Be careful what you wish for…When Lord Hawkridge inherits a penniless marquessate, he must abandon his courtship of the lowborn girl he loves. Years later, she rises from commoner to textiles heiress. Hawk has never banished her from his heart. Here’s their chance to share his home! But how can he convince a woman whose trust he destroyed that he desires her far more than her money?Faith … far more than her money?
Faith Digby’s chaotic world is too full to bother with men. She controls half a boarding school, one life-endangering secret, and two recently gentrified parents. There’s no time for the old flame roaring back into her life. Not when admitting she still loves him would imperil everything and everyone she holds dear…
In the Rogues to Riches historical romance series by USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Erica Ridley, Cinderella stories aren’t just for princesses… Sigh-worthy Regency rogues sweep strong-willed young ladies into whirlwind romance with rollicking adventure.
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Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
Rogues to Riches #4
This second chance romance sees Lord Hawkridge and Miss Faith Digby meeting up ten years after a very difficult breakup. Both had thought they would spend the rest of their lives together married and happy only to have Hawkridge cry off when he found out the arrears his inherited estate was in. He was young and only thinking of what he needed to do and how he could not provide for even himself let alone a wife and she was angry and perhaps did not make the wisest decision at the time.
Ten years later Faith has loving parents, good friends, wealth, a ward to care for and professional focus that gave her strength when she met Hawkridge again. He, on the other hand, really did not have much in the ensuing years but debt, his title, a newfound half-brother and the hope of one day being able to do more than pay bills. Their meeting is not easy and neither are most of their further encounters. The two have remained in love with one another over the years but their road to an eventual HEA is complex and at times difficult.
I liked this story because it was believable. I loved Faith’s parents. I enjoyed the fact that the H/h story did not have them falling into one another’s arms immediately but instead had them waiting, talking and really looking at the part each had in making the past turn out the way it did as they worked toward a potential future together.
I enjoyed this story and am now very interested in reading Lord of Secrets when it comes out. I sort of wonder if Gideon will have a story of his own, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
I received an ARC of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the book. The Marquis had the title but was left with a mountain of debt he had been trying to climb out of for 10 years. He has integrity but little else. She’s tried to put him our of her mind for 10 years but even though she felt abandoned and worthless to him, her heart still longed for him. These characters are well developed and complicated They have a lot to overcome and a lot to prove to each other. The plot has plenty of excitement and turmoil to keep you enthralled in the story. A wonderful book.
Even though this story took a while to arrive, it was well worth the wait!
It can be read as a stand alone and is the fourth in this series.
Written with interesting, strong characters, each one of them helps to keep the story alive and fast paced.
There are definite tie-ins to the previous book and we learn more about the brother, his family and the school and how these all affect the main characters of this story.
There are interesting and touching moments when both of the main characters realise they still love and can forgive each other for what happened in the past.
I particularly loved the young Chris who played her part beautifully. She is a young lady who knows her own mind and is not shy to show what she is thinking. She also knows just how to win over even the most hardened of hearts.
A lovely, romantic story and I am so happy to be able to recommend it and hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
I voluntarily read and have reviewed an advance copy of this ebook.
In the previous book, Lord of Night, the principle characters were Dahlia Grenville and Simon Spaulding, but also introduced were Dahlia best friend and partner,Faith and Simon’s half brother Hawk (Zachery Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge). Simon and Hawk have been trying to forge a relationship, which their parents had prevented. While Simon is the oldest, he is a bastard, but received his father’s love, while all Hawk got was the title, entailed properties and tremendous debt. Both have sworn that they would never be like their father.
Ten years ago, Faith and Hawk were in love and planned to marry, despite the fact that Faith’s parents were “in trade”. They gave each other their virginity, but the next day, when Hawk promised to talk to her father, he was forced to send a letter, that his mother and guardian had forbid the marriage and the marquessate was in such debt that he could not afford to support her. However, if their actions had resulted in a child, he wanted to be informed and they would marry, as he had sworn that no child of his would ever be a bastard. Not understanding that he still loved her, but was throwing her away, Faith angrily burnt the letter and when she found out that she was with child, never told him.
