The Notorious Dashing Viscount: A Clean Historical Regency Romance Book (Love Beyond Expectations 3)
If risking my heart means winning yours, then it is a wager I am willing to take.
Lady Isolde Belford, known throughout the ton as the Ice Queen, has built an impenetrable wall around her heart. Haunted by the secrets of her past and determined to protect her heart, Isolde has resigned herself to a life of solitude. But when a chance encounter with a charming rake sparks an unexpected connection, Isolde begins to question everything she thought she knew about love and happiness.
Lord Clayton Henley, a bold Viscount, has spent years perfecting the art of the rake. With a string of broken hearts and scandalous liaisons to his name, Clayton has sworn off the idea of love, content to indulge in the fleeting pleasures of the ton. But when a scandalous wager challenges him to melt the heart of the infamous “Ice Queen”, Clayton finds himself drawn to the enigmatic beauty who hides a world of pain behind her icy facade.
As the wager propels Clayton and Isolde closer together, they find themselves caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Isolde struggles to reconcile her growing feelings for Clayton with her fear of vulnerability, while Clayton grapples with the realization that his pursuit of Isolde has become more than just a game. With each passing day, the stakes of the wager grow higher, forcing them to confront their deepest desires and the consequences of falling in love. In a world where reputations are fragile and hearts are easily broken, Isolde and Clayton must decide if the chance at true happiness is worth risking everything they’ve ever known.
”The Notorious Dashing Viscount” is the perfect read for you if you enjoy strong characters set against the rich backdrop of the Regency and Victorian era. This captivating Regency romance spans 60,000 words, delivering a heartfelt story with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Pick up this amazing new story today!
Customer Reviews
D**********t
I loved it!
I could not put it down! As with all of Dorothy Sheldon’s books! I can’t wait to read the next one!February 28, 2025
K****G
Two different personalities
I loved Isolde’s independence and strength. Clayton’s trepidation about the Ton’s ladies and his anger over his father was deeply felt.December 29, 2024
K*************r
Delightful
The story was slow at times and had me skipping pages but it improved and was rather delightful. The two main characters were very likeable. I recommend this book, actually it would make a nice gift.November 26, 2024
S**********r
Well written
This book will keep you entertained and leave you smiling. The author, Dorothy Sheldon, never disappoints.October 9, 2024
K***i
Loved it.
I don’t know why this has become my favorite genre, but it has. I love everything that I have read from this author. You want to root for the main characters right from the start.October 6, 2024
M**V
The Club & A Wager Like None Other!!!
A very difficult father & then a stiff wager with an unlikable person that seems harmless. Except everyone is watching via of the scandal sheets. And another despicable person is involved with a wager of his own. But the truth be known LOVE is in the works!!!October 5, 2024
K**********************************************************************.
Another good story.
Enjoyed this story, got a bit cross with the two main characters because they were not strong enough to sort out there families.September 19, 2024
K*************r
lovely story
Well written and cosy read. Characters enchanting and believable for the time period. Nic to read a clean novel with a good plot.September 8, 2024
M***********r
Very enjoyable
A nice story with a clear plot and some well-defined character arcs. It was well written and tied all lose ends in a bow.September 7, 2024
ch
The best!
I’ve probably read at least 300 English romance novels. This is definitely my favorite!!! Now I’ll read the rest of Dorothy books.September 7, 2024
T***************i
Fun story that was a delight to read
The characters are well presented. The story well written. I did buy it once I read it. Well done to the author.August 31, 2024
j*****s
Clean quick read!
Isolde has decided she will remain a spinster and nothing will change her mind. She quite literally stumbles into Viscount Henley and things have a way of making a spinster change her mind. A lovely clean novel that is very quick to read.August 27, 2024
e***5
GREAT READ!!!
