I loved Ridley's writing when I read Lord of Chance and was hoping for more when I read this. Clearly it seems as if it was a mistake. I felt it had the same aura as the first book and lacked freshness. The story was fresh and new and exciting but the aura of the book was not. Maybe I had too much of an expectation but, I really wanted a hot romance for me to read before bed ;) and this was not it. The sex scene made me laugh instead of feeling hot and bothered. Also I felt that in the last few bits the author was rushed to finish it(maybe an impending deadline?).  However, this does not mean that I've given up on her books. I will continue to have high expectations of her and her publishers! 
Thank you for giving me a free copy of this to read and enjoy!

Enjoyable read on a lazy afternoon! Received this ARC copy for review!

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley for an honest review. I usually love this author but this storyline was a bit far-fetched. She is rich but is running a home for poor girls in a bad neighborhood and is teaching, cooking and cleaning and no one really notices? The detective just happens to be in the neighborhood when he assists her when both she and a young girl get assaulted. It was a sweet story but not believable at all.

And again Erica writes a good historical romance with a modern twist - or at least a feminist twist.

Here we have a nicely brought up young woman not only starting her own school for destitute and desperate young girls but also finding a way to support the school through somewhat illegal means - although she would point out that no-one was actually physically harmed, and anyway, those she took from could well have afforded to donate instead, but didn't. So almost deserved it....

And we have the start of the Peelers to add to the mix. Which again will intrigue people who like their history and crime fiction...

I loved this concept, not something I have read in a while. I loved Simon very much and can feel his dilemma. It was great to read and kept me up to finish it as Ms. Ridley usually does!

I voluntarily read this advanced readers copy of this book.  I so can't wait to read more of this series either.  Strong characters and a great story line.  You will love reading about Dahlia and Simon's story.  How can he take her to the gallows when it means losing her forever?

I always enjoy Erica Ridley's stories. And this one is no exception. This time around it is Miss Dahlia who gets the adventure of her lifetime. Exciting and full of passion, I enjoyed this book very much.

What a surprise. Loved the book. Great author with lovely romance.

This was a lovely story. Dahlia is my idol. She is not like the typical ladies of the ton and Simon unravel right under her fingertips. I truly love everything about this book

I was looking forward to the story of the lady Robin Hood and the Bow Street inspector, and this didn't disappoint.  It was refreshingly free of the standard insta-love (or insta-lust, as the case may be), with a couple who actually spent time together over the course of weeks before starting to think about deeper feelings.  And then it really was feelings and personalities they focused on.  The ending wasn't surprising (when are they ever?), but it was quick and achieved without artificially spiraling angst, which was also refreshing.

The third novel in this series but can be read as a standalone, Lord of Night was a lovely read. I adore historical romances and I particularly enjoyed that the hero of this story wasn't a duke (or something similar...)

I don't have much to say about this book other than I enjoyed it. They characters felt more dynamic than the cut and paste characters you read in other historical romances. The H/h had a sweet slow romance the naturally developed over times. It was a pleasure to read with a HEA that will leave the ready content.

First of all, suspend all sense of reality, and forget that this book takes place during the Regency era since there's a lot in this plot which would otherwise not make sense. 

Lord of Night by Erica Ridley, Book 3 of the Rogues to Riches series, deals with Dahlia, the middle sister of the Grenville family. In Book 2, Lord of Pleasure, eldest sister Camellia, a prodigy known for her singing talent throughout the Dukes of War series, has wed the Earl of Wainwright and gone off to pursue her passion for opera, a fate which would ordinarily have caused social ruin for the entire family. If that weren't enough of a scandal, Dahlia runs St Giles School for Girls, a boarding home for indigent girls teaching them skills which will keep them off the streets as beggars, thieves, or, even worse, prostitutes. Unfortunately, running a business costs money for things like rent, uniforms, supplies, food, etc. Dahlia, whose father is a Baron, needs to maintain her connections with The Ton to solicit the necessary funds to keep the doors open, and she isn't above a little pilfering, playing a sort of Robin Hood, to protect her interests. Her mother and the rest of society don't understand her fervent dedication and wonder aloud why she doesn't devote her efforts to running a finishing school for the right type of patron instead of wasting time on those ruffians. 

