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readingwithjessica_w's review against another edition
5.0
This has been my favorite book in the Once Upon a Dukedom series and I was not expecting Marcus’s story to be the one that made me feel that. Due to his father’s role in a plot to kill Queen Victoria, Marcus Stanwick has lost everything; his dukedom, his home, and his source of income. Hoping to uncover the truth of his father’s involvement, he sets off to question Esme Lancaster, a woman thought to be his father’s lover. In this tale, nothing is as it seems as Marcus learns the truth about Esme and his father’s relationship.
Esme is the ideal heroine. She’s beautiful, older, smart, and devoted to her country, and she has seen her fair share of difficulties. The tension and chemistry between Marcus and Esme is palpable, from the very first meeting and the “wound scene”. I couldn’t wait for these two to get together. The intimate scenes are excellent and Marcus’s character shows him to be truly in love with Esme—the care and thoughtfulness makes him a dream hero. I should mention there are content warnings for infertility and hysterectomy, but Heath handled it so beautifully that it just enamored me even more to Marcus.
Interwoven into this story is a spies for the Crown subplot that was a fun unexpected twist not typical for a romance. I enjoyed seeing characters from earlier books in the series lend a hand; siblings Griffith and Althea make an appearance and the Trewlove family also plays a role. I can’t wait to read the Chessmen series Heath is starting in next. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Avon for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Esme is the ideal heroine. She’s beautiful, older, smart, and devoted to her country, and she has seen her fair share of difficulties. The tension and chemistry between Marcus and Esme is palpable, from the very first meeting and the “wound scene”. I couldn’t wait for these two to get together. The intimate scenes are excellent and Marcus’s character shows him to be truly in love with Esme—the care and thoughtfulness makes him a dream hero. I should mention there are content warnings for infertility and hysterectomy, but Heath handled it so beautifully that it just enamored me even more to Marcus.
Interwoven into this story is a spies for the Crown subplot that was a fun unexpected twist not typical for a romance. I enjoyed seeing characters from earlier books in the series lend a hand; siblings Griffith and Althea make an appearance and the Trewlove family also plays a role. I can’t wait to read the Chessmen series Heath is starting in next. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Avon for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
sharonwb's review against another edition
4.0
I am rounding this one up to 4 stars just for the unique plot of infertility and espionage. I feel it is more like a strong 3 but it did get better towards the end. I could have used more tension in the beginning but liked the ending. I'm off to read some of Heath's backlist now!
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.5
Marcus has spent over the last year trying to catch the other people involved in his father's plot to kill the queen, trying to regain some of his honor and he's finally worked up the nerve to go interrogate his father's mistress. Esme wasn't exactly his mistress in the classic sense however, she's really an agent of the crown and she's spent the same amount of time as Marcus trying to solve the same mystery.
Esme was all of the things, physically strong(because she actually spends time training on a regular basis) smart, observant, but at the same time she's also very closed off because of her job and doesn't let anyone close so other people can't be used against her.
Marcus was angry in the beginning but his association with Esme while initially contentious becomes a partnership and he starts to rediscover parts of who he was before everything went to hell.
I loved how much these 2 came to trust and rely on each other and how they actually were equals in the field. While this book didn't punch me in the feels like many of her other story's I still loved everything about this.
Esme was all of the things, physically strong(because she actually spends time training on a regular basis) smart, observant, but at the same time she's also very closed off because of her job and doesn't let anyone close so other people can't be used against her.
Marcus was angry in the beginning but his association with Esme while initially contentious becomes a partnership and he starts to rediscover parts of who he was before everything went to hell.
I loved how much these 2 came to trust and rely on each other and how they actually were equals in the field. While this book didn't punch me in the feels like many of her other story's I still loved everything about this.
champ81's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, I did enjoy this conclusion to the series. I had been waiting for Marcus's story, and it turned out to be one not of angst but adventure.
Once the heir to the Duke of Wolfford, Marcus Stanwick loses everything in the blink of an eye when his father is arrested and hanged for treason. When he and his siblings, Althea and Griff, are stripped of their titles and wealth, Marcus launches a mission to hunt down his father's co-conspirators. Most of this we learned in [b:Beauty Tempts the Beast|50172892|Beauty Tempts the Beast (Sins for All Seasons, #6)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581042098l/50172892._SY75_.jpg|73236158] and [b:Scoundrel of My Heart|52662535|Scoundrel of My Heart (Once Upon a Dukedom, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596278892l/52662535._SY75_.jpg|78469222]; now that his siblings have their happy endings, Marcus is more determined than ever to regain his good name and honor. Having hit dead ends in his investigation, he goes to the last person he ever hoped to meet: his father's presumed mistress, Esme Lancaster.
