Swoon Thursday (#307): Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt!

He didn't care anymore. He yanked her into his arms and kissed her.

She opened her mouth of him. Teeth clashing, lips snarling together. Anything but yielding.

Freya.

How could this be? That slim girl, running wild over hills so long ago, her flaming hair a banner. This woman, volutuous and furious, her hair still a flaming banner.

He thrust his tongue into her mouth, confused and angry. How had this happened? Why was she here?

But those thoughts melted away as he explored her hot mouth, felt her hands clench in his hair, pulling him closer.

Freya.

- eARC, page 82

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This is Elizabeth Hoyt's latest book, which will be available on Tuesday!

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Welcome to the release day blitz for Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt! December 5th is a very busy day in publishing, so this is one of many celebration posts I have for you all during this week. I highly recommend this novella and the Maiden Lane series in general!

About the Book:

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book 13.5 of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Forever Yours

Publication Date: December 5, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

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Check out the series:

    

    

    

    

    

(Click on the covers to go to my reviews!)

The Giveaway:

Win 1 of 15 ebook copies of Once Upon a Christmas Eve!

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Welcome to the release day blitz for Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt! This is the penultimate installment in the Maiden Lane series, and it is a delightful novella. I adored it - and I usually skip novellas! If you're a fan of the series, you definitely do not want to miss this sweet story. 

About the Book:

Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book 12.5 of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Forever

Publication Date: November 14, 2017

Summary (from Goodreads):

Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth—to the rakishly handsome artistocrat himself.

Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He's drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him—ladies simply don't dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can't help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry's world—or in his heart.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

About the Author:

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | BookBub

Check out the series:

(Click on the covers to go to my reviews!)

The Giveaway:

Win 1 of 15 ebook copies of Wicked Intentions!

Review: Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book 13.5 of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Forever Yours

Publication Date: December 5, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, really rather loathes Christmas. The banal cheerfulness. The asinine party games. And, worst of all, the obligatory trip to the countryside. His grandmother, however, loves the holiday—and Adam loves his grandmother, so he'll brave the fiercest snowstorm to please her. But when their carriage wheel snaps, they're forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.

Sarah St. John really rather loathes rakes. The self-satisfied smirks. The sly predatory gazes. Oh, and the constant witty banter rife with double meaning. But in the spirit of the season, she'll welcome this admittedly handsome viscount into her home. But as the snowstorm rages, the Yule log crackles, and the tension rises, Sarah and Adam find themselves locked in a fiery, passionate kiss. If love is the true meaning of Christmas, it's the one gift this mismatched pair can't wait to unwrap.

What I Liked:

This novella was so cute! I adore the Maiden Lane series, and I love the holidays, so this story fit my mood perfectly. I tried to leave this one until closer to the publication date, but I was just too excited about a holiday romance. This is also the last story of the Maiden Lane, which is equal parts exciting and heartbreaking. Mostly heartbreaking. But it's a great add-on to the end of the series and I'm left with a feeling of contentment.

This novella tells the short love story of Sarah St. John and Viscount d'Arque. Sarah is the younger stepsister of Godric St. John, the male protagonist of book five (Lord of Darkness). She is spending the holidays with her mother, younger sisters, stepbrother, sister-in-law, and several other guests. An unexpected guest arrives due to a broken-down carriage, and it's someone that Sarah despises. Adam Rutledge is handsome, charming, rich, titled, and seemingly perfect - and a notorious rake. Sarah wants nothing to do with rakes after an embarrassing happenstance nearly ruined her reputation. But for the few days that Adam stays with the St. John family (because of the broken carriage, the snowstorm, and Adam's grandmother's health), Sarah begins to realize that Adam is not the careless rake she thought he was. And Adam begins to realize that he wants Sarah, and not just because she is so good at acting like she hates him. The holidays are a perfect time for stolen kisses and warm embraces and blooming love stories. As our protagonists find out!

Adam was introduced early in the series, at least in book five for sure (possibly earlier but I can't remember). He flirted with Megs (Godric's wife) in book five, and Godric hasn't really liked him since. Sarah St. John has never liked him. But Adam is very much a misjudged man. He is definitely a rake, but he's actually a sweet guy underneath his playful, wicked facade. He is a good man despite his reputation. 

Sarah seems innocent and sweet and boring, just how she wants it. Years ago, she experienced an untoward encounter with a gentleman that could have led to ruin. Years later, she has continued to shut down courtships and turn away gentlemen, because she doesn't want her reputation to be damaged. Something about Adam makes her blood heat, and not in a bad way. Sarah may act prim and proper, but she loves Adam's wickedness.

