A Lady's Formula for Love (The Secret Scientists of London #1) by Elizabeth Everett - delightful feminist historical romance / Books Teacup and Reviews

A Lady’s Formula for Love is an entertaining and delightful feminist historical romance featuring women in STEM, a thrilling bodyguard trope, and an unforgettable love story.

A Lady’s Formula for Love

A Lady’s Formula for Love (The Secret Scientists of London #1) by Elizabeth Everett

Publication Date : February 9, 2021

Publisher : Berkley

Read Date : February 26, 2025

Genre : Historical Romance / STEM

Pages : 322

Source : won e-copy through one of GR group reading challenge

Synopsis

What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humor and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

Lady Violet Hughes is keeping secrets. First, she founded a clandestine sanctuary for England’s most brilliant female scientists. Second, she is using her genius on a confidential mission for the Crown. But the biggest secret of all? Her feelings for protection officer Arthur Kneland.

Solitary and reserved, Arthur learned the hard way to put duty first. But the more time he spends in the company of Violet and the eccentric club members, the more his best intentions go up in flames. Literally.

When a shadowy threat infiltrates Violet’s laboratories, endangering her life and her work, scientist and bodyguard will find all their theories put to the test—and learn that the most important discoveries are those of the heart.

Review

I read the second book in this series, A Perfect Equation, a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I had planned to read the first book, A Lady’s Formula for Love, right away, but life got in the way. Now that I’ve finally picked it up, I wish I had done so sooner! This book exceeded my expectations—it’s not just as good as I hoped, but the best romance I’ve read this year.

From the start, A Lady’s Formula for Love beautifully introduces Athena’s Retreat. While it took me a little time to remember all the characters and their introductions, once I settled into the story, I was completely hooked.

The writing is fabulous, and the plot is a perfect blend of wit, humor, friendship between eccentric women, a splash of mystery, and a sizzling yet heartwarming romance. I especially loved the concept of a secret women’s society for scientists in 19th-century England—such a unique and empowering premise.

Lady Violet Greycliff, a 30-year-old widow and passionate chemist, created Athena’s Retreat to provide a safe space for women like her to conduct experiments, pursue their scientific passions, and support one another. But she’s also secretly working for the Crown, developing an antidote to a dangerous gas used by protesting antigovernment workers. When word of her mission leaks, putting her in danger, her stepson, Gray—an agent of the Crown—hires a bodyguard to protect her.

Arthur Kneland has spent twenty years as a Queen’s soldier and bodyguard, protecting high-profile figures across different countries. He follows strict rules—never get distracted and never form attachments. But when he’s assigned to Violet, those rules start to unravel. For Arthur, she’s an irresistible distraction. For Violet, he’s formulates fascinating chemistry in her. The more they spend time together the harder it becomes to suppress their chemistry.

Beyond the romance, the novel does a fantastic job portraying the struggles of women in the 19th century—when they had no rights to education, voting, or even having a voice in male-dominated fields. The story also weaves in themes of class, politics, and domestic abuse, adding depth and realism.

Violet is an incredible protagonist. She’s kind, compassionate, and fiercely intelligent, pouring her heart and soul into Athena’s Retreat. But beneath her strength, she’s still haunted by the scars of her past—a suffocating marriage to a controlling husband that stifled her ambitions.

Watching her reclaim her confidence and finally find fulfillment, not just in her work but in love, was so satisfying. Arthur not only gives her the love she craved but helps her overcome the lingering fears and doubts inflicted by past. Her character growth is truly inspiring.

Arthur is the classic grumpy loner—hardened by a rough past, distrustful of others, and reluctant to let anyone in. Yet, being around Violet and the women of Athena’s Retreat slowly breaks down his walls. His backstory is heartbreaking—losing his family, his home, and carrying the weight of a scandal he desperately wants to keep hidden.

When that secret is revealed near the climax, it adds another layer of vulnerability to his character. I loved how Violet makes him feel like he belongs, not just as a protector but as part of her world. Their bond helps him heal from years of guilt and regret over mistakes that weren’t entirely his fault.

The romance is wonderful. While there’s instant attraction, their social positions and Arthur’s duty prevent anything from happening too quickly, allowing their relationship to develop at normal pace. Their chemistry is electric, filled with touching and heart-melting moments, as well as some steamy scenes that smut readers will appreciate.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is Athena’s Retreat and its extraordinary women. They bring so much life to the story with their inventions, passion, and shared frustrations about societal restrictions. Their unwavering support for each other was heartwarming, and their interactions made the book even more entertaining.

The mystery surrounding who wants to stop Violet was another highlight. The suspense kept me hooked, and the reveal near the climax completely surprised me—I couldn’t guess the culprit! The build-up to the final confrontation and the resolution were well-executed, leading to a satisfying and well-earned happy ending for Violet and Arthur.

Overall, A Lady’s Formula for Love is an entertaining, delightful, and feminist historical romance featuring women in STEM, a thrilling bodyguard trope, and an unforgettable love story.

What to Expect in A Lady’s Formula for Love-

Feminist Historical Romance
Bodyguard Romance
Grumpy x Sunshine
Science Meets Romance
Insta-lust with Sizzling Chemistry
Women in STEM
Sisterhood & Friendship