Of course, Esme is so much more than she appears--an agent of the Crown rather than a duke's mistress, and more complex than Marcus could imagine. She is bad-ass, period. And together, they are wonderful partners. They combine their investigations into the plot to murder Queen Victoria, and face potential assassins, shadowy threats, and underworld criminals as they search for the truth.
Marcus really could have gone dark and brooding after his life-altering circumstances, yet while circumstances hardened him, his story really was one of hope. Smart move by Lorraine Heath in a novel that was a real change of pace for her, as her books tend not to be spy capers. This book has all the hallmarks of an amazing Lorraine Heath book save one: deep yearning between the main characters, which she does so well. There was room for it and I would have liked to see some of it here; it would have given Esme in particular a welcome vulnerability to complement her bad-assery. Still, this was a fun, well-paced adventure with rich, memorable leads; steamy bedroom scenes; and a satisfactory resolution to the Stanwick siblings' saga.
Looking forward to the next series that was teased here, which will take off from the second book in this series ([b:The Duchess Hunt|56462935|The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom, #2)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615848156l/56462935._SX50_.jpg|86058421]).
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Once the heir to the Duke of Wolfford, Marcus Stanwick loses everything in the blink of an eye when his father is arrested and hanged for treason. When he and his siblings, Althea and Griff, are stripped of their titles and wealth, Marcus launches a mission to hunt down his father's co-conspirators. Most of this we learned in [b:Beauty Tempts the Beast|50172892|Beauty Tempts the Beast (Sins for All Seasons, #6)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581042098l/50172892._SY75_.jpg|73236158] and [b:Scoundrel of My Heart|52662535|Scoundrel of My Heart (Once Upon a Dukedom, #1)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596278892l/52662535._SY75_.jpg|78469222]; now that his siblings have their happy endings, Marcus is more determined than ever to regain his good name and honor. Having hit dead ends in his investigation, he goes to the last person he ever hoped to meet: his father's presumed mistress, Esme Lancaster.
Of course, Esme is so much more than she appears--an agent of the Crown rather than a duke's mistress, and more complex than Marcus could imagine. She is bad-ass, period. And together, they are wonderful partners. They combine their investigations into the plot to murder Queen Victoria, and face potential assassins, shadowy threats, and underworld criminals as they search for the truth.
Marcus really could have gone dark and brooding after his life-altering circumstances, yet while circumstances hardened him, his story really was one of hope. Smart move by Lorraine Heath in a novel that was a real change of pace for her, as her books tend not to be spy capers. This book has all the hallmarks of an amazing Lorraine Heath book save one: deep yearning between the main characters, which she does so well. There was room for it and I would have liked to see some of it here; it would have given Esme in particular a welcome vulnerability to complement her bad-assery. Still, this was a fun, well-paced adventure with rich, memorable leads; steamy bedroom scenes; and a satisfactory resolution to the Stanwick siblings' saga.
Looking forward to the next series that was teased here, which will take off from the second book in this series ([b:The Duchess Hunt|56462935|The Duchess Hunt (Once Upon a Dukedom, #2)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615848156l/56462935._SX50_.jpg|86058421]).
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
swagginswanigan's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the drama and suspense of this book. I’ve found I really enjoyed whenever the MCs are a dynamic duo and working to solve or do something together. The ending fell flat for me and the reveal was not at all surprising.
hopevollm's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue and really liked marcus and esmes relationship.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.I often go into historical romance droughts, going months before I pick another one up. Lorraine Heath's book always makes me wonder why I put them aside for other sub-genres.
I loved the premise of this book. A ducal heir who's lost it all because of his treasonous father and the home office spy whose reputation takes some serious damage because of that same man. Both are trying to determine who is behind the plot that landed them in the situation they are in. Rather than work alone, they team up and find more than those who are plotting against the Queen.
I loved Esme. I loved that she worked for the Home Office as a spy. I loved that she could very easily put anyone in their place. But what I really loved was watching her slowly letting Marcus in. She was so gun shy about him and her feelings, yet she couldn't fit the chemistry they had. The pull towards Marcus and her internal conflict about it was very real and made their relationship so much more enjoyable.
