A Duke, the Spy, an Artist, and a Lie (Rogues and Remarkable Women, #3)
Vanessa Riley
Critically acclaimed author Vanessa Riley infuses the ballroom settings of Regency England with Jamaican flair her Rogues & Remarkable Women series featuring a secret society of widows battling society to regain their money and a chance at love everlasting. In this sweeping, swoon-worthy final installment, an English spy must follow his neglected wife through the streets of London as she investigates her sister’s death with the aid of the Widow’s Grace. Can they find common ground and learn to work together? This vibrant and inclusive historical romance is perfect for Bridgerton binge-watcher! Founded by the ton 's most ingenious countess, the secret society The Widow’s Grace comes to the aid of ill-treated widows and wives and helps them regain their fortunes, their families, and sometimes discover true love… For adventurous Jamaican heiress Cecilia Thomas, marrying charming military lieutenant Lord Gantry to save him from danger—and herself from mercenary suitors—was a painful mistake. Instead of a passionate life together, she's stranded at his chilly Mayfair mansion with his unaccepting family. Worse, she finds he is actually a spy dedicated to duty over wedlock—and secrets over trust. So when she hears her sister has been driven to her death, Cecilia is determined to expose the powerful man responsible. Assisted by The Widow's Grace, she flees to Covent Garden with a new identity. But can she elude her formidable husband—even as the desire between them continues to flare even hotter? Always calm, forever controlled, Gantry has put everything aside to hunt down the traitor who nearly killed him. It’s only when Cecilia leaves that he realizes his real duty should have been to her. As she continually outwits him through London's most perilous streets, Gantry realizes his wife is a resourceful, courageous woman he longs to truly know. But when her pursuit threatens influential enemies, will his and Cecilia's only chance to gain justice separate them once and for all?
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Vanessa Riley's latest sees Jamaican heiress Cecilia Thomas in a dead marriage to handsome military man Lord Gantry. What was originally an attempt to save herself from subpar suitors has left Cecilia neglected and dissatisfied, alienated from her husband's family. The discovery that Gantry is actually a spy drives a further wedge between the two of them, especially as he prioritizes his assignments over his relationship with Cecilia.
When Cecilia's sister dies mysteriously, she sets off on an investigation. It isn't long before Gantry realizes that she's fled, and he's off to pursue her--both in the interests of keeping Cecilia safe and in an attempt to revive their relationship.
I wish this one had worked for me. Unfortunately, I found Riley's approach to the novel really stilted. And of course, Cecilia and Gantry weren't supposed to have a good relationship at the start of the novel--but I never got the idea that they had any kind of connection. The transitions between perspectives (the novel isn't a straightforward, consistent third person point of view) threw me off further, and I was never able to connect with either of the leadsI appreciated the inclusiveness in the novel--you could tell that Riley put a lot of thought into writing Cecilia as a Jamaican heroine. But I never believed in the love story. With that being said, I definitely want to try more from Vanessa, as I feel like this could have potentially been a really good read. I just wish the execution had been more... passionate?
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