This was such a fun read, I absolutely loved the MFC Hannah, she was badass, determined and strong. I loved how power and privilege were addressed in such a good way. And the MMC was brilliant too. Definitely want to read more with some of the side characters...hopefully they'll be getting their own stories??
If you love a bit of chaos, a murder mystery, a spicy but also deep and meaningful romance and a historical setting you will definitely enjoy this one!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free eARC of this book

This had everything that I was hoping for from a historical romance story, it worked with what I was wanting from the description and enjoyed this time-period. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed getting to know them in this world. Darcy McGuire has a great writing style and thought the characters were strongly written and thought they worked in this universe.

This was so close to 4 stars, it just felt like something was missing and I think it was their relationship.

We follow Lady Hannah Simmons (a spy?? I’m actually not sure was she was supposed to be) working for the queen, solving crime and other slay girl things. She’s described in the synopsis as “femme fatale”, which is exactly the opposite of what she. She has no idea how to use her feminine wiles (which is disappointing, I was expecting a seductress and instead got a little nervous thing). Simmons ends up clashing with Robert Killian (a private investigator) as they are attempting to solve the same murder.

I loved a lot about this; the setting, the murder mystery, the side-characters, the dialogue. But the romance felt so lacking. I felt like I was two minutes in before he was already trying to lay one on her. Which. fair play, but he had this whole speech about how he is a perfect gentleman and comes from excellent breeding?? I digress. I wish more time had been spent building up the romance, or at the very least, the tension. It’s fair to build a relationship off of a lust, but even their initial connection felt out of nowhere. We didn’t really know Simmons or Killian as characters before they started boinking.

Excellently written, but the intercharacter relationships were too shallow for me. I will say, I loved Drake (he’s hilarious) so hopefully we get his story.

hannah was SO. BAD. ASS.
heck i fell in love with her reading this!! the daggers! the strength!! yes please.
killian was also there. he wasn't bad though even though at times the character growth was ~rough~
i really don't have too much criticism, the only things that brought it down to four stars was how quickly the romance (or should i say insta-lust) developed, and i would have loved to have the mystery be a little bit more in the focus at least so we can see more badass hannah action. thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read an arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Secret Life of a Lady by Darcy McGuire 🔫
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
Publishing Date: June 14 2024

I found this book fun and enjoyable to read. The characters were interesting and the story line kept me engaged but I did find it took a while for me to get into it. I liked the second half more than the first.

I think the main issue I had with this book was the predictability. It had huge potential but the plot twists didn't feel like big revelations. Some people will see this as a draw for the book, and often I love romance books for this same reason, but I think if the plot points had been more unpredictable it would have worked better for this particular book.

Overall, I would recommend reading it and would read more books by this author.

2.5 ✨

Well finishing this book was hard !! It took me 9 days and it’s only 278 pages.

Honestly I didn’t liked it which is very sad because it had a lot of potential, the writing was beautiful but the characters… let’s just say they are not favorites of mine at all. The romance is instalust which I don’t like at all, it’s almost impossible for me to connect this way. But I might have liked it better if the 🌶️ scene weren’t so cringe

For the story, the murderer was oblivious, it would have worked better if more characters were introduced.
I wouldn’t have been against more detective work scenes and maybe less 🌶️ ones

So yea not a fan of it, but I hope you will like it more than me.

Title: The Secret Life of a Lady by Darcy McGuire
Release Date: October, 15th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Lady Hannah Simmons may appear to be a typical wallflower of the ton, but beneath her unassuming exterior lies a thrilling secret: she is Queen Victoria's leading femme fatale, skilled in espionage and intrigue.
When tasked with apprehending a deadly killer, she finds herself competing with the dashing yet damaged Private Investigator Duke Robert Killian.
As they embark on a daring mission together, tensions rise and desires ignite. Can they resist each other's allure while completing their mission, or will passion prove to be their ultimate downfall? In a game of seduction and danger, they must keep their enemies close and their hearts even closer.


"The Secret Life of a Lady" serves up a delicious blend of historical romance and espionage, whisking readers away on a thrilling journey of intrigue and passion. Follow Hannah Simmons and Robert Killian as they unravel a gripping mystery while navigating their own personal struggles. Their relationship brims with tension and witty banter, adding an extra layer of spice to the narrative.

With a fast-paced plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and intriguing secondary characters hinting at future adventures, this book never fails to captivate. Hannah shines as a strong and determined heroine, and her chemistry with Killian is both electric and humorous.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century London, the vivid depiction of the era adds depth and richness to the story, ensuring an enthralling reading experience from start to finish.

Thank you to The Publisher Boldwood Books ,Darcy McGuire & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

What great fun, especially for those who just can't wait for the next Bridgerton series. A swoony Regency histrom mystery that kept me rapt throughout. Recommended!

Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Agatha Christie! A regency-era murder mystery with a side of steamy romance. A quick and easy read that is enjoyable from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this book! The mystery was well done and even though I figured it out before the reveal, it still managed to surprise me with an extra twist. While I felt the “instant attraction” was a bit meh, I enjoyed Hannah and Killian together throughout the book. The banter was bantering, the spice was spicy, and the side characters were gems. I will definitely be picking up more from this author.

Oooh I REALLY enjoyed this book! It was spicy! I loved the intrigue and tension. I loved the characters and the dual POV. And the storyline was unlike anything I’ve read before and combined several genres I tend to enjoy separately, and they worked so well together. I loved it!

