First of all, thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this title in exchange for an honest review.
As a big lover of regency romances, when I saw this on netgalley I just knew I had to give this one a read!
Firstly, Sophie was such an interesting character to me, a women who has had her struggles but determined to claim her future. I found the chemistry between Sophie and Drake electric. Seeing Sophie’s internal struggle to get revenge battle against her desire for Drake was really interesting and added some great tension, I was at the edge of my seat. However, I was really surprised at how quick Sophie and Drake got together. I would have liked to see a bit more slow burn and angst to this story, to help me feel more connected to the characters and their story.

Unfortunately I did find this book a little tricky to get into to begin with. The writing, especially at the beginning, felt a little chunky and there was a lot of information all at once but once certain events started to unfold I was at the edge of my seat.

This is definitely a book I’d definitely recommend if you’re looking for a regency romance with twists and turns.

Very fun book filled with a devious back story. I enjoyed trying to guess how everything would fit together. The prologue set the scene so well. The characters were well written and stayed true to themselves. It is a delightful read to be fully enjoyed!

Another enjoyable Emma Orchard novel! I admit to casually reading this in the doctor's office when it got unexpectedly spicy...and then I about jumped out of my seat when they called my name, oops.

Sophie, working as a companion to a charming old lady, has a hidden past and even more hidden motives for revenge against the Wyvernes. Lord Drake is suspicious of her but also drawn to her. Will romance blossom against all odds and the wicked schemes of Drake's father?

The Viscount and the Thief is a regency romance by Emma Orchard, and while I enjoyed it, I did find a few aspects a bit overdone for my taste. That said, I am of the firm belief that just because I don't like a story, that doesn't make it bad, it just means it wasn't for me.

Sophie Dellavallois is out for revenge after her family was robbed of the little they had left after escaping from France. Unfortunately, Drake, is the son of the man responsible for the loss of Sophie's family, so in the beginning, she believes him to be as evil as his father.

And make no mistake, Drake's father is depraved, he is one of the worst characters I've ever read and deserved what happened to him by the end of the book. That said though, I think the author may have gone a bit too far in making him the bad guy, I thought a few of the scenes were there more for shock, and to make use really hate him than for anything else.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sophie and Drake, although in the beginning I felt like things moved a bit fast and that Sophie, who seemed like a pretty worldly, practical, and self sufficient woman allowed her feelings to overcome her common sense a few times when I felt she would have been more cautious.

Despite those things though, I enjoyed the romance between Drake and Sophie and how Drake credited Sophie with helping him to become a stronger man, one able to stand up to his father.

If you're looking for something a little out of the norm for a regency romance, then you might enjoy The Viscount and the Thief.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

📔 The Viscount and the Thief -a standalone

✍🏾 By: Emma Orchard, I read A Duke of One's Own and What the Lady Wants and gave them 3/4 ⭐

📄 Page Count: 312 eBook

📆 Publication Date: 11-11- 24 | Read 10-30-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Emma Orchard for this ARC💜 !  I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌍 Setting: England - 1811

Genre: Historical Fic, Regency Romance

Tropes: wealth/poverty, a revenge plot, opposites attract, open door/explicit sex (only 2-3 scenes), family drama

☝🏾 POV: 3rd person, single

⚠️ TW:  parental abuse, threat of SA, sexual harassment, prostitution-just mentioned, a sex party, death of family members, suicide-not H/h, forbidden romance

💭 Summary: Sophie is on a mission for revenge and to get back a jewel stolen from her. She created a secret identity to get a job as a companion for Dowager- Lord Drake Wyverne's grandmother- reading "dirty" books to her. When Drake meets Sophie, they are instantly attracted to each other, yet Drake has a feeling she is hiding something. The current Marquess Lord Wyverne and his wife Rosanna try to intimidate and threaten Sophie, making her their new target. She has no problem standing up for herself and uses Drake in her scheme. to take back what's hers.

🚺 Heroine: Sophie Delavallois- 26, used to be a French aristocrat now a thief who lives above a tavern. Her parents and little brother died and before she resorts to prostitution, Nate Smith takes her under his wing believing she could be helpful to him.

🚹 Hero: Lord Rafael Drake Wyverne-31, a Viscount & heir to Marquess Wyverne. He's followed by scandal that he is having an affair with his stepmother and is shunned by society.

🎭 Side cast: 

• Dowager Delphine Wyverne-Drake's 100-year-old grandmother

• Marquess Lord Gervais Wyverne-Drake's father

• Marchioness Rosanna Wyverne-Drake's stepmother, Lord Wyverne's 3rd wife

• Simon Venables-Drake's BFF, a minister

• Nathaniel Smith-taught Sophie how to pick locks/pick pocket, and how to protect herself. He knows Lord Wyverne and wants his payback too.

•  Bart-Sophie's ex-lover, an artist

•Charles + Amelia-Drake's half siblings who he keeps away from their father Lord Wyverne.

