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The Queen's Deadly Damsels #1
The Secret Life of a Lady
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!
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!
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2024
559 people are currently reading
1195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
June 13, 2024
A THIN PLOT AND A SUBPAR MYSTERY
Safe to say, this book did not thrill me. It was short enough for me to want to finish it and Hannah, the female lead, made it somewhat endurable.
What I liked
👍 Hannah: The female lead, Hannah, is a secret, badass spy. I liked how she was able to take care of herself and even save Killian, the male lead, a couple of times. I understand why he was fascinated with her.
What I didn't like
👎 Plot: I was very much not impressed by the plot of this book. It felt super thin and at times barely coherent. I didn't really ever understand why Hannah and Killian decided to fake court, as it seemed like none of them gained anything from it. It's stuff like that that's just too hard for me to overlook.
👎 Mystery: Added to the above issue, the "mystery" of this book was so obviously not a priority. It was hardly planned out at all, played little to no role in the plot and was easily seen through about halfway through the book. It felt more like an afterthought.
👎 Killian: There was one thing in particular, that bothered me about Killian. He had this tendency towards very flowery speech. I didn't find that sexy, romantic or even plausible. Just annoying.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Safe to say, this book did not thrill me. It was short enough for me to want to finish it and Hannah, the female lead, made it somewhat endurable.
What I liked
👍 Hannah: The female lead, Hannah, is a secret, badass spy. I liked how she was able to take care of herself and even save Killian, the male lead, a couple of times. I understand why he was fascinated with her.
What I didn't like
👎 Plot: I was very much not impressed by the plot of this book. It felt super thin and at times barely coherent. I didn't really ever understand why Hannah and Killian decided to fake court, as it seemed like none of them gained anything from it. It's stuff like that that's just too hard for me to overlook.
👎 Mystery: Added to the above issue, the "mystery" of this book was so obviously not a priority. It was hardly planned out at all, played little to no role in the plot and was easily seen through about halfway through the book. It felt more like an afterthought.
👎 Killian: There was one thing in particular, that bothered me about Killian. He had this tendency towards very flowery speech. I didn't find that sexy, romantic or even plausible. Just annoying.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 27, 2024
Spicy Bridgerton meets Murder She Wrote!
I had never heard of this book until the publisher sent me the ARC for book 2. Obviously I had to go out and grab book 1 (this story) and well...so so glad that I did!
I tend to only like YA spice, but this book changed my mind about maybe liking 2-3 peppers of spice!
The "who done it" mystery aspect was so fast paced and that the few spicy scenes were just an added bonus and didn't detract from the story which I loved! And who could forget...enemies to lovers...always the top of the tropes for me!
The reading of Book 2 in the series starts NOW!!!
I had never heard of this book until the publisher sent me the ARC for book 2. Obviously I had to go out and grab book 1 (this story) and well...so so glad that I did!
I tend to only like YA spice, but this book changed my mind about maybe liking 2-3 peppers of spice!
The "who done it" mystery aspect was so fast paced and that the few spicy scenes were just an added bonus and didn't detract from the story which I loved! And who could forget...enemies to lovers...always the top of the tropes for me!
The reading of Book 2 in the series starts NOW!!!
May 16, 2024
This was so close to 4 stars, it just felt like something was missing and I think it was their relationship.
We follow Lady Hannah Simmons (a spy?? I’m actually not sure was she was supposed to be) working for the queen, solving crime and other slay girl things. She’s described in the synopsis as “femme fatale”, which is exactly the opposite of what she as she has no idea how to use her feminine wiles (which is disappointing, I was expecting a seductress and instead got a little nervous thing). Simmons ends up clashing with Robert Killian (a private investigator) as they are attempting to solve the same murder.
I loved a lot about this; the setting, the murder mystery, the side-characters, the dialogue. But the romance felt so lacking. I felt like I was two minutes in before he was already trying to lay one on her. Which. fair play, but he had this whole speech about how he is a perfect gentleman and comes from excellent breeding?? I digress. I wish more time had been spent building up the romance, or at the very least, the tension. It’s fair to build a relationship off of a lust, but even their initial connection felt out of nowhere. We didn’t really know Simmons or Killian as characters before they started boinking.
Excellently written, but the intercharacter relationships were too shallow for me. I will say, I loved Drake (he’s hilarious) so hopefully we get his story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We follow Lady Hannah Simmons (a spy?? I’m actually not sure was she was supposed to be) working for the queen, solving crime and other slay girl things. She’s described in the synopsis as “femme fatale”, which is exactly the opposite of what she as she has no idea how to use her feminine wiles (which is disappointing, I was expecting a seductress and instead got a little nervous thing). Simmons ends up clashing with Robert Killian (a private investigator) as they are attempting to solve the same murder.
