Lord of Night is Simon Spaulding, a handsome commoner, a Bow Street Runner, an extremely honest man, almost to a fault, and every inch the gentleman.  He is, also, the by-blow of a peer.  Our heroine hides her identity from him, but not purposely.  It just kind of happened.  Dahlia Grenville is headmistress of a school for girls.  They meet when he hears her trying to protect a little girl from being assaulted near her school.  As a Runner he steps in to chase down the possible assaulter.  

Simon finds himself going by to check on the girls and to see Dahlia altering his normal routine or truly his lack of routine.  She even pulls him in to assist with dancing lessons.  As he does all of this, Simon comes to care for the girls almost as much as he cares for Dahlia.  

Simon and Dahlia both have their background issues which have molded them into the adults they are today.  Dahlia’s mother does not deal well with her working and running  the school.  Her mother, the baroness, does everything she can, including using bribery, to try to bring Dahlia back into the family home to look for a titled and wealthy husband.  Dahlia’s life and mission is to help others even at the cost to herself.  

Simon, as a bastard of Lord Hawkridge, has a younger half-brother, the current Lord Hawkridge.  Simon grew up believing his half-brother did not know about him, wanting to have the advantages his brother did, wanting to have his father’s attention as his brother did.  This relationship, or lack of relationship is so much a part of Simon and sets up for the next book in the series with Hawkridge as the Hero.

Since we know from the beginning Dahlia is a thief, you know what is going to happen, but not how it is going to happen.  Seeing Dahlia refuse to compromise if it will hurt her girls and seeing Simon refuse to compromise his belief in the law sets up a great story line.  Both of them learned a lot from each other as their relationship grows.  The sensual part was a bit of a surprise, but super enjoyable, even just kind of funny.

Erica Ridley is one of my favorite authors.  This Rogues to Riches series is lighthearted reading at its best.  Although Lord of Night is third in the series, it can be read as a standalone.  Ms. Ridley is great about connecting previous characters in the series so you feel like they are your friends rather than characters in a book.  Looking forward to reading Faith and Hawkridge's story!

This honest review is in exchange for an ARC.

Lord of the Night is an excellent read.  Once I started it I had trouble putting it down.  I thought the plot line was fresh and intriguing.  There is something about a Bow Street Runner.  Simon Spaulding is the bastard son of the deceased Marquess of Hawkridge.  He is a self-made man who lives by a strict moral code as an Inspector for Bow Street.  One night on his way home he rescues Miss Dahlia Grenville the headmistress of a girl’s school that protects and teaches girls who have nothing and no one.  Dahlia is the daughter of a Baron but she lives another life, saving girls that no one cares about.  The money to run her school is running out and she is forced to become a Robin Hood of sorts.  While Dahlia is attracted to Simon she knows they don’t have a future because if he found out she steals he would not want to have anything to do with her.  There were also some interesting back story characters that will hopeful find their HEA in future books.

Miss Dahlia Grenville daughter of a Baron is the headmistress of a school for poor girls. Simon Spalding, illegitimate son of a Lord is a Bow Street Runner.His latest assignment is to catch the thief of Mayfair to ensure his promotion. To fund her school Dahlia has had to become a thief. I like the character of Simon and would have liked to have read more about his other cases.
An enjoyable read with a little mystery.

I so like reading Erica's series! She knows how to keep you reading your book. She pulls you into the story and you can't get out. Dahlia has an orphan Home to teach children how to work to get a job. She hears a girl scream and jumps in to save her. A stranger, Simon, runs after the man while she takes the girl to her Home. That is how Simon, of the WatchTower, meets her. Dahlia has troubles like how to feed 24 girls, keep them safe and clothed. She has decided on a way to get donations. It is a Major Spoiler! It is different. Simon is a true detective who follows the rules. Simon finds the trouble and Dahlia doesn't like it. While this is going on, Simon is trying to talk to his half brother, Lord Hawkridge, from his late father. Their father made them jealous of each other. Major Spoiler! This is a bit adulterated and other places to save the Home. I recommend to read this book and other books if you haven't read others. You won't regret it! I volunteered to read and review this book.

4.25 stars
Miss Dahlia Grenville is secretly Robin Hood in a bonnet. Her St Giles school for Girls has twenty four dependents and not enough donations. But just as she's about to pull off the heist of the Season, she tumbles straight into the arms of the handsome detective who has sworn to deliver Mayfair's mysterious thief straight to the gallows. Highly principled Bow Street runner Simon Spaulding's world is black and white. 
A delightful read, the characterisation is very good the plot is well paced & it was a pleasure to read. This is the third in the series but could be read as a stand alone book. Dahlia has found her life’s vocation but sadly she’s not got the money available so does all she can to provide for her charges. Simon gradually changes from a strictly black & white man to realising that some areas are definitely grey, his whole world is rocked when he talks to his half brother. Simon & Dahlia are attracted to each other from first meeting & the attraction gradually grows. Another book written with compassion, the girls are charming & all the way through I was routing for them to be able to achieve an honest position. I’m now looking forward to the next in the series

Thank you NetGalley and ericaridley.com for allowing me a review copy of this book.  As always, I really enjoyed reading an Erica Ridley story.  The book was light reading, with engaging characters and a good fast moving storyline. Would recommend this book to any fan of this genre who is looking for a few hours of escape.

Lord of Night, is quite different from most of the historical romances I've read. I enjoyed it more I think because of this. Simon is a very likable person, which I don't usually associate with a Bow Street Runner. I wonder if he even knows how well liked he is by friends and work associates alike. Dahlia on the other hand has made herself a pariah to most of the people of her same social standing. It's a good thing that Simon doesn't want her for who she knows.

I thought this was a very good book as a big Erica Ridley fan! I wasn't surprised at just how good this book was! Dahlia and Simon we're such unique characters I really identified with both of them and they complemented each other perfectly! I can't wait to read Lord Hawkfields story! I especially like that Simon for once in his life saw the gray! Instead of everything being black and white!

As agreed, in exchange for this ARC, I am giving a fair and honest review.  I have to disclose that I am a huge fan of Ms Ridley but the reason is because her books are consistently so good.  The characters, the stories, the settings and the witty writing style are always there.  So, I can highly recommend not only this book but all her others!