Left for dead on the battlefield, Jack, Lord Leete, is rescued by an enemy French officer and his beautiful wife. Now back in England, he has no desire to return a life of rakish pleasures. The glittering ballrooms hold no allure, and the last thing he wants is a silly, simpering young wife. With visions of the seductive Camille La Rochelle still bedeviling his thoughts, he’s sure that true love is beyond his grasp . . .
Clever and caustic, Harriet Farnum has always enjoyed crossing verbal swords with Jack. She loves his wry wit—and his kindness and compassion, which he hides behind the mask of a devil-may-care rogue. However, she knows he’ll never see her as anything but “Harry”, his plain-faced, practical-minded childhood friend.
But when Camille suddenly appears in London and Jack learns that her husband has disappeared while being held prisoner in England, he asks for Harriet’s help in unraveling the mystery—and despite the danger to her own heart, she agrees.
Treachery and deception. As they’re drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit, Jack and Harriet find themselves forced to confront the true meaning of friendship, honor and love—but can Jack realize who really has hold of his heart before it’s too late . . .
Andrea Pickens is a pseudonym for an author who has also written as Cara Elliott for Grand Central and Andrea Penrose for Kensington and NAL. Her historical mysteries and romantic novels are set in Regency England, an era that has fascinated her ever since she picked up a copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
A graduate of Yale, she has won numerous writing awards, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for historical mystery, the Golden Leaf, and she’s been a three-time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award. Her books have been translated into nine different languages.
Harriett Farnum and her oldest brother's friend, Jack Greeley, Lord Leete, are most comfortable with their bickering. After Jack returns from the war on the Peninsula, he runs into the wife of the French regiments' commanding officer who tended his wound in France. She and other Frenchmen are asking many questions about the state of France at the end of the war. As the daughter of a British diplomat, Harriett works with Jack to solve the puzzle of the questions, but it puts them both in danger. It's a complex puzzle with lies and spies. To stop the gossip of their close relationship, it's an engagement of convenience or is it? Kisses only. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.
Solid example of a fun plain-heroine story with an interesting mystery to boot. The romance was somewhat tepid and the book is squeaky-clean, but I still enjoyed it. Could have used a bit more angst, though, in my opinion. And I love chubby heroines! Wish there was more of Theo’s story. (3.5 stars)
A smart and witty heroine and an honorable hero who discovered his love slowly plus some power hungry villains equals an enjoyable read that makes it hard to put this book down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, what a story! If you love a lot of intrigue, mystery along with suspense and Treachery this is the book for you. This is a more of suspense story then a regency romance. I have read other of Andrea’s stories, and they always hold your interest from start to finish. This series is best read in order as you really need to know what happens in book 3 to get the most from this story. Jack, Viscount Leete was badly wounded and left for dead till a French officer, and his wife saved him and nursed him back to health. During that time Jack half fell in love with the very seductive, beautiful wife of Officer La Rochelle, Camille. Now back in London, he is bored with society, the balls and mostly all the mothers who keep parading their young daughters to him in hopes of a marriage. That is the last thing he needs. Jack is shocked when he runs into Camille! What is she doing in London and in the wrong part of town? She is very secretive and scared not wanting to talk to him. Jack finds out her husband is missing, and she is trying to find him. At a ball later he runs into his childhood friend, Harriet, Harry for short. She is the sister of his best friend. They grew up teasing each other, playing tricks on the other and mostly arguing with playful banter. She has always had a crush on Jack but knew he only sees her a friend. Jack is happy and surprised to see Harry and her friend Theo. He asks for her help as her father is diploma. Neither could every guess how much evil, secrets, danger and harm were on its way. Harry and Jack will need to listen and follow each other insight to untangle what is going on. Along with her friend Theo, and his friend James with a wonderful and unusual cast of characters this is a very fast, involved story. Both will learn how truly deceitful and evil people can be. Also, both will finally see each other for who they really are. Be sure to grab a copy and get started to see how it all works out. Am hoping the next book will be about Theo and James.
Andrea Pickens has crafted yet another gripping narrative in her latest book. The protagonist, Jack, Lord Leete, survives a dire encounter on the battlefield, only to be nursed back to health by a French officer and his stunning wife, Camille. Once back in England, Jack finds himself increasingly disenchanted with the social scene and the women vying for his attention.