Ten years later, neither has ever married, becasue they still love the other, but assume that the other had. Hawk is finally close to paying off the debts, by selling shares of a port that he is building on one of his properties. When Simon invites Hawk to dinner and Faith is there, he realizes that he still loves her and needs to apologize and make things right. If these two can finally forgive and be honest, will they be able to have the family that they once dreamed about?
Erica Ridley is one of my favorite Regency authors. She weaves her wonderful characters, intriguing plots and well researched and lovingly described setting into a rich tapestry of a story. This book flows smoothly from the previous one. I read an ARC from the author.
Rogues to Riches Volume 2
Young love struggles in the face of adult responsibilities
Years ago, the future was bright for Hawk and Faith, and their love was sure and strong. But the forces surrounding Hawk’s title and estate proved to be insurmountable and he was forced to leave Faith behind, though his heart refused to move on.
Faith had her own reasons for never moving on, but her love took on the disguise of hate in order for her to survive. Seeing him ten years later, begging for forgiveness but offering nothing in return, leaves her more angry and confused than ever.
As Hawk works to find redemption in Faith’s eyes, their lives collide in ways neither of them saw coming. This story was so full of heartache, so many unsolvable problems that there just didn’t seem to be any possible solution that their hearts could accept. I was instantly and totally captivated by these characters, knowing that they’ll eventually find their HEA but also knowing it was going to be a difficult road indeed.
We’ve gotten to know both characters and a bit of their history from the previous books in this series, so I was already invested in the story before the first page. It was everything I was hoping it would be, and then some. Issues of class, wealth, family, heritage, and one’s responsibilities no matter what life one is born to all combine to make this a truly unforgettable read. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Disappointingly dreary
This is a Regency romance that is both a second chance love story and a secret baby story. I often enjoy those two tropes, but this one was not entertaining for me. I struggled to finish it. In my opinion, it is a dreary, overly angsty story.
Compared to other books by Erica Ridley, this one was a lot less fun. The hero and heroine’s thoughts were very repetitive. The hero, Lord Hawkridge, dwelled on his financial problems and his guilt for jilting Miss Faith Digby ten years ago. Faith’s thoughts constantly centered on her secret child and on her need to keep everyone falsely thinking that the child is her niece. The book’s theme of the importance of family was nice, but most of the audiobook was rather depressing and frustrating.
Also, I thought that the relationship developed too slowly and there were not enough love scenes. Instead of this “Lord of Temptation”, I recommend “Lord of Vice” that is later in the same series. I found that book to be very charming and entertaining.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the publisher via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Love every one of her books! Great characters and story lines
For me, this one wasn’t up to par with the other books in this series, even though the writing itself and dialogue were equally great & witty.
There were just some things that ruined this book for me and I couldn’t get past them.
I really disliked the heroine in this story…which is kind of a must if you want to enjoy a romance story. And even though Faith grew on me by the end of the book, I was still so disappointed that Christina is forever doomed to be her parent’s niece, and a bastard to boot.
Couldn’t they have legally adopted her at least? Or couldn’t we have had an epilogue farther down the line where Christina knows Hawk and Faith are her true parents and has found peace with her situation?
Hawk is an imperfect hero, but he did the best he could in a difficult situation and he was as honest with Faith as he could. Granted, he only wrote her and didn’t explain his dire straits and family obligations in person, but at least he wrote and was honest. He also asked if she was pregnant and would have done the honorable thing if she was (a bit late, but still…).
Faith cloaks herself in righteous anger and doesn’t give Hawk the same honesty, even in a letter. She denies him the chance to make amends, to marry her and ensure their unborn baby won’t be illegitimate. She puts herself first. Okay, once she does, she makes difficult decisions to make sure the world doesn’t know that Christina is a bastard, in order to finally protect her daughter and I do respect that.
