No One's Bride by Adele Clee | ARC Review

Series: Scandal Sheet Survivors, #4
Traits & Tropes: enemies to lovers; bluestocking; mystery to solve; sister's friend/friend's brother
Publication Date: 06.25.23
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England
Heat Level: 5.5
Rating: 5 stars!

Ailsa MacTavish’s two most favorite activities in life are collecting rare books and engaging in verbal sparring matches with her book-collecting rival, Viscount Denton. They may be enemies, but sparring with him is when she feels the most alive, plus he’s a safe companion for a self-proclaimed spinster since he’s promised himself not to marry for at least ten years.

But a mistake at an auction sees Ailsa taking delivery of an old grimoire, one that several dangerous characters wish to possess. The connection to the book puts Ailsa in grave danger and forces her to work in close quarters with Sebastian, but the more time they spend together the more they each begin to question if they’re really enemies after all.

Adele Clee remains the queen of gothic style romance and steamy carriage scenes. This book was probably the most gothic themed of this series, but once you immerse yourself into that feel, you hardly notice because you’re so keen to keep reading and find out what happens next. I haven’t experienced that feeling much of late, so I was very grateful to have it with this book. Ailsa and Sebastian had that classic enemies to lovers energy. Everyone around them could tell that the passion between them was something wholly opposite of hate, but they themselves were clueless. Of course, circumstances threatening Ailsa’s safety brought them together and the forced proximity and added danger helped Sebastian realize his true feelings. These two had a chemistry that leapt off the page and I enjoyed seeing them gradually open up to one another about their feelings. It was also lovely to see Lucius and Sybil again and I look forward to reading about Lucius’ machinations with the Chance brothers in the new series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1497017188

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5738602670