Intriguing Lord Adelaide

Northcott Kinship #1

by Wendy May Andrews

She’s a wallflower debutante—and his best friend’s sister.
But one dance could change everything.

Lady Amelia Courtenay’s debut has been less than successful—despite her generous dowry and pretty features. If only she could learn how to navigate society from one of her treasured textbooks. In the midst of her embarrassment, Amelia completely loses her senses and lies about a promised dance. Lucian is her brother’s friend. Surely, he will take pity on her, even if he has never looked twice.

As the heir to the Earl of Everleigh, Lucian, Viscount Adelaide, cannot enlist as a soldier as he’d truly like to do. Instead, he secretly serves as an agent for the Home Office. To hide his true intentions, he must masquerade as a lazy gadabout. Discouraging the debutantes is another side benefit of the lie.

Unfortunately, Amelia’s own mistruth jeopardizes Lucian’s mission and puts her in grave danger. His friendship with her brother is the only thing that prevents him from throttling her. It’s also one of the many reasons he cannot possibly have feelings for her.

Intriguing Lord Adelaide is a sweet/clean Regency romance with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed happy ending.

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

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2021

About the author

Wendy May Andrews has been reading whatever she could get her hands on since the age of five. She has been writing for almost as long, although Tempting the Earl was the first story she was willing to share with anyone other than her mother. Since then, Wendy has published more than forty Sweet Historical Romance novels.

Wendy lives in Toronto with her own real-life hero. When not writing or reading, she loves traveling with her husband, wherever the mood takes them.

Reviews

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a story when the hero has known the heroine since she was a small girl, and her brother is his best friend.

She is a making her debut and found she really was not "taking". She was not interested in even being there, but what is even more intriguing is she really doesn't care. But she does have an idea that her brother's best friend might just help her out!

He has no interest in making a match currently. He is busy working for the crown and also knowing her will take his father's title of Earl one day. So he assumes a cavalier attitude, not interested in the debutantes and just doing his duty. Until she asks his help.

They had grown up practically together, but now he began to notice how she had grown up. Most of all she ends up in danger and he must protect her!

Really enjoyed this sweet story and cannot wait for more!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. It kept me thinking about how the characters were so very made for each other. A very entertaining story. Loved it! 5☆

[C. Richter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very Predictable Story

Full disclosure: I did not like this book. I had to stop reading at Chapter 17 & skimmed through to the end because I got so aggravated with the leading lady, Amelia. I really disliked her. I reeeally dislike when a supposedly "intelligent" female character in a fictional Regency romance story of today becomes a sassy know-it-all (because she's SOO smart), she bosses people around, throws herself into crazy dangerous schemes with no thought for herself or anybody else's safety or how her actions will affect others. And of course, she does not have a plan for getting herself out of trouble ... SOO she has to be rescued by the hero. Her family gives her a free pass afterwards, she suffers no consequences, AND the gorgeous leading man still falls in love with her in the end because he's as stupid as she is. End of story.

I've read alot of Regency novels and I really hate when an author does this. Women can be smart without becoming tyrants or idiots. Otherwise, the book did show promise in the beginning but the plot wasn't very well developed & took some unfortunate turns.

This is a very predictable tale with all the usual Regency Romance tropes. I'm actually surprised because I know I have read books by this author before & really enjoyed them. Not sure what happened with this book. If these things I've mentioned don't bother you, then you may want to read it & judge for yourself.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable Regency romance, one in which a young debutante is struggling to find her feet during her first season. Because she is so self-sufficient and independent, her family takes it for granted that she will handle the season, little realizing just how difficult she is finding it to experience common ground with the other debutantes and even less with the young men on offer. In desperation, she inveigles Viscount Adelaide to dance the waltz with her, in order to escape the eagle-eyed gossips who would disparage her. Lucian has known Amelia since she was a little girl in pigtails and has always been kind to her. But right now? With the safety of the country at stake? There is no way in which he can be seen to take any notice of Amelia. However, once she is in his arms, it was already too late. Amelia is lively and intelligent and in taking Lucian's advice, she discovers ways in which to befriend her fellow debutantes, but that inadvertently puts her in the crosshairs of a killer. Although not particularly suspenseful, the story does have romance, adventure, and some misadventure, coming to a sweet conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Crystal Caudill · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, quick regency read

