“From the first page, Stacy Reid will captivate you! Smart, sensual, and stunning, you will not want to miss Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night!” – USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell Georgiana Rutherford, the widowed Duchess of Hardcastle, longs for a passionate affair. And when the enigmatic and ruthless Mr. Rhys Tremayne, better known to most as the Broker, crosses her path, the … the Broker, crosses her path, the attraction between them is undeniable. But she cannot possibly truly feel this way for this man.
Rhys Tremayne has built his wealth and empire on secrets dealt on the black market of the London underworld. He is determined to remove his sisters from the depraved world they’ve known their entire lives. And the duchess appears to be the perfect sponsor for his sisters’ introduction into respectable society.
Except the more he gets to know the beautiful and kind Georgiana, the harder Rhys falls, even though the most they could have is love in secret.
Each book in the Rebellious Desires series is STANDALONE:
* Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night
* The Earl in My Bed
more
After finishing the book and mulling it over, I upped my rating to a 4.5, rounded up.
I really enjoyed this book, Georgiana and Rhys are both extremely likable characters.
Georgiana is the widowed Duchess of Hardcastle, she is admired by the ton, a patron of the arts, a loving and devoted mother to her young son and she is restless. She is being pressured by her family to remarry, but what she longs for is passion. When a nursemaid in her employ disappears without a trace and all her efforts to find the woman fail, Georgiana is introduced to Rhys Tremayne, “The Broker”. Georgiana is immediately attracted to Rhys, but an affair with him would mean social ruin for not only her, but her family and her young son.
Rhys is a self made man, he has clawed his way up from the gutters and collects secrets which he uses to barter for favors – he is sort of the regency era “Godfather”. He has used his talent to build a fortune and owns several profitable businesses. He has the wealth and the power to topple governments, but he doesn’t have what he wants the most – the ability to introduce his sisters to the ton. When he meets Georgiana for the first time, he is stunned by his reaction to her, he wants her more than anything he has ever wanted in his life, but she is so far out of his social realm that he knows that there could never be anything between them. He helps her find her missing nursemaid and asks for nothing in return.
Weeks later Georgiana is in need of Rhys’ help again, but this time he does ask for a favor. He asks Georgiana to sponsor his sister and she readily agrees. They finally give into the barely contained attraction between them and begin a scorching HOT love affair. They are extremely discreet, but when there is a caricature in the papers implying Georgiana and Rhys are involved, she backs away from him – but she can’t seem to let him go.
When Rhys confronts her and learns a secret about her, he asks her to marry him, shocking both of them. Georgiana turns him down, afraid of what society will do to both of them and their families and they end their affair.
Weeks pass and Georgiana decides that she is willing to face the censure of the ton, if it means she can be with Rhys – but it appears that Rhys has moved on. Can these two have a HEA? You will have to read the book to find out.
I thought this was one of the best books I have read by this author, it is well written, flows perfectly, has super HOT love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, believable obstacles keeping our lovers apart and finally a sigh worthy ending. Ms. Reid has come a long way in her accuracy of titles and formal address, but there were still a few mistakes in the book and I didn’t 100% buy that the ton would so willingly accept his sister – so that is why I knocked off 1/2 a star. But I would happily recommend this book to anyone who likes a HOT historical romance.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*
The most interesting book I’ve read in awhile. Not boring one minute . Characters very good and hard to put down. Was surprised as just thought it was going to,be another of the same old stories . First time I’ve read from that author.
Very entertaining!
Pretty good book and yes I would recommend reading this book. If you want to read something steaming.
Quick romantic novella that I read in a couple of hours.
Publisher’s Description:
Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, seemingly has it all—wealth, pedigree, and the admiration of the ton, except her heart hungers for a passionate affair. She meets the enigmatic and ruthless Mr. Rhys Tremayne, a man known to low and high society as the Broker. The attraction between them is impossible to deny, but she cannot be feeling it for this man.