Hate-to-love romances are my favorite, and this romance was a wonderful example of the trope. The animosity is obvious, but there is more simmering beneath the surface. Adam and Sarah clash over and over, and there is plenty of banter and wit in this story. I loved seeing them fall for each other. It was sweet and passionate, with just enough chemistry.

I love holiday stories! This novella is very much centered around Christmas, with everyone having gathered at Hedge House for Christmas. There is something joyful and romantic about the Christmas season, and it shines in this book. I am loving this year's holiday romances - this novella included, of course!

This story was short (it's a novella) but it is very lovely. If you're looking for something short and sweet and swoony, try this novella. Usually I don't bother with them but this story was adorable. Plus, there are plenty of Godric/Megs cameos! And of course the novella ends beautifully. I love Adam and Sarah together and I'm so glad Hoyt wrote this novella.

What I Did Not Like:

Nothing to complain about! This novella was quite wonderful.

Would I Recommend It:

I definitely recommend this novella to anyone who has read any of the Maiden Lane books. Like I said, usually I don't bother with novellas because they're such a tease and way too short. But this novella was very complete, and didn't feel too short or rushed. The romance was written so well and I loved the characters. It was a refreshing, sweet, fun story to read - and perfect for the holidays.

And for those that have not read any of the Maiden Lane books - of course I highly recommend the series, and starting from the beginning, at that. But the novellas are also a great way to get into the series. Short and sweet and completely uniquely Elizabeth Hoyt. I personally think no one writes historical romance quite like Hoyt. She has her own style and level, and while I love many HR writers and their books, I think Hoyt is one of the best!

Rating:

4 stars. I'm really sad about this series ending. Duke of Desire is the last full-length novel, and the novellas that have been published this year are among the last short additions. I am so hoping for a Maximus/Artemis novella or epilogue or something! Duke of Midnight was my favorite.

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Swoon Thursday (#248): Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt!

She chose a tart and placed it on a delicate china plate. "Very well, Henry, though I must point out that the kiss was quite fleeting."

"It was, wasn't it?" he said, his voice deeper.

"One might even conclude that it doesn't count as a kiss at all," she mused. She lowered her eyelashes demurely as she bit into the tart, waiting breathlessly for his response.

There was a moment of silence during which all she heard was the pounding of her pulse.

Then Henry set his teacup firmly on the table, rose, and moved to the settee next to Mary. He took her teacup and plate out of her unresisting hands, placed them aside, and drew her into his arms.

He kissed her.

He took possession of her lips without any sort of hesitation, parting them and running his tongue along the edge of her bottom lip.

Mary stifled a moan as pleasure burst through her body.

She'd wondered if what she'd felt with that first kiss might just be an oddity. Something that couldn't be replicated.

But it hadn't.

It was he - Henry. 

eARC, page 76

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Once Upon a Maiden Lane review | Other Elizabeth Hoyt books reviews

This novella was awesome! Henry and Mary are so cute together - the back-and-forth banter was so fun to read. This is only a novella but it's a wonderful story. I'm going to miss this series!

Review: Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Once Upon a Maiden Lane by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book 12.5 of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Forever

Publication Date: November 14, 2017

Rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Miss Mary Whitsun is far too intelligent to fall for the rakish charms of a handsome aristocrat. But when the gentleman in question approaches her in a bookshop, mistaking her for his fiancée, Lady Johanna Albright, the flirtatious encounter only raises more questions. Could Mary, a servant raised in a St Giles orphanage, actually be Lady Joanna's long-lost twin sister? If so, Mary has been betrothed since birth—to the rakishly handsome artistocrat himself.

Henry Collins, Viscount Blackwell, is far too intrigued by Mary to let her go so easily. He's drawn to her sharp mind, indomitable spirit, and the fiery way in which she dismisses him—ladies simply don't dismiss Lord Blackwell. But as Mary makes her first hesitant steps into society, she can't help but wonder if she truly has a place in Henry's world—or in his heart.

What I Liked:

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you'll know that I absolutely adore this series. I have yet to not dislike a book in the series. This series wasn't originally planned to be twelve novels long (with a few novellas), and so every time I saw a new addition, I couldn't wait to read it. Sadly, this is the final installment in the series, which is a little heartbreaking. But it is an adorable and very sweet story that wraps up the series perfectly. 

