How to Fall for a Scoundrel

Her Majesty’s Rebels #2

by Kate Bateman

Two unlikely allies team up to solve a case in this novel filled with Kate Bateman's signature sparkling voice, exciting adventures, and steamy chemistry.

As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Audiobook, Fiction

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

Also writes as K.C. Bateman

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It is fast paced with short chapters, and has a likable, strong and intelligent female protagonist, an appealing, kind and caring male protagonist, engaging banter, wit, a touch of humor, supportive friends, mystery, intrigue, sizzling chemistry, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is an excellent addition to Ms. Bateman's outstanding "Her Majesty's Rebels" series, and it can be read as a stand alone.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, Ms. Bateman, and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman
Her Majesty’s Rebels series #2. Historical Detective agency romance. Alternating POV. Can be read as a stand-alone however the couple from the first book are included as minor secondary characters and the case is referred to in the epilogue.
Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. She’s shocked while refusing a potential new client access to her fictional male boss when a charming con man introduces himself as the head of the private investigation firm. The women created the name from a dog! What does this man think he’s going to gain by declaring himself someone else?
Forced to work with Harry Bobheur to find a missing manuscript, Ellie finds herself intrigued by the skills, knowledge and adaptability of the man. He’s glib and polished and charming and relatable all at the same time. It’s making Ellie a bit flustered. The longer they work together, the more she knows there are many layers under the surface he’s always careful to mask.

This was a delightful story with witty banter, a slight mystery and two personalities that click tightly together to capture the readers attention. Unlikely coincidence but one that you will fully buy into. With a slight leaning into benevolence, loved it.
Captivating and charming.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year, when I read the first book in this series, I was excited to meet a new group of ladies in business for themselves and unashamedly living their best lives. This story adds a fun and exciting twist to the series.

With fabulous characters who have an electric chemistry between them, we are treated to effortless banter and a charming, sexy criminal who is the definition of insta-lust. Bateman brings the heat in this one and it is perfect for the storyline.

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is fun and unique, and I think it is one of my favorite books by her so far. Beautifully plotted with great supporting characters that bring a lovely balance to the story. Plus, strong main characters who are fun, witty, and smart to solve the crimes of the day.

A delightful story that is sexy, steamy, and worth every second of your precious reading time.
~~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/how-to-fall-...

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Kate Bateman returns with book two in the Her Majesty's Rebels series with HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL. While each book in the series stands alone with dynamic characters and an intriguing mystery or two to solve, I encourage fans of historical romance to grab book one for an entertaining evening of reading and for an introduction to the three fiesty women who are featured in the overall story arc.

Eleanor Law and two of her closest friends, Daisy and Tess, are the secret founders, as well as the brains and muscle, behind King & Co., London's most successful private investigation firm during a time when women weren't considered intelligent enough or educated enough to run businesses. They operate behind the facade of a fictitious boss named Charles King, who doesn't exist until now when a man appears claiming to be Charles King. They know, of course, that he's lying, but the women can use his con man skills on a difficult case reclaiming a precious manuscript, so they strike a deal playing along to discover the true identity of this mysterious stranger who's captured Ellie's attention and heart.

Harry "King" aka Henri Bonheur aka any of at least a dozen other names has returned to London to reclaim his birthright, but he needs the help of the three smart, beautiful women who run the best PI Firm in London. He strikes a deal with the delectable Ellie, claiming he's given up his notorious past as a con man and thief and will help them recover the manuscript if they help him prove his real identity. The deal throws Ellie and Harry in close proximity for extended periods of time which fuels the flame of desire sparking between them. Ellie repeatedly reminds herself there's no future in falling for a con man and scoundrel. This is business and business only. Right?

Author Kate Bateman is one of the best at rendering heartwarming historical romance stories with a lot of heart, depth, banter and humor. Ellie is highly intelligent, beautiful, spunky and fun. Harry is every woman's dream with a perfect blend of great looks, skills and heart. The growing sexual banter, sizzling chemistry and mutual admiration offsets the intriguing mystery playing out, and a strong support cast, including Daisy and Tess, highlight the value of strong female friendships. Bateman's utilization of short chapters drives a fast pace as this unlikely team of cohorts' race toward the final climax.