• Marchand-a servant, helps Dowager and Sophie

🤔 My Thoughts: Sophie was a great heroine-resourceful, smart, and independent. She learned how to make a living as a single woman under Nate-her mentor. Lord Drake only visited Wyverne Mansion to see his grandmother and didn't live with them disgusted by his father and stepmother's behavior. When he discovered Sophie's real name, he nor the Dowager stand in her way to get her pink diamond (The Stella Rose) back. They fell for each other, but Sophie believed they were from different worlds and respectability. As the plot unfolded, Sophie got her retribution, Lady and Lord Wyverne got their due, and Sophie and Drake got a HEA!

🌶️Spice 4/5
😭Emotion 4/5
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Couple 5/5
⭐Rating 5/5

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I enjoyed this but i did spend most of the time wondering if it was going to get better. I enjoyed the plot of the story but there were so many events that just seemed unnecessary for me.

Also the writing was a little confusing at times on who was speaking and what POV we had moved to. This made it a little hard to keep up with in the moment.

All in all, it was a good period piece and i think could be fun for some readers!

Great mixture of the good and the bad, and the bad turned good. The evil step mum, the dashing gentleman, the all seeing dowager. Amusing moments and some tension. A fab story which you shouldn’t miss!

Emma Orchard is definitely an autobuy author for me. This is the third of her books that I have read, I’m saving the other two for when I need the vibes (fellow mood readers you understand right), and I think it might even be my favourite!

Sophie is a compelling heroine, and a strong one at that, something that is hard to achieve in the regency period. Lord Drake, or Rafe to his friends, is an equally engaging love interest and I really loved their dynamic.

As with Orchard’s previous books, there’s more than just romance as Sophie’s primary goal is revenge. The stakes felt surprisingly high and the twists were great, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put it down!

I also loved the Dowager Marchioness, Delphine. I am currently listening to a podcast about the beginning of the French Revolution so her back story was super interesting to me and I felt like I knew a little bit of the history (which always makes me feel accomplished!) not that you would need it in order to engage with this at all.

If you are desperately awaiting the next series of Bridgerton, pick up this one when it comes out in a fortnight. I promise it won’t disappoint ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was really excited about this book - I love regency romance and love the chance to explore a new-to-me author. But, this book did not deliver. It was hard to get into: the insta-lust trope, the rake-with-a-heart-of-gold trope, the clunky exposition, and the backstory that fills almost every page. There were good points: the dialog was witty and authentic, the characters were bold and larger-than-life, and the heroine was refreshingly capable and competent.

The story just wasn't good. I wanted more dialogue and banter and a lot less of the telling-not-showing backstory.

2/5 stars

Thank you for this ARC.

This follows the story of Sophie Delavallois and Lord Drake Wyverne.

Sophie is hired as a female companion for the dowager Wyverne and her Grandson Lord Drake soons becomes very obsessed with her as he is soon sure that he has met her before.

Sophie - does have a secret and once it is all revealed , Lord Drake and Sophie realize their goals are aligned and start working together.

This is a mystery story with lots of spice and secrets with a regency backdrop.

A beautifully written Regency romance that made me pant for more after every chapter. This book was a delight, with a dastardly villain, an adorably feisty grandmother, and a wonderful couple at the centre of it all. I loved Sophie and Rafe, and was gripped by their passionate and heartfelt romance, especially as I could completely understand why they fell for each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities.
It’s a deliciously steamy book that will enthral anyone who’s content to follow a couple past the bedroom door (or wherever else they might find themselves overcome with passion). Every scene was expertly crafted and the story flowed perfectly. It swept me up and put a smile on my face. One of my favourite recent reads - big thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

Thankyou @Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advanced read of this fun regency romp.

SThankyou @Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advanced read of this fun regency romp.

Sophie was hired as a companion to the Dowager Marchioness as a companion and to keep her company by reading her steamy french novels. But Sophie has an ulterior motive, to recover what is hers.

The dowager's grandson, Lord Drake, is protective over his grandmama and knows that Sophie isn't who she claims to be. He is certain they've met before, but when? And where?

I enjoyed seeing the relationship between the dowager and Sophie grow. It was very endearing. However, this story had me questioning so much...

Lord Drake has little to do with his father but is often on the premises to protect his grandmother from his father's treatment. Would it not be easier to move her into his house instead of leaving her to the whims of her wicked son?

The Marquess lords over everything and everyone. The way he treats his wife is as more as a prize to share than to protect. Why would any woman put up with that? The behavior and displays of his power over her throughout the story (especially the events at the themed party) left me in disgust. But he IS the villain of our story. Loathed by his son and all of society, the Marquess has much in his possession that isn't rightfully his.

When Lord Drake discovers Sophie's true identity, he colludes to help her fulfill her mission at any cost.

This book was a bit slow to get into but once certain events started to unfold, it was hard to put down.

It had a few open door scenes but is not the spiciest thing I've read this year. This book mentions themes of death by illness and parental suicide.