I loved a lot about this; the setting, the murder mystery, the side-characters, the dialogue. But the romance felt so lacking. I felt like I was two minutes in before he was already trying to lay one on her. Which. fair play, but he had this whole speech about how he is a perfect gentleman and comes from excellent breeding?? I digress. I wish more time had been spent building up the romance, or at the very least, the tension. It’s fair to build a relationship off of a lust, but even their initial connection felt out of nowhere. We didn’t really know Simmons or Killian as characters before they started boinking.
Excellently written, but the intercharacter relationships were too shallow for me. I will say, I loved Drake (he’s hilarious) so hopefully we get his story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 29, 2024
What a fantastic blend of historical romance and spy thriller! I can't decide what I loved more - the relationship between Hannah Simmons, companion/secret agent, and Robert Killian, Duke/secret agent, or the mystery plot, which has both trying to track down the person responsible for a murder. Hannah and Robert have similar jobs, but report to people who have different views on justice. They each have trauma in their pasts that drive them. These traumas come out and bring them closer as their relationship develops.
The pace is fast and characters are compelling. I truly hope the secondary characters get their own books. This would be a great start for a series!
The pace is fast and characters are compelling. I truly hope the secondary characters get their own books. This would be a great start for a series!
April 23, 2024
📖 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐌𝐜𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞
‘𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘴.’ 𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳. '𝘈 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.'
Darcy McGuire’s debut book was such a delight. Hannah was such a bada** female lead. A female spy working for the Queen?! I was hooked. The entire book is filled with strong women.
General Robert Killian, Duke of Covington, made for the perfect tortured hero. He is struggling with what took place during the war and he doesn’t believe himself to be a good man. As he works to solve a murder under the direction of the prime minister, he encounters a beautiful and fierce woman that defies all the rules of society.
There is so much angsty tension and banter between Killian and Hannah and I ate it up! Killian helps Hannah explore her sexuality. The spicy lessons were great. This is one of my favorite tropes!
The mystery and suspense of who the killer is, was great. This story also leaves the door open for future books. I have my fingers crossed that broody and love hating, Drake, will get his own book!
If you love spicy historical romances with a dash of murder mystery and espionage, this book is for you!
'𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴? 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘴? 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵?'
'𝘈𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦.' 😮💨
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 releases on June 14!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
💖 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
🎭 𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦
🩶 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰
🥵 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳
🫶🏼 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
🔥 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 (2🌶️)
‘𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘫𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘴.’ 𝘏𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘳. '𝘈 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶.'
Darcy McGuire’s debut book was such a delight. Hannah was such a bada** female lead. A female spy working for the Queen?! I was hooked. The entire book is filled with strong women.
General Robert Killian, Duke of Covington, made for the perfect tortured hero. He is struggling with what took place during the war and he doesn’t believe himself to be a good man. As he works to solve a murder under the direction of the prime minister, he encounters a beautiful and fierce woman that defies all the rules of society.
There is so much angsty tension and banter between Killian and Hannah and I ate it up! Killian helps Hannah explore her sexuality. The spicy lessons were great. This is one of my favorite tropes!
The mystery and suspense of who the killer is, was great. This story also leaves the door open for future books. I have my fingers crossed that broody and love hating, Drake, will get his own book!
If you love spicy historical romances with a dash of murder mystery and espionage, this book is for you!
'𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴? 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘴? 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵?'
'𝘈𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦.' 😮💨
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 releases on June 14!
𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
💖 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
🎭 𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦
🩶 𝘛𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘰
🥵 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳
🫶🏼 𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
🔥 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘺 (2🌶️)
September 27, 2024
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Lady Hannah Simmons might appear to be your usual, run of the mill wallflower, but she's hiding the fact that she is one of the Queen's deadly damsels. Using the fact she can easily hide amongst the crowds to discover the ton's secrets, Hannah has never failed yet, but Robert Killian, a Duke, ex-war hero, and investigator for the Prime Minister is about to put her to the test. Neither is about to give up the challenge, or the thrill of the chase, without a fight.
When this book popped up on my NG account, I knew I needed to read it. I loved historical romances, especially when there's a mystery aspect, and The Secret Life of a Lady fit all that, and more. Hannah is the illegitimate daughter of a duke, and currently she lives and works for her stepmother, the dowager duchess, as well as for the Queen. Her background is just good enough to get a foot in the door at ton events, but lowly enough that she can come and go without much notice. Except from Robert, who spots her straight away, and is intrigued enough to follow her. A duke himself, his background is impeccable, and the fact he is also a decorated war hero doesn't hurt either. He wants Hannah, but the difference in their stations is difficult for him to overcome - he's very much a Darcyesque figure in this. I liked that Hannah made him work for her love and respect, and he changed for the better because of it. This book was a really good start to a new series, and from a new author who I'll be on the lookout to read again in the future.
