Lady Drusilla Shaw may be a bit introverted, yet she has the observant mind of a writer, capturing all of society’s quirks and scandals. But when the novel she’s been working on disappears from her room, that is just the beginning of her problems. Confident, magnetic Oliver, Duke of Mountsorrel, has taken an interest in Dru, and when he proposes, she is both thrilled and anxious. Her book depicts a ruinous family story that is uncannily similar to Oliver’s real-life, not to mention libelous. The manuscript could surface at any moment—and eventually it does, in published form, for all to read.
Oliver is bewildered by his new wife and her blasted book. Worst of all, how can he love a woman he no longer trusts? But when it becomes obvious that someone is taking their cues from the book in a series of attacks, he has no choice but to stick close to her. Their explosive connection in bed should take care of the heir-making, but for that to happen, Drusilla has to stay alive—and so does Oliver.
Titles in The Shaws series include: Fearless – Sinless (#1.5) – Dauntless – Boundless –
Title: Dauntless
Series: The Shaws #2
Author: Lynne Connolly
Genre: Regency Romance
Published: June 26, 2018
Publisher: Kensington Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Take one quiet, introverted Lady with a passion for storytelling even though she’d never actually publish her imaginings. One Duke who needs a wife but really would prefer to not love the lady for he could not possibly handle his responsibilities and love a wife as well. (eye-roll) Mix in a stolen manuscript, accidents that clearly are not and the unexpected growing attraction that just might be love between our Lady and Duke. Stir the pot with some interesting secondary characters and a hidden villain somewhere among their acquaintances and you have a delightful, intense, sexy and enjoyable romance entitled Dauntless.
I enjoyed my time in the world of Dauntless, Although I haven’t read the earlier books in this series or the connecting series I was able to follow along with little distraction of figuring who people were. Now I simply have more books to add to my ever growing tower of TBR books. For me, the story flowed along two distinct lines – Dru and Oliver’s relationship and getting through their difficulties to the love that they obviously have for each other, and the mystery of who stole Dru’s writings and why someone is trying to harm or kill either or both of them. This is a story of romance and danger, love and trust, and solving a mystery that could be the death of our hero and heroine. I liked Dru and Oliver individually, and together they sizzle no matter the emotions at the time. My curiosity is caught and I’ll go back and discover the rest of these series because now I want to know what came before this story. I’d definitely recommend Dauntless to any Historical Romance reader who loves a good romance and a chilling mystery combined.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available for the Kindle
