The Impossible Balfours Series by Gemma Blackwood

Headstrong Miss Daisy Morton must make a choice: play the fiancée to a duke she doesn’t love, or face ruin. Daisy’s loyalty to her friends is always getting her into awkward places. Unfortunately, those places include the bedroom of the stern young Duke of Loxwell, where she is caught hiding by one of society’s most notorious gossips. For mysterious reasons of his own, the duke saves her reputation with a false engagement. There’s only one rule: she can't fall in love with him. Simple enough... moreHeadstrong Miss Daisy Morton must make a choice: play the fiancée to a duke she doesn’t love, or face ruin. Daisy’s loyalty to her friends is always getting her into awkward places. Unfortunately, those places include the bedroom of the stern young Duke of Loxwell, where she is caught hiding by one of society’s most notorious gossips. For mysterious reasons of his own, the duke saves her reputation with a false engagement. There’s only one rule: she can't fall in love with him. Simple enough. What are the chances that the true love Daisy has always dreamed of should turn out to be the strict, strait-laced, surprisingly tender duke with a devastating smile reserved especially for her? Alexander Balfour, the new Duke of Loxwell, lives for honour and duty. The dukedom weighs as heavily on his shoulders as the responsibility of setting an example for his four unruly sisters. And that honour has sealed his fate forever. A fatal mistake in his past means he cannot fall in love without betraying those he holds dearest. Even if Daisy turns his world upside down in a hundred different ways, she cannot save him from his lonely penance. Or can she? less

A bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk. Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she’d have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London’s most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert... moreA bluestocking with a secret nom de plume and a dashing spy compete to uncover a scandal – and their undeniable attraction puts all their secrets at risk. Lady Anthea Balfour has never had much luck with eligible gentlemen – and she’d have even less if they knew she was the infamous Lady X behind London’s most popular newspaper column. When not one but two wealthy earls suddenly insist on courting her, all her investigative instincts are on high alert. Something is amiss, and Lady X will be the first to expose the scandal. The last thing she needs is a third earl’s attention distracting her from her task. Even if he happens to be the charming, handsome and mysterious Lord Streatham… George Bonneville, Earl of Streatham, cannot afford any distractions from his secret mission for the Crown. His work as a spy is dark, dangerous, and leaves no room for romance. But when he meets the alluringly outspoken Anthea, their magnetic connection overturns all his plans. George soon finds himself locked in a deadly game between three powerful lords. The winner will take Anthea’s hand – but only George can offer her the passion she deserves. Fortunately, he is accustomed to winning. At any cost. Now, if only he could discover the identity of that pesky Lady X who’s been slandering his name in the papers… This is the second book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series. less

Lady Edith Balfour has not eloped with her dearest friend, Lord Rotherham. But persuading him, her family, and her own heart to believe that is proving unexpectedly difficult… The lively, accident-prone Edith has never been the proper young lady her family would like her to be. She would rather travel the world and live a life of adventure than settle down with a suitable gentleman. The only person who truly understand her dreams is Lord Rotherham, her closest friend and confidant... moreLady Edith Balfour has not eloped with her dearest friend, Lord Rotherham. But persuading him, her family, and her own heart to believe that is proving unexpectedly difficult… The lively, accident-prone Edith has never been the proper young lady her family would like her to be. She would rather travel the world and live a life of adventure than settle down with a suitable gentleman. The only person who truly understand her dreams is Lord Rotherham, her closest friend and confidant. Nathaniel would be everything Edith needed, if only his own dreams were not so firmly rooted in England. As it is, Edith wouldn’t risk losing his friendship for anything – no matter what wonderful feelings he stirs inside her. Nathaniel Townsend, the young Viscount Rotherham, has striven for years to escape from his guardian’s restrictive influence. Ambitious and determined, he means to become a powerful force in the House of Lords. Edith’s friendship is the only thing that has ever soothed his frustrated soul. He knows that one day she’ll break free of London society – and he dreads to think how much he’ll miss her. When a family emergency forces Edith to travel north alone, Nathaniel defies his guardian to accompany her. It’s an adventure that could cost him dearly, but he is determined to declare his independence at last. Besides, he has never been able to say no to Edith’s sparkling eyes or dimpled smile. It’s not an elopement. It’s simply two good friends enjoying an adventure together. And, perhaps, indulging in one or two dangerously delicious kisses… This is the third book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series. less

Lady Selina Balfour would make the perfect duchess. But the Duke of Caversham is far from her idea of the perfect husband.Malcolm Locke is everything Selina hates about powerful men – reckless, arrogant, and all too aware of his own chiselled jaw. Which makes it all the more important that Selina’s candidate beats his in the upcoming election. Someone needs to teach the duke to behave.The first lesson? Kissing a woman until her knees go weak isn’t enough to make her give up her ideals... moreLady Selina Balfour would make the perfect duchess. But the Duke of Caversham is far from her idea of the perfect husband.Malcolm Locke is everything Selina hates about powerful men – reckless, arrogant, and all too aware of his own chiselled jaw. Which makes it all the more important that Selina’s candidate beats his in the upcoming election. Someone needs to teach the duke to behave.The first lesson? Kissing a woman until her knees go weak isn’t enough to make her give up her ideals.Everyone knows that Malcolm is in dire need of a respectable duchess, an heir, and an end to his rivalry with Selina. But why is he so determined to pursue the one woman who’ll never have him?Selina’s not sure she wants to know the answer. Her wounded heart is more than she can risk. But she’ll happily take on the duke in the political arena, if a war is what he wants.There’s only one possible outcome. Defeat for one. Victory for the other.Unless there’s a sweet surrender in store for them both…This is the fourth book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series. less