Lady Hannah Simmons might appear to be your usual, run of the mill wallflower, but she's hiding the fact that she is one of the Queen's deadly damsels. Using the fact she can easily hide amongst the crowds to discover the ton's secrets, Hannah has never failed yet, but Robert Killian, a Duke, ex-war hero, and investigator for the Prime Minister is about to put her to the test. Neither is about to give up the challenge, or the thrill of the chase, without a fight.
When this book popped up on my NG account, I knew I needed to read it. I loved historical romances, especially when there's a mystery aspect, and The Secret Life of a Lady fit all that, and more. Hannah is the illegitimate daughter of a duke, and currently she lives and works for her stepmother, the dowager duchess, as well as for the Queen. Her background is just good enough to get a foot in the door at ton events, but lowly enough that she can come and go without much notice. Except from Robert, who spots her straight away, and is intrigued enough to follow her. A duke himself, his background is impeccable, and the fact he is also a decorated war hero doesn't hurt either. He wants Hannah, but the difference in their stations is difficult for him to overcome - he's very much a Darcyesque figure in this. I liked that Hannah made him work for her love and respect, and he changed for the better because of it. This book was a really good start to a new series, and from a new author who I'll be on the lookout to read again in the future.
April 18, 2024
The Secret Life of a Lady is the first book in a new series of historical romances. Miss Hannah Simmons may appear as a wallflower to society, but she leads a double life as Queen Victoria’s top spy, on a mission to apprehend a dangerous killer. When she crosses paths with damaged yet irresistible war hero Duke Robert Killian (now Private Investigator to the Prime Minister), they find themselves competing on the same task, sparking both frustration and desire.
I quickly devoured this historical romance and I loved the balance of plot and romance. There's absolutely no filler in this book, and there's always something exciting happening - new information uncovered in the murder mystery plot, or developments in Hannah and Killian's relationship. Hannah is a really strong character and her relationship with Killian was perfect (and very sexy!).
I also loved seeing Hannah's relationships develop with her new friends, and I'm very intrigued to see whether the future books in this series continue to focus on Hannah and Killian, or whether the focus will shift to her new friends. I hope that the other ladies get their own books but either way, I am definitely going to carry on this series! There are so many interesting side characters and stories to be told in this world that I just can't wait to see what's next.
So, I loved the historical setting, the spy/investigator mystery action, and the romance between the main characters - it was everything I wanted!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
I quickly devoured this historical romance and I loved the balance of plot and romance. There's absolutely no filler in this book, and there's always something exciting happening - new information uncovered in the murder mystery plot, or developments in Hannah and Killian's relationship. Hannah is a really strong character and her relationship with Killian was perfect (and very sexy!).
I also loved seeing Hannah's relationships develop with her new friends, and I'm very intrigued to see whether the future books in this series continue to focus on Hannah and Killian, or whether the focus will shift to her new friends. I hope that the other ladies get their own books but either way, I am definitely going to carry on this series! There are so many interesting side characters and stories to be told in this world that I just can't wait to see what's next.
So, I loved the historical setting, the spy/investigator mystery action, and the romance between the main characters - it was everything I wanted!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 28, 2024
It was almost a 4 star for me, I thought so until half way through the book, but in the end I missed several things.
I don't like it when the romance develops too quickly. Here, by the second chapter they're practically smitten with each other. That might not have been a problem but the author tried to create an enemies to lovers or at least rivals to lovers relationship and it didn't work.
Then I missed tension. It's a mystery that our protagonists are trying to solve but there's not that much searching for clues or stakes in the end. There are far more intimate moments between them than mystery. And honestly, it was pretty clear from the start who the culprit was (and I'm normally terrible at guessing).
Underneath the desire to write historical fiction with spicy scenes, we lose the stakes of a mystery genre and that's a shame because apart from these points, I enjoyed my reading, the style is fluid and the characters have personality.
A few passages pulled me out of my reading (the use of modern-day words when we're in the early 19th century) but apart from that it's a fairly solid novel and most of the points that bothered me are personal preferences.
Thank you to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I don't like it when the romance develops too quickly. Here, by the second chapter they're practically smitten with each other. That might not have been a problem but the author tried to create an enemies to lovers or at least rivals to lovers relationship and it didn't work.
Then I missed tension. It's a mystery that our protagonists are trying to solve but there's not that much searching for clues or stakes in the end. There are far more intimate moments between them than mystery. And honestly, it was pretty clear from the start who the culprit was (and I'm normally terrible at guessing).
Underneath the desire to write historical fiction with spicy scenes, we lose the stakes of a mystery genre and that's a shame because apart from these points, I enjoyed my reading, the style is fluid and the characters have personality.
A few passages pulled me out of my reading (the use of modern-day words when we're in the early 19th century) but apart from that it's a fairly solid novel and most of the points that bothered me are personal preferences.
Thank you to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 28, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Boldwood Books via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An intelligent historical novel with sensible, believable characters, “The Secret Life of a Lady”, by Darcy McGuire, is about romance and passion but also encompasses themes as women subjugation, and poverty in 19th century London.
