#RoguestoRIches – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Lord of Vice by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rogues to Riches, #6

Release Date: August 31, 2018

Maxwell Gideon is a self made man, he is the owner of the gaming hell The Cloven Hoof. He has worked hard and has grand plans, but unless he can get his silent partner to sell him the property that houses his club, all his plans will be for nothing.

Bryony Grenville is many things, a debutante, a violin virtuoso, an investment genius and currently her mother’s pet project. As the youngest and only unmarried child, her mother wants Bryony to make a spectacular match and has told her that she will find a husband this season or her parents will find one for her. Bryony wishes she could live her life as she desires, that she didn’t have to hide her talent for investing behind a fake identity. When her brother Heath comes to her with Max’s latest offer to buy the property, Bryony is intrigued, Max is offering twice what the property is worth and she wants to know why.

This is the beginning of a most unusual friendship. Max is unwillingly captivated by the young woman who sneaked into his club, he sends her away, but is not was upset as he should be when she returns the next night. Bryony is thrilled, Max actually listens to her suggestions and doesn’t treat her like an oddity. She really likes him and enjoys working with him, she wonders if they could be partners in truth, but when he finds out who she really is, all her hopes turn to ash.

Max likes Bryony, but she is a member of the nobility, he wants nothing to do with her. But Bryony won’t be ignored or judged for her birth, she continues to visit Max and promises she will consider his offer to buy the property, she just wants a month of his time to learn the business and get to know him before she gives him her decision.

As they spend more time together, they both begin to have hopes for a future together, but when reality comes calling, Max reverts to his previous belief that they are of different worlds and can never be together. When Bryony makes a last ditch effort to change his mind, it backfires and she concedes defeat. Will Max realize what he has lost before her parents marry her off? Will she forgive him for his hurtful words?

This was a quick read, well written and entertaining. Bryony and Max are wonderful characters and have great chemistry. There are cameos from previous characters, a lot of amusing dialogue, some warm love scenes, a little heartache and a great ending. This is the sixth book in the series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems.

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

Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rogues to Riches, #4

Release Date: March 30, 2018

This is a very emotional second chance at love story. Ten years ago Faith Digby and Zachary Nash were in love, they shared a night of passion and promises were made. But the next day, reality slapped Zachary in the face. With the death of his father, he became the Marquess of Hawkridge and responsible for all the debt the marquisate had accumulated under his father and then his guardian. Foolishly, Hawk thought he could marry Faith, but when he learns the full extent of his obligations, he sends her a letter breaking with her.

Faith was devastated by Hawk’s rejection and wrote back telling him to never speak to her again. Later when she learns that she is expecting a child, she and her parents concocted a story to explain the appearance of Christina. In the years since Hawk left her, the Digby’s have become rich and it enables Faith to work with Dehlia at the school in St. Giles. When Dehlia’s husband Simon, brings his half-brother to dinner, it is the last man Faith ever wanted to see again – Hawk.

Hawk regrets loosing Faith, but he could not afford to marry her then or even now. He has worked hard the last ten years and is close to paying off his debts and once again being financially stable. He hopes once the port he is building is opened, he will finally be in a position to win back the only woman he has ever loved. When he sees Faith again, the years fade away and he is desperate to apologize and explain his actions.

Faith wants nothing to do with him and is terrified he will learn her secret. She is still angry and hurt, but admits to herself that she still loves him. Hawk tries to get himself back into her good graces and then learns that her family is rich – how can he convince her that it is her and not her money he wants?

When Hawk learns of his daughter, he is furious and will stop at nothing to be with his child, even marry her mother. Faith agrees to marry him, but she will be damned if he gets a shilling from her and makes plans to ensure he doesn’t.

These two have a long, painful road to their HEA and will have to learn to forgive and trust each other before they can have any sort of future. I thought the book was well written, but there are some inconsistencies and dropped plot lines – but in fairness, I read an uncorrected eARC and these issues might be resolved prior to publication. I did feel that Faith’s anger was out of proportion considering the secret she kept from him and her actions before and after they married. For quite a bit of the book, I didn’t like her but she was able to redeem herself by the end. The book is very emotional, has cameos with Dehlia and Simon and a very sweet ending.

This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title – HOWEVER, I would suggest reading the previous book Lord of Night before reading this book to get a better understanding of Simon and Hawk’s relationship.

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

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