This novella takes us back to where it all begin - at least, back to a character who has been in the series from the start. Mary Whitsun is the beloved "Mary" of Temperance, who is now Lady Caire. Temperance is the heroine of Wicked Intentions, book one. She and her brother Winter ran an orphanage in St. Giles, and Mary Whitsun was one of the first girls to arrive. She had been at the orphanage for the longest, and she came with Lord and Lady Caire when they married. After years in the orphanage and years as the Caire children's nursemaid, life is about to change drastically for Mary Whitsun, when someone mistakes her to be Lady Joanna Albright.

The story begins with Mary in a bookstore, sensing someone watching her. Lord Henry Blackwell comes up to her and mistakes her for Lady Joanna, his fiancee. But he quickly realizes that while she looks like Lady Joanna, she isn't. The next day, Lord Blackwell arrives at the Caire residence with Lady Albright (the mother), and the grandmother. And thus, Mary is whisked into the life of Lady Cecilia Albright, the long-lost twin of Lady Joanna. She is to have lessons on comportment and dancing and all things nobility, and she is to be the one to marry Henry (since he was promised the eldest Albright sister). But a life among gentry isn't what Mary ever dreamed of - or wanted. Even if she has begun to fall for Henry, the dashing lord who she misjudged.

I always thought Mary Whitsun would end up with one of the other orphan boys, but I'm glad to be wrong. Mary is fiery and prickly, and she immediately dislikes Henry, even if she is also immediately attracted to him. She loves her independence and doesn't want to be a lady, even if she doesn't really mind not being the Caire children's nursemaid anymore. Mary has worked hard her entire life, but nothing is like working to be the perfect gently bred lady.

Lord Henry Blackwell is charming, sweet, and a little roguish. He seems playful and charismatic, every inch the aristocratic gentleman. Mary doesn't see this at first, but he is deeply devoted to his family and his family's title, and he is selfless about nearly everything. As Mary gets to know him better, she sees his selfless and noble side. 

I love this romance because it is hate-to-love, which I adore! Mary doesn't like Henry on the spot at first, and she lets her prickly side show. Henry thinks she is hilarious, and he likes her from the start. The two of them have great chemistry and the tension builds between them, even when Mary thinks she doesn't want an aristocrat like Henry. They are a great match and they understand each other. It was so adorable to watch them fall for each other. The romance was sweet and so lovely!

The conflict of this novella mainly deals with Mary Whitsun being the long-lost Albright twin, who disappeared the day she was born. Is Mary the missing twin? And who is trying to kill her, just days after Henry discovers her? The book does not end as you think it might, for both Mary and Henry.

I loooove the ending of this novella, because it ties in literally EVERYONE from the original trilogy in this series. Meaning, most of the Makepeace family, and the Reading family, but we also see the Huntington family and extensions (like Bridget and Val). I can't remember if we see Silence and Michael. We see many members of the Wakefield family (like Phoebe and James), though I'm drawing a blank if we see Artemis and Maximus. I so wanted a cameo from them because of their little bundle of job that was hinted at, in one of Hoyt's holiday check-in extras. In any case, the ending of this book is perfect because everyone is a part of it. This made me so happy and a little sad too. Everyone is all grown up! These aren't even "my" book children and yet I'm so proud and happy. I can't even imagine how Hoyt feels!

What I Did Not Like:

I don't like that this series is officially over with this novella, okay? *cries*

Would I Recommend It:

I don't usually read novellas because they're so short and I often want them to be longer. But this novella was perfect in length of density - the story felt complete full. I definitely recommend the novella because it really makes the series feel final. I really recommend the entire series if you love historical romance. 

Rating:

4 stars. I appreciate Hoyt for writing this novella, and the other novellas of the series, and the series in general. I am so sad to see the series go and I'm feeling nostalgic already, but I can't wait to read whatever new projects she has in the works. I thought her contemporary was just as good! (I've read Once and Always and loved it. Ah!)

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Welcome to the blog tour for Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt! This is the twelfth and final book of the Maiden Lane series, and it is tied with two others as my favorite of the series. I loved Raphael and Iris's story, and I hope you will too.

Read my reviews! There are many...

Wicked Intentions | Notorious Pleasures | Scandalous Desires

Thief of Shadows | Lord of Darkness | Duke of Midnight

Darling Beast | Dearest Rogue | Sweetest Scoundrel

Duke of Sin | Once Upon a Moonlit Night | Duke of Pleasure | Duke of Desire

About the Book:

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book Twelve of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Forever Romance

Publication Date: October 17, 2017

Official Summary:

A LADY OF LIGHT

Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping.  Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos.  When one of the masked-and-nude!-Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him…only to find she may have been a trifle hasty.

A DUKE IN DEEPEST DARKNESS

Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them.  Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans.  But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe.

