Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed this Hoyt novel tremendously! Great action, comedy, and tear-jerking drama. The love scenes are beautifully crafted. I could not put it down until I finished it. Don't read this if you don't have time to finish it, because it is hard to put down!
Ahhhh. Another hit by Ms. Hoyt. It was kind of off-putting that they were running around behind his brother's back. But obviously his eyes (and his heart)were somewhere else. Another author probably couldn't pull this off so well. And I just love how the chemistry is always so tangible with her books. It makes you remember how it feels to fall in love. She is such an amazing author! Very much looking forward to the final book in the series. :)
Tess M. (duplica123) -
Helpful Score: 3
just so disappointed. While this one was much better than "Wicked Pleasures" - book 1 in the Maiden Lane series, there was just a) too much going on and b)the whole seduction of Lady Hero was unbelievable. She just, out of the blue, decided to stop on Griffin's door step and throw herself at him? not once, but twice? a week before her wedding? Riiiight. Ugh. I'm sadly tempted still to read Silence's story in Book 3, but from the build up in 1 & 2 I think I can already see where it's going. Overall, very disappointed with the writing style, the characters' personalities, and the over arching plot. Would not recommend.
Helpful Score: 1
I wasn't a big fan of the first book in this series but I decided to give the second book a try anyway. I sure wish I hadn't. I didn't enjoy this book. It wasn't horrible, it just wasn't great. I just couldn't understand why Hero fell in love with Griffin. He doesn't have any redeeming qualities and only at the end does he give up his "career" for her. If you are like me and didn't enjoy the first book, then take my advice and save your credit.
Sister of the Duke of Wakefield, Lady Hero Batten has accepted the proposal of the Marquess of Mandeville. Hero is happy with her choice of future husband, until she meets his younger brother, Griffin Remmington, a notorious rake who is said to have seduced his brother's first wife. When Hero travels to the slum of St. Giles to visit an orphanage, Griffin insists on going along to keep her safe. Soon the two strike up a friendship which soon turns into an attraction they can't deny.
I didn't think I would enjoy a book where the main couple were betraying Griffin's brother, Thomas (Hero's fiance), but Elizabeth Hoyt pulls off the storyline with no problems. Maybe it was because Thomas was only marrying Hero to get a wife equal to his station, even though he was in love with another woman at the time. I liked both Griffin and Hero, who showed that opposites attract and are sometimes perfect for each other. I loved seeing how Griffin tried to make himself a better man for Hero. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I didn't think I would enjoy a book where the main couple were betraying Griffin's brother, Thomas (Hero's fiance), but Elizabeth Hoyt pulls off the storyline with no problems. Maybe it was because Thomas was only marrying Hero to get a wife equal to his station, even though he was in love with another woman at the time. I liked both Griffin and Hero, who showed that opposites attract and are sometimes perfect for each other. I loved seeing how Griffin tried to make himself a better man for Hero. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Mary R. (greatdanelover) reviewed Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, Bk 2) on + 131 more book reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of the prim and proper Lady Hero and the disreputable Griffin Reading. It grabbed me and held me until I finished it. The ending was a little too pat and too quick, but you knew how it would end anyway. I eagerly look forward to the next in the Maiden Lane series.
Another great one by Hoyt. I have loved every series I have read by her so far. This is book 2 in the Maiden Lane series and was a great book! I cannot wait for Silence's and Mickey's story to come out at the end of the year!
I loved this book - gave it five stars! The romance was convincing and hot, especially Griffin's feelings for Hero which came through loud and clear. Any woman would love to have a man have the same reaction to her that the hero has for the heroine in Notorious Pleasures. There were two interesting romantic subplots that didn't detract from the main story in the slightest and the sexual tension throughout the novel was thick enough to cut with a knife. Not as dark as her last novel, and the romance is better written in my opinion.
