The Scoundrel and the Siren

Princes of London #2

by Christy Carlyle

In the next installment of the swoon-worthy Princes of London series, Christy Carlyle takes readers on a heart-pounding hunt through Norfolk where a legendary treasure hunter and a fierce local woman battle over a Viking hoard, each determined to claim it for their own—and neither willing to lose their heart in the process…

Dominic Prince is passionate, tenacious, and determined to carve out a legendary name for himself—just like his famous treasure-hunting father. When an American tycoon funds his expedition to uncover a Viking hoard in Norfolk and ship it across the Atlantic, Dominic sees his chance to claim glory. If he can unearth a treasure trove so magnificent it lands him on the front pages of newspapers in both England and America, his success will finally be undeniable.

Tess Hawthorne doesn’t quite know what to make of the entirely too handsome scoundrel who shows up in her village seeking the very treasure she's been hoping to find all her life. When he asks to employ her knowledge and familiarity with the locals to assist on the dig, she accepts.

But she doesn't want whatever treasure they find to leave England, and she certainly doesn't want to lose her heart to the man determined to claim it…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Adult

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there's nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot]

This cover is so freaking stunning. I need this book immediately!

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Thank you Avon for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Kristina Dowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so fun! I loved the concept of the dig and the characters themselves were a great time. I haven't read book one (whoops!), but I plan to - and to keep an eye on future books. The love story was great, I enjoyed the historical context and the drama!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I loved this, it was everything I love about historical romance with the added bonus of an archeological dig. The romance and banter between Tess and Dom was sweet, and their respect for each other made the growth of their relationship feel natural and satisfying. I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series, so I’m going to go back to read Dom’s sister Allie’s story now.

[Kayla Schmitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This was a fun read! I really enjoyed that it was a typical historical romance. None of the chaperones, balls, walks around the park etc. Instead the FMC and MMC are digging for Viking treasure. A unique storyline!

Lots of tension, banter, and a perfect amount of spice. I absolutely loved that Dom worked hard to earn Tess’s trust. He worked hard to prove to her they were end game. Bonus, no third act break up! Just two adults who believe in each other and their love to fight through obstacles.

My only pet peeve is the amount of time it was mentioned Dom had bedded many women. Like I get he’s the scoundrel but it started to give me the ick.

Overall, a refreshing and fun historical romance!

Thanks to Christy Carlyle, NetGalley, and Avon for the ARC!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a great time with The Scoundrel and the Siren! 💕 Dominic and Tess had sparks from the start, but what I really loved was how their relationship grew into friendship and trust, not just attraction. No silly drama, no big breakup, just a steady romance that felt natural and sweet (with just the right amount of 🌶️).

The pacing was great, I read it fast and never got bored. And can I just say — so refreshing to have a historical romance that isn’t all about London, balls, titles, and endless chaperones. 🙌 Treasure hunting in Norfolk? Yes, please.

Overall, charming, fun, and a lovely HEA. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Collins for the ARC. 📚

[Ashley Faltisek · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ — Fun idea, okay execution

The Scoundrel and the Siren had me hooked with the setup: treasure hunting, a stubborn heroine who knows the land better than anyone, and a hero with daddy-legacy issues trying to make a name for himself. Honestly, I love all of that. And the Norfolk + Viking hoard angle? Very cool, very different from the usual London ballroom circuit.

But… the book itself didn’t totally sweep me away.

Dominic is charming in that “I’m annoyingly determined but also kind of endearing” way, and Tess has that grounded, sensible energy that balances him out. Their dynamic should be perfect, and sometimes it really is — especially when the story leans into their conflicting goals. I also loved the treasure-digging aspect. It adds a nice adventure feel you don’t always see in historical romance.


The pacing felt slow in spots, especially early on. I kept waiting for the spark to really hit, and while the chemistry is there, it never fully sizzles. The tension around the treasure — who gets it, what it means to them — had the potential to be so juicy, but it wraps up a little too neatly for my taste.

Basically: the promise was big, but the delivery was more “nice” than “can’t-stop-reading.”

It’s a pleasant, easy read with a unique setup and two characters who are genuinely likable. I just wish the romance and the stakes had pushed a little harder.

A good time — just not a new favorite.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know who writes these blurbs, but they may need to re-evaluate terms like "heart-pounding" and "battle over" as I wouldn't use either for this book. I enjoyed the book, I thought the way Dominic worked to win over Tess's trust with her heart was very sweet and I liked their moments of banter. All in all, I would say this book is very low-stakes, there is never any true animosity between our leads (all miscommunications are quickly resolved, no third-act breakup) and there is no danger/adversity with the dig for most of the book. The British history referenced is interesting. For those that want a medium burn steamy romance with two smart non-aristocratic Victorian characters on an archeological dig that discusses the value of important finds remaining in their home country (I loved the dig at Elgin, although what Prince's does should be pointed out is similar).

