3.5 stars*****
I started off not liking this book very much at all -- mostly because I didn't like Thorne, the hero. However, as I read more and got to understand him a little better, I began to like the book more and more. I never did come to understand why he held himself so aloof from everyone. He came from a very loving home and his twin brother was a very caring, open young man, so I am only left to imagine what drove his being so distant from everyone. I can only assume that as the heir, he was treated differently by his parents, servants, friends, etc. and that made him feel different and that more was expected of him. Not sure, but it would have been nice to have at least a few hints about that in his past.

Another thing that bugged me about the book was that there really hadn't been any research done on forms of address. I am reading an advanced copy of the book, so I hope this will be corrected before it is actually released. An example -- Gideon (Thorne's brother) is constantly referred to as MISTER when he is the second son of a marquess and should be referred to as Lord Gideon. Another thing -- why would the families of a marquess and a duke travel into London for the season on a stagecoach? Wouldn't they have their own traveling coaches, their own drivers and travel on their own schedule? Another - another thing - why would no one care that Olivia was running all over the place, opening their townhouse, etc. and not be accompanied by a maid, etc.

I liked Olivia, the heroine, pretty well. She was intelligent and feisty and very caring. She even tried to like the witch who was intent on becoming her step-mother. I liked that Olivia didn't take any guff from the neighbor who had her sights set on marrying Thorne - even though he didn't even like her.

There is a bit of a twist there at the end that I found pretty wild. I'll not spoil things by telling you what it is, but it is hard to believe given the way the ton likes to gossip and mind each others business. I'm sure that they knew of the connection.

I did come to like the book, the hero, the heroine and the story as I got further into it. I know all of my whining at the beginning of this review sounds like I hated it, but I really didn't. It is just that those things really bugged me because if you are going to write for a time period, it should be accurate to that period.

One thing that would have really improved the book is the addition of an epilogue. The story just ends. It would be nice to have a visit with Olivia and Thorne in about a year and see that they actually did get married, are happy and are maybe expecting a child.

"I requested and received this book from the author/publisher at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

This was a very good read by one of my favorite authors. The story line was excellent with lots of thrilling romance. Ms Hawkins has done an exceptional regency characters with thoughts and feelings of their own.
I liked Justin and Gideon who were twins but have different personalities. Justin being the older and an Earl takes things a bit seriously plus he acts proper. Gideon is the more rakish man who loves to play and drink. They both when younger use to switch places to confuse people, but one woman could always tell them apart.
Olivia is sometimes wary of Justin who she can't stand and prefers Gideon who is her confidant still,
She seems like a confident person who tries Justin's patience at times. He can't help but want to see what makes her tick. So he acts like his brother and steels a kiss from her. Olivia trembles with unknown feelings of desire which has never happened before.
Justin and Olivia become closer in dealing with each other. Their love story is full of funny quips and longing which turns the tables on both of them. Who can imagine how opposites attract to a happy ever after.
This one is a winner for me because I love historical romance and look forward for more from this author.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.