HOW TO FALL FOR A SCOUNDREL is a highly entertaining, well-written historical romance with all the right ingredients for romance as well as a good mystery. A strong, smart, witty female protagonist and a kind, loving, charming male protagonist who can't resist bowing to temptation team up and deliver one of my favorite romances by Bateman to date. Highly recommended to fans of mystery, historical romance and even romcoms. This one is a delight to read!
Special thanks to Berkley Publ. for a gift copy of this title. Opinions expressed are my own. This book is scheduled for release on Aug. 20, 2024. My review is posted at Cross My Heart Reviews.

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel by Kate Bateman

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 (one scene had a morning after that was pretty close to the initial scene so I combined flames – might feel a bit hotter than listed)
Humor: Yes, especially some delightful banter
Perspective: third person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: immediately
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, not too far in the future
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in e-book form that I am very late on reading
Why I chose this book: I love Bateman’s writing and want to read all her books!
Mains: This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
You can grab this out of order – it’s book 2 of Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels and has some minor character crossover but I found it fine alone! (Three friends run a private investigation business and each has a story)

Basic plot:
Ellie meets the infuriating Harry when he pretends to be his fictional boss and they begin working on a case together.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency – 1816
- light elements of holiday time romance with mistletoe kiss
- working women – heroine owns a private investigator business with 2 friends
- hero with dimples
- thief / pickpocket hero
- hero falls first
- bespectacled heroine
- secret identity
- hero speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian and a bit of Russian and Portuguese
- hero has heterochromia
- he calls her his ‘brilliant girl’
- he trusts her to protect him in dangerous situations
- working together on a mystery
- medium steam – 3ish full scenes

Ages:
- heroine is 22, hero is 26

First line:
Eleanor Law had not expected to kiss anyone at Lady Chessington’s annual Christmas ball, let alone a charming, anonymous scoundrel

My thoughts:
This book was just literal perfection to me!!! I am so in love with how Bateman just keeps delivering me these books that are pure romance catnip to me. I’m grinning like a fool, kicking my feet in happiness, little hearts bursting above my head.

I found this whole book so delightful. I love both mains so much. Ellie is just so sweet and funny and kind and smart and Harry was really her perfect match. The way he falls for her, the way he trusts her, the way he calls her brilliant and uplifts her, while also taking small breaks to whisper naughty things in her ear….

I loved every moment of this story. It was funny and swoony, and such good tension and I am so in love. Love, love, love.
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 7
Average rating: 4.57 stars
Favorite book: Oof, this is hard to pick but I think it’s this one?? I really adored her entire Ruthless Rivals series though, immensely...basically any of those 4 are super amazing and my faves!