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Works better as a romance

Lady Hannah Simmons prefers to blend into the background and likes being a wallflower as it keeps her secret identity safe. She is a trained assassin of Queen Victoria and takes up several dangerous missions. Hannah also has many weapons on her most of the time.
Private Investigator to the Prime Minister and ex-war hero, Duke Robert Killian, knows he is a damaged man with a lot of weight on his shoulders. However, his latest job brings him face-to-face with Hannah (who seems to be in the same case). The spark between them is instant, but they need to get the heart of the case before things get complicated.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Hannah and Robert Killian.

My Thoughts:
This is primarily a romance with a bit of mystery and danger thrown in. Since I knew that’s how it would be, I enjoyed the book for what it offered.
The books deals with themes like PTSD, past secrets, missing and dead people, etc. Despite the darkness of the subject, there’s enough light in the book to make it an easy and breezy read.
The main characters have their pasts, which allows them to be much more than their looks. I quite liked how this is balanced and aligned with the genre’s specifications.
Naturally, there is lust at first sight and a good dose of steam (almost 4, so be warned). It flows well with the narration and continues to keep the % moving (very important). At the same time, the pacing doesn’t make the characters feel distant. I think that’s because the filler content is kept to a minimum.
The side characters come in varied colors and temperaments. This mix allows readers to easily track who is who and what role they play in the overall plot.
However, the mystery element is super weak. I was expecting this, so I went with the flow. There’s some action towards the end, but if you read it solely for the thriller elements, you’ll be disappointed.
There’s potential in the book and the characters. This is likely the first book in the series, as there are a few loose ends (and no epilogue!). I hope Drake gets the next book. That man needs to heal ASAP.

To summarize, The Secret Life of a Lady is a steamy romance with some intrigue to spice things up. Read it as a romance to enjoy it more. I would definitely pick up the next book (whenever it is available).
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
Other links will be added later.

The description of this book caught my attention right away. I love a good, strong, fighting, female lead. Hannah (orphan daughter of a mistress) is a secret agent who works for the Queen, and Lieutenant Killian (a Duke) is an agent for the Prime Minister. Both are hunting the same killer, both are attracted to each other, and both don't want to admit it. As they start to cross each others path while investigating, their friends/mentors encourage them to seduce the other to keep them distracted. Both initially reject the idea, but attraction and admiration starts to build in them both.

This was a cute historical romance that moves quickly and holds your attention. I am curious to see what happens to the characters in the next books, and to learn more about Millie, Ivy, Drake, and hopefully Philippa!

I would like to thank netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was really entertaining, with a kick ass heroine.

The Secret Life of a Lady is a period drama, romance, mystery, spy thriller.

A lot of genres to fit into one book and, unfortunately, not done so well. The book’s length may have something to do with it - maybe more prose, more build-up and careful editing is just what this needs.

Spicy historical romance dual point of view. Fun book with some mystery and action. I enjoyed both main leads and watching their relationship grow. Great writing and I look forward to reading more by this author.

masterfully blends intrigue, romance, and historical richness in a story that kept me glued to the pages late into the night. The novel, set in a beautifully detailed historical period, offers a vivid glimpse into the past through the eyes of a complex and compelling heroine. The main characters secret life adds layers of tension and excitement to the narrative, making her journey not only about love but also about survival and self-discovery. Her encounters that are dangerous and romantic, are portrayed with a depth that made me feel as if I were living through her experiences myself.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The writing style was really great and it was very well thought out. The plot line and mystery was well done.

Too much instalust for me, especially for a book with a description that implies rivals to lovers. There were heavy handed coincidences to move the plot along. Hannah may be a good fighter, but we never see her not be a bumbling spy, and Killian is no better. The real culprit was clear a mile away. The mystery plot fell to the wayside and the relationship was underdeveloped. I never felt the stakes on either front. The mystery was too slow and the “love” too fast.

If you like instalust, steam, and don’t care about the terrible mystery, though, you'll like this first in a new series. Drake and Ivy piqued my interest, but I'll wait and see reviews for future books before reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC! All opinions below are my own.

A well-done historical romance and start to a series! Hannah Simmons, ward to Duchess Philippa after the murder of her mother, is our enterprising, murder-solving FMC - she's smart, she's good at fighting, and she's rapidly falling in love with a duke. Both of them are working to find this serial killer while in the midst of figuring out what to do about this attraction, given he's a titled lord who's expected to marry well -- and also is dealing with PTSD and facing families of those who've died under his command.

The war veteran/PTSD-coping historical lord bit has always been a hit-or-miss for me. I don't read tons of army/mafia romances in the contemporary world, so in general I enjoy more in historical fiction, but I'm always left wondering how realistic this is. How realistic were the torture scenes that are described - particularly with a bunch of titled lords?? I'm aware that many sons (usually second, is my understanding) pass due to infection and battle wounds but this is one of the first books that details a weeks-long torture leading to our hero's tragic background. While I thought Darcy took the time to make this past a part of who our duke is, so that it doesn't feel gratuitous, I'm also mixed on its inclusion/the details of the trauma at all.

This was overall a super well-written historical romance that was easy to fly through, with a decent mix of romance, spice, and a dash of suspense (though never enough to make you feel anxious.) I wouldn't characterize this as a murder mystery, certainly, but rather more of a historical romance with a main character who is doing and invested in interesting things, perfect for anyone who enjoys historical romance but finds the actual day-to-day lives of balls and what-not to be uninteresting. Importantly, all of the spicy scenes include a heavy dose of romance - it feels like our author took a lot of time to flesh out reasons why our characters would fall in love with another, and certainly gives our duke a lot of pretty language and compliments - this isn't a must for me to enjoy a book personally, but for those of you out there who love to highlight romantic lines in books, this book will suit your fancy!!