Love, Hate and Pure Sizzle

What a great read!

Filled with lots of witty moments, an outspoken FMC and an arrogant Duke whose world revolved around drink and the spiciest of life until he met the one woman who didn’t fall at his feet.

I loved the connection they unwittingly had, their witty arguments had me laughing and I was totally engrossed and entertained by the whole storyline.

The mystery added extra interest and I really cannot wait for the next in the series. Although they had a wonderful HEA with lots of spice in their relationship, the ending leaves you wanting more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Dragonblade publishing and NetGalley for this ARC

I was so excited to receive this ARC from Dragonblade and NetGalley. Thank you for this chance to give an honest review.

I think this is my favorite book of Kathleen Ayers to date. I loved the characters and the story drew me in from the first sentences of the prologue. A duke's carriage is attacked by thugs. The duke is killed, the duchess escapes, and survives long enough to give birth to triplets before dying following their birth. One will be the future Duke, the fate of the other two is uncertain at the end of the prologue. Lady Sophia Simmons is a blue-stocking and has no interest in society. She is the overlooked, outspoken, second daughter. Her sister Mara is the beautiful perfect sister.
While at the Perswick ball, Sophia notices the Duke of Roxboro, a libertine who never attends balls. They make eye contact and “ruins” her in the garden. Or did he? When confronted with his indiscretion, he denies it vehemently, but is forced to marry her to save her reputation.

This is an enemies-to-lovers story. I loved getting to know all of the MCs. Alexander and Sophia have much more depth than one would think at first. There is plenty of plot twists and uncertainty, as well as scenes where I laughed out loud.

Great start to this new series and I look forward to the future books in the London Vices series.

Absolutely COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!
I received early access through netgalley.

I am a HUGE KA fan. (This is no secret.) I continue to be shocked that her works are not talked about more in the social media world because of her ability to build plot and angst… Fantastic! And I never feel like she drags you through unnecessary scenes.

This really was a great enemies-to-lovers work. Sophia is compromised in a garden. Her father is very influential, but our MMC doesn’t remember a thing about it. Of course, he will have to marry her! The enemies were definitely enemies. It was done so well that at one point, I wondered how this would end. He was a real Ahole, but we love those types, right? The supporting characters were well writte,n too.

Definitely want to see more from Violet!

Another unputdownable book for this great author!!!
I really had to finish it in no time, staying up late, because the plot and the characters were so captivating!
There’s a thing that in my opinion must be clearly stated: the book has an HEA for the characters, but the “mystery” underlying it all is not resolved at the end and it will probably continue in the following books!
So, the characters: wonderful and unusual, perfectly fleshed out! I so love a beautiful man paired with a nondescript woman, because it gives hope to us all! Jokes aside, it was really a treat seeing the gorgeous duke fall for his forced bride and trying to change his life for her sake, but also for himself. And I loved Sophia’s bluntness and “bad” character and the way she sailed unapologetically through life!
Ayers is one of my favorite authors and this book really strengthened my opinion about her talent!

Kathleen Ayers just does not miss! This book hit all my favorites - a jaded libertine, an impetuous bluestocking, a forced marriage, and a metric tonne of intrigue just begging to be unraveled!!!

I’m eagerly anticipating the rest of this series, especially given the backgrounds revealed in the prologue.

Glorious! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. This is not your average historical romance-this is a lively, funny and unexpected take on two people who insult each other into a HEA. A revolting rogue is forced into marriage with a stubborn outspoken miss and the sparks fly. There are some truly horrible family members, deception, mystery, and a storyline that I can’t wait to see where it goes next. This is not a cliffhanger, but it is an entrance into a series with a winding path that I can’t wait to follow.


This is my first time reviewing through NetGalley, so I don't know if you welcome editing notations. Err on the side of caution, a couple of items to consider before release:
Chap. 6, Loc. 1052-“Perhaps, Alexander mused as he observed his surroundings, was that Canterbell’s drawing room was empty.” (this confused me-what is he musing?)
Chap. 9, Loc. 1604-“Sophia struggled __ keep from making a face.” (“to” would work)
Chap. 15, Loc. 2246-“Sophia marched across the room, determined __ confront her husband.” (“to” would work)
Chap. 15, Loc. 2250-“…the butler bowed, averting his eyes as if he hadn’t seen far worse at Roxboro’s butler.” (“as” would work)
Chap. 16, Loc. 2274-“She stumbled out of the room whipping the lace and ribbons behind her, carefully to hold up the edges lest she trip.” (“careful” would work)
Chap. 16, Loc. 2276-“The Duke and Duchess of Roxboro,” she snorted. “Both taken far too young by drunken mishaps.” She snorted.” (seems like too many of these phrases so close together)
Chap. 18, Loc. 2434-“Papa had a large country estate, a place Sophia had spent a glorious childhood __ before being forced to spend more time in London.” (“at” would work)
Chap. 23, Loc. 3094-“That knowledge that she possessed the power to harm such a magnificent being had a tremble go through her.” (“The” would work)
Chap. 28, Loc. 3563-“He stopped tugging at her clothing, his hand running up the side of her hip and long one breast until she sighed.” (“along” would work)