The first in a new series, The Devil's Charm takes us on a romantic adventure with Dianatha and Lucian. A beautiful set of characters, one who is extremely responsible and one who loves to just play. Read how two polar opposites can mesh together to find joy and happiness. Their amazing personalities blend together to balance each other in a most romantic manner. Each character as well as the secondary characters are the kind of people you want to encircle you as well as fall in love with. Their eccentricity is joyous and full of live, even if it's impractical.

The Devil's Charm is the first book in Megan Frampton's Heirs & Spares historical romance series. I've read some of Ms. Frampton's former books, and I enjoyed each one. She usually has humor in her stories, which I do appreciate. Why cry when you can laugh? There's not much angst here, mainly humor and pure...well, charm. Says so right in the title, doesn't it?

Lord Lucian Eldridge is the second son of the Duke of Waxford, a very rigid man who doesn't much approve of anything Lucien does. He follows all the rules of spares: seduces women, spends money at gaming tables and dresses to the nines. He doesn't expect much difference at his best friend's wedding, but then he meets and kisses Lady Diantha Courtenay, the daughter of his father's longtime enemy, the Earl of Courtenay. And now Lucian and Diantha are expected to work together on a project that will hopefully repair the rift between the families. Diantha is a bit different from Lucian: she always does the right thing, speaks to the right people and knows exactly when to smile. When she attends her friend's wedding, she meets the man who makes her want to do ALL the wrong things with him. After kissing him, she's appalled by her behavior and vows to act proper from now on. But then she finds out she'll be working on a project with...Lucian.

I'm sure we've all heard the phrase "you can't judge a book by its cover". Well, in this case you can. This beautiful cover shows two attractive people laughing and enjoying each other's company. You can see the pull between them. It's hard to decide who I loved better - Lucian or Diantha. I think Lucian has a slight edge. He just oozes charm, but in no way is he smarmy. He just loves women and having fun, and he is never mean about it. He's basically gotten to the point where he understands that his father will never approve of him, so he goes on his merry way. But then Lucian's brother, the heir, has had an accident in Scotland, and the Duke rushes to be there with him, leaving his spare to work on a project that will be beneficial to his family. However, Lucian sees Diantha, the woman whom he kissed in the cloakroom at the wedding, and finds out they must work together. Diantha must always do the right thing; unlike Lucian's father, her family is rather wonky and live their lives in any way they wish. (Wait until you hear about how the Earl attempted to make apple pies, and the Countess's taste in shawls and other colorful clothing!) Diantha must be the proper one in the family who keeps everyone in check, but she wants to be free of being a caretaker, and this project may help her reach her dream.. The only problem is she can't stop thinking of Lucian improperly, so she suggests they do a "system cleanse" so she can get over him. Let's just say it doesn't work! Their cleansing becomes more involved each time. There's some steamy times here, but they are always joyous occasions with much laughter. The project they are working on is a hoot, especially the proposal by people who dress taxidermy critters in human clothing. (Like Lady Meow-Meow. HA!). The supporting characters are great, but my favorite by far is Diantha's younger sister Drusilla. She's so darn funny, and I'm hoping against hope she will be featured in a future book. Just jump right in and enjoy this charming start to a new series!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

⭐4.75
🌶️1
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 21, 26
📚 Tropes: reformed rake, snarky banter, he falls first and harder
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
🩷 Something I like: literally everything
🙈 Something I dislike: I feel like I have to split hairs to find something that I dis like. I guess if I have to say anything it would be one tiny thing in the third act drama where Diantha doesn't totally see his viewpoint.
🛍️ Available: Now!

💬 Okay, this was so good! I'll be honest I didn't remember applying for this book, and when I saw that I was approved for it and I saw the cover I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy it. But I really feel like the cover was way more misleading on how well written and hilarious this book is.

Lucien specifically is just hilarious- his character had me in tears I was laughing so much. He sorta reminds me of Gilderoy Lockhart from HP, but a better person 😂😂😂 And also I know that “get it out of our systems/just one night” is a common trope in romance books but the way they planned to do so was just…so, so funny. And that dedication has become my new fave

The snark, the banter, the inner monologues, I was dying this whole book. It almost reminded me of like two teenagers in love. It's hard to really say a whole lot because I don't want to give much away because it really feels like you need to just kind of go into this book blind and just experience it, but believe me when I tell you that this was such a satisfying read and if you like historical romances I don't think you'll be disappointed with this. I've already added this authors entire backlog to my TBR

Bizarre and slightly beguiling plot.

