4.5 rounded up to 5 stars!

X-Men meets historical romance and it’s everything you didn’t know you wanted.

I read this a while ago, so pardon the short and sweet review, but I absolutely loved this. It was a little slow/confusing for the first 30% or so as we got to know the characters and the world we were in, but after that, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The romance and mutual pining in this book were fantastic and I thought this was such a great and new twist on a historical. Tracy Sumner never disappoints.

This book was an incredibly fun read - I absolutely love the characters and it was highly entertaining!

The book was hard to get into. I started off very intrigued by the premise. The promise of history and paranormal were enough to get me excited.

However, the beginning seemed confusing at best and random and worst. I tried and failed to feel any attachment to the characters. Half the time i was scratching my head. The historical part of the story was not given much spotlight.

After I while I was skimming through the text, still very much wanted to finish the book.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for the eARC.

I was incredibly excited for this one—Regency-era paranormal romance?! Yes, please! Unfortunately, while the premise was good, the execution wasn’t as expected.

The plot felt jerky, the writing was a over the top, and the characters felt two-dimensional and dramatic. The beginning was especially jarring, jumping from one harrowing scene to another. I never could settle into the story.

Didn’t end up loving this one, but I hope future books in the series deliver.

Lady Victor was bored and frustrated, especially Julian. Being couped up was no fun, and she needed to get out before she went starring mad. Victoria had a penchant for getting into trouble, and her escape mode turned into chaos, which only invited more trouble. This story was an alluring, sexy read with equally captivating main characters. It was a delightful, enticing read with a dash of intrigue immersed in the paranormal.

I was sold with the X-men meets Bridgerton blurb but I was just confused from start to finish. It didn't set anything up nor did it introduce the world and characters to the reader which made it quite hard to enjoy. The main trope isn't something I really enjoy but the well-written characters made up for that. Overall, a meh read. 2 stars

I love this book a lot. The romance was very well done. The plot kept my attention throughout the book. Would highly recommend.

While I was a bit thrown off by the magical aspects of this book (other reviewers likened it to The X Men), I did really like the relationship between Julian and Piper.

When Julian first was introduced to Piper via her grandfather, she fell in love at first sight, and so did he, but he had been told by her grandfather that he should stay away from Piper, and he tried to do so.

Along the way, Julian was working towards saving and collecting other people in who had magical "powers" and had tried to hide Piper away since her skill as a healer was attractive to good and bad people alike. Piper was getting frustrated by Julian's not admitting his attraction and love for her.

The story was mostly Piper convincing Julian to give in to his feelings for her, and a bit of a threat by an evil woman who wanted Piper to heal her. The relationship between the two was ultimately so romantic and I was very happy to see them finally togehter.

I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.

I had already read the later parts of this series, but I hadn’t read this earlier story. Although I was already aware of the League, I still had a hard time to really get into the story. Even more, the reluctance of– being with Piper was getting a bit annoying after some time. Their push and pull became a bit of a nuisance actually. Furthermore, the story was sometimes a bit of a flurry and a jumbled mess. Which made the story sometimes a bit hard to read.

I’ve read more of Tracy’s stories, but this one I enjoyed the least of all sadly enough. Maybe it’s because of it’s being an older story, I don’t know. I’ll still try one of her next stories though. But for now, only three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Julian Alexander, eighth Viscount Beauchamp, abused by an uncaring father. Julian takes to the streets and survives. Along the way he befriends and help take care of Finn and gets help from another in Humphry.

Finn Alexander, Illegitimate but claimed by Julian as his brother. Humphrey, Julian’s man of everything—friend, manservant, valet, personal assistant. The three bonded while living in Seven Dials and trying to survive.

Lady Elizabeth Piper Scott, daughter of a viscount and granddaughter to an earl, Edward Lucien Chesterfield, the ninth Earl of Montclaire. Her father married an American and she grew up in and out of gambling hotels, her mother died when she was a baby her father when she was around ten.

Minnie, ladies maid and regular maid, mother was a light skirt so she didn't want that for herself.
Edward, footman. Simon, urchin being adopted into the family fold. Theses are some of the very colorful characters we get to meet and interact with.

Duke of Ashcroft, who has an army of mercenaries as body guards. Comes to stay for a bit.

