REVIEW: Too Dangerous for a Lady by Jo Beverley

In Too Dangerous for a Lady (Company of Rogues #16) by Jo Beverley, When Lady Hermione Merryhew went to her first ball, she never dreamed she meet the man with which she wished to spend the rest of her life. But sadly it was not meant to be, as Lieutenant Mark Thayne had to go back onto the battlefields. Hermione has always held him in her heart and her prayers, hoping they would meet again some day. She gets the chance when she and a few members of her family are on the way to hopefully inherit much needed funds. Thayne rushes into her bedchamber, and back into her heart, with his dangerous job and charming smile.

‘It was less than twenty-four hours since Mark Thayne had invaded her firelit bedroom and turned her life upside down. He’d rekindled magic and stirred foolish hope, but then he’d plunged her into danger and fear.’

Mark Thayne is shocked when he barges in upon Hermione in his haste to escape with papers that could bring the downfall of a murderous band of men. She’s every bit as lovely as he remembered and he only wishes he wasn’t acting as a spy amongst the Crimson Band so he could ask for her hand in marriage. Thayne knows his title as Viscount Faringay could help Hermione and her struggling family, but he has much work to do before he settles down. His focus for now is to stop the threat against London and keep everyone he cares about safe.

‘How could he loll around at Faringay with his country still in peril? With innocents like Hermione and her family in danger of being dragged to the guillotine? He was committed to his cause until every danger of revolution was over.’

Well written and filled with action and intriguing characters, Too Dangerous for a Lady is a wonderful new addition to the long-running Company of Rogues series. Book sixteen (!!!) had me chuckling and sighing happily in equal parts.

If you’re a Regency fan, I’m sure by now you’ve heard of Jo Beverley. She is continuing her tradition of dashing fellows and intelligent ladies in this novel, with Hermione and Thayne stealing the show. I have to say that I was impressed with the amazing attention to detail Ms. Beverley puts into each scene, helping the reader understand life in that time period. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a history buff to follow along and be entertained by the lords and ladies found within these pages. 😉

I found the dialogue to fit the scenes quite well, being light and lively as needed, and intense in the more serious moments. That was evident especially between Hermione and Thayne. They made such a sweet couple, while also having a playful side with their bantering. I thought Hermione was clever and very bright. I might not have been a huge fan of her sister Polly who was a bit overly emotional and seemed money hungry. But Hermione’s new found relationship with great-uncle Edgar was a lot of fun and added some more interest to the story.

Thayne was a stand-up, brave man who had a strong sense of doing the right thing for his country. Putting himself in danger by becoming a spy was natural to him, but distressing to Hermione when they reunited and she figured out what was going on. I thought it seemed realistic (and romantic!) that Thayne was so drawn to her and that they both had kept tokens of their memorable first meeting as a lucky talisman of sorts.

With delightful characters, an intricate plot, and appearances from those fearless Rogues, Too Dangerous for a Lady is a more than solid offering. And don’t fret if you are new to this series, you can feel confident in reading this as a standalone.

Book Info:

Published April 7th 2015 by Signet | (Company of Rogues #16)

The new novel in the Rogue Series from the New York Times bestselling author—and five-time RITA Award winner…

Lady Hermione Merryhew, daughter of an impoverished marquess, already has her share of problems. The last thing she needs is an intruder in her bedroom, especially not a fugitive thief. She should scream, but the shabby rascal is a man from her past.

Six years ago, at her first ball, dashing Lieutenant Mark Thayne failed to steal a kiss, but succeeded in stealing a little of her heart. She’s older and wiser now. She can’t toss him to the wolves. Besides, she wants that kiss.

Now Viscount Faringay, Mark has never forgotten Lady Hermione, but he mustn’t involve her in his dangerous life. He’s infiltrated the Crimson Band, violent revolutionaries who plan a bloodbath in London, and if he survives the night he will be able to destroy them. Hermione is involved, however, and only he can protect her.