~ WORTH A READ, BUT MY LEAST FAVORITE HOYT BOOK SO FAR (3.5 stars) ~
NOTORIOUS PLEASURES was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. While yes, he's a rake, he's actually not that much of a bad boy and from the beginning is quite decent. He loves his family, does what he has to to support them, and definitely has a conscience, which usually the bad-boy heroes don't at the beginning. He was charming, sweet, and smart, and all-in-all a very likable hero. He's very honest in his emotions and is not one of those romance heroes who shies away from his feelings, lashes out at the heroine, has commitment issues, etc. And the scene where he tells Hero he loves her ...! Let me tell you, he is welcome to climb through my window *anytime*! So basically yes, he's a dreamboat ;-).
Hero took a little longer for me to warm up to. We first met her in Wicked Intentions and in that book, she was already very likable, if somewhat boring. When she's given her own story here, we're shown how difficult it is to be the daughter/sister of a Duke and how she carefully controls her actions and comments, trying to be the perfect society lady that she needs to be. She comes off as three-dimensional and I like that even when Hoyt has a pretty or beautiful heroine, that's not what we read about very five sentences. She continued to be likable, but very often her self-righteousness and lack of a spine had me rolling my eyes a little. I was pleasantly surprised when she actually did do the right thing towards the end and go to Thomas, Griffin's brother, but then later, she becomes a complete coward when Griffin confesses his feelings. I wanted to slap her upside the head ... or tell her to give him to me, lol.
While both characters were (for the most part) likable and appealing on their own, and while I could understand how as people would be good for one another - opposites attract and all - I just did not feel the spark. I didn't really understand the immediate attraction and oh lord (!) if I have to read one more time about Hero's diamond eyes I am going to scream! Also, because their whole romance basically involves them running around behind Thomas's back, it was almost ill-fated from the beginning for me - I really can't stand any cheating/adultery aspect in my romances. That their whole relationship develops so secretly and in bits and pieces ... I don't know, I didn't feel the depth of a true love romance - there was something missing.
As others have said, the gin aspect didn't really add anything in my mind. It was interesting and I think could have added to the story, but in the end it just felt like a ploy for conflict and to add a subplot.
ACCURACY ISSUE?
One slight annoyance for me was the fact that Griffin has his own title, "Lord Reading," which he shouldn't since his older brother is a Marquess. Maybe I'm mixing up the nobility rules here, but I'm pretty sure that's correct ...?
BOTTOM LINE:
By no means a bad book and worth a read, but I'm glad I got it from the library and in contrast to the other Hoyt books I've read, I will not be buying my own copy. I'm happy I read it because the Maiden Lane series is pretty tied together, so although we don't see Temperance and Lazarus in this book, a lot of the supporting characters reappear. *Most importantly (IMO), we get a few more pieces of Silence and Mickey's story, as a hint of what's to come! *
MAIDEN LANE SERIES:
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - Notorious Pleasures (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - Scandalous Desires (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
I absolutely cannot wait for Silence and Mickey's book (Scandalous Desires) and just thinking about it puts a ridiculous grin on my face :-D. I'm also curious to know who the Ghost of St. Giles is (I think it's Winter, but could be wrong) and I'm very much hoping that Phoebe gets her own story. I don't know how to write this without it sounding very wrong, but I think a blind heroine could be very interesting; I've only read that in a couple romances and I think Hoyt could write a really terrific love story with Phoebe as our heroine.
NOTORIOUS PLEASURES was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. While yes, he's a rake, he's actually not that much of a bad boy and from the beginning is quite decent. He loves his family, does what he has to to support them, and definitely has a conscience, which usually the bad-boy heroes don't at the beginning. He was charming, sweet, and smart, and all-in-all a very likable hero. He's very honest in his emotions and is not one of those romance heroes who shies away from his feelings, lashes out at the heroine, has commitment issues, etc. And the scene where he tells Hero he loves her ...! Let me tell you, he is welcome to climb through my window *anytime*! So basically yes, he's a dreamboat ;-).