Quotes any typos are my own! I am bad with typos, I apologize


“You mean you possess a title?”
“Several. Although I rarely use most of them.”
She almost stamped her foot at his deliberate evasiveness. “What should I call you, then?”
“You latest conquest? You most ardent admirer?” He swept her another extravagant bow.
---
“Of course. I’m sure they’ll see the benefits of having me around.” He uncrossed his legs and stood, and Ellie did the same, trying not to notice how beautifully proportioned his long, lean body was. Or how tempting his lips were.
She’d kissed those lips. She still couldn’t believe it.
---
“Do you see that beggar, in the doorway across the street?”
“No,” Ellie said bluntly.
He glanced down at her with a smile. “Oh, put your spectacles back on, you ridiculous thing. You’re wrong about thinking they make you look less attractive. You’re gorgeous either way.”
---
Harry brought his arms up on either side of her head, his elbows resting against the wall to shield her face. His breath tickled her temple and his nose brushed hers as he bent lower.
“Breathe,” he commanded softly.
Ellie’s heart was pounding with a heady mix of fear and desire. Harry’s lips hovered so close to hers that his warm exhales mingled with her own shallow breaths.
There was scarcely an inch between them.
And then there wasn’t any space at all.
She wasn’t sure which one of them moved, but Harry’s lips touched hers, and she almost swooned in delight.
The kiss was tentative, almost a question. He paused, as if to gauge her reaction, and without thought she pushed herself up on tiptoe, closer, silently encouraging him to do it again.
He muttered something under his breath, possibly in Italian, then leaned in and kissed her again, harder this time, tracing the seam of her lips with his tongue.
---
“Will you take me back to Lincoln’s Inn Fields after that?”
The look in his eyes made her stomach somersault.
“If that’s what you want. But, Ellie, if you still weren’t sleepy...then I suppose I could kiss you.”
Her pulse stuttered, but she couldn’t resist teasing him. “To pass the time? Or because your kisses make ladies want to go to sleep.”
He raised his brows. “Did you feel remotely sleepy when I kissed you earlier?”
She bit her lip. “No.”
“I didn’t think so.” He uncrossed his legs. “You could kiss me back. And then I’d strip off that dress you’re wearing – the one that’s been driving me slowly insane all evening – and I’d do what I’ve been dreaming of since the first moment I saw you, which is to take you to bed and make love to you until we were both so exhausted, we’d have to sleep.”
---
He kissed the back of her neck. “I said, Yes, sweetheart. Kiss me.”
“You said something else too.”
He chuckled at her tenacity. “I did. I said, Voglio scoparti contro questo muro finche non urli il mio nome.”
“And what does that mean?”
He moved over her and she caught her breath as the muscled length of him pressed her down into the soft mattress. His larger size was thrilling, his physical power undeniable, and the combination of threat and careful restraint made her stomach somersault with desire.
“It means, I want to fuck you against his wall until you scream my name.”
Ellie gasped, apparently not beyond being scandalized, despire her non-virginal state, and he laughed against her ear.
“That was very rude.”
“It was indeed.”
---
“Have you ever fantasized about making love in a place like this? Somewhere completely forbidden? Because I have.” His gaze fell to her lips and she squirmed in her seat.
She’d be lying if she denied it. The thought of doing something so naughty made her almost quiver with excitement, and she could clearly imagine the thrill of trying to stay quiet while Harry’s hands roved all over her.
“You’d have to be extremely quiet, of course,” he whispered, a wicked twinkle in his eyes. “I might even have to put my hand over your mouth to stop you making any noise. I could press you against the shelves and lift your skirts.” His pupils flared. “Or perhaps I’d spread you out on one of these library tables and lick your - “
A cough and the scrape of a chair made Ellie flush guiltily. Dear God, the man was a menace!



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- some scenes of violence, gunshots
- parental and sibling death (illness)
Author content warnings? Didn’t see any


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: Hero pulls out
How’s the consent? It’s good
Pregnancy/children in story? Heroine says she cannot risk having a child, and the hero pulls out during sex. No children or pregnancy mentioned
1% - kiss
38% - kiss
46% - 🔥kisses, oral for her, missionary (v loss for her) followed by a missionary scene the next morning
His lips curved up. “Stop being so clever.”
He rested his hands on her knees, then slid them slowly up her thighs, bunching the emerald-green silk with his palms as he went. Ellie shivered in anticipation.
Instead of kissing her again, he dropped to his knees and caught the hem of her skirts.
//
“I think you were right about book-learning,” she breathed. “There’s no substitute for practical firsthand experience.”
“Does your hand want to experience it?” His jaw clenched as he stroked himself again, slowly up and down, as she nodded.

58% - brief kiss
71% - 🔥hand job for him in the carriage

Their joined hands pumped faster. He gripped the leather strap on the wall with his free hand and arched his spine, tilting his head back on the seat and exposing his throat. The sight of him made her own body thrum with desire, but she was determined to give him this gift. She pumped her hand, and with a groan that seemed dragged from his chest he went rigid, pulsing in her hand.

87% - kiss
95% - 🔥kisses, sex against the wall
She held out her hand, which was only shaking a tiny amount, and he slid the ring onto her fourth finger. She didn’t get time to admire it, or to even marvel at the miracle of a man like Harry wanting a girl like her. The moment it was on there, he surged to his feet and pinned her back against the wall.
“Bloody fantastic,” he growled. “And now we’ve got the formalities out of the way, I’m going to pleasure you up against this wall until you can’t think straight. Agreed?”


Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (4) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
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Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, oh, oh, this one is just wonderful! What do you call a smash up of "Charlie's Angels", "White Collar" and "Remington Steele"? Just fabulous, that's what! While short on detail and superficial, this story is just right if you are looking for a little escape to a far distant time with a hot romance.