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF DANGER…AND DESIRE

Much to Raphael’s irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involes herself in his life—and bed.  Soon he’s drawn to both to her quick wit and her fiery passion.  But when Iris discovers that Raphael’s past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters.  Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael’s own demons?

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository | The Ivy Bookshop

About the Author:

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | BookBub

The Excerpt:

Desperately she flung herself at the opposite seat and tugged it up. Thrust her hand in.

A pistol.

She cocked it, desperately praying that it was loaded.

She turned and aimed it at the door to the carriage just as the door swung open.

The Wolf loomed in the doorway—still nude—a lantern in one hand. She saw the eyes behind the mask flick to the pistol she held between her bound hands. He turned his head and said something in an incomprehensible language to someone outside.

Iris felt her breath sawing in and out of her chest.

He climbed into the carriage and closed the door, completely ignoring her and the pistol pointed at him. The Wolf hung the lantern on a hook and sat on the seat across from her.

Finally he glanced at her. “Put that down.”

His voice was calm. Quiet.

With just a hint of menace.

She backed into the opposite corner, as far away from him as possible, holding the pistol up. Level with his chest. Her heart was pounding so hard it nearly deafened her. “No.”

The carriage jolted into motion, making her stumble before she caught herself.

“T-tell them to stop the carriage,” she said, stuttering with terror despite her resolve. “Let me go now.”

“So that they can rape you to death out there?” He tilted his head to indicate the Lords. “No.”

“At the next village, then.”

“I think not.”

He reached for her and she knew she had no choice.

She shot him.

The blast blew him into the seat and threw her hands up and back, the pistol narrowly missing her nose.

Iris scrambled to her feet. The bullet was gone, but she could still use the pistol as a bludgeon.

The Wolf was sprawled across the seat, blood streaming from a gaping hole in his right shoulder. His mask had been knocked askew on his face.

She reached forward and snatched it off.

And then gasped.

The face that was revealed had once been as beautiful as an angel’s but was now horribly mutilated. A livid red scar ran from just below his hairline on the right side of his face, bisecting the eyebrow, somehow missing the eye itself but gouging a furrow into the lean cheek and catching the edge of his upper lip, making it twist. The scar ended in a missing divot of flesh in the line of the man’s severe jaw. He had inky black hair and, though they were closed now, Iris knew he had emotionless crystal-gray eyes.

She knew because she recognized him.

He was Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, and when she’d danced with him—once—three months ago at a ball, she’d thought he’d looked like Hades.

God of the underworld.

God of the dead.

She had no reason to change her opinion now.

Then he gasped, those frozen crystal eyes opened, and he glared at her. “You idiot woman. I’m trying to save you.”

The Giveaway:

Win 1 of 10 print copies of Duke of Desire!

Review: Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book Twelve of the Maiden Lane series

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: October 17, 2017

Rating: 5 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

A LADY OF LIGHT

Refined, kind, and intelligent, Lady Iris Jordan finds herself the unlikely target of a diabolical kidnapping. Her captors are the notoriously evil Lords of Chaos. When one of the masked-and nude!-Lords spirits her away to his carriage, she shoots him . . . only to find she may have been a trifle hasty.

A DUKE IN DEEPEST DARKNESS

Cynical, scarred, and brooding, Raphael de Chartres, the Duke of Dyemore, has made it his personal mission to infiltrate the Lords of Chaos and destroy them. Rescuing Lady Jordan was never in his plans. But now with the Lords out to kill them both, he has but one choice: marry the lady in order to keep her safe.

CAUGHT IN A WEB OF DANGER . . . AND DESIRE

Much to Raphael's irritation, Iris insists on being the sort of duchess who involves herself in his life-and bed. Soon he's drawn both to her quick wit and her fiery passion. But when Iris discovers that Raphael's past may be even more dangerous than the present, she falters. Is their love strong enough to withstand not only the Lords of Chaos but also Raphael's own demons?

What I Liked:

This book. Was. Perfect. Friends, I wanted to weep after finishing it. It was so excellent for so many different reasons - I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this book was to me. I definitely won't do the story justice with this review. You all know how much I love this series? This is only the third of twelve books that I've rated five stars. It's definitely tied with the other two as my favorite. I will be thinking about this one for a long time.