A bright spot in his life is his childhood friend, Harriet Farnum. Harriet is no conventional beauty, but her intelligence, outspoken nature, and diplomatic lineage make her someone he enjoys spending time with. Their lively debates provide Jack with much-needed intellectual stimulation compared to the trivialities of high society.
When Jack learns of Camille's missing husband, he feels indebted to help and seeks Harriet’s assistance in the matter. Although Harriet has long harbored feelings for Jack, she accepts that he views her merely as a friend. However, as they delve into their investigation, a complex web of danger and intrigue emerges, revealing a sinister French plot. As they navigate these perils together, Jack's perception of Harriet begins to shift.
The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, with deceit, danger, and secrets lurking at every corner. The chemistry between Jack and Harriet evolves beautifully, transitioning from friendship and verbal sparring to genuine affection and love. The slow-burn romance between them is skillfully portrayed, adding depth to the narrative.
The supporting characters, particularly Theo and James, add richness to the story, and I can only hope their futures will be explored in subsequent books.
Andrea Pickens delivers another captivating tale that kept my attention from the start. Her skill in blending romance with intrigue is impressive, and I eagerly await the next installment in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We have Jack Greely, Viscount Leete and heir to Hendrie Earldom recently back from the dead! He was believed dead except Camille and her husband nursed him back to life! This same couple mysteriously appear in London except the husband Pierre appears to be missing! There is treachery and espionage definitely afoot! Jack has a tendre for the married Camille and this story did not at all go like I thought! Jack has been childhood friends with Miss Harriet Farnum aka Harry they argue quite a bit but she is his intelligent voice of reason!! Her father is heavily involved with keeping England safe but guards his secrets closely! As his somewhat frumpy bluestocking daughter and a wallflower she is careful to remain in the background! Harry is a duckling waiting to turn into a swan! She is unaware of her own appeal and is beginning to understand the allure of dressing and acting for the job you want! When it is to attract Jack who you have long had a crush on! Things definitely heat up when more Frenchman with nefarious plans enter the Frey! When Jack is hurt lured to a location by Camille some of the rose colored glasses lift from his eyes! Harry definitely helps him see beyond the facade and examine facts that speak loudly of betrayal! I love when Jack realized the “brick” is way more substantial to his heart and well-being than fluff! Harry best friend Theo is also transformed! Love to see her and James another key player get a HEA! Love the group Harry and Theo are apart of as they also help transform not just the outer appearance but how the ladies see themselves! Bravo well done!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Devil May Care” is book three of Dangerous Liaisons written by Andrea Pickens. We met Harriet, Jack, and Theo in the previous installment, “Sweeter than Sin.” Jack returned from the war against Napoleon after being assumed dead. He was close to death with a saber wound when a French officer and his wife nursed him back to health. Now, he is rudderless and struggling to find his way. He literally collides with longtime family friend, Harriet. Harriet, “Harry”, is the daughter of a diplomat, highly intelligent, clever, and brash, she clashes with the honorable Jack at every turn. When Camille, the wife of the French officer who saved him, shows up in London bemoaning her missing prisoner of war husband, a mystery presents itself to Jack. Jack feels honor bound to locate the man who helped save his life. Needing Harriet’s intelligence, Jack turns to her to help unravel military documents. I enjoyed this story of friends realizing they are more to one another. They worked well together to solve the mystery. The back and forth banter fit the characters and is well written. The story doesn’t lag but moves right along. There are a lot of interesting secondary characters including Theo and James (perhaps a book on their romance is upcoming?), members of Harriet’s household staff, members of her woman’s group, and of course Camille and the various French emigres. High on romance, no steam except for some kissing. This fits the genre of a clean historical romance, with a mystery on the side. This can be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Another suspense/mystery/romance from Andrea Pickens. This time, the story revolves around Jack Greely, Viscount Leete, and heir to the Hendrie Earldom, who has recently returned after being gravely wounded and left for dead on the battlefield. A French officer and his wife, Camille, find him and nurse him back to health. While in their care, Jack falls half in love with Camille, Officer La Rochelle’s wife.
Following his return to London, Jack proceeds to attend various balls and soirees and is dissatisfied with the many mamas trying desperately to steer their daughters his way in the hope of making a match.
