Reputation at Risk

A Chronicle of Misadventures, Book 1

De: Martha Keyes

Narrado por: Abigail Langham

Their choice? Scandal or mutual salvation.

Determined to support her mother and sisters after her father's untimely death, Charlotte Mandeville covertly crafts satirical caricatures of high society. It not only puts money in her family’s bare pockets, but ensures the haut-ton cannot guard all the power and the secrets.

Anthony Yorke has a guilty conscience and a brother to exonerate. When the key piece of evidence to clear his brother's name falls into the hands of a headstrong young woman, he is willing to do whatever is required to obtain it from her.

But Charlotte is not easily persuaded, and while the thing she demands in return for the evidence is reasonable enough, it leads to the unthinkable: a forced engagement between them.

Can the ruse they must craft and maintain survive their mutual dislike, or will it crumble, bringing them and their families along with it?

Reputation at Risk is the first in a new series of Regency romances, full of banter, a touch of suspense, and all the swoon without the steam.

©2024 Martha Keyes (P)2024 Paradigm Press

Clean, but oh so good!!!!

This had enough mystery to be thrilling, enough chemistry to be very warm without being steamy hot. And enough story to keep one totally engaged.

Too much going on

I dislike enemy to lovers stories. I dislike all the unnecessary squabbling, it truly grates on my nerves. If I would’ve read the reviews, I’d probably wouldn’t have purchased this book. But since I purchased it, I was determined to try to finish it. Halfway through the book the song “What is This Feeling“ (loathing from Wicked) kept going through my head. I completely loath Charlotte, and the book because of her. She had no reason to keep that diary and she would’ve gotten her just desserts if he would’ve just let her be ruined. She was so childish and a brat. Anthony deserved better. And there was just too many convoluted stories within this book to try to keep all of them straight. The actress reading the book did a good job

Fun love/hate tension

Love-hate stories can often be tedious, but this was really delightful. I find all of Martha Keyes’s books creative, and captivating to the very end. It is not that I disliked the narrator. She is skillful, but it is the voice she chose for the main male character that was grating to the point of genuine annoyance. Nevertheless, if you can get past that, it’s a great listen.

Wonderful!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Charlotte Mandeville traffics in gossip. It not only puts money in her family’s bare pockets but ensures the haut-ton cannot guard all the power and the secrets. Anthony Yorke has a tainted reputation to protect and a mystery to unravel. However, someone seems intent on hedging up his way. He is determined to discover whom.

But Charlotte is not easily deterred, requiring Anthony to spend precious time trying to persuade her against leaking his secrets. When they are found together in a compromising situation, Anthony is forced to do the unthinkable—claim they are engaged. Neither of them wishes to marry, but it may well be inevitable—and increasingly more desirable than it first seemed.

MY TAKE
What a fun book! Enemies to lovers isn't my favorite trope, but Keyes does a great job with it in this book. The need to work together helps, and I'm glad that neither of the main characters were immediately swooning over each other physically while hating each other. I hate that in books.

The side characters are a lot fun, especially Anthony's aunt, and Charlotte's family. We didn't get to see a lot of Anthony's brothers but it looks like they're the ones to get love stories in the rest of the series.

There's a problem to be solved in the story. Since it's not resolved, I'm guessing that will happen in subsequent books. I just hope I don't have to wait until next year to read book 2. lol

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Abigail Langham, did a wonderful job!

Excellent read!

Wonderful characters. Swoony and romantic while remaining sweet and about truly falling in love not just shallow attraction. Add that together with an unpredictable, plot and touches of humor… my kind of book!

Great book!!📚

I loved this book!!! The characters are awesome! It is perfect!! Clean and fun!! The narrator is perfect!!

Excellent writing. Perfect narrator.

Loved this book! Compelling characters. Exceptional storyline. Mystery and Romance. New to this author. Can't wait for her next book.

Cute

There is a bit of repetition in the internal thoughts and narrative. But it’s a fun read. Narrator is very good at presenting the tone and mood.