Enter Bow Street Runner Simon Spaulding, passing by while the Night Watchman is playing hooky, who rescues Dahlia's latest recruit, a girl in danger of being robbed and raped by the dangerous element in the notorious St Giles neighborhood. Spaulding arrests the ruffian and promises to return to make sure they are all safe, a departure from his usual routine which becomes a habit of sorts. All of a sudden he finds himself actively involved in the life of the two dozen "refugees" and their matron, even giving up an hour of his time each week to assist in their dancing lessons. While he becomes fond of the students, it's their teacher who has beguiled him, teaching him that his life should include something besides work. Yet if he wants that promotion he needs to capture the Thief of Mayfair, then perhaps he might even consider matrimony. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize that Dahlia isn't quite what she seems and that certain maiden also knows that she can't marry an inspector, even if he is the bastard son of a Duke. If she wants her school to continue she needs someone with deep pockets willing to support her "little project", (not to mention that marriage would transfer all the property she owns over to her husband's domain). She can't allow that to happen which is why she's made special arrangements with her best friend and partner, Faith. 

This is her dilemma, that and her growing attraction to the officer who would reject her if he knew the truth about her real identity and her thieving ways, especially since they have supposedly been confiding in one another. 

This is one of Ridley's better stories, full of charm as the young "ladies" find their voice, the detective discovers the joys of friendship, and Dahlia falls in love. There are a couple of twists before the two lovebirds find their happily ever after with appearances by some of the characters from previous books.

Four stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read.

A different kind of HR.  A lady of the ton and a bow street runner find love! I loved Dahlia- she was such a strong passionate character, who only cared about the ton enough to try and ellicit donations to her school.  What's not to love about Simon- strong, determined, wants justice for everyone?  But Dahlia has a secret that goes against everyting Simon stands for.  It was such  refreshing story, I loved how they grew to love each other. but as expected their pasts got in the way.  It was such a fantastic build up....what is Simon going to do now that he knows.....and then I was disappointed.  The whole book it was a building and building and then it just kind of fell flat for me.

This story follows Dahlia, headmistress of a charity boarding school she has started herself, and Simon, bastard, Bow Street Runner, son of a Marquess. They are great characters and I was really into the story. It was definitely more of a slow burn story than other books I have read by this author. There was a lot of lead up to conflict that you knew was coming, but it all seemed to happen in the last 15% of the book. 

I did really enjoy the story, mainly Simon's story to be honest. He had an interesting history and his development was believable. 

It was an enjoyable book, nothing really blew me away though. I would give it 3.5 stars.

Erica you have done it again! Such a wonderful book. Simon and Dahlia are the most lovable characters as are all of Erica Ridley's characters. I wish I could express in words as exceptionally as Erica does so I could tell you how awesome this book is actually how awesome every book written by Erica is. She will not let you down! This and every other of her books are a must read!!! Keep them coming Erica.

Just could not seem to get into this book,nothing wrong with the writing it was just not for me.sorry

Another great book by Erica Ridley! I see her name and know I won't be disappointed!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2104439613

https://www.amazon.com/review/RTYWDORR1CWYE/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Possible spoiler

Simon Spaulding and Dahlia Grenville seem to be an odd couple on paper, a Bow Street Investigator and and daughter of a Baroness.  It seems like nothing can stop them from a love story, except a hopeful promotion to Head Inspector and a thief. 

Dahlia loves her school for girls and will do anything to make sure the doors stay open, anything.  Mr. Spaulding takes is job more seriously than any other bow street runner.  There is a lot of fun and romping, that is the girls at Dahlia's school, there is intrigue which came from the prior book, and romance and sex.

I love Ms. Ridley's writing style and her stories are fantastical.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.