Killian and Hannah are wonderful characters, both credible and relatable. The building of attraction and intimacy was excellent, beginning with mutual care, respect and gentleness.
Killian is a tortured soul, but also a very resolute and pragmatic duke, aware of his duties and responsabilities.
I enjoyed how he assumed his classism and prejudice and how he evolved to a more modern approach due to his feelings for Hannah. A humble alpha male…
The heroine is strong and determined, a warrior, but has a soft core.
The sensuality, passion, and humor between the romantic couple, and how they partner in a common mission are also interesting.
I liked the secondary characters, hoping some will have their own story.
I also liked the writing style and how the author described some dramatic aspects of 19th century London poverty, while bringing some resolution and compassion.
An intelligent historical novel with sensible, believable characters, “The Secret Life of a Lady”, by Darcy McGuire, is about romance and passion but also encompasses themes as women subjugation, and poverty in 19th century London.
Killian and Hannah are wonderful characters, both credible and relatable. The building of attraction and intimacy was excellent, beginning with mutual care, respect and gentleness.
Killian is a tortured soul, but also a very resolute and pragmatic duke, aware of his duties and responsabilities.
I enjoyed how he assumed his classism and prejudice and how he evolved to a more modern approach due to his feelings for Hannah. A humble alpha male…
The heroine is strong and determined, a warrior, but has a soft core.
The sensuality, passion, and humor between the romantic couple, and how they partner in a common mission are also interesting.
I liked the secondary characters, hoping some will have their own story.
I also liked the writing style and how the author described some dramatic aspects of 19th century London poverty, while bringing some resolution and compassion.
May 8, 2024
2.5 ✨
Well finishing this book was hard !! It took me 9 days and it’s only 278 pages.
Honestly I didn’t liked it which is very sad because it had a lot of potential, the writing was beautiful but the characters… let’s just say they are not favorites of mine at all. The romance is instalust which I don’t like at all, it’s almost impossible for me to connect this way. But I might have liked it better if the 🌶️ scene weren’t so cringe
For the story, the murderer was oblivious, it would have worked better if more characters were introduced.
I wouldn’t have been against more detective work scenes and maybe less 🌶️ ones
So yea not a fan of it, but I hope you will like it more than me.
Well finishing this book was hard !! It took me 9 days and it’s only 278 pages.
Honestly I didn’t liked it which is very sad because it had a lot of potential, the writing was beautiful but the characters… let’s just say they are not favorites of mine at all. The romance is instalust which I don’t like at all, it’s almost impossible for me to connect this way. But I might have liked it better if the 🌶️ scene weren’t so cringe
For the story, the murderer was oblivious, it would have worked better if more characters were introduced.
I wouldn’t have been against more detective work scenes and maybe less 🌶️ ones
So yea not a fan of it, but I hope you will like it more than me.
August 13, 2024
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton. I would love to see this play out on screen.
May 12, 2024
What great fun, especially for those who just can't wait for the next Bridgerton season. A swoony Regency histrom mystery that kept me rapt throughout. Recommended!
August 30, 2025
I enjoyed this more than most of the Bridgerton books combined, I thought it was well written and I liked the heroine of the story a lot! The spicy scenes were appropriate for the setting and time period and that was appreciated as well. All the side characters stood out and were fleshed out leading me to believe they could be main characters of future books. Not five stars because the mystery took a major back burner once they started smooching and it wasn't much of a reveal.
September 24, 2025
5/5 stars. Gosh, I really loved this book. It had me laughing from the very start and I loved the relationship between Hannah and Killian. Who doesn’t love a strong, capable, intelligent woman being loved by a strong, broody, capable man? The murder mystery was a nice touch and I appreciated that there was actual action on screen. Special shoutout to the Duchess, Lady Philippa for being wonderfully hilarious and the comical beginning scenes between her and Mr. Stokes.
December 11, 2024
I got the second book in this series as an ARC from NetGalley without realizing it was part of a series, so naturally, I had to start with the first book. As someone who’s pretty picky with historical fiction—typically preferring stories written by women or told from a woman’s perspective—The Secret Life of a Lady by Darcy McGuire hit the mark for me.
Our FMC, Hannah, is a wallflower by day and a deadly assassin by night, making her the perfect undercover operative. Tasked by the queen and duchess to find a killer targeting women, she crosses paths with Killian, a duke and ex-war hero turned private investigator for the Prime Minister. The two are equally determined to solve the case, leading to a dynamic partnership oscillating between fiery annoyance and undeniable attraction.
I wasn’t expecting this book to be so spicy, but I loved it! The heat added a layer of intrigue to the historical setting, especially since women’s sexuality was so taboo during this time period. Hannah’s fiercely independent nature stood out—she’s unapologetically herself and challenges those around her to respect her freedom and autonomy.