Hero took a little longer for me to warm up to. We first met her in Wicked Intentions and in that book, she was already very likable, if somewhat boring. When she's given her own story here, we're shown how difficult it is to be the daughter/sister of a Duke and how she carefully controls her actions and comments, trying to be the perfect society lady that she needs to be. She comes off as three-dimensional and I like that even when Hoyt has a pretty or beautiful heroine, that's not what we read about very five sentences. She continued to be likable, but very often her self-righteousness and lack of a spine had me rolling my eyes a little. I was pleasantly surprised when she actually did do the right thing towards the end and go to Thomas, Griffin's brother, but then later, she becomes a complete coward when Griffin confesses his feelings. I wanted to slap her upside the head ... or tell her to give him to me, lol.
While both characters were (for the most part) likable and appealing on their own, and while I could understand how as people would be good for one another - opposites attract and all - I just did not feel the spark. I didn't really understand the immediate attraction and oh lord (!) if I have to read one more time about Hero's diamond eyes I am going to scream! Also, because their whole romance basically involves them running around behind Thomas's back, it was almost ill-fated from the beginning for me - I really can't stand any cheating/adultery aspect in my romances. That their whole relationship develops so secretly and in bits and pieces ... I don't know, I didn't feel the depth of a true love romance - there was something missing.
As others have said, the gin aspect didn't really add anything in my mind. It was interesting and I think could have added to the story, but in the end it just felt like a ploy for conflict and to add a subplot.
ACCURACY ISSUE?
One slight annoyance for me was the fact that Griffin has his own title, "Lord Reading," which he shouldn't since his older brother is a Marquess. Maybe I'm mixing up the nobility rules here, but I'm pretty sure that's correct ...?
BOTTOM LINE:
By no means a bad book and worth a read, but I'm glad I got it from the library and in contrast to the other Hoyt books I've read, I will not be buying my own copy. I'm happy I read it because the Maiden Lane series is pretty tied together, so although we don't see Temperance and Lazarus in this book, a lot of the supporting characters reappear. *Most importantly (IMO), we get a few more pieces of Silence and Mickey's story, as a hint of what's to come! *
MAIDEN LANE SERIES:
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - Notorious Pleasures (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - Scandalous Desires (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
I absolutely cannot wait for Silence and Mickey's book (Scandalous Desires) and just thinking about it puts a ridiculous grin on my face :-D. I'm also curious to know who the Ghost of St. Giles is (I think it's Winter, but could be wrong) and I'm very much hoping that Phoebe gets her own story. I don't know how to write this without it sounding very wrong, but I think a blind heroine could be very interesting; I've only read that in a couple romances and I think Hoyt could write a really terrific love story with Phoebe as our heroine.
Jennifer D. (Jennmarie68) reviewed Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, Bk 2) on + 217 more book reviews
Notorious Pleasures is the second in the Maiden Lane series. I was fortunate enough to have been able to read Wicked Intentions, the first in the series. I really liked Wicked Intentions so I have very high expectations for Notorious Pleasures.
Book two follows Lady Hero and the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. But Hero is the main character in this book. The book starts just about where the last book left off. Hero is due to marry the Duke of Wakefield, but she has her secrets, like the foundling home. And then one big secret comes to the forefront of the story. Hero has fallen in love, and not with her fiance...
I liked Hero and was glad to see her as the tie-in from the first book. She was so strong, but yet she knew her place in society and tried to ensure she stayed within the confines of that place. Although she is not always as proper as she appears to be. Her secret of helping with the Foundling home is one that she's kept from all of the men in her life, except one. Then when her romance with Reading becomes more than just flirtatious her position in society is very much in danger.
This, much like the first book, was such an engaging read. Hoyt has a great command of language and makes the book so enjoyable. After now reading two of Hoyt's books I would imagine she could write a book about paint drying and make it interesting. So needless to say I will be waiting for book three in the series, which is due out later this year.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
Book two follows Lady Hero and the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children. But Hero is the main character in this book. The book starts just about where the last book left off. Hero is due to marry the Duke of Wakefield, but she has her secrets, like the foundling home. And then one big secret comes to the forefront of the story. Hero has fallen in love, and not with her fiance...
