In this fairy tale Regency romance by USA Today bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author BREE WOLF, a mousy wallflower with a secret and a dark lord with one of his own come to see that the fun begins when the masks come off.An unusual wallflower.A knight of the road.And a moment that changed all they thought they knew.Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins hides her … orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins hides her beauty behind thick spectacles and drab clothing in order to remain unwed…and free to do as she pleases. While her parents would love nothing more than to see her well married, Caroline is determined to live life on her own terms, refining her disguise to perfection in order to scare off suitors. For years, she’s lived in the shadows of society, unnoticed by the crème de la crème of the ton…
…until Lord Markham, a.k.a. the Black Baron, takes a closer look and realizes that there is more to mousy Miss Hawkins than meets the eye.
Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, detests English society for their selfish disdain and complete disregard for others, and thus, to even the odds, to give back at least a little, Pierce dons a black mask at night and sets out to rob his fellow peers in order to do what is right…
…until one night when he comes upon yet another carriage and finds a highly unusual woman inside. A woman with a secret of her own. A woman he’s met before.
Determined to uncover her secret, Pierce follows her and before he knows it all he thought he knew is called into question as a mousy wallflower upends his world…and steals his heart.
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An enjoyable read! 4 stars
Bree Wolf is a new-to-me author! I enjoyed her 4th story ‘How to Steal a Thief’s Heart’ in her ‘Happy Ever After’ series. Her two main characters, Caroline and Pierce were charming!
Caroline is a special lady in her own way! Even at a young age, she wanted to help neglected children. She met Sarah, one of those orphans, who is now her best friend. Caroline wishes to stay single and keep her independence in order to provide food and shelter to ones in need. So she starts her own orphanage! To stay single, she uses a disguise that will not attract men, until Pierce aka the Black Baron becomes intrigue by her. Pierce is the legal guardian of five year old Daphne, a sweet little girl who lost her parents tragically. Will Pierce find out her Caroline really is under that severe disguise? Will he be able to help her with the orphans?
“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Dradonblade Publishing Group and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel How to Steal a Thief’s Heart (Happy Ever Regency Book 4): Pierce and Caroline by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
A strange courtship of not so chance meetings occurring roughly over a year’s time and a two year old murder mystery which follows the same time frame as Caroline’s cousin Rebecca’s story, How to Climb a Lady’s Tower.
A few surprises are interspersed between the entwined stories of Lady Caroline and her cousin Lady Rebecca’s sneaky schemes to avoid arranged marriages and, Lord Markham,Pierce Byrne’s dual personalities of day time parental Lord and night time masked “Robinhood” as they search for truth,justice, help the unfortunate, and finally find love.
Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins remains virtually unnoticed behind a dowdy image until a chance observation at a ball by Baron Pierce Marham peaks both his interest and protective instincts.
Oh my goodness! Love this book. Wonderful characters, smooth flowing story, one of my absolute favorites from Bree! I love the hint of romance and desire without going to far. I love thats it still ok to recommend to a teen, yet is so well written you still get that zing of intrigue. Will be reading again for sure.
How to Steal a Thief’s Heart is the fourth book in the Happy Ever Regency series, but it was fine reading as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the other books in the series and don’t feel like I missed anything. It had charming characters and was a sweet romance. It was well written and fast-paced.
Caroline Hawkins had a life-changing experience as a child during Market days. She sees a poor, hungry orphan girl and wants to help. Over the years she hires the girl to be her personal maid and starts to disguise herself by wearing glasses and ugly dresses. If she can scare off suitors and stays in the shadows, she can continue to help orphanages.
Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, lost all respect for Society after rescuing a girl whose family was killed by gentlemen. Now he robs Society men during the night and gives the money and goods to the poor. He notices Caroline in the shadows one night at a party and when he encounters her one night, he must uncover her secrets.
This was a sweet romance and a charming story. Even though I haven’t read any other books from the series, my interest in the series has been caught.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
How to Steal a Thief’s Heart by Bree Wolf is book 4 in the Happy Every Regency Series. This is the story of Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham and Caroline Hawkins. I have yet read the previous books, so for me this is a standalone book. Pierce takes the identity of Black Baron to fix the wrongs done by a society he loathes. Caroline too hides her true beauty identity so that she can avoid the marriage mart and put her efforts into the orphanage that is close to her heart. So each have their reason for not showing their true self but when they meet Pierce knows that something more exist with Caroline.
