Stacy Reid really knows how to write a fantastic book, Sweet, passionate and absolutely lovely to read!! Georgiana is the perfect duchess, she is cool, fashionable, and a toast to society. She was married at 16 to a man in his forties and groomed to lead the ton, she gave birth to an heir and she became a widow shortly after. She realizes that the only thing in her life that makes her truly happy is her son. She has enjoyed her widowhood, mostly staying in the country with her son, but attends portions of the season and enjoys her charitable pursuits.
But, Georgiana is lonely, so very lonely, her marriage was stable, solid and lacking in real passion, love or warmth.
Rhys grew up on the outskirts of society, he has connections and secrets and uses those connections and secrets to get what he wants. Rhys wants respectability, and good marriages, for his three younger sisters. He brokers deals, trades secrets and information all to enhance his connections for his family.
Georgiana is worried about a nurse who took care of her son who went missing without a word, her brother enlists Rhys' help in finding out what happened to the nursemaid. When Rhys and Georgiana meet there is an instant connection and chemistry. Rhys is completely fascinated by this beautiful woman, a duchess mind you, who speaks to him and is warm and caring. He hasn't met many nobility who would acknowledge a connection with him.
Georgiana needs another spot of help and Rhys comes through. They start a passionate affair, each knowing it can't last, yet hoping that somehow it can. There are quite a few passionate love scenes between them. Rhys and Georgiana fit together, they like each other and they are falling in love. Rhys has to find a way for this perfect duchess to turn their affair into something lasting.
Loved this book, highly recommended, Stacy Reid is a fantastic writer whose books have never disappointed me. Can't wait to read more of her books and I hope maybe Georgiana's brother and/or Rhys' sisters get stories of their own!

Giorgiana Rutherford, Duchess of Hardcastle, is desperately seeking help in locating her son’s missing nursemaid. She will do anything to find answers to her questions. When she meets Rhys Tremayne and enters into an agreement for his services, she is all too aware that the cost may be a high one. But there is a small, lonely part of her that longs to pay whatever that price may be.

Rhys, better known as The Broker in the underground world he moves in, is immediately taken with the beautiful woman he spies at a ball. When he discovers she is the person seeking his services he is all too willing to assist her. However, once he uncovers the information she desires he surprises her when he tells her the cost.

This couple, two individuals who long for more but are unaware how or even if they will ever find it, have instant chemistry. Their story flowed organically, each scenario being the only thing that could possibly happen.

I was impressed with Rhys’ honor and strength when it came to those he loved. While I did get a bit aggravated at Giorgiana’s continued pushing away due to her social status, she was an independent woman who had found her place at a time when women were nothing more than a bargaining chip. A lifetime of being groomed for her role seemed to be a part of her very DNA.

I really enjoyed this book and especially Rhys and his dark ways. It is a fast paced read with awesome secondary characters that I hope will receive their own stories. Ms. Reid has a way of spinning her tales that pull you in and keep you engaged.

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.

Dual POV
Safe
No apparent triggers

Stacy Reid never fails to deliver a smash historical romance. She has done an outstanding job!

I agreed to give a fair and honest review for this ARC. Disclaimer, I am a fan of Stacy Reid and the reason is that she is a consistently good story teller. She writes with such passion and a wealth of really interesting characters. This book certainly shows that skill.

Georiana Rutherford, Duchess of Hardcastle seems to have the best life. She is a very wealthy widow with a young son and is popular with the ton. However because her family have always been extremely respectable she must be very discrete if she does what she wants to do, and take a lover. She has no need or desire to marry, but she misses the touch and company of a man.
Rhys Tremanye is the Broker, a man who had dragged himself and his family up from poverty to richer than most of the ton. He deals in secrets and information. He has bought his family all the trappings of luxury but can't get them what they want most, to be accepted by the ton.
This is lovely twist on the usual historical romance with the woman in a place of strength. There is danger, intrigue and fights along with laughs, sex and fun. Great characters that hopefully we might meet again in other books.
I loved it.

“Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night” is a contradiction in terms but this is how Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, finds her life becomes when she meets Rhys Tremayne, also known as The Broker. Georgiana has been groomed to be a duchess and wed the older Duke at the age of 16. A young mother at 26, she feels that part of her life is missing. She is drawn to Rhys despite their social differences but after he rescues her son after being kidnapped, Georgiana finds that Rhys is the only person that she wants to turn to, for everything.
The romance between the couple is very intense and like Georgiana, I wasn’t sure how this relationship would succeed in overcoming the many barriers that they face. Rhys was such a multifaceted character that I could have shaken Georgiana earlier on in the story, for not fighting harder for their relationship. Ms Reid does know how to draw a reader into the story such that you find yourself becoming emotionally involved with the characters. This was a story that you have to read in one sitting and I doubt that anyone could stop part way!

This is a novel meant to be read in one sitting. It is not a novella but a proper novel, but it can be read in one go, on a cold rainy evening. Actually this is the perfect novel to be read when the winter is so cold that you only want a book, a mug of your favourite hot beverage and a blanket… the heat you are looking for will mostly be provided by the book.

Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night is the story of Georgiana, a dowager duchess who, in times of need, turns to ‘The Broker’, or as he is know in polite society, Rhys Tremayne, he’s a powerful man of sorts for knowledge is power and that’s his business, he finds and sells knowledge. Even if Rhys never asks for her to become his mistress in payment for his services, Georgiana finds herself unavoidably drawn to him and eventually bound to him as much as he his to her. The chemistry between them make them become lovers in secret while in the presence of the ton, they keep their distances.