Rhys Tremayne has built his wealth and empire by dealing secrets on the black market of the London underworld. He is determined to take his sisters away from the depraved world they’ve known their entire lives, and the duchess is the perfect woman to help sponsor his sisters into society. The only problem is that he wants more from Georgiana, even if the social divide between them ensures she can only ever be his lover in secret.
My Thoughts:
We have another winner from an author who has quickly become one of my favorites.
Oh what a tangled web…. Georgiana is a young, widowed Duchess who has a young son, the current Duke. When his nursemaid disappears she looks for help from the authorities but finds none there. Her brother engages the help of Rhys Tremayne, known for his ability to come up with answers when no one else can. Rhys quickly solves the issue of the missing nursemaid not realizing that it will lead to something more sinister in the long run.
This tangle of mystery leads to an affair between Georgiana and Rhys, but will it become more?
I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting.
I gave it 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a high sensual rating of 4.5 of 5.0 flames.
The intimacy between hero and heroine is scorching.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Duchess by Day, Mistress by Night by Stacy Reid
Rebellious Desires #1
Rebellious indeed – I would be, too, if I were Georgiana Elizabeth Rutherford, Dower Duchess of Hardcastle! I mean, being groomed from childhood to be married to a person with position and pedigree to further family prestige whether or not love is involved and then knowing so early who your ancient husband will be and studying hard to be a good duchess could not have been easy. That said – Georgiana was impeccable in person with purpose aplenty. Widowed young with a son who will one day be Duke she is focused on her duty as mother and more BUT she is missing something…and…that something just may be a lover – or so say her family and friends.
When a woman working in Georgiana’s employ goes missing she is advised to bring in The Broker, Rhys Tremayne, to find the woman. Little does she realize that meeting this man will change her life forever. Rhys deals in secrets, brokers deals, barters one secret for another and does most of this to help elevate his mother and three sisters from a past that none of them deserved. His service to Georgiana might provide a toehold toward his goals for his family’s elevation in status, or perhaps not, whatever happens in the future his life will be changed forever, too.
I really liked Rhys and his love of family. He is an honorable man with tentacles throughout all levels of society. He is a mongrel and considered common but he is also oh so caring, he is able to mingle with the ton or hold his own with louts, he is a man women eye, he is a man that men admire and also sometimes fear. He is a man well worth knowing and Georgiana ends up knowing him very well indeed.
When another situation arises that requires The Broker’s assistance Georgiana finds herself feeling indebted but also afire with desires she decides to quench and thus ensues a torrid time for the two of them. Yes, she has to deal with the matter of station and he does, too, but ultimately can they overcome the levels in society they are positioned in to become more than just passing souls enjoying an affair for a time…or not…
This is my first book by this author and I am intrigued. I am eager to find out who will star next in this series. Will it by Rhys’s sister Lydia? Will it be Rhys’s friend Riordan O’Malley? Will it be Simon – the brother of Georgiana? Just who will it be? I am eager to find out – that is for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4.5 Stars
What does a woman who has it all need? A passionate man who can warm her heart. Such is Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, who is held in high esteem by the ton and is lacking nothing monetarily. In walks Rhys Tremayne (don’t you just love that name?), a most handsome man who does not have a pedigree, but has worked hard to build his wealth and station. Determined to take care of his sisters and have them become accepted in society, he finds Georgiana to be the perfect solution to his dilemma. She could sponsor them and help them make a good match with her connections. The explosion of feelings between the two cannot be denied, but she resists as hard as she can. The author brings the characters to life with vivid descriptions and great dialogue. The story is intriguing and emotional at times but very exciting making me turn the pages to see what will happen next. This is a wonderful journey from beginning to end and you will be glad to took the time to read. I know I will be reading every book by this author!