Eleanor Law is most comfortable observing than participating. That has served her well in solving several cases for King & Co, the successful private investigation firm she and her friends, Tess and Daisy, run. "Charles King" is their invention until he comes to life in the form of a very hot rogue.

Instant attraction is an experience Ellie never expected to experience. But Henri Bonheur, aka Charles King, aka . . . is so. so very attractive that she is speechless when he steals a kiss and steps in to secure the case of the missing priceless book for King & Co.

Harry is on a mission to leave behind his past and he needs Ellie and her friends to help him make a new future. Falling for Eleanor was not a part of the future he planned, but she is now all the future he wants.

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was classic Kate Bateman™ with an extremely capable heroine in both lust and mistrust of the hero…who is down so bad from the first.

The whole fictional boss thing felt like Charlie from Charlie’s Angels—which I’m assuming is intentional since his name is, in fact, Charles. I could’ve maybe done with a bit more humor and action, but overall it was a low-angst romp.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5 🌶️🌶️/5

I received an eARC from NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

two people that fall in love while solving crimes together stay together

ms kate bateman has the historical romances locked down at this point and im growing increasingly obsessed with this series about three friends that secretly run an investigative firm.

eleanor and harry brought that chemistry and were legit the cutest couple. i cannot wait for this to publish and for the chance to devour it all over again

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[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delicious!

An investigative wallflower, a thief and con man, a stolen bejeweled Book of Hours belonging to Bonaparte. Napoleon saw the book as his lucky charm. Someone wants Bonaparte’s luck to return!
Eleanor Law, daughter of the Lord Chief Justice, and co-founder of King & Company, London’s most discreet Investigative Agency, meets her match when firstly a tall dark stranger with interesting eyes kisses her under the mistletoe and then hustles her into making an appointment with him and one of her partners, Lady Dorothea Hamilton the next morning. The other partner is the Duchess of Wansford.
Who is this man who’s already made her heart beat faster, and who knows Charles King is a fictional invention, a cover for the three intrepid investigators. Now he’s proposed that he be Charles King!
A mystery! He’s given Ellie the name Henri Bonheur, Comte de Carabas, straight from Puss in Boots.
Known as Harry, for his part, finds this dowdy, hiding herself young woman enchanting. Why has no one else noticed her?
A pleasing romance with serious sleuthing high on the agenda. When Harry needs the help of the three King investigators, the stakes are high. The chemistry between Harry and Ellie is even higher.
Charming Regency mystery with teeth.

A St. Martin’s Press invite ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[RachelReadsandSings · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This was so much fun!! I absolutely adore Kate Bateman’s romances and this was no different. Mystery, a dash of danger, flirty banter, a strong heroine, and an irresistible hero? What more could you want??

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am very much regretting my promise to give up crime.... Because I want to steal you away from here and keep you all to myself."

5 stars!

This story was so brilliant and is my new favorite novel by Kate! I absolutely LOVED the dynamic and chemistry between Harry and Ellie. By all accounts they should not have been attracted to each other as the daughter of the Chief of Justice and a self-proclaimed criminal, but their chemistry was instant and constantly simmered between them as they work to solve the case of the stolen artifact. The mystery surrounding Harry's true identity frustrated and intrigued me equally, but just like Ellie, I couldn't help but be swept up in his easygoing nature and charming dimples. The banter and humor between Ellie and Harry was so effortless, while their passionate interludes were so steamy, and I cannot wait for Daisy's book🖤

Tropes: opposites attract, hidden identity, mysterious charming hero, bluestocking heroine, witty banter, class difference, meet-cute, instalust, mystery-to-solve, STEAMY🔥

*ARC provided by Netgalley, and I voluntarily reviewed it*

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Fall for a Scoundrel is the second book in Kate Bateman’s Her Majesty’s Rebels series and this one I enjoyed!

Eleanor is one of the co-owners of King & Co, London’s most discreet private investigation company, along with her friends. One day Ellie meets ‘Harry’, he says he’s a former conman who is looking to retire from being a thief and wants to work with the ladies at their private investigation company. He says a former thief is the best to work on solving other cases after all. He even poses as their fictional boss and gets them out of a bind since he’s determined to work with them and prove he can be useful. Harry has some secrets and a mystery of his own and wants help from Ellie too.

