Wow! This was a great romance. I was hooked from the first chapter to the end and didn't want to put it down.

I liked that Gideon was a strong character that wasn't a noble. Messalina was the perfect heroine for him. This was a well written novel with great characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

Messalina and Gideon end up in a forced marriage due to her evil uncle who has ulterior motives. Gideon is a different kind of hero who is actually from an extremely different background and grew up all life working for her uncle in his nefarious activities. But now he has made enough riches and wants to establish himself.

Though Messalina enters this marriage with hate for him, she gets to see his true personality and starts to fall for him. It is a slow burn romance and gets nice and steamy. There is some major steamy action in the bathtub! With the romance going on, there is another track with betrayal, mystery and secrets making the plot more thrilling. The way their relationship matures was really good compared to those where the couple falls in love in the first instant itself. I liked Messalina’s sister and I am looking forward to her love story! I definitely look forward to the rest of the series as there are some secrets yet to be unraveled.

Ive waited a long time for this couple's story and Hoyt doesn't disappoint with Gideon Hawthorne and Messalina Greycourt . Set within her Greycourt series, mystery and betrayal go hand in hand when one man will do whatever it takes to save the woman he loves; even if she never forgives him for it. A roller coaster of emotions takes readers on the ride of their lives as the past and present fight for dominance in this seemingly unwelcome marriage of convenience.

Engaging, seductive, and entertaining!

When a Rogue Meets His Match is set in London during the late eighteenth century and features the spirited, intelligent Messalina Greycourt who after reluctantly agreeing to wed the dangerous, yet roguishly handsome Gideon Hawthorne finds herself inadvertently falling for his hidden charms and tender nature.

The prose is witty and sharp. The characters are tough, feisty, and passionate. And the plot is a delightfully scandalous blend of familial drama, Georgian traditions, desire, deception, betrayal, danger, gossip, tricky situations, and titillating romance.

Overall, When a Rogue Meets His Match is an adventurous, compelling, highly amusing tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second title in the Greycourt series by Hoyt, and if you ask me this series just keeps getting better and better.

Oh no, a cliffhanger! I want to know what the evil Uncle is up to! Well he get to Gideon? Gideon is in love and it's quite wonderful! I love the characters in this story! Messalina is strong and dtermined as is her family. There's so much going on, I can't wait for the next Greycourt story.

When I think of Elizabeth Hoyt, I think of two things: slow burn romances and unusual series arcs. Her books stand out by showing us relationships that build instead of insta-love. Her series stand out for not relying on the usual band of brothers or family ties. The Greycourt series revolves around a mysterious death. In order to fully comprehend this mystery, I recommend starting with the first book in the series.

Gideon Hawthorne combined some of my favorite hero tropes with some of my least favorite. To be honest, I enjoy rich, powerful heroes. (Shallow, I know.) Gideon isn't titled or rich. He is, instead, an employee of a powerful man. However, Gideon's personality is exactly what I like to see in a hero. He is dark and hard. The parts of the book told in his perspective are almost necessary because without them he would be hard to love. Since we get to hear his thoughts, we can see the damage being mended and his inner conflict.

It was wonderful to watch Gideon and Messalinda (take a moment to shudder over that name) come to see each other in a new light.

When a Rogue Meets His Match
Book 2 in the "Greycourt" series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

When a Rogue Meets His Match was a good read. It had passion and intrigue. It had been a while since I had read one of Ms Hoyt's stories and I am always surprised of how in depth her stories are. Gideon Hawthorne is not your typical hero. He's a hired man for Messalina's uncle. He has done many things he is not proud of. He did all of that thinking of having a better future for himself. I was a little uncomfortable of his ways in getting Messalina to marry him. He seemed very determined to have her, that he would do anything the duke would order him to. It is not until he's given his task that he realizes that it would not benefit him and Messalina to go through that job. Messalina seemed a little spoiled at the beginning. Even her comments at time were a little belittling of the working class.
Many disagreements and misunderstanding occur before they can reach their HEA.

