Too Dangerous for a Lady

The Company of Rogues Series, Book 16

By: Jo Beverley

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

The new novel in the Rogue Series from the New York Times bestselling author-and five-time RITA Award winner . . .

Lady Hermione Merryhew, daughter of an impoverished marquess, already has her share of problems. The last thing she needs is an intruder in her bedroom, especially not a fugitive thief. She should scream, but the shabby rascal is a man from her past.

Six years ago, at her first ball, dashing Lieutenant Mark Thayne failed to steal a kiss, but succeeded in stealing a little of her heart. She's older and wiser now. She can't toss him to the wolves. Besides, she wants that kiss.

Now Viscount Faringay, Mark has never forgotten Lady Hermione, but he mustn't involve her in his dangerous life. He's infiltrated the Crimson Band, violent revolutionaries who plan a bloodbath in London, and if he survives the night he will be able to destroy them. Hermione is involved, however, and only he can protect her.

Contains mature themes.

©2015 Jo Beverley (P)2022 Tantor

Awesome Narrator

Susan Duerden is one of my favorite narrators.Please re-record the other Rogues titles with her . The story was good,but I did not feel the connection between the main characters. They needed more time together to build the relationship. The 6 years between seeing each other is a great concept,but once they met again they didn’t build the relationship enough to develop the relationship.

Narrator was not a benefit.

Took me 3 tries to get past the Narrator. She was annoying at best. Love of this series kept me trying. Great book!

Regency secret agent romance in the Rogues' world

I have been wishing for more audio editions of Jo Beverley's books, and was extremely happy to see this new publication. The Company of Rogues series is a longstanding favourite of mine, a series of books about a group of young men who had formed a society to protect and help each other during school, and as adults, they come together again and help defeat villains and achieve happy fulfilment of their romances during the latter years of the Napoleonic wars and thereafter, This book is a late addition to the series (I recommend reading/listening to them in order) and is largely independent of the others except for the appearance of several secondary characters. The story is set a few years after the Battle of Waterloo, as the post-war unstable economical situation brings about protestations, mobs, riots and debate about political reform, The heroine is related to the Rogues (her brother was a member of the Company until his death in the Peninsular wars), but she is now an impoverished spinster travelling to the sickbed of an elderly relative, in the hope of an inheritance. The hero is his first secret flame, an ex-soldier who apprears as a disreputable thief, but in reality he is an undercover agent planted in a secret organization bent on fomenting riots, revolution and organizing terrorist acts. Their romance is rekindled by a chance encounter, and Hermione is drawn unknowingly into the danger Mark's secret work. I liked that Hermione is unconventional, clever and independent, and Mark is honourable, loyal, committed to his cause and his beloved; it was an interesting touch that he wasn’t the idealized perfectly groomed aristocratic dandy of some Regency romances, but a more down to earth person. The unconventional sick relative and Hermione’s relationship with him was an enjoyable thread, and I liked the way the Rogues were brought into the storyline. There was fast-paced action and an enjoyable romance, with some angst from the dangers the protagonists had to face and the fear for each other’s safety. There is some sensuality and bedroom scenes (explicit but not graphic, and tasteful), between a loving and committed couple.
This narrator was new to me but I hope she will record more Jo Beverley books, she does an excellent job of drawing the listener into the story, displaying emotions and characters. The audio experience enhanced my enjoyment of this well know old favourite, I recommend this audiobook to Regency romance fans.

Good and yet awful

Maaaannnn..l I have been waiting for Jo Beverlys books to become more plentiful on Audiobook. When I saw that not only have several been added, but that they were also on sale, I about perished with excitement!!
This story was pretty fun. There was a lot of character involvement with the secondary characters. With my favorite relationship being with Hermione and her great uncle. There was all the things you want in a good historical romance… a man and a woman in love, friends, family, and villains. And actually there was a little sex but by the time I got to it I was speeding through.

Which brings me to the awful…Susan Duerden. I rreeaalllyyy dislike hating on narrators. There is oftentimes something that meshes with our perception that some of us like and others don’t. In addition, narrating must be one of the most difficult jobs to do and I believe that they really do try hard to do a good job. Susan Duerden is a narrator that, to me, is hit or miss. I have really enjoyed, and really not enjoyed her from time to time. I don’t get excited to see shes the narrator, but I don’t turn away. That, however, may change. I’m sorry Susan if you read this, but holy heck was this one just awful!!! It was the most single toned narration that I’ve ever listened to. In fact, I was absolutely shocked that this was a recent production (2022) because I had assumed by the pure awfulness, that this was an early attempt at narration!! I was enjoying the story, but wanted to pull my ears out of my head so settled for speeding it up 2x!! I have NEVER in all my Audible years (since 2016 with a different account) had to speed a book up to 2x. I don’t know what happened with her but this was not a win.

I got this book on sale for $2.94, and for the story it was worth it but I 100% would not recommend using a whole credit on this.