I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series! Ellie and Harry together were so good and so much fun. I loved seeing them work together on the mysteries as well and their chemistry was just so fun. While not an absolute favorite from this author for me, still such a solid addition!

I received an ARC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own.

[Brenda P · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book way more than the first. The connection that Ellie and Harry had was good. And the cases they worked on together allowed them to really get to know one another. I also liked how they brought out the best in each other! Hoping the third book with Daisy is good.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #2 Her Majesty’s Rebels series. Ellie, Daisy and Tess are the founders of London’s most discreet private investigation agency, King & Company.

Ellie + Harry.. I ADORED this CHARMING COUPLE with their electrified chemistry at the get-go, Harry’s seductive charms, Ellie’s smarts, their playful banter, mutual admiration, temptation struggles.. plus the mystery within. ALL SO ENTERTAINING + FUN.

Harry and Ellie first meet under the mistletoe with a stolen kiss. He teases introducing himself with a fictional name, leaving Ellie and Daisy to only guess at what he’s up to. One thing is certain, both do agree he’s a handsome rogue, but also a highly skilled con man with a sketchy past. Harry claims he’s now a reformed thief, charming his way into King & Company to help with several cases.

One involves Napoleon’s good luck charm, another a stolen gem.

In return for his help in solving these cases, the agency agrees to provide their services to Henry; -to find proof he is the real Henry James Charles Brooke, the Earl of Cobham missing for ten years. Ellie is surprised to find herself falling for the mysterious bad boy. Harry knows he fell during their first kiss. I had so much fun reading it! This can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend this entire series. ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 8/20/24

I received a complimentary arc copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Justin Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

The series continues to charm, Kate Bateman always hits the spot when I'm in need for a lighthearted historical romance (with a plot), and How to Fall for a Scoundrel is no difference. Centering around a detective agency set up by the series heroine trio, I'm glad to report there's indeed a lot of sleuthing incorporated within its narrative—and the case is a densely layered one, cascading like Dominoes with 1 case leading smoothly into the next (I do have to overlook a few logic gaps, but they don't hinder the overall experience). The romance is cute (if not overly dramatic/emotional), primarily due to the snappy banters, but it does lose a bit of momentum in its last stretch—the third act conflict feels muted and halfhearted, more like a prerequisite to get to a novel-length page count rather than a necessity for its romance arc. Still, How to Fall for a Scoundrel is a solid entry to the series, and I can't wait for the third book!

**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**

[Dianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that this novel was so well-written that I did not have to read the first book in order to understand it.

This was a charming romance centered around one of the founding members, Ellie, of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm. Interestingly this company is run by women and the "king" person is fictional...until now!

There is plenty of intrigue, and we even have an unforeseen twist that makes this book even more interesting. There are plenty of sensual scenes between Ellie and 'Harry' as he prefers to be called. And they will curl your toes.

My only complaint that kept me from giving this book a four-star rating was the overuse of certain words, one of which is 'dimple'. Ugh!

This was a very fast read that you may be able to do in under 5 hours.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher St. Martin's Publishing Group/Macmillan Publisher, the author, and NetGalley.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐
1 star.

👎



DNF @ 35%.


Underwhelming.

Repetitious.

Uninteresting main characters.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was pretty fun. Ellie is at a ball when a mysterious man approaches her & steals a kiss! He gives her a false name and then precedes to call himself, Charles King. Who is this man that has infiltrated himself into their investigation business? As they begin an investigation, she learns that he’s a thief! As the weeks go by, Ellie can’t help to fall for the mystery man. Who is he really though? Ellie will soon find out, but will it affect their burgeoning relationship? I liked Harry and Ellie together. I wish the story had focused more on his mysterious past a little longer, but overall I really enjoyed this story.

[Sally Jask-eh · Rating 3 out of 5]

too long, who cares about these characters? spy wannabes, only ever liked
the kooky uncle Hugo and historical aspects. Not enough to spark a passing interest. Come-on I expect better from this author, at least some good laughs or angst to tide me over 😒😭

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other books.

2 mysteries easily solved with little to no stakes (the theft of a good luck book and the hero's identity), no main villain, and no third-act breakup although the heroine did believe that the hero would marry someone else of his station instead of her.