When a Rogue Meets His Match has everything I love in a story – romance, mystery, suspense, dynamic characters, and a well-layered plot. Much like Not the Duke’s Darling, the first book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Greycourt series, this story gripped me from the first pages when Gideon and Messalina are pushed into an arranged marriage by Messalina’s dastardly uncle. Messalina determines not to fall for Gideon, one of her uncle’s most-feared henchmen and a man she loathes. Instead, she plans to obtain her dowry money and flee with her younger sister. However, as she gets to know this enigmatic man, Messalina finds him harder and harder to resist. Gideon is a man who knows what he wants, and he wants Messalina. However, what will Gideon do when Messalina’s powerful uncle charges him with a task that is sure to ruin his future with Messalina?

Something that I like about the series how dynamically developed the characters are. The main characters, in particular, learn from their mistakes and are willing to change. They are not flat, stagnant characters, and when they realize that they have misjudged a person or situation, they are willing to admit it, even if it is sometimes a bit begrudgingly. Messalina and Gideon are prime examples of characters whose opinions change, especially in regards to each other.

The enemies-to-lovers romance between Messalina and Gideon is chemistry-laden swoon-tasticness! It’s pretty clear from the start that Gideon desires Messalina, but Messalina does not like Gideon at all! They’ve known each other for a long time, but as they commit to each other and truly get to know each other, their connection deepens beautifully. Gideon listens to Messalina, and for the first time, she feels heard by a man. Gideon is also overly generous with Messalina, in his time, money, and patience, which is the opposite of what one would expect of a man with his reputation. I love that Messalina brings out the best in Gideon and helps him to let his guard down. I also love that Gideon teaches Messalina what it really means to be admired and loved.

Several of the minor characters in the novel are absolutely charming as well, including Messalina’s younger sister, Messalina’s new pup, and several of the men who work for Gideon. I also loved that a few of the characters from Not the Duke’s Darling make an appearance in this book. Though they don’t have large roles, they give Messalina support and confidence when she most needs it.

I’m also intrigued by the event that happened at Greycourt many years before the series starts. It’s fascinating and devastating to see how that tragedy affected so many characters in so many different ways. I like how the overarching story about Greycourt is slowly unraveled throughout the series. It makes for a well-layered and compelling story.

When a Rogue Meets His Match is a great enemies-to-lovers romance that I very much enjoyed, and though it is the second book in the Greycourt series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Forever, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Elizabeth Hoyt writes so well that I always feel like im in I am loving the Greycourt Series so far! From the very first page when Messalina is being attacked by some highwaymen while she is relieving herself in the privacy of her carrainge while Gideon and her ladys maid wait outside.
Gideon Hawthorn is a man who grew up on the streets of St. Giles. He grew up literally fighting for everything, and will do whatever it takes including forcing Messalina into marriage.
Messalina knows she has no choice, but is going to do what she can to make sure she also gets something out of the arrangment.. Saving her sister from her uncle..
I sat and read this in one sitting. The romance was perfect, I loved watching them fall for each other. Gideon was supposed to do a job for the duke in exchage for marriage to messalina and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how all of that was going to play out..
I loved this book, and can't wait to read more from this series and from Elizabeth Hoyt..

I also really loved the short story by Kelly Bowen I thought it was great! and now I want to read more of her books,

Get ready to swoon for Gideon!

I love a good bad boy story, though I rarely find one in a historical romance. Here, Gideon's story arc is the whole reason for the book and the only reason you need. He's more than a rogue (he's nearly a villain when one considers his history) yet his love for Messalina becomes a driving force in his redemption.

And wow, does he love Messalina! It takes a while for even Gideon to realize the depth of his feelings, beyond the obvious attraction and amazing chemistry, and I loved every bit of the journey. Messalina, likewise, takes quite a while to see Gideon's hidden layers and realize that he's everything she's ever wanted. Faced with absolutely no choice in her life, she fights to negotiate a set of terms that at least cedes a modicum of control over her choices.

