After a terrible fire to Harte's Folly a year ago, Mr. Harte (actually Asa Makepeace) is making extensive repairs to his life's work -- London's premier theatre and pleasure garden. The Duke of Montgomery is paying for them as an investment. The duke sends Eva Dinwoody, his half-sister, to watch things while he is away. To protect her brother's money, Eva insists on keeping the books for the repairs and reopening of Harte's business.
Eva is an enigma. She is intelligent and educated but illegitimate and closed off from people. They immediately clash. Eva is a bluestocking, and Asa is a bold and earthy man who takes what he wants from life.
The exciting part is the author's efforts to weave a story without "beautiful people." Eva and Asa are rather common-looking. Asa is virile-looking (according to ladies in the book), but he lacks social niceties. However, I didn't feel any chemistry between Asa and Eve.
Considering Eva's background and fears, the sex scene in the carriage was unrealistic. I also thought the graphic nature of some of the author's discussion of genitalia was unnecessary and off-putting. I was looking for an exciting story, but this novel uses lots of sex and innuendo -- with only a razor-thin plotline. In my experience, while reading some 60+ years (and about 300 books/year), authors who saturate a book with sexual innuendo and sex scenes have run out of plot ideas.
I'd heard that Elizabeth Hoyt wrote great plots and dialogue; this story seems short on anything interesting. I found much of the sex and raw language unbelievable and unnecessary. The author also went on and on with titillating asides (such as the duke's scandalous bedroom {who cares?}). I decided that the author did this to pad the word count and get 'buzz value' in reviews. I doubt I can be convinced to try another book by this author. This one was sadly lacking in both H/h chemistry and plot. Overall score = 2.5 stars.
Maiden Lane Series (12 Books Total)
1. Wicked Intentions (2010)
2. Notorious Pleasures (2011)
3. Scandalous Desires (2011)
4. Thief of Shadows (2012)
5. Lord of Darkness (2013)
6. Duke of Midnight (2013)
7. Darling Beast (2014)
8. Dearest Rogue (2015)
** 9. Sweetest Scoundrel (2015)
Eva is an enigma. She is intelligent and educated but illegitimate and closed off from people. They immediately clash. Eva is a bluestocking, and Asa is a bold and earthy man who takes what he wants from life.
The exciting part is the author's efforts to weave a story without "beautiful people." Eva and Asa are rather common-looking. Asa is virile-looking (according to ladies in the book), but he lacks social niceties. However, I didn't feel any chemistry between Asa and Eve.
Considering Eva's background and fears, the sex scene in the carriage was unrealistic. I also thought the graphic nature of some of the author's discussion of genitalia was unnecessary and off-putting. I was looking for an exciting story, but this novel uses lots of sex and innuendo -- with only a razor-thin plotline. In my experience, while reading some 60+ years (and about 300 books/year), authors who saturate a book with sexual innuendo and sex scenes have run out of plot ideas.
I'd heard that Elizabeth Hoyt wrote great plots and dialogue; this story seems short on anything interesting. I found much of the sex and raw language unbelievable and unnecessary. The author also went on and on with titillating asides (such as the duke's scandalous bedroom {who cares?}). I decided that the author did this to pad the word count and get 'buzz value' in reviews. I doubt I can be convinced to try another book by this author. This one was sadly lacking in both H/h chemistry and plot. Overall score = 2.5 stars.
Maiden Lane Series (12 Books Total)
1. Wicked Intentions (2010)
2. Notorious Pleasures (2011)
3. Scandalous Desires (2011)
4. Thief of Shadows (2012)
5. Lord of Darkness (2013)
6. Duke of Midnight (2013)
7. Darling Beast (2014)
8. Dearest Rogue (2015)
** 9. Sweetest Scoundrel (2015)
