Lady Janette Aston is a beautiful, strong willed intelligent woman with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Regrettably the era Janette was born into wasn't progressive in thinking, a young woman was expected to learn how to be a wife and mother and participate in frivolous society committees. Even though Janette knew her father would reprimand her if he found out she was sneaking copies of science journals to read which at first was enough for her. But as Jeanette grew up she wanted to find out more about the mysterious and very exclusive science group, The Illuminati. One afternoon Jeannette changes into pants that her friend Sophie has made for an Illuminati member, and she walks right up to the Illuminati's doors.

Darius Lawley was an Illuminist. In fact he is a guardian for the Illuminati and he takes his position quite seriously. So what is he to think and do when he discovers an outsider has slipped in and is currently listening to an exceedingly secretive lecture? Of course Darius is angry but then he discovers Miss Aston is a pure spirit. He knows the rules, she can't be here if she isn't a member and he can't invite her to join them. The laws are rigid and clear that they not try to recruit a prospective member, the individual has to ask to join them. To make matters more complicated for Darius he feels an instant connection to Jeannette and he has promised himself never to let another close to his heart.

A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS was my first Steam punk novel. I found it fascinating to have the scientific advancements during the era where technology was not as abundant as it is now. Furthermore I found Jeannette's character inspiring. She is comfortable with who she is and isn't willing to slip meekly into the background. If Jeannette decides to be a part of the Illuminati it would mean being ostracized in society and losing her father who is strongly opposed to the Illuminati. A LADY CAN NEVER BE TOO CURIOUS starts off a little slow but I think that is the author trying to set up the world to ensure readers have a good understanding of what it is like in the world she had created. The story slowly gains in pace and the chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts. All in all I found the novel enjoyable and will definitely try the next book in the series.

Book Summary

Beneath the Surface of Victorian Life Lies a Very Different World...

Hated and feared by the upper classes, the Illuminists guard their secrets with their lives. Janette Aston's insatiable quest for answers brings her to their locked golden doors, where she encounters the most formidable man she's ever met.

Darius Lawley's job is to eliminate would–be infiltrators, but even he may be no match for Janette's cunning and charm...