THE LADY SPARKS A FLAME

After Lady Phoebe Hunt was exiled to America for her participation in a revolutionary plot, she thought nothing would bring her back to London, and she was happy to live in relative anonymity as a private detective overseas. After her abusive father dies, however, she’s forced to return to sell as much of their estate as necessary to support her mother and sister. The hasty auctions bring her back into contact with Sam Fenley, a merchant’s son whose clever investments have allowed him to build a mercantile and real estate empire, despite being routinely snubbed by the ton. And though Sam is struck by Phoebe’s beauty and intelligence, he knew her first as a “villainess of majestic proportions,” and her sangfroid defines their interactions to start. Years of abuse and cruelty have made her prone to bouts of rage and lashing out, even at those she cares for. His steadfast kindness starts to thaw her somewhat, but even as they begin to flirt and their private moments become steamier, any moments of connection are immediately followed by ice. The past still haunts Phoebe, and even Sam’s patience and growing devotion may not be able to help her imagine a different future. Against a restless backdrop of England in 1845, roiled by debates over the Corn Laws and suffrage, Everett has once again created a complex heroine many readers will identify with. This is the second volume of Everett’s Damsels of Discovery series, itself a spinoff of the Secret Scientists of London series, and fans will be delighted to see cameos from many beloved characters at Athena’s Retreat, but the book can be read on its own as well. The story handles Phoebe’s history of self-harm with compassion and is direct and honest about the impact that years of family trauma have had on her mental health and her relationships. Though even some intimate scenes are overshadowed by Phoebe’s internal struggles, Everett balances the darker elements of the story with the happy ending expected by romance readers, and though the pacing falters somewhat at the end, readers will be quite satisfied by the final page.

Mar 25, 2025 - 07:42

After Lady Phoebe Hunt was exiled to America for her participation in a revolutionary plot, she thought nothing would bring her back to London, and she was happy to live in relative anonymity as a private detective overseas. After her abusive father dies, however, she’s forced to return to sell as much of their estate as necessary to support her mother and sister. The hasty auctions bring her back into contact with Sam Fenley, a merchant’s son whose clever investments have allowed him to build a mercantile and real estate empire, despite being routinely snubbed by the ton. And though Sam is struck by Phoebe’s beauty and intelligence, he knew her first as a “villainess of majestic proportions,” and her sangfroid defines their interactions to start. Years of abuse and cruelty have made her prone to bouts of rage and lashing out, even at those she cares for. His steadfast kindness starts to thaw her somewhat, but even as they begin to flirt and their private moments become steamier, any moments of connection are immediately followed by ice. The past still haunts Phoebe, and even Sam’s patience and growing devotion may not be able to help her imagine a different future. Against a restless backdrop of England in 1845, roiled by debates over the Corn Laws and suffrage, Everett has once again created a complex heroine many readers will identify with. This is the second volume of Everett’s Damsels of Discovery series, itself a spinoff of the Secret Scientists of London series, and fans will be delighted to see cameos from many beloved characters at Athena’s Retreat, but the book can be read on its own as well. The story handles Phoebe’s history of self-harm with compassion and is direct and honest about the impact that years of family trauma have had on her mental health and her relationships. Though even some intimate scenes are overshadowed by Phoebe’s internal struggles, Everett balances the darker elements of the story with the happy ending expected by romance readers, and though the pacing falters somewhat at the end, readers will be quite satisfied by the final page.