I liked Hero and was glad to see her as the tie-in from the first book. She was so strong, but yet she knew her place in society and tried to ensure she stayed within the confines of that place. Although she is not always as proper as she appears to be. Her secret of helping with the Foundling home is one that she's kept from all of the men in her life, except one. Then when her romance with Reading becomes more than just flirtatious her position in society is very much in danger.
This, much like the first book, was such an engaging read. Hoyt has a great command of language and makes the book so enjoyable. After now reading two of Hoyt's books I would imagine she could write a book about paint drying and make it interesting. So needless to say I will be waiting for book three in the series, which is due out later this year.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
Loved the characters & the story. Another great read by Elizabeth Hoyt. Can't wait for the next story
I love these stories. I even like the fairy tale that leads each chapter. The style of writing keeps me moving through the story. The story of one of the characters from the last book continues in this book The reader is left hanging so they will want to go on to Book 3. I do and I am. Clever technique. Recommend!
Miranda M. (Governess4hire) reviewed Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, Bk 2) on + 146 more book reviews
4.5 stellar stars!
I'm so glad that Ms. Hoyt decided to do Lady Hero's story. She is a lovely character that I simply couldn't help but like. Her sister, Phoebe, is precious as well. I immediately felt as if I had a seat at the table while they were dining, or I was sitting along beside Hero in the carriage. Ms. Hoyt writes THAT good. You feel as if you're apart of the story.
The love scenes are scrumptious! Absolutely smoldering. Hoyt strikes the perfect balance between dangerous intrigue and sexy romance.
This book was everything that I wanted it to be. It put a smile on my face and left me wanting MORE.
I'm so glad that Ms. Hoyt decided to do Lady Hero's story. She is a lovely character that I simply couldn't help but like. Her sister, Phoebe, is precious as well. I immediately felt as if I had a seat at the table while they were dining, or I was sitting along beside Hero in the carriage. Ms. Hoyt writes THAT good. You feel as if you're apart of the story.
The love scenes are scrumptious! Absolutely smoldering. Hoyt strikes the perfect balance between dangerous intrigue and sexy romance.
This book was everything that I wanted it to be. It put a smile on my face and left me wanting MORE.
~ WORTH A READ, BUT MY LEAST FAVORITE HOYT BOOK SO FAR (3.5 stars) ~
NOTORIOUS PLEASURES was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. While yes, he's a rake, he's actually not that much of a bad boy and from the beginning is quite decent. He loves his family, does what he has to to support them, and definitely has a conscience, which usually the bad-boy heroes don't at the beginning. He was charming, sweet, and smart, and all-in-all a very likable hero. He's very honest in his emotions and is not one of those romance heroes who shies away from his feelings, lashes out at the heroine, has commitment issues, etc. And the scene where he tells Hero he loves her ...! Let me tell you, he is welcome to climb through my window *anytime*! So basically yes, he's a dreamboat ;-).
Hero took a little longer for me to warm up to. We first met her in Wicked Intentions and in that book, she was already very likable, if somewhat boring. When she's given her own story here, we're shown how difficult it is to be the daughter/sister of a Duke and how she carefully controls her actions and comments, trying to be the perfect society lady that she needs to be. She comes off as three-dimensional and I like that even when Hoyt has a pretty or beautiful heroine, that's not what we read about very five sentences. She continued to be likable, but very often her self-righteousness and lack of a spine had me rolling my eyes a little. I was pleasantly surprised when she actually did do the right thing towards the end and go to Thomas, Griffin's brother, but then later, she becomes a complete coward when Griffin confesses his feelings. I wanted to slap her upside the head ... or tell her to give him to me, lol.
While both characters were (for the most part) likable and appealing on their own, and while I could understand how as people would be good for one another - opposites attract and all - I just did not feel the spark. I didn't really understand the immediate attraction and oh lord (!) if I have to read one more time about Hero's diamond eyes I am going to scream! Also, because their whole romance basically involves them running around behind Thomas's back, it was almost ill-fated from the beginning for me - I really can't stand any cheating/adultery aspect in my romances. That their whole relationship develops so secretly and in bits and pieces ... I don't know, I didn't feel the depth of a true love romance - there was something missing.