While going around London, he is shocked and surprised when he sees Camille and is an unsafe place in London, looking desperately for her missing husband, Jack offers his assistance to do anything he can to help locate her husband. Later that evening, while attending yet another ball, Jack bumps into his childhood friend, Miss Harriet Farnum (“Harry”) and proceeds to give her the background as to how he knows Camille and her husband and that now he needs Harry’s father’s help to try to locate him, seeing as Harry’s father is a diplomat.
The two proceed to work together to solve the puzzle of what happened to Camille’s husband, not realising the harm, danger, and secrets they will uncover and the risk this will put them in. An enjoyable story that held my interest from start to finish and I would recommend. I received an ARC from the publishers and Booksprout and submit my honest review voluntarily.
This is the second book in the Dangerous Liaisons series. It can be read as a standalone story but having read the second in the series I enjoyed this story more than I might have otherwise.
As the blurb of the book says, Jack is back in London after being looked after by a French woman, Celine, and her husband. He had been injured on the battlefield and presumed dead.
Celine seeks him out in London, asking for his help to find her husband, who has gone missing since being held prisoner in England. Of course, Jack agrees to help her. He seeks the help of his good friend Harriet, who, despite being jealous of his affections for Celine, agrees to help him.
I very much enjoyed the story, especially as it had twists and turns that I didn't expect at all. There was definitely some skullduggery afoot and lives were at risk.
Amongst all the drama was the possible romance developing between Jack and Harriet. Friends to lovers? Possibly, you will have to read to find out.
I, myself, couldn't read quickly enough to find out what would happen. Is Celine's husband found? What happened to him? Do Jack and Harriet let their friendship grow into more, or will Celine have something to say about it?
This was a quick but excellent read that I am happy to recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having previously read about Lord Leete's miraculous return to his home, after it was rumored that he had died in battle, he finds himself restless and unable to fit back into his old life. The unexpected encounter with Camille La Rochelle stuns him, and he finds himself being drawn into her web. However, bumping into Miss Harriet Farnam, a childhood friend, he discovers that she is as smart-mouthed and quick-witted as ever. When presented with Camille's conundrum, he realizes that the one person who can best help him unravel it is, in fact, Harriet. Harriet, as always, is following her own drum beat, and with the help of the group of like-minded ladies, she begins to understand what it really means to be a woman who commands respect. Jack sees the changes she is undergoing, and although he does not understand what is happening, she certainly commands his notice. At the last ditch, both Jack and Harriet discover that they are being played, and it takes perfect timing to overcome the odds against them. The closing chapter made me smile as Jack and his friend make a grand gesture, one which stuns Harriet and her friends. I received a copy of this suspenseful and romantic novel as a gift through Oliver Herber Books and BookSprout, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Jack, Lord Leete, who was believed to have died in battle, has miraculously returned to England and his family due to the care of a French officer and his wife. He is still trying to reacclimate himself to being back. He’s shocked to find Camille La Rocchelle (the officer’s wife) is in London. She asks him for help finding her missing husband, but revels very little information. Harriet Farnum is a diplomat’s daughter and a feisty outspoken bluestocking. She meets regularly with a group of women of like mind to discuss suffrage and other topics concerning their standing in Society. When Jack runs into her, he finds that she is the smart and sassy girl he knew, but all grown up. He recruits her to help get information for Camille. The two of them work together to unravel a mystery that seems to involve more than a missing French husband. Along the way, these two find something special. This is a story of intrigue, betrayal, and new beginnings. There are spies, plots, lies, and danger. The riveting mystery and the completely engaging romance make the story hard to put down. I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.
Delightful Regency Romance Brimming with Mystery and Intrigue When Jack returns to England, rescued from captivity by a French officer and his wife, he is grateful—and perhaps a little enamored with the beautiful Camille. So, when he encounters her again in London and learns her husband has vanished, Jack doesn't hesitate to help. He enlists the aid of his spirited childhood friend, Harriet, and together they find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of treachery and deceit. As danger closes in, Jack and Harriet discover their bond runs far deeper than friendship. While Harriet has long known Jack holds her heart, it will take peril, persistence, and no small amount of courage for Jack to realize that love was waiting beside him all along. Fans of historical adventures with heart will find much to love in this delightful story.