Some notes:

- The hero was a professional thief and decided to give that up before he gets caught. He's a master of disguises and very charming.

- The heroine wears spectacles. The author and cover designer intended to have the glasses on the front cover but then they forgot about it. lol

- So many sayings/quotes were quoted by the characters in this book. They were cool at first but then it got a little annoying when they keep appearing. Example: "To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe."

- 95% - "But what should I call you? Charles? Harry? Henry?" she teased, suddenly bold.
"Yours," he murmured. "Just call me yours."

This quote reminded me of a video shared on an HR group on Facebook. The quote is at the very end of the video. lol.
Bridgerton roleplay - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1968182...

- 97% - Sex up against a wall. I completely forgot about this scene until I reviewed my highlights.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just amazing. I loved it so much. Dare I say that it might actually be my favorite by Kate Bateman... This was just such a fun and cute read. I loved the two main characters, how they met, and how they worked together in different situations and got to know one another. I loved the friend group and how the other girls kept helping the main couple get closer together. And this really just had so many unexpected events that it kept me wondering what would happen next. I truly loved this one and can't wait to read Daisy's book. I just love Kate Bateman's writing so much and this one definitely didn't disappoint!

[K.C. Bateman]

It's release day for How To Fall For A Scoundrel! Woop! Reviewers have called this one "Remington Steele in the Regency" and they're absolutely right. I am so excited for you to meet my charismatic con-man Harry and shy-yet-brilliant wallflower Ellie as they team up to solve crimes and try to abide by Harry's 'Gentleman's Rules of Thieving' rule #4: Never mix theft with seduction.

Want to read an exclusive sneak peek of the first chapter of How To Fall For A Scoundrel? Of course you do! I've put it on a hidden page on my website; check it out it here: https://www.kcbateman.com/how-to-fall...

[Mel (whilemelwasreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to fall for a Scoundrel is book two in Her Majesty's Rebels series and if you're anything like me, after reading Second Duke's the Charm, you've been anticipating Ellie's story! And what a fun one it is!

Ellie is one of the founding members of King & Co- a PI firm the ton would not be happy to know is run by three women. So they've made up a fictional boss 'Charles King'. That is until a mysterious thief steals a kiss from Ellie and decides he's going to play Charles King. They decide to take advantage of the opportunity and work with him on a case. And as Ellie does so, the banter between them soon turns into serious chemistry and lust. But Ellie is sure he's keeping secrets of his own.

I really adored both Ellie and Harry. Ellie is a wallflower with so much more to her than meets the eye. And Harry, that charming scoundrel, he sees that in her and wants to learn more about her. The way he was with her, total swoon. There is definitely an attraction and lust that develops into some great steam. But I loved the verbal sparring that leads us there. These two couldn't be more perfect for one another and it was so fun to see them get their HEA. I really adore the friendships these women have as well and can't wait for Daisy's story!

*I received a complimentary ARC from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. All opinions are my own and given freely.

[Heather | Nerdy By Nature Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

There's nothing Eleanor Law loves more than proving she's just as intelligent as any man. She and her two closest friends are the founders of King & Co., London's most successful PI firm. While they tell everyone the real work gets done by their boss, Charles King, the girls are the brains and muscle behind the operation. So, when a mysterious man claims to be their fictitious boss, Ellie knows he's lying, but his fib could help them crack their latest case.

Harry has had many names throughout his life, his most recent being Henri Bonheur, but what he wants more than anything is to regain his real name. Harry is ready to ditch his criminal past and reclaim what's rightfully his, but to do so, he needs proof, and for that, he needs Ellie. The pair come to a mutually beneficial arrangement, and soon, their proximity leads to a desire that can't be snuffed out. There's no way Ellie can let herself fall for a conman, but will her feelings change once Harry's past comes to light?