I really enjoyed this book and this author’s writing.
Miss Caroline Hawkins has developed a wall flower persona in order to appeal to the ladies of the ton for donations for her orphanage. If she remains invisible with her dour dresses and oversized spectacles, she doesn’t draw the attention of any gentleman seeking her hand in marriage. She relishes her independence until Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, *sees* beyond her wall flower identity. Pierce has his own secrets, but Caroline intrigues him from the beginning. The more he learns about her, the more he craves her company. Can they both open up about their secrets and let their attraction to each other bloom?
Ms. Wolf has woven a delightful and intriguing story. I really enjoyed both Caroline and Pierce’s characters especially their passion for helping those less fortunate in society. It was interesting to see how they revealed the villain especially when the villain almost turned it around to accuse Pierce of theft. The pages flew by as I was captivated by the story.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
Miss Caroline Hawkins is a real treat, she forgoes her beauty to make herself dull so she can secretly run a children’s home. I loved her character, she was so determined and loved when her wittiness came out with Lord Pierce Markham. At night he masked himself to take from the rich and give to the poor. when he holds up her coach in the middle of the night, he is intrigued. He helps her through many rough spots and slowly earns her trust even though he is still masked. But as he keeps helping her both as the Lord and as the masked they slowly fall in love. I love how it is gradual and feels very natural.
Hiding her beauty Miss Caroline Hawkins hides behind thick spectacles and drab clothing in order run off suiters to avoid marriage and running an orphanage that is until Lord Pierce Markham, aka the Black Baron, takes a closer look at her. A man who’s a peer of the realm and by night the outlaw Black Baron robs the rich and privileged. One night he stops Caroline’s carriage with the intent of robbing her and he immediately realizes there’s more to mousey Caroline than he first thought. He truly see her for the first time, but she doesn’t want to be seen or married, she wants to remain a wallflower. The attraction grows and cannot be denied. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
I devoured this book as soon as it appeared in my Kindle as I had preordered it. It is a tale similar to that of ‘Robin Hood’ which has always been my favorite. I couldn’t help but continuously think of ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ with Kevin Costner as my mouth kept drooling. I also remember seeing the old black and white film with the swoon worthy Errol Flynn. The romance in these pages written by Bree Wolf is to die for! Drool over! Swoon over! Have I made my point? The other side of this story could be likened to a butterfly that has just broken free of its chrysalis. A young woman hiding who she really is behind thick glasses and drab clothing. One who dared enough to break free and become her true self. I cannot recommend this book enough. I know you will truly enjoy it as I did.
ONE OF THE AUTHOR’S BEST
My this had a lot going for it. We get romance that builds slowly, a murder mystery, a robber who has a good heart and very suspenseful.
Another bonus, I love when an author lists the time frame. I dislike when one chapter gives us the year and then several chapter’s later we are given another year. I realize this is very small, but I always need to go back and forth to make sure I know the time span. Here the author stated 7 years in the future or prior. Loved it! Little things like this put a smile on my face – lol.
The h showed her heart on her sleeve when she is 13 and finds a neglected little girl with no-one to look out for her. What she does was so kindhearted and endeared me to her from then on. Also, the reason the H robs, motives were in the right place too. Like Robin Hood.
So many interesting and unique character’s that made this a fast paced story. This is basically a clean story, with only a few passionate kisses. More than a few side stories that held my interest. The h’s cousin, the h’s life work helping children and both of the main character’s have hearts of gold.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and only kisses. I recommend this story and author. (ljb)
All is not as it appears in this wonderful new tale by Bree Wolf, one of my favorite authors!
A wallflower or a beauty in disguise? A Baron or a highwayman? Two people perfect for each other and affected by their past to become what they portray.
Caroline was on a mission. Make herself very unappealing and obtain as many donations as possible to restore and maintain the crumbling orphanages she could find. Her disguise of frumpy unappealing clothing, large glasses and powdered hair kept the men away and the ladies of society generous in their support.
Pierce did not trust many people or feel the majority of the Ton where selfish with no regard to others. His disguise was as a masked man that rode at night and retrieved, I mean held up those selfish people and relieved them of their riches for better use.
What are the odd these two would meet? Oh, better than imagined and what a delightful journey they took! Absolutely loved this delightful story!
