I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written, and the plot was engrossing. I would recommend this to any romance readers.

As others have mentioned, this is the 3rd book in a series but I read it anyway and found that once you are reading, backstories are mentioned a little and it becomes obvious who people are as it literally is explained. You don't need to read the first two, but it probably helps, although you could read as a standalone if you're not easily confused.

This was full of secrets and plotting and drama once it got going. There was some romance, but it was more of an undertone to the rest of the plot which revolved around Princess Sophia and also Clemency's past.

I felt the writing was good once I got past the initial first chapters and it got into a faster pace, but I just wanted more romance! There was a heat between Clemency and Kit which could have been developed further but there was more talk of each other from their perspectives, rather than actual scenes between them.

I wouldn't rule out this author though, I do think the writing was simple enough language and easy to follow and I did feel for Clemency, so there was a connection to her and Kit.

2.5/5⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, Head of Zeus
and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read the other books in this series, which put me at a disadvantage. However, a fabulously cleverly crafted book, so different from anything else I have read. A fascinating and thrilling read for lovers of historical fiction.

"Scandalous Alchemy": 4 ⭐

Bridgerton-style regency romance? ✅
Sexy as hell? ✅
Drama as in English drama? ✅

This book was everything I wanted. This is the reason I adore reading regency romances, with all their dramatic quirks and sensual sequences. Katy Moran brings such a fun twist to her romances, it's almost impossible to miss them.

This book was very entertaining and mind capturing. I read this in one sitting!

I DNF'ed this book at about 20%. The main reason being I couldn't get a grip on the characters and how they related to each other. Then I figured out this was book 3 in the series, which I hadn't seen when I requested the book (my bad, sorry!). It was taking away from the story to try and figure it out, so I decided to DNF it. Usually, when I read a book in a series, I appreciate when the author treats me like I've forgotten the major plot points and characters and inserts a bit of explanation into the first few chapters. Whereas there was a bit of explanation about the larger context of Napoleon and his war, I felt it was lacking in explanation of who the characters were to fully comprehend the book. If I'd had read the books before but hadn't picked up book 3 right after, I would've bumped into this problem as well.

I was excited about the friends to (hopefully?) lovers trope though! It just wasn't enough to keep me going.

<b><i>Scandalous Alchemy</i></b> is the third book in the Hester & Crow trilogy. This saga of England's alternative history continues with Kitto's story, with the heir apparent to the throne Nadezda's, running in parallel.

We see the events through the narrative featuring Clemency Arwenack, a genteel con artist and the ward of Valentine Boscobel, whose father gets a mention in books 1 and 2 as Crow's opponent. Clemency's early career as the Earl of Lamorna's informer and spy sets the tone for further intrigues conducted under the instructions of the devious Boscobels, in order to further their own ambition in climbing the rungs of society. Crow warns Kitto that he lost Clemency as an operative due to the Boscobels holding some threat over her head, which makes her do their bidding.

The Boscobels' machinations ensure that Clemency is appointed Mistress of Robes to Nadezda with the aim of disrupting the proposed arranged union with Prince Louis Charles Habsburg-Lorraine, Prince of Hungary. An indiscretion at a club puts Kitto in the position of bodyguard to Nadezda. Along with Charles D'Harcourt, a frenchman with Egyptian ancestry, Kitto is tasked with escorting Nadezda to her nuptials with Prince Louis in France. Several assasination attempts on Nadezda make Kitto, Charles and Clemency to look into a possible conspiracy to replace Nadezda with a rival contender to the throne. Valentine Boscobel's sinister presence throughout leads one to wonder why Clemency participates willingly in the nefarious deeds orchestrated by the Boscobels.

About halfway through the book, the threat that the Boscobels hold over Clemency's head becomes obvious. Nadezda's jealousy over Kitto's attraction to Clemency ensures that Clemency is able to spread rumours about Kitto and Nadezda and successfully disrupt the marriage arrangements, but a surprise development presided over by Tsar Romanov ensures that Nadezda and Louis do unite, and the conundrum surrounding Clemency, Kitto and the Boscobels is sorted out by the end. The events are fast paced and every character has a part to play including Morwenna and Alie, the children who appear on and off in the narrative.

The interactions of Charles, Hester, and Hester and Crow's daughter Morwenna, with the members of British and French society depict the subtle and not so subtle discrimination practiced at the time, towards people who were not of anglo-saxon descent. The class schisms are also apparent in the sweeping power that the nobility wields over the commoners. Both aspects are deployed to good effect in developing the narrative, and make for a satisfying read.

Having said that, I have to say that it was very difficult to like Clemency, in spite of the reasons given by the author for her actions. It was very easy to like Hester, Crow and Kitto given all their imperfections; even Countess Tatyana Orlova of Book 2 roused my sympathy, as did her doomed romance with the mercurial Sasha. It is a rarity for me to dislike a character, but Clemency left me cold. Kitto showed a lot of growth from the immature and rebellious youngster of <b><i>Game of Hearts (Book 1)</i></b> and gets his HEA in this book. It was a satisfactory end to the events that began in book 1 and continued in <b><i>Wicked by Design</i></b> (Book 2).

Thanks to NetGalley for making a temporary copy of the book available for review.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review


⭐️⭐️/5 Stars
DNF at 20%. I found this to be boring and I didn’t really know the characters. It also didn’t feel like a romance novel as I thought it was.

Sorry, this book was not for me, it is the last in series and I feel that you had to have read the first two to understand the story, so many character’s and not a historical romance book, more a story of spies and espionage.