As others have said, the gin aspect didn't really add anything in my mind. It was interesting and I think could have added to the story, but in the end it just felt like a ploy for conflict and to add a subplot.
ACCURACY ISSUE?
One slight annoyance for me was the fact that Griffin has his own title, "Lord Reading," which he shouldn't since his older brother is a Marquess. Maybe I'm mixing up the nobility rules here, but I'm pretty sure that's correct ...?
BOTTOM LINE:
By no means a bad book and worth a read, but I'm glad I got it from the library and in contrast to the other Hoyt books I've read, I will not be buying my own copy. I'm happy I read it because the Maiden Lane series is pretty tied together, so although we don't see Temperance and Lazarus in this book, a lot of the supporting characters reappear. *Most importantly (IMO), we get a few more pieces of Silence and Mickey's story, as a hint of what's to come! *
MAIDEN LANE SERIES:
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - Notorious Pleasures (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - Scandalous Desires (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
I absolutely cannot wait for Silence and Mickey's book (Scandalous Desires) and just thinking about it puts a ridiculous grin on my face :-D. I'm also curious to know who the Ghost of St. Giles is (I think it's Winter, but could be wrong) and I'm very much hoping that Phoebe gets her own story. I don't know how to write this without it sounding very wrong, but I think a blind heroine could be very interesting; I've only read that in a couple romances and I think Hoyt could write a really terrific love story with Phoebe as our heroine.
NOTORIOUS PLEASURES was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. While yes, he's a rake, he's actually not that much of a bad boy and from the beginning is quite decent. He loves his family, does what he has to to support them, and definitely has a conscience, which usually the bad-boy heroes don't at the beginning. He was charming, sweet, and smart, and all-in-all a very likable hero. He's very honest in his emotions and is not one of those romance heroes who shies away from his feelings, lashes out at the heroine, has commitment issues, etc. And the scene where he tells Hero he loves her ...! Let me tell you, he is welcome to climb through my window *anytime*! So basically yes, he's a dreamboat ;-).
Hero took a little longer for me to warm up to. We first met her in Wicked Intentions and in that book, she was already very likable, if somewhat boring. When she's given her own story here, we're shown how difficult it is to be the daughter/sister of a Duke and how she carefully controls her actions and comments, trying to be the perfect society lady that she needs to be. She comes off as three-dimensional and I like that even when Hoyt has a pretty or beautiful heroine, that's not what we read about very five sentences. She continued to be likable, but very often her self-righteousness and lack of a spine had me rolling my eyes a little. I was pleasantly surprised when she actually did do the right thing towards the end and go to Thomas, Griffin's brother, but then later, she becomes a complete coward when Griffin confesses his feelings. I wanted to slap her upside the head ... or tell her to give him to me, lol.
While both characters were (for the most part) likable and appealing on their own, and while I could understand how as people would be good for one another - opposites attract and all - I just did not feel the spark. I didn't really understand the immediate attraction and oh lord (!) if I have to read one more time about Hero's diamond eyes I am going to scream! Also, because their whole romance basically involves them running around behind Thomas's back, it was almost ill-fated from the beginning for me - I really can't stand any cheating/adultery aspect in my romances. That their whole relationship develops so secretly and in bits and pieces ... I don't know, I didn't feel the depth of a true love romance - there was something missing.
As others have said, the gin aspect didn't really add anything in my mind. It was interesting and I think could have added to the story, but in the end it just felt like a ploy for conflict and to add a subplot.
ACCURACY ISSUE?
One slight annoyance for me was the fact that Griffin has his own title, "Lord Reading," which he shouldn't since his older brother is a Marquess. Maybe I'm mixing up the nobility rules here, but I'm pretty sure that's correct ...?