The audiobook was a quick and entertaining listen. I loved the mix of mystery, romance, and a bold female lead, all set against the backdrop of historical intrigue. If you like your historical fiction with strong feminist vibes and a bit of steam, this one’s for you!
Check out my full video review here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8NyaJjE/
Our FMC, Hannah, is a wallflower by day and a deadly assassin by night, making her the perfect undercover operative. Tasked by the queen and duchess to find a killer targeting women, she crosses paths with Killian, a duke and ex-war hero turned private investigator for the Prime Minister. The two are equally determined to solve the case, leading to a dynamic partnership oscillating between fiery annoyance and undeniable attraction.
I wasn’t expecting this book to be so spicy, but I loved it! The heat added a layer of intrigue to the historical setting, especially since women’s sexuality was so taboo during this time period. Hannah’s fiercely independent nature stood out—she’s unapologetically herself and challenges those around her to respect her freedom and autonomy.
The audiobook was a quick and entertaining listen. I loved the mix of mystery, romance, and a bold female lead, all set against the backdrop of historical intrigue. If you like your historical fiction with strong feminist vibes and a bit of steam, this one’s for you!
Check out my full video review here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8NyaJjE/
April 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, 🌶️🌶️.5
Two undercover detectives searching for a murderer fall in love. She’s a Lady’s companion, he’s a Duke. Hannah and Killian are hot together. Love that Hannah is a serious bad ass. Some of the language used is modern but not enough to throw you off the mid 1800s vibe.
Two undercover detectives searching for a murderer fall in love. She’s a Lady’s companion, he’s a Duke. Hannah and Killian are hot together. Love that Hannah is a serious bad ass. Some of the language used is modern but not enough to throw you off the mid 1800s vibe.
August 4, 2024
The PERFECT combination of murder mystery, romance, & historical fiction. This book was fascinating, and each turn of the plot was unexpected and exciting. Killian is coy and sweet; and Hannah is fiesty and resolute. Their journey through this book is captivating. I loved this story and can't wait for the next book to release from Darcy McGuire!!
May 19, 2025
This popped up in my suggestions list on the Kindle app, and since I had just read two very heavy books, I felt I deserved a little fluff.
What I did like about this book was that the writing was quite good, in that the flow and the pacing of the prose worked well. Sometimes when I read a romance novel, the writing is is choppy that I’m constantly thrown out of the story. It was also a cute story line, with a damaged, sad male protagonist and a badass assassin of a female protagonist.
However, there were things I took issue with. For one thing, Hannah has no need to wear men’s boots. In the Victorian era, any woman who had to work wore sturdy footwear, so if she really needed that style of shoe, it would have been available at any cobbler’s. Most footwear was still made to order.
It’s also very unclear why and how Hannah became an agent for the queen. And I highly doubt the queen would care about a dead maid in a coffin, so putting two of her agents onto such a case makes little sense. By the same token, why would the Prime Minister care either? That’s why Killian and Drake were investigating. Maids just weren’t really high on the list of folks that such exalted people as queens and Prime Ministers would be terribly concerned about.
Not only that, if Hannah is this badass, highly trained, skilled assassin, why is she so weak in the bedroom? I get that we’re supposed to believe that Killian was her sexual awakening, but I’m not a huge fan of the man being this super experienced lover and the woman not even understanding the functions of her own body. The whole “I’ve never felt these flutterings and desires before!” is a crock; most teenagers are walking meatsuits of hormones, so I find it highly unlikely that a person would have gotten to the age of 24 and never felt any form of desire (unless they’re asexual, which Hannah clearly is not).
I understand that this book is really there for the spicy scenes, that the rest of the story is somewhat immaterial, but I still prefer a bit of plot with my smut.
What I did like about this book was that the writing was quite good, in that the flow and the pacing of the prose worked well. Sometimes when I read a romance novel, the writing is is choppy that I’m constantly thrown out of the story. It was also a cute story line, with a damaged, sad male protagonist and a badass assassin of a female protagonist.
However, there were things I took issue with. For one thing, Hannah has no need to wear men’s boots. In the Victorian era, any woman who had to work wore sturdy footwear, so if she really needed that style of shoe, it would have been available at any cobbler’s. Most footwear was still made to order.
It’s also very unclear why and how Hannah became an agent for the queen. And I highly doubt the queen would care about a dead maid in a coffin, so putting two of her agents onto such a case makes little sense. By the same token, why would the Prime Minister care either? That’s why Killian and Drake were investigating. Maids just weren’t really high on the list of folks that such exalted people as queens and Prime Ministers would be terribly concerned about.
Not only that, if Hannah is this badass, highly trained, skilled assassin, why is she so weak in the bedroom? I get that we’re supposed to believe that Killian was her sexual awakening, but I’m not a huge fan of the man being this super experienced lover and the woman not even understanding the functions of her own body. The whole “I’ve never felt these flutterings and desires before!” is a crock; most teenagers are walking meatsuits of hormones, so I find it highly unlikely that a person would have gotten to the age of 24 and never felt any form of desire (unless they’re asexual, which Hannah clearly is not).
