Duchess If You Dare by Anabelle Bryant is the first book in the new The Maidens of Mayhem series. The Maidens 
of Mayhem are a group of women who help fight injustices and crimes. It started off with action and suspense right away which pulled me into the story and had me sitting on the edge of my chair. Then the pace slowed down towards the middle of the book which made it hard to stay interested. The mystery of the disappearing women ended with an unforeseeable surprising end.
Scarlett Wynn’s grew up in poverty and knew the dangers the girls in brothels faced. She was worried about her seamstress Linie who has gone missing. She follows a lead to The Scarlet Rose brothel and discovers Linie has been working there under the name of Daisy but recently talked about leaving. Her search for answers kept putting her in Ambrose’s path and they discovered there were more women involved besides Linie. She attracted to Ambrose but knows they can never have more, and she refuses to become his mistress.
Ambrose Cross, Duke of Aylesford, was frustrated by his younger brother’s escapades especially when he received word that his brother Martin had caused problems at the Scarlett Rose. Ambrose took his reputation seriously and did not want to be seen at the brothel but somehow, he ended up agreeing to look into the missing women for Martin. He began to realize he knew nothing of how people in poverty lived. He was intrigued by Scarlet after he encounters her several times, and she saves his life. She was not afraid of him and saw the real man, not the title. He knew he had a duty to his title to marry well and produce an heir, but he could not imagine a life without Scarlet.
This was an exciting book with lots of action, twists and turns, mystery, and romance. Scarlett was a strong heroine and was confident in her abilities and in the fight for women’s rights. She did not hesitate in telling or showing Ambrose the truth of people who lived in poverty. I loved seeing Ambrose’s character evolve from a condescending duke to a more compassionate duke. He had taken for granted his privileged life but once his eyes were open to the truth, he wanted to use his privileges to make a difference in other’s lives. I would love to see Martin’s story in the future to see how learning about the women’s struggles affects him.
Book Info:
Publication: March 30, 2021 | Zebra | The Maidens of Mayhem #1
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… These Regency Robin Hoods from USA Today bestselling author Anabelle Bryant are destined to storm into 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, 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. But 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…
Romance