Once the forced marriage takes place, the action really takes off. This is a complicated story with hidden motives, secret alliances, and tested loyalties. I was glued to the book all the way through and I cheered when they finally cemented their HEA. Still a few loose ends left for future books as far as the family dynamics and ongoing mystery are concerned, but this book works as a standalone romance for Gideon and Messalina. I'm looking forward to reading more in this intriguing series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

The first chapter hits the ground running and doesn't stop. The Duke of Windemere keeps a tight rein on his family manipulating them for his pleasure. Messalina, her oldest brother, Justin, the Duke's heir, another brother, Quintas and sister Lucretia are the Greycourts. Their "dear" uncle's puppets. Gideon Hawthorne is a puppet, too. The Duke's fixer since he was hired off the dirty streets of London at seventeen. Gideon has always wanted Messalina, but knows he's not good enough. Ahh the Duke. He offers Messalina in marriage ...for a price. Is Gideon willing to accept the bargain and risk losing Messalina after their marriage? Complex relationships with several different people. Unexpected beginnings and endings. A darkness that sits in the background. Don't expect to put this book down, even when you finish. A reminder of why reading a book by Elizabeth Hoyt is a good choice.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was a wonderful book. I enjoyed the main characters and their interactions. The level of heat was good and the plotline while predictable was highly enjoyable. I'll look for more by this author. Thanks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gideon Hawthorne has worked all his life to climb out from the gutter he was born in. At the service of the ruthless Duke of Windemere, he seems to be a man without morals or emotion with only his goals for money and power to guide him, but it will all change when he marries Messalina Greycourt in exchange for an unknown favor to Windemere, her uncle.
This story was unexpected. Messalina and Gideon are both strong characters, each pulling to get away with their respective goals and once her siblings arrive and start running interference the plot will take its fair share of twists.
I liked their relationship before and after the afore-mentioned interference and the intrigue surrounding the various murder plots at hand. Once again, the author brings a swoon worthy couple, a sensual romance and enough intrigue to keep the reader hanging until the very last page.

A cruel duke, a feared henchman and a determined niece .... What can come of this mixture?

Messalina is taken out of the carriage in which she travels with her younger sister by order of her uncle and goes to his home accompanied by the dangerous and lethal Gideon. She has no idea what her uncle wants but she already imagines the worst and the worst can be even more complicated when she discovers that she will have to marry the murderous henchman.

Gideon is a man who grew up in adversity, saw his brother die and after gaining fame in the fight with knives he becomes the duke's fixer. On the contrary, Messalina was born in a golden cradle but lost her parents and found herself and her siblings at the mercy of the duke's will and cruelties. Both she and Gideon want to get rid of the bonds that bind them to the duke and when Gideon convinces her to accept the marriage to have the freedom she wants and for her to help him approach the aristocracy to have good investors for his business everything seems to fit in. What both did not expect was that this union would yield much more than their freedom.

Messalina, initially angry with the whole situation, does not move a finger to help Gideon, but little by little she gets to know the crude man she married and realizing that there is more to him than she can imagine. She convinces him that he needs to improve the house he bought, wear appropriate clothes to walk around the aristocracy and have good manners to get the position he wishes to occupy with the nobles.

Between walks, shopping, secrets, hot moments and attacks, these two stubborns will realize how much strength they have and what they really want for the future. But is it simple to get rid of the duke and find out who wants to see our protagonists dead?

I loved too much how the two characters matured over the course of the plot and how it was noticeable to see the desire turn into love. I just found the beginning a little slurred and a little repetitive but when Messalina's siblings arrive and the confusion begins to unfold the book takes off. The ending was surprising and the revelation left my jaw dropping because I spent much of the reading weaving theories about who was behind the attacks on Gideon and Messalina.

4/5 stars

I didn’t love Not the Duke’s Darling, the first book in the Greycourt series. Between all the plot threads, side stories, and backstories it was just A LOT. But I was intrigued by the Greycourt family and I really love this author, so I decided to give book two a go. I’m very glad I did.

