ARC Review: How to Court a Covert Lady (Ladies Covert Academy #1) by Jenny Hartwell
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Series: Ladies Covert Academy #1
Author: Jenny Hartwell
Published January 31st 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
The lady fencer takes a stab at adventure…and love.
She’s keeping a secret…
For years, Miss Pippa Chester hid away in fear...until a covert academy for ladies posing as a charity group taught her to fence. Blade hidden, Pippa confidently reenters London society, but her new life is threatened when a handsome, flinty-eyed lord blackmails her. Pippa must help find his missing sister or he’ll expose the secrets of the academy Pippa would do anything to protect.
He’s looking for the truth…
Jack Dashwood, Earl of Hartwick is frantic to find his sister, and when her supposed charity group fails to assist, he takes matters into his own hands. The lovely Pippa is as good at finding clues as she is with a sword, and soon they’re chasing leads together. But the double-edged danger of his fascination with the mysterious Pippa combined with the passion that sparks with each kiss threatens to sidetrack their investigation… and overwhelm the control that Jack so desperately needs.
They’ll uncover something new…
As Pippa and Jack battle thieves, a duel, and shadowy powers in parliament, they must trust in the most powerful weapon of all…their hearts.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Pippa Chester has always stayed in the background following events in her past which left her scarred. Her only saving grace was joining the Ladies Covert Academy, taking lessons in fencing and self defence. When one of her friends goes missing, Pippa knows she needs to help find her, and not just because Lydia's handsome brother, Jack, is blackmailing her.
A new series and author for me, but it was such fun! Jack may be Earl of Hartwick, but family will always come first. After Lydia, his younger sister, doesn't come home from her charity meeting, Jack goes to find her, and rather than finding ladies doing charity work, he sees Pippa practising with her epee in the garden, and soon realises that there's more to the group than meets the eye. Blackmailing Pippa for help, he knows it's wrong, but he'll do whatever it takes to get his sister back. I loved that Jack soon realised that Pippa was strong, and didn't need protecting all of the time, and that she can help him like he never expected. Their chemistry and attraction didn't hurt though, but they fought in vain to deny it. I loved the mystery of the plot line too, and it's clear that it's setting up for the whole series, which I can't wait to read! A lovely start to a new series.
Dates Read:
July 14-15, 2023
Rating
3 Stars
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