Caroline learns early on that there is so much more to the world than the privileged life she is living. As she grows older, with the help of her best friend and ladies maid Sarah, she sets out to become a spinster and continue to help in the least expected places. Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, sees more in his “little mouse” than meets the eye. Then again, he has secrets too. This is the perfect set up for lies, confessions and love.
Miss Carolyn Hawkins has her life all planned out. Stay unmarried, overlooked, and follow her dreams of helping the unwanted children of London. After all her parents were more worried about was her cousin’s marriage desires. Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham has secrets, too. He does not understand the terrible behavior of the men or society. So, he makes them pay forward what they take from the unprivileged. Bree Wolf has given us another wonderful adventure with great characters that you care about. This is a great and enjoyable read in the Happy Ever Regency series created by Bree Wolf.
How to Steal a Thief’s Heart by Bree Wolf is a refreshing approach to an historical romance featuring a hero and heroine who spend much of their time hiding their nefarious deeds from society. Miss Caroline Hawkins and Pierce Byrne, Lord Markham, aka the Black Baron attend many of the same social events. He notices her first, wondering why she wears those thick glasses that she appears not to need. Why does she wear such unattractive clothing and why does her hair look like … that? She sees him looking at her and ventures to inquire why. She doesn’t like it. Than one night she is stopped, about her business, by a robber. He seems familiar. She isn’t sure why. He wants to know why she is abroad in the middle of the night, alone. He seems familiar.
Pierce has taken to robbing rich peers who journey through the city in the night, after being up to no good. He believes most of the peerage is corrupt and whatever he takes from them and repurposes to people in need is justified. She is supporting an orphanage by worming her way in to the affections of rich old ladies. They are both interesting characters. A woman who has done everything to be unattractive to men and vowing never to marry, She is a terrific character, one so modern in many ways that she is beyond endearing. He is a gentleman and a gentle man. They are destined to meet, although every barricade possible in thrown before them. What a very different plot in a very familiar setting. What a couple of genuine characters how fit into society and yet do not. I thoroughly enjoyed this enticing romance. Couldn’t put it down. I recommend it.
I was invited to read an ARC of How to Steal A Thief’s Heart by Dragonblade, through Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #Howtostealathiefsheart
4.5 Stars
Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins hides her beauty behind thick spectacles and drab clothing in order to remain unwed and free to do as she pleases. While her parents would love nothing more than to see her well married, Caroline is determined to live life on her own terms, refining her disguise to perfection in order to scare off suitors. Until Lord Markham, a.k.a. the Black Baron, takes a closer look and realizes that there is more to mousy Miss Hawkins than meets the eye. Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, detests English society for their selfish disdain and complete disregard for others, and thus, to even the odds, to give back at least a little, Pierce dons a black mask at night and sets out to rob his fellow peers in order to do what is right…
This is the fourth book in the series but is easily read as a stand alone. I’m thoroughly enjoying the series & their take on fairytales. I found it to be a well written story, the characters had plenty of depth & they were very likeable. I loved both Pierce & Caroline both hiding behind masks & both with secrets. I was drawn in from the start & captivated until the end & loved the road to their HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
An encounter in her youth sets Miss Caroline Hawkins on a path where she puts the needs of those who cannot help themselves before her own. Hiding behind a facade to avoid the notice of the ton, Caroline almost manages to stay hidden, that is until she meets a kindred spirit who is determined to discover her secrets. The Black Baron has his own agenda, but when he unexpectedly meets up with Caroline on one of his forays, he finds himself becoming even more enamoured by her and sets himself up as her guardian and protector. This is a gentle romance with some suspense as Pierce and Caroline try to discover the perpetrators of the heinous crime committed some years before. Their joint collaboration brings about surprising results, including the realisation that their feelings are reciprocated. This is a thoroughly enjoyable Regency romance, and although part of a series is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Two people with secret identities makes for a very interesting story! I must say, I really enjoyed this story and I loved how you could feel the passion between the hero and heroine right from the start.
Caroline is a beauty but she prefers to hide herself under dull clothes, glasses and unflattering hairstyles. That way, no one notices her and she can do what she wants without fear of being forced to marry and lose her independence.
Pierce dons a black mask at night to rob the undeserving rich and give to the needy. Although not legal in any way, when you read why he’s doing what he is, you really can’t blame him! The night he stops Caroline’s carriage with the intent of robbing, he’s stunned and his life will never be the same again!! He sees her, he truly SEES her, under her disguise and although she keeps fighting him, you can’t help but feel the passion that zings between them.