It is such a pleasure to read a book that you just don’t want to put down. This story moved along . It did not get bogged down in needless thinking and rethinking about everything. There was no kidnapping, etc. Just a wonderful story that truly held my interest. Great job Ms. Sheldon.August 20, 2024
D******n
The Heart Knows What It Wants
Two people that never planned to get married to various reasons are thrown together by a bet. Lady Isolde Belford, was known as the Ice Queen, had turned down many suitors because she felt that were after her money and was determined to be a spinster. Lord Clayton Henley had decided marriage wasn’t for him, but a challenge was presented to him that he couldn’t win over Isolde. Not thinking clearly, a felt to be called a coward he accepted the wager. However, as he forces himself to get to know her to win the bet, he wasn’t counting on his heart being won over by the most fascinating woman he had ever met. As he wanted to tell Isolde the truth another intervened to make him look the rake everyone believed him to be. Isolde was devasted as she realized she truly liked maybe loved Clayton. Heartbroken and knowing her parents was then going to consider the other suitor for her to marry she was devastated. Then her brother James intercepted some very interesting information. ARC ReviewAugust 19, 2024
O****************s
The Notorious Dashing Viscount
Dorothy has delivered another great story of regency romance with a dashing but rakish hero and beautiful but stubbornly different heroine. I hated for the book to end.August 19, 2024
K***e
Love and reading
I absolutely loved Clayton and Isolde’s story, and so will you. A wager and two hearts find love and love while reading. Thanks, Dorothy, for writing a wonderful story.August 17, 2024
S****n
Things are not always easy
I like that Clayton had to make choices that were not easy. Taking a challenge isn’t all it’s cracked up to be; at times scary.August 16, 2024
B************i
Great story
This author has become my favorite for historical romance novels. All of her books are so well written with great characters. In this story, we have a very independent beautiful lady, Isolde, who doesn’t want to get married but her parents want her to. She also has a secret that only her family knows. Meanwhile, Viscount Clayton Henley is a well known rake and has made a wager that he could defrost and get the Ice Queen, none other than Lady Isolde, to fall in love with him. Only things don’t turn out the way Clayton thought they would. I loved the story and highly recommend it as it is a good, sweet, clean, romantic read.August 16, 2024
K*************r
Can family secrets prevent a vibrant lady and a disdainful lord from a having a happy future?
Beautiful Lady Isolde has forbidden herself to hope for happy marriage due to a family secret. In spite of her parents’ cajoling and efforts, Isolde insists she will never marry. Participating in the social whirl of the ton for 3 seasons, countless men wish to court her for her hand and dowry. Now starting her fourth season, men having no success labeled her what society condemns, The Ice Queen. Clayton, Viscount Henley, proud of his estate, his wealth and his handsome self, has also shunned marriage. Rebelling against a family secret, he has spent years furthering a reputation as a Rake, becoming a man no respectable family wants approaching their daughter. A reckless moment of drunkenness pitches Clayton into a situation with Isolde that he progressively deeply regrets. Both victims of their family secrets and society’s censure, will they be able to overcome their misgivings and find happiness?August 16, 2024
N********n
Good read
The two main characters both have secrets. The heroine hinds behind an icy wall, but she does have a suitor who won’t give up. The hero is a rake and when drunk takes a bet that he can unfreeze the heroine. He also is dealing with a very abusive father and trying to protect his stepmother and siblings. As they get to know each other, they have some obstacles to overcome before the HEA. It was well written with engaging characters.August 16, 2024
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.August 15, 2024
A*************r
Wonderful clean book
I have enjoyed all of Dorothy Sheldon’s books … especially the ones that follow the same family.August 15, 2024
M******************a
Strong female lead with a Lord to melt her icy heart
Beautifully written historical romance to satisfy those who love the genre. The lead characters are singular and strong, especially the female protagonist Lady Isolde, who will not compromise in an era when options for ladies, regardless of social status, are very limited/restricted to familial and societal expectations. While the rakish Viscount Clayton Henley becomes a better man because of Lady Isolde. Heart-tugging in some exchanges and the characters are not as run-in-the milk as most written historical romances. Highly recommended indeed!August 15, 2024
T******s
Great Story Line
Love this story! Isolde carries secret and hurt in her heart that no one knows about, save her family. She closes herself off and has earned the nickname, the ice queen. The Viscount Henley is a rake and cad. He foolishly makes a bet, and as he is drawn to Isolde, see past the ice to the lovely person within. Can these 2 get past all the secrets, bet and hurt and have a love match??August 15, 2024
B**********s
Love always wins.
Isolde and Clayton’s story is captivating, with many twists and turns. Will love really win after all? Read it and see for yourself.August 15, 2024
C***************n
Fun story with happy ending
Loved the characters in this book and their road to happiness.August 14, 2024
a*******a
regrets
he is a rake she is the Ice Queen. A well-written story. There was a wagger and she was the victim.He is very considered of his stepmother and his step brother and sister.At last he won the wagger but also the girl.August 14, 2024
G**********y
Love the story
Great story and two very misunderstood characters get to work out their relationship while others try to interfere. Manipulation and well meaning interference make it difficult for the main characters to come to know each other but love wins out. Misunderstandings get resolved and love wins out in the end.August 14, 2024
K*************r
Very Enjoyable Story
I enjoyed the writing, the plot, and the characters. This story (because it mentions the stories of Jane Austin) make me wish that current authors could write more in her style of dialogue, but then this story is easier to read. It was a delightful story of two opposites who had not intended to fall in love, but do. So, of course, there are some fun plot twists that make it very enjoyable. I would like to encourage you to read it.August 14, 2024
R*********e
The Ice Queen and the Rake
Clayton indeed started off as a rake but he met his match when Isolde stumbled into his life! His reputation as a rake came back to haunt him when he actually fell in love with her. She had a secret that made her push suitors away, fearing no one could love her if they knew. Clayton’s father was abusive and continued to abuse Clayton’s stepmother and his half siblings. This goes on throughout the story but comes to a satisfactory conclusion. Lord Raisin, Isolde’s obsessive suitor, gets his just deserts in the end. Best of all, Isolde and Clayton reveal their secrets to each other and then live happily ever after!August 14, 2024
E****************y
Another wonderful spinster book
I love the way it started. I love the way it was developed. And I love the way. It ended. Another wonderful spinster club story. I can’t wait for the next one.August 13, 2024
V****r
Awesome
The book kept me hooked. Couldn’t put it down. Read the whole book in one night. I want to be the Viscount.August 13, 2024
G******s
Isolde and Clayton were wonderful characters.
