The Lady Plays with Fire

Susanna Craig

Apr 2024 · Goode's Guide to Misconduct Book 2 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

In this Bridgerton era You’ve Got Mail, the clever, popular, and deliciously shocking ladies’ periodical Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses only employs women who are equal to the challenge—and for one biting theatre critic, that challenge happens to include romance. 

A fast-paced, innovative, sexy historical romance with a modern twist that readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Sarah MacLean, and Julia Quinn will adore.

As the daughter of a clergyman, Julia Addison knows she’ll never be able to fulfill her lifelong dream of acting on the stage. But writing forthright reviews of the Season’s most popular plays for Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses, popularly known as Goode’s Guide to Misconduct is surely the next best thing. Even better, she’s got a ticket to Ransom Blackadder’s latest irritating satire about English society. Best of all, she’s sharing a theater box with the gruff but handsome Lord Dunstane, which is enough to make Julia call for an encore . . .
 
Graham McKay, the Earl of Dunstane, rarely leaves his home in the Scottish Highlands. Why would he? Nothing about London has ever held his interest—until he meets Julia. But when Graham realizes she is the critic who panned his last play—and she discovers he is in fact the man behind Blackadder’s wicked pen—will it bring down the curtain on their romance—not to mention the magazine that published the humiliating review? Or can an unexpected collaboration set the stage for a scandalous love affair?

Ratings and reviews

Clergyman’s daughter Julia writes candid theater reviews under a pen name—until attraction sparks with secret playwright Graham, Lord Dunstane. But he seeks revenge after her scathing critique. With their budding romance and her magazine’s fate at risk, can they overcome the looming scandal? This is a light-hearted romance with a hint of danger. The stakes are fairly low until toward the end of the book. The characters are fun and the writing style entertaining. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This is a well-written entertaining story fill with secrets, humor, a bit of drama, a mystery, and an unexpected romance. Graham and Julia are wonderful characters. They are both intelligent, independent, and, in their own way, outspoken. The side characters are amusing and charming. The story holds your attention and comes to a delightful end.

About the author

Susanna Craig is the award-winning author of historical romance novels, including the Goode’s Guide to Misconduct Novels, the Love and Let Spy series, Rogues & Rebels, and the Runaway Desires series. An English professor, she’s currently finding her happily ever after in Kentucky while holding onto her Midwestern roots. Find her online at SusannaCraig.com.