Loved this one! It was the best so far of this series - sexy but with a female lead that stood up for herself in all the ways that mattered, and there was enough of a barrier between them at first that the friction felt believable rather than forced for the sake of plot.

I hugely enjoyed this conclusion to the 'A League of Extraordinary Women' series.

Sweet Catriona, a neurodivergent in a world who didn't understand her yet - by the author's own admission. As with any book where the character is a little outside the way society expects them to be - whether modern or historical - it was lovely to see her loved. Both by her friends and strong, passionate Elias. A powerful pairing indeed.

I loved the epilogue, a glimpse into the future, or a not as distant past for the reader. It really made my heart swell, to see the series concluded on this way, where spirited and endlessly passionate Lucie is able to say my part is done now, seeing the wars the characters had fought for at least partially won.

A delightful end to a hugely enjoyable series.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I love Evie Dunmore's writing and I wasn’t disapponted by this book at all. I enjoyed the political parts as much as i enjoyed the romance. Their banter was hilarious and had me giggling like a school girl.
Catriona too was always such an wasy character to love and root for. So yeah this was an enjoyable historical romance

I didn't realise that this book was part of a series but not knowing the characters from the other books didn't adversely affect my enjoyment of the Gentleman's Gambit. Catrine is an excellent character and I liked her ballsy nature, as I understand it, she is the most reserved of the series heroines. I love the cultural diversity displayed between Elias and Catrin which should be more widely discussed in historical fiction.
It took me a while to get into this story and I feel it to be more historical fiction than romance as the political and social aspects of the period were examined in some depth. In saying that the journey of the two main characters was fascinating and circuitous to say the least. Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this ARC, I recommend reading the series from the beginning though to fully engage in the characters. Really well written.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review!

Once again, I have accidently read a book that was part of a series but I didn't realize it because I am a fool. This is a standalone in the way that the story stands on its own, but it intersects with the previous books' characters, plots, and themes. The epilogue seemed very meaningful and probably would have been if I had read the other books first.

I am desperate to read the other books now though! I really enjoyed Elias and Catriona's story. They are incredibly sweet together and the seduction over chess is delightful. It does end a bit abruptly, I would have liked at least a little glance at their wedding and marriage, but alas.

Overall, a delightful romance with suffragists and a turn of the century Lebanese love interest!

Four fluffy stars.

3.75/5 stars! I love me some historical romance, so I was excited to read this fourth entry in the League of Extraordinary Women series. I really appreciated how closely this story incorporated actual historical events. The cast of characters also managed to have similar strength and resiliency but still enough unique characteristics to be individuals. This wasn't my favorite book by this author, but it was a solid entry in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Absolutely adored this conclusion to the League of Extraordinary Women series. Quiet reserved Catrina was one my favourite heroines of the series, I really connected with her views on womanhood. I read a lot of historical romance but one of the highlights of this entire series is how in touches on real historical information via the suffragette movement, it makes it a standout series for me. The romance between Catriona ans Elias was complex and beautiful. Just a joy to read!

This was a bit of a mixed one for me - I've heard such great things about this series by Evie Dunmore, but I found it very. hard to get into, and almost gave up on it once I'd hit the 100-page mark and still didn't feel invested in the story. Seeing other reviews from people who have read the whole series did alleviate my worries about the previous books, however, as it seems that it has been a common feeling in this seeming more Historical-Fiction heavy than a Historical Romance. It certainly felt focused on the impact of colonialism on artifacts, rather than the budding romance between Catriona and Elias, and while this is something that I wholeheartedly support being called out, it felt a touch out of place within this kind of narrative. I did enjoy the ending and the full-circle moment for the Suffragist movement that is depicted, but the romance in this didn't create that same sense of satisfaction for me.

I really enjoyed this book! Not only for the romance but for history aspect, I feel like I learnt so much! It was a little different to the classic romance books I tend to read but I am going to go back and read the other books in the series. Although part of a series, you can still enjoy this book on its own. Thank you for giving me the oppportunity to review!

✔️Scottish fmc
✔️Lebanese mmc
✔️historical romance
✔️suffragettes
✔️forced proximity
✔️found family

real rating 3.5

I've been expecting Catriona's story for so long, and I'm so happy it is finally here! But I'm also a bit sad that this series is ending and that we won't see these characters and found family anymore.

Catriona's story and personal journey were truly beautiful. I loved that she got a man like Elias Khoury, who was so perfect for her. He was the colours Catriona was missing in her life; she was the home and heart he had been looking for so long.

As always, I love how Evie Dunmore perfectly mingles romance with history, politics and social issues. Evie excels in writing beautiful romances with wonderful characters and meaningful plots.

However, I fell short of their story. It ended so abruptly that I needed a bit more for it to feel like the perfect round ending I expected. I loved the epilogue, but I would've liked it more as an extended epilogue and not Catriona and Elias's. Because even though this was their book, at times, it didn't feel as such, and that epilogue showed that it was more a series finale than their story. I also sort of expected a more significant love declaration. It was such a monumental moment for Catriona to finally confess her love, yet it passed almost inadvertently.

Nonetheless, it is a truly enjoyable story. I think Elias is my favourite man in this series, only second to Sebastian. And I know many people will love this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

if you have loved Dunmore's previous books then this one will not disappoint. I flew through this and loved every second. The strong female characters are always such a breath of fresh air.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed the previous books in this series - they stand out from a lot of other historical romances by having atypical heroines. I love the backdrop of the women's rights movement in each novel, and this fourth instalment was no different!