I understand that this book is really there for the spicy scenes, that the rest of the story is somewhat immaterial, but I still prefer a bit of plot with my smut.
March 16, 2025
This book was okay. More of a 2.5 than a 3 star, but overall I enjoyed it so I was charitable and rounded up.
Here's the thing, I understood going in that this was a combo mystery and romance and I have no problem whatsoever with romance being a PART of an overall plot in a book. I also have no problem with a bit of sex between characters when I know a book is part romance. This book took both too far over the top on both for my tastes.
Honestly, almost the entire middle section of the book was one long sex scene. The character wanting sex, fantasizing about sex, having sex - honestly, it was just WAY. TOO. MUCH. At least for this reader.
Especially because we're led to believe that both the male and female main characters are seasoned, hard-edged operatives, spying for , respectively, the Queen and the Prime Minister of England. Believing that both of them would be so completely besotted with each other that they couldn't think of much else and that they would do incredibly stupid things just stretched my ability to believe a shade too far.
Don't get me wrong - I LIKED both the Duke and Hannah and I was happy they found each other, but good lord, people - just GET A ROOM already and requite that unrequited passion and then get back to work finding the bad guys!
Fortunately, in the end, they did exactly that and the ending was satisfying. I just could have done without all the straining bosoms, and rock hard ... well, you know what I'm saying. It was over the top for this reader.
Here's the thing, I understood going in that this was a combo mystery and romance and I have no problem whatsoever with romance being a PART of an overall plot in a book. I also have no problem with a bit of sex between characters when I know a book is part romance. This book took both too far over the top on both for my tastes.
Honestly, almost the entire middle section of the book was one long sex scene. The character wanting sex, fantasizing about sex, having sex - honestly, it was just WAY. TOO. MUCH. At least for this reader.
Especially because we're led to believe that both the male and female main characters are seasoned, hard-edged operatives, spying for , respectively, the Queen and the Prime Minister of England. Believing that both of them would be so completely besotted with each other that they couldn't think of much else and that they would do incredibly stupid things just stretched my ability to believe a shade too far.
Don't get me wrong - I LIKED both the Duke and Hannah and I was happy they found each other, but good lord, people - just GET A ROOM already and requite that unrequited passion and then get back to work finding the bad guys!
Fortunately, in the end, they did exactly that and the ending was satisfying. I just could have done without all the straining bosoms, and rock hard ... well, you know what I'm saying. It was over the top for this reader.
May 5, 2024
Too much instalust for me, especially for a book with a description that implies rivals to lovers. There were heavy handed coincidences to move the plot along. Hannah may be a good fighter, but we never see her not be a bumbling spy, and Killian is no better. The real culprit was clear a mile away. The mystery plot fell to the wayside and the relationship was underdeveloped. I never felt the stakes on either front. The mystery was too slow and the “love” too fast.
But if you want instalust, steam, and don’t care about the terrible mystery, though, you'll love this first in a new series. Drake and Ivy piqued my interest, but I'll wait and see reviews for future books before reading.
I received an arc from netgalley.
But if you want instalust, steam, and don’t care about the terrible mystery, though, you'll love this first in a new series. Drake and Ivy piqued my interest, but I'll wait and see reviews for future books before reading.
I received an arc from netgalley.
May 15, 2024
I'm not always a romance reader, but this book kept me turning pages. Darcy McGuire weaved a "deadly" combination of a mystery based on true historical crime events with strong, fictional characters and unbelievably steamy romance scenes that made me blush. The amazing writing style and historical vocabulary puts you back in time; however, I also appreciated the strong, female protagonist, who simultaneously defied that time period, and fit right in. This definitely is a great first novel, and I'm ready for future books from Darcy McGuire!
October 18, 2025
The Secret Life of a Lady by Darcy McGuire is an absolute must-read for fans of historical fiction looking for a gripping blend of romance and suspense. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, which masterfully combines the scandalous sexual tension and desire reminiscent of Bridgerton with the thrilling murder mystery structure of an Agatha Christie classic.
The book plunges the reader straight into the action. There’s no easing into the story; it goes directly to the point from the get-go, a bold choice that immediately commands attention and sets a rapid, engaging pace.
McGuire’s ability to weave two distinct genres is nothing short of amazing. She toggles effortlessly between the escalating love story and the unfolding murder plot, creating a dynamic narrative where you become so engrossed in one thread that you momentarily forget the other, only to be drawn back in with renewed urgency. This technique truly keeps the reader at the edge of their seat, page after page.
The climax delivers a stunning payoff: an unexpected plot twist at the end that will genuinely make your jaw drop to the floor.
