From the New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt comes the first book in her beloved Maiden Lane series. A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . . Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London’s most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she’s spent a lifetime caring … her hand-she’s spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .
A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST . . .
Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance’s help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London’s high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.
A BARGAIN NEITHER COULD REFUSEmore
This was absolutely fantastic historical novel. I am so used to Victorian time period that this was a complete surprise for me. The year of 1737! How cool is that! Just the mention of tricorn hats and male hair in queues made me sigh, white powdered wigs on the other hand sounded funny and a bit uncomfortable. But those were not the main attractions. I loved that the lines between society groups blurred. I loved the unconventional ways and strength of Temperance Dews, I enjoyed reading about the anti hero Lazarus Lord of Caire. Both MCs were so complicated, conflicted and maybe even flawed, but at the same time there was such goodness in them – Temperance showed it openly while Caire’s was more covert and subtle way. I loved their dialogue. It was refreshing, witty and at times so wickedly delicious. And the physical expression of their feelings was so raw and passionate. I enjoyed this pairing a lot.
There was also a set up for another story. Temperance’s sister Silence was given her own POV. I do not know why the author decided to include her, but she and her inner thoughts didn’t detract from the main story. The entire Makepeace family were a fascinating bunch. Their names alone are quite something else. I also liked that most of everything was happening in St. Giles, the poorest part of London, with so much dreariness, filth and overall sadness. It showed the other side of the coin so to speak. Yes, there were a couple of glittering events and they were in such a stark contrast with the everyday lives of the foundling home and its inhabitants. I loved this dichotomy, rich versus poor, honesty versus lies, sin versus passion – all of it made it such engrossing and intense story.
The whole search for the killer of Caire’s mistress by Caire himself was odd at first, but the more the author revealed about him, the more I wondered what he was about. Many things were thinly veiled, more questions were answered but still almost till the end Caire retained a certain air of mystery and unattainability that only Temperance with her sure and quiet yet fiery ways could get past. I loved everything about this book. I am all ready to dive into the next one! Wonderful and thoroughly intriguing story with compelling characters and clever banter.
Odd
I kept feeling like I was missing something in this book. It is clear the main characters were troubled, but the reasoning behind their thoughts and actions was vague, especially Lord Caire’s. His search for a killer was noble, but the motivation behind it not as profound as I expected. His character had strengths, but the weaknesses made him unlikable. He was brooding, disrespectful, and rude. Also, his sensual lifestyle was at odds with one of his weaknesses. (I won’t give it away, but it didn’t make sense to me).
Temperance’s past was scandalous, but not especially appalling. Instead of masking pain through self-indulgence like Caire, her choice was self-castigation cloaked in good deeds. Somehow, these two help each other heal, and at the climax of the story, all the happily ever after puzzle pieces suddenly snap in place. It was a happy ending, but too abrupt compared to all the anguish that was going on.
Great book! Loved Lazarus and Temperance’s story, and the world that Elizabeth Hoyt has created with Maiden Lane. I continue to read the series, and suggest you do too.
Quite good, until the end. The novel was remarkable and unique til the resolution then it became trite. Not all ailments are cured with love. And not all villains are mad. But that is the hymn all romances sell and we secretly lap up with a hallelujah. Life is an untidy thing filled with parts that don’t make sense, and allowing that to show up in a story is a wondrous thing. The Ripper aspects were discordant. The villain another sour note in a book that sings truth. The people are flawed and that’s fine, but even though they are imperfect they are still good people. It takes a deft hand to right real people that are on the whole good.
4.25 Stars!
I’ve finally read my first Elizabeth Hoyt/Maiden Lane book and I am so in! The writing is sublime. I might not have loved every detail about the story line, but I was sucked in with the authentic dialogue, settings, and characterizations. I could go on forever about the writing and the author’s wonderful prose. I’m excited to finally get to the often recommended stories in this series.
It was odd; she’d always thought she’d love someone who saw only the best in her when all along it was a man who saw everything-the good and the bad-who she loved.
It has been a hot minute since I read a historical romance because I haven’t been in the mood for glittery balls and lavish dinner parties. But then I woke up the other morning with this craving for one, and since Elizabeth Hoyt has been on my mind lately because I just got a huge lot of her books on eBay, I decided to pick up Wicked Intentions. Elizabeth Hoyt is a name I see a lot from historical romance book junkies on bookstagram. She’s very well loved and I was excited to give her a try, and God’s blood I’m so glad I did! This combined my love of historical romance and dark romance in such a unique way. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book based in St. Giles or such a poor, dangerous part of the neighborhood. Sure we might visit there in other books, but never have I read a book where our main character lives there. Plus there’s a serial killer afoot, so the murder mystery added a whole other level. It all adds a dark undertone and it was absolutely delicious to read. I feel a Maiden Lane binge read coming on.
Now let’s talk about my man Lazarus. He has a rather tragic backstory, so I can see why he is the way he is. He is exactly my type. He is slightly broody, an asshole, blunt, and sexually adventurous! Like I seriously can’t ask for more. If you love steamy historical romances, do yourself a favor and read Wicked Intentions. I found that Lazarus and Temperance had incredible chemistry and the tension between these two at times was insane. I listened to the audiobook, and I read 90% in one day. I couldn’t get enough. The only thing that kind of fell flat was the murderer reveal. It was kind of obvious so that was meh but I still highly enjoyed myself.
For those that kept telling me to start this series, I’m so sorry it took me so long but I get it now. You were right. I loved this book, and I can’t wait to read book two.
Overall rating: 5 stars (4.5 but rounding up)
Steaminess: 4 stars
This is the first book in the Maiden Lane series, and each book just gets better. I think that I have read them all at least once, and wish there were more to come. If you enjoy being lost in another time and place with folks you would like to know, you will love these books,
This is a Regency romance done so differently, it renewed my love for the genre as a whole! Hoyt creates original characters that engage the reader from page one, and the action-packed plot keeps you guessing til the end.
A great book by Elizabeth Hoyt Will be reading all the Maiden Lane books!