What a great Regency romp “The Viscount and the Thief” was! There’s nothing like a good Regency romcom that stays on point but also doesn’t lose you in the process. This was my first time reading an Emma Orchard novel and it definitely won’t be my last.

We follow Sophie as she attempts to avenge her family, and take back what’s her’s. Lord Drake, who instantly feels something towards Sophie when he first meets her years before, might make the revenge plan that much harder.
The budding romance between Sophie and Rafe is filled with tension and excitement. And the steam factor in this one as we move along?Super hot! These scenes flow well with the novel and doesn’t feel forced.

Grab this one when it hits the shelves in November for sure!

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I really enjoy Emma Orchard's Regency romances, and I was excited to pick up her newest one. I have to say, it might be my favorite of all her books so far. The Viscount and the Thief tells the story of Sophie, an aristocrat from France, who arrives at Wyverne Mansion to be a companion to the dowager lady, though in reality, she has hidden intentions. While there, she meets Lord Drake, the heir to the brutal Marquess of Wyverne, yet he seems to be completely different from his father. As Sophie and Drake spend more and more time together, their mutual attraction becomes something they can no longer ignore.

What I liked about this book was the well-written, believable plot and the carefully developed motivations of the characters. Because of this, the intrigue never feels like just a pretext for the romance. Sophie arrives at Wyverne Mansion with a clear plan, but for a long time, she struggles to reconcile her goals with her growing feelings for Drake.

As always with Emma Orchard, the romance is skillfully written. The pining and tension are really palpable, and although it’s not exactly a slow burn and there are plenty of spicy moments, they don’t feel forced into the plot. Once again, it's clear that the author excels at writing natural and witty dialogue. The only thing I could criticize is the somewhat two-dimensional nature of the villains (while I can understand the Marquess, I would have liked more depth to his wife), but this is just a minor point.

Overall, the book is a great read, and Emma Orchard remains one of my favorite historical romance authors. I’m convinced that all Bridgerton fans should pick up this and her earlier books.

This uses the regency romance in a way that worked well together with the characters. I enjoyed getting to go on this journey and thought the setting worked well overall. I thought the romance was realistic and enjoyed how the characters worked with that element. Emma Orchard has a strong way of telling the story and can’t wait for more.