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scoundrel and the Siren

Tess Hawthorne’s dream is to lead an archaeological excavation into the burial mounds that surround her village in England. Dominic Prince of the Prince treasure hunting family fame shows up to do just that while backed by an American millionaire who intends to take the finds to his new museum in New York City. Tess begrudgingly agrees to help with the dig, hoping that at least now her curiosity as to what is within the burial mounds can be sated, though she despises the idea that treasures will be taken across the Atlantic.

I love historical fiction about women who fight to exist outside the mold society wants to shove them into and the men who respect (and fall in love with) them for it. Tess is a wonderful mix of headstrong, independent, and feminine and Dominic is adorable in how fast he falls for her.

The archaeology backdrop was exactly the sort of thing I love. Treasure hunting and academics are my weakness, especially when it comes to historical fiction. The historical elements of the book were also very captivating, set at a time in history when society was becoming fascinated with the ancient world. It may be a more modern element, but the book also touched quite a bit on the ethics of moving historical finds to different countries to put them on display. I don’t know how much it was debated contemporary to this book, but it's certainly a very important ongoing debate in the modern world of archaeology and the role of museums.

This book as has a pretty cozy vibe. There are no big third act break ups, no diabolical villains. There was enough tension for me and I appreciated that Tess and Dom are adults who acted like adults.

This is the second book in the series, the first starring Dominic’s younger sister, an aspring author who overhears a jewel heist being planned and is determined to help solve it. Of course she falls in love with the detective along the way. It's clear the Prince family is full of independent women who wholeheartedly pursue their dreams, so Tess looks like she will fit in perfectly with the family. I haven’t read the first book yet, but look forward to picking it up as well as reading about the last sister in the future.

I also love the cover to this book which doesn’t really fit with the rest of the author’s books. Classic historical romance covers don’t really appeal to me because they rarely show much personality in my eyes. Meanwhile the details in this one like the binoculars and paper immediately did give me treasure hunt vibes, which were confirmed by the back copy. Where as the cover for the previous novel, The Duke and Lady Scandal feels generic and doesn’t entice me to read the back copy and learn that it very much looks like a novel I’d enjoy.

Thanks Net Galley for the ARC!

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a bit Mummy-inspired (if you couldn’t tell by the cover), and I loved all these callbacks to a movie I adore. Dominic Prince, eldest brother and adventure extraordinaire of the Prince family, is itching to get out of the city and back on a project. After the death of his best friend, he’s feeling particularly adrift. So when his sister must bail on their latest dig, he travels to Norfolk alone to meet with a TS Hawthorne who will act as his historian on site. Tess Hawthorne has always dreamed of an archaeological dig and uncovering the secrets of her Norfolk home. And when a letter arrives for her deceased father seeking assistance, she can’t resist the pull. Especially with her twin brother, and flirt about town, encouraging her to do it. The instalust between Dom and Tess is so hot and real- this author does a really good job of creating a believable instant attraction. Their intial meet cute in the library, then subsequent meeting in the jail cell, leads to all kinds of sparks it’s hard for either to ignore. They fit into this really great dynamic of himbo and scholar that I enjoyed (though he’s not dumb by any means, he definitely gives off Rupert Carsington vibes).

With the source material being what it is, and the many winks early on to scenes from The Mumny, I expected this to have a bit more adventure. It kept seeming like it was about to ramp up to something, but continued to be pretty low stakes throughout. Dominic and Tess are on a dig, and slowly falling into deeper lust and love. And while their archeological find ends up being bigger than either expected…that’s about it. I did appreciate the realistic conflict between the two on what should happen with the findings. Dominic, like all true treasure hunters, is after the glory and slated to give these findings to some American museum for profit. Tess, on the other hand, would prefer to keep these findings local and start a museum in Norfolk to benefit the people. We’re clearly on Tess’s side here, but this felt like a genuine conflict for the situation. Overall, this was a great premise, but the execution didn’t pay off in the way I’d hoped. I still enjoy this author’s writing style and the way she delivers delicious instant attraction so well. I think if you’re looking for a quick read and enjoy archeological digs with realistic conflict, and high spice, this book is for you! I was just hoping for more of a high-stakes adventure romp

3.5/5
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

[Emilie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.

I have been struggling to figure out or explain exactly why I didn't like this book. And I can't quite find the right words. I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters--the MMC was really intriguing (even if I didn't quite buy into his motivations for his introspection and "reevaluation" of how he was living his life--the best friend aspect felt flat and a bit of a stretch for some reason). I was looking forward to getting further into the book, but once our two MCs met up and agreed to work together, everything kind of went downhill for me.

First, all character development just seemed to stop ("Scoundrel" and "Siren"? Um, no. The MMC seemed like a pretty nice guy, and was super nice to the FMC...who was supposed to be a "siren"? Nope. Sorry. Countless and interminable references to how the WHOLE VILLAGE knows exactly what kind of things the FMC got up to in her past does not make her a siren). The plot and pacing were halting, and then abrupt, and then jerky: moments/scenes that really had no bearing on the story were detailed and yet still felt confusing and superfluous, and then days would pass off page, with no mention. Plot threads and points were mentioned and then dropped. Events/people were talked about like the reader was supposed to know all about them with completely no background or history--at one point I even did a search on my Kindle in the ARC for a name because I had no idea who this person was that was being discussed like we were supposed to be intimately familiar with past events and this character's personality, and sure enough, it was the FIRST time this name had been mentioned! (And I am hoping this is because I read an ARC, but the continuity of the timeline was full of mistakes. Something was supposed to happen "tomorrow night," and then it happened THAT night, or something was supposed to have happened two days ago, but then it was mentioned as "yesterday"...I just got confused and then annoyed.)

The whole book began to feel like someone had decided to cook a meal for a dinner party without ever having attempted any of the recipes before--and didn't even have any recipes to follow! None of the ingredients fit together, nothing was seasoned, and most of the dishes were served raw or burnt. This book had some good aspects, and could have been a great read. But it was not. At the least some serious editing needed to take place to tighten the story where it needed it, develop characters, and evolve the plot and story in an organic manner.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and sadly it will be my last. To be honest, I got halfway through and just could not finish it. My frustration level with the juttering plot, flat and two-dimensional FMC, and the fact that I just did not care made me put the book down and have no desire to pick it back up.

[celestialpixels_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌊 Treasure, Tension & a Heart That Can’t Be Buried ❤️‍🔥

Christy Carlyle’s "The Scoundrel and the Siren" is the kind of historical romance that sweeps you up like a gust of sea wind, equal parts adventure, longing, and quiet tenderness. Rather than centering on glittering ballrooms, Carlyle brings us to the rugged beauty of Norfolk, where maps, myths, and hearts are all waiting to be uncovered.

Dominic Prince is a man chasing more than fortune; he’s chasing the legacy of his father and the thrill of discovery. Tess Hawthorne, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with fame or fortune; she’s a woman bound to her principles. When circumstance (and curiosity) draw them into a shared quest for an ancient treasure, what begins as an uneasy alliance becomes something far more vulnerable and real.

What I loved most is how Carlyle handles romance as both an emotional and intellectual meeting of equals. Tess is clever, capable, and wonderfully grounded; Dominic is charming but flawed, his ambition softened by the depth of his growing affection. Their banter sparkles, but their quiet moments carry the story’s heart.

With the atmosphere of "The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter" by Hazel Gaynor, the wit of "The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn, and just a hint of the mystery from "The Devil and the Dark Water" by Stuart Turton, this novel finds the sweet spot between escapism and sincerity.

✨ A gentle, windswept romance about what it means to seek - whether it’s a treasure, a purpose, or someone who finally sees you clearly.

🙏 Thank you to Christy Carlyle, Avon / Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominic and Tess have a chance encounter in a library, despite their hostile first run-in, there is something below the surface that might not be as disagreeable as they originally thought. What are the odds they are working together on the same archeological excavation site? They both feel the spark, but can they let go of their pasts enough to trust each other and maybe even believe in love?
The pair has great banter, and I really enjoyed how their characters grew and learned about each other as the story progressed. Tess is such a strong, independent woman that don't need no man but definitely deserves all the love in the world, and Dom definitely has so much love for her; she just has to believe it. I think that side characters are really the backbone of whether the book works or not, and I really like the cast of characters that are along with Tess and Dom.
I can't wait to see what's next for the Prince's!

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Princes of London series. I enjoyed the first book so I decided I wanted to read this one and was not disappointed in it. I absolutely loved this book!! The book was a lot of fun, very entertaining and so delightful. The chemistry between Dominic and Tess could be felt from their very first meeting and I felt they were the perfect couple together. I enjoyed how Dominic understood that he needed to earn Tess’s trust since she was already burnt once before by a scoundrel. I also enjoyed reading how he started questioning his life and realized that he didn’t want to follow his father’s footsteps anymore but wanted to be his true self. Dominic and Tess were both enjoyable characters and I instantly liked both of them. The secondary characters were wonderful and really added to the story without be a distraction. If you are looking for an enjoyable fun read I recommend this book!!

