Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grace Ashton and Ian Swift, the Earl of Castleton, meet when Grace goes to the Raven to confront Ian.

Grace’s father, Baron Newbury has been gambling and has left his family on the brink of ruin. If not for Grace’s indomitable spirit and her keen intelligence, her family would have been destitute long ago.

Ian Swift has no desire to be earl, but at his mother’s insistence and for his younger sister’s sake, he agrees to try and take his place in society. But after ten years of living as he pleases outside the ton, he knows he needs help acclimating to polite company. Unable to forget the spitfire who demanded she refuse to let her father gamble at his club, he hatches a plan. He offers her a deal, she tutors him and he will forgive her father’s considerable debt. With no other choice, Grace accepts.

They meet in secret and she instructs him, they are drawn to each other, but Grace hates gambling and would never be with a man who owns a gambling club. And Ian is married to his club, no woman could ever compare and he will never give it up.

When these two are caught in a heated kiss by his mother and one of the tons biggest gossips, his mother demands that they marry. Ian knows Grace won’t marry him as long as he owns the club, so he tells her he will sell the club. But at the wedding breakfast, Grace overhears Ian and his mother arguing and she learns the truth – Ian will not sell the club, he didn’t want to marry her and if she gives him any trouble, he will ship her off to the country.

Enraged, Grace tells Ian that theirs will be a marriage in name only. He leaves her to go to his club, but returns to find her in his library – looking at the ledgers for the club. He seduces her and asks her to visit the club. She agrees and when they go, she understands the allure of the club, but she still hates gambling. Ian becomes concerned with his feelings for Grace and begins to distance himself during the day.

Things come to a head when Grace’s father is brought to the house bloodied and beaten. Grace loves Ian, but can no longer live this half life with him and issues an ultimatum – Grace or the Raven.

These two have a rough road to their HEA. They are both stubborn in their beliefs and nether is willing to give up their ideals for the other, secrets will be revealed, choices will be made and more than one tear will be shed before they finally decide love is worth the sacrifice. This book is a page turner, there are steamy love scenes, engaging secondary characters, secrets, lies and finally a HEA with an epilogue.

I enjoyed this story, but I think Grace caved to Ian way too quickly. But overall, it was a very good story and I would happily recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*