BOTTOM LINE:
By no means a bad book and worth a read, but I'm glad I got it from the library and in contrast to the other Hoyt books I've read, I will not be buying my own copy. I'm happy I read it because the Maiden Lane series is pretty tied together, so although we don't see Temperance and Lazarus in this book, a lot of the supporting characters reappear. *Most importantly (IMO), we get a few more pieces of Silence and Mickey's story, as a hint of what's to come! *
MAIDEN LANE SERIES:
Book 1 - Wicked Intentions (5 stars)
Book 2 - Notorious Pleasures (3.5 stars)
Book 3 - Scandalous Desires (expected publication Sep 22, 2011)
I absolutely cannot wait for Silence and Mickey's book (Scandalous Desires) and just thinking about it puts a ridiculous grin on my face :-D. I'm also curious to know who the Ghost of St. Giles is (I think it's Winter, but could be wrong) and I'm very much hoping that Phoebe gets her own story. I don't know how to write this without it sounding very wrong, but I think a blind heroine could be very interesting; I've only read that in a couple romances and I think Hoyt could write a really terrific love story with Phoebe as our heroine.
Lady Hero was introduced in book 1. She was an interesting character. Maybe a little judgmental, but kind. Griffin, the younger brother, but also the financial manager of his brother's funds. Hero is engaged to Griffin's older brother Thomas (the Marquis of Mandeville).
Hero and Griffin's first meeting was...interesting....and I have to admit if it had happened after they had already met, I might not have kept reading and thrown the book across the room. But it did work, this being their introduction, and then finding out the identities. Hero is very proper and was engaged to a very proper man. I didn't like Thomas when first met on the page and he never became someone of character IMO.
Hero's brother, Maximus, was one I didn't have an opinion on, but after his actions regarding Thomas- after he knew what he did to Hero; I decided I didn't like him.
Griffin's character was interesting. It made for an interesting dynamic with how he made his family's fortune and his brother's actions against that "industry." The epidemic of cheap gin was an issue. His was a character maybe I shouldn't have liked, but I did.
Hero and Griffin really worked for me. I really liked this book and found it hard to put down. I also got to read more about Silence (and she's next!), Winter, and the Home.
I wonder if the Ladies Syndicate for the Benefit of the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children will be a "player" in future books? Margaret might become a donor.
Hero and Griffin's first meeting was...interesting....and I have to admit if it had happened after they had already met, I might not have kept reading and thrown the book across the room. But it did work, this being their introduction, and then finding out the identities. Hero is very proper and was engaged to a very proper man. I didn't like Thomas when first met on the page and he never became someone of character IMO.
Hero's brother, Maximus, was one I didn't have an opinion on, but after his actions regarding Thomas- after he knew what he did to Hero; I decided I didn't like him.
Griffin's character was interesting. It made for an interesting dynamic with how he made his family's fortune and his brother's actions against that "industry." The epidemic of cheap gin was an issue. His was a character maybe I shouldn't have liked, but I did.
Hero and Griffin really worked for me. I really liked this book and found it hard to put down. I also got to read more about Silence (and she's next!), Winter, and the Home.
I wonder if the Ladies Syndicate for the Benefit of the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children will be a "player" in future books? Margaret might become a donor.
Steamy romance
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, Bk 2) on + 1711 more book reviews
This storyline was a bit busy with lots of different characters each with their own story going on.
Still lots of tension, passion, and a few exciting moments.
Still lots of tension, passion, and a few exciting moments.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book, though I liked the first book, Wicked Intentions, better. In this book, we have Lady Hero, her fiancé, Thomas, and Thomas's brother, Griffin. The story opens at a ball where Hero's engagement to Thomas is to be announced. Hero stumbles upon a couple in a very compromising position, considering the lady's husband is close by and looking for her. I thoroughly enjoyed Hero's way of getting the man's attention, and that she helped the woman. The sparks flew between Hero and the man, as she read him the riot act for his behavior, and he refused to be the least bit ashamed of it. He, of course, cements his reputation with her by stealing a kiss. Both are horrified a short time later when she discovers that he's her fiancé's brother, and he discovers that she is going to marry his brother.