Kate 👏🏻 Bateman 👏🏻 never 👏🏻 misses. She's one of my top histrom authors for a reason. Every time I pick up her books, I know I'm guaranteed a good time. Everything from the writing to the characters to the banter is always on point. I was living for how cheeky Harry was. He was a perfect balance of playful and caring. I loved how he loosened Ellie up a bit. It wasn't hard to piece together his backstory, so I didn't find his big reveal all that dramatic, but it was fun watching it all play out. Another thing I love about this series is the friendship between our three MCs. Ellie, Tess, and Daisy are friendship goals, and I love watching them solve crimes and be total badasses together. If you're looking for a fun, steamy new historical romance series to get into, I can't recommend this one enough.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and it was delightful. It was a very fast and easy read. Both character are enjoyable. Harry is a charming rouge without any cruelty in his bones. He is a reformed thief helping the PIs solve a few cases in exchange for their help to move on from his past. Ellie is a bluestocking with social abilities so that is nice. The romance was open door and I liked that Ellie was very confident in her wants and desires. I didn’t read the first and had no issue jumping into this one and need to go back and read the first. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Laura A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor enjoys her job but is surprised when she meets a man who offers his help. She doesn't trust this individual, but her feelings for him deepens. A nice read.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming Regency Romance with mystery, intrigue, and a delightful scoundrel!

King & Co investigation firm gets stirred up in a surprising way when an audacious stranger ambushes Ellie as she tries to procure a new client. Pretending to be the fictional boss, Henri 'Harry' Bonhuer is up to something devious when he forces his way into the business Ellie and her two friends have created.

They are between a rock and a hard place, so they reluctantly agreed to give him a trial run. Ellie is chagrined by this but becomes reluctantly charmed as this former thief shares his secrets bit by bit. He claims to have been a thief and a conman for years but there is something kind about him and a twinkle in his eyes.

As they solve mysteries together, it becomes clear that 'Harry' has a mystery of his own he needs help with. One that could lead them to his real name and a past he has many questions about. But in solving this mystery, it could cause Ellie to never have a chance with him at all. Which is so inconvenient as she may actually have some feelings for the rogue.

This has the classic Kate Bateman charm and was a lovely read. I listened to the audio and it was performed lovingly by Beverley A. Crick. I had an ARC of this book but I bought the audio myself to compliment it. I love KB's audio books.

4 stars
2 on the spice scale

*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A thief and a private investigator team up to solve a theft, and the vibes are basically a case-of-the-week tv episode (think Charlie’s Angels, Remington Steele, White Collar, etc) playing historical dress-up. The plot is as straightforward as it gets—they search for a macguffin, they get a clue, they get another clue, they solve the case. No twisty characters or KJ Charles-level plotting here. I was all set to breeze through it and enjoy myself regardless, and then a bad case of instalove reared its head, along with ye olde hardcore gender essentialism, the kind that bums me out and turns me off.

(For example, a memorable scene where Harry has to dress like a dandy for an undercover recon, and the author takes great pains to assure us that, “On any other man, the ensemble would have looked ridiculous, almost feminine, but on him the flamboyant clothes only served to accentuate his intense masculinity.”)

Sigh. That’s on me for reading outside my lane, but my hope for a quick, fun read with heists and spies didn’t pan out.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[BookishMya · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Even the best laid plans can change’ whether that’s a desire for independence or the belief that you’re happy as a rogue. An ill planned fake betrothal begins an entertaining journey from friendship to everlasting love. Jo & Sheff had the best foundation, friendship and respect. This made some aspects of their story a little easier but there is still plenty of problems ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when at first we begin to deceive.’ As schemes began to unravel, this quote kept tumbling through my mind. Though the tangles were ‘mostly’ not of their creation, they still had one heck of a jumble to work through. Most enticing is the fact that some of those tangles will need to be worked out in future stories, giving us something to look forward to. This story in particular gave me so many of the same feels I had during the Phoenix Society series. In part, due to its involvement in the story and the cameos. Loved revisiting the Phoenix Club and old friends. But also just in the tender feels that it produced. This is a wonderfully written story and I can’t wait for more rogues to fall.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 16th books by Kate Bateman. I really love her writing. Sex is hotly written. Her stories are long, very detailed and not typical ton books. More intrigue, suspense, spies, etc. Stories are a bit heavier read. Intricate detailing but not over a bunch of nonsense. I loved book 1 in this series.

I enjoyed reading Ellie and Harry's story. It had great depth and I loved all their investigative cases, especially his. Always makes for an interesting read. Sex was surprisingly minimal. It didn't seem to be as hot as some of her other books but overall a good read.