Marcus was a man who was shoved down a few pegs when his father's activities destroyed their family. His brother and sister may have moved on with their lives, but Marcus was left grappling with what his father did, the stain of it on his own reputation and the drive to find out why. He wasn't the pampered heir any longer and it showed. But sometimes left puts you in a situation that shows you the path to redemption. He was looking to restore his name, but in the end he found his soul. It wasn't a title that Marcus needed, but a woman who challenged him and was an equal partner in all things. He definitely wouldn't have been happy with a society wife. Marcus needed a partner who wasn't afraid to tell him when he was wrong or show him she could do it better.
This was the third book in this series, but it can be read as a standalone without being lost. If you haven't picked up an historical romance in a while, definitely pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.I often go into historical romance droughts, going months before I pick another one up. Lorraine Heath's book always makes me wonder why I put them aside for other sub-genres.
I loved the premise of this book. A ducal heir who's lost it all because of his treasonous father and the home office spy whose reputation takes some serious damage because of that same man. Both are trying to determine who is behind the plot that landed them in the situation they are in. Rather than work alone, they team up and find more than those who are plotting against the Queen.
I loved Esme. I loved that she worked for the Home Office as a spy. I loved that she could very easily put anyone in their place. But what I really loved was watching her slowly letting Marcus in. She was so gun shy about him and her feelings, yet she couldn't fit the chemistry they had. The pull towards Marcus and her internal conflict about it was very real and made their relationship so much more enjoyable.
Marcus was a man who was shoved down a few pegs when his father's activities destroyed their family. His brother and sister may have moved on with their lives, but Marcus was left grappling with what his father did, the stain of it on his own reputation and the drive to find out why. He wasn't the pampered heir any longer and it showed. But sometimes left puts you in a situation that shows you the path to redemption. He was looking to restore his name, but in the end he found his soul. It wasn't a title that Marcus needed, but a woman who challenged him and was an equal partner in all things. He definitely wouldn't have been happy with a society wife. Marcus needed a partner who wasn't afraid to tell him when he was wrong or show him she could do it better.
This was the third book in this series, but it can be read as a standalone without being lost. If you haven't picked up an historical romance in a while, definitely pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.
valeria_gzz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
5 stars but rn I’m thinking 4 because I stopped at 81% two days ago aka after all the hot parts. Basically I’m saying I don’t remember because of school but I know I really liked it. Like a lot.
It hasn’t even been five minutes since I wrote that and I just remembered. Yeah it was HOT like so hot and the plot interested me too! AND the plot twist didn’t hurt my tummy.
This is the first book I’ve read where the fmc cannot have children AND did not want them before she knew she could not have them AND where the fmc doesn’t miraculously have a child in the epilogue!!! I predicted the epilogue and I’m SO happy I was correct. Lorraine Heath has my utmost respect for doing this.
It hasn’t even been five minutes since I wrote that and I just remembered. Yeah it was HOT like so hot and the plot interested me too! AND the plot twist didn’t hurt my tummy.
This is the first book I’ve read where the fmc cannot have children AND did not want them before she knew she could not have them AND where the fmc doesn’t miraculously have a child in the epilogue!!! I predicted the epilogue and I’m SO happy I was correct. Lorraine Heath has my utmost respect for doing this.
language_loving_amateur's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility and Medical trauma
upturnedroots's review against another edition
5.0
"We're not about to become friends, are we?"
"Don't be absurd."
The plot, the banter, and the characters are TOP-TIER in this one! This is the LH writing I appreciate. I loved Esme's character and her unique backstory, much like I loved the toughness in Penelope's character in Book 2. And I adore an espionage plot, I could predict the villain, but I enjoy when I can do that and put together the puzzle first. I'm going back to read the Sins for All Seasons series which I hope has more of the darker London undercurrent, and then I'll move forward to the Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series which I hope has more of the spy elements.
"Don't be absurd."
The plot, the banter, and the characters are TOP-TIER in this one! This is the LH writing I appreciate. I loved Esme's character and her unique backstory, much like I loved the toughness in Penelope's character in Book 2. And I adore an espionage plot, I could predict the villain, but I enjoy when I can do that and put together the puzzle first. I'm going back to read the Sins for All Seasons series which I hope has more of the darker London undercurrent, and then I'll move forward to the Chessmen: Masters of Seduction series which I hope has more of the spy elements.