In this Bridgerton era You’ve Got Mail, the clever, popular, and deliciously shocking ladies’ periodical Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses only employs women who are equal to the challenge—and for one satirical cartoonist her greatest challenge will be keeping her identity a secret from a certain Earl, who is one of her most frequent subjects. A fast-paced, innovative, sexy historical romance with a modern twist that readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Sarah MacLean, and Julia Quinn will adore.
Known only as “Miss C.” Constantia Cooper creates satirical cartoons for Mrs. Goode’s. But her anonymity hides a more shocking secret—one that requires she remain elusive. When a scandal at the magazine threatens to expose her, Constantia packs up and flees. But in her haste, she is struck by a carriage and suffers a blow to the head. Fortunately, she’s rescued by a gentleman. Unfortunately, he is all too familiar. Feigning amnesia seems Constantia’s best strategy . . .
Alistair Haythorne, Earl of Ryland, would never turn away a lady in distress—even if he’s often the target of said lady’s biting satire. In fact, while “Miss C.” recuperates, he will have her teach his sisters to draw. Perhaps it will inspire a more flattering portrait of him . . .
But secrets make interesting bedfellows and as Constantia and Alistair grow closer, their opinions of one another change—drastically. With love in the air, two things stand between them: Alistair’s need to marry an heiress to keep his family’s estate intact . . . and a series of threats that endanger Constantia’s life. Can what keeps them apart ultimately bring them together?
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Sexual Content - 3/5
3/5
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Violence - 1/5
1/5
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Language - 1/5
1/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
The Lady Makes Her Mark is the charming third installment in Susanna Craig’s Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series, though it works perfectly as a standalone. Readers may remember the clever and elusive artist Constantia Cooper, whose satirical “Unfashionable Plates” have stirred society and amused magazine readers alike.
When Constantia receives a suspicious letter summoning her to a mysterious staff meeting, she suspects someone has uncovered her secret identity. Her plans to flee are abruptly halted when she’s knocked unconscious by a carriage—only to wake up in the home of Alistair Haythorne, the Earl of Ryland, one of her frequent (and reluctant) caricature subjects.
Alistair, burdened with debt and responsibilities to his seven sisters, is drawn to Constantia but knows he must marry for money. When Constantia pretends to have amnesia to avoid exposure, Alistair takes her to his country estate for safety—igniting a tender, slow-burning romance that’s as heartwarming as it is complicated. With danger from Constantia’s past creeping closer, both must confront their fears and desires to claim a future together.
This story has everything: a secret identity, a protective nobleman, endearing secondary characters, simmering tension, a touch of danger, and a lovely blend of humor and emotion. I enjoyed how the author delivered a surprising ending.
Sexual content - a couple open door scenes
Violence - Constantia feels someone is after her, wagon accident
language - a few uses of d@mn, no F word.