A Most Unlikely Lady is book 4 in Darcy McGuire’s series, the Queen’s Deadly Damsels.
Despite the full title of this book indicating it is a regency era novel (the full title on GoodReads is A Most Unlikely Lady: A breathlessly romantic regency read from Darcy McGuire) the book actually takes place in the Victorian era.
The main character, Ivy, suffered abuse at the hands of her father, and is now terrified of men. She has taken a post as the headmistress of an orphanage, and takes her duties caring for the children very seriously, and is content with her spinster life. Until she is forced into closer proximity with Edward Worthington, Duke of Landbourne, and the Commissioner of Scotland Yard.
Ivy and Edward team up to identify members of a group of depraved men who are preying on orphans, after one of the men breaks into the orphanage where Ivy is working, and tries to kidnap one of the children there.
I quite enjoyed this book although at times I found the dialogue a bit stilted and unnatural, especially when the characters were attempting to be humorous. It just felt cringey to me.
As Edward and Ivy got closer, there were a few steamy scenes between the two of them. I liked the relationship between the two of them, and how they helped each other to get past some of the traumas they experienced earlier in their lives.
I found the other characters interesting and I would be interested in reading earlier books in the series, to read about the other members of the Queen’s Deadly Damsels.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Most Unlikely Lady will be published on June 6 2025.
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