A Lady's Formula for Love

The Secret Scientists of London, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Everett

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

What is a Victorian lady's formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humor and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry - it's elemental.

Lady Violet is keeping secrets. First, she founded a clandestine sanctuary for England's most brilliant female scientists. Second, she is using her genius on a confidential mission for the Crown. But the biggest secret of all? Her feelings for protection officer Arthur Kneland.

Solitary and reserved, Arthur learned the hard way to put duty first. But the more time he spends in the company of Violet and the eccentric club members, the more his best intentions go up in flames. Literally.

When a shadowy threat infiltrates Violet's laboratories, endangering her life and her work, scientist and bodyguard will find all their theories put to the test - and learn that the most important discoveries are those of the heart.

©2021 Elizabeth Everett (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"With its beguiling blend of danger, desire, and deliciously dry wit, the brilliantly conceived and smartly executed A Lady’s Formula for Love is an exciting debut and a first-rate launch for Everett’s The Secret Scientists of London series. Fans of Evie Dunmore’s A League of Extraordinary Women books or Olivia Waite’s historical romances will savor this fiercely feminist, achingly romantic, and intensely sensual love story." (Booklist, starred review) 

"Explosive chemistry, a heroine who loves her science, and lines that made me laugh out loud - this witty debut delivered, and I'd like the next installment now, please." (Evie Dunmore, USA Today best-selling author of Bringing Down the Duke) 

"A witty, dazzling debut with a science-minded heroine and her broody bodyguard. Fiercely feminist and intensely romantic, A Lady’s Formula for Love is a fresh take on historical romance that's guaranteed to delight readers." (Joanna Shupe, author of The Devil of Downtown)

“A brilliant scientist and her brooding bodyguard discover that love can find you when you least expect it. A Lady’s Formula for Love is full of wit, charm, and intrigue. You don’t want to miss this exciting debut from Elizabeth Everett.” (Harper St. George, author of The Heiress Gets a Duke)

A fun romp.

Lady Violet Hughes’ passion is science, but it’s not easy for a woman to be a scientist in the 19th century, where women had few rights. Thus, Athena’s Retreat is formed. On the outside a mostly social club with a little bit of natural science discussion, but secretly the club is refuge to the seriously brilliant women who want to research and study the various fields of science.

Violet needs protection after being enlisted by the Crown to work on an antidote to a deadly poison being used in violence by dangerous rebels. Enter bodyguard Arthur Kneland, a sexy Scotsman. A man determined to be professional in view of the danger. However, the irresistible pull of attraction makes it impossible for Violet and Arthur to keep at arm’s length! These two can barely keep their hands off each other! More than just physical attraction, they connected and saw each other on an emotional level like no one else. Despite the differences in station, “the heart wants what the heart wants”! This is a romance, so we know they must figure out a way to bridge the gap, right?! I was on pins and needles trying to figure it out with them.

Violet was a sweet spunky character, so intelligent and big hearted, yet with the insecurities that plaque women from time to time. I just adored her! Arthur was the perfect fit, protective, but so onboard with Violet expressing her ideas and phenomenal brains!

A Lady’s Formula for Love was a delightful romp with quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a steamy romance.

Romance, mystery, and brilliant women

I am prefacing this by saying that I do not give five star ratings often or lightly. A good book earns four stars with me, so to earn five certainly makes this a cut above.

This book is a delightful regency with a dash of mystery, twist of action, and a whole lot of inspiring (and endearingly eccentric) women of science. The writing is incredibly self-aware, and the characters dynamic. Violet is an engaging heroine, and Everett balances her empathy with her drive and Violet's development is tangible and real. Her character's lessons resonated with me, and I actively cheered for her through the story. I even fell in love with many side characters, and would love to read more about them in Athena's Retreat and beyond.

(Also, Elizabeth Jasicki is a fabulous narrator and you can't go wrong listening to other stories she has read)

Truly exceptional!

I took a chance on this because it looked interesting and the premise was intriguing. When I got it, it was so new that there were no reviews yet. I am so glad I did! Great story, fabulous narrator, and the touches of humor were perfect! Highly recommended!

Not a Good Buy

Reading about this book, it sounded ideal; a good and interesting storyline with the promise of more to come in the series.
But after reading half of it, I knew that I would never buy any more if there was a series. The story was improbable as were most of the characters. I battled through it until about half way when suddenly every other chapter was nothing but very explicit sex scenes. I really think there should have been a warning of this in the description. It was definitely not the sort of book I wanted to read.

As sickly sweet as a packet of custard creams

I gave up after 2 chapters. This is silly romance crap masquerading as an interesting plot about female scientists.