I’ve been really sinking my toes into historical romances ever since Ruby (lovingly) forced me to read to Bridgerton, and now because of the wonderful ladies in the #KissAndLetMeTeleChat book club, I’ve really made a nose dive into the genre and have been really enjoying myself so far! Currently making our way through the Maiden Lane series, and Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt was one that really caught my heart and gave it a gentle tug in all the right places.
Genres: Historical RomancePublisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Source: Library
Format: Audiobook/e-book
SHE’S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother’s investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London’s premier pleasure garden, Harte’s Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can’t be controlled.
HE’S RUNNING THE SHOW
Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn’t have time for a penny-pinching prude like Eve. As the garden’s larger-than-life owner, he’s already dealing with self-centered sopranos and temperamental tenors. He’s not about to let an aristocratic woman boss him around . . . no matter how enticing she is.
BUT LOVE CONQUERS ALL
In spite of her lack of theatrical experience-and her fiery clashes with Asa-Eve is determined to turn Harte’s Folly into a smashing success. But the harder she tries to manage the stubborn rake, the harder it is to ignore his seductive charm and raw magnetism. There’s no denying the smoldering fire between them-and trying to put it out would be the greatest folly of all . . .
“He was a being of action and vitality, and when he moved, when he smiled, he became almost impossible to resist.”
Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt is the ninth book in the maiden lane series and we finally have arrived at Asa’s story! As a thespian I love everything and anything that has to do with the theatre, and Asa’s line of work was right up my alley.
The story begins right where Dearest Rogue (Book 8) ended, with Asa rebuilding his theatre and Eve begrudgingly watching over her brother’s money while he is…well away. One look at the pleasure garden’s account books (or rather box) and Eve is cutting off Papa Asa. But what Eve never realized is that a Makepeace always defends the things and people they love, and Asa is no different. Determined to show her that the money is going to good use, Asa brings her into his world and finds himself getting more than just an accountant in the end.
Not going to lie, I kind of really enjoyed this one? Maybe it’s the pleasure garden and Asa’s passion that spoke to my thespian side, or Eve’s growth throughout the story arc; but whatever it was this book was a solid one for me. Hoyt focuses heavily on consent in this story due to the FMC having a very triggering past (please check TW!), and I found that she handled consent and the absolute necessity of it, beautifully. I loved watching both MCs peel back the different layers of each other and in turn grow stronger and more independent because of it.
This one was both deep and romantic, and honestly ate every bit of it up (plus the audiobook wasn’t half bad either!) Excited to dive into the next one with the #KissAndLetMeTeleChat girls!
⚠🚨CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS: References to childhood SA trauma, parental disowning (off page)
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