroad magnate--perfect for fans of Manda Collins and Bridgerton!
The utterly charming Emily Leverton has a dark past and is determined to leave it behind in her respectable new role as a governess. But when she is recruited by a secret network of governesses who spy on the ton, it may just be a way to redeem the dark secrets of her past.
Straddling the worlds of the ton and the working class, as an ex-solider turned railroad magnate, Zach hunts killers for the Metropolitan Police by day and dutifully attends balls at night. In neither world has he met a woman with the brazenness to mock him. So when a saucy governess blows him a kiss he is determined to catch her, never expecting that when he does he will find an intelligent, quirky woman hiding more than her true name. As Zach peels back the layers of Emily's lies, he falls for the street-wise woman who handles a dagger like a pro and kisses like a mistress. But when his affair with Emily intertwines with his hunt for a killer, he discovers Emily is hiding an explosive secret--one that could destroy them both.
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Lovise lures readers into a clandestine world of espionage and scandal in her captivating Victorian era debut and Secret Society of Governess Spies series launch. Emily Leverton grew up in a family of thieves before reinventing herself as a governess. Now she's recruited by the Dove, an elusive aristocrat who runs a secret agency of governess spies. The fledgling, largely lower-class police force struggles to enforce the law on society's elites, allowing them to get away with murder. But governesses "hear the fights, witness the scandals, and watch the servants clean up the blood. They know where to point the finger." Emily takes a job in the household of the Earl of Eastmoreland, caring for his six children and reporting unusual activities to the Dove. While delivering a forgotten fan to one of her charges at a lavish ball, Emily sees wealthy railroad magnate-turned-police officer Zachariah Denholm get cornered by marriage-minded ladies. She laughs at his discomfort and, when he confronts her, cheekily blows him a kiss before slipping away. The sass sparks desire in Zach, leaving him determined to woo the spirited woman. At the same time, he hunts for the Evangelist, an elusive killer targeting prostitutes, a suspense plot that eventually dovetails with the romance, upping the stakes. The unique premise is edgy and enticing and the budding relationship is expertly crafted. Lovise is sure to win fans with this. Agent: Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency. (Jan.)
Library Journal Review
DEBUT Passion ignites as a governess and a detective investigate murders in 1838 London. Emily has determinedly worked to escape her past by becoming a respectable governess, but her street smarts attract the attention of a secret network of fellow governesses who monitor the ton. A serial killer is targeting sex workers, and the governesses are seeking justice. Also on the case is Detective Zach Denholm, who hailed from a working-class family before making his fortune. During an assignment, Emily blows a kiss Zach's way, teasing him for being surrounded by mothers of marriageable daughters. Zach is immediately enraptured by her, but Emily's secrets threaten to keep them apart. Both protagonists' humble beginnings gratifyingly juxtapose the ton's decadence and its disregard for the killer's victims, while Zach's respect for Emily's autonomy makes him the perfect match for her strong will. VERDICT An exceptional debut, braided with banter, wit, chemistry, and intrigue; perfect for fans of Tessa Dare's humor and the cunning feminism of Sarah MacLean's "Hell's Belles" series.--Shanel Slater