When a Rogue Meets His Match features Messalina Greycourt, a beautiful, vivacious woman who’s family is pretty much in shambles after a tragedy that killed her older sister years before. She is now at the mercy of her dastardly evil uncle and becomes a pawn in a game between him and his henchman, Gideon Hawthorne.

Gideon was born in St. Giles and worked his way out of that life by going to work for the Duke of Windemere doing whatever was requested of him, no matter how vile. The only thing he’s really ever wanted is to be financially secure, to be accepted by society, and to have Messalina as his wife. So when her hand in marriage is offered by Windmere as a bribe to do one last task before he leaves the Duke’s employ, he can’t say no.

I am a SUCKER for a good anti-hero and Gideon was one of the best I’ve read in quite a while. I was bewitched by him from the opening scene where he fights off a couple of highwaymen and then jumps back into the carriage, like no big deal. This is an enemies-to-lovers, forced marriage romance, and even though you don’t want to like a man who takes a wife under these circumstances, you just can’t help yourself.

I read this book in a matter of hours, unable to put it down or think about anything else. The chemistry between this couple is palpable, I couldn’t wait to see how long it would take them to give in to their feelings for each other. And when they do it is pure fire.

If I have any complaints, it’s that two of the major plot threads are wrapped up quite quickly at the end. It felt a bit rushed. There is still a whole lot of backstory and plot points, but I do feel like I wasn’t overwhelmed by all that was going on like I was in the first book in the series. I also feel When a Rogue Meets His Match can be read as a stand-alone, just in case y’all missed its predecessor and don’t feel like going back.

I am very much looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. The Greycourt siblings are so intriguing and I’m interested to find out what really happened the night of their sister’s death. The third book in the series releases in the fall of 2021.

I know I'm likely to be in the minority with my thoughts on this one, but I really just couldn't get into the story. A lot of it seemed to move at a snail's pace with emphasis on dialog that told instead of showed the reader what was happening.

I also felt disconnected from the characters. They were hard to like (especially Messalina who not only seemed more naïve than a woman her age should be about the workings of the world, but also because more than once came across as being worked up and overreacting over nothing).

However, I thought the beginning started off well enough, with the bargain struck between these two, and I had high hopes for their romance (especially when you learn that Gideon has been in love, or at least infatuated with, her for years). However, despite the author's best attempts, I never bought into them actually falling in love with each other.

It also seemed as though the ending was rushed through leaving loose ends (which I detest), although considering there is an overreaching arc that will presumably continue into future books, it makes sense. It's just not my cup of tea.

That being said, I actually also have book one in this series sitting on my kindle as well (oops I misread the published date and thought it was the second instead of the first), hopefully I have better luck with that one!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Amazon First Reads. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

What can I say, I’m TRASH for a good Hoyt book🥰 I love me some sexy times infused with intrigues & near death experiences

The second book in the Greycourt series starts STRONG and I love it so much—page one has our heroine Messalina knocking out a would be highwayman with a (full!!) chamber pot☠️ When Messalina is forced into marry her uncle’s “fixer,” she fully intends to escape with her dowry and her younger sister within the month. She ~doesn’t~ plan for Gideon Hawthorne, who whoops HAS BEEN SECRETLY IN LOVE WITH HER FOREVER!!! god this trope is my everything😘👌🏼

There’s so much I love about this book!! Hoyt (as always) nails the family dynamic— Messalina’s siblings show love by bickering and teasing which is pretty much my family lol🤦🏼‍♀️ also already said it but I LOVE a pining hero!!! Gideon was delicious and everything I want ever. And he buys her a dog!!! Daisy was so cute, loved him & little Sam💛

When A Rogue Meets His Match hit every note for me! High drama, high stakes, great sex scenes & a really satisfying ending 👏🏼 definitely recommend this book!! thank you so much to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy😎

When A Rogue Meets His Match is the second title in the Greycourt series and Messalina and Gideon quickly drew me into their unique story. We pick up almost at the ending of Not The Duke’s Darling, and because of that (and my own preferences) as well as references back to events that happened previously I’d strongly suggest beginning with the first story. There is a lot going on in this world beyond the Greycourts and de Morays feud/suspicions, so without the base world-building of the first story, you might feel as if you’re missing something. You do what works best for you, always – but if you need the background to enjoy a world then read this series in order.

