Outrageous: A Gripping Historical Regency Romance Book

Minerva Spencer

Jun 2021 · Rebels of the Ton Book 2 · Kensington Books

About this eBook

Bridgerton fans and readers of Grace Burrowes, Sophie Jordan, and Alexa Aston won’t want to miss this clever and exciting new love story from the acclaimed author of Notorious.

“This daring, emotional page-turner is a delight.” —Publishers Weekly

When Eva de Courtney kidnaps Godric Fleming, her only plan is to stop the irritating earl from persecuting her beloved brother. But once she has the intriguing rogue in the confines of her carriage, she longs to taste the passion she senses simmering beneath his rugged exterior. Her forbidden plan is foiled, however, when Godric turns the tables, taking her hostage instead—and demanding they marry at once…
 
The last thing Godric wants to do is make the fiery, impulsive Eva his wife, despite her delectable mouth and alluring innocence. He knows from experience that nothing is forever, not even love. But honor demands he do right by the lady, no matter how stubbornly Eva tries to hold on to her independence. And while the road to the Scottish border is beset with danger, Godric’s greatest challenge is to keep his hands—and his heart—from his captivating bride-to-be…

“Spencer is once again perfectly on point with her fetching brand of historical romance… a plot rich in action and danger and spiced with just the right amount of tart wit.”
—Booklist

“A fun and adventurous enemies-to-lovers romance.” 
—One Book More

“If you enjoy reading historical romance with some action…This is the book for you.”
—Smitten by Books, Top Pick
 

Ratings and reviews

I loved reading Eva and Godric’s amazing story in Outrageous by Minevera Spencer, book two in her Rebels of the Ton series. This amazing story brings together two people under unusual circumstances despite a number of obstacles placed along their journey. Eva de Courtney decided that kidnapping Godric Fleming was the only way to stop the irritating man from harassing her beloved brother and his wife. Once she has the intriguing rogue within her carriage, she realizes just how much she misjudged her mission. The confines of the carriage forces Eva to realize and sense the passion Godric has hidden beneath his gruff exterior; wanting him in a way she never knew existed. Unexpectedly, Godric surprises Eva, turning the table on her, taking her hostage and demanding they marry at once. Being alone, unchaperoned with a man, Eva is now considered ruined and despite his questionable behavior toward her brother, Godric was honorable and would do the right thing; not that he wanted an impulsive, fiery, stubborn, wife with a mouth that was perfect for kissing. Eva will do all she could to keep from having to marry Godric; wanting to keep her independence and fulfill her dreams for the future. While on the road to the Scottish border, Eva and Godric find themselves getting to better know and understand each other while encountering trouble and danger at almost every turn. Soon, Godric discovers his greatest challenge is to keep his hands, and his heart, from his beautiful, intriguing, innocent bride-to-be; swearing to never love, or have a family. Ms. Spencer wrote a charming, clever, entertaining and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, amusing banter, sizzling chemistry and endearing characters giving Eva and Godric a chance to obtain all each desires. I highly recommend Outrageous to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

va de Courtney overhears Godric Fleming, Lord Visel, plotting with his cousin to kidnap her sister-in-law (and BFF) Drusilla and ruin her. Being an impulsive sort of girl, Eva determines to kidnap Godric to foil his plans. Unfortunately, whilst Eva is stunningly beautiful it is of the china doll variety and Godric quickly overpowers her when he wakes from being hit over the head. Eva's personality belies her appearance. She might look like a little doll but she hates Balls and dresses, preferring to spend time in the stables and watching mills (boxing matches to you and I). Indeed, her dream is to open her own stud farm and breed horses. She also swears like a stable-boy! Godric lost his entire family to an attack by pirates while he was at war fighting Napoleon. It also sent him slightly mad with grief, determined never to love anyone ever again because he couldn't bear the pain of losing them. Nevertheless he knows that what he planned to do was wrong, and Eva's actions mean that the only honourable thing to do is to marry her, if he doesn't strangle her from frustration first. This feels to me like a modern interpretation of a raunchy Georgette Heyer (no greater compliment can I give), a feisty heroine dressed in boys clothes, a broken-down carriage, shenanigans (OMG I loved the ostler who gravely says this feels like shenanigans and the master told him to report shenanigans to the mayor!), a succession of inns, each worse than the last, and kidnappings galore. This was fun, fast-paced and funny. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

When Eva learns that Godric is planning to kidnap her brother's wife, Eva turns the tables and kidnaps Godric instead. But they don't get very far into their journey before he convinces her that she's ruined herself, and they'll have to marry. He promises to let her live an independent life, so she reluctantly goes along with the scheme. But a band of highwaymen sidetracks their trip to the Scottish border, and they're soon running for their lives. Godric was the villain of NOTORIOUS, book 1 in this series. So making him the hero of this book was an interesting choice. This author is adept at redeeming unlikable characters, and she does so with Godric. He suffers from "male hysteria" (an archaic term for PTSD, maybe, although in this case his symptoms are more like traumatic grief). The author doesn't really explain how he suddenly "snaps out of it" and realizes his plan to kidnap Dru isn't sane. In the end, he's a flawed but heroic character worthy of an HEA. Eva is delightful, even if she tends not to think things all the way through. She lives in the moment and trusts herself to get out of any scrapes she manages to get into. Which, it turns out, she's very good at. The characters are well-developed, but ultimately, this is a plot-driven story. It's exciting from beginning to end. If you like the "kidnapping" and "on the road" tropes, this book is a good choice. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

Minerva Spencer was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She has lived in Canada, the US, Europe, Africa, and Mexico. After receiving her M.A. in Latin American History from The University of Houston she taught American History for five years before going to law school. She was a prosecutor and labor lawyer before purchasing a bed and breakfast in Taos, NM, where she lives with her husband and dozens of rescue animals.