Review: Viscountess of Vice (Regency Reformers #3) by Jenny Holiday

Print Length: 336 pages

Publisher: Entangled Publishing, Select Historical (January 25, 2016)

From Goodreads.com: Secrets and lies, scandals and spies.

All Lady Catharine, Viscountess Cranbrook, wants is a little excitement. Bored of playing the role of the ton’s favorite slightly scandalous widow, she jumps at the chance to go undercover as a courtesan to help with an espionage mission. After all, beneath her outrageously low bodice beats the heart of a patriot.

Social reformer James Burnham is conducting a study of vice in England’s capital. Driven by his own secrets, he is methodical, intelligent—and wickedly handsome. Catharine is the last sort of woman the upstanding James should want. But want her he does, though she stands for everything he opposes.

When Catharine and James are forced to band together to advance their causes, they’ll be drawn into a web of secrets and lies that endangers their lives—and their hearts.

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

There were parts of this story that were very enjoyable, and then there were parts that I just couldn't get into. 

To begin with, the very idea of a woman (high-bred lady or not) being paid for handsomely in a brothel for just conversation is simply laughable. I also found it unfathomable that someone who demands anonymity to the point of wearing a wig and a mask at all times while at the brothel would also wear a fairly substantial ruby on a chain - one that she is well known for wearing in her "real life". Sure, it is explained that the chain is hidden - but how hard would it be to expose  the ruby - and therefore expose who she really is? 

Aside from that, I feel that the bulk of this story was well done. There was enough intrigue to draw you in, and the story flowed smoothly enough to keep you turning the pages as you delved deeper into the overall mystery. I also enjoyed the fact that this wasn't your typical run of the mill romance. In fact, James and Catharine spend much of the novel trying to avoid each other after one significant scene - which makes their ultimate fall into love that much sweeter. 

I do wish there had been an epilogue of some sort that showed them in the future. Did they have children or were they content with the orphans they had helped save? Was she able to return to society? Did she even want to? 

However even without those questions being answered (and the shortcomings I mentioned above), I still think this novel would appeal to those who enjoy historical romances or well planned out historical mysteries. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Viscountess of Vice is available from Amazon.com