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Bow Street #3

A Love Most Daring

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From best-selling author Joanna Barker: Proper romance meets page-turning mystery in this captivating tale of danger, redemption, and love worth fighting for.

After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.

Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it's clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.

With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2026

76 people are currently reading
4216 people want to read

About the author

Joanna Barker

14 books1,374 followers
Joanna Barker firmly believes that romance makes everything better, which is why she has fallen in love with writing Regency romances. When she’s not typing away on her next book, you’ll find her listening to podcasts, eating her secret stash of chocolate, or adding things to her Amazon cart. Joanna thinks being an author is the second-best job in the world—right after being a mom. She is just a little crazy about her husband and three wild-but-lovable kids.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
Profile Image for mikaela (spinebreaker).
1,385 reviews62 followers
October 30, 2025
this is far and away Barker's best book. I am astonished. loved eeeeevery second. perfect balance of action, intrigue, and LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT (FOR HIM) BUT ALSO SOMEHOW THE SLOWEST BURN?! It was Elizabeth and Darcy in essence- an impertinent miss who cracks open the shell of a stoic man with a lot on his plate- but also, murder and thievery! simply phenomenal everyone read it immediately

Profile Image for Melissa (christianbooksandcoffee).
856 reviews381 followers
February 19, 2026
I LOVED this book so much! The ridiculousness of Beatrice is fantastic! I love her so much! She really keeps Alexander on his toes! You never know what she is going to say and I am here for it! I loved the banter between them. Alexander is a great protector and I loved how well they worked together on solving the crime. I will admit the ending with the bad guy was definitely making me nervous. It was fun to see characters from the previous books as well. Overall, this was a fantastic story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Melynne (mels_booknook).
677 reviews24 followers
March 5, 2026
Absolutely incredible! Hard to put into words how much I loved this book. The romance was so well written and I loved the suspense plot line. Absolutely a favorite. So so good.
Profile Image for Melissa.
24 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2025
Sheer perfection! I already expected to love this novel because I am a fan of Joanna Barker's other work. But, wow! This was a delight from start to finish, and I couldn't help going back to re-read some scenes before I'd even finished the book - and then went back and re-read them again afterwards because I just can't get enough of Alexander and Beatrice! The balance of suspense, romance, mystery, and humor is perfect. Not a single moment of this book felt too slow, rushed, or like filler.

Beatrice Lacey has returned to London and is ready to finally enjoy herself and stop hiding from the whispers and gossip that caused her to stay in the country for the past 2 years. But after witnessing an attack and getting a clear view of the attacker's face, she is quickly sent away from London under the protection of Bow Street Runner Alexander Rawlings.

Alexander Rawlings is a very intense, serious, stoic man who is extremely dedicated to his job. He is injured during the attack and is forced to step down from leading the murder case he's been investigating to recover from his injuries and protect Beatrice. As unhappy as he is to give up his role in the investigation, he takes his new role as Bea's protector just as seriously as his other work.

Bea's humorous, sunshiny, make-the-best-of-every-situation personality is the exact opposite of Alexander's. He is constantly vexed and exasperated with her and sometimes perplexed by Bea's approach to life. But little by little, despite the walls he tries to keep around his heart, he finds himself falling for her.

I laughed so much while reading this book! Bea is a hoot, and I would love to have her for a friend. And Alex. *dreamy sigh* I do believe I have a new favorite MMC. I can't wait to read this book again, and I wish I didn't have to wait until March to get my own copy!

I received an ARC version of this novel from Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jo|Ruth Reads.
729 reviews90 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 3, 2026
ALL THE STARS! I loved this! I am sorry... but the enemies to more, the banter, the suspense, the friendship, and then LOVE... ALL THE FEELS! These two are the ultimate couple, and Alexander, the dreamy MMC, is brooding but romantic, tough but gentle with her, and oh so protective.

Beatrice has finally decided to brave the rumors that have affected her life and step out into London to rejoin society and finally meet her match. What she doesn’t expect is a crime that not only threatens her life, but involves Alexander, the brooding Bow Street Runner who was also part of the attack. Having seen their attacker, they both set off away from London for safety, with Alexander becoming her defender while the rest of the Bow Street Runners try to find the culprit. But forced proximity proves too much for the two of them as the arguing and banter morph into friendship and then more, leaving them to solve who was behind the attack and who they are to each other when this is all over.

I loved this. I feel sorry for everyone trying to get my attention today because in between reading it, it stayed on my mind. I just had to know how it all ended! Alexander and Beatrice are so entertaining, especially as the enemies start to become more.

I am SO ready for Drake’s romance now, but I am so hooked on Alexander’s character... the bar is set so high! Lol!

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Holly (IG Hollys_Book_Musings).
487 reviews95 followers
March 4, 2026
"I am the fortunate one. There was no love before you, Beatrice. My life was half lived, my soul barely formed. You have made--" His voice broke off, and he had to clear his throat. "You have made me whole. And I shall never stop wanting you."

A Love Most Daring by Joanna Barker

Looking for your next 5-star, favorite obsession? Look no further than A Love Most Daring by Joanna Barker! Easily a book I will recommend to every friend and family member, a book I will obsess over, reread multiple times in the years to come, and be a top read this year and a forever favorite. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! That about sums up this whole series, actually! And I am hoping for more swoony bow street runner men books from this author, please!

Beatrice is saucy, determined, fierce, and brave. But also sweet, kind, loveable, and gentle. I love the way she teases and pushes Alexander's buttons throughout the book. Their banter is delicious and had me laughing and scoffing and grinning from ear to ear.

Alexander is the ultimate, and I mean ULTIMATE, protective male main character. You can't get better than him. He is fierce, loyal, doesn't want to be loved for his money, and a great detective. I also loved that he is flawed. He isn't perfect or whole. But still a perfect match for Beatrice.

I ADORED them and their chemistry. It is off the charts in this book. Every hand touch, lingering glance, delectable kiss, heart-melting moment will have your heart pitter-pattering at a 100 mph.

One thing Joanna is really great at, besides writing some of the best books, is writing not only an male main character that will have you swooning, but also writing really loveable female main characters. And Beatrice in A Love Most Daring was no exception. I adored her character, her POV, and the way she can't help but admire Alexander for all his traits, physical and intellectual, and so much more.

I loved the mystery in this one. The book starts almost immediately with some danger and Beatrice and Alexander are thrown together. There were many surprises and plot twist reveals that left me reeling and wishing the book would never end while simultaneously bingeing the ending because I had to find out how every thing resolved.

And I loved the Epilogue! It was the PERFECT way to end it.

If you haven't picked this one up yet, DROP everything and read it now, though I would highly recommend reading books 1-2 first so that you get Ginny and Jack's story and Nathaniel and Verity's story. (Psst. They are both two of my top favorites.)
I highly recommend this Regency Mystery to anyone who loves a good hero with Mr. Darcylike grumpy vibes.

Favorite Parts:
Danger
Mystery
Forced proximity
Witty Banter
Rainy weather at the inn
Arriving at his house
Little boy
Tension
Walking the grounds
Dancing
The letter
Protective Broody "Mr. Darcylike" MMC
Their first kiss
Confronting Mrs. Rawlings
Making connections in the case
Woah, the danger at the end and solving the mystery
The Epilogue!
The WHOLE Book!!

"I am, however, thoroughly irritated at your muleheaded inability to ever listen to me."
"I'd rather be a mule than a sheep," I said.
"Unfortunately." He started for the front door. "A sheep would be much easier to protect."

Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed-door: romantic scandal talked about (side characters), FMC sees MMC without shirt on (he’s wounded), passionate kissing
Violence/gore: Mild- characters get attacked, mildly bloody knife wound, character gets attacked with knife (mild bloody wound), peril and danger, death (gun violence in defense)
Substance Use: mild-social drinking
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: none
Other: theft, difficult family relationships

Book Info:
Series: Bow Street #3
Genre: Historical Romance; Regency; Mystery
Romance Level: Kissing only
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Shadow Mtn Proper Romance
POV: Single first person

Thank you to the author and publisher for my beautiful paperback copy. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Cheri.
2,166 reviews73 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 29, 2026
#ALoveMostDaring #NetGalley

Beatrice Lacey is ready to put the gossip of the past behind her and enjoy her time in London with her friends.
When she witnesses an attack on a Bow Street runner and becomes a victim herself, the attacker who wasn't found
and might be part of a case involving a murder. It is decided that it would be best for Beatrice to find a place in the
country to hide out until the suspect is found.
Alexander Rawlings is the Bow Street runner who flees London with Beatrice to his estate in the country. where his
mom is suspicious of Beatrice, thinking she might be a gold digger. Alexnder comes off as a grumpy man who wants
the case to be solved as soon as possible. Beatrice is bored in the country posing as a companion for Alexander's
mother.
I loved this book, the suspense and romance, and the banter between the main characters. I will definitely be purchasing
a copy of the book and re-reading it.
Profile Image for Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore.
693 reviews16 followers
March 2, 2026
A scandal-stained heroine. A brooding Bow Street officer. Forced proximity. A murder investigation.

Yes. This one absolutely delivered.

I loved A Love Most Daring by Joanna Barker. It is part of the Proper Romance from Shadow Mountain, and it reminded me exactly why I adore this line.

From the very beginning, the atmosphere pulls you in. The London garden setting feels alive and elegant, while the country estate adds that perfect edge of isolation and tension. The contrast between beauty and danger makes everything feel heightened.

Beatrice Lacey is not fragile. She is weary of scandal, yes, but she is determined to reclaim her life. When she witnesses a violent attack connected to a chilling murder case, the stakes shift instantly. And then enters Alexander Rawlings.

Brooding. Guarded. Irritable. Fiercely devoted to his duty.

He wants to hunt a killer. Instead, he is forced to protect a woman he would rather keep at arm’s length.

The chemistry between them is immediate and sharp. Two headstrong personalities. Quick wit. Clashing pride. The dialogue sparkles. I loved every exchange.

But what truly made this story shine is the slow burn. The forced proximity does more than create tension. It reveals vulnerability. It chips away at old wounds. It builds trust in quiet, powerful ways. The romance unfolds through shared danger and emotional honesty, and I was completely swooning by the end.

The mystery element keeps the pacing tight and the pages turning. It adds weight to the romance rather than overshadowing it. If you enjoy crossover appeal between Regency romance and light suspense, this is such a satisfying blend.

It is a clean read, which is exactly why I love the Proper Romance line. Emotional depth. Meaningful tension. No excess.

This is the third in the series, but it absolutely stands alone. And yes, I will reread this one.

For Regency fans who love strong heroines, brooding officers, witty banter, and slow-burn romance wrapped in real danger, this is a must read.

Truly one of my favorites. 💛📜

I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
Profile Image for Andi.
1,724 reviews
November 8, 2025
I want to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me a read on this one.

I have read every single of one of Joanna Baker's books. (Each have been 4 or 5 stars, which puts her on high praise.) Her Bow Street series is her current fixation and her last two books featured gem-of-men I wondered how they would be topped.

Alexander. Oh gosh, where to begin with this man. Someone said he gives off Mr. Darcy vibes, but for me it's more than Mr. Darcy. It's more like a very particular, fixed, no-nonsense, Mr. Nobley meets John Thornton.

Our girl Beatrice has to be my favorite of the ladies she has written. She isn't afraid to nettle him, annoy him, tease him, spite him because of the situation they're in (no fault of her own). Yet, she isn't a mean person or wishes to be callous, she just wants to court Mr. Drake. (She also likes to read the papers and figure out crimes and kick / slap and knock men out with sticks.)

On my kindle, you spent 65% of the book watching the slow burn between them turn into something more. You also are wondering how are they going to get out of this mess with a killer out looking for her / them?

