Founded by the wealthiest woman in London, an unconventional crime-solving club brings together single lords and overlooked ladies from every rung of society. It’s a perfectly scandalous match … “bride-to-be” understands, it is merely a ruse until The Society for Single Ladies apprehends the true culprit—and a ploy to further delay Leo’s obligation to wed. For him, marriage will be a purely practical affair. Still, why does a stolen kiss with his faux fiancée conjure such tempting visions of romance?…
As if being falsely accused weren’t mortifying enough, Phoebe North is now the talk of the town. And while she knows Leo did the honorable thing to protect her reputation, she can’t help but long for more. It would be an impossible match given their unequal stations, and Leo has made his view of marriage quite clear. Yet his kiss and flirtatious ways say something else. If only she could persuade him of how delightful it would be to thumb their noses at convention—and become fools for love…
“Lynne Connolly writes Georgian romances with a deft touch. Her characters amuse, entertain and reach into your heart.”
—USA Today bestselling author Desiree Holt
“With plots, deviousness and passion galore, Temptation Has Green Eyes by Lynne Connolly is a truly enjoyable read.”
—Fresh Fiction
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Phoebe North has come to London to help her cousin Angela Childers (the banking heiress we met in the Shaw series), Angela’s companion is ill and she has invited Phoebe to stay with her and attend events, she also introduces Phoebe to the Society of Single Ladies aka SSL.
Phoebe meets George “Leo” Cavendish, the Duke of Leomore at a ball Angela is hosting, he is there at his grandmother’s behest to being looking for a bride. He dances with Phoebe and immediately takes the role of her champion when a mishap rips her hem. He takes her out the garden and uses his pearl cravat pin to repair her gown, they talk a bit and he learns that Phoebe is shy and has a stammer, but she is intelligent and has a dry sense of humor that Leo finds incredibly attractive. They share a kiss and are preparing to return to the ball when a commotion breaks out and a man runs into Phoebe, she grabs at him but he gets away, but Phoebe did manage to hold on to something – a bracelet, but she also ended up with a cut to her hand. When guests begin to pour out, Lady Latimer sees what Phoebe is holding – her bracelet! She accuses Phoebe of stealing her jewels and Leo steps up and says that is not possible, he and Phoebe where in the garden the entire time and that he just proposed to her. Phoebe is shocked, but goes along with the ruse.
Phoebe is attracted to Leo, but feels that she is not suitable to be his bride, she agrees to go along with the deception until the end of the season and recruits the SSL to help find out who is behind the jewel theft. But things don’t go as planned and when Phoebe is kidnapped, Leo decides that suitable or not, Phoebe will be his bride.
I thought this was a good story, it has a little bit of everything, murder, mystery, multiple villains, petty relatives, steamy love scenes and a HEA, I personally, felt the Phoebe’s resistance and insistence that she was unworthy got a little tiresome after a while, but overall it was an enjoyable read and I would be happy to recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
I won an advanced copy of The Girl with the Pearl Pin, but this isn’t the first Lynne Connolly book I have enjoyed! This series takes place in the glitter of London, but Society for Single Ladies have been forced to make their own shine. The Society is made up of spinsters, widows, poor cousins, companions, and failed debutantes who have been relegated to the edges of the social swirl. Phoebe, while visiting her cousin Amelia, manages to snag a dance with the very eligible Duke Leo. Amelia has been using her considerable wealth and network of overlooked ladies to help solve crimes in relation to her work at her bank. When someone steals Lady Latimer’s necklace and blames it on Phoebe, Amelia, Leo, and a whole cast of interested parties set out to clear Phoebe’s name and retrieve the jewels.
I loved how the very human Phoebe finds the confidence to let her status and smarts define her instead of her stutter. Leo and Phoebe’s romance and the intrigue of catching a thief made this a wonderful romp. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!!
The Girl with the Pearl Pin by Lynne Connolly was a delightful historical mix of mystery and romance. As a fan of historical mysteries, I enjoyed visiting with the Society of Single Ladies as Phoebe tried to navigate the world of Society. “Leo” the Duke of Leomore was a captivating gentleman. I loved how he took his time with Phoebe and was her champion and protector throughout. The resolution of the mystery tied up all of the loose ends neatly. I look forward to more books set in this world.
