The Allure Of Lord Devlin: A Love versus Honor Regency Romance by Bronwen Evans

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Bachelorette Series, #3

Release Date: February 1, 2024

Lady Dharma Dexter attends her stepmother Charlotte’s husband-hunting house party and regrets the decision almost immediately, especially when her best friend’s brother is in attendance and in need of a wealthy bride, willing to ignore the whispers of treason attached to his late father’s name. Not that she wants Warwick Sneddon, the Marquis of Devlin for herself, but she doesn’t want Charlotte to marry him either. A late-night encounter with Devlin has her admitting, that she does want him, but unless he can give her his heart, she couldn’t even consider him as a husband. But when Devlin decides that Dharma is exactly the bride he needs and turns on the charm, Dharma’s defenses begin to crumble and she agrees to let him court her, but then he disappears without a word and when he returns months later, there is a new woman on his arm. Dharma is hurt and angry, but when Devlin finally explains, Dharma is more determined than ever to marry Devlin and will do whatever is necessary to help him clear his father’s name. But even if they succeed in clearing his name, will she be able to win his heart?

Thanks to Charlotte, the new Duchess of Sinclair, Warwick Sneddon, the Marquis of Devlin is no longer quite so desperate for money, but the Devlin title is still tainted by nasty rumors about his father and his possible involvement in treason during the war. Even though it has been ten years, those rumors have destroyed their family, his younger brothers left England to make their own way, and his mother and sister have been shunned by the ton, ruining his sister Rosemary’s chances for a good match. But now she has a suitor, one whose father will never approve of the union. Now that he has finally convinced Dharma to consider marriage, he needs to settle this matter once and for all, but when his investigation leads to an attempt on his life, he feels like he is getting close. After a very enjoyable interlude with Dharma, he gets a message that a widow in Scotland has information that will clear his father’s name, but he must leave immediately and after the attempts on his life, he doesn’t want to draw any attention to Dharma, so he leaves without letting her know and doesn’t communicate with her while he is away. Will he find the answers he needs to restore his family’s honor only to lose his chance for the love of a lifetime?

This was a well-written, fast-moving, very intense story with amazing characters and enough twists and turns to keep you reading well past your bedtime! I loved Dharma and Devlin together and was rooting for their HEA, which was put into question more than once! This book is filled with intrigue, seduction, forced betrothals, a bit of angst, tears, heartache, steamy love scenes, secrets, friends turned enemies, lies, life-or-death moments, redemption, regret, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue that is sure to leave you smiling. This is the third book in the series but it could easily be read as a standalone title. This was a great book, one that I had a hard time putting this book down once I started reading it. I am happy to recommend this book and will be keeping my fingers crossed that Ms. Evans decides to write stories for Devlin’s brothers!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*