A Love Most Daring (Proper Romance Regency)
Set in Regency London, A Love Most Daring pairs a clean, slow-burn romance with a suspenseful mystery rooted in reputation and risk. After enduring years of whispered scandal, Beatrice Lacey returns to London hoping to reclaim a life she once lost. Instead, she becomes an unwitting witness to a violent crime, one tied to a high-profile murder that has Bow Street on edge. Her safety soon rests with Alexander Rawlings, a driven officer whose focus on duty leaves little room for anything else.
Barker allows the romance to unfold at an unhurried pace, letting sharp dialogue and forced proximity do the work. Beatrice’s wit and hard-won resilience make her an engaging heroine, while Rawlings’s reserve—shaped by old disappointments—gradually gives way to something more layered and sympathetic. The Regency setting feels lived-in rather than ornamental, particularly in scenes at Vauxhall Gardens and Bow Street, where social expectations and danger collide.
The mystery keeps the story moving, even if a few turns are easy to anticipate. Still, the story maintains a steady pull between suspense and romance, and the emotional payoff feels earned rather than rushed. Readers who enjoy Proper Romance titles with a touch of intrigue will find this an appealing and confident addition to Barker’s Bow Street series.
