London banking heiress Hattie Greenfield wanted "just" three things in life:

1. Acclaim as an artist.
2. A noble cause.
3. Marriage to a young lord who puts the gentle in gentleman.

Why then does this Oxford scholar find herself at the altar with the darkly attractive financier Lucian Blackstone, whose murky past and ruthless business practices strike fear in the hearts of Britain's peerage? Trust Hattie to take an invigorating little adventure too far. Now she's stuck with a churlish Scot who just might be the end of her ambitions....

When the daughter of his business rival all but falls into his lap, Lucian sees opportunity. As a self-made man, he has vast wealth but holds little power, and Hattie might be the key to finally setting long-harbored political plans in motion. Driven by an old revenge, he has no room for his new wife's apprehensions or romantic notions, bewitching as he finds her.

But a sudden journey to Scotland paints everything in a different light. Hattie slowly sees the real Lucian and realizes she could win everything—as long as she is prepared to lose her heart.

From glittering ballrooms to the grit of the rookery, history provides the perfect backdrop for compelling stories that highlight the injustices and triumphs of the human spirit. Combined with romance, it demonstrates that love truly can overcome all obstacles. Evie Dunmore is that rare author who can blend the best of these elements together perfectly. Her talent is on display once again in Portrait of a Scotsman, the latest installment in her fabulous series, A League of Extraordinary Women.

Hattie Greenfield, banking heiress and suffragist, wants to marry a respectable and proper gentleman who will support her dream of becoming an artist. She doesn’t count on her improper fascination with the wholly unsuitable Lucian Blackstone, self-made man and her father’s business rival, thwarting her plans. When that fascination sends her unexpectedly to the altar with the brooding Scot, she believes that her carefully planned life is over. But as she slowly peels back Lucian’s gruff exterior, she finds there is more to him than meets the eye, and she just might lose her heart if she isn’t careful.

I’ve loved every book in this series, and this one is no exception. Evie’s meticulous research into the era shines with every word, and her lush worldbuilding is spellbinding. But it’s her characterization that always keeps me turning the pages. Hattie evolves from an inexperienced woman who doesn’t fully realize her privilege to someone determined to make the world a better place. Lucian is ruthless and adept at getting what he wants, but it’s his affection for Hattie that draws out his sensitive nature. It’s simply beautiful to watch their romance play out on the page.