A young woman Diantha, older daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, whose reaction to her free wheeling family is to take responsibility for them, meets the second son of the Duke of Wexford, Lord Lucian Eldridge, who on the surface is a dilettante, but underneath is kind generous and thoughtful
I’m not too sure if this is a story taking a leaf out of Romeo and Juliet with two feuding families (without all the angst and aggression), or just a rather different love story with the son and daughter of the feuding families sorting things out for themselves.
The Duke of Waxford, is dour and regimented and ready to disinherit his second son if he doesn’t prove himself in business negations with his enemy the Earl who is irresponsible and easily bored. Diantha wants to be less regimented and more spontaneous and chooses Lucian to help her. Hmm!
Racey and sometimes absurd but still fun.

A Avon and Harper ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I always enjoy Megan Frampton's books! I like that they're fun and low angst while still being spicy enough to keep me entertained.

This one is a bit enemies to lovers, opposites attract, with some family rivalry thrown in too. Lucian and Diantha have a ton of chemistry from their first meeting, but once they start working together, the sparks truly start to fly. I adored them together!

The Devil's Charm was an excellent start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I adored Lucian and Diantha's story! This opposites attract couple was so much fun to watch! It was so much fun watching them "work" together.

Lord Lucian Eldridge is the second son of the Duke of Wexford. He is a handsome and healthy man. His father wants him to be constantly busy with estate business but that is not his forte. Instead, he always seems to find someone who would be thrilled to do the jobs his father wants him to do.

At a ball to celebrate the wedding of Samuel, Viscount of Alston to Julia Montbray, Lucian is there to congratulate his good friend, Samuel. Also attending the ball is Diantha, daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, and best friend to Julia. When Julian is introduced to Diantha, they both know that their fathers are sworn enemies. But that doesn’t stop an attraction that ends up in the cloakroom where they share a passionate kiss.

Diantha’s parents are somewhat irresponsible and seem to live like they don’t have a care in the world. This leaves Diantha to take care of finances and any other decisions to be made in their home.

Lucian learns that his brother, the heir, has been injured while on a shooting excursion. His father says he will travel to be with his son and that Lucian is in charge and had better get some things done or he will do his best to disinherit him as much as possible. There is a cousin coming to town and Lucian is told to learn from the man. In addition, a lawsuit between Wexford and Courtenay has been settled and he must decide what steps to take next.

Lucian turns to Diantha and they begin interviewing possible people with something to produce in the factory. Wacky and crazy inventions emerge that make Diantha nearly choke with laughter. Finally, they find the perfect invention and hope this will help them find a way to be together.

I have read a lot of Megan Frampton’s books and they always make me laugh. Her use of “50-cent words” is wonderful and I admire her for making them all work. Do enjoy this adorable love story.

This was an entertaining well-written historical romance. It was fun, steamy, engaging and hard to put down. I enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Diantha is a very responsible, straight laced, older than her years woman. Lucian is an irresponsible, carefree, silly heart. Not really a rake, not really malicious, just hasn't found his purpose yet.

Their parents have been fighting for years, but yet own a factory together. Diantha and Lucian are pulled into the family business and have to work together now.

They are great together because they both have qualities the other person needs. The romance is very hot, and they do it in the strangest places. I love Megan Frampton's writing style. I feel like it's kind of tongue and cheek, and there's an orneriness or levity there. Her writing has a lot of personality.

Thank you to Avon for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

This lighthearted Victorian romance gave me all the feelings of being young and in lust, where you will do anything to sneak off with your paramour for a little make-out session. Lady Diantha and Lord Lucian meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and are inexplicably drawn toward each other despite the knowledge that they families are sworn enemies. Diantha is predictably sensible, respectable, and organized to Lucian’s carefree, pleasure led “spare” lifestyle. But they spark something in each other that begins with a very unexpected kiss in an antechamber, and neither of them can forget it.

