Series: Diamonds in the Rough, #5
Tropes: tortured hero; hidden identity
Publication Date: 01.28.20
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; England, 1820
Rating: 5 stars
When Carlton Guthrie, infamous as the Scoundrel of St. Giles, stumbles upon a runaway bride wandering the Dials at dawn, it turns out to be his lucky day. The runaway happens to be Lady Regina Berkly, daughter of the Earl of Sedgewick, the man on whom Carlton seeks to have revenge for his father's murder. Carlton offers help and shelter to Regina, but not out of the kindness of his heart. Using the daughter to get to the father seems perfect until Carlton begins to fall for her.
Regina's options are quite limited and her flight so quick that she has no real plan, though she certainly never would've thought to seek refuge with a crime lord. But the more she interacts with him, the more she begins to notice that Carlton Guthrie's persona is very much a façade and that she could love and heal the damaged man beneath it, if only he would let her close enough. Even if he does, their tentative feelings may not survive his revenge plans.
I couldn't put this one down. Carlton was such a good tortured hero, almost an anti-hero really, with so many layers. Regina was young and sheltered, but she showed a pleasantly surprising maturity and a willingness to alter her opinions. Both Carlton and Regina demonstrated a lot of character growth and there was enough going on in this book to hold my attention while they got to know each other. There's really no steamy goodness here, which is usually a deal-breaker for me, but there was a great deal of sensuality and I liked the characters so much that this worked for me regardless. I'm glad we got Carlton's story and I hope this series continues with more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Regina's options are quite limited and her flight so quick that she has no real plan, though she certainly never would've thought to seek refuge with a crime lord. But the more she interacts with him, the more she begins to notice that Carlton Guthrie's persona is very much a façade and that she could love and heal the damaged man beneath it, if only he would let her close enough. Even if he does, their tentative feelings may not survive his revenge plans.
I couldn't put this one down. Carlton was such a good tortured hero, almost an anti-hero really, with so many layers. Regina was young and sheltered, but she showed a pleasantly surprising maturity and a willingness to alter her opinions. Both Carlton and Regina demonstrated a lot of character growth and there was enough going on in this book to hold my attention while they got to know each other. There's really no steamy goodness here, which is usually a deal-breaker for me, but there was a great deal of sensuality and I liked the characters so much that this worked for me regardless. I'm glad we got Carlton's story and I hope this series continues with more.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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