Series: part of the Villain I'd Like to F... Anthology
Traits & Tropes: antihero; widow; titled heroine; illegitimate hero; gaming hell owner; sold heroine; age gap
Publication Date: 11.15.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, March, 1816
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 5/5
Notorious illegitimate son of a nobleman and owner of one of London's most cutthroat gambling establishments, Blake Evans is jaded and ruthless and has a zero tolerance policy for aristocrats who are unlucky enough to find themselves in his debt. When one such indebted duke offers up a night with his sister in law, the Dowager Duchess of Tolwick in exchange for forgiveness of his debt, Blake raises the stakes. To meet the debt, he requires seven nights with the widow submitting to his every desire. To his shock, the lady agrees. Even more surprising is how well Stella fits with Blake and how little he wants to let her go when their time together is finished.
Despite its rather villainous hero, this was a very cute story. I loved that Stella met Blake with a fire he was wholly unprepared for and these two wound up being a good match, despite all the reasons it would seem that wouldn't belong together. It was actually really sweet to see Blake coping with developing feelings and bringing himself to admit them aloud as Stella would settle for nothing less. I also really loved that we got a satisfyingly permanent ending for these two, but it was still unconventional in a way that totally fit them.
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