4 1/2*STARS*
Nicholas Devlin, Viscount Wycliffe, at nine and thirty, is one the most well known rakes in London. Needing money for his coffers, he must marry an heiress. Miss Amelia Hastings, at one and thirty, is a spinster. To support her family, her first job is a chaperone for a wealthy heiress, nineteen year old Miss Millicent Featheringham. Nicholas focuses his attention on wooing Miss Hastings, but he's more attracted to her companion. A very, humourous relationship develops between them. Mia may actually reform a rake. Money keeps them apart, but there may be an unexpected solution. Thumbs up for an older couple who definitely deserved a happy ending. Hot descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Devil’s Game by Sandra Sookoo is another well written story that I enjoyed. I liked that both MC were more mature with both in their thirtees and having some life experience on them. Amelia Hastings, due to her family’s reduced circumstances needs to find paid employment.

She accepts a position as a companion for her young charge, nineteen-year-old Millie Featherstone, whose father is very successful and determined his daughter marry a titled gentleman given her very generous dowry.

Nicholas Devlin, Viscount Wycliffe needs to find an heiress and quickly; his coffers are running dry and he desperately needs to make repairs to his estate and upgrade the farming equipment of his tenants. He decides to pursue an heiress where previously he avoided them completely.

Amelia and Nicholas meet at the first ball of the season where Nick is keen to secure a dance from Millie and hopefully be married by May! Amelia, however, knows all about Nicholas’ reputation and the type of person he is and is determined to keep him away from her charge. She is unmoved when Nick attempts to flirt with her hoping to gain her trust and turn her head.

The chemistry between Amelia and Nicholas was good and had me engaged in their story from start to finish. The dark horse was Millie! She is not the air head she comes across at the beginning of the story and is one determined young lady!

All in a great read that I enjoyed. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publishers and submit my honest review.

Amelia Hastings has a problem. Her family is in dire straits so she and her sisters must do what they can to help the family. She must go to London to find work to help pay the bills. She plans to work as a companion to young ladies during their coming out. What that means is she is going to be their keeper, so they stay out of trouble, but it turns out it's Amelia that finds trouble! Viscount Wyclyffe needs a wife and she better have a large dowry because he needs the money. He has his eyes on the young woman that Amelia is set to work with. But when the Viscount meets Miss Hastings, both of their plans change. But since they both need money; how can this ever work? Will love conquer all?

The author did a good job creating a new series. Amelia is likeable and relatable. I can understand why she did the things she did. I think it was good that she was older and had some life experience so she could see what was happening and deal with it like an adult. Nicholas is in pretty desperate straits. I was a little put off by the fact that he is a full-grown adults with plenty of life experience but he still acted like an out-of-control young man at times. I get that the author wanted the reader to understand that Nicholas couldn't help himself because Amelia was so alluring but I do wonder if in the future there might be another shiny object that will catch his attention and take him away from Amelia. Anyway, that was just a concern I had. I think the supporting characters were good and added to the story. I am looking forward to learning more about the other Hastings sisters and how they find love.

My one issue was with the fact that Nicholas didn't seem to care that he could ruin Amelia's life. His pursuit of her was obvious to anyone that was looking, and society would definitely not approve. I guess I wanted him to take more care in protecting her. In the end I don't think it mattered because they ended up together but that just felt like a weak part of an otherwise well-done story.

This is an historical romance set primarily in London in 1817. This is book one of a new series about a family of sisters trying to help their parents. I will read more from this author in the future.