The end has me excited for Mr. Drake and how he is going to get his lady. Joanna set him up well and I think he's going to be a softie / pensive one.
Profile Image for Kait.
859 reviews61 followers
March 6, 2026
This was like reading a new take on Darcy and Elizabeth, and I was HERE for it. I love how the men of Bow Street are strong *and* kind, and how the women know their own minds (and their mouths reveal all, those saucy minxes!) but yet allow themselves to be swept away by true love. Because when a man cares about you in a way that still leaves you whole (rather than possessed), you dare to snatch that up like the last partner at a ball.
Profile Image for Nicole.
132 reviews19 followers
March 16, 2026
idk what kind of crack these authors are putting in their books this year but i could NOT put this down holy crap 😭😭😭 BEATRICE IS SO FUNNY I LOVE HER
Profile Image for Rosalee.
688 reviews14 followers
March 21, 2026
I loved it! The mystery, the romance, the chemistry between Beatrice and Alexander. It was hard to put it down!
Profile Image for Micah (micahs.bookshelf).
256 reviews38 followers
February 10, 2026
Joanna Barker delivers again! As one of my favorite Regency Romance authors, I always expect to be wowed by Joanna’s books. I’m happy to report that she once again brings us a fantastic, swoon-worthy story.

I love the banter between Mr. Rawlings and Beatrice. She’s a funny one, always very sarcastic and teasing the often stoic Mr. Rawlings. They were a great duo and we get so many fun moments between them.

This book has a good mix of romance and a mystery plotline with some very suspenseful moments. I was hooked the whole time!

I loved seeing Ginny and our Bow Street friends from the other books in the series. All three books are AMAZING and can be read as stand-alones. I highly recommend them!

🔥Romance: Kisses
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,938 reviews244 followers
March 9, 2026
Are you ready for another Bow Street book? I was!!! And I could easily pick this one up and read it again and again! Broody hero! A heroine who has been the topic of gossip amongst the ton for the last couple of years! An outing to Vauxhall Gardens with each other...against their preference. An attack! Needing to flee for safety! *Sigh* All of that a perfect recipe for a great suspenseful mystery, witty banter, pulling down walls and seeing the stowed away personality of the other person, and lots of chemistry!!!

Oh my word! I was turning the pages so quickly! I kept trying to guess the whodunnit and didn't catch it until near the big reveal! Way to go Joanna Barker for keeping me guessing! I love when an author does that! Usually I'm pretty good at figuring it out. This one had some great twists and turns. Add in the backstory for our hero that finally is revealed a little later in the book, and our sweet and careful Beatrice is a goner! Those walls are tumbling down so fast! Alexander never stood a chance! *Hee Hee*

Watch out for his meddling mama! You'll want to keep your eye on her with her antics. And you're going to love the dynamics between the main characters and all of their friends. If you haven't read the previous books you'll get to know them through this book. But if you've read the previous books, you'll have fun seeing our previous heroes and heroines! *Happy Dance*

I loved it all!!! So many great lines! The banter had me laughing out loud and the sweet and clean romance had me grinning!

Content: Clean. Some mild peril. Some sweet kisses but nothing further. No language.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Brooke (iambookish_brooke).
788 reviews24 followers
January 18, 2026
All the stars! This was everything I love about historical romance & everything I love about romantic suspense, all wrapped up in a lovely, banter-filled package.

I adored the first 2 books in the Bow Street series, so I’ve been so looking forward this release- but it exceeded all my high hopes and became not only my favorite of the series, but my new favorite Joanna Barker book.

Beatrice is a riot. She had me cackling, especially when it came to her needling of Alexander.

Beyond their banter, the connection and chemistry was so swoony! I reread the love confession in this one so many times 🫠🫠🫠

Beyond the fun and the swoon, there was great depth and growth for the characters.

The suspense and pacing kept me glued to this story.

I did a little happy dance at the end because it set us up for a 4th Bow Street book 🎉 (These are interconnected standalones, you can definitely read this by itself… though it’s sure to make you want to go read the first books afterwards.)

Thank you to the publishers for the chance to enjoy an advance copy.
Profile Image for Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read).
1,615 reviews77 followers
March 6, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book for review.

This was a really sweet and charming read! It blends Regency romance with the suspense of a mystery hanging over it as the characters are targeted in an attack and have to figure out who is behind it and avoid future danger.