I’m burning my way through this series of Regency Home Office romances. This book was better than the previous, delivering on danger and sweet romance. I enjoyed the banter between the hero and heroine as well as the growth of the heroine in particular. It was well done and probably one of the best I’ve read in a “light and fluffy” read. This story was clean, fun, and appropriate for anyone who enjoys Regency with a sprinkle of danger and a cup full of sweet romance.

[Tammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Alicia Rivoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story. It was intriguing, but I struggled with this books characters. Amelia was 20, but acted like she was much younger. She did one stupid thing after another, putting herself and other in danger. She was supposed to be a blue-stocking, at least that’s what I understood, but had no idea how the Season and Parliament worked, or anything else really. Lucian treated her like a child, but somehow fell in love with a girl when he saw her as a young girl. It was clean and I did enjoy it for the most part, I just couldn’t connect with the characters.

[Christin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Too much inner dialogue. Too overworked. It didn’t know what it wanted to be.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing outlook

I like this because it takes the trope of a Regency lady who eskews all traditional ladylike endeavors (really, it's the only kind of heroine we can muster up these days), and makes her look at the reverse side. Society and the Season and governance of the nation are all connected; and like it or not, have provided the framework for every comfort she has ever known.
Minor issue, but I believe the terms nobility (titled) and gentry are confused. As in, "My aunt is Lady St. John, but I’m not gentry." I think the speaker means that Lady SJ is nobility, but she herself IS gentry.
There's spunky and then there's just plain stupid. I'm not a fan of the "heroine rushes headlong into dangerous situation she has NO TRAINING in handling instead of leaving it to proper authorities* trope, and this one did it twice.
So I rolled my eyes a bit at that, but it was still well-written at an adult level.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucien, earl and secret agent for the throne does not have time for courting or a marriage especially not to Amelia his best friend's sister. Amelia is opinionated and feels that she needs a purpose in life. She turns to Lucien for help with navigating the ton. After a carriage ride and a dance she draws the attention of a criminal who Lucien has his eye on. She starts her own investigation. Lucien is exasperated yet enamored with her. What will it take for him to give up his bachelorhood.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia always fancied Lucian, her brother's friend, but as a debutante who finds her coming out a bit disappointing, she asks for his advice. Upon spending time with her, she becomes all aflutter but as part of the 'Home Office' investigations, he realized that he was putting her in danger. As young and naive as she was, she walks right into the midst of it with need of a savior. Sweet and clean and well-written with much description and an enticing cover, but the plot was a bit predictable in this Regency romance.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Although I enjoyed this story I did find the pace of the first half quite slow, however the second half had a number of events that kept my interest. Lucian Northcott, Viscount Adelaide and Lady Amelia were likeable characters. Amelia just can’t help being inquisitive and loves to learn about scientific discoveries. Lucian is working secretly for the Crown and is involved in seeking out troublemakers. There was also a sweet romance and some dangerous events. I’m looking forward to reading about the next Northcott brother. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 3.5 stars. Was a bit slow in the beginning but was better towards the end. A pleasant, clean , uncomplicated light story to read. Some bits did not sit right. For example Amelia despite her strong intelligence and lack of interest in normal debutante type matters is apparently attractive with a good family and dowry, so would have attracted suitors and is unlikely to have been a wallflower. I will try another of this authors work to see how her other work compares.