These three characters were very interesting. First, there was Lady Hero. She comes across at first as very prim and proper. She is quite proud of her reputation and works hard to protect it. Her match with Thomas has been arranged by her brother. Though she doesn't love him, there is respect that she hopes will grow into love. Behind the façade of "Lady Perfect", there is also a caring, kind, and stubborn woman. As one of the patronesses of the Foundling Home in St. Giles, she is currently in charge of supervising the building of a new residence for the orphans. Unbeknownst to her brother and fiancé, she regularly goes into St. Giles, an extremely dangerous place for a woman.
Then there is Thomas, Hero's fiancé. I'll say right out that I didn't care for him at all. He is a boring, stuck-up prig. Hero's biggest appeal for him is her brother, the duke, and that she always behaves with grace and dignity. He doesn't love her and has no intention of loving her. He'd been married before to a woman who betrayed his trust, and he won't risk that again. Thomas also spends a great deal of the book lusting after another woman, though we don't find out about their history until near the end. Thomas also does something that, to me, is so terrible that I could not forgive him. He deserved far worse than what he got. His relationship with Griffin is strained because of something that he believes happened several years earlier. I didn't like the way that Thomas treated Griffin, especially considering everything that Griffin was doing for the family.
For the most part, I really liked Griffin. He is charming, flirtatious, and there is more to him than expected from the initial meeting. Griffin has the reputation of being an unrepentant rake. He carouses at night and sleeps the day away. He is also the unsung hero of his family. When his father died, he left the family in dire financial straits, and Thomas is no better when it comes to managing money. So Griffin took over managing the family estates and used his own inheritance to start a gin distillery in London to make money as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, gin distilling is illegal. Griffin is also very protective of those he cares about. I loved his relationship with his mother and sisters. He's very sweet with them. That protectiveness extends to Hero.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Griffin and Hero. Though it started out as a contentious one, with him sneering at "Lady Perfect" and her looking down her nose at "Lord Shameless", there was no denying the attraction that was also there. Their confrontations continued when Griffin insisted that she no longer go into St. Giles alone. She would allow him to accompany her or he would rat her out to her brother and his. Hero was horrified when she found about his gin distillery and made it her mission to get him to stop. During their times together, Griffin tried very hard to break through Hero's prim exterior to the passionate woman underneath. The attraction between them built until it could no longer be denied and became explosive. I loved that Griffin accepted his feelings and knew what he wanted right away. Hero made me want to shake her, repeatedly and hard. She let expectations rule her actions longer than she should have. I ached for her when she did finally stand up for herself because of what both Thomas and her asshole brother said and did. I loved Griffin's reactions to Thomas and Wakefield. His heartfelt words to Wakefield showed the depth of his feelings for Hero. I loved his big moment at the end as everything came together.
A big part of the story was the gin distilling. There was Griffin's use of it to repair the family finances. He also is fighting off attacks from a rival distiller whose actions have deadly consequences for some of those on Griffin's team. Those attacks grow more intense as the book goes on. On the other side is Hero's vehement dislike for anything having to do with gin. She sees the effects on the people of St. Giles, especially the children. I loved seeing her efforts to turn Griffin away from his part in it. Then there is Wakefield. He blames gin for the death of their parents and has set his considerable influence on ending the presence of gin completely. It's obvious there will be trouble when he and Griffin collide. The way that confrontation was handled was clever, exciting, and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The secondary characters were well done and had important parts in the story. Hero's brother, Wakefield, was a royal pain in the tail. He was such a stiff, judgmental man. I hated the way that he treated Hero after she tried to break her engagement. I expect that there will be a story for him, and hope to see a woman that will break that stick up his butt and bring him to his knees. I liked Hero's sister, Phoebe, and Griffin's sister, Meg. Both of them obviously love their siblings and know them quite well. Each of them has a talent for making those siblings see past the difficulties to what is possible. Though we didn't see much of her, I really liked Mrs. Tate. I loved how she stood up to Thomas and stuck to her principles.