I received this Kindle copy from my public library.
Very enjoyable! Beautiful debut!
What an amazing introduction to Lynne Connolly’s new series, ‘The Society for Single Ladies’! I really enjoyed her 1st story, ‘The Girl with the Pearl Pin’! The plot was very well developed, the pace was perfect and the characters so charming. It had every elements to please me! Without a doubt, it’s a great debut!
It tells the lovely and romantic story of Leo and Phoebe. Leo is London’s most sought-after bachelor, so his sweet grandmother wants him to find a proper wife, one that she can approve of! Phoebe is a shy young lady part of a group of women in the same situation as her, ‘without a husband’ or simply forgotten, The Society for Single Ladies. Leo and Phoebe meet during a ball. The heroine is sometimes a little ackward and stutters when is very shy or unsure of herself. But Leo doesn’t care about that and soon falls for her. A stolen kiss will do it’s magic! When Phoebe gets caught in a scheme and branded a thief, Leo will be at her side and help restore her reputation. What is the real story behind the diamond necklace? Who really stole it? She doesn’t believe that she could become a suitable wife for Leo, but as time goes by, she will regain her self-confidence and make the right decision concerning Leo. By doing so, Leo will better understand the meaning of marriage. Will his grandmother approve of Phoebe? All these questions will be answered if you read ‘The Girl with the Pearl Pin’! Hope you enjoy it!
Review originally publised at Romancing Romances.
I received an eARC through NetGalley, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
2.75*
This was my first time reading a book by Lynne Connolly. To be honest, I don’t actually know what I was expecting.
This book is a bit slow, particularly in the beginning, but it gets better closer to the end.
The best thing about the book for me was the Society for Single Ladies, yet we saw so little of them… Hopefully they’ll get a bigger spotlight in the next books.
I liked Phoebe more than Leomore, he was a bit too possessive for my liking, but in the end he gets better. Phoebe is a clever young woman, and she deserves to be happy.
The mystery didn’t really work for me, I was pretty sure of the result right from the beginning.
Angela, Phoebe’s best friend, is one of the best characters of the book, and I think her story will be more interesting.
The romance wasn’t bad, but it could have been better… There just wasn’t enough chemistry for me between the main characters.
This is the kind of book that doesn’t really stick with you, it’s pleasant, but that’s just about it.
4.5 Stars. The Girl With The Pearl Pin (The Society for Single Ladies Book 1) by Lynne Connolly is a delightful historical romance that warms the heart. This is a love story brought about by a mysterious theft and a fake proposal. This fast pace story has a bit of everything including action, suspense, mystery, heartache, a slow burn romance with a lot of sweet passionate kiss scenes and some steamy open bedroom door love scenes, towards the latter part of the book.
I did became distracted and thrown off with the abrupt backward change in Leo’s words and thoughts approx two thirds the way through. And, I expected and wanted to see more mention, action, and participation from the women’s crime solving club since it is the basis of the series. Overall I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author.
Happy Reading
The Girl with the Pearl Pin by Lynne Connolly is book 0ne in The Society for Single Ladies Series. This is the story of Phoebe North and George “Leo” Cavendish, the Duke of Leomore.
Phoebe has come to town to stay with her cousin Angela whose companion has taken ill. Angela has promised to take her on events and introduce her to the Society for Single Ladies. Phoebe is very shy and when nervous has a stutters. When she attends one of the balls she meets Leo. Leo is there at his grandmother’s request for him to find a bride. Leo and Phoebe dance but she ends up needing Leo’s help which leads them to go outside where they end up talking and sharing a bond. But then someone comes running through that ends up leaving Phoebe being accused of a theft because that person left what he took with her. Of curse Leo steps forward claiming she is his bride to be which puts a protective coat on her reputation until they can clear this matter up. But both can’t pretend long before there real feelings start to come through.
Enjoyed their story.