If you enjoy a book filled with scandalous page-turner moments alongside a thrilling mystery, The Secret Life of a Lady is a historical fiction novel you need to add to your list.
The book plunges the reader straight into the action. There’s no easing into the story; it goes directly to the point from the get-go, a bold choice that immediately commands attention and sets a rapid, engaging pace.
McGuire’s ability to weave two distinct genres is nothing short of amazing. She toggles effortlessly between the escalating love story and the unfolding murder plot, creating a dynamic narrative where you become so engrossed in one thread that you momentarily forget the other, only to be drawn back in with renewed urgency. This technique truly keeps the reader at the edge of their seat, page after page.
The climax delivers a stunning payoff: an unexpected plot twist at the end that will genuinely make your jaw drop to the floor.
If you enjoy a book filled with scandalous page-turner moments alongside a thrilling mystery, The Secret Life of a Lady is a historical fiction novel you need to add to your list.
September 23, 2024
"The Secret Life of a Lady" has got me completely hooked. Darcy McGuire crafted a historical masterpiece that's equal parts captivating and thought-provoking.
Now, let's talk characters. Killian and Hannah? They're the heart of the story, and their dynamic is just captivating. Killian's a complex, tortured soul with a pragmatic edge, while Hannah's strength and resilience shine through. Their chemistry? Off the charts.
But it's not just romance and intrigue here. McGuire dives deep into some heavy themes, shedding light on the struggles of women and the gritty reality of poverty in 19th century London. And the murder mystery subplot? It adds a whole new layer of excitement.
Secondary characters? They're solid, and I'm crossing my fingers for spin-offs. McGuire's writing paints a vivid picture of the era, and that cover? It's eye-catching, for sure.
Bottom line? "The Secret Life of a Lady" is a must-read. McGuire's storytelling had me hooked from start to finish. Big thanks to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the early copy. You guys nailed it.
Now, let's talk characters. Killian and Hannah? They're the heart of the story, and their dynamic is just captivating. Killian's a complex, tortured soul with a pragmatic edge, while Hannah's strength and resilience shine through. Their chemistry? Off the charts.
But it's not just romance and intrigue here. McGuire dives deep into some heavy themes, shedding light on the struggles of women and the gritty reality of poverty in 19th century London. And the murder mystery subplot? It adds a whole new layer of excitement.
Secondary characters? They're solid, and I'm crossing my fingers for spin-offs. McGuire's writing paints a vivid picture of the era, and that cover? It's eye-catching, for sure.
Bottom line? "The Secret Life of a Lady" is a must-read. McGuire's storytelling had me hooked from start to finish. Big thanks to Darcy McGuire, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the early copy. You guys nailed it.
July 28, 2025
This was a quick fun read. I was hooked on the premise-- historical enemies to lovers with two rival detectives/secret agents (the MMC falls in love with the FMC when she beats up more criminals in a dark alley than him.) I don't know if the execution and pacing issues totally lived up to my expectations but I did enjoy it. I appreciated that both characters felt their background and past actions made them dark and unlovable, since that's usually just a male characteristic in historicals. I also liked the dynamic where Killian feels that proposing to Hannah is saving the last bit of his honor and loyalty and that's the very reason Hannah turns him down because she doesn't want to feel like a burden to anyone else. I would have liked more resolution regarding the mystery plot but I guess that's what the other books in the series are for!
November 10, 2024
Lady Hannah Simmons is seen by the ton as a wallflower, but she has a secret: she is part of a select group of young ladies who are agents of Queen Victoria. She also happens to be quite skilled with daggers and pistols.
Duke Robert Killian is a former soldier and war hero. He's also a private investigator for the Prime Minister.
Robert and Hannah end up working the same case, and in the process, they engage in a fascinatingly spark-filled romance.
Darcy McGuire gives the reader the perfect mix of intrigue, romance, witty banter, and spy games. It is definitely a winner and a wonderful series debut!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
Duke Robert Killian is a former soldier and war hero. He's also a private investigator for the Prime Minister.
Robert and Hannah end up working the same case, and in the process, they engage in a fascinatingly spark-filled romance.
Darcy McGuire gives the reader the perfect mix of intrigue, romance, witty banter, and spy games. It is definitely a winner and a wonderful series debut!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
December 11, 2024
4 stars
Hear me out. Was this entirely cohesive? No. But it was fun and none of the characters annoyed me so for that it goes in the success pile.
The ‘fake courting’ made very little sense and ended as quickly as it began but the fact he was immediately in love with her didn’t bother me because it’s not like he met her at a ball or something – he caught her breaking and entering and then taking down four grown men. Fair play. Plus, usually when there’s conflict one character is right and the other is being stupid for the sake of drawing the plot out. This wasn’t like that and I’m very grateful for it.
All in all, this is the correct kind of silly.
Hear me out. Was this entirely cohesive? No. But it was fun and none of the characters annoyed me so for that it goes in the success pile.