The fun happens when Diantha and Lucian realize they will need to work together to save their parents from throttling one another over a lawsuit involving a shared factory. Diantha has taken it upon herself to be the manager of her sometimes silly family, and Lucian has been allowed to go full himbo passing all responsibilities to his older brother. And yet working with each other they find loosens up Diantha and makes Lucian more heard and valued for his input. This is a great example of how opposites attract can actually bring out the best in each other. Add to that the tremendous attraction stirred up between Lucian and Diantha who just want to “get it out of their systems”, and you get some very creative make out sessions involving The British Museum, a sarcophagus, and sneaky bedchamber visits.

This book had a fun meet cute and even more creative outlets for sexual exploration. I also enjoyed the factory and exposition storyline and am curious to see how history aligns to the pitch Diantha and Lucian decide to accept for the factory usage. It took me a moment to get into the story, but The Devil’s Charm got better the more I kept reading. Diantha also has the best sister ever in cheeky Drusilla, and I would love to see her get her own book. I received an early copy from Avon. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭
Angst: ⬇️
Humor: 📈
Things I was not expecting: 💋⚰️🦺

She is the only one with sense among them...

Diantha is the responsible one, while her father and mother are happy, her father in particular gives in to any impulse and whimsy that enters his empty head. Ironically, she falls for a man exactly like her father. Lucian is the lord of fun, a spare, who only lives for his frivolity and fun. He works hard at not working and shirking all and any duty. His sole purpose is pleasure.

I really think Diantha deserved a better man, a man with intent and purpose. Lucian needed to grow up as he hadn't the vaguest idea how to be an adult.
But, if you over look their deliberately opposite and most likely not compatible personalities, and just go along for a fun read, then this hits the mark.

The Devil's Charm is the first book in the Heirs & Spares series.

Lady Diantha Courtenay is the eldest of two daughters. She has spent most of her life keeping her family from their flighty and impulsive ways. She longs to live her own life making the choices she has never been able to make after being the responsible one. A stolen kiss with Lord Lucian Eldridge set the two of them on a journey of love's choices.

This was a quick, fun read, with a different spin on the plot. Having flighty and irresponsible parents is quite a change from the usual levelheaded ones. The main characters were likeable and easy to root for. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Megan Frampton always hits a certain spot for us with her sexy, low angst, silly historicals. We will be honest: that spot is the "I had a great time reading this but I don't know how much I will remember later" spot, but the spot? It's hit.

This one features two black sheep characters: Lucian is the titular devil may care charmer whose father wants him to shape up and be responsible; Diantha is the control freak born into a family of free spirits who just wish she could relax a little bit. Oh yeah, and their families hate each other, thanks to Halley's Comet (kinda). This is an extreme example of opposites attract, and it's very silly, and very fun.

Diantha and Lucian are tasked with resolving a long-standing lawsuit between their families, a task which brings them into close proximity to each other. They're just so distracted by the other's appeal that they resort to one of our favorite and most respected romance tropes: they decide to bang it out (or, as they call it, cleanse the system). It's ridiculous, OTT, historically inaccurate, and we loved it, because Frampton COMMITS, and these two spend a lot of the book making out in the British Museum. Why the British Museum? IDGAF, just sit back and enjoy.

This book is everything we expect from Frampton (to repeat: silly, low-angst, sexy). Recommended for people looking for a light, frothy, fun read.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I thought this story was fine, I liked the characters and how they were able to feel and be themselves with each other which they couldn't really do with their families, the pacing was good, and I did like the writing style. The plot just didn't do anything extra for me or make me feel compelled to keep reading.

Diantha and Lucien are complete opposites - so of course they’re perfect for each other. They must work together to settle a dispute between their feuding fathers, which gives them ample opportunity to see how well they fit together. But can Lucien bring serious Diantha out of her shell? And can she help him see he’s worth more than his father’s low opinion of him?

I loved these two together. The pacing of the book felt odd in times, but you won’t even care because they’re such a fun couple. I loved seeing Diantha become more adventurous and I especially loved how utterly besotted Lucien seemed by her brain. When he admitted he didn’t know terms she used and asked her to explain them? Swoon

I really like the characters, I like the unique feel to them compared to other historical romances. I like that Diantha and Lucien would fit in better to each other’s family personality wise and yet fit together so wonderfully. Both of them have similar struggles to and each time they are together find a new element of themselves to discover.