I did enjoy this was viewed through a different perspective. It opens with learning the Hastings family is in dire needs of finding the funds to pay the back taxes. If they aren’t paid soon, the family, who once travelled among the ton, and no longer are a part of that life. The family is made up of loving parents and the children are all girls. The oldest, (Amelia), Mia has decided the best way is for the girls to earn money and send it home they are to be companionsMia to a headstrong teenage girl and Cora to an elderly lady. Cora warns Mia to keep her charge far away from the Rogue, and scoundrel Vicount Wycliff. We follow Mia. Mia is to keep a close eye on the girl, Missy Featheringhamas she goes to the balls of the London season. Captain Featheringham will reward the man who secures his daughter’s hand by Valentine’s Day and weds by May Day. The first ball brings out Viscount Nicholas Wycliff. Mia is quick to shut that down. The Viscount is in desperate need of coins to bolster his bare coffers to be able to pay for upkeep of his properties in London and Ireland. Missy would also dance with Percy that night. From there it is a game of keeping Nick away and trying not to become involved herself. I didn’t like the ending. The author should have used her epilogue as her novel ending instead of just stopping, also I enjoy a good historical fiction but I feel like this one missed the mark. The romance scenes seemed a bit similar and danced with being a bit more erotic than I would prefer to read. The epilogue gave the book a completely thought out ending. This was the first in a series. Not sure if I would read another but, I would be interested in knowing more about the Hasting family. Thanks to the following for an early read and allowing me to give my own honest opinion.
#NetGalley
#TheDevil’sGame
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Publication Date:March12, 2024

The Companion and the Viscount

Amelia's mission is to protect Millie from fortune hunters. However, her father is looking for a title, and many of the titled men are fortune hunters and rakes.

Nicholas needs a fortune. However, he finds himself attracted to the companion who has no dowry. Mia wants nothing to do with him, or does she? Her heart and her mind are at war.

Can Mia protect her willful charge from scandal and fortune hunters? What happens between her and the rakish viscount she should resist? I enjoyed this entertaining historical romance and would recommend it.

I like Sandra Sookoo's books because her characters are not perfect, so I looked forward to reading this tale of Mia (Amelia) and Viscount Wycliff (Nicholas). Both are past their prime of life with emotional baggage from their youth. We know that Mia suffered the death of her fiancé in the war, but never really discover why Nicholas avoided marriage for so long, except that his father died from the pox due to his philandering ways.
Of course, Nicholas falls hard for Mia, who is the companion/chaperone for the young heiress that he is determined to court in order to save his estate. Their secret, steamy encounters confirm that Mia feels the same for him. Was no one suspicious when both were absent at the same time?
I wish that the theme of 'older' love would have been carried through the entire story, but Mia's and Nicholas' story followed the same path as most historical romances. Boy meets girl, they fall in love but are not suited for each other. It doesn't help that several supporting characters offer advice using psychological jargon from contemporary times,
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, and the review is my own.

Sandra Sookoo did it right. I love a story with a little bit of angst and a lot of chemistry. I was curious how she was going to solve the fact the main characters both had money issues. Enjoyed the book tremendously. #netgalley #devilsgame

I immediately liked Mia and was very impressed with her family. I hope all of her sisters get their own happily ever afters, ESPECIALLY Nora!! Even just with the opening chapter, all of her family have different personalities and are three dimensional. It took me about a third of the book to warm up to Nicholas. At first I felt he was a bit of dub-con with Mia, but that soon got better. Honestly, by the end of the book I liked all of the characters - Minnie, her dad, Percy, Marcus and Barnes. All of these characters were likable and there ended up being no "villains" in this story. In short, the farther into the story I got, the more I liked it.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.

I enjoyed this enemy to lovers, opposites attract story! It’s well written and fun to read. Amelia and Nicholas are very likable characters. I liked the steamy chemistry between them, their playful banters and their battles of will.

To supplement her family's finances, Amelia Hasting takes a job as a paid companion to Millie, a young heiress. She herself is already well off the shelf, having lost her fiancé in the war years ago, she never intended to marry afterwards.

Nicholas, Viscount Wycliffe, is a well-known rake. His late father has left the family estate almost penniless, so he must marry a wealthy lady. He has his eye on Millie, but her dragon companion seems to thwart his plans. He is attracted to Amelia and finds himself in a difficult position: he has to court the heiress and wants to seduce her reluctant companion...