The secondary characters are also a joy and there are many emotional scenes that saw me reaching for a tissue. Very well written and definitely worth reading.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
How to Steal a Thief’s Heart
Happy Ever Regency Series #4
Bree Wolf
https://www.facebook.com/breewolf.novels/
Release date 06/25/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
Blurb :
What happens when a knight of the road meets a wallflower on a mission?
An unusual wallflower. A knight of the road. And a moment that changed all they thought they knew.
Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins hides her beauty behind thick spectacles and drab clothing in order to remain unwed…and free to do as she pleases. While her parents would love nothing more than to see her well married, Caroline is determined to live life on her own terms, refining her disguise to perfection in order to scare off suitors. For years, she’s lived in the shadows of society, unnoticed by the crème de la crème of the ton…
…until Lord Markham, a.k.a. the Black Baron, takes a closer look and realizes that there is more to mousy Miss Hawkins than meets the eye.
Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, detests English society for their selfish disdain and complete disregard for others, and thus, to even the odds, to give back at least a little, Pierce dons a black mask at night and sets out to rob his fellow peers in order to do what is right…
…until one night when he comes upon yet another carriage and finds a highly unusual woman inside. A woman with a secret of her own. A woman he’s met before.
Determined to uncover her secret, Pierce follows her and before he knows it all he thought he knew is called into question as a mousy wallflower upends his world…and steals his heart.
My review :
Will she see past his mask and let it go for him …
Mrs Bree Wolf is an author I come to like more and more, her stories are always full of drama, angst, sadness and twists and turns. And while this one follow a fairytale pattern, it is not exempt of a that makes her success.
While I have only read the first in this series, I like how the classics of my youth are revisited. Here it was like a mix between Donkey Skin and Robin Hood tales with Caroline hiding her true appearance to avoid the marriage mart and Pierce praying on the richest with a team of misfits or outcasts recruited from the scum of the city, all turned down by those thinking they are their betters and who left them to fend for themselves because of some supposed sins or wrong behavior.
Caroline found her calling as a young miss, and because of it, she changed everything in herself, from her appearance to her attitude.
Hiding behind a fabricated likeness to not be found out for the mascarading she does, when by blending with the furniture, it gives her power to assist those who need her.
Pierce has always been quite lonely if not for the few friends he has gleaned along the years, so when he lost a friend and his wife in a terrific attack, he is left scathed and determined. From there his life purpose moved. Now he hunts down those responsible why he wears a mask to hide his nocturnal activities and lets the rumor does the rest.
As both act under a disguise, it is logical they both spot one another. Even if Pierce is the first to suspect Caroline to be more than the drab outfit and ugly glasses she wears. His perseverance to unmask her unsettle Caroline, as she stands against two supposed different men, the peer and the robber. Yet, their protectiveness is something that affects Caroline.
Mrs Wolf once more presents us with a moving and entertaining read with few idle time.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing.
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Miss Caroline Hawkins hides herself from everyone with a little change to her appearance. She has things she wants to achieve, and she can only do them if she stays unmarried and unnoticed. Luckily for her, her beautiful cousin is the focus of her parent’s marriage ambitions.
Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham has more than a few secrets of his own. He hates the behavior of some of society, especially the men who do despicable things just because they can get away with them. So he makes as many as possible pay for it.
This is definitely a fun read. Both our hero and heroine are determined to help those who can’t help themselves and that causes them to get into difficult situations.
There are giggles, tears, danger and highly emotional moments. So much to enjoy and keep the pages flying past.
This story is set in the same timeline as the previous book in the series which is the beautiful cousin’s story. It made me smile to think I knew something this heroine didn’t about the other girl’s secrets. But if you are going to read the series ( highly recommended) you should read them in order or this one could spoil the ending of the other.
I loved every page.
Pure Entertainment!
Caroline and Pierce are two people who mask their identities for very different reasons and they meet and slowly fall in love.
Gosh, how I love this series, Each of the stories I’ve read in it becomes my next favorite. Funny how that happens, but it just shows that each is an improvement on the previous ones.
Loved the story, loved all of its characters and I am so happy to have read this book.
I read an Advance Reader’s Copy (ARC) and this is my voluntary and unbiased review of it.