The comet in the sky sparking life changes in both Diantha and Lucien’s fathers that impacted the way each of them was raised is such a creative touch.

Megan Frampton’s Heirs and Spares series kicks off with The Devil’s Charm, full of family rivalry and unexpected passion. This was an enchanting story of opposites attracting in the most delicious way.

Lord Lucian Blackwood is the ultimate charming rogue—handsome and an easygoing pleasure-seeker. Lady Diantha Courtenay, on the other hand, is the epitome of propriety, always striving to meet society’s expectations and to keep her eccentric family in check. Their undeniable chemistry sparks at the celebration of their friends’ wedding, leading to one unforgettable kiss. But when they find themselves forced to work together, their attraction proves impossible to ignore.

Frampton masterfully blends humor, heart, and sizzling romance, crafting a story that is both emotionally satisfying and utterly entertaining. Lucian and Diantha’s journey from reluctant partners to passionate lovers is fairly low-angst, and it was a perfect evening’s read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Lord Lucian Blackwood is the second son of a Duke, and due to his status as a spare, he has learned to be individualistic and to prioritize pleasure. This sets him apart from Lady Diantha Courtenay, a practical and intelligent daughter to an impulsive Earl. When Lucian and Diantha meet at a wedding, their attraction is instant. Diantha decides to go against her typical behaviors and indulge in one night of pleasure and spontaneity. This, followed by a necessary business partnership, leads to their obsession with each other. Their collaboration and chemistry become increasingly intense, and as their relationship develops, Lucian and Diantha learn to grow and change.

There are so many aspects of this book I adored. The dialogue is sharp and witty. The majority of the book has a jovial, humorous tone similar to Tessa Dare or Julia Quinn’s work. Whenever Lucian and Diantha are alone together, their banter shines as seductive and funny. I also loved Diantha’s character, and I appreciate the way that Frampton balances her intelligence and practicality with equal parts curiosity and desire. The building of intimacy also stands out as exceptional. Lucian and Diantha’s rendezvous are absolutely charming and satisfying.

While almost all of this book worked beautifully, I found the last portion to be a bit overwrought and rushed. There’s a plot complication and a relationship realization that seem a bit tedious, and this occurs right as I looked forward to seeing the fruition of the relationship. It is interesting to see how dramatically the hero and heroine change, but this element could have been revealed more efficiently.

I haven’t read many books by Megan Frampton even though she is an established romance author. This book made me want to revisit her backlist. Her prose and dialogue definitely show her experience and knowledge.

Many thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for this copy. As always, these are my opinions alone. Cheers!

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

When the mysterious man you kissed the night before in a coat closet is the son of your father's nemesis, and now you have to work together to resolve an issue between the two men, what else to do but kiss him a little more? Diantha, the only responsible, put-together, proper one in her family, meets Julian, the black sheep, spontaneous, devil-may-care, second son of his somber and stern family. But with some time working and maybe having a bit of fun together maybe their personalities will rub off on to each other, and perhaps they might be a perfect pair.

Diantha and Julian are actually so cute together I love it. The term opposites attract definitely applies. The story is fun and had my interest through the whole thing, I wanted them to succeed in their business dealings and their romantic relationship. I think both of their character arcs were perfect and showed growth in them as people and as a couple. Can't wait to see who the next book is about!

This was a fun story between two people who both feel like the black sheep of their family, whose families also have been feuding for twenty years. The two families’ perspectives on life changed following the sight of Halley’s Comet, causing the fallout.

The juxtaposition of Lucian and Diantha characters’ wants and relationships’ to their family made for an entertaining setup and storyline. It was lighthearted with Diantha’s family being a bit eccentric and having a love for alliterations.

Lucian and Diantha sit through several product demonstrations to figure out what to do with the shared factory. From the macabre to the useless, they were entertaining and provided ways for the two to connect. Lucian and Diantha shared a lot of page time together, working together and visiting the British Museum and Madame Tussaud’s.

I especially liked how while they were both trying to figure out their feelings and what they wanted, Diantha wasn’t willing to compromise the life she wanted and Lucian was respectful of her dreams.

This was a new to me author and I enjoyed the writing and storytelling.

The Devil’s Charms is the first book in the Heirs and Spares series.

There was one encounter plus another scene with heavy petting.

I received an advance copy from the publisher from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.