The Lady is Trouble by Tracy Sumner
Series: The League of Lords #1
Published by Indie on 18 February 2020
Genres: Historical Romance, Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Romance
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
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He’s a viscount with a dark past who yearns for the one woman he can’t have. She’s a psychic firebrand. Rebellious, spurned by society and determined to change his mind.

What’s a defiant woman to do when the man she’s meant for doesn’t believe in love?

After three years of waiting for Julian Alexander to realize they are destined to be together, Lady Piper Scott takes matters into her own hands. Because her gift as a healer has never done anything but distance her from the most principled man in England. A meaningless diversion as a medium, all done to gain a certain wandering viscount’s attention, backfires. As most endeavors have for a woman known in the ton as Scandalous Scott.

What’s a reluctant viscount to do when the woman he can’t have becomes the woman he can’t live without?

Julian Alexander, Lord Beauchamp, battled his way from the lowliest slum to assume his title. He carries not only a turbulent past, but a mystical psychic gift that separates him from society. Honorable to his core, he is committed to protecting a community of outcasts with abilities like his own. He has no time, no place, for love. Or repeatedly rescuing the most outrageous, beguiling woman he’s ever known. Even if she needs his protection most—and he desires her above all others.

Seduction, intrigue and desire lead to an explosive passion…

Julian vowed to shield Piper from the deadly foes seeking to possess her powerful gift. Although he needs her help in controlling his own, the mix could be deadly. Soon what was once a simple agreement to work together becomes enchantingly complex as they surrender to a timeless love…

POV: 3rd person limited, Multiple
Triggers: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence

Pace

I felt that the balance of this story was a little skewed, off balance. I felt like that first half of the book sort of went in circles. It seemed like every conversation the main characters had followed the same structure and recycled the same dialogue and so much happened in the last quarter of the book that it all felt a rushed. I would have liked to see a bit more meat to the action at the end, perhaps if that action was brought forward into the story sooner. Overall, the pacing was okay.

Characters

As is common in regency/historical romances, Julian, the MMC, is so frustratingly self-sacrificing and honourable; committed to denying and repressing his feelings for Piper, FMC, for all eternity. All this to keep a promise to some dead geezer. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, men can be so dumb. He gets points for his delicious broodiness and for the late-stage character growth when he opens up to Piper and lets some of his vulnerabilities loose.

I like Piper’s tenacity and determination, her near complete dismissal of societal expectations and her tunnel vision when it comes to loving Julian. Her cheekiness and predilection for trouble is very entertaining and refreshing for a historical romance. She’s a woman that knows what she wants and doesn’t give up… until she does actually give up? Without giving anything away, I feel like her tactic at the end was a bit childish and seemed a bit silly when you look back at everything she put up with to get to that point.

The side characters introduced in The Lady is Trouble will undoubtedly make an appearance in their own stories with the League of Lords series. I think I would enjoy Finn’s book, since he was a standout side character in Julian and Piper’s story.

I enjoyed the dynamic characters and their varied abilities and seeing how they all dealt with the downsides of their power.

Tropes

• 
  Slow Burn
• 
  Magic
• 
  Forced Proximity
• 
  Found Family
• 
  Bargain/Bet
• 
  Second Chance Romance
• 
  Other Woman Drama

Is The Lady is Trouble spicy?

Yes, I would consider The Lady is Trouble to be a spicy book as it does contain explicit content. Tracy Sumner crafts these scenes well, with enough tension to get your heart rate up and well written spice to satisfy a seasoned romance reader. I suppose the spice in general is a bit vanilla (still good, just no kinks or anything) but there is a hint of forbidden romance that is nicely done.

My Thoughts

Overall, I’d say that The Lady is Trouble by Tracy Sumner is a solid read. I really like the premise; the combination of paranormal and historical romances is a real niche but one I would like to see grow. The characters were entertaining and the spice was well done. I thought the ending was a bit rushed and would have preferred for the final conflict to be introduced a bit sooner in the story so the couple could have had a deeper resolution. Regardless, I generally enjoyed The Lady is Trouble and might try another book from the League of Lords series by Tracy Sumner.

Similars

• 
  The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
• 
  Heart of Fire by Bec McMaster