The main difference was: I think Catriona and Elias might be my favourite couple of them all! From the moment they met the chemistry was undeniable and palpable. I loved reading about them dancing around each other throughout - and the underlying plot!! Fabulous, juicy and very fun. I loved having a MMC who wasn't just another white man in the English establishment (a staple in these sorts of books), but instead a man from Lebanon.

An easy read, perfect for curling up with in the holiday season.

With The Gentleman's Gambit, we return to the League of Extraordinary Women for a final instalment, which brings us Catriona and Elias' story. There is a lot of focus on plot, and the storyline feels properly rooted in the history of the time, which is essential to the novel, rather than just a pretty trapping. Dunmore weaves a realistic timeline for the suffragette movement, and also deals sensitively with the topic of colonialism and the repatriation of stolen artefacts.

Catriona had always seemed a bit more in the background in the other novels, so I was looking forward to seeing more of her. Our heroine has a lot on her plate: a failing estate, academic writer's block, and her work for the suffragist movement. She certainly doesn't want to entertain her father's young colleague and would prefer to avoid him following their disastrously revealing first meeting.
Elias Khoury has come to Britain with a secret agenda – he is not looking to classify ancient artefacts, instead he is determined to see them returned to his homeland in the Middle East. Seducing the scholarly Catriona starts out as a means to an end, but the scheme quickly derails as feelings get entangled.

The powerful friendships amongst this group of strong women have been an absolute highlight throughout the series. Annabelle, Lucie, Hattie, and Catriona are the kind of friends you'd steal horses with, as a German saying goes. While the majority of the novel is told from either Elias' or Catriona's point of view, there is a chapter focused on each previous couple, which allows us a peek into their lives at a different stage in their relationships. To fully appreciate these, it's best to have read the series in order.

This is a beautiful slow-burn romance with a neurodivergent main character, historic substance and a fair bit of spice. I'm finishing with a passage that moved me personally because of how well Dunmore captures the expat experience. In Elias' words, “What troubles me is that I might not always come back here as planned, every winter, for reasons we can't yet envision. You know what will happen then? I've seen it happen to others: two versions of my homeland will begin to exist, one that is built on the myths of my memories, and the real place, which keeps moving forward without me. One day, I might not recognize it anymore when I return. It might not recognize me.”

Thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown Group and Pikatus for the eARC. I review this voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

There is a lot to take in when reading this book. The strong female characters where brilliant, as were the topics and historical themes. However, the romance was a little strained at times. However, overall it was interesting read.

This was a the slow-burn in terms of the romance. The banter between the characters were fun and enjoyable. However it did seem more plot orientated and the romance seemed to suffer a little for this. Overall, it was a good read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When I tell you I have been waiting for this book for YEARS. I truly mean it. I was introduced to the League of Extraordinary Women right after the second book in the series came out and I was sucked in by the incredible female friendships and the absolutely delicious love interests.
Since then, I’ve missed my friends who had the romance lives of Bridgerton characters, but the feminist aspirations that I can related to even now.
I feel like this book leaned more heavily on several plot lines instead of the central relationship so I did feel at some points like I didn’t quite understand the chemistry or attraction between the Catriona and Elias. It felt more like a love at first sight trope which never sits well with me.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the added plot points, maybe I just wanted it to be a longer book.

Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK, and Evie Dunmore for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The first book in this series 'Bringing Down The Duke' was a 5 star read for me, it was one of the first historical romances I read that made me realise what this genre could be. Evie Dunmore has done something very special with this series.

I absolutely loved the topics and discussions in this book - it felt very timely and relevant to the world we live in today - repatriation and the decolonisation of our museums is a conversations that has been happening for a very long time and the way this book handled it was brilliant.

This was my least favourite of the 4 books in this series but it was still a joy to read, the author writes beautifully nuanced characters.

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

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I remember first time I discovered Evie Dunmore I fell in love with her writing and with her characters.I read her first book and I loved it so much that I read it again. Since then every time a new book by her is available I get it immediately. Once again she delivers. I get so engrossed in her storytelling and her characters that I read it in one sitting. I literally can't stop. I absolutely adored both MCs. I will always recommend her books. 10/10 would recommend!

Generally historical romances are a hit or miss for me mainly because of the language/terminologies used in the book but I knew Evie dummies would not disappoint me and I stand corrected.

I loved the slow-burn aspect of it. The banter between the characters were fun and enjoyable. Overall, it was a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and little brown book for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for gifting me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored every book in the series so far, and while I did enjoy this but sad to say it's my least favorite.

We finally got to Catriona's story which featured a slowburn romance and the tension was exciting in the first half of the book, but it fell short in the second half.

The romance did not feel as strong as in the other books, despite the other books also tackling political and historical topics, those aspects did not balance well with the romance in this one which is a shame because I really enjoyed Catriona and Elias's chemistry when they just started to get to know to each other.

What always stood out for me across all the books are the powerful female friendships and the suffragist movement they are so passionate about. Dunmore effortlessly weaves feminism in her books and that what sets it apart from other historical romances.

Overall, enjoyable yet a tad underwhelming regradless I look forward to future releases by Dunmore as her romances are splendid, but need to be balanced with the info planted and the development of the romance because I'll always come for the romance first.