When shy and secluded author Sara Fielding ventures from her country cottage to research a novel, she inadvertently witnesses a crime in progress—and manages to save the life of the most dangerous man in London.
Derek Craven is a powerful and near-legendary gambling club owner who was born a bastard and raised in the streets. His reputation is unsavory, his scruples nonexistent. But Sara senses … Sara senses that beneath Derek’s cynical exterior, he is capable of a love more passionate than her deepest fantasies.
Aware that he is the last man that an innocent young woman should ever want, Derek is determined to protect Sara from himself, no matter what it takes. But in a world where secrets lurk behind every shadow, he is the only man who can keep her safe. And as Derek and Sara surrender to an attraction too powerful to deny, a peril surfaces from his dark past to threaten their happiness . . . and perhaps even their lives.
Together they will discover if love is enough to make dreams come true.
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Possibly my favorite romance of all time. No kidding. Sara and Derek are a dream and Lisa’s prose is unforgettable.
My favorite historical romance hero of all time. Seriously. Derek Craven above all others.
I’m on a Lisa Kleypas kick. I’m also late to the party on this book, and I’m sad I didn’t read it earlier. Derek Craven might be the perfect romance hero of all time.
Miss Sara Fielding is in London to do research for her new book about gambling. She has been exploring the seedier sides of London to learn the vernacular and understand why people gamble. What she doesn’t expect is to have to save a man who is being beaten, and for him to be none other than the renowned owner of the gambling club Craven’s. In …
Really delightful opposites-attract romance between a spinster novelist and a notorious gambling club owner in Regency London (the novelist infiltrates the club to do research for her next book!). Also there’s a masquerade ball, which is one of my very favorite tropes. Loved this one!
This was a most enjoyable read. I really liked Derek Craven and Sara Fielding – both strong, smart and independent characters. I love historical novels where people born to nothing make someone of themselves in time where blue blood means everything. Derek’s story is tragic but how he makes it in life is extraordinary. He is not without faults but …
This is my all time favorite read from Lisa Kleypas! An unusual hero for historical romance, a sharply intelligent heroine, and a sweeping romance that resonates long after the book is done…I reread this book at least once a year.
One of my favorite romances ever!! Derek Craven will be one of my fav heroes ever!
I have read at least a half dozen novels that have the same type of plot: independent “spinster” meets man from poverty who raised himself above. Every one of them has a different twist. This one is one of the better ones. Keep them up, Ms Kleypas! Not only are you original, but you are steamy and, above all, you can make me laugh till tear stream …
I usually love Kleypas historical fiction, but this book left me a bit disappointed.
Two fantastic lead characters! I see why Derek Craven is so loved by readers.
I have always loved Derek and Sara’s story. He was such a jaded man and it was so wonderful to see how he fell for her (fighting his feelings all the way). OMG – the scene in which he thought he lost her, pulled at your heart strings. I was so happy to see that these two had their HEA.
Lisa Kleypas books are always excellent, I have read most of hers.
Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors! I love all of her books. And I’ve read them all. You can’t go wrong with any of her books.
A true historical romance classic, with one of the all-time great love interests – Derek Craven. An intense rags-to-riches hero who falls for the shy writer Sara when she comes to research a novel about gambling hells. She saves his life in the opening scene, and the relationship evolves from there. A great book from a great author.
My first Kleypas and my favorite.
“He was tarnished, scarred, imperfect.”
I am obsessed with Derek Craven.
“Separately they had different strengths. Together they were complete.”
I have never read a Lisa Kleypas book and shame on me for waiting so long. I do know that lots of my friends love her stories and as I do like historicals, I decided to jump on the back wagon.
Derek Craven and his tortured soul……the “I don’t deserve love because of my background” and his reputation as a rogue is known far and wide around …
Derek Craven was the first non-aristocratic hero Ms Kleypas has ever written. He was abandoned at birth, grew up on the street, and rose up from the gutter to become the owner of the famous gambling club and one of the wealthiest men in England! No doubt the power he had over the ton, women were falling for him, while men were wary of him. Never …
Because a re-read of a favorite romance cult classic is never a bad idea #derekcravenforever