If you like historical romance novels about mature couples, reformed rakes and determined heroines, you're sure to enjoy this book.

Our hero in this historical romance is a rake with a terrible reputation among society. Our heroine is determined to keep this fortune hunter away from her innocent but mischievous young charge.
No matter what the head insists, the heart will have its way. There is a lot of scandal to be had in this story. Our hero is very naughty.
This is a stand alone book, but I would like to know what might happen to our hero's best friend.
Good fun.

The Devil’s Game by Sandra Sookoo is the first in a new series about some sisters, the first of which, Amelia (Mia) has gone to London to become the companion to a young woman, Cora, whose father intends for her to marry a title in exchange for her huge dowry. That is right up the alley for Nicholas Harcourt, Viscount Wycliffe. Between his father’s dissolute behavior and his own lack of funds to improve his holdings so they can earn better, he is nearly bankrupt. He does not want to marry. He saw enough of that with his parents, but there appears to be no other solution to his dilemma. Then he meets the companion. Cora is 19; Mia is 31, and Nicholas is 39. Cora is half his age and shallow even for the ton. Mia becomes a challenge to him. His reputation has preceded him and she won’t let him anywhere near her charge, title or no.

This story tells the journey of a rake to becoming the man he should have been. It is hard to read sometimes, because it is so sad (what he has become). Thankfully he has a good friend, Marcus Chapman, who is the voice of reason and helps lead him into “the light.” Nick is a wonderful character, not all good and not all bad, like most of us. Mia is stubborn and convinced that she is too old to find the kind of love her parents have and desires nothing less. It is a fun read as are all of Sookoo’s books. She is a masterful storyteller and always puts a spin on things. This was a terrific read and I look forward to more of the Hasting women’s stories. Thanks, Sandra!

I was invited to read The Devil’s Game by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SandraSookoo #TheDevilsGame

The first of a series related to the Hastings family. This is a family made up of all girls with Amelia being the oldest. Taking a job as a companion to a girl (Millie) making her debut becomes a struggle when Nicolas a known rake looking for an heiress enters the scene. There is definitely chemistry between Amelia and Nicholas as well as quick, fast banter. One of my favorite parts is when Nicolas says "“Imagine finding a dragon here among so many rabbits.” and Amelia's instant come back is, “Ah, Lord Wycliffe. I wondered when you would slither in.”
This type of back at forth banter makes this story stand out. I'm convinced that the entire series will be a fantastic hit.

I can definitely relate to the MC as doing her duty for the benefit of the family.
The couple themselves are a bit older than you would expect - as shown in a lot of other historical romances.
It is kind of annoying that a rake basically decided to marry an heiress for the sole purpose of gaining wealth, but that is kind of expected.
Overall really great read!

