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.

When A Rogue Meets His Match by Elizabeth Hoyt is the second book in A Greycourt Novel series. It is a great historical fiction romance that can easily be a stand-alone novel, but is best savored if one has read its predecessor: Not The Duke’s Darling. 

I enjoyed this second book even more then the first. I really liked Messalina and Gideon’s characters. Yet again Hoyt does what she does best, an enemy to lover plot line with a bit of a marriage of convenience plot thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed this specific plot, the steamy chemistry that is clearly felt between the two characters, and I like how they evolved and their journeys in this book unfolded. I also continue to enjoy the overarching theme that is tying the series together with the mystery regarding the families. It will be very interesting to see where the series goes after this...and of course I will find out! 

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, Bookbub, Amazon, and B&N accounts accounts immediately. Published on 12/1/20.

This is the second book in the series and it can be read as a stand-alone however for best enjoyment I do recommend reading them in order.  Gideon worked his way up from the slums of London and became Windermere’s fixer.  Now he is ready to move on and work for himself.  Windermere temps him with one final job and with it he will when the hand of Messalina.  Messalina isn’t happy with the arranged marriage but begins to fall for him as they spend time together.  What will happen when she finds out what his final job is?  Fast-paced historical read with lots of twists and turns, drama and steam.  I liked it.

Duke of Windemere has offered his niece Messalina Greycourt's hand in marriage to his henchman. Gideon Hawthorne started his life in the gutters of London as has sense clawed his way up to do all the Duke’s dirty work.  He wants out, but the Duke has offered his niece to Gideon and there’s nothing he wants more than to marry the one woman he’s longed for forever. Messalina is afraid of her uncle and what he might do to her family if she doesn’t agree to this marriage to Gideon. I love how this story progresses Messalina being leery of her husband to her trusting him with her heart and soul. Gideon knows if his secret is revealed he’ll lose the wife he’s become to rely on. Her family are a huge part of her life and she’ll do anything to protect them, even marry the enemy. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Gideon Hawthorne acts as the Duke of Windemere’s heavy of sorts...doing all the hard jobs that involve scaring people into submission basically. He has worked his whole life trying to get out of poverty by trying to set up his own business. When he finally is ready to strike out on his own the Duke offers him his niece,  Messalina Greycourt as a reward if he does one final job. 

What I appreciate about this story is that it didn’t waste time with her hating him and us getting sick of it. He hates the Duke just as much as Messalina does and he does offer her a compromise. He will not keep her against her will and she is free to do as she pleases. It’s just really sweet to see such a tough man be tender towards the woman he loves and doing things he doesn't like because he knows she will like it. She is strong willed enough to the point where you like her and not to the point where she makes stupid decisions. 

I think if you want a fast paced love story with softening of hearts and knife fights you will enjoy this.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Since I don’t remember the first book, besides being disappointed that it didn’t give me Maiden Lane vibes, I went into this one with high hopes. I liked this one more but still not enough to rave about it or give it 4 stars.

I love enemies to lovers but coming into this one I felt a bit disconnected. I’m assuming you need to have read book one to fully grasp the enemy part, since right off the bat we’re shown the hatred but I don’t know where it came from. Most of these interconnected standalones can be picked up in any order but I feel like something was missing from this one, so I’m wondering if book one is needed first.

Ugh. I love Elizabeth Hoyt’s books so I will keep reading this series. But they’re not gonna be my favorite. Now, they’re definitely good, just not Maiden Lane great. That’s a hard act to follow.

Book 2 in the Greycourt series but can be read as a stand alone. This is an enemies to lovers trope. 
Gideon's has been the strong arm of the Duke for years, doing all his dirty work. Gideon  has watched the Duke's neice, Messalina, from afar during that time period.  When he tries to leave the Duke's service,  the Duke offers him Messalina's hand in marriage if he performs 1 more task for him. 
Messalina hates Gideon. She feels hes a brute, a scoundrel and a bully. When she finds out what her uncle has done, she is furious  
But Gideon and Messalina come to an agreement,  a marriage of convenience. 
As they get to know each other and start working together,  their feelings grow.
But Gideon still has a task to perform.  When he finds out what it is, he knows it will destroy what he and Messalina have built.
So the adventure and the ups and downs of the relationship continue.
I loved Messalina. She was very upfront and honest about things.
Gideon really grows on you. He's rough and tough. He doesn't know how to have a relationship.  But he learns and opens himself up to love.
Great story, great adventure.  My only criticism is that it wrapped up a little too quickly with the Duke. I wanted to see him suffer more.
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved getting to know Messalina, a character from the first book in this series, Not the Duke's Darling. Elizabeth Hoyt does not disappoint here, as this follow up book is even better. I look forward to recommending this to romance readers who enjoy Eloisa James and Mary Balogh.

