Portrait of a Scotsman

Starred review from September 1, 2021

When sheltered and idealistic banking heiress Hattie Greenfield is caught in a compromising position with Lord Lucian Blackstone, a ruthless and wealthy financier, they're compelled into a hasty marriage. Quickly suspecting that Lucian tricked her into marriage to improve his social standing among the London elite, Hattie is determined to flee. Everything shifts when they find themselves on an impromptu trip to Scotland, and their palpable chemistry draws them close despite the marriage's grim start. As Lucian opens up about his shadowy past and slowly reveals his heart, Hattie also grows, transforming into a bold and independent woman. This enchanting third installment in the "League of Extraordinary Women" series adds a strong labor rights plot on top of the suffrage movement explored in the previous books. VERDICT Dunmore (Bringing Down the Duke; A Rogue of One's Own) delivers a novel that is delectably sexy and profoundly romantic at its core. It's sure to delight fans of the series as well as new readers, thanks to Dunmore's trademark mix of historical fiction, British feminist history, and steamy Victorian romance.--Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago P.L.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2021
The third installment of the League of Extraordinary Women series features the Beauty and the Beast romance trope. Banking heiress Hattie Greenfield has always been seen as the lovely one in her family even though she's an Oxford scholar. She struggles with writing and numbers, but art is her passion anyway. Self-made man Lucian Blackstone isn't fully accepted within the upper echelons of society because of his low-class upbringing and notoriety for ruining men in debt. The pair end up at the altar after being caught in a compromising position. Hattie is physically attracted to the brooding Scotsman but had hoped to marry for love. This rocky start does not immediately turn into wedded bliss, but when the couple travels to Scotland, they start to understand each other better. Tender emotions and lust grow stronger, but Lucian is committed to revenge against a man from his past, and Hattie has her own unfulfilled dreams. Rich with historical detail, this leisurely romance has a strong social justice element. Like previous titles in the series, the suffragist movement, of which Hattie takes part, plays a role, but this time around workers' rights are at the forefront. Lucian owns a mine, and Hattie discovers her class privilege when they visit. The workers--men, women, and children--have agency, and it's their wants that lead the changes Hattie and Lucian are able to assist with. The tumultuous relationship between Hattie and Lucian remains the primary driving force throughout. A winning, lush romance with a social conscience.

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