Name: A Lady by Midnight
ISBN: 9780062049896

Tessa Dare

When mysterious strangers come searching for her, Kate Taylor finds an unexpected ally in Corporal Samuel Thorne, a militia commander who has previously avoided her but now poses as her fiancâe to save her from danger.

A Lady by Midnight

Megan Beth Davies

After reading a Week to be Wicked, I had really high hopes for this book, and maybe that is what led to me being disappointed. Dare's writing style still shone through and the first act was good, but I found myself quite bored by the middle. Thorne was overly dramatic, and the conflict felt forced and I just wanted Kate to stop apologising. There were some lovely moments, but the book could have been much shorter. I also found that the steam was a letdown compared to book 2. I'm currently reading book 4, and that is wonderful, so if I were you I would skip this one. You can go straight to book 4 knowing none of the events of this book. I'm still a massive Dare fan, but do yourself a favour and don't bother with this one.

Jaclyn

4.5**
I loved this so much but I was also extremely frustrating!!! I understood why Thorne was so reluctant but literally it took until THE LAST CHAPTER for him to FINALLY ACCEPT THAT SHE WOULD BE HAPPY WITH HIM! Oh my god it drove me crazy to point where I was ready to throw my book across the room!! BUT I did absolutely ADORE it! I loved their growing relationship and I loved Kate and the family aspect this book had. Another addicting read from Spindle Cove!

Renee Delcourt

Spindle Cove, nestled in a peaceful corner of Regency Era England, has long been known as “Spinster Cove,” due to its preponderance of unwed ladies of “delicate constitutions”—and that’s the fictional setting for a delightful historical romance series by USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare. In A Lady by Midnight, a young woman searching for her family finds love unexpectedly with a handsome colonel—but the secrets of her heritage threaten to disrupt their romance…and their upcoming nuptials. Concerning the heart-soaring romantic fiction of Ms. Tessa Dare, fans of Lisa Kleypas and Eloisa James would do well to heed Julia Quinn’s admonitions and “prepare to fall in love!”

Francesca G

Probably my fave out of all of them so far!!!

Toni Turner

These are so fun and silly and I love getting to know all of the characters.

Kate

Heather Harrington

Meh, not my favorite of hers but it had its moments.

b.andherbooks

Kate mostly grew up in a strict school for orphaned girls and now makes ends meet teaching the young ladies of Spindle Cove piano and singing lessons. She has hazy memories of someone telling her to "Be brave for me Katie" but cannot find anyone to help her find out if she ever had a family. She's also quite vexed by the brooding Corporal Thorne who always seems to be glowering at her, even if she is starting to think he is pretty sexy. And then when it appears Kate might actually BE part of a family Thorne steps in and pretends he is her fiancee! Apparently Thorne and Kate share a past and he is still trying to protect her, after all these years.

Really cute, with just a few too many issues thrown in. I loved Kate's spark and how her persistent cheeriness and a cute puppy won over the grumbly Thorne in the end.

I listened to A Lady by Midnight for my second "read" and while still not my favorite Tessa Dare, I was still taken away to Spindle Cove and enchanted by its denizens. Thorne and Katie's romance is still a bit too full of issues that annoy me but I do overall love prickly bear Thorne.

2021 - what was I thinking?! This is definitely one of my fav Tessa Dares! Captain Thorne's stern, gruff, no one could possibly find me worthy archetype is my favorite. Yum.

Sans

If the whole book was like that last 20%, I honestly could have given this 4 stars. I know, I know. Karla, Rachel, I'm sorry. But on the whole, this was a swarming, crazy mess of one WTF after another.

EDIT 2/23/2020: On second read and with expectations shifted, I did rather enjoy this. It was still OTT and more than a little ridiculous, but let's be honest. That's why I read these book.