This is a belief that Sophia constantly challenges. As a former Bow Street Runner, he has absolute faith in the legal process and in the men of Bow Street, and while he accepts, at least in theory, that there may be times when they get it wrong, he is absolutely sure that the law is generally just and that those who enforce it are sincere in their pursuit of justice. One of the more interesting things about this book was Tristan’s relationship to justice and the law.

This was definitely a book that kept me turning pages to find out what happened. The plot was nicely twisty, and I didn’t see all of the twists coming. The plot and the setting were also interesting and well-researched – I liked the way the conspiracy that Tristan and Sophia uncover plays into contemporary politics of the time. I loved Tristan’s dedication to justice but even more his willingness to change his mind about something that was important to him when faced with new evidence.

I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Tristan, and the push-pull of their relationship as they figured out if they could trust each other and work together. Sophia is a really fun character: clever, loyal, and resourceful, though a bit inclined to making impulsive decisions and throwing herself into danger. There is a pursuit, with plenty of cleverness on each side there is clear sexual tension and then there is a cat and mouse game, because Tristan believes Jim to be guilty, and Sophia knows that he is not. Her quest leads her to a rooftop, where she is spotted by Tristan Stratford, Lord Gray, a former Bow Street Runner and a close friend of the man Jim supposedly murdered.

This story centres around Sophia Monmouth, who is on a quest to rescue her friend and surrogate brother, Jeremy (Jim), who has been framed for murder. The Virgin who Ruined Lord Gray straddles the line between traditional historical romance and romantic suspense, and I found it an enjoyable, but flawed read. I picked this ARC up for the title, which delighted me, and for the setting, which centres around a charity school for Wayward Girls in Georgian England that is in fact a secret training ground for young women on a mission to bring justice to corrupt aristocrats. Theme: Class Differences, Enemies to Lovers

The Spy Wore Silk by Andrea Pickens