The first book in the The Society for Single Ladies series and this is a new Author to me. I found this to be a well written story with a very good storyline. This is Leo the Duke of Leomore and Phoebe North’s story it has suspense, drama, danger, theft, accusations, and people who are not what they pretend to be, and romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the new series Society for Single Ladies, which is a group of ladies who work together to solve mysteries. The ladies are widows and spinster who attend Ton events and are overlooked by Society. One of the ladies belonging to the group is Phoebe North. She has come to London for the first time to be a companion for her cousin. She is overlooked by Society until her cousin introduces her to the Duke of Leomore “Leo”. While they are fixing her gown in the garden, a necklace was stolen and they were found together when people followed the thief out into the garden. Leo announces that they are betrothed to save her reputation. They agree to continue with the lie while they try to solve the mystery of who stole the necklace. A fake betrothal plot that included a mystery of stolen jewels was great. Leo’s character was interesting, he started off seeming aloft but as story continues we get to see his true emotions. I love the concept of a ladies club solving mysteries and can’t wait to see what the next book will have.
What an exciting start to this new series by Lynne Connolly! An unexpected encounter with the Duke of Leomore, led him asking Phoebe to dance! Of course she was attending the ball with her cousin Angela, who was much sought after and she had just declined to dance with him. He turned his attention to her and led her on the floor. I adored the interaction between Phoebe and Leo!
What happened next ( oh yes you will have to read and find out how it came about!), Leo announce they were engaged to try to get her out of a sticky situation!
Oh my, I loved Leo.. He came to her rescue and of course it was truly just a “pretend engagement” to save her from being accussed as a thief. But what could come of it anyone? He was a Duke and she really was not in his league.
Filled with humor, a mystery, murder, pretense, romance and of course the SSL Ladies, you will be carried away on a jouney until the last page. Cannot wait for more!!
A scandalous match?
What an interesting group the Society for Single Ladies I can see where this idea will take the reader on many grand adventures. This was a different twist and it was so entertaining. Leo and Phoebe were great characters and with a pace that flowed so well, it was a read that was hard to put down. I highly recommend and I look forward to the next book in the series. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
The Girl with the Pearl Pin is the first in Lynne Connolly’s Society for Single Ladies series. It’s a bit of an accidental betrothal story, and an ugly duckling story, as Phoebe North is hardly the toast of the town. While visiting her wealthy city cousin Angela Childers, she is accused of stealing a precious diamond necklace. The handsome and much pursued Duke of Leomore swoops in to save her by announcing their betrothal.
I definitely loved Phoebe and Leo’s interactions, the way they are able to be the best versions of themselves with each other. I love how Leo admires foremost Phoebe’s straight speaking and her heart, and finds his head turned to her kind of beauty. They get to know each other in part by exchanging correspondence, which is lovely too.
On the other hand, I deeply disliked most of Phoebe’s family, especially her scheming younger sister, whom her parents apparently indulge, and her highhanded former suitor. I realize that these characters provide a foil to the heroine, but they are nevertheless very unpleasant to read about, and I found myself dreading their appearance on the page. Fortunately, Leo and Phoebe do ultimately prevail, and no one is left with any doubts as to Leo’s feelings and priorities, from her family to the ton to Phoebe herself.
The missing necklace and the work of the Society for Single Ladies–a group of spinsters, “failed” debutantes, and others deemed “single” by society–organized by Ms Childers towards tracking it down also provide a lively backdrop to Phoebe and Leo’s relationship.
This is an excellent start to this new series, and I look forward to the stories to come.
Loved the idea of the Society of Single Ladies. A little mystery a bit of love and a great romance. I know this is a romance and everything works out in the end but I have to say I wondered at times. If not for the loyalty of Leo, this could have gone all wrong. A feel good story that made me sigh. Loved this story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Founded by the wealthiest woman in London, an unconventional crime-solving club brings together single lords and overlooked ladies from every rung of society. It’s a perfectly scandalous match.
The Duke of Leomore stuns society when he announces his engagement to a woman who has just been branded a thief. For him, marriage will be a purely practical affair after seeing how his parents nearly ruined the dukedom.
