Lady Charlotte and the Lending Library by Angelina Jameson

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The Rogue’s Alliance, #1

Release Date: November 19, 2024

When it becomes clear that Thorne’s Lending Library is in danger of closing, Lady Charlotte Beaumont and her friends Ladies Louisa and Edith, set out to save “their place”. In an attempt to learn what makes a place exclusive, Charlotte decides to don a disguise and investigate the famous bow window at White’s, it is there that she crosses paths with Benedict Grey, the Marquess of Ashford. She thinks she has escaped with her anonymity intact, but she isn’t that lucky, when Benedict quickly learns her identity and tries to discourage her improper behavior. But Charlotte has no intention of giving up her quest and when it becomes clear that there are darker forces at play, she turns to Benedict for help and can’t seem to stop herself from falling for him, despite the fact that he clearly believes that she would never make an appropriate wife for him.

Benedict has his own problems, his sister Diana, grieving the loss of her fiancé, has been acting out of character and may have insulted Lady Caroline Lamb, who is rumored to have written a book exposing members of the ton. He is desperately trying to learn if Diana is mentioned and doesn’t have time to be sidetracked by the intriguing, yet inappropriate Lady Charlotte! But it soon becomes clear that there is something sinister about the library’s current problems, and with the help of his friends, they uncover the reason for the library’s difficulties. Once he learns that the criminal group known as the Rouge’s Alliance is behind the sabotage to the library, nothing will stop him from protecting Charlotte. But saving Charlotte doesn’t change the fact that she isn’t an appropriate choice for his wife. Will Benedict be able to let go of his prejudices or is he doomed to lose the only woman he has ever loved?

I thought this was a cute story, yet it was nothing like the other books I have read by this author. This book read more like a young adult historical mystery than a romance. I have no idea how or why they fell in love, there is very little interaction between them throughout the story and absolutely no intimacy, they don’t even share a kiss until the very end of the book. So, I guess if you prefer an “Austen-like” story with no love scenes or sexual tension, this book will make you very happy. I was intrigued by the “Rouge’s Alliance” and would probably read future installments just for that story line.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *