I received a copy of When A Rogue Meets His Match through NetGalley for an honest review.

Messalina is amazing. She's a top contender for heroines I've read in 2020. Independent, intelligent, self-assured, and introspective. Several scenes made me cheer out loud at her ingenuity. Even stopping long enough to chat about it with my husband.

Gideon Hawthorne was a great counter to her struggles. Both caged into a marriage but willing to work towards a better future. Born in St. Giles, Gideon grew up with everything Messalina didn't have. Yet they both could empathize at what the other went through.

I don't want to give away spoilers since I think everyone should read the book. That means the review will point at times but not the situations.

In my podcast episode, I read several scenes aloud. One of my favorite was when Messalina had enough and flatly told the men to stop treating her as a dog bone. And her relationship with other women wasn't dependent on men. While some conversations concerned Gideon and her brothers, the bulk was about solidarity. Can't go wrong with a support network. One of the best reoccurring scenes for Messalina includes examining how class structures can make or break a person's mobility. Something you don't always find in historical romances.

And the romance between Gideon and Messalina works. It's solid. Moves at an organic pace and offers insight into each other. You feel the heartbreak and love, the pain and struggle as they adapt to each other's expectations. They also work as a team, a very important part of a forced marriage romance, I think.

I would love to talk about the bonus story by Kelly Bowen, but honestly, I'd like to review it separately because it felt like a standalone. I do appreciate where the overlaps seemed to connect between the two worlds, however. Night of the Scoundrel will be it's own episode for the podcast for that reason. The heroine and hero have so much to build together and to learn how to move beyond unforgivable hurts.

Highly, highly recommend the book. Beauty is not in just the words, but the actions of Messalina and Gideon together.

I really enjoyed this story! I wasn't sure at first because it's rather longer than I expected for a romance, but I ended up loving the slow build. It felt necessary to Gideon and Messalina being able to trust one another and come to care for one another.

The characters were wonderful - so many very unique ones who really came alive. Lucretia, Sam, Gideon, Messalina, Hicks, all of them really.

There were a lot of allusions to the mysterious tragedy where her older sister disappeared/died? that didn't make much sense to me. Perhaps if I'd read the first book before tackling this one. Everything else was explained/wrapped up neatly.

I would love to see a novel with Lucretia as the main character! She's so feisty and determined, she practically begs to be the focus of a novel. I would definitely read that one. And I'd love to see more of her older brothers. There's a lot of potential there.

The only thing I didn't like about this novel is the sex scenes. They were... awkward and weird to read. If they'd been omitted, it would have been a perfect book for me (though I'm sure plenty of other people would complain if they had been).

Within the first chapter of When a Rogue Meets His Match I knew Elizabeth Hoyt had my number.

A lean, fighting machine of a hero who’s frequently described as having glittering black eyes & who is a so-called bully man for a Duke; said hero can’t help but watch & appreciate our heroine Messalina & want her even though she loathes him...I didn’t stand a chance, okay?

Gideon Hawthorne uses violence to do the Duke of Windmere’s dirty work & to collect debts. Raised in St. Giles he’s since made a fortune & plans on using Messalina to help win over aristocratic investors in his business ventures. It only helps that he’s long wanted her, the Duke’s niece.

Messalina has always believed the worst of her Gideon. It doesn’t help matters when her uncle threatens her into marrying him. But she begins to see Gideon in a new light now & again, which confuses her & makes her question her decision to leave him after securing enough funds to provide for herself & her sister.

In case I didn’t make it clear, this hero really does things for me. From his physical description to his mannerisms to his big feelings for Messalina which he doesn’t immediately recognize as love. Of course you love her, you adorable deadly fool.

But the “mysterious task” the Duke has given him in exchange for “giving”Messalina to him in marriage & Gideon’s own so-called manipulative nature could ruin everything.

I love how Hoyt explores class differences w/ a working-class hero trying to force his way into an unreceptive aristocratic class & how Messalina tries to help him. How he and their marriage make her realize things about life for those in each class. How she & their marriage make him realize how to show & express love.

Like in the other Hoyt books I’ve read, the characters (esp the males) are often gray & willing to contemplate stepping over the line into black. There’s quite a lot of violence in this book.

But the violent antihero with a secret mushy heart really worked for me 🤣.



[cw: memories of a child who was hanged for theft.]

4.5 ⭐️. When a Rogue Meets His Match is out on 12/01. Thanks to Forever Pub, Grand Central Pub, & Netgalley for the complimentary copies of this book. All opinions provided are my own.

Elizabeth Hoyt gifts us with another historical romance to delight her readers. For the most part I like her stories I just would prefer a little less violence.

A big thank you to Forever, NetGalley and Ms. Hoyt for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required, and these opinions are my own.

Elizabeth Hoyt is a reliable writer of excellent historical romance. Her characters are always interesting, the writing always flows well, and the storylines are always gripping. This was no exception. Gideon Hawthorne was set up in the first Greycourt book as a fascinating, antihero type and this book does a marvelous job of fleshing him out. Messalina did not fare quite so well; she seemed like a pragmatic, intelligent, intriguing woman in book #1 but in this second novel came across as indecisive (should she stay? should she go? Stay! no, go! no, stay! no, go!) and somewhat naive (this may surprise you, but poor people in 1700s London slums did not wash frequently, nor did their children attend school, and sometimes they went hungry. Spoiler, this WAS a surprise to Messalina). I foresaw one part of the ending coming from the first but I have to admit to being very surprised by another. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say more.

Overall I did enjoy the story, although I would caution Gideon that if he TRULY wants to impress nobles and get them to sign on with his business ventures, he may need to hire an actual cook. ;)

As usual with Ms. Hoyt, the fairytale snippets at the beginning of each chapter were a very entertaining diversion that many readers (myself definitely included) come to look forward to. I think I've actually heard of that particular fairy tale (Bet and the Fox, although I don't remember if that was the title I heard) before.

I hope Ms. Hoyt has plenty more Greycourt stories in her, because I am VERY MUCH looking forward to both Lucretia's and Elspeth's stories. Both of them seem much more feisty and layered than your average heroine, which I personally enjoy, and both share my fondness for desserts - what could go wrong?

This plot has it all - antagonism, intrigue, danger, naivete, rags-to-riches, sparks, and more. Perhaps a little unlikely as a whole, but Elizabeth Hoyt has finely tuned her craft and immerses us in a world of glamour and grunge with a well-told, enjoyable work of steamy historical romance.

In full disclosure, I always love an antagonistic relationship between hero/heroine in my romance novels, and if one of them has been secretly in love with each other, even better. In Elizabeth Hoyt's When A Rogue Meets His Match, Gideon Hawthorn is a dangerous nobleman's fixer who is ready to walk away from the job after years of doing the dirtiest of work to claw his way out of poverty. But then the Duke of Windermere dangles the only enticement that could tempt Gideon to stay for one more job: The hand of his niece, Messalina, in marriage. Obviously Messaline is less than thrilled by this turn of events, and this story is off and running. Hoyt's engaging writing style and ability to transport readers to another era (seriously I learned something brand new in the opening chapter, and it was hilarious) makes this well worth the read.

4.5 stars. (-5 stars because Messalina changed her mind about Gideon at least one too many times--it was exasperating and something an editor should have caught...of course maybe not to many people gobble their books always in one sitting like I do. When you do, patterns like this become very noticeable, and in this case, tedious.)

it was a good book, but I was expecting more since I enjoy Elizabeth Hoyt stories. I would still recommend the book but it is not my favorite.

I love this series so much! Between this and the first in the Greycourt series, I’m a huge Elizabeth Hoyt fan now. This was probably my favorite of the two; I love Gideon and fell in love with the two of them falling in love. This is a must read for any romance fans!

Reading this book felt like coming home! Gah, I totally loved everything about this story!!!

Messalina was a heroine with fierce loyalty and protective instincts particularly regarding her sister. These character traits lead to her initial scheme when confronted with her uncle’s plan for her. I loved the way she slowly began to separate herself from those intentions as she began to see there is more to Gideon Hawthorne than what she thought.


I love a hero that is hard and coarse on the outside as well as on the inside until the right woman comes along to slowly open his heart. While Gideon was not blind to Messalina, his heart was not fully involved...until it was. And then, holy heck, he became everything I look for and love in a perfect hero.


This has a lot of plot avenues and I loved each one of them, never sure where this was all going to end. The addition of several characters kept the guessing game alive even as it added so much depth to the story. Throw in a homeless boy and a puppy for good measure and you’ve got me completely hooked.


This book had me gasping one moment, smiling another, and crying in still another which all together compelled me to add it to my favorites list! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys their historical romance with sizzle along with a bit of mystery and suspense.

The heroine, Messalina, is a rich, naive (the poor go hungry in the slums, who knew!) aristocrat who has been forced to marry her uncles’s fixer. Gideon who has come from the slums of London and has wanted Messalina for years now has her and plans to “tame” her. He just has to do one more job for her uncle. The only qualm he has about doing the job of murdering his new brother-in-law is that his new wife might find out about it. The characters are not likable and this is a disappointment..

Wow, what a story!! It was outrageously, out of the ordinary good!b For me , this book is a keeper! I will want to read it again.
It had fascinating main characters, especially Gideon Hawthorne. I was prepared to hate him especially when the opening chapters began. I have to admit it made for quite an unusual chapter. Messalina's uncle, the Duke of Windermere was without a doubt rotten to the core. He shows it throughout the book starting with the forced marriage between Gideon and Messalina. He is gleeful when he can harm someone or make their lives miserable. People have learned to keep their expressions blank in front of him so that he can't see anything to use against them.
I liked that we got both of the main characters points of views. It also helped the reader see some of the motives that Gideon kept hidden. The cost that Gideon must pay to wed Messalina is a surprise and a nasty one at that. He isn't told what it is until after they marry. It was quite the shocker.
This story kept me involved every step of the way. It was intense with dangers, plots and lies but also a developing affection between the two main characters. That affection blows up in their faces more than once though. People are so busy interfering in their business. But some of it was because they cared about her. Her sister is one of those people. They are tight and have always had each others back. Her sister Lucretia was quite the bold, mischievous young woman, who I hope gets her own story.
There is dangers that come at Gideon and Messalina. One of those dangers come from an unexpected person in a surprising twist. But both of our main characters get their H.E.A. When you think throughout the story how in the world could that happen?
Many things are solved but there is one person who has caused problems is only stopped for now. Looks like more book could be in the offing which I will be looking for.

The Bonus Novella was "Night of the Scoundrel" by Kelly Bowen and was really an excellent addition. This book was full and didn't feel like a novella at all.

King was a dangerous man, with a lot of underworld lackeys and contacts. He also auctions off priceless goods to a certain, select wealthy clientele.

Adeline Archambault is just as dangerous in her own ways. She made quite the worthy opponent to King. Both main characters were compelling, with each carrying their own pain.

The story had depth, attraction, resistance to a romance especially on King's part. People had taught him not to trust anymore. There were only a select few who got that close to him.
The whole thing comes to a good conclusion.

"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Elizabeth Hoyt is a must read for me! When a Rogue Meets His Match did not disappoint. Absolutely loved this book!

The story begins with Mr. Gideon Hawthorne taking Messalina Greycourt back to London under the orders of her evil uncle and guardian. There she is told that she must marry Gideon (his henchman) or risk losing her dowry and sister. Messalina is frustrated but eventually agrees to this. Gideon, on the other hand, has secretly admired Messalina for years and has always wanted her. Their enemies to lover story was so insanely good, and the chemistry between them sizzled and sparked from the very beginning.

I also loved the Greycourt Siblings together! I can not wait to read more of their story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review!

Another thrilling novel by Elizabeth Hoyt. A sexy rogue schemes his way into marriage to become rich and join society. But what he doesn’t realize is that he will fall for the lovely Messalina. But will she look past his threatening demeanor and see what is underneath.
You won’t be disappointed if you read this. As always I am left with wanting more and can’t wait to get my hands on her next novel.
Thanks Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Messalina's uncle is demanding that she get married. Messalina agrees to a marriage in name only to Gideon. The more time she is spending with Gideon, the more she likes him. I enjoyed the chemistry that developed between Messslina and Gideon. I cant wait to read Elizabeth Hoyt's next book.

The characters in this book are complicated and multi-layered - and that makes this book a fascinating read. I had a hard time putting it down. Messalina's family and personal life are complicated to the max. She and her sister had been under the thumb of a thoroughly evil uncle for many years. So while they had all the privileges of wealth and rank - they were very much abused by their uncle and had only each other to depend on. Interestingly enough, they still seem to come across - initially at least - a little bit spoiled, or maybe just supremely privileged.

Gideon Hawthorne is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Messalina, He is not a nice man or even a particularly good man. He grew up in St Giles and had a pretty horrific life up to the point at which the book starts. He has served as Messalina's uncle's enforcer for the last 10 years - collecting debts, intimidating people, and generally living a fairly rough life. He has started to get rid of the less legitimate side of things and move into coal mining and investments. He was working to leave the evil Duke's employment - but was offered a chance to marry Messalina in exchange for an unknown job for the Duke. He takes the Duke up on his offer and proceeds to all but force Messalina into marriage.

I think Gideon does think of himself as the villain of Messalina's story - but the story really shows that there are villains all around her and Gideon. Everyone in the book is using others to their own ends - the question is who is going to rise above that and do things out of love and not just what they can get out of it. This book also shows - as so many historical romances do - the true vulnerability of women during these times.

I loved the depth of the characters in the book - and I definitely liked Gideon a lot - I think especially because of his depth and dimension. I liked Messalina too - but I think even though she was more vulnerable and open, I wanted more from her. More patience and understanding - and less judgment. All of the emotions she had and actions she took were valid - but I think she was harder on Gideon than perhaps she should have been. Even one of the true villains of the story gives her good advice about Gideon and she doesn't really hear what he is saying - that Gideon hasn't ever been loved and doesn't necessarily know what it is or how to express it.

Anyway - fans of Elizabeth Hoyt will definitely appreciate this new series and enjoy this entry. I didn't read the first book in the series - but I was able to follow things in this book just fine! I am very interested in finding out more about Messalina's family and other characters introduced here.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the opening pages until the end. Such a well crafted story full of intrigue, pain and also love. Watching Messalina's different feelings thoughout the book spoke volumes, but it was Gideon who really captured my interest. He was a flawed man full of self-loathing for not protecting his younger brother and it was only Messalina's love that finally taught him the meaning of family. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Greycourt series.

Messalina will do anything to get away from her evil guardian uncle, even marry his henchman, Gideon. While Messalina plans to have a marriage of convenience, Gideon plans for much more. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

Meh read from Ms Hoyt not at all up to her Maiden Lane standards. The enemies to lovers ruined my interest early in the story and I never connected with either of the characters.

Rating: 5/5
First off, let me start by saying you can read this as a standalone! The story is very sweet and definitely had my favorite trope, aka, ENEMIES TO LOVERS YALL ( though the enemies thing is one sided, BUT it still counts). I really liked how Gideon and Messalina both were discovering each other and falling in love with each other. They both had to deal with difficult situations and trust was not easy but they worked on it. There were so many twists and turns and obstacles in their relationship but it ends up well. The story wraps up well, and can I just say the bonus story gets 1000000 stars from me !! I loved the extra novella and wouldn’t mind a whole book for it!