A bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk.Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she’d have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London’s most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting … earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert. Something is amiss, and Lady X will be the first to expose the scandal.
The last thing she needs is a third earl’s attention distracting her from her task. Even if he happens to be the charming, handsome and mysterious Lord Streatham…
George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham, cannot afford any distractions from his secret mission for the Crown. His work as a spy is dark, dangerous, and leaves no room for romance. But when he meets the alluringly outspoken Anthea, their magnetic connection overturns all his plans.
George soon finds himself locked in a deadly game between three powerful lords. The winner will take Anthea’s hand – but only George can offer her the passion she deserves.
Fortunately, he is accustomed to winning. At any cost.
Now, if only he could discover the identity of that pesky Lady X who’s been slandering his name in the papers…
This is the second book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series.
more
Lady Anthea is wealthy and the author of a newspaper column known as Lady X. She has no time or interest for suitors, but is being courted by two Earls whom she believes are just interested in her money.
He is working in a secret mission for the crown and it just so happens that the two Earl’s that are vying for Anthea hand are the ones his mission leads him to and now finds himself the Earl of Streatham also vying for Anthea’s hand.
This was a good read and enjoyed it very much.
Now enters
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spy and lady authoress. I honestly believe if there were as many gentlemen spies and secret authoresses in England during the war as there are written about today then there wouldn’t be anyone else in the Upper 10,000. The spy is mostly stories of the past and a half-hearted investigation that a child could solve. The authoress was telling about columns rather than actually reading them. I’ve seen it done worse, but rarely. I’ve seen it done miles better. Lots of tell and very little show makes a poor novel.
A true Regency Romance that has all the right components: witty dialogue, no explicit sex or sexual encounters, with all the necessary social constructs neatly and interestingly packaged? This is one of those! A fun read with a manly antagonist and a spunky protagonist you can’t help but love!
funny and heartwarming
A woman dares to be an author! Oh my and flaunt societal rules but find happiness in the end. Loved this book
Very well done and worth a read.
Light, funny romance
Especially loved the main characters of Lady Anthea and George Bonneville. What continually happens between the two of them wants you not want to put the book down. It is funny but also romantic, with a lot of other characters bringing it together. I would definitely highly recommend it.
It could have been longer
What a fun romp! An enjoyable story with delightful characters.
I enjoyed reading this (Mills & Boone type detective story). And it was made all the more pleasant by a proper choosing of names and nothing obviously wrong about the handling of the horses (in this case by avoidance of unnecessary detail). Many otherwise good story tellers write about horses in a way that can’t happen, others put in native Scottish Welsh or Irish names where Anglo Saxon or Norman names are needed, without appearing to realize they are making it impossible for someone reading it this side of the pond (UK). So very good!
An entertaining historical romance!
by sewsummore
This was an entertaining historical romance, well written with good chararacterisation and a well planned story line. I especially like the historical details and facts about the period and the life and role women of quality experienced, so very different from today.I found this book a great read and admired Lady Anthea for her determination and drive.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The author weaves an intriguing suspenseful
tale with humor and romance entwined.
This story is captivating and emotional with
plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader
engrossed.
You will meet the Balfour family of which
Lady Anthea has a secret identity. She is very
outspoken so never had been courted until
recently when both Lord Shrewsbury and Lord
Wetherton take an interest in her. What is
their incentive in giving her such attention?
Enter George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham.
He works uncover for the crown as a spy. He
needs to get close to Lord Wetherton. What
he did not intend was to meet Lady Anthea
and fall for her ending up trying to protect him
while completing his uncover job.
An enjoyable story with period details,
characters that are multifaceted, nefarious,
cunning, clever, entertaining and well written.
This is book # 2 in the Impossible Balfour series.
It can be read as a stand alone. This is the first
book I read by this author but will definitely be
reading others.
I volunteered to read The Last Earl Standing.
Thanks to the author via Booksprout for the
opportunity. My opinion is voluntary and my own.
Gemma Blackwood brings us a well written story with an intriguing plot that’s fast paced and filled with lots of interesting twists and turns. It’s a delightful story filled with humor and witty dialogue. You won’t want to put this story down. The characters are wonderfully crafted. Lady Anthea is an strong and independent young woman. George, Earl of Streatham is a sigh worthy hero loyal to the crown and his mission who find himself captivated by Lady Anthea and the romance ensues. This is such a delightful, warm and witty love story you’ll not want to miss it. Thank you so much Gemma for such a well written story, aptly titled I might add . I can’t wait for the next story.
When a secret Crown spy who is a newly minted Earl and a Duke’s sister who is an undercover secret journalist are both after the same villain yet don’t want the other involved or hurt what could possibly go wrong? Why a duel with pistols at dawn between villain and LADY X???!!!!! 😮
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a wonderful story with delightful characters, great banter and dialogue, and a sweet and charming love story. Our heroine, Anthea, is a strong and outspoken journalist out to find the goods on the Lord Wetherton, when she meets George Streatham, also an Earl and spy for the crown, investigating the same man. Together they also find a great love for one another. I loved this storyline start to finish!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a fun, clean book. The author creates interesting characters that are easy to relate to and fun to read about. I also enjoyed the little bit of mystery. I also enjoyed that it was clean. It was a fairly quick read that was great for a relaxing evening. I would highly recommend both the book and the author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love reading regency romance books that feature a strong, intelligent heroine. Anthea is happy writing her secret newspaper column as Lady X and fully expects to be a spinster until she is suddenly courted by three different men. Not is all as it seems, however, and she has to untangle their underlying motives. This is a well-written clean romance with a good mystery and lots of swoon worthy romance. Looking forward to reading more books in the series!
I received an advance copy of this book but am voluntarily leaving a review of my own opinions.
What a wonderful story! Anthea and George both have secrets that if they get out could wreck their reputation and even cost George his life. That being said there are 3 Earls vying for Anthea’s attention. May the best man win and the bad guy loose. Great story Ms. Gemma!!
Lady Anthea has a secret. She is the woman behind a mysterious newspaper column writing under the pen name of Lady X. Two earls have been vying for her affection but she is not interested in the slightest and believes they are only after her wealth.
George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham, is on a secret mission for The Crown. His mission leads him to Anthea’s admirers and thus placing him in the race to win her heart.
As the story progresses, the chemistry between Anthea and George is well written and very natural. The two end up complementing each other in their race to find the truth. At times I wished they had been a little more forthcoming, but that would spoil the fun.
I read this story over the course of a day, I just couldn’t put it down. Even though I haven’t read the previous novel in the series, A Duke She Can’t Refuse, I didn’t feel lost at all. Of course, I will now go back and read the story of Anthes’s brother, Alexander, and the woman he eventually marries, Daisy. Blackwood’s novels are a fantastic way to pass the day away!
I received The Last Earl Standing for free via Booksprout. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.