A great read. Society rules in the Regency period were strict for those with title and means and certainly more leaning in favor of the male. Glad everything worked to give Isolde and Clayton a love match.August 13, 2024
V*****G
The Notirious Dashing Viscount
Scandals seemed to be a big thing in those days and it’s the theme in this story too. Colorful characters, interesting situations and heartfelt pain and worry make it a good read.August 13, 2024
Jo
Bet me
Clayton takes a wager on being able to win over Isolde, a woman with a secret and no intention of marriage. This is a story with romance, secrets, anger, really awful villains and more. Well crafted and good ending.August 13, 2024
G**.
think before you act
Isolde and Clayton’s story reminded me to think before I act, hurting somebody else’s feelings surely won’t be helpful when you realize you develop feelings for said person, so we should treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves.August 12, 2024
S**************z
Ice does melt
Inliked both Isn’t ode and lord Henley.what stars out as a wager endip drawering both people together , one Is the ice queen the other her is a take Them both changeAugust 12, 2024
T******.
This is a lovely story of Isolde and Viscount Clayton Henley.
It’s about Viscount Henley making a wager w another man that he could make the ice queen fall in love w him. Isolde, the ice queen, knew nothing of the wager. As they kept seeing each other at different places, he became fascinated w her. He had never known an intelligent woman who loved to read, who was beautiful, didn’t want to marry, and stood up for herself. Their feelings grew. I didnt like the way her parents kept trying to make her marry a man she couldnt stand. I was worried Mr Raisin might force himself on her. Nevertheless, the book has a great ending.August 12, 2024
A**********n
Cool
LovelyAugust 12, 2024
A*********r
Loved it!
This book is definitely swoon worthy. Such a fun read.August 12, 2024
C***n
Great Ending!
Another great book by Dorothy! I usually take a couple of days to read, but I put chores aside to finish this one quickly. Clayton and Isolde’s story starts on a bet and they have to navigate their pasts, their family and their reputation. A great, clean story with great characters and the perfect ending.August 12, 2024
r**e
Wager, Wager
Extremely well written story by this author. Full of drama, expected romance, suspense, society, secrets, anger, emotions, abuse and so many different twists. This book starts with a wager to break the heart of the Ice Queen. Isolde is in the start of her fourth season and has refused many men in the past ones. So a newspaper has given her the name of Ice Queen. It’s so unfair that she only wants to read and be happy, looking foe love to complete her. She has a secret about her past that wold change everything that she is. Clayton is a Lord who has some secrets of his own. His father is an abusive person who likes to hit men, boys, women and girls. He is known to abuse his second wife. Clayton has offered his stepmother a chance to get away from his father but she knows that he would take the children. Clayton is pushed to take the wager when he was drinking. Once meeting Isolde, things change and he wants out of the wager. Add in the raisin to the issues and what a great story to read. Keeps you reading and wanting more. Would recommend to everyone. I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.August 12, 2024
A*************r
Great as usual
As always enjoyed the book. Wish would have told a bit more about the Viscount’s mother.August 12, 2024
c******y
Never say Never.
This is one of Dorothy Sheldon’s better stories. Both protagonists are well fleshed out and interesting. The story line is different and filled with the usual misundertandings. If you love clean Regency romance, this is a book to enjoy.August 12, 2024
S*H
A life changing secret, and an unwise bet
Lady Isolde Belford has a secret. One that would cause scandal for herself and her family if it were known. As a result she has determined never to marry, causing society to refer to her as the Ice queen. Lord Clayton Henley unwisely allows himself to be goaded into taking a bet wherein he must thaw the Ice Queen and get her to fall in love with him. As true feelings begin to form, each struggles with their secret. Meanwhile, outside forces are at work trying to destroy their growing love. Relatable, engaging characters and villains you hope get their just rewards. A fun read. This clean, sweet, book is a standalone story with a HEA.August 12, 2024
