Series: Rakes of Regent's Park, #4
Traits & Tropes: damaged hero & heroine; instalove; titled hero; illegitimate heroine; class difference; redemption; emotional
Publication Date: 04.07.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1898
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4/5
As the only remaining original member of the Rakes of St. Regent’s Park, Gideon Broyles, the Duke of Watford is feeling his age. He’s grown bored of empty pursuits. He’s fed up with the selfish, uncaring man he’s become, but all that changes in an instant when he meets Olivia Durham at a newly opened club and the feelings she ignites send him reeling.
Olivia has her own past pain to deal with and hides behind a crafted character to please clients seeking a certain type of experience. Nothing about her job involves physical intimacy as she can’t bear the touch of another person. She’s felt no interest in any man in all these years, until Gideon. She tries her best to ignore her interest in him, but Gideon won’t allow her retreat, even as their differences in social class seem insurmountable. They both have many issues to overcome, both within themselves and from outside forces, but if they can trust each other, their happiness may just be within reach.
This book surprised me with the depth of emotion it conveyed, but in a good way. I really liked that Olivia and Gideon were both damaged but willing to take a chance on being whole together, even though that path didn’t exactly run smoothly. They were both frustrating in their reluctance at times, especially Olivia, but that also made them relatable. Gideon was definitely a bit over the top and melodramatic at times, but it was nice to see him finally stand up for himself, I only wish we’d gotten a bit more of that. Some of their dialogues and discussions about their pains, trust issues, and past traumas did grow a bit repetitive, but those were easy to get past since this couple was one you couldn’t help but root for. Above all, I was happy to see open communication between them, even when others tried to come between them, and I was very glad to not see the miscommunication trope come into play. Somehow, I missed this series previously, but I will now be seeking the other books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/970738157
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4671051967
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