Review: A Lady's Formula for Love (The Secret Scientists of London #1) by Elizabeth Everett
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Series: The Secret Scientists of London #1
Author: Elizabeth Everett
Published February 9th 2021 by Berkley
Goodreads Synopsis
What is a Victorian lady's formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humor and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it's elemental.
Lady Violet Hughes is keeping secrets. First, she founded a clandestine sanctuary for England's most brilliant female scientists. Second, she is using her genius on a confidential mission for the Crown. But the biggest secret of all? Her feelings for protection officer Arthur Kneland.
Solitary and reserved, Arthur learned the hard way to put duty first. But the more time he spends in the company of Violet and the eccentric club members, the more his best intentions go up in flames. Literally.
When a shadowy threat infiltrates Violet's laboratories, endangering her life and her work, scientist and bodyguard will find all their theories put to the test—and learn that the most important discoveries are those of the heart.
Goodreads
Review
Lady Violet Hughes may be a noblewoman, but the most important thing in her life was her science and her secret society of other intelligent women. She may not be the perfect 'Lady' to the ton, but she has the responsibility of uncovering how to stop the mysterious group which are threatening British society, and has turned their attention on her, and her club. Violet's step son, William, the Viscount Greycliff, one of her closest friends due to their close age, and agent for the crown, has decided Violet needs protection, and he trusts no one other than protection officer, Arthur Kneland. Arthur has his demons to contend with, and he won't allow feelings to interfere in his duty, but it's difficult to stay calm and stoic around Violet, when she has no regard for her own safety, and he's falling head over heels for her? As the threat comes closer to home, will our heroes be able to overcome it all, and find the perfect formula for love?
I was initially drawn into this book by the early reviews I'd spotted online, and thought the idea of a ladies society, in Victorian England, focusing on STEM subjects, was a fantastic one, and I needed to read it. At first, I was a little slow to like the main characters, as Violet can be a little abrupt, but once we know about her and what makes her tick, it's easy to fall for her. She married well, and as a Vicountess, she was expected to hold society events and dinners expertly, but her brain wasn't wired that way, and she often faced the scorn and ridicule of others, including her late husband. For Violet, science was her life blood, and she would do anything for the ladies in her society, and to help her country through her experiments. Danger meant nothing to her, she only cared about others being harmed, so initially, she was against Grey bringing Arthur Kneland in as a protection officer for herself. But once she came around to the idea, and they started to understand each other, it was simple that they would soon develop greater feelings for each other, and I loved seeing both of them explore their vulnerable sides, and their past, together. The plot line definitely is one to keep you on your toes, and I was in awe at the ending. I can't wait for book 2, A Perfect Equation, about Grey and Letty!
Dates Read:
October 31-November 2, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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