If you’re craving a historical romance packed with fiery passion, hidden agendas, and just the right amount of intrigue, then this one’s got your name on it! Orchard masterfully spins a tale that keeps you glued to every page. The chemistry between Sophie and Drake is off the charts—it's intense, electric, and layered with suspense that’ll keep you guessing. The steamy moments are perfectly placed, enhancing their connection without ever stealing the spotlight from the plot. Sophie’s inner battle between her thirst for revenge and her undeniable attraction to Drake is what really cranks up the tension. Add in the witty, engaging dialogue, and you’ve got characters that leap off the page with their natural chemistry. This is one love story you won’t want to put down!

Thank you to both Boldwood Books & Net Galley for an eARC.


#TheViscountandtheThief #NetGalley

I’m writing this review and I’m still smiling from what I read at the end. This story is full of drama, suspense, chilling, romantic, steamy and entertaining moments…honestly, it had it all. I love the book in spite of the cruelty and distressing scenes.

Clemance de Montfaucon is the daughter of a French Duke who emigrated to England in war times. In order for her to have a season where she could meet a wealthy husband and save her family from poverty, her father needed to sell his most precious heirloom. Obviously, he contacted the wrong man and lost not only his exquisite jewel but his pride and family’s future.

Rafael, Lord Drake, is the son of Lord Wyvern who is a despicable member of the ton who loves scandal and has tainted his family name for years or at least since Rafe was a child. What his father has done to him is something as disturbing and disgusting as you can never imagine a Father can do to his son.

Clemance and Rafe encounter each other eight years after their first meeting and before their life turn 360 degrees. Now, they need to fight their past, their feelings for revenge but above all, their misconception that their past will shape their future.

This book was a page turner from the beginning until te end. I’m so grateful to NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this ARC.

This one should have been more fun than it was based on the summary but I just found it a bit boring although it did have it’s moments

This was an interesting read! It included romance and a jewel heist which is always a good combination. The story progressed smoothly and was compelling and I was interested in seeing how events worked out. The relationship between the MMC and his loved ones was also enjoyable and their scenes together were sweet. The description of the villain was also good, as you could really tell how quietly evil the man was. I enjoyed how the main dramatic elements were eventually resolved and am interested to read future books in the series.

Content warning: psychologically abusive parents, death by suicide, dubious consent (not between MCs)

An irresistible slice of escapism and a joy to read. Compelling, absorbing and highly entertaining. Fast-moving and fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was apprehensive at first as it felt like the first section of the book seemed rushed and the pacing seemed off. As the book hit the halfway mark, the pacing seemed to sort out and I was much fonder of the storyline. The writing was easy to follow and it was endearing.

this was such a fun read!! for those who like regency era vibes with a little spice and a strong female protagonist then this is definitely the one for you. plot moved fairly quickly which was enjoyable, but what made the book was the fabulous dowager marchioness. i need more of this icon immediately. the love interest? great! the dowager? even better. also praise be to a book that has a female character with a backbone and sense, i don't even care if it's historically accurate because it's fun.

3.5/5

I was really craving a fun lil historical romp and this definitely helped with that craving! (A mood readers gonna mood read, what else can I say).

This was definitely a fun read, but it did do that thing that I find very hit or miss with historical books: it leaned into more formal language. It wasn't so formal and so obviously intense that it was distracting or difficult to read, it was just one of those things that I noticed and made me approach the way in which I was reading differently. And that is 100% a personal preference sort of thing. Some people won't care about that at all, but I figured I'd point it out in case you're like me.

Our female main character is a lady of high society is also a thief...that's fun and juicy stuff right there!

This was an enjoyable book, but I did find it to be a bit predictable and rather low-stakes (weirdly). It was also a little too fast-paced. Things were moving really quickly and I can find that to cause other pacing issues (too much filler between speedy big moments).

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be out at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of "The Viscount and the Thief" by Emma Orchard.

This was my second Emma Orchard book and I really enjoyed reading the story. I love how the Emma Orchard's stories are set within historical England but don't follow the traditional tropes in this genre. The FMC is dealt a difficult hand of cards but does not give up in the slightest. She is fiery and self-reliant. The plot was interesting to follow and the tension is high between the two MCs. I loved the revenge plot and how the fast-paced this story was.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own.

This is a fun historical fiction with a dash of thriller/mystery that drives the plot (beyond the romance.) The book does a great job at exploring uncomfortable family dynamics and the sociopolitical dynamics of the upper crust of England in conjunction with French society and complicated politics. We have this air of revenge - honestly, reminiscent of the ABC show Revenge, with our FMC having a particular hatred of the viscount's father. All in all, this book crafted such an interesting family dynamic and society, driven in its plot constantly to keep the reader engaged. Added on a steamy romance, and this was just all around a fun romp in the historical romance world. A strong 3.5 or 3.75 stars from me!

Firstly thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy.

I enjoyed this historical romance mostly as it avoided a lot of the normal tropes for Atleast the first half of the book. We had a very strong female lead, a broody male lead and some e tracing and some wicked support characters.

