How to Fall for a Scoundrel

by Kate Bateman

Overview

Two unlikely allies team up to solve a case in this novel filled with Kate Bateman's signature sparkling voice, exciting adventures, and steamy chemistry.

As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, "Charles King," Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250907370
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Series:	Her Majesty's Rebels , #2
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	60,599
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

KATE BATEMAN (also writing as K. C. Bateman) is a bestselling author of historical romances, including her RITA®-nominated Renaissance romp, The Devil to Pay, the Ruthless Rivals series A Reckless Match, A Daring Pursuit, and A Wicked Game, the Bow Street Bachelors series This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the Rogue, along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series To Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart. When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She splits her time between Illinois and her native England. Follow her on social media to learn more.

Editorial Reviews

06/17/2024

Bateman’s entertaining second Her Majesty’s Rebels Regency romance (after Second Duke’s the Charm) revisits King & Company, a private detective agency founded by Ellie Law and her two best friends, all of whom must pretend they’re mere assistants to the fictional Charles King in order to win clients. Imagine Ellie’s shock when a man shows up to a meeting with a prospective client claiming to be Charles himself. After the client leaves, the handsome con man gives his name as Harry and his backstory as a reformed thief. He’s hoping to leave his criminal past behind him and begs for the chance to join King & Co. Ellie agrees to let him assist on her case, which sends the duo in and out of museums, dress shops, and balls on a glittering tour of London—and along the way Ellie enthusiastically responds to Harry’s seductive charms. But the real mystery is Harry’s true identity. Bateman elicits electric chemistry between her leads and keeps the pages turning with a healthy helping of suspense. This winning couple is sure to charm. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for How to Fall for a Scoundrel:

"Bateman elicits electric chemistry between her leads and keeps the pages turning with a healthy helping of suspense. This winning couple is sure to charm." —Publishers Weekly

"Fluid pacing, companionable characters, plenty of spy/PI action, and a lovely sensibility all combine in a historical that will please many readers, from fans of Erica Ridley to Tessa Dare." —Library Journal

“A thoroughly enjoyable tale.” —Romance Reviews Today

From the Publisher

07/01/2024

The second in Bateman's Regency spy series, following Second Duke's The Charm, focuses on another member of the King & Co. investigative agency, Eleanor Law, the quiet wallflower of the all-women trio who clandestinely run the agency and pretend that the fictional Charles King is their boss. When a charming criminal currently using the name Henri Bonheur claims he is King, he forces the women to parlay—he will lend his skills to their cases if they help him. Ellie is swept away by his charisma, even as she keeps a firm eye on his ethics, and her partners, Tess and Daisy, are delighted that Ellie is challenged—and, clearly, tumbling head over heels. From one case, involving a plot to aid Napoleon, to another, retrieving a missing jewel, Ellie and Henri skillfully investigate and learn each other's characters and desires, which helps them navigate the last case of the novel—the one involving Henri. VERDICT Fluid pacing, companionable characters, plenty of spy/PI action, and a lovely sensibility all combine in a historical that will please many readers, from fans of Erica Ridley to Tessa Dare.—Neal Wyatt

Library Journal

Beverley A. Crick returns to narrate another Bateman Regency romance, the second in the Her Majesty's Rebels series. Eleanor Law, one-third of the King & Co. private investigation firm, finds herself working closely with dashing thief Harry after he brazenly steps into the role of the business's fictitious owner. The duo's attraction is undeniable, but can it survive revelations of Harry's background? Crick deftly switches between characters. In the case of the multilingual rake Harry, Crick switches languages as the story takes the listener through a variety of situations. Crick captures both Harry's cheekiness and the thoughtful reticence that hides Eleanor's humor and passion. Fans of the first installment will appreciate this continuation. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2025 - AudioFile