Title: The Scoundrel and the SirenAuthor: Christy Carlyle
Series: Princes of London #2
Pages: 304
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
Publisher: AVON BOOKS
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical
Synopsis:
In the next installment of the swoon-worthy Princes of London series, Christy Carlyle takes readers on a heart-pounding hunt through Norfolk where a legendary treasure hunter and a fierce local woman battle over a Viking hoard, each determined to claim it for their own—and neither willing to lose their heart in the process…
Dominic Prince is passionate, tenacious, and determined to carve out a legendary name for himself—just like his famous treasure-hunting father. When an American tycoon funds his expedition to uncover a Viking hoard in Norfolk and ship it across the Atlantic, Dominic sees his chance to claim glory. If he can unearth a treasure trove so magnificent it lands him on the front pages of newspapers in both England and America, his success will finally be undeniable.
Tess Hawthorne doesn’t quite know what to make of the entirely too handsome scoundrel who shows up in her village seeking the very treasure she's been hoping to find all her life. When he asks to employ her knowledge and familiarity with the locals to assist on the dig, she accepts.
But she doesn't want whatever treasure they find to leave England, and she certainly doesn't want to lose her heart to the man determined to claim it…
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The Scoundrel and the Siren is a fun addition to the Princes of London series. I’ve read a few of Christy Carlyle’s books at this point, and I always tend to enjoy the unique storylines and swoon-worthy love stories, so I was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this book.
Dominic and Tess both have interesting backstories and journeys. Dominic is restless, ambitious, and always trying to prove himself outside of his father’s reputation. A notorious scoundrel, he has a reputation, but I liked seeing the vulnerability under all of that pomp and ambition. He falls for Tess pretty quickly, which I didn’t mind. I like when the MMC falls first, and I enjoyed seeing Dominic be the one who’s more open about what he wants.
Tess is more guarded than Dominic, which isn’t shocking considering her history and his. I can see why she would be more hesitant to give in to her feelings. Their romance has some insta-lust vibes, and I wouldn’t call it especially high tension or high stakes, but I like the way their relationship builds while they work together. A lot of their connection comes from being on the dig, sharing ideas, and slowly realizing they want very different outcomes from the same discovery.
The archaeological angle was what initially interested me. It’s such a fun premise for a story, and I’ve read a few rom-coms and historical romances with archeological backdrops lately. They’re always so intriguing and a great way to bring two people with shared interests together, like Tess and Dominic. I liked the idea of the Viking hoard and the questions around who it belongs to and what should be done with it. There are some great messages about ownership, legacy, and preserving history versus claiming it for personal or financial gain.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It’s not the most dramatic or plot-heavy historical romance, but it’s solid and engaging, with likable characters, a unique backdrop, strong messages, and, of course, a great love story! Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- he falls first
- archeological dig setting
- insta lust/love
Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, USA Today bestselling author Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there’s nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.
Nice review, Julie. I saw the title of the series and thought royalty, not last name. It sounds fun.