4.5stars
Georgiana Rutherford, the Duchess of Hardcastle, is rich and has the admiration of the ton, but she’s lonely & her heart hungers for a passionate affair. She meets the enigmatic and ruthless Mr. Rhys Tremayne, known to low and high society as the Broker. Their attraction sizzles. Rhys Tremayne has built his wealth and empire by dealing secrets on the black market of the London underworld. He is determined that his sisters prosper, and the duchess is the perfect woman to help sponsor his sisters into society.
A well written page turning novel exactly what I’ve come to expect from the author who’s fast becoming one of my must read authors. The characters are well developed & well portrayed Georgiana was brought up to be a duchess from when she was thirteen, hers was an arranged marriage to a much older man, she’s also been led to believe that duty & not creating a sandal were all important. Rhys is a self made man who resolved to care for his family from an early age & found finding out secrets was more productive than just earning money. Their affair begins in secret but neither thought that their feelings would become so involved. The plot is well paced & kept me turning the pages, there are some twists & turns along the way & the road to their HEA isn’t smooth. I hope Rhys’ sisters, Simon all have their stories
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
3.5 stars rounded up.
Georgiana Rutherford, Duchess of Hardcastle, is at the center of the ton’s admiration. She’s wealthy, well-bred, and a sought-after trendsetter, but she secretly is very lonely and wants to feel true passion. When she meets the enigma that is Rhys Tremayne, a man society has dubbed the Broker, her attraction to him is immediate but she knows it is also wholly inappropriate.
Though he’s actually the grandson of a viscount, Rhys Tremayne has built up his vast wealth on his own by trading secrets. Now he controls an empire of business interests and has some of London’s most powerful men in his debt. He wants to give his three sisters the life they want and deserve among the ton and the duchess would be the perfect aide to introduce them to society. Unfortunately, Rhys quickly realizes he wants far more from Georgiana than a brief and mutually beneficial affair, though the disparity in their social standings means their relationship can never be public.
I really enjoyed the steam and chemistry between Rhys and Georgiana and found it to be very well done, but a couple of things did throw me off. Firstly, I listened to this on audio and though I liked the narrator’s voice, there were really no pauses between scenes, so I often found myself confused when scenes changed without me realizing it. This aside, my real issue was with Georgiana. I liked that she wanted to stand up for herself and do something she wanted for a change rather than what others told her to do, but she didn’t really stand by that very well. For quite a while there she was entirely too cowed by her brother and her mother and her refusal to acknowledge Rhys just highlighted her snobbishness and made me feel like she didn’t deserve him. He did everything to make himself worthy of her and I would’ve liked to see her choose him more readily before he worked at making a place for him in society. I loved Rhys and found him to be such a charming hero, especially in his tendency to take care of Georgiana and her son and in his willingness to readily and openly admit his feelings for her. I think he deserved more of the same from Georgiana and it took her entirely too long to realize how she might be hurting him with her snobbery. I enjoyed this story overall, but she was definitely a downside for me.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspot.com/2021/09/duchess-by-day-mistress-by-night-by.html
5+ Stars
Love this authors work! Romantic, tender and steamy! Georgiana and Rhys’s story is captivating and beautiful! I’ve started this series backwards, reading book 2 first and now book 1. Omg, love, love the characters in this series, and I totally hope there’s many more to come. Please, Stacy Reid, give us more from both Rhys and Georgiana’s families, with of course, revisits from book 1 & 2!
A man without a any standing and a woman with nothing but her position…they were never meant to be but their lives cross. Although the male character is little hard to believe, story is sweet and steamy and happy ending definitely helps.
I loved this story!
A wonderful beginning to a new series by Stacy Reid whose stories always delight me!
Beautifully written with wit, some ‘lovingly romantic scenes’ and two delightful main characters who simply burn for each other.
How I wished that their story would continue……
Great great great book. Read it in hours! The read it again 🙂
I liked this book so well (and I read a lot of historical romance) I intend to purchase more books written by this author
Love can change ones prospective.