We met Raphael and Iris in Duke of Pleasure, in which Iris and the Duke of Kyle (Hugh) are friends. Iris attends Hugh's wedding and they fool society into thinking that they (Iris and Hugh) got married, because they don't want anyone to know that Hugh married Alf... at least not yet. Little does Iris know that the Lords of Chaos have it out for Hugh, and they kidnap her, thinking that she is the new Duchess of Kyle. But she is rescued by a man whom she never would have expected - the Duke of Dyemore. Raphael de Chartres wants no part of the Lords of Chaos, but he does want to destroy them. Rescuing Iris from them isn't part of his revenge plan, and it only makes things harder, because he must defy the Dionysus (the leader of the Lords of Chaos). He does not kill her - instead, he marries her, to protect her. Iris slowly learns more about her new husband, and she finds out that his past is even darker than she might have imagined. 

This book broke my heart and made me swoon at the same time, which is pretty difficult to do. The story is darker than any of the other Maiden Lane books, with the heart of it involving the horror of the Lords of Chaos. Raphael's father used to be the Dionysus, and Raphael was to be initiated into the Lords. The tone of this book is bleaker than any other book in this series, but this makes the book so much more compelling and intriguing. I enjoyed it so much, darkness and all. Much like Raphael.

I'd go as far as to say that this book is Raphael's (as opposed to it being Raphael's and Iris's). Yes, both have POVs in the story. But this story is one of growth and healing for Raphael. He went through a horrible, traumatic event during his childhood, and it affected him through adulthood. It broke my heart to see him react to certain things, because of this event. He doesn't like this or that, he doesn't want children, he never planned on getting married. Raphael thinks he is such a monster, and he shrouds himself in darkness, but really he is a good man. He is bent on revenge, trying to take down the Lords, but he is a selfless, good person. 

Iris is hands-down one of my favorite heroines of the Maiden Lane series, just like Raphael. Both are in my top three for sure. Iris... she isn't a plucky, feisty, outspoken heroine. She isn't brash and loud, opinionated and demanding to be heard in any way. She is soft and quiet and caring, a light to Raphael's darkness. But she is so strong in her caring, loving nature. She isn't an alpha female and she doesn't need to be - her whole self is just as tough and assertive as an alpha female, except she is Iris Daniels, a loving, gentle soul. I adored her. I especially loved her for sticking with Raphael, for never running away or giving up on him. There is so little drama in this book because Iris had the strength to be patient with Raphael. Every time he told her to leave him, she never did.

There is a certain amount of angst in this book that I loved so much. I know, it's weird for me to be loving angst. But it was so perfect. Raphael and Iris are nearly strangers when they get married. Iris doesn't know anything about Raphael's past, the scar on his face, why he won't have sex with her like any husband would. Every time Iris would learn something new about Raphael, my heart would break a little. The angst in this book is so perfect. Raphael is so complicated, with layers and layers of hurt from many years of build-up, and it's beautiful and heartbreaking to see Iris slip through those layers one by one.

That being said, the execution of the "tough issues" of this story was excellent. The execution of the story in general was excellent. Hoyt's writing is superb as always, her world-building flawless, and her craftsmanship solid. This story is so much darker, because of the Lords of Chaos and because of Raphael's past, and Hoyt did an amazing job with bringing across the story without depressing readers. The tone of the story is darker, but it's also hopeful. 

The romance is so sweet and slow-burn. I loved watching Raphael and Iris fall for each other - especially Iris falling for Raphael. How she learns more about him and is still drawn to him. How she grows to care about him more and more, with every secret she uncovers. Raphael can't help but fall for her, because she becomes a constant that he wants, needs, and loves.

This book is quite steamy, which I appreciated! I mentioned earlier in my review that Raphael refused to have sex with Iris (at first). He has his reasons. But that doesn't mean they couldn't do... other things. The sexy times get creative, before there is "actual" sex. I was all for it!

This book has an edge and an excitement to it that isn't as present in the other books. Likely because this book deals with a man who wants revenge and he is out for blood. Taking down the Lords of Chaos is everything to Raphael. There is a lot of blood and murder in this book. There are a lot of high stakes. But this book ends extremely well, so don't worry about the HEA. It's an awesome ending to a wonderful series. Yes, this is the end of the series!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything I didn't like!

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this book, and the entire series in general. The Maiden Lane series is quite possibly my favorite historical romances series ever. I've never stuck it out with a twelve-book series before, but there is no way I would have missed any of the books in this series. This final book is particularly good, a masterpiece that Hoyt has perfected for readers. It's worth all of the pain and hurt and angst, because this book is still a sweet novel, above all of that. If you don't want to read the entire series (you should though!), read Duke of Midnight, Duke of Sin, and Duke of Desire.

Rating:

5 stars. Hoyt has outdone herself with this conclusion novel. I am so happy with this book, and the series, and I'm also so sad to see the series end. I am definitely excited about new projects that Hoyt might be working on though!

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