Starred review from September 28, 2020
An arranged marriage leads to passion, intrigue, and love in Hoyt’s engaging second Georgian-era Greycourt romance (after Not the Duke’s Darling). Gideon Hawthorne is tired of working as a henchman for the dastardly Duke of Windemere. But when the Duke offers Gideon his niece Messalina Greycourt’s hand in marriage in exchange for one final job, Gideon, who has been besotted by Messalina since they were teens, can’t refuse—not even when he learns the job is murder. Messalina’s hefty dowry and high connections might finally allow Gideon to leave behind his lowly past. Though fiery Messalina balks at the arrangement, she realizes that marrying Gideon offers an escape from the tyrannical rule of her uncle. The dynamic relationship between Messalina and Gideon is alluring, stirring, and sensual, but complicated by Gideon’s struggles to fulfill his commitment to the Duke and the constant interference of Messalina’s siblings, who hope to rescue her from Gideon while evading their uncle’s sinister machinations. Historical romance fans will be gratified by the way Hoyt highlights social issues, focusing on Gideon and Messalina’s struggle against poverty and 18th-century gender roles. Credible characters, steamy romance, and heart-pounding action set this romance apart. This edition includes a bonus novella not seen by PW. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House.
November 15, 2020
Two people from vastly different worlds must grope for common ground to make their marriage of convenience work. Gideon Hawthorne, violent henchman to the Duke of Windemere, wants to quit his disreputable job and enter high society as a legitimate businessman. But his scheming employer has one last task for him. In exchange, he will grant Gideon his richly dowered niece's hand in marriage. Gideon has always been attracted to the sharp and beautiful Messalina Greycourt and is convinced that an alliance with her will pave the way for his entry among London's titled denizens. Messalina sees Gideon as a violent thug and has no desire to marry him. But since she doesn't have the means or the money to flee, and her uncle has threatened her and her sister's safety if she doesn't acquiesce, Messalina is cornered. She bargains her way out of her predicament by agreeing to marry Gideon in exchange for freedom and protection against her uncle. Although she fully intends to escape when she sees a chance, Messalina begins to see past Gideon's apparent brutishness after they start sharing a home. But Windemere's last task for Gideon is likely to force Messalina to confront her husband's capacity for violence. The second installment of the Greycourt series alludes to several mysterious past events, so even as Messalina and Gideon's relationship heats up with passion and intrigue, other long-simmering subplots also command attention and interest. Hoyt masterfully weaves in Messalina's discovery of the layers of Gideon's personality with her gradual understanding of poverty, privilege, and, consequently, life beyond her wealthy circle. A lack of nuance in the exploration of Gideon's morally dubious choices with regard to Messalina is compensated by an engaging cast of characters and plenty of witty and humorous banter. An entertaining and occasionally insightful romance.
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Starred review from November 1, 2020
After more than a decade spent working for the duke of Windemere, Gideon Hawthorne had every intention of leaving the duke's employ when the viperous and vindictive nobleman makes Gideon an offer he can't refuse. In exchange for successfully completing one final task, the duke will arrange for Gideon to marry his niece, Messalina Greycourt. While he would welcome her considerable dowry, the real reason gutter-born Gideon wants to wed Messalina is that she can provide him with the entr�e to upper society Gideon needs for his business concerns to flourish. By accepting the duke's offer, Gideon knows that he is making a deal with the devil. What is even more troubling is that if Messalina ever finds out exactly what he has promised to do, Gideon is certain there will be hell to pay. No one captures moments of heartbreak and hope in a relationship as exquisitely as Hoyt does, and the latest danger-infused, wryly witty addition to her exemplary Georgian-set Greycourt series, following Not the Duke's Darling (2018), offers another master class in forward sensuality and fierce romanticism.
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