These three characters were very interesting. First, there was Lady Hero. She comes across at first as very prim and proper. She is quite proud of her reputation and works hard to protect it. Her match with Thomas has been arranged by her brother. Though she doesn't love him, there is respect that she hopes will grow into love. Behind the façade of "Lady Perfect", there is also a caring, kind, and stubborn woman. As one of the patronesses of the Foundling Home in St. Giles, she is currently in charge of supervising the building of a new residence for the orphans. Unbeknownst to her brother and fiancé, she regularly goes into St. Giles, an extremely dangerous place for a woman.
Then there is Thomas, Hero's fiancé. I'll say right out that I didn't care for him at all. He is a boring, stuck-up prig. Hero's biggest appeal for him is her brother, the duke, and that she always behaves with grace and dignity. He doesn't love her and has no intention of loving her. He'd been married before to a woman who betrayed his trust, and he won't risk that again. Thomas also spends a great deal of the book lusting after another woman, though we don't find out about their history until near the end. Thomas also does something that, to me, is so terrible that I could not forgive him. He deserved far worse than what he got. His relationship with Griffin is strained because of something that he believes happened several years earlier. I didn't like the way that Thomas treated Griffin, especially considering everything that Griffin was doing for the family.
For the most part, I really liked Griffin. He is charming, flirtatious, and there is more to him than expected from the initial meeting. Griffin has the reputation of being an unrepentant rake. He carouses at night and sleeps the day away. He is also the unsung hero of his family. When his father died, he left the family in dire financial straits, and Thomas is no better when it comes to managing money. So Griffin took over managing the family estates and used his own inheritance to start a gin distillery in London to make money as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, gin distilling is illegal. Griffin is also very protective of those he cares about. I loved his relationship with his mother and sisters. He's very sweet with them. That protectiveness extends to Hero.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Griffin and Hero. Though it started out as a contentious one, with him sneering at "Lady Perfect" and her looking down her nose at "Lord Shameless", there was no denying the attraction that was also there. Their confrontations continued when Griffin insisted that she no longer go into St. Giles alone. She would allow him to accompany her or he would rat her out to her brother and his. Hero was horrified when she found about his gin distillery and made it her mission to get him to stop. During their times together, Griffin tried very hard to break through Hero's prim exterior to the passionate woman underneath. The attraction between them built until it could no longer be denied and became explosive. I loved that Griffin accepted his feelings and knew what he wanted right away. Hero made me want to shake her, repeatedly and hard. She let expectations rule her actions longer than she should have. I ached for her when she did finally stand up for herself because of what both Thomas and her asshole brother said and did. I loved Griffin's reactions to Thomas and Wakefield. His heartfelt words to Wakefield showed the depth of his feelings for Hero. I loved his big moment at the end as everything came together.
A big part of the story was the gin distilling. There was Griffin's use of it to repair the family finances. He also is fighting off attacks from a rival distiller whose actions have deadly consequences for some of those on Griffin's team. Those attacks grow more intense as the book goes on. On the other side is Hero's vehement dislike for anything having to do with gin. She sees the effects on the people of St. Giles, especially the children. I loved seeing her efforts to turn Griffin away from his part in it. Then there is Wakefield. He blames gin for the death of their parents and has set his considerable influence on ending the presence of gin completely. It's obvious there will be trouble when he and Griffin collide. The way that confrontation was handled was clever, exciting, and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The secondary characters were well done and had important parts in the story. Hero's brother, Wakefield, was a royal pain in the tail. He was such a stiff, judgmental man. I hated the way that he treated Hero after she tried to break her engagement. I expect that there will be a story for him, and hope to see a woman that will break that stick up his butt and bring him to his knees. I liked Hero's sister, Phoebe, and Griffin's sister, Meg. Both of them obviously love their siblings and know them quite well. Each of them has a talent for making those siblings see past the difficulties to what is possible. Though we didn't see much of her, I really liked Mrs. Tate. I loved how she stood up to Thomas and stuck to her principles.
