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asherlock99's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
3.0
Eva Leigh launches a seductive new series that sizzles with the dark secrets of London’s underworld...
Years ago, the Duke of Greyland gave his heart—and a princely sum of money—to a charming, destitute widow with unparalleled beauty. After one passionate night, she slipped from his bed and vanished without a trace. And just when he’s given up hope of ever seeing her again, Greyland finds her managing a gaming hell. He’s desperate to have her… until he discovers everything about his long-lost lover was a lie.
In truth, Cassandra Blake grew up on the streets, picking pockets to survive. Greyland was a mark—to be fleeced and forgotten—but her feelings for the duke became all too real. Once he learns of her deception, however, the heat in his eyes turns to ice. When her business partner absconds with the gaming hell proceeds—leaving unsavory investors out for blood—Cassandra must beg the man she betrayed for help.
Greyland wants compensation, too, and he’ll assist her under one condition: she doesn’t leave his sight until her debts are paid. But it’s not long before the real Cassandra—the smart, streetwise criminal—is stealing his heart all over again.
nellesnightstand1's review
4.0
He was such a stick in the mud, a product of Society but you could see his emotions waiting to break free. I really enjoyed these characters and am looking forward to the others!
Arc was provided by the publisher for honest review
topy_loving_books's review
2.0
The characters are lacking depth. We barely scratch to the surface of all the potential we could have with Cassandra and the underworld.
Alex realizing the privilege of his own classe compare to hers felt just like a repeat of many HR before this one, without bringing more to the table.
I really wanted to like this book because I loved her novella from the DILTF anthology, but it's an other miss (after Waiting for a Scot Like You). But one thing Eva Leigh excel at is writing kinky-hot-dirt-talk sex scenes.
ipomoea's review
5.0
Leigh's historical romances consistently feature women making their own ways in a society that wants to limit them, and this is no exception. Alex, Duke of Greyland, spent a single night with a widow years ago, and his "Lost Queen" has haunted him since. When he finds her in a gaming hell, those inconvenient feelings rise up all over again.
Cassandra has been raised to survive, whether by theft as a child or by the con as an adult, and Alex was the mark she never forgot. When they come face to face in her greatest con yet, she's stunned. And when her secret is revealed to him, his disgust hurts more than anything. But when she's conned by her partner and mentor, she must turn to Alex for protection while she navigates London's underground, and Alex must learn to navigate his feelings for Cassandra.
The relationship between the two characters was multidimensional, and even if I wanted to smack Alex, Leigh also clearly showed how he was a product of his upbringing, and that once he got over himself, he was a good human being with a sense of honor and justice outside of his own title. Yet another title of hers I'll happily recommend to any patron who's looking for a good historical romance.
balletbookworm's review
4.0
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
She falls back into her widow act and he falls back into her, until he returns the next night and overhears a conversation that shows him who she really is.
Cassandra's pride doesn't allow her to apologize to Alex and he leaves threatening revenge, but the next morning her partner has stolen all the money and she's being threatened with death/dismemberment/etc if she doesn't get it back and pay the investors off, the only person she can turn to for help is Alex.
This story has a bit of everything, betrayal, groveling, kidnapping, fighting, sex clubs etc.
This was a fun read and I'm excited to read more from this author.
nellesnightstand's review
4.0
He was such a stick in the mud, a product of Society but you could see his emotions waiting to break free. I really enjoyed these characters and am looking forward to the others!
Arc was provided by the publisher for honest review