This is a sweet romance between childhood friends set within a political mystery plot. Though there were times when the mystery element kept me guessing, Jack's sweet cluelessness about his real feelings towards Harriet was what really carried the novel.
Harriet's character arc includes an ugly-duckling-into-swan transformation, as she learns how to dress and behave like a confident, sophisticated woman. I have mixed feelings about this plotline myself, but I know some readers will love it.
Heat level: kissing only.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first time reading anything from this author and I loved it!
I loved the mystery/suspense/romance
I loveee seeing how the main heroine easily sees through others except for the man she has secretly loved for years.. and I loved how the main hero not only saw her before she became a diamond of the season but as a wallflower.. and he saw past her looks, he saw her for who she is and if it wasn't for her he wouldn't have survived an attack and he knows that..
This story had me captured from the beginning to the end
I can't wait to see what this author has in store next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Which I don’t like. Jack, a viscount, was saved in France by Camille and her husband. Jack holds a deep crush on Camille, the married Camille, who is looking for her husband in England and asking Jack to spy for her. It’s complicated.
Harriet, aka, Harry the Hedgehog, is a diplomats daughter, independent and a proper lady who is anything but. Harriet is smart and progressive with a crush on Jack that she knows is futile. Though Jack likes to verbally spar with Harriet, he’s so enamored with the very French Camille.
The worst kind of betrayal Jack has been saved by and befriended a French officer and his beautiful wife, Camille. Now, he is back in England and when Camille appears in London requesting his help in finding her husband who is a prisoner of war somewhere in England, Jack requests the assistance of Harriet, “Harry”, who has been in love with him forever. But not everything is like it seems and Jack and Harry are plunged in a whirlwind of complots and betrayals. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This third book in the Dangerous Liaisons series was an exciting and engaging historical romance. The drama, action, intrigue, danger, mystery, espionage, attempted murder, past characters appearances, intense emotional issues, and plot twists kept me very entertained. I enjoyed the personal changes the characters began, and their growth throughout was interesting. I really liked the close-knit group of women. Best of all was how everything turned out and how beautifully it ended. I highly recommend reading!
This was a good mystery + romance. Jack was rescued by a married woman Camille, for whom he has a crush. When he comes back home, he bumps into Camille and discovers that her husband is missing. Along with his clever childhood friend Harriett and 2 others, they work through clues to discover the missing man.
While the mystery is the main focus, Harriet and Jack also build on their friendship, and the perception of each other changes into something more romantic. A good friends to lovers book.
Jack enlists Harriet’s help for a friend who helped save his life in the last book not realizing that that friend may have another agenda. Harriet was a wallflower who is offered new dresses to help her feel more attractive. Jack starts to notice when he asks her to be his fake fiance but dark forces work against them in their political pursuits. This was a kisses only romance.
When Jack asks Harriet for her help in finding his friend who is a prisoner of war, he discovers depths to Harriet he hadn't realised were there. The more clues they find and questions they ask, danger seems to be following them. Relying on each other, and learning more about each other brings new depths to their relationship.
I enjoyed the storyline. It has enough suspense to keep me interested. The heroine was sort of a ”plain Jane” but very intelligent. The hero was trying to help the people who saved his life and needs the heroine’s help. There are villains and other secondary characters who add to the intrigue.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoyed reading Jack and Harriet's story of an unexpected friendship an escaped prisoner who just happens to be a French officer and his seductive wife.
This book was given to Marjorie Mindel on instaFreebie. Devil May Care is a combination of historical romance, the pre-cursor to women's rights, and a mystery all rolled up into one book. Andrea Pickens researched the authentic language of the time, the dichotomy between the "haute ton" and the individual thinking women of the time, and devised a thrilling, suspenseful romance. Once again, Cupid's arrow found hearts thought to be to tough for the piercing. Love found its way into rogue's and ladies' unsuspecting hearts. The eternal, and antagonistic, relationship between the French and the English are revealed through the cold-hearted machinations of a few Royalists, although we see a loyal and honorable French Loyalist help thwart the evil plans of the French opportunistic threesome. Bon chance, Andrea Pickens, et merci pour un livre magnifique.
This book was extremely hard for me to follow. I felt completely lost on it. Perhaps if the author had put a better explanation that would lead the reader to the story.