[Gayle Fairless · Rating 5 out of 5]

A supposed wallflower gets some advice from childhood friend

clean and Sweet romance . Lady Amelia Coutnay gets advice from Lord Lucian Northcott,Viscount Adelaide on how to be more outgoing for her debutante Season. She also gets involved in Luce's Home Office work. That part is left open but is not important to the slow romance. There is a rescue as events come to a head. Luce and Button as Lady Amelia is also known marry.

[Connie Skief]

Fun agent falls in love story

She is so curious. A wallflower in need of help. The sister of a friend. In the wrong place at the right time. Fearless when she shouldn't be. He is not ready to marry, works for the crown, and is in the middle of an investigation. He plays the part of someone without a care. The logical tone of the story is awesome. Highly recommended for all readers.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Regency Romance

This Regency romance was written well, in that the plot was plausible and the characters’ actions were appropriate for the era. Even the way the women showed their strength and intelligence fit the genre well. This story probably rates better as 4.5 stars, but not quite five, so I didn’t round up. There were a few typos, but they didn’t mess up the story too much. And I really liked the MCs. If you enjoy clean Regency romance, then try this one.

[Mariahmmm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in the lack of scholarly discussion by the suitors and her fellow debutantes, Lady Amelia has been relegated a dull wallflower. When Lord Lucian, her brother's best friend and her crush, steps in to help her navigate society, Amelia is swept into a dangerous world of spies, villains, and budding romance.

A promising story spoiled by Amelia's immaturity and silly decisions, oddly placed new-age thinking that didn't align with the times or help the story, and a dry romance.

[Jean Volk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series for Wendy May Andrews and she never disappoints me. I love her story lines and how the characters interact together and sometimes I feel like I'm right there in the story!

Wendy's books are a clean romance which is nice to find these days! I can't wait until book 2 comes out!

I was given an ARC from the author but was not persuaded to leave a positive review.

[Samantha Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!

I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day! Great characters, fun banter, and so much more. I don't want to give any spoilers, but despite being both intelligent and independent, Lucian and Amelia were made for each other. I loved them so much! I think you will too.

Highly recommended, if you like a well written regency romance.

[Jan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, clean Regency romance. The hero was not developed a lot, the romance was throughout, but not deep, and the happy ending was brief and abrupt. It was a simple, fun period read without overdoing the details.

[iread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The hero is the best friend of the heroine’s older brother. I love this trope because it’s so relatable. This is a sweet romance with very little kissing but lots of romantic moments. Proves you don’t need steamy scenes. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Mrs. Kath Mudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read, the story and how the characters are portrayed brings the book alive with mystery, twists and turns with loads of romance and intrigue. There is much to recommend reading this book.

[Jo Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriquing Lord Adelaide

I thoroughly enjoyed this upscale story of old friends, new beginnings and surprising ventures. A must read for an enjoyable afternoon or evening.
The book is a Keeper for your personal library.

[Rachel Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfortable, well written but a bit predictable.

I liked the characters very much, but I had the repeated impression I'd seen them before. The plot has a few original features but again most of it I'd encountered in other regency romances.

[Delbora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Romance

It has been awhile since I have read a book by this author and now I wonder why. She is a talented author that brings the reader into the story with her vivid storytelling.

[Nia Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book! I did feel like the very end (like the last two chapters) was a little rushed but oh well.

This book had some romance, some intrigue, and was just quite enjoyable.

I’m excited to read the next one!

[Carly Sorenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Investigating and Intrigue

Amelia is an unconventional debutante and investigation is her favorite pastime! He brother's best friend had his hands full trying to help her out while keeping the country safe. I how you will enjoy investigating this love story as much as I did!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the main characters. They were well matched, including that they were both fighting their attraction to the other.

There were some surprises and some action scenes that help define the characters' traits and feelings. It was a fun read.

[Margo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope, didn't care for this one and am unlikely to follow up on the author. It had possibilities but didn't deliver. And it lost points for over-repetition of certain phrases.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet read

Lucian and Amelia come together through circumstances and even realize that they care deeply for each other and find their happy end