Lindsay Lovise – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Never Spar with a Viscount by Lindsay Lovise

Series: Secret Society of Governess Spies #3

Release Date: March 10, 2026

After refusing to wed the man her father selected for her, Miss Ivy Bennett decided to live life on her terms, she took a position as governess to new Viscount Brackley’s young sisters and has done her best to steer clear of the man. But when the Dove, founder of Perdita’s, the most exclusive governess school in England, recruits her investigate the new viscount as he has been sighted leaving the homes of several residences in London where the ladies of the house have fallen victim to “female hysteria”, she has no choice but to interact with the man. The more time she spends with Owen Brackley, the harder it is to believe that he is responsible for the problems in London. When Ivy’s eldest brother, Barnes, who happens to be Owen’s former best friend, shows up with news that their father has a new suitor for her, Owen suggests they pretend to be courting, to save them both from their family’s interference. Owen promises to help Ivy catch the eye of the man she really wants to marry and she will keep his meddling, matchmaking stepmother at bay. It seems like the perfect plan, until she falls in love with him.

Owen Brackley has been living abroad for years building up a successful horse breeding business, a business he intended to start with Barnes. But shortly before they were set to graduate from Harrow and start their business, Barnes punches Owen and cuts all ties with him with no explanation. Now years later, it is clear that Barnes still hates him and Owen still has no idea why, so it gives him bit of perverse joy in tweaking his nose by courting Ivy. He tells himself that he really means to help Ivy win the husband of her dreams, but the heart wants what the heart wants and his heart wants Ivy. But before they can claim their HEA, they will need to solve the mystery of what is causing the female hysteria and clear Owen’s name.

As with the previous books in this series, this story is well written, nicely paced and filled with likable characters that you want to root for. Owen and Ivy have both survived awful fathers and have lived life on their own terms. I thought the author did a great job of describing the abuse they endured without being graphic, so even sensitive readers should be able to enjoy this story. In addition to Owen and Ivy, there are a lot of entertaining secondary characters, including Owen’s 8 young sisters, Ivy’s brother Barnes and her friend Diane, who all add a lot of laughter and lightness to this story. The book has wonderful characters, a great mystery, secrets, steamyish love scenes, witty banter, adorable little girls, suspense, surprising revelations and finally a happy ending complete with an epilogue. I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this title to my fellow HR readers. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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. *

Never Gamble Your Heart by Lindsay Lovise

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Secret Society of Governess Spies, #2

Release Date: February 4, 2025

After four failed seasons and the death of her father, Francis “Frankie” Turner, became a governess to help support her family. But when her younger sister goes missing, Frankie is desperate to find her and makes a deal with “The Dove” the mysterious owner of Perdita’s Governess Agency. She will help the Dove solve the mystery of several young women who have large dowries and have been labeled as “troublemakers” due to their outspokenness, who have been forced into marriage by being compromised by noblemen in need of funds. The Dove is sure there is a connection between the grooms, whom she calls the “Dowry Thieves” and Jasper Jones, the rakish owner of Rockford’s Gaming Den. Frankie will be placed in his household as a governess to his orphaned niece, Cecila. Frankie is a brilliant mathematician, but not the best spy and when she is caught by Jasper inspecting his ledgers, she knows he is not part of the Dowry Thieves and convinces him to help her find them by pretending to give her a huge dowry to lure the group into trying to compromise her. It seems like the perfect plan, until they fall in love and become targets for the masterminds of the Dowry Thieves.

Jasper Jones is the son of a fishmonger and grew up on the docks, but he learned early that he had a talent for gambling and used that talent to build a fortune and become the owner of the incredibly successful Rockford’s Gaming Den. When his brother dies unexpectedly, Jasper becomes the guardian of his 15-year-old niece, and he begins to question his current lifestyle. When he meets Frankie, he is intrigued and attracted to the unusual young woman, which means she needs to leave. But when Perdita’s tells him they can’t send a replacement for at least two weeks, he resigns himself to her presence in his home and tries to avoid her. But when he catches her in his study with his ledger, the truth of her placement in his home becomes clear and he is pulled into her scheme to bring down the Dowry Thieves, and when the men of the ton finally see what he has seen since he met her, he experiences jealousy for the first time in his life and decides that she will be his! And when she gets too close the truth and attempts are made on her life, he needs to help her find the mastermind of the Dowry Thieves before she is silenced for good.

This was another wonderful addition to the series, with wonderful characters and another intriguing mystery to solve! I loved Frankie and Jasper; they both believe they are not worthy of love, and each have their own insecurities. This story is filled with witty banter, wonderful characters, an incorrigible scheming teenager, a brilliant heroine, a cinnamon roll hero with a rakish reputation, steamyish love scenes, murder, truly evil villains, reunions, a beautiful declaration scene and finally a HEA with an epilogue that sets up the next book very nicely. I loved this story, and I am happy to recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of mystery woven into their romance. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.

*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. *

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