[bad.mad.wisreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

As a history buff, I instantly knew I would enjoy that aspect of the story. While not completely accurate with the time period it is set in I still very much enjoyed the book.

Tess is our FMC- she’s a a bit stubborn, protective of her brother and her heart, and full of love for history. Dominic our MMC- is a treasure hunter with no cares in the world, or so he wants people to think. Together they have to team up to uncover a dig site despite not starting off on good terms.

I did find the romance to be quite rushed, I feel like it was no time before major moments in relationships were had. It was a bit off putting, but once I got over the fast paced I enjoyed the romance aspect.

Overall it was a fun book to read - giving it a solid 4 stars.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an entertaining book.

MMC - Dominic- is trying to emerge from his famous father’s shadow to be his own man. He yearns to make big changes to his life as he begins to tire of the constant need to be “on”.

FMC - Tess is trying to trust and open her heart again after being lied to by a man who used and humiliated her. So, she certainly doesn’t trust someone as handsome and charming as Dominic - she’s been there done that.

They are both vying to uncover a possible Viking treasure in the Norfolk countryside and realize working together will get them to the treasure quicker…and change their lives for the better in the process.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute historical romance!

I enjoyed reading Tess and Dom’s love story! The story imagines a fictional version of the discovery of the real site Sutton Hoo. Having visited the site myself in real life, I thought it was a very fun piece of history to explore that is lesser known to US audiences. If you are attached to historical accuracy though, the fact that the book takes place decades before the actual discovery may be a deal breaker. It wasn’t for me, and overall this hit a lot of the notes that I’ve come to expect from an Avon historical romance. There was a little too much of an “insta-love” in the romance development for me to put it in the top tier of historical romance, but overall an enjoyable read.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it super refreshing to read about a non-aristocratic couple, which obviously isn't super common in HR! The characters were charming, and it definitely had cozy vibes. My only qualm was that perhaps it was too cozy- there was no third-act breakup, and the villain didn't even really do anythign villainous- so when the end of the book came around, I was surprised that the book was ending already. Despite the lack of challenges the couple faced, I did really enjoy this one. It was sweet, authentic, and different than most HR without losing the charm of the genre.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nice enough. I haven’t been super impressed with this series so far, but this was better than book 1. The conflict between the MCs didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and for someone who was as jaded as Dom I felt his arc was rather rushed and easily won. I almost feel like it would have been better if their roles were reversed. Even the excavation felt somewhat lackluster and the issue with the Americans resolved too easily. I rarely say this but I almost think this book would have benefited from a third act breakup just to add some excitement to it. I hope Eve’s story finally manages to grab my attention in this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Christy Carlyle, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I do love a good Historical Romance. This was such a short and sweet romance. It’s the perfect palate cleanser in between those long fantasy books. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked their romance and the archaeology vibes. It was nice that I didn’t necessarily have to read book 1 first before picking up this book. Christy Carlyle does a great job at reintroducing characters mentioned. I’m interested in continuing this series. I’m hoping it’s going to Tess’s brother. I would recommend it!

[C a s s 🥀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to Netgalley & publishers for this Earc.


I appreciate the authors theme but for only 233 pages this was slow build up, i could not get into this book. No fault to the author, but ever climatic thing happened in the last 40 pages of the book and the rest was just build up.
I was expecting a lot more treasure finds than the 3 mentioned.
Character development was okay.. The yearning between both MCs was there and the ending was pleasant. good for a cute comfort read.

[RoseGreyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a delight. I absolutely loved the meet-cute, and then the meet-cute again later that day, and how it should have given them each a terrible impression of each other, yet they were both immediately drawn to each other instead. The dig was the perfect setting for our FMC to be truly valued and sought out, as well as give our MMC the opportunity to see deeper value in himself and his work, when done with the right person. I loved the way both characters had to grow and learn to say yes to things that scared them but they were always finding each other (sometimes literally). This book was so enjoyable and I cannot wait to read more from this author!

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this and did find the premise and characters fun but ultimately the story felt a bit flat for me. Still light and enjoyable if you’re looking for an easy read. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Tess has been burned in love before so she is not interested in giving her heart so easily. Dominic has a family legacy to live up to. This love story was sweet and shown how love won.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fun fantastic romcom with some amazing vibes and plotting. would recommend this one a lot. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Ckelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick regency romance. Light on the archeological/treasure hunting side to me but still a cute read for a change of pace.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.