Duty toward her family comes first as Amelia Hasting takes on a position to guide an ambitious and headstrong young lady through the London season. With no expenses spared, her employer only wants the best for his spoiled daughter. Viscount Wycliffe is the reason Amelia has been employed, to ensure that the renowned rake has no chance of getting near Millie or her fortune, but rather to introduce her to a safe and reliable young lord, thereby earning her a title. When Nicholas sets his sights on Amelia and undermines all her efforts at avoiding him, whispering scandalous suggestions in her ear and teasing her beyond measure, she finds it difficult to avoid the Viscount, especially when he starts to expose his true feelings and motives. When things come to a head between Millie and her father, Nicholas is forced to intervene, and it is with the kind words of his valet and best friend ringing in his ears, that Nicholas finally realizes that there is more than one way in which to achieve his objectives. The novel comes to a romantic conclusion, and even Millie's determined father is satisfied with the outcome. I received a copy of this entertaining book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Miss Amelia Hasting is going to help her struggling family so she tales the job of companion to Millie Featherstone, a willful nineteen-year-old nouveau riche heiress whose father is seeking a match with a titled gentleman, Mia’s only task is steering her charge away from rogues and scoundrels. Still, when it’s her peace of mind that is threatened by an overly handsome and very wicked viscount, she must do something, and fast, to keep both herself and her charge safe. Rakish Nicholas Devlin, Viscount Wycliffe, is suffering from ennui. His estates are in need of an influx of cash so at the age of thirty nine he’s on the lookout for an heiress & who better than Millie. There’s only one problem her dragon of a companion.
The start of a new series & a very enjoyable book. I loved both Nick & Amelia who locked horns from their first meeting but also the chemistry between them sizzled from the start & the more time they spent together the hotter it grew & also they talked & confided in each other. I loved how their relationship swiftly changed & deepened but machinations by Millie nearly scupper their budding romance. Millie was also an interesting character & had depths that weren’t apparent at the start plus she was one determined young lady. The lovely epilogue rounded off the book beautifully
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A rake in need of funds has decided to marry a heiress to replenish his coffers. Of course his reputation is a drawback, but he is titled. Having set his eyes on a someone 20 years his junior who has a plump dowery does have one problem. Her companion is a dragon, constantly trying to keep him from his goal of getting to know his attended. But her eyes have distracted him and now he can’t stop thinking of her, wanting her instead.
Mia has taken it upon herself to try to save her impoverish family. Daughter of a Baron she secures a job as a companion. Thinking this would be a good way to earn some money, but the spoiled, willful girl keeps escaping and a rake has caught her eye. Trying to keep they apart has put her in an awkward position and she slowly sees the real person behind the mask of a rake.

The Viscount and the Ice Queen:
Desperate to find an heiress to fill his coffers Nicholas sets his sites on the wealthy young lady Millie.
Mia a spinster on the shelf is the companion to Millie and must keep her out of trouble and safe while finding her a titled man to wed according to her father.
That proves to be a challenge and things don't go as planned by any means.
Many twists, surprises, and interesting characters make this story move at a good pace.
My favorite scenes are between Nicholas and Mia. Their charisma is strong with witty banter yet the desire that bubbles underneath them soon ignites. The love story takes off for an enjoyable read with an extremely happy epilogue.
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 🧓Mature Advisory 🔥🔥🔥

Becoming a chaperone to a head strong debutante to save her family from ruin but will she be able to resist the temptations of the ton? He need an heiress in order to infuse funds and help his people but its not the heiress he wants.
I usually really like Sandra Sookoo books but for this one seemed to drag on. It was more to the erotic side than steamy. I am thinking it had about 50% steamy scenes and paragraphs will steamy words and 50% plot. Her books are usually involved and a joy to read for some reason this was not one of those books. The plot was interesting take on a relationship but in my opinion would have been better with more plot.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

Older than your typical Historical Fiction Romance couple, but are they wiser? Shrug. I was hooked from page one. Who can resist reforming a rake?
Amelia may seem to be the stereotypical choice of companion, but her strict outward face slips as the Rake makes his appearance, Nicholas. Our Rake Viscount needs an heir and funds to save his failing estate. So, he sets out to the ton, but to get to an heiress, he will need to get past her vigilant Companion. Logically, he romances the Companion to gain access to the heiress, but things don’t go as planned.
The author’s choice of characters, setting, and imagery set the story in a solid foundation of belief and entertainment. Sensual. Different enough to hold your attention. Also, can’t resist a HEA.

4.4/5 stars

Sponsored ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

While the start was a bit slow, mostly due to the set up for this series and the introductions to the family that we will be following, it was still quite a pleasant read! Amelia and Nicholas had a dynamic from the start that was intriguing, and I liked how Amelia, an older spinster, has quite a heavy backstory that definitely colors her until now. The banter is grown up, matching the ages of the main characters. I also loved how the ending didn't rely on a deus ex machina--there's no mystery money that turns up. It ends in a way that is satisfying and makes me want to read the next in the series.