The Viscount and the Thief is the newest book by Emma Orchid. The book starts off introducing us to the main characters several years in the past and then jumps into the future. Sophie Delavallois has been hired as a ladies companion to the Dowager Marchioness. She resides in the Wyverne mansion, where all sorts of “interesting” behaviors go on. However nothing is as it seems. Sophie is there to steal jewels from the family including her own treasured diamond. Lord Drake (the son) is not the reprobate the tonne thinks he is, but his father and stepmother are some of the most awful people. All sorts of depraved and unexpected behaviors happen in the mansion and Sophie somehow has to navigate them and steal the jewels. Meanwhile Lord Drake is entranced by Sophie and determined to figure out what her true role is. He is waiting for the day, he has clear titles to the property to take care of his grandmother and clear the garbage out of the mansion.

The novel has several twists and turns. We have different people masquerading as others. We have liars and cheats all over the place and we have Sophie, a woman hardened by her past determined to claim her future.

There were places in the novel where I was less than happy with the direction of the novel, but I couldn’t seem to stop reading it. I did not enjoy it as much as the prior novel I read by Emma Orchid, but I didn’t dislike it enough to not want to read more of her novels. The book is interesting, has twists and more twists, has a good ending and enough sex and intrigue to keep the reader entertained. The Viscount and the Thief by Emma Orchid is a good read.

"Preorder a brand new regency romance from the bestselling author of A Duke of One's Own.

Spring, 1811... A stranger arrives at Wyverne Hall.

Sophie Delavallois is the new companion to the ageing Dowager Marchioness, but she also has another reason for coming to the infamous Wyverne mansion, one that will shake the family to their core.

Lord Drake left his childhood home many years ago, and only returns now to see his beloved grandmother. He takes little interest in the goings on of the house, until the arrival of Mademoiselle Delavallois. There's something about her that he can't put his finger on; it's as if he's seen her before, but surely, that is not possible...

Sophie is also drawn to Drake, but he is a Wyverne, and she cannot allow herself to fall for him, because her intentions towards the family are resolute - revenge. But inside the walls of Wyverne Hall, she discovers the rumours about the family barely scratch the surface, and she can't escape the dangerous allure of the Viscount.

Once her plans are set in motion, will he be her saviour or her ruin?"

Such a dilemma, revenge or romance...

3.5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Nothing ruins a well thought our jewelry heist more than falling for the mark’s son, such is Sophie's dilemma. She has every right to target the Marquess of Wyverne, after all, after stealing from them, he is responsible for the death of her family. Sophie has spent years training for this caper, nothing should stop her; enter Rafe (Lord Drake) and his adorable grandmother. Suddenly Sophie has a conscience and nothing is what it seemed when she was on the outside looking in.

I enjoyed this book, it was charming and an easy read. It is obvious the author spent a great deal of time researching the regency period, and the language and customs written about reflect that. My only criticism is that it does get a bit convoluted towards the end, and is tied up in a much too convenient bow.

The Viscount and the Thief by Emma Orchard is not like any of the many, many Regency Romances I have read through the years. The very title had me wondering how the author could pull off having one of the main characters be a thief and still have the reader on their "side" as the story unfolds.. I will not divulge any spoilers here but I can say that the author was quite successful in keeping us rooting for both of the main characters - especially as we learn that they are not really what they appear to be as we get to know them better. Not only are the main characters presented as non-typical Regency romantic leads but the main plotline of the novel is also different from any I've read in the past. Yes - there still is a love story but what motivates the two lovers to take the actions they do is unique and well written. Overall, I enjoyed Emma Orchard's writing style and imaginative storytelling. My only criticism is that there were too many graphic descriptions of the times of intimacy the couple shared - I do realize that's my personal preference and others may feel differently about it. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an entertaining, somewhat suspenseful, romance novel from the Regency period who doesn't mind graphic sex scenes. I received an ARC courtesy of Boldwood Publications and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

TEN OUT OF TEN, this book was regal and fun the romance was lovely!

The debt of the characters always gave a smile and good warmth.

Well, this was a good read! The hurt and cruelty that Sophie experienced as a teenager and the dashing of her dreams make her into the touch scheme she is when the book starts in earnest. We follow her trying to fight for what is suitable for her family, flouting society's rules and regulations and yet, beneath it all, caring for the elderly and exposing the machinations of the family she is a nursemaid within. Opposite Sophie is Rafe, an odd fellow who is lied about, still lives in his father's cruel ways and is tarnished by the family's tainted reputation. The theft, coverings up and sexual scandals are an excellent backdrop for an entertaining read, and whilst the happy ending is always hoped for, the journey there is a delight,

"The Viscount and the Thief" by Emma Orchard took me a few attempts to get into, but on my third try, I found myself completely captivated by the characters and the storyline. Initially, I struggled with the limited dialogue and extensive descriptive passages, which made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. However, one Sunday, I decided to give it one last chance, and I'm so glad I did because I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.