And that is the premise of a novel in which the social divide and the fear of being the talk of the town are the main pillars in their path to their happy ever after. He’s a nobody and she’s a duchess who has to maintain propriety for the sake of her family and her only son, the young duke, who is still a child. A scandal is unthinkable for her, but she risks everything if not for love at least for lust. She has never been loved properly.
There were a few aspects of the novel that I liked. In the first place the total firmness of this young widow in her refusal of a new marriage. She married once, she provided an heir and she is widowed, her duty in that aspect is fulfilled. I also liked that after she gets to experience a few sexual encounters, she knows what she wants, what she likes and what she doesn’t… And Rhys is willing to comply, of course.

I liked that there’s the topic of disability representation in the person of Rhys’ eldest sister, a lovely young woman who is deaf since childhood and who uses sign language with her brother and can read lips. I loved that Georgiana, when she agrees to introduce her in society, she looks at her and vocalizes so the girl can read her lips, that was sweet. Apart from that, there’s no big deal to the fact that she’s deaf, she’s accepted and she even becomes a success. Perhaps this was one of the best aspects of the novel.

I liked that both Rhys and Georgiana enjoy themselves and have fun together in and out of bed however there is one thing that I didn’t like about the story and it has to do with them. They monopolize the story in a way that the novel is almost only them or rather, their love story.

When the subplots are not properly developed or when there is an incident solved in a way that is poorly explained, then we have a problem. Two times such incidents happen, the two of them happening in Georgiana’s home. No one could find a solution, not even the police (or the Bow Street runners, for those who know), the best minds in the realm can’t find what Georgiana is looking for. But she calls Rhys and he finds whatever she’s looking for in no time, which would be perfectly fine if the explanations given weren’t so simple. So it feels like these subplots were mere excuses to make the two main characters meet. This is why the novel feels undeveloped, and therefore my enjoyment was incomplete.

Yet as I said earlier, it’s perfect for a cold winter day when the kids are in school or playing in the snow and you’re having some relaxing time in your own company.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the first book in the series Rebellious Desires by Stacy Reid. Sizzle Factor very hot. Georgiana Rutherford, Duchess of Hardcastle was married off to the Duke of Hardcastle at the age of 16, now at the age of 26 she has been a widow for 5 years and her family would like her to marry again. She meets Rhys Tremayne a broker of secrets when her sons beloved nursemaid goes mysteriously missing. Rhys is able to locate the missing woman for her when other resources fail to. Despite herself Georgiana finds herself attracted to the dangerous Mr Tremayne. When Georgiana’s beloved 6 year old son is kidnaped she immediately turns to Rhys to rescue him and afterwards they begin a passionate affair. Their journey to HEA Is not an easy one because of the great gap in their social standings for a Duchess cannot marry a mere Mister. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it.

Wow, this is an utterly spellbinding and sensual novel with delightful characters. I loved Rhys and Georgiana and enjoyed their romance that goes against all society strictures during that era. The chemistry between the two characters is extremely hot and just burns the pages of this book. I also loved the secondary characters and really hope the author gives us Lydia’s story next.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I'm a fan of Stacy Reid's and I enjoyed the story of Rhys and Georgiana. They had such chemistry and passion. I liked how Rhys was trying to pave the way for his sisters and worked hard to raise their standing in society. There were times Georgiana got on my nerves because she was a duchess and Rhys was beneath her in societal standing, but I tried to remember the time the story took place and realized that's how a duchess would be forced to think. All in all, a great read. I hope to see the stories of Rhys's siblings soon!

I've read a couple of books from Stacy Reid and really enjoy her writing. This story is about Gerogiana, a duchess, and Rhys, a man from a completely separate social world where he deals in the black market with secrets and information. He straddles the world between the lower and upperclass and has been working to find a way to elevate his sisters into the world of the ton. When Rhys meets the duchess, he feels that he may be able to use her to help his family. Little does he expect the chemistry between the two of them. The book was a relatively quick and easy read with a lot of excitement and heat. I really liked Rhys and was rooting for him throughout the book.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is Rhys and Georgiana’s story. She was a dowager Duchess and he was known as the “broker”. He was able to get any information he desires. He was trying to protect and help his family. He helps the duchess and falls in love with her. They start an affair. Can a duchess be with someone who has unknown background. I love Stacy Reid’s stories. I can’t wait for the next one.

This is the first book I have read from this author. I liked Rhys he was trying to get accepted by society He brokers information in exchange for favors. When Georgie is in need he is there to help Georgie is the widowed Duchess of Hardcastle. Georgie has never experienced a passion and this season that’s what she is looking for, a lover to have an affair with. I liked Rhys more than Georgie.

I have read several stories by Ms. Reid and I feel drawn into her stories. They flow nicely and the characters show a real progression throughout the story. I love the idea of Rhys being a broker. It is not something you read in books and made him all the more intriguing. Rhys and Georgiana’s relationship smolders off the pages. His relationship with her and her son is precious – he genuinely wants to court her but she is afraid since their status in society is so very different. Loved the ending…you just want to say “ahhhh” and “to hell with society”. Also, his relationship with his family is something I love to read about in stories. He will do anything for them.

This is the second book I have read from this author. I liked Rhys he was trying to get accepted by society in order for his sisters to attain good marriages. He brokers information in exchange for favors. When Georgie is in need he is there to help save the day and gain in entrance into society.
Georgie is the widowed Duchess of Hardcastle. Her husband however preferred his mistress to satisfying his wife in bed. So Georgie has never experienced a passion and this season that’s what she is looking for, a lover to have an affair with. She is also a mother that has to protect her son since he is the Duke of Hardcastle now.
I liked Rhys more than Georgie. Georgie was more worried about society and her social standing and if she really loved Rhys than all the other things wouldn’t matter.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2163509889