Review by Booklist Review
While attending a political protest in London disguised as "Finley" McTavish, engineer and chemist Fiona McTavish ends up cooling her heels in prison due to her less than accurate aim with a tomato. Unfortunately, the only one who can spring Fiona from jail is Edward Stirling, duke of Wildeforde, who five years earlier professed his undying love for Fiona only to later break things off with her via a letter. Now, as part of the terms of her release, "Finley" must reside under Edward's roof until the trial. However, if word gets out about her real identity, it will dash Fiona's hopes of obtaining a patent for her life-changing invention--matches (!)--not to mention engulf Edward in a scandal that will destroy his family's name. After wowing readers with her stellar debut, How to Survive a Scandal (2021), Parish returns with another ingeniously plotted historical romance that brilliantly showcases her flair for nuanced characterization and dryly witty writing while also effectively drawing inspiration from the Regency worlds of business, politics, and science with dazzling results.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A woman is forced to live with the man who broke her heart in Parish's sparkling second Rebels with a Cause Regency (after How to Survive a Scandal). When chemist and political firebrand Fiona McTavish--disguised as a man and calling herself Finley--is arrested during a protest, Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde and the man she once thought she could love, comes to her rescue, knowing her true identity. Still bitter over Edward's betrayal five years earlier, Fiona is outraged when the magistrate only frees "Finley" from jail on the condition that he reside with Edward for the month until his trial. To avoid the scandal that would arise from a man and woman living together unmarried, Edward and Fiona must keep up her Finley ruse--a task that's even more complicated when Edward's family shows up for a long visit. There's still plenty of spark between the reunited lovers, but Edward's high-handedness and Fiona's stubbornness get in their way--as does Edward's domineering mother, who insists on finding him a suitable bride. These sparring hearts are utterly convincing, and the deception wonderfully raises the stakes on their torrid affair. Readers will be eager for more. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore & Co. (Jan.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
The unconventional Fiona McTavish upends the life of the scandal-averse Duke of Wildeforde in the second book of the "Rebels with a Cause" series (after How To Survive a Scandal). Inventor Fiona and the properly ducal Edward have a romantic history, but Wildeforde's desire to clear his family name keeps them apart until Fiona is accused of a crime while dressed as a man in London. The book's plot occasionally teeters on the edge of over-the-top territory, with crimes, mistaken identities, family drama, and a lot of longing and pining between Fiona and Edward, and several issues could have been resolved by a simple conversation or two. However, Parish rescues the book from being too melodramatic with strong, well-written characters whose actions--as foolish as they sometimes are--make sense. VERDICT The more extreme elements of the plot might make some readers roll their eyes, but the core of this steamy story is solid. Historical romance fans will be happy to find another strong-willed, science-minded heroine and the duke who loves her, and they'll look forward to the next story in the series.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A duke and an inventor fall in love for a second time, and sparks fly. Fiona McTavish was once in love with a duke, before she knew he was a duke. But when Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde, returned home to tell his mother he was prepared to marry a commoner, she subtly reminded him of his duty, nipping his announcement in the bud. Fiona was devastated when he failed to return and chose to focus her curious mind on her inventions; meanwhile, in London, Edward focused on restoring his family's reputation. But when Fiona comes to London five years later to try to find a distributor for her latest invention and finds herself arrested during a protest against the government--while dressed as a Mr. Finley McTavish, no less--Edward is the only person she knows who can get her out of jail. Unfortunately for Fiona's plans, the rescue involves the requirement that she live in his house for a month in the middle of the season, just as the duke is beginning his search for a suitable wife. Fiona sets up a lab and tries to find a business partner, but her frustration at being turned down repeatedly by skittish moneymen is rivaled only by her frustration at the clear chemistry she and Edward still have. As they grow closer again, Edward comes to realize he wants to marry her, regardless of any gossip or scandal, but her day in court sparks a misstep that may part them permanently. The second entry in Parish's Rebels With a Cause series, like the first, How To Survive a Scandal (2021), is an engaging story of love in the face of class differences, with an unusually honest assessment of the barriers many couples would face in such circumstances. The complex story is enlivened by Fiona's Scottish voice as well as by the realistic way both hero and heroine navigate difficult family relationships alongside their own second-chance romance. Despite the obstacles, of course, Fiona and Edward have their happy-ever-after, and because Fiona's invention is the safety match, this comes with copious fire metaphors alongside the steamy intimate scenes. Parish continues to bring a refreshing point of view to the Regency subgenre, and though the book stands alone, fans will want to read both volumes in the series so far for the full story. A sparkling new voice in historical romance delivers a satisfying story of love on the edges of the beau monde. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