The romance brings plenty of forced proximity (my favorite romance trope!) as the characters break down the walls between each other. There is a gruff but good hearted male main character and a spunky and spirited female character and they made for a delightful pair. There was fun banter, swoony moments and lots of charm.

This story can be read as a standalone but it does have crossovers with two previous books and those characters feature prominently in this one.

Trigger/content notes: life threatening situations but nothing extreme. Spice level is kissing.
Profile Image for Suzan.
1,181 reviews
March 11, 2026
This novel completely captured my heart from the very first pages. I was immediately swept into the story and found myself savoring every moment.

It was a glorious mix of romance, humor, action, and intrigue. Throw in a strong and sassy heroine, and an intense and broody hero, and you have a book that I cannot recommend enough.

One of the highlights for me was the banter between Alexander and Beatrice—it’s sharp, playful, and utterly delightful. Their slow-burn romance unfolds with just the right amount of anticipation and tension. Every interaction between them had me smiling and was a pure joy.

The writing is polished and engaging, with excellent pacing that keeps the story moving while allowing the romance to develop naturally. The Regency setting adds another layer of charm and character to the narrative.

If you enjoy Regency romance with sparkling dialogue, palpable tension, forced proximity, and a satisfying slow-burn closed-door romance, this is a book you won’t want to miss. It’s an absolute gem!
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,554 reviews336 followers
March 15, 2026
I was completely smitten with Alexander’s and Beatrice’s perilous and romantic story. These characters immediately jumped to life. The banter, underlying currents of chemistry, danger, and secrets made this one purely delightful in every way.

Content: mild+ romance; mild moments of peril/danger/fighting

*I listened through the Bookshelf Plus app.
Profile Image for Meg.
20 reviews
March 13, 2026
This was so good! The audiobook was so well done.
Profile Image for Jessica.
144 reviews6 followers
March 12, 2026
3.5⭐️ The mystery was very interesting, and the book was hard to put down, even though the middle of the book was fairly slow. The main 2 characters didn’t click for me though. Regardless, Joanna Barker will still always be a must read author for me.
Profile Image for Sandra Moreira.
135 reviews7 followers
March 11, 2026
There is always something positively good, when a book leaves you with a smile on your face!!

This book from Joanna Barker is one of those, the all serie is one of those. The stories are compelling, funny, mysterious with crimes and a lot of suspense around. The characters are well written, we grow with them and we fall in love with them at the same time they do.

Beatrice is the unlucky recipient off the less fortunate that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong hour, two years before. Now, on the other side of a mean girl and a ban man's vendetta she needs all the help she can get from her friends, and this time she has friends!!

We accompany Beatrice and Alexander throughout a trip to the country, when in disguise, Alexander take her to refugee in a secure location, Alexander's "house" 😉. Of course Alexander is a grumpy aloof Bow Runner that doesn't know how to handle the daring outspoken Beatrice... has she done the things the ton says she's done?! Or knowing her he sees that's possibly lies?!

You can imagine the bickering dialogues between these two! 🥰 In this book we also catch up and accompany the two previous couples and I love that! (By the way, will Drake have a story?! Maybe with some young mother we knew from book 2?! That will be lovely!)

---------
Note to my future self: The all serie is a reread for me! It will leave you with a bright smile throughout the reading! 😊
Profile Image for Kristalyne, love.lovely.books.
248 reviews48 followers
March 2, 2026
This book is so soo amazing, I loved getting lost in its pages! This series is a favorite, and getting to visit with Jack and Ginny, Verity and Nathaniel had me smiling to no end!!! These characters have my heart!

You are going to fall in love with Alexander and Beatrice! Their personalities and the tension between them just leapt off the pages! Her witty spirited sunshine and his protective brooding seriousness were so fun to read! Add in the danger, suspense, mystery to solve, the sweetest slowburn goodness, delicious forced proximity, beautiful writing, vivid characters, the amazing settings, and this story stole my heart!!!

I highlighted so many quotes, and had to read certain scenes over again because I couldn’t get enough of these two and their incredible heart melting story!!!!

