Wallflower Eleanor Townsend is not like most women. She has no interest in marriage, the ton, or fashion. Instead, her heart lies with science. And when the opportunity to present a paper arises, she takes it, even though it means dressing as a man. But her disguise doesn’t quite work. Someone notices—and the brute intends to blackmail her!
Former prizefighter James MacGregor wants to be a gentleman, like the men he trains in his boxing saloon. His first step is gaining a beautiful, wealthy wife. Eleanor Townsend is not that woman, but a chance encounter gives him the leverage he needs. She’ll gain him entry to high society and help him with his atrocious manners, and in return, he won’t reveal her secret. It’s the perfect arrangement. At least until the sparks between them become more than just their personalities clashing. But there’s too much at stake for James to give in to his growing attraction.
Each book in the Townsends series is STANDALONE:
* Enchanting the Earl
* The Rogue's Conquest
* A Scot's Surrender
* Claiming the Highlander's Heart
“This was wonderfully written. Lily Maxton's soul-stirring description of the characters' struggle for acceptance was affecting. Their wordplays were fantastically witty. It's poignant. It's beautiful. Five stars.” – Luci L. Goodreads
“I am really loving Lily Maxton's story telling. She writes beautifully!” –Sarah D., NetGalley
“It takes a lot of make me emotional when reading a book but the author is so skilled in her writing that she drew me in and I actually could feel the angst and joy. Lily Maxton will definitely be on my TBR list!” –Victoria R., NetGalley
“What a great read I so enjoyed this book it had love some mystery and overall a fab connection between the characters.” –Heidi R., Goodreads
“Lily Maxton is the real deal, and this book is thoroughly enjoyable. The different setting of Edinburgh, the development of this great family, and a great twist on a recognizable plot all came together to make me love this book. I will be reading the rest of the series, and I recommend this author to fans of Julia Quinn and Sarah MacLean. 5 stars!” –Erin K. NetGalley
4.5 stars rounded up just because I finished this in almost one sitting, with a huge grin on my face the whole time.
This was so much lighter than the first book in the series, and SO much more my kind of book that I feel really bad about giving the first one only two stars. It's much shorter (almost ...more
4 Stars
In this second historical romance story about the Townsend siblings, science-minded wallflower Eleanor Townsend meets and falls for an unlikely match in brawny former prizefighter and boxing saloon owner James MacGregor.
Eleanor is determined to break into the male-dominated world of scientif ...more
I like it!
I liked James' stubborness, even when it was misplaced! It took him a really long time to stop being a stubborn a** and faced the fact that Eleanor is the perfect woman for him! But, as I said I liked him even when I wanted to bash him in the head with a blunt object! LOL
I loved his outrag ...more
4.5 stars.
I am SUCH a sucker for a jaded, world-weary rogue falling for a timid wallflower. Even better when the wallflower has a decidedly not timid side. So The Rogue's Conquest put me on reading Cloud Nine.
If that theme is also your jam, here is a list of the delicious ingredients:
*James, the for ...more
SUCH an enjoyable read!! Even writing the review now, a day later, I can't help grinning remembering Eleanor, James, and the terrific back-and-forth between them! They both went down in my favorite hero/heroine lists, as well as my favorite couples list; the chemistry and tension between the ...more
This is my first book by Lily Maxton, and I am pleased to say that I really enjoyed it. The Townsends series features siblings in Edinburgh that are up and coming in society, a bit on the fringe, but definitely devoted to one another.
The Story-
Eleanor Townsend studies bugs, beetles specifically. Sh ...more
'The Rogue's Conquest' by Lily Maxton is Book Two in "The Townsends" Series. This is the story of Eleanor Townsend and James MacGregor. This can be a standalone book.
Eleanor lives with her brother and sister. Eleanor is a happy confirmed spinster who in addition is what I would call a Bluestocking. ...more
It was a very sweet and beautiful book. I did not like that he continued to pursue Lady Sarah even though all his thoughts and heart were with Eleanor.
Some might say he did stop pursuing Sarah for Eleanor. That counts for something. In a long term, it does. I am upset that he did not come to the de ...more
Fools rush in, maybe!
