The Devil of Drury Lane by Tracy Sumner

The Devil of Drury Lane by Tracy Sumner (Novelist)
Series: The Troublesome Trio Series Book #2
on January 27, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 128
Goodreads

In the opulent ballrooms of Regency-era London, Mercy Ainsworth plays her part flawlessly. By day, she's the poised daughter of an esteemed earl, an embodiment of grace and decorum. But when the moon ascends and the city's shadows lengthen, she transforms into a clandestine artist of Drury Lane, her paintings ablaze with untamed passion. The equilibrium of her life is disrupted when Damien DeWitt, the devilishly handsome youngest son of a duke, strides into her world. Unveiling layers of mystery that set him apart from the ton's predictable rakes, Damien awakens desires Mercy never knew she harbored. As their forbidden attraction deepens, Mercy finds herself torn between love and duty, while Damien grapples with the complexities of his own heart. Can Mercy defy the expectations of society to claim a love she never dared to desire? Step into a world of art, intrigue, and smoldering passion in this steamy historical romance that will leave you breathless.

The Devil of Drury Lane is book two in The Troublesome Trio series by Tracy Sumner. Although the story is well written, I struggled with the heroine Mercy Ainsworth. She has had a crush on Damien DeWitt from afar since she was a child, often hiding and watching him because she was too shy to speak to him. But as an adult she acts in a way totally contrary to the Mercy of her childhood, suddenly becoming aggressive in her approach to Damien.  I just didn’t find her character to be consistent or believable and thus the three flower rating. I did like the hero – Damien. The fact that he is an academic sets him apart from heroes in other romances. I also liked that Sumner developed the DeWitt family’s background more and the troublesome trio’s bond to each other.

“As Damien moved past, overriding the scent of citrus and turpentine, the dewy aroma of leather and man tickled her senses. Trying to ignore the enticing fragrance, Mercy frowned at the tarnished silver service, having no idea how to entertain a man in a clandestine art studio and make it seem as if she’d asked him to call for any reason but the hope that he the shyest man in London, might elect to finally kiss her. Poor girl, she’d been waiting for Damien DeWitt to notice her for years. Yet here he was, and she had no idea what to do with him.”