Everyone under Julia's care is unique and special. He guards their safety and helps give them as normal a life as possible. However, there is a threat to them especially to Piper. So who is the person, why, and how does everyone fit in the household?

Come find your answers to these and enjoy a great mystery and magical mayhem without oddball cast and see how this groups works as a family. Great fun and excitement about in the butting of personality as well as opinionated discussions.

I want to give more but I would be giving away the context and this is half the fun of this story!

Tracy is one of my favorite HR authors, she is good in building her world and making everyone part of the story. The main couple is definitely one of her best, maybe i am not so fan of the extra element she added in her story but only talking about the main couple, they are a yes in my book.

I loved this book and the series. Tracy Sumner always knows who to write for stand alone and to bring you in for the rest.

Thank you to Tracy Sumner and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me have an ARC copy of the Lady Is Trouble to review.

Lured in by the intriguing premise of this book about a secret society protecting those born with supernatural gifts in Victorian Britain blended with a romance between two strong-willed and tenacious characters, I jumped into reading The Lady Is Trouble with excitement. The story is an edgy concept, packed full of action and danger, along with a cast of handsome, protective males who are swoon-worthy company. The pages are dripping with an elegant backdrop and descriptive narrative that brings to life the gorgeous settings of this novel.

The characters are very dynamic and flawed, stubborn beings. I felt they never saw each other as the people who they were but what they wanted them to be leading to drama, denial, and bad behavior. Julian and Piper are toxic and explosive for each other, but they both love each other and there is an undeniable chemistry between them.

I think this story might have benefitted from being a little shorter or a little more diversity of plot devices. There was a lot of repetition in the conflict between the love interests as their relationship developed I felt they rehashed a lot of their drama in scenes throughout the book without growing from these fights or having a purpose other than highlighting an overbearing man and a stubborn attention-seeking madam. It was a little painful to read through, but I stuck with it and the story did improve I did wish someone could have knocked sense their heads together a lot sooner. Some might find the villain in the story pops in and out can be very baffling, but there is a purpose and backstory that gets exposed as to why Piper has been in danger most of her life.

An intriguing premise of a Victorian-era romance packed with supernatural powers and a secret society aiming to protect those with gifts from precaution, but falls on the MFC at the start of the book. Things do pick up around 75% way through and becomes an entertaining read after Piper gets Julian’s attention and he gives in to her.

Although this book has an interesting premise, merging romance with a dollop of whimsical fantasy, I did not find it well executed and do not think it would be of enough interest to our student population for my university to purchase. As such I will not be recommending it for addition to our collection. Thank you!

***ARC Read - review done voluntarily***

I had to DNF. It just didn’t grasp me to keep reading. I was super intrigued by the supernatural concepts but I was not able to get sucked into the plot. I just couldn’t push myself to finish it!

Ahh I love a new Sumner book! She has a great knack of making Regency feel modern but still in keeping with the period. This had the added injection of a bit of supernatural. A fun romp!

Tracy Sumner has yet again written a wonderful romance with perfectly imperfect main characters - their chemistry was palpable. I really enjoyed this story and don’t want to spoil it for any future readers. I will say - If you are already a fan of Sumner make sure you read this story - if you haven’t read any work from this author then this is the perfect book to read to start your journey. This is the first book in Sumner’s League of Lords Series:
#1 The Lady is Trouble (Julian & Piper)
#2 The Rake is Taken (Finn & Victoria)
#3 The Duke is Wicked (Sebastian & Delaney)
#4 The Hellion is Tamed (Simon & Emma)

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from the author/publisher via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄
⭐️When possible reviews are cross-posted on the following:
✔️Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/jaime-loves-romance
✔️Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2577266404
✔️IG https://www.instagram.com/alphabookclub/
✔️Twitter @alpha_book_club
#ReviewByJaime #BookReview #MustRead #TBR #BookBoost
🦄

Well this book was certainly different from any other Tracy Sumner Book I have read before! Julian is a wonderful hero, kind, compassionate and protective and Piper is strong, determined and stubborn. They, and the characters surrounding them, have special abilities which make their lives very difficult. Julian is determined to protect Piper from himself, and she is determined to have him. Their battle makes for an interesting tale.

I received an ARC fro free, but give my honest opinion voluntarily.

