The Brazen Bluestocking
Series: The Duchess Society #1
Author: Tracy Sumner
Published September 16th 2021 by WOLF Publishing

Goodreads Synopsis
In this Regency romance by award-winning author Tracy Sumner, a willful bluestocking matches wits with a devilish scoundrel she never expected to desire with every beat of her heart.

A defiant society outcast.
A forbidding rogue who doesn’t believe in love.
And a passionate wager.

Daughter of an earl, Lady Hildegard Templeton hasn’t conformed to what society expects from a woman of her station. Industrious and unique, she’s created an emboldened organization for women on the cusp of marriage, The Duchess Society. Called a bluestocking to her face and worse behind closed salon doors, she vows to marry for love. And nothing but. Although the emotion has never shown itself to her. Until she meets him.

Bastard son of a viscount and king of London’s sordid streets, Tobias Streeter has spent a lifetime building his empire, and he needs the Duchess Society to find a suitable wife. An asset to expand his worth in society’s eyes. But he vows his search will have nothing to do with love and everything to do with vengeance. Until he meets her.

Soon, Tobias and Hildy’s plans are in turmoil as they choose between expectation, passion, and love.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Hildegard Templeton - Hildy to her friends - may be the daughter of an Earl, but following his death, she's impoverished and alone in the world, except for her closest friends who make up the Duchess Society with her. She knows what it's like to be a woman without protection, and endeavours to make sure other young ladies have the best protection they can, with the best husband and marriage contract. When the eldest daughter of a duke is betrothed to The Rogue King, Tobias Street - rumoured by blow of a viscount who controls more of London than the ton - Hildy has to make sure he will treat his wife properly, and that he gains some ton polish too. But as the two butt heads, it's clear that the attraction and chemistry between them is more than most married couples have. Will Tobias go through with his marriage to the Duke's daughter, in order to further his own goals, or will he go with his heart and choose Hildy?

I was blown away by this book. I started it thinking it would be an enjoyable read, probably 3 stars, but as soon as I'd started, I needed to read on. All of the characters, from the servants up to the main couple, were amazing, and this book has definitely set up for the rest of the series. Hildy and Tobias had a chemistry unlike most I've seen before, and they really overcame the expectations they placed on themselves, rather than of the ton. Really, they didn't care for what the ton thought, both being outcasts of a kind, but they wanted the other to achieve all their goals and aims, and would rather be heartbroken and lose the other, than be the cause of their loss. There's a sort of found family feeling to the book too, with the main group not quite what you would expect for friends, but work together so well. I'm glad I've got a copy of book 2 to read now, because Leighton and Helena are definitely a enemies-to-lovers romance waiting to happen!

Dates Read:
December 26, 2021

Rating
4 Stars