The plot was fun, the tensions ran high and excitingly our female lead is no simpering miss but a young woman who has lived her life.

There is a rather amusing undertone to the book as we learn all about our brilliant lead and her quest for revenge.

Overall my only mild criticism is things get wrapped up very fast at the end but it was a very fun stand alone adventure

I have enjoyed all of Emma Orchard's books to date and this new one is no exception. There's usually a lot going on and in The Viscount and the Thief we have the underworld, debauched aristos, the French revolution and more! Sophie our heroine has gained a position as companion to the Dowager Marchioness of Wyverne who is close to 100 years old. Her intention is revenge on the current Marquess who is a Spectacularly Bad Apple. As she enters the house she meets Lord Drake, her to the Marquess who is certain he has met her before...

The main characters in this book are well drawn. If I had one slight complaint it would be that the Marquess was very evil but he was a little bit of a mystery - you didn't get much of a look at him, despite his actions driving the book!

I hope this is the beginning of another series.

Thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for the ARC.

I LOVE a revenge plot. I LIVE for a revenge plot. And while I was a little disappointed the MMC and FMC weren't in direct conflict in this revenge plot (I'm a messy gal who lives for angst), I thoroughly enjoyed The Viscount and the Thief. Emma Orchard has crafted something absolutely spectacular here. Such fun!

This was a great regency romance and a tale of revenge. I don't usually like revenge plots but Sophie's revenge is never against Rafe and the relationship between them moves on quite quickly. Sophie's life is destroyed by Wyvern, Rafe's father. Sophie survives against all odds after being taken on by a powerful figure in the slums. They both want revenge on Wyvern and as Sophie infiltrates the home she meets and falls for Rafe. It is an enjoyable read. As a trigger warning a suicide is described.

The plot of The Viscount and the Thief was certainly fun, and the story moved along at a reasonable pace throughout. The sex scenes did slow things now and then, and while I didn't find them gratuitous or without merit, I did wish a couple could have been a bit shorter in order to get on with the rest of the story. Sophie and Rafe's relationship on the whole worked well. Perhaps a dash of instalove, but mostly I found their interactions believable. The ending was maybe a tad rushed after the long build up, but that is only a minor gripe. Overall, this was a quick, pleasing read that is sure to appeal to readers of Regency romance at the bodice-ripper end of the spectrum. I am giving it 4 stars.

I really liked the premise of this book, following a debutante turned loveable thief seemed like it would be a hoot. However I feel like everything happened really quickly with the stakes coming down so low after being set so high. The romance was predictable and mildly spicey but in a cookie cutter way. I really liked Emma Orchard’s other book but this one was not it for me.

Title : “The VIiscount and The Thief”
Author: #EmmaOrchard
September 29, 2024
4 Stars – A Gripping Tale of Love and Vengeance

This was my first experience with Emma Orchard’s work, and if she keeps writing like this, it certainly won’t be the last!. Sophie’s quest for revenge takes an unexpected turn when she meets Lord Drake, and from the moment they lock eyes, sparks fly. Drake is instantly drawn to Sophie, sensing something familiar about her, but little does he know, she has her own reasons for being at Wyverne Hall—ones that could tear his family apart. What starts as a mission to right past wrongs quickly turns into an emotional rollercoaster as Sophie finds herself battling her growing feelings for the very man she’s meant to deceive.

The romance between Sophie and Drake is electric, with plenty of passion and suspense woven into their story. The steamy moments are intense but feel natural, adding depth to their connection rather than overshadowing the plot. Sophie’s internal struggle between her desire for revenge and her unexpected attraction to Drake keeps the tension high, making it hard to put the book down. The author excelled in creating the characters of this book with undeniable chemistry and witty, engaging dialogue that makes their interactions feel real and captivating.

If you’re in the mood for a historical romance that mixes fiery romance, hidden motives, and a dash of intrigue, this one is well worth the read. Orchard knows how to weave together a compelling story that will keep you hooked until the last page!

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I am sharing this review voluntarily.

Many thanks to the author #EmmaOrchard , the publisher #BoldwoodBooks , and #NetGalley. #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Romance #Regency #RegencyRomance

5 stars

Great story. I guessed who Nate was in relation to our hero, Lord Drake. Sophie has been under Nate's wing and he has schooled her in stealing and protecting herself. She goes as a companion to Drake's grandmother with the aim of getting back a family heirloom from Drake's monstrous father and ribald step-mother. The passionate scenes are well written and we get a good incite to both their back stories. Thoroghly recommend this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I wanted to like this book, but the storyline didn't pull me in. The main characters are full of secrets, which should be interesting. However as a reader you're in the dark about so many things, which is probably intentional. There are readers who enjoy this kind of plot device, but I'm not one of them.

I found this book very refreshing. Sophie is not your typical swooning heroine, this lady is made of sterner stuff and she's got debts to settle. Drake is in the unfortunate position of loathing his father, but loving his grand mother and when their path cross, things become.....complicated. I would recommend this book to anyone.