Beatrice is hilarious. She had me laughing so much. The banter between them is incredible and my heart was absolutely melting as she breaks down Alexander’s walls and makes him smile. Also be prepared, Alexander will definitely make you swoooon!!!!

This book had me smiling, laughing, melting, my heart raced in suspense, and that ending is just the happiest! This heart healing romance will stick with me for a very long time!!!

Joanna is such an incredible author and this book is just amazing. This series is a favorite and I highly recommend it!
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Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for the arc copy. A positive review was not required but freely given!

Content:death, danger, murder mentioned, some violence, suspenseful moments, kissing only




Profile Image for Smiley_Kylie.
425 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2026
I loved this! No surprise there!

Beatrice is back in London after being away to avoid terrible rumors. Now after witnessing an attack and fearing for her own life, Beatrice must once again go into hiding. This time, it's under the reluctant protection of the serious and stern Bow Street officer, Alexander Rawlings.

Beatrice is an absolute hoot! I wish I could be like her when I grow up with her quick wit and playful yet caring attitude. Her attempts to get a rise out of Alexander were my favorite! And of course, how is a man to resist!? I loved the way Alexander takes his duties of protecting her so seriously and also how he couldn't help but slowly soften to her charms. The two have incredible chemistry that makes it so easy to root for them.

As with the other books in this series, I love the mystery woven through the story. We're getting the best of both worlds with a regency romance and a tantalizing mystery!

"Poems would never be written about this kiss. It was too real. Too imperfect. So ragged and raw. But it was mine."

"Since the first night we met, you have invaded my every thought. There is a madness, a wildness that consumes me when you are near."

💕: kisses
⚠️: mild peril, being attacked, false rumors
Profile Image for Shayla Riley.
662 reviews28 followers
March 4, 2026
A Love Most Daring
(Bow Street Book 3)
by Joanna Barker
@authorjoannabarker

••I give 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

~With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge-and love their most daring risk of all...

“Stability?” He exhaled an amused chuckle.
“You do know you threw every stable and orderly facet of my life into chaos the moment you entered it?”
“Yes, yes, you are welcome.”

-Oh my goodness my friends, A Love Most Daring, is an absolute captivating page-turning tale of danger, redemption, adventure, mystery, and love worth fighting for. I simply adored this beautiful story inside and out. This is book 3 in the fantastic Bow Runner Series, and just might be my favorite in this series, perhaps. Please do yourself a favor and read this dear series in order because you will in fact be smitten by such dear characters, such swoony romance, and adventure within each tale! A Love Most Daring, is no exception! While I tried desperately to savor each page, I was hooked, and soon found myself devouring such goodness within at an alarming speed. I couldn’t get enough! thoroughly loved this oh so swoony regency romance, the solid slow burn, sparkling chemistry, and the sweet romance with danger looming about. It was the witty and a bit snarky banter, the ever so delightful forced proximity, and the endearing characters that had my full attention! Most of all, I loved watching such brave characters with such grit and unselfish hearts truly risk everything for love and safety! Love was the driving push and satisfying piece to such a heartwarming adventure in my reading heart passport. Stamped precisely with such depth and delight. I loved themes of sacrifice, protection, stability, honor, trust, forgiveness, and such dear love weaved within. Oh what a dear story worth reading!❤️📚‼️

•Content: death, danger, murder mentioned, some violence, suspenseful moments, theft, blood, wounds, no language, kissing only.

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

#alovemostdaring
#authorjoannabarker
#shadowmountainpub
#properromance
#allaboutthebestreads
Profile Image for Kylaslittlelibrary.
602 reviews30 followers
March 21, 2026
From the very first chapter, I felt that fizzy, giddy feeling of oh no, I’m going to fall for these characters so hard, and sure enough, I absolutely did. Beatrice Lacey bursts onto the page with this perfect mix of determination and vulnerability, and I was cheering for her from the moment she stepped back into London. And Alexander Rawlings? I swear I could hear the slow, reluctant cracking of his stoic exterior every time he and Bea shared a scene. It was delicious.

I kept catching myself leaning forward like I was watching a period‑drama thriller. Every time I thought I knew where things were headed, the story nudged me in a slightly different direction, and I loved that.

