A LOVE MOST DARING, by Joanna Barker, Shadow Mountain, March 3, 2026, Paperback, $18.99 (YA/ New Adult/ Adult Fiction)
A young woman finds herself under the protection of a Bow Street officer in A Love Most Daring, a Proper Romance novel by Joanna Barker.
After years of whispered gossip and quiet exile in the countryside, Beatrice Lacey arrives in London determined to reclaim her life. But her resolve is shaken when she witnesses a horrific attack tied to a chilling high-profile murder case gripping the city.
Thrust into sudden danger, Beatrice finds herself under the reluctant protection of Alexander Rawlings—a brooding Bow Street officer with a guarded heart and a fierce sense of duty. Though it’s clear he’d rather be chasing the killer than shielding a scandal-stained Society miss, their forced closeness begins to unravel his defenses. In the unnerving moments between danger and discovery, every sharp exchange and lingering glance fans a slow-burning connection—one neither of them expected and neither can resist.
With danger closing in and old wounds resurfacing, trust may be their only refuge—and love their most daring risk of all. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
A Love Most Daring is the third book in Joanna Barker’s Bow Street series. A Heart Worth Stealing published in 2023, and So True a Love came out in 2024. Though you technically could read the books independent of each other, there are some crossover characters/references that make A Love Most Daring better by reading the books in order.
Barker’s Bow Street series is part of Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line under which all the books follow the same sort of formula — boy meets girl, obstacles stand in their way, they find love in the end. These “chaste” romances depend more on relationship and attraction without ever crossing into the “steamy” zone. And honestly, that’s not a problem. In fact, it feels right in the world Barker has created.
A Love Most Daring is told from Beatrice’s point of view. Beatrice is a strong character with sharp wit and a big heart. But beneath her confident demeanor is a lonely young woman who dreams of moving past fake accusations against her character.
The highlight of A Love Most Daring is the banter between Beatrice and Alexander. The moments where they’re able to push each other sing. These interactions, as well as the moments of quiet, make the book worth reading. Add in a mystery, and you’ve got the recipe for a good Regency read.
Though not written specifically for young adults, there’s nothing to preclude them from reading and enjoying A Love Most Daring.
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