A Most Unlikely Lady by Darcy McGuire - Book Review

Series: The Queen's Deadly Damsels #4

Publication Date: 06th June 2025 

Genre: Historical Romance

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Not bad! Time-pass read 

Miss Ivy Cavendale becomes a headmistress at an orphanage. One night, she deals with an intruder, relieved that the fear that had gripped her for years hasn’t stopped her from saving her charges. Soon, it’s clear that she and her charges are the next target of The Devil’s Sons. 

Commissioner Edward Worthington owes the head of The Queen’s Deadly Damsels. So, he agrees to watch her latest ward, Ivy. It doesn’t take long to realize that he is attracted to her. But Ivy has childhood trauma, and danger surrounds them. 

Can they identify the criminal and make their happy ever after? 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Ivy and Edward. 

My Thoughts: 

This is the fourth book in the series and works as a standalone with possible minor spoilers for the previous ones. I read the first and second, so I have an idea about the mystery/ overarching plot. 

This is predominantly a romance despite the threat of an intruder and a dangerous gang lurking about. The gang hasn’t been dismantled yet, safe to say there will be more books in the series. 

We met Ivy in the previous books, though I’m not sure about the Commissioner. The events related to her family occur in book #1. In book #2, there are hints about her trauma. Here, we get more information. 

Though the romance is made to seem like it is not insta-love, it actually is. Still, I appreciate the attempt and the conversations that take place as Ivy learns to overcome her fears. That said, it is a spicy (4) book with open-door scenes. 

The first chapter can be a hit or a miss. That’s because it clearly shows the FMC’s character – someone who has always thought of herself as weak. Her inner monologue can be a bit grating, but she proves herself with her actions. 

The MMC is okay, kinda stereotypical, but he does the job. We get more than a glimpse into the Duchess’s past through him, so that’s good. 

A couple of kids shine despite the limited page space. I'd be happy to meet them in the subsequent books. 

The mystery is lackluster, TBH. The villains were too apparent the moment they were introduced. But then, this is not a mystery read but a romance with a touch of danger. 

There is an epilogue that doesn’t really give us much except a wee bit of info about the side characters. 

To summarize, A Most Unlikely Lady is a quick and easy read despite the triggers and the hints of danger. Let’s see what happens in the next book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AMostUnlikelyLady