The ‘fake courting’ made very little sense and ended as quickly as it began but the fact he was immediately in love with her didn’t bother me because it’s not like he met her at a ball or something – he caught her breaking and entering and then taking down four grown men. Fair play. Plus, usually when there’s conflict one character is right and the other is being stupid for the sake of drawing the plot out. This wasn’t like that and I’m very grateful for it.
All in all, this is the correct kind of silly.
March 1, 2025
I have nothing bad to say about this book other than I really enjoyed it.
This is exactly what I needed after a murder mystery and read it so quickly. The storyline and setting was perfection. I really loved all the characters and I thought Hannah & Killian were the perfect pairing.
The description about the clothing of the era and powder rooms and dresses was just perfect.
The ‘Bridgerton’ era really made this a special book for me. The way women were perceived at the time was brilliantly written but also having a strong female lead for that time was what made this book so good. I really enjoyed Hannah’s character a lot.
This is exactly what I needed after a murder mystery and read it so quickly. The storyline and setting was perfection. I really loved all the characters and I thought Hannah & Killian were the perfect pairing.
The description about the clothing of the era and powder rooms and dresses was just perfect.
The ‘Bridgerton’ era really made this a special book for me. The way women were perceived at the time was brilliantly written but also having a strong female lead for that time was what made this book so good. I really enjoyed Hannah’s character a lot.
September 19, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Despite this book’s light-hearted looking illustrative covers, it’s a seriously gritty and dark investigative series. In this one, both of our leads continually reference a darkness inside of them that they wonder if the other will match. Killian suffers from PTSD and extreme guilt and shame due to watching his men being held captive and tortured for two years during the recent war. And Hannah is no sheltered Miss; her mother was a professional mistress, and a dark tragedy in her past has left her distrustful of men and has created a badass lady warrior in its stead. When these two meet as their investigations overlap, their fiery animosity can’t trump their growing attraction. And soon the two engage in not only a fake courtship for show to help them continue their investigations (and keep an eye on the other), but also a secret liaison in private. One where Hannah can explore her desires, and Killian is more than happy to oblige her curiosity. It’s hot, but it’s dark; don’t let the covers fool you. I loved how this series starter brings this group of women together and how each has some hidden depth and secrets. It really hooks you into this series right from the start, and I’m excited I’ll get each one of these women’s stories. Oh yeah, we’re also investigating a secret society that’s trapping women in coffins (still alive)…we’re talking almost Maiden Lane levels of dark here. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series.
I would appreciate clearer CWs and a less deceptively cute cover.
Despite this book’s light-hearted looking illustrative covers, it’s a seriously gritty and dark investigative series. In this one, both of our leads continually reference a darkness inside of them that they wonder if the other will match. Killian suffers from PTSD and extreme guilt and shame due to watching his men being held captive and tortured for two years during the recent war. And Hannah is no sheltered Miss; her mother was a professional mistress, and a dark tragedy in her past has left her distrustful of men and has created a badass lady warrior in its stead. When these two meet as their investigations overlap, their fiery animosity can’t trump their growing attraction. And soon the two engage in not only a fake courtship for show to help them continue their investigations (and keep an eye on the other), but also a secret liaison in private. One where Hannah can explore her desires, and Killian is more than happy to oblige her curiosity. It’s hot, but it’s dark; don’t let the covers fool you. I loved how this series starter brings this group of women together and how each has some hidden depth and secrets. It really hooks you into this series right from the start, and I’m excited I’ll get each one of these women’s stories. Oh yeah, we’re also investigating a secret society that’s trapping women in coffins (still alive)…we’re talking almost Maiden Lane levels of dark here. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to continue with the rest of the series.
I would appreciate clearer CWs and a less deceptively cute cover.
June 3, 2025
3.75 Stars, rounding up. This is a solid regency era romance, and I genuinely enjoyed the two main characters. The plot started out strong and kept my attention the whole way. There was angst. There was lust. It had all the right ingredients.
However, I wish the author had made this story more of a slow burn because I felt like Hannah and Killian turned up the heat too quickly. I also found the intimate scenes a little hard to get through because of the FMC’s lack of experience. The mystery portion of this book could have been fleshed out just a little bit better.
However, I wish the author had made this story more of a slow burn because I felt like Hannah and Killian turned up the heat too quickly. I also found the intimate scenes a little hard to get through because of the FMC’s lack of experience. The mystery portion of this book could have been fleshed out just a little bit better.
November 1, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I like a blend of romance and action/adventure. Hannah works for Queen Victoria and is trying to catch a killer. However, other forces in the form of a duke working for the prime minister, are on the same trail. When they finally collide, they admire each other’s skills and begin to work together. It is an interesting investigation that brings them emotionally closer. Both have secrets in their past that need the other person to support them with. An enjoyable story with well written characterisation.
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