Say You'll Be My Lady

by Kate Pembrooke

Overview

Opposites attract in this irresistible Regency romance, where a proper gentleman who lives by the ton's rules and a lady who lives to break them try to resist one another—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series.

Lady Serena Wynter doesn’t mind flirting with a bit of scandal—she’s determined to ignore society’s strictures and live life on her own fiercely independent terms. These days, she chooses to pour her passions into charitable causes with the vibrant group of ladies in her Wednesday Afternoon Social Club. But there is one man who stirs Serena’s deepest emotions, one who’s irresistibly handsome, infuriatingly circumspect, and too honorable for his own good...

Charles Townshend, former boxer and consummate gentleman, worries Serena’s reckless nature will earn her the ton’s scorn…or put her in serious danger. Though Charles isn’t immune to the attraction between them, a shocking family secret prevents him from ever acting on his desires. But it seems Lady Serena doesn’t intend to let his penchant for propriety stand in the way of a mutually satisfying dalliance.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538703779
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	02/22/2022
Series:	The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair , #2
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	412,105
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Kate Pembrooke is a lifelong reader whose path to becoming an author of Regency romance was forged when she first read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Kate lives with her family in the Midwest. She loves puttering amongst her flowerbeds, taking beach vacations, and adding to her already extensive collection of cookbooks.

Editorial Reviews

12/06/2021

A gentlemanly former boxer meets his match in a stubborn socialite in Pembrooke’s diverting second Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair romance (after Not the Kind of Earl You Mary). Lady Serena Wynter is dedicated to righting injustices through her social club. Though at 23 she’s given up hopes of matrimony and motherhood, she’s keen to strike up a dalliance with her handsome, sweet-natured friend Charles Townshend. Charles is attracted to beautiful, fiercely independent Serena, but declines her advances, fearing their connection will damage her reputation due to their class differences and his unsavory family history. His concern is heightened when Serena takes in Jem, a homeless boy, who soon becomes attached to them both—and whose presence in their lives could spark malicious gossip. But headstrong Serena will not be deterred from her quest to find Jem a forever family—or from her mission to seduce Charles. Pembrooke fills this emotional tale with sparkling dialogue and well-drawn characters working to balance reason and desire. Regency romance fans will delight at Pembrooke’s strong female protagonist who rises above societal limitations and expectations. Agent: Rebecca Strauss, DeFiore and Co. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"Pembrooke skillfully weaves subtle political subplots throughout the sweet, slow burn romance...An author to watch."—Publishers Weekly, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

"Pembrooke fills this emotional tale with sparkling dialogue and well-drawn characters. Regency romance fans will delight at Pembrooke’s strong female protagonist who rises above societal limitations and expectations."

—Publishers Weekly

"A perfectly executed Regency historical with an engagingly nuanced cast of characters, graceful writing leavened with droll wit, and a surfeit of sophisticated sensuality."—Booklist, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

"Bridgerton fans will devour this book! A hot Earl for a hot Summer!"—Frolic, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

“A terrific debut with one of my favorite tropes done brilliantly. Lovely, lively, and lots of fun!”—Grace Burrowes, New York Times bestselling author, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

"Delicious! Kate Pembrooke is joining the list of my favorite authors.”—Cathy Maxwell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

"Romance fans will be charmed by this sweet Regency tale!"—Kate Bateman, author of The Princess and the Rogue, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

"A beautifully written regency of the highest caliber."—Elizabeth Everett, author of A Lady’s Formula for Love, on Not the Kind of Earl You Marry

From the Publisher

01/01/2022

The second in Pembrooke's "Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair" series (after Not the Kind of Earl You Marry) follows Lady Serena Wynter, a leader of the Wednesday Afternoon Social Club and a woman determined to live life on her own terms. Charles Townshend is her dearest friend—rather ironic, since he's also the person in her life who is most likely to follow society's rules. Serena has a tempting proposition for him, but Charles's adherence to society's strictures comes from a secret in his past that he believes will forever cast a shadow over the future. Can Serena convince him that love is worth taking a chance, or will his past always haunt him? For all of Serena's unconventionality, Pembrooke's writing has a charming flavor to it that is reminiscent of authors such as Mary Balogh and Grace Burrowes. The characters and situations here still feel true to their time period. VERDICT Readers who are anxiously awaiting the next season of Bridgerton will enjoy this one, and those who enjoyed the first in the series will not want to miss it.—Rebecca Moe

Library Journal

2021-11-30
An upright gentleman’s idea of honor is challenged when he's attracted by a resolutely unconventional lady.

Since Lady Serena Wynter has already loved and lost, she cares little for social mores and chooses to dedicate herself to social causes instead. As one of the founders of the Wednesday Afternoon Social Club, she spearheads several of the club's ventures. Charles Townshend, a Member of Parliament and former boxer, has always been attracted to Serena for her devotion and passion, but he often argues with her about the risks she takes while pursuing the causes dear to her. Although they frequently cross swords, Serena and Charles are close friends. Just when Serena finally feels ready to acknowledge their mutual attraction, Charles, already leery of the class differences that separate them, is rocked by revelations about his past. Serena must convince Charles that the factors pushing them apart pale in comparison to the inexorable pull they feel toward each other. The second book of the Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair trilogy traces the growth and evolution of the society comprising unconventional women that was established in the first installment. Serena’s trauma is handled with empathy and understanding, but Charles’ problems receive a perfunctory treatment and remain unresolved. Serena’s past explains the passion and dedication she exhibits toward certain causes, but Pembrooke misses several beautiful opportunities to underline the connections between the spirited heroine’s previous traumas and her present proclivities. Several threads linking Serena’s experiences with those of the women around her also remain underdeveloped. But strong friendships between the like-minded women of the Wednesday Afternoon Social Club form the emotional core of the story.

An undemanding Regency-era romance more reminiscent of a fun costume drama than an immersive period film.

Kirkus Reviews

06/01/2022

In this second installment of Pembrooke's "Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair" series, narrators Jeanette Illidge and Joe Knezevich provide a lovely dual narration of this friends-to-lovers historical romance. Lady Serena Wynter has decided that her friend the starchy former boxer Charles Townshend is just who she'd like in her bed. While Serena is comfortable flouting societal conventions while pursuing various charitable passions with the women of the Wednesday Afternoon Social Club, Charles feels he must protect Serena from the scandal she's flirting with, even if that means missing out on an affair with the woman he's always desired. Further, both Serena's and Charles's pasts and secrets prove to be stumbling blocks to Serena's search for passion and Charles's desire for marriage. Listeners who are new to the series might find they are missing some of the initial spark between the main characters, who were introduced in book one. A few too many plot points including the work of the Social Club, an orphan boy, and the secret held by Charles muddle the romance arc. VERDICT Recommended only where the series circulates well.—Elizabeth Gabriel

Library Journal - Audio