My first book from Hoyt and a pretty solid one at that.

Gideon and Mesalina get into an arranged marriage/ marriage of convenience and start to fall for each other although she initially intended to leave him and he, who works for her evil uncle, is tasked to murder one of her family members. 

I liked Gideon but Mesalina lacked just a bit for me. I really liked her sister though, Lucretia (God, these names) and I’m intrigued about what happened to their other sister Aurelia who was murdered (not a spoiler, she’d been dead before the start of this book).

None of the side characters stuck with me, and although the main couple were above average, I wasn’t emotionally invested in their relationship that much. It needed a bit more spice and flavour and I wished they just had a bit more intense chemistry.

Messalina Greycourt is outraged when her odious uncle summons her and forces her to wed his henchman.  She reluctantly agrees in order to keep her sister safe, but she has plans to get part of her dowry and escape.  Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the slums.  What he wants more than anything is marriage to the beautiful Messalina and entry into society in order to make business connections.  The more time the pair spends together, the more Messalina begins to soften towards Gideon; but one final job for her uncle drives a wedge between them.

This is the second book in the Greycourt series.  I did not read the first book and there was definitely some family background information that I felt I was missing.  Nevertheless, this can still be read alone.

I started the book without rereading the blurb and I didn't realize Gideon was the hero, so I hated his guts at the beginning.  I had to put the book down and come back when I was feeling ready to give him a chance.  I did end up enjoying the story, but I really felt like I needed more from this couple.  I give this book 3.5 stars, but I'm bumping it to 4 because I'm not sure if the connection issue was due to my early prejudice or the writing.

Tropes:  Class Difference, Anti-Hero/Villain As Hero, Arranged Marriage

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.  #WhenARogueMeetsHisMatch #GreycourtSeries #NetGalley

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I have always enjoyed an Elizabeth Hoyt novel - I've read many of her Maiden Lane series. I had read the first book in the Maiden Lane series back in 2018, Not the Duke's Darling, and enjoyed it. With this book, I liked the first half of the book better than I liked the second half. Messalina became a bit of a frustrating character for me - I found her to be somewhat cruel towards Gideon by the end. Gideon was a classic Hoyt loveable villain and I think he deserved more of a chance than he got from Messalina at certain points. She didn't even seem to give him a chance to explain and then gave him the cold shoulder for two weeks and then subsequently tried to leave him. I know these were necessary pieces of the plot but I just got frustrated with the process and I thought it was a little selfish of her. Other than that I liked the book, it was interesting and definitely entertaining. The last half of the book just fell a little flat for me, otherwise I would've scored a little higher. I'd still recommend it since I enjoyed it!

I am not usually a fan of historical novels, but I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  This is the second in a series, but I read it as a stand-alone and was able to follow everything going on. I enjoyed Gideon and Messalina, and their push and pull throughout this book.  I liked that Messalina learned a lot about those around her, and her growth as a person in coming to care for them and wish to help them. I was a little confused by the ending, and wish an extra chapter or two had been added to set up and explain the ending a bit better.  But overall I enjoyed the book. 

This is my honest review of an ARC I received from netgalley.

Messalina  we meet in book one, as old friend of Freya. On the way back from the country she gets told she has to go meet her evil uncle. She finds out she is to marry his henchman Enemies-to-lovers for this one along with forced marriage. Gideon Hawthorne has watched Messalina from afar while working for her uncle, but she wants not only her but her money.  This is her trying to understand her new world, protect her sister, but also falling in love with Gideon and finding out more about him. This one has way more chemistry and steam that was good and you could feel these two working together. 

3.5 stars and 4 steam

This enemies to lovers story sucked me in and kept me up all night reading it in one sitting. 

The hero, Gideon, is a broody man who struggled his way up from poverty through his willingness to do what he has to do. And I liked watching his relationship with Messalina develop as she started to understand more about him and the world. There is a lot of sexual tension and drama. If you like Hoyt's dark and twisty romances, I think you will enjoy this one. 

On a side note, the previous book in the series suggested the wise women would play a much larger role in the series than they did here. They are mentioned in the book and we get some time with related characters, but it was definitely minimal. 

Also, there are a lot of subplot threads that are left hanging in this novel, which will hopefully addressed in the future (I really want to know what Julian was up to). 

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

This was a sweet book. From the first couple pages I didn’t think I was going to like it as my first impression of the hero left a lot to be desired, but I changed my mind and ended up enjoying him.  I don’t think this was the authors best book but it was better than the previous one. It lacked a bit of emotional depth, mostly on the heroines side and was light on the character development but it was a solid story.