While there was so much happening in the previous book, When A Rogue Meets His Match tones that down a bit, and we focus mostly on Messalina and Gideon’s unexpected marriage of convenience between at least one person falling into the enemy to lover trope.

Gideon grew up on the streets, he’s a man who survives and does that well since his intelligence is almost as strong as his cunning ways. He’s been in the employ of a rather odious man doing the shaky things that the members of the ton would never ever touch. But he’s planned, and invested, and learned over the years and now he’s ready to go out on his own, forge his own destiny… except for one final offer and a reward he cannot turn down. The hand in marriage of the woman he’s always held a special affection for… Messalina. Too bad she didn’t feel the same way.

Messalina hates her uncle with a passion, one that is also held against his henchman, Gideon. When her uncle hands her over as wife to Gideon, with the threat of making her sister the bride instead, she has no choice… but that doesn’t mean she has no options. With Gideon agreeing to a marriage of convenience, at least for a time, he gets what he wants in an acceptance into society through his marriage. He also wants his wife to agree to a true marriage and will work his considerable charms to hurry that aspect along. Messalina gets time and eventually access to her dowry which she plans to use for an escape to America with her sister. Yet, neither counted on the sparks between them changing all of their plans.

I had such a good time with When A Rogue Meets His Match. There is a smoothness that was missing from the previous book where so much was happening. And the sexual tensions, discovering true love, and bantering between this couple are simply off the charts. I liked them, even when they did something foolish (which every hero or heroine eventually does). There are dashes of danger, some secondary characters that I’d like to know more about, and the woven thread of the Greycourts and de Morays situation to keep us on our toes. In all, a delightful read, and I’m already looking forward to my next trip to this world.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Messalina Greycourt is forced by her guardian to marry Gideon Hawthorne, something he wants more than anything. There are twists, turns, secrets and plots. The story is humorous and steamy, and the characters are wonderful, I couldn't put it down, yet didn't want it to end. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. This book was a hard one for me to rate and I went back and forth before landing on 3 1/3 stars rounded down to 3. I really liked the characters and appreciate the general darkness/grittiness that is a trademark of Ms. Hoyt. The hero, Gideon grew up on the streets and as a teen went to work for the horrible Duke of Windemere. He's been infatuated with the duke's niece, Messalina for years and when given the chance, he agrees to a bargain that ends up with him married to Messalina. Messalina hates Gideon for his work on behalf of her uncle. Agreeing to the marriage to protect her younger sister, she slowly discovers that there is more to Gideon than meets the eye. For his part, Gideon sees marriage to Messalina as a way to help him further his plans to grow his business empire, but quickly learns to that his feelings toward Messalina are much deeper than he planned. He finds himself considering how he can meet the last condition in the bargain to the duke without losing Messalina if/when she discovers what he did.

I really liked Gideon as Ms. Hoyt peeled back his layers to reveal the motivations for some of his seemingly unfeeling actions, but didn't make him into a giant marshmallow. I enjoyed watching Messalina realize how strong she was and demand that Gideon treat her like a partner if she was to stay with him. This book is billed as the second in the series, but the connection to the first title isn't very strong so it can be read as a stand-alone. I'm guessing that future books will help clarify more details about the mystery death of Messalina's older sister that occurred years ago and that the impact of the death will be the link between the titles in the series. Although I didn't enjoy this as much as some other previous titles by Ms. Hoyt, she is still one of the best at writing grittier and darker titles. I look forward to future books in the series.