Manda Collins: Ready Set Rogue

When scholarly Miss Ivy Wareham receives word that she’s one of four young ladies who have inherited Lady Celeste Beauchamp’s estate with a magnificent private library, she packs her trunks straightaway. Unfortunately, Lady Celeste’s nephew, the rakish Quill Beauchamp, Marquess of Kerr, is determined to interrupt her studies one way or another…

Bequeathing Beauchamp House to four bluestockings—no matter how lovely they are to look at—is a travesty, and Quill simply won’t have it. But Lady Celeste’s death is not quite as straightforward as it first seemed…and if Quill hopes to solve the mystery behind her demise, he’ll need Ivy’s help. Along the way, he is surprised to learn that bookish Ivy stirs a passion and longing that he has never known. This rogue believes he’s finally met his match—but can Quill convince clever, skeptical Ivy that his love is no fiction?

I am a sucker for bluestockings (probably because I am a bit of one myself), so I picked up this one from Manda Collins which is part of a series about bluestockings who inherit a house. Or, at least, they are competing to win a house.

All the bluestockings have strengths in unique areas, and are all interesting characters that will no doubt star in their own romances as the series progresses. I was most intrigued by Daphne, whose frankness hinted at being on the spectrum and would make for an interesting heroine.

The premise is cute, and sparks fly immediately when Ivy and Quill have a run in at a nearby coaching inn. When they are forced to band together to solve a mystery, their ire quickly turns to passion.

Ivy is a no-nonsense classics scholar who is looking for love and acceptance. She has been taught (but not praised) by her father, which accounts a bit for her independent streak and more unconventional approach to proprieties. However, those sticklers for era accurate behavior will certainly be raising eyebrows a bit.

Quill is a Marquess who, horrified that his aunt has given away a family home to a bunch of random women, shows up with an axe to grind. He is also smart, well loved by the staff, and bears some scars from childhood. Quill admires Ivy’s intelligence and tenacity, and is supportive of her interests which makes him more attractive. I think he is meant to be more of an alpha, but he is not a reformed rake or really roguish. So I am not sure what Rogue the title is referring to. The biggest rogue was Daphne, in my opinion, and maybe Ivy for being a bit too modern in her approach to hanging out with the Marquess.

The bulk of the novel is them working to solve a mystery. There are some humorous elements, and generally the tone is light.

I didn’t totally connect with the H/H, and there were some editing problems (continuity issues, mostly), but overall found this a light and entertaining book. Those who love historical romances with some mystery thrown in may enjoy this light, breezy novel. Readers who also love bluestockings should check out the series.

5 Stars 3.75 out of 6 Bluestocking and the man who loves her with mystery