I also hate that Faith puts everything on Hawk, whereas she was also involved and made the choice herself to sleep with him without the benefits and security of marriage. He didn’t force her.
When the truth is finally out, Hawk shows her great understanding (after his initial shock has waned), but I don’t feel as if Faith shows him the same consideration.
I hope to love the next couple better. On to the next book in this otherwise lovely series!
Excellent read by Erica Ridley! This story really packs a wallop in the romance department.
Love her books
I am enjoying this series. The characters are well written and the plot was interesting.
A very good story line
Part of an excellent series. Enjoyed them all.
I simply loved this story & just couldn’t get enough until I finished & now can’t wait to start Book 5!
Our hero, Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge was in love with our heroine, Faith Digby & they shared a special night of intimacy with a pledge to speak to Faith’s father the following day to offer marriage. The following day Hawk knew he could not support a wife after inheriting a debt ridden marquessate. Obviously, Faith was left with a broken heart after receiving a letter from Hawkridge breaking things off with her. Fast forward 10 years & Faith is an heiress & Hawk is still trying to pay off debts that his father & uncle left against the Marquess’ estate to keep the title in tact. Then Hawk & Faith meet again & she must avoid him to keep her secret of what the results were of that one night, even though all her past feelings arise again & she knows she still loves him. All Hawk can think of is how he still loves her & how to convince her they belong together & how sorry he is about the way they parted. He has never forgotten what they had & always regretted not going through with the marriage even thought is would had been against his Mother & Guardian’s wishes. This was a great second chance at love book & I highly recommend this book & the series to all historical romance readers.
A love story that proves true love does (sometimes) conquer all. Very enjoyable read.
They loved each other when they were very young, but Hawkridge walked away from Faith (a commoner) because he had no money and believed that she deserved better. Ten years later Hawkridge is still trying to get rid of the family debt while Faith’s family has become well-off. Hawkridge still loves her after all this time. When the meet again it is awkward and stilted and Faith wants nothing more to do with him. At the very least Hawkridge wants to explain what happened all those years ago and apologize to her, make it up to her. There are things; however, that he does not know about. Something hidden that could keep them apart forever.
I absolutely loved this book. It is full of emotion and drama along with a very well written and complex plot, and characters that you will love. The characters are very well developed and complex and also very interesting. This is a second chance love story that will pull at your heartstrings. I got so emotionally involved in the story that at one point I became very emotional and started to cry. It was absolutely wonderful! You really need to read this story to find out if these two people get their HEA. You will not regret it. I will be reading more from this author in the future.
Lord of Temptation is book #4 in Erica Ridley’s Rouges to Riches Series.
This book is similarly structured as the other Rouges to Riches books in this series. The storyline consists of a once in a life time romance that is destined never to be, until against all odds they find their happily ever after. If you loved the first Lord books, you’ll love Lord of Temptation too.
I was gifted a copy of this book. Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge has inherited an impoverished marquisate and because of that must walk away from the only girl he has ever loved. Ten years later, he collides with Miss Faith Digby at a dinner. He has never stopped loving Faith. But Faith is filled with hurt and a bitter secret. Can Hawk and Faith ever renew their love or will anger and hurt win out in the end?
Absolutely loved this book by Ms. Ridley. Ridley develops a story line and characters with layer upon layer of complexity. Like peeling an onion, the reader is lead down a path that is never predictable but very pleasing.
“The years had been both cruel and kind. His jaw was stronger, his muscles more defined, his shoulders wider…But the jacket that contained them was faded from repeated use and worn at the seams…. His cheekbones and jaw were impeccably free from whiskers, leaving nothing to distract the eye from that full, sensual mouth Faith remembered so well. His hair was the same dark brown and perfectly coiffed, his eyes the same long lashed hazel, brilliant and captivating. But she would not let herself be captivated. Not again. Not by one such as him.”
I highly recommend this book – actually all of the books in this series. Even though they can be read as stand alones…the stories are richer when read in a series.