The Secret Life of a Lady by Darcy McGuire

ABOUT THE BOOK

Never underestimate a wallflower!

Lady Hannah Simmons is a quintessential wallflower, unassuming, dowdy yet ignored by most. But underneath her plain exterior, Hannah is hiding a thrilling secret! Unbeknownst to the rest of the ton, she is Queen Victoria’s leading femme fatale, slipping unnoticed through the streets of London and listening to scandalous whispers from lords and ladies. But with daggers in her stockings and pistols in her pockets, Hannah’s mission is to apprehend a deadly killer.

Private Investigator to the Prime Minister, damaged, yet devastatingly handsome ex-war hero Duke Robert Killian always puts duty first. However, when he finds himself competing with the intriguing Lady Hannah on the same daring task, his blood boils with frustration – and desire! Is it possible to seduce this vexing woman whose not afraid to put herself in danger and achieve the upper hand?

Hannah enjoys Killian’s attempts to distract and tempt her, but she has never faced an adversary she couldn’t overthrow. And Killian has never met a challenge he couldn’t conquer…until now. The gauntlet has been thrown, can they finish their jobs and resist the temptation?

Keep your friends close…and your enemies even closer!

MY REVIEW

She is a wallflower with battle scars. He is a gentleman in serious trouble. The Secret Life of a Lady is a delightful debut novel that takes readers on an enthralling journey as two unlikely protagonists join forces to solve a series of harrowing crimes.

It was so much easier to fight men than converse with them. But needs must.

Beneath Miss Hannah Simmons’ wallflower facade lies a woman of remarkable resilience and unyielding spirit. Shrouded in a cloak of secrecy from her past, Hannah exudes a compelling blend of candor and strength of character muted by her drab clothes and deceptive and quiet demeanor. I love her inquisitive nature especially when she discovers the joys of sex confounding the dashing and receptive Duke Robert Killian. But it is her skills as a fighter and spy for the Queen that set her apart from other wallflowers, and boy, does the Duke fall hard.

There was a unique sense of pride in knowing he momentarily derailed her wickedly sharp thoughts.

Killian is an ex-war hero, a private investigator for the Prime Minister, and an honorable gentleman who carries deep-seated guilt over an incident in the war, which fuels his keen sense of duty to his dukedom. He has an abundance of life experiences good and bad and his encounter with Miss Hannah Simmons results in a surprising change, convincing him to lose his rationality in favor of obsession. Hannah’s dangerous combination of beauty, intellect, and prowess are fascinating to Killian leading him to reexamine his life and use his lovely charm and magnetism on the unsuspecting Hannah. Lucky girl!

Hannah and Killian are artfully united in their quest to unveil the identity of a serial killer who is burying innocent maids alive. They start as rivals but learn to trust each other personally and professionally which adds a layer of warmth to the ominous outcome.

Ms. McGuire’s writing is eloquent and thrilling. The sexual tension between Hannah and Killian adds a spicy allure to the historical romance genre. There are also some intriguing twists and turns making it an irresistible page-turner.

I highly recommend this unforgettable novel that will fill you with laughter, suspense, and alluring charm. The characters are flawed yet deeply compelling which makes them so intriguing and relatable, and I hope the supporting characters get their own books.

Thank you to Ms. McGuire for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darcy McGuire is an award-winning New Zealand-born writer now living in the Pacific Northwest. She will write a five-part Victorian romance series for Boldwood, focused on a group of ‘Deadly Damsels’.