This book was more of an adventure novel with spies, intrigue, murder, deception…. And a bit of romance as well. Sex was mentioned, but never really described, and there was a happily ever after. The author had me pretty confused at first with all of the characters and their part in the plot, but was able to figure it out as the story went on.

I didn't realise that this is part three of a series, but I don't think it took much away from the story as although the characters did seem to have history between them, this was largely explained as it became relevant, and the plot of this particular episode of the book seemed quite self-contained.

While I don't mind historical fiction set in alternate realities, I did need more back detail about the alternate history in which the book is set, as I found it all quite confusing to follow who was on the English throne and what was going on with Napoleon, Josephine and Wellington, who all appear as characters. It also meant the book can't really be described as a Regency adventure, since it didn't seem to be that there was a regent on the English throne, although again I was quite confused about that part of the story and I might have misunderstood!

I liked the first half of the book very much - I liked the intrigue and court politics, but I lost my way with it all somewhere about halfway through which was a bit disappointing. I do intend to read the two prequels however as I think the story was written quite well and was an enjoyable read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Set in an alternative historical world., this is the final book in the Hester and Crow trilogy. Vivid imagery, astute political insight, and scandalous romance, this book is an addictive delight for historical romance fans.

The characters are pure, romantic Regency, the female protagonist, is independent, intelligent and intriguing. Kit, the male protagonist, is scandalous, sexy and searching, for his happiness, in a climate of betrayal and political intrigue.

There's engaging romance, fascinating political manoeuvring and vibrant characters that befit the glamour of the Regency period.

I received a copy of this book from 'Head of Zeus' via Helen Richardson PR in return for an honest review.

Let me start off by saying I had no idea this was a series. Although this was slightly frustrating, not reading the other two did not take away from this story. We follow Kit through a regency style romance in the vein of Bridgerton.

Set in Fontainebleau, Paris, France, 1825 shortly after the time of Napoleon. Nadezhda, the Princess Royal is set to marry and it’s upto Kit, the Lieutenant Colonel to ensure she gets there safely. But Kit has his own secrets which could endanger them both. Kit is a rebel who recently found himself on the run at a time when Fontainebleau had been invaded.

Scandalous Alchemy by Katy Moran
The Regency Romance Trilogy Book 3.
1825
FONTAINEBLEAU, FRANCE
Clemency Arwenack never dreamed she would be appointed lady-in-waiting to the notorious Princess Royal. A soldier's daughter, Clemency has aristocratic connections that she could quite frankly do without, and catering to the whims of an impetuous heir to the throne is the last thing she wants. Even so, Clemency's ambitious godmother forces her to accept the position. Always a keeper of other people's confidences, Clemency has a secret of her own, and Georgiana, Lady Boscobel, is only too ready to use it against her.
Worse still, the Honourable Lieutenant Colonel Kit Helford is now captain of the royal guard – and so Clemency can't avoid the one childhood friend who might just see through her dangerous web of deceit. Kit Helford is just as wild and handsome as he's always been. And Clemency knows only too well that he's just as much trouble.
An ok read. Slow but readable. Ok story and characters 3*.

I read about 20% of this novel, and I am completely lost. After looking up on the novel on Goodreads, I see its book 3 of the Hester and Crow series. No wonder I can't follow what is happening and the characters.

It is apparent this series needs to be read in order to enjoy. Sorry but I will not be finishing this book.

NOT A REGENCY ROMANCE

Between the alternate timeline (not mentioned in the description, or I would never have picked it up) and the multiple POVs, I couldn't make sense of this book. It doesn't read like romance at all. The comparisons to Bridgerton and Georgette Heyer are misplaced. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I honestly didn’t like this. I thought the world bending was confusing and didn’t add to the story. I didn’t get why the princess had a POV when she wasn’t the love interest. Did not enjoy.

This was the first book I've read from Katy Moran, which I probably should not have done since I was quite confused in the beginning. I definitely recommend reading the others in the series first before starting this one. Regardless, it was quite fascinating and thrilling read for those who love historical romance. The alternative history is very unique, and now I will be definitely reading the rest of the books in the series!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.

So much deception and hidden secrets! I like how this book seemed like a typical historical fiction about those in society, but really got into each character's hidden secrets.

I have to admit that this book took a little while to get going and had a lot of characters to sort out. I did like how trying to protect the next heir to the crown, brought out the backgrounds of Kit and Clemency. Of course, all of the secrets made the romantic relationship complicated.

The historical part in this book was a bit funky since it followed big changes to actual history, but it didn't take away from the characters. Who knew a Russian/English alliance could add entertainment.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

I didn't read the other books prior to this and felt a little lost at the start of the story. It was a little difficult keeping track of all the characters in this book and I found it hard to follow. However, the book was had a relatively quick pacing and was entertaining.

* Many thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for this ARC for review!

A thrilling and sexy romp through 19th-century France, England and Russia in Katy Moran's latest Bridgerton-style Regency romance.
In the palace of Fontainebleau, intrigue and scandal stalk the salons. Princess Sophia of England is on her way there to meet a prospective husband. In Russia, she was known as Nadezhda and rode fearlessly across the steppes with Captain Kitto Helford at her side. Now he's escorting her to Fontainebleau, but no one must suspect the love they once shared.
Cornish Clemency Arwenak is in France as the poor relation of an uncle she has come to fear. It's a relief to be seconded to the princess's entourage. But soon long-ago childhood friends, Clemency and Kit Helford, must face a frightening truth. Someone is trying to kill the princess and Nadezhda herself is playing a game that will endanger them all.
I can't always like a bad book which is really interesting. This is a very common question in this tale.