Never underestimate the persistence of a woman!

Synopsis

From the glittering ballrooms of the ton to the city’s grittiest corners, London has no shortage of wrongs in need of righting–and the Maidens of Mayhem are prepared for the challenge. United by secrecy and sisterhood, these daring women from all walks of life aim to fight injustice wherever it takes them–even into the arms of unexpected love. This feminist take on Regency-era Robin Hoods from USA Today bestselling author Anabelle Bryant is destined to storm readers’ hearts!

Scarlett Wynn’s tragic childhood taught her that life can be cruel to women with little power. So when a local seamstress disappears, Scarlett vows to find out why. Armed with a weapon and her courage, Scarlett scours London for clues–and crosses the unlikely path of Ambrose Cross, the Duke of Aylesford, at an unlikely place: an upscale brothel. The Duke is trying to solve a mystery of his own, and Scarlett is sure they can help each other–if she can resist the attraction that draws them together…

As Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose is duty-bound to protect his family name from scandal no matter the cost. But Scarlett’s fearless spirit forces him to look beyond his world of privilege. Scarlett is as intoxicating as she is dangerous, igniting a fire in him like no other. When the pair learn both mysteries they’re trying to solve are tied to a string of missing women, the tangled scheme they uncover may put their lives, and their growing love, in mortal danger–and lead them to search their hearts like never before…

“A delightful historical romance with a liberal dash of adventure, plenty of sizzling heat, and a heart of pure gold. A superb start to Bryant’s new Maidens of Mayhem series”

–Lenora Bell, USA Today bestselling author

“Duchess if You Dare is a fantastic read that kept me up late and has me anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.”

–USA Today Bestselling Author Renee Ann Miller

My review

Scarlett Wynn will not let her tragic childhood dictate her future. She fights against the injustice against women, and when her seamstress disappears, Scarlett is determined to figure out what happened to her.
Even if a woman is in a disadvantage during Regency, Scarlett knows how to walk in London streets without being afraid. Because she knows how to fight and defend herself against characters with less good intentions.
When her search makes her path cross that of Ambrose Cross, they decide to put their strengths together to both find the answers to their missions, even if it brings them to an upscale brothel.
Joining their forces means spending time together, and a growing attraction. But with having such a different upbringing and being on a different state of mind, will attraction be the only thing in store for them?

If I’m being honest, the first chapters were a bit difficult for me. I found it hard to grasp just everything. But as I am a stubborn person, I refused to just give up. So I kept reading and in the end, I was glad I did!

I liked the idea of a group of women not afraid to fight against injustice. And this during Regency! Scarlett had a hard childhood, but that made her into the strong woman she is now. She is literally not afraid to take matters in her own hands. She stand her ground and knows how to defend herself. And the way she can keep herself invisible, it seemed to me that she was like a superhero!

I admired her determination to find out what happened to a person she knew, and she won’t let anyone hold her back. So when she meets the Duke of Aylesford, Ambrose Cross, who is also on a mission, but has a few outdated regards of what a woman should do or shouldn’t do, it’s a standard recipe for a clash.

Slowly Scarlett and Ambrose realize they have to learn to work together if they want to find out the truth.
And it was entertaining to read how these opposite characters feel an attraction but are doing their best to not give in.
The interaction between them was one of the things that kept me reading. Because their differences is part of the attraction but it’s also the thing that is keeping them apart.

I would have loved to read more about the Maidens of Mayhem and how it all started for these women, but I suppose that is something that will all be discovered in future books.

The mystery of disappearing women was something that intruiged me, especially reading how easy it was just to be gone and having no one that cares, with the exception of Scarlett of course. And how evil some people can be, because they are chasing their own fortune without regard for others…

Even if it is just fiction, it made me think how fortunate we are, as we have people that care for us and would go lengths to find us if necessary.

After the difficult start, I enjoyed reading this story about empowered women, a Duke acting very “un-duke-like” and a mystery about disappearing women.