But the real magic is the chemistry. Their banter, their forced proximity, the way their personalities clash and then slowly, beautifully align—it all felt so alive. I kept rereading little moments because they sparkled that much. And the emotional payoff? Completely earned. Completely satisfying.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for my copy. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
Profile Image for Reagan Taylor.
311 reviews4 followers
March 5, 2026
What a read! I absolutely adored every page of Joanna’s newest release. The mystery is intense and gripping, the romance is witty and swoon-worthy, and the characters were so delightful!

Beatrice. Oh she spoke to my HEART ❤️ I loved her so much 🥹 I loved her wit and humor and how genuine she was 💖 she was such a refreshing character to read and I was sad to see the end of the book 🥹💖

Rawlings. When we meet him, he is so stanoffish 👀 I loved watching him soften through the book and see moments of vulnerability 🥹 he is so protective 🤭 and I loved watching Beatrice drive him “mad” 🥰

Ugh these two have the best banter 🥹 I loved watching them dish it back and forth and their relationship was so natural 💗 I can’t wait to see who and what Joanna brings us next 📚

⚠️ CW: MMC is a Bow Street Runner, so there is violence relating to the mystery and his job ⚠️
Profile Image for Bonnie Brien.
1,178 reviews23 followers
March 25, 2026
I absolutely adored A Love Most Daring. After not getting a requested ARC (I know, such a hard life), I put it on hold at the library. An ebook came through Libby fairly quickly, and I read the book just as fast. Joanna Barker writes such delightful scenes with characters who seem real to life—like people you want to know.

This series is centered on London’s Regency-era detectives—Bow Street Runners—and the women brave enough to love them. In addition to swoony romance, the story had quite a bit of suspense and danger. I read it all in one day, and hope to read the preceding two soon.

I almost bought them at a bookstore, but then I met a wonderful bookseller whose advice had me buying other authors to try. She also loves Joanna Barker books—she just got me excited about the many possibilities! I only purchased three books that day out of the ten or twelve I wanted. But I’ll go back!

I highly recommend this book and the author, especially for fans of historical, closed door romance. It’s perfect for your next vacation read.
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208 reviews42 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
February 26, 2026
5⭐️ ARC Review: Yes. Absolutely. Masterpiece. This book is EVERYTHING! I ate it up. It has everything you want in a romance. Thiccc tension between our leads, high stakes mystery, realistic love story, regency era (my favorite), a found family of incredible characters, lighthearted humor (but serious when it needs to be), and what makes this book so amazing, to top it all, is the writing. It is immersive and engaging, and I really didn’t want to put it down.

I LOVED Beatrice and Alexander. The best couple ever. We’ve got an outgoing and hilarious lady of the ton with a brooding and hard to read Bow Street investigator. They both have very ill preconceived notions of each other, so their story starts off very rocky, but that’s what makes this romance SO GOOD! They knock down each other’s walls and it is delicious.

Beatrice is spunky and fun. Her witt was so quick and had me laughing. Poor Alexander lol. She was especially quick-witted towards him. He didn’t take jokes well lol. But again, that’s what made it so endearing. It’s what he loves about her and ugh. It’s just so sweet!

Alexander is the ideal man. Loyal and protective, has an overwhelming sense of duty, and I love him for it. He was so good to Beatrice. Once he knew who she truly was that is. He doesn’t think he is a romantic but he says some things to Bea that had me absolutely swooning. And their dance? Palpable tension. Incredible.

I even loved the mystery part of the story. There are times when it does not work in books, but the romance and mystery worked hand in hand in this one. So good. I found no fault in this book whatsoever. I bet it will be my best book of the year.

Lastly, I will also say, read the other two books before this one. I didn’t and I felt like I missed out on some background for the friends that are in the first 2 books. But again, my experience wasn’t worse for doing what I did. I will be going back to read them anyways.

*Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and the author for the complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
- Regency romance
- High stakes mystery
- Clean romance
- Single POV
- Annoyed to lovers
- Forced proximity
- One bed
- Found family
- Opposites attract

Content 💋:
- No language
- Kisses only
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