Phoebe tears a flounce & Leo offers to mend it or her unfortunately her pins are rusty so he uses his pearl pin. He then claims a kiss, shouts sound & Phoebe bumps into a fleeing man, the next thing she knows is that she’s branded a thief, Leo ever honourable, announces she was with him as they were celebrating their engagement. As if being falsely accused weren’t mortifying enough, Phoebe North is now the talk of the town. And while she knows Leo did the honourable thing to protect her reputation, she can’t help but long for more. It would be an impossible match given their unequal stations, and Leo has made his view of marriage quite clear.
A lovely page turning romance, I love the author’s attention to detail & the facts she always includes in her books. The characters are well portrayed, I loved Leo & Phoebe & how their relationship developed also how Phoebe’s confidence grew. Leo was absolutely gorgeous & how he helped her at every turn was a joy. The pace was very good & flowed effortlessly. The secondary characters also had depth & I felt there was a definite teaser about Angela! The villains mostly received their comeuppances & the ending was very satisfying although I would have liked an epiloue. This is the first in a new series & I look forward to more to come
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
3.5 stars
When painfully shy Phoebe North finds herself accused of theft and facing potential ruin, she is shocked, along with the rest of London, when the Duke of Leomore, the ton’s most eligible bachelor, claims she is his betrothed. Though the daughter of a simple country squire is overwhelmed by society, she’s no fool; she fully understands that the engagement is a ruse only meant to last until she and her friends from the Society for Single Ladies apprehend the real thief. Leo is delighted to buy some time to put off marriage a bit longer. He wants no part of love after seeing how such passion destroyed his reckless parents and he simply wants friendship with his wife. Imagine his shock at the terrifyingly romantic bent of his feelings toward Phoebe.
For her part, though she is very attracted to Leo, Phoebe sees the impossibility of a true marriage with him due to the vast separation between their classes and her family’s particular unconventional behavior. Soon Leo has set about to convince an ever reluctant Phoebe that a true marriage could work between them.
This was a different read and I enjoyed many aspects of it. I think this new series has potential and I’ll follow it. This was a good read for me in the end, but I did get bogged down a bit in the repetition from both main characters of all the reasons they couldn’t be together and Leo’s constant insistence on not being in love. At times it felt like I was rereading sections of the book I’d already read, but in the end it was mostly satisfactory, though I would’ve liked to see Phoebe’s family put in their place a bit more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: The Society for Single Ladies #1
Publication Date: 9/10/19
Number of Pages: 247
This book was a lovely start to a new series. We met future characters and learned the start of The Society for Single Ladies. I was particularly intrigued by the founder of the Society, Miss Angela Childers who may be featured in a book with Col, Duke of Colston Magna. That could definitely be an interesting match.
Leo, delightful, delicious Duke of Leomore, is all that is proper and appropriate. He’s handsome and rich – and according to his grandmother – he’s in need of a bride. He’ll look around this season, but silly debutants just don’t appeal. The only one who might hold his interest is Angela Childers who has staunchly declared that she will never marry. Leo decides to approach her for a dance, but she foists him off on her cousin, Phoebe North, who is visiting from the country.
Phoebe stutters when she’s stressed and she’s also sometimes a bit awkward. Leo is incensed when others ignore her during the dance and when she trips and begins to fall he sees her chagrin and rescues her. Uncharacteristically, he scoops her up and carries her outside to help repair the damage to her ruffle and to calm her. He feels the need to kiss her, but before he can, there is a commotion and she dashes out to see what is happening. A heavily cloaked man runs into her – and the rest of the people in attendance at the ball are running behind him. When the worst gossip in London, Lady Latimer, points her finger at Phoebe and accuses her of being the thief, Leo steps forward and says that can’t be so because she has just been accepting his proposal.
Phoebe definitely doesn’t think she’s duchess material – and Leo isn’t sure either, but the more time he spends with her, the more he is attracted. He’s sure it is a physical attraction, but he likes her as a friend too and that is all he needs in a wife – he has absolutely no desire for love in his marriage.
I absolutely adore the way this author handled a scurrilous, underhanded, sly kidnapper. It is one of the best ‘punishments’ I’ve seen. I loved it. I didn’t love the non-punishment that the theft mastermind got – and I wasn’t thoroughly clear on whether there was one or two masterminds. I’ll be interested to see what happens to Lucinda in the future – if we ever get to see that.
This was a fun read and a great introduction to the series. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.