Diving into the pages of this tale is like stepping into a time-honored ballroom where historical romance intertwines gracefully with the supernatural. The enchanting fusion of eras and elements spins a web that's hard to resist. With deft strokes of her narrative brush, the author conjures a tapestry of emotions that forms the heart and soul of this book.

Our protagonist, Julian, steps into the shoes of a viscount, wielding power and affluence like a shield against the world's adversities. A twist of magic flows through his veins, linking him to others who possess extraordinary gifts. This connection leads him to a pivotal encounter with Piper, a healer who wields a gift of her own. Love simmers beneath the surface, wrapped in layers of protection, as Julian's heart resonates with a tangible longing.

Tracy Sumner paints an intricate backdrop of 17th-century London, where cobbled streets and whispered secrets form the stage. The meticulous attention to detail immerses readers in a world that's both familiar and fantastical. Amidst the historical tapestry, mystical beings emerge from all walks of life, sprinkling a touch of magic into the narrative's very fabric.

In her exploration of characters and locales, Sumner's prowess shines. Vivid descriptions breathe life into every scene, and the absence of grammatical hiccups is a testament to her craftsmanship. The book paves the way as a series opener, a key that unlocks a realm filled with potential and intrigue.

While the harmony of the story's notes resonates deeply, a minor discordance surfaces in the interactions between Piper and Julian. Their dialogues occasionally mirror the cadence of the 20th century rather than the 17th, a quirk that might raise an eyebrow for some readers. Yet, these fleeting moments of modernity hardly overshadow the book's captivating charm.

As the final page turns, one cannot help but be lured forward, eager to witness the continuation of this enchanting journey. For in the end, it's the essence of entertainment that prevails, carrying readers seamlessly into the sequel's awaiting embrace.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Historical romance with a magical/paranormal element?! Yes, please. Sign me up! 

This is the first book in Tracy Sumner's League of Lords series and it is doing a lot of work as first books usually do. Sumner is trying to set the tone of the series, build the world within our world filled with people with special skills like mindreading, mind-bending, visions of the future, fire-starting, seeing spirits, etc, as well as giving us the romance that we want. 

Julian and Piper have known each other for years, and loving each other from the first moment they saw one another. However, upon the death of Piper's grandfather, Julian promised him that he would not pursue Piper because the two of them together could destroy one another. So Julian does all he can to avoid Piper, including sending her off to the countryside to live out her days in boredom, never using her power as she is meant to.

Piper is a tenacious, outgoing woman who refuses to languish about the country and after three years hightails it back to London to let Julian find her. And when he does, hell breaks lose. Julian concedes that he must let Piper into the fold and finally utilize her healing powers, as well as join the union of others who are putting together the "chronology" and assembling others like them to a safe country estate. 

We meet others with powers, usually they are of a lower class, and eventually discover who the firestarter is. (He is in a future book and I'm very much looking forward to that.) There is a "big bad" who is after Piper because she thinks Piper can heal her. Julian is determined to protect Piper, not giving her credit that she can defend herself a bit. 

Most of the book is Julian denying his feelings for Piper and why he cannot be with her. At times, it gets very repetitive and you want to yell at Julian. He often leaves Piper out of important discussions and decisions even though he's promised her that he will include her in this aspect of his life since he won't give her what she really wants--him. Piper often circumvents Julian though because she refuses to be kept in the dark when it comes to her research and the chronology. 

Because there is so much going on in this book, I'm not sure I fully understand the chronology, what it is, what it is supposed to do, etc. I trust that Sumner will flesh this out as the series progresses. The "big bad" in the book is bad but I never quite figured out what went wrong with her or if she was always bad. Again, I feel like we will learn more about people whose gifts are tainted or abused as the series grows. Just as in reality, not everyone is good or uses their skills for the good of others, so I expect not everyone gifted with a power uses it for good either. 

Julian and Piper are explosive together and I enjoyed them together on the page. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't keeping up with their banter and motives but I just kept on reading, waiting for the end game. The love between the two is so obvious that one cannot help but root for the two of them. The yearning, the longing, the chemistry between them is wonderfully written. 

I'm so glad that I had the forethought to buy this series and cannot wait to read about the others in the series who also captured my heart.