Starred review from October 15, 2024
Upon discovering Elspeth de Moray riffling through the books in his uncle's library, Julian Greycourt's first thought is to get her out of there as soon as possible. Elspeth may not be aware of just how dangerous the duke of Windemere is, but Julian has first-hand experience of how far the coldly calculating duke will go to get what he wants. Not only does Julian hold his uncle Augustus responsible for his mother's death, Julian currently spends every waking moment countering the lethal threat Augustus poses to the rest of Julian's family. So, the last thing Julian needs in his already overstressed life is an opinionated, stubbornly smart lady with a penchant for inserting herself into dangerous situations. From Hoyt's delightfully book-obsessed heroine to her deliciously brooding, tightly controlled hero with a secret, every character, including Plum the dog, is portrayed with a nuanced thoughtfulness that is rare and wonderful. Infused with a deliciously sharp sense of humor, Hoyt's latest dazzling addition to her resplendently romantic and superbly sensual Greycourt series, following Not the Duke's Darling (2018) and When a Rogue Meets His Match (2020), is well worth the wait.
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November 15, 2024
A seemingly strict nobleman submits to an unusual woman. When they first meet in the Duke of Windemere's library, Julian and Elspeth are both snooping. Lady Elspeth de Moray is desperate to find a long-lost book with the potential to save the Wise Women, an ancient secret society to which she's devoted. For his part, Julian Greycourt is in his uncle's library hoping to meet a housemaid with something to tell him that he hopes may protect his sisters from the duke's cruel behavior. When they hear the duke approaching, they flee to the library's upper level and hide in a corner--with Elspeth crouching between Julian's legs. It isn't until shortly afterwards, when the two are properly introduced at the duchess' tea party, that they realize they should hate each other, since Elspeth's brother is rumored to have been involved in the mysterious death of Julian's sister. But it's too late for that; their close connection in the library leaves both excited to see each other again. This attraction explodes into an affair when it becomes clear that the inexperienced Elspeth isn't scared off by Julian's need to be ordered around in the bedroom, but their intimate connection vies with the desperate need they both have to keep their secrets and care for the people they love. As it's been several years since the earlier titles in the Greycourt series were published--most recently, When a Rogue Meets His Match (2020)--a lot of exposition is needed to illuminate the connections among characters. Unfortunately, this overload of backstory combined with a complicated and uneven plot may leave readers feeling lost, especially if they're starting with this volume. However, the chemistry between Julian and Elspeth is spicy and intriguing from the first pages, and the tender depiction of his desire to be submissive--and her willingness to learn to dominate him--provide a compelling reason for readers to stick with it. A promising return from a beloved historical romance author.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
September 30, 2024
A series of unexpected rendezvous between a steely heir to a dukedom and a spirited book lover animate the solid third Georgian romance in bestseller Hoyt’s Greycourt series (after When a Rogue Meets His Match). Julian, whose years of living with his abusive uncle have taught him to remain unemotional and detached, meets Elspeth, an endearingly naive yet self-assured gentlewoman, while both are hiding out in a private library. As Julian valiantly seeks to protect his family from his uncle’s wrath and Elspeth doggedly searches for a journal she believes will restore the secret organization of women in which she and her sisters were raised, their lives intertwine. Elspeth thaws Julian’s icy exterior, persistently fighting his hurtful attempts to force her away from him due to his deep-seated shame and feelings of unworthiness. Their will-they-won’t-they comes to a head when they are trapped together at his country house during a storm, and their relationship blossoms through touching conversations and irresistibly kinky sexual interludes. While a few distracting subplots clutter the narrative and the ending arrives abruptly, Hoyt offers a refreshing perspective that deconstructs Georgian society’s toxic views on sexuality and delivers a subtle but poignant message of self-acceptance without sacrificing her signature sensuality. There’s lots here to enjoy.
