“Hoyt pens a very engaging read.”
~ Under the Covers

As the twelfth book in the Maiden Lane series, a lot has happened even before the DUKE OF DESIRE begins. I do believe it’s necessary to read the other books in the series. Not only will you get a better understanding of who the villains, the Lords of Chaos, are by doing so, but you’ll also get the first half of the hero and heroine’s meeting in the other books.

I was very much looking forward to this book. The Maiden Lane series is one of those series that continues to get better with each book. The unique thing that sets this series apart from other Historical Romance is that it has a touch of darkness running throughout. There’s more action, scandal, and masked men who hold mysterious pasts. It’s a very intriguing world that continues to evolve with each book.

The heroine of this book, Iris Jordan, has already been through so much by the start of the book. She has been kidnapped and her captors are going to sacrifice her for their weird cult-like society. Another masked man is there to save her though, but she doesn’t trust him that easily.

While I really enjoyed Raphael through this whole book, I was going back and forth between liking and being annoyed by Iris. I think she has a lot of courage for a woman and I definitely sympathized with her. However, I did feel like she could have been more understanding and grateful to Raphael for what he’d done for her. After all, he saved her from being gang raped and murdered. Yet she still has this bit of attitude to her, which I wasn’t a fan of. I think the author intended her to be hardy and headstrong, but it can sometimes come across as ungrateful when she bickers with Raphael.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the rushed marriage either but that’s simply because I don’t like that particular trope in general. I can understand why it was necessary in this case though. It just wasn’t my favorite.

A lot of things happen in this book. Some scenes are more rushed than others. In those scenes, I would have loved to see things slow down so we can really get to know the character. Other than that though, I enjoyed this book. Hoyt pens a very engaging read.

READING ORDER & BUY LINKS

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About Elizabeth Hoyt

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of over seventeen lush historical romances including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing "mesmerizing." She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.

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Annie

Blogger/Reviewer at Under the Covers Book Blog

I’m an obsessive makeup junkie and a compulsive reader. I like to call Under the Covers Book Blog my stomping ground, but when I’m not talking about books with my girls, I write New Adult Dystopian and Contemporary Romance under the pen name Ana Jolene (http://www.anajolene.com). I also work as a virtual assistant for authors. You also can find me as a reviewer and columnist for FreshFiction.com.

When it comes to books I’m pretty adventurous. I read everything from Paranormal Romance to Urban Fantasy, New Adult, BDSM, LGBT fiction, Cozy Mysteries and even YA. If it’s got the littlest trace of romance in it, then I’ll probably read it. That being said, my all-time favorite authors are J.R. Ward and Karen Marie Moning.

When I’m not submerged in a good book, you can find me musing about makeup and planners or dreaming about Kpop boys and beaches. Until then, check out my reviews and let’s talk books!

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