Half way through reading Rogue's Conquest I realized I'd been smiling the whole time. How good is that! I was obviously enjoying this light hearted story with an intelligent wallflower heroine, whose interest in beetles surpasses all else and does rather take her into some stuff ...more
I received this novel from net galley for an honest review. Thank you!!
This novel was a quick and enjoyable read. People hide their true selves from others and give an outward appearance that they show to society. Everyone has a mask, but who has the courage to reveal what is behind the mask.
Eleanor ...more
The pugilist has coerced the entomologist to take part in his design to woo a lady or he will divulge her secret which will ruin her reputation.
The pugilist is the former prizefighter James MacGregor, the bastard son of a duke, who covets all things aristocratic which was denied to him from birth. ...more
This was a very enjoyable read that is easy to get through in an afternoon. The main characters are Lady Eleanor and Mr James MacGregor. Lady Eleanor is described as a timid wallflower by others in society but that's not quite how we see her, especially when she's around James. She has been secretly ...more
Eleanor Townsend was a spinster and an entomologist. She lives with her brother and sister. She has written a paper on her beetles for the Natural History Society. Unfortunately she is a female and they don't accept papers from females. James MacGregor is a pugilist and he is a Scot. He wants to mee ...more
I received a copy from the publishers in via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Eleanor is a wallflower who is fascinated by beetles and all manner of unladylike pursuits. James is a former prizefighter who owns a boxing saloon and wants to marry his way up in the world.
Discovering Eleanor ma ...more
Everything is not as it seems and sometimes we hide behind a façade to achieve what we want and/or be accepted. I loved James and who would not – he is big and manly and unsophisticated. Eleanor is his female counterpart in that she is also hiding being a façade. Their understanding brings them toge ...more
I love strong scientific women!! I loved that she took her research and destiny into her own hands....until James snakes his way in. I have to admit James annoyed me so much but he grew on me. I loved that although Eleanor was forced into this deal she still told James how it was and helped him even ...more
I really liked James and Eleanor's story. I loved their back and forth banter. I am really loving Lily Maxton's story telling. She writes beautifully. Not a lot off heat in this story but you don't miss it. I am looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
Safety : some ow drama since the ...more
The Rogue’s Conquest
***Highly Recommended*** Rating 4/5
Genre: Scottish Historical Romance
Setting: Edinburgh, Scotland. 1813
HERO: James McGregor - Scottish, Pugilist, Unconventional
HEROINE: Eleanor "Cecil" Townsend - Scottish, Wallflower, Intellectual
The sister of an earl, Eleanor Townsend is a wall ...more
I found this a surprisingly sweet read, considering it all starts with a bit of blackmail and a rather mercenary marriage attempt by James. There’s a lot of opposites attract involved and more than a touch of daddy-issues with James, but underneath it all I really enjoyed it.
James is a determined ma ...more
This is Book 2 in the Townsend series I personally have never read Lily Maxton before. So even though it is the second book in the series it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This is the story of Lady Eleanor Townsend and James McGregor. James is a Prizefighter and a Scott. He wants to becom ...more
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review..
One could call Eleanor Townsend odd and eccentric as her main passion is, well, beetles. Her love of science has pretty much sworn her to spinsterhood. Added to that, in order to present her work in her field, she must ...more
Eleanor is a scientist. She is an entomologist who is not allowed to present a paper to the local science society because she is a woman. She is brilliant and accurate and knows her topic. That does not matter. She is a woman and not qualified.
So, she and her sister, Georgiana, have the brilliant id ...more
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
Eleanor Townsend, having been forced to use a male pseudonym, Cecil, to publish articles on beetles in the journal of the Natural History Society, disguises herself as "Cecil" to present a paper at a meeting. Unfortunately, James (owner ...more
This is the first book by Lily Maxton I have read and I loved it! The story centers around two different people, who under normal circumstances would never have come together. Eleanor Townsend is not your normal lady interested marriage, fripperies or the latest fashions. She has a scientific mind a ...more