‘Tis the season…for revenge.Eleven years ago during Christmas, Martin Banks’ family was thrown into the streets by wealthy landlord, Edwin Hartwell. Now this holiday season, Fate has handed Martin an unexpected gift. Vengeance. Defeating Hartwell at cards gives Martin the chance to financially ruin the man—but damn, instead of money, Hartwell offers his daughter as payment. And double damn, … his daughter as payment. And double damn, Martin stupidly accepts. How did retribution turn into seduction? Martin refuses to let himself fall in love, so there must be rules to this game.
And perhaps a bit of romance.
Desperate to save her father from ruin, Livvy Hartwell agrees to accompany Martin as his paramour. She long ago accepted that a penniless bluestocking like herself had no chance for a well-suited marriage. If a few passionate months with a man like Martin is all she’ll ever have as far as romance, it’s an opportunity she will take. But she must guard her heart. He might be handsome as the devil and tempting as sin, but she can’t be a typical mistress and doesn’t want Martin to call her such. In fact, she has a list of rules.
Livvy’s Rules:
~ Adventures outdoors such as horseback riding would be appreciated.
~ Evening meals should be eaten together to converse about the day’s events.
~ Allotted time alone to read gothic novels.
~ Kissing should be kept at a minimum.
Martin’s Rules:
~ Adventures are required—particularly indoors—and will be greatly appreciated.
~ Evening meals will sometimes be eaten in the bedroom, naked.
~ Allotted time together to act out the sensual gothic novels.
~ Kissing—a lot of it and in some very pleasurable spots — is required.
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When I saw this new release by Lauren Smith, I did realized it was a sequel of The Duelist’s Seduction I read not so long ago.
Martin in this first book was not very attractive, a cad playing for his living and losing.
Now, years later, he has improved his personality and his wealth but when faced with his past, he is back to be the seventeen young boy who saw his life goes in shambles.
Livvy, despite her youth, is no weak woman, she stands for her father and accepts to see her dreams go to hell with her decision to save her family by selling herself to her father’s debtor.
It is a sweet romance of two persons drawn together but kept apart by the circonstances of their encounter.
This novella is how they will get to find a way to sort out the mess they are in.
A cute short story, 4.5 stars rate.
Read this in an anthology. The storyline may not be for the faint of heart as it highlights the vulnerability of women at the time.
The Gentleman’s Seduction by Lauren Smith
Be still my heart. Martin Banks was a man on a mission. When he was seventeen, he and his family had been thrown out of their house due to not being able to pay a debt owed to Edwin Hartwell. It literally killed his mother and they had to somehow survive.
Fast forward sixteen years and Martin has worked hard and become a wealthy man.
Livvy Hartwell is the young beautiful daughter of Edwin and in a desperate move she ends up with Martin as “his mistress” to pay a debt her father now owed Martin.
Such a wonderful story as only Lauren Smith can tell. The characters came alive and I felt for them both. Martin was such a wounded soul who needed healing and Livvy was full of life and such a good person.
I loved when she thought “I have to stop reading Gothic novels. Her fantasies were starting to affect her rational mind”
Can these two find love together? How does the blue rose play into their story? A must read to find out all the answers and sigh as you turn to the end.
This was part of the Rogues to Lovers Collection!
This in my opinion is one of the best books in this series.
I adored Livvy and Martin’s story. Their characters are well drawn and the story is just the ticket for a delightful holiday romance.
When Livvy’s life seems to be in danger Martin comes to her father’s (his sworn enemy) aid to save her.
Is this what it takes to make Martin realize that he doesn’t just lust after her but maybe , just maybe loves her instead.
This wonderful and well written holiday romance will warm your heart on these cold winter nights.
I gave this book 4.9 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a high sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames. This is a sweetly sexy title with intimate moments.
I received a complimentary copy of this title to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Christmas time definitely brings the magic in this one. Their meeting and the whole arrangement is very shocking but makes the story perfect. There is an instant spark between them and it’s just a matter of time before they lose control. I could picture his face when she told him what she would do at the fair and l love it. They are a very passionate couple and you may need a fan for some scenes. I was not expecting what happened near the end and her father will shock you in many ways. The ending is one of my favorites too with the surprise of it.
Livvy is a bold woman that will do anything for her family. I loved her right away because she didn’t hesitate and made it clear what she expected in the arrangement. She saw the real him and understood him more than others.
Martin tries to come off as cruel and cold, but his heart wins every time. He is definitely tempting as sin with how he teases and can turn any moment into seduction. I loved him when he made it clear that he was going to make her happy.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
Martin Bank’s will always remember the Christmas when his Mother died and wealthy landlord, Edwin Hartwell through his family into the streets eleven years ago. Revenge is at hand when Martin spots Edwin Hartley. Edwin now owes him and he’s about to get his revenge when his daughter, Livvy Hartwell agrees to become Martin’s as his paramour to save her family home. He’s been on the hunt for a new mistress and who better than his enemy’s daughter. Livvy knows she must guard her heart against the tempting devil and the passionate they share. But things are never as easy as it seems, revenge is never as sweet as we think it’ll be and how does one not lose their heart and soul to the enemy. This my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.
Eleven years ago during Christmas, the Banks family was thrown into the streets by Edwin Hartwell. Now this holiday season, Fate has handed Martin an unexpected gift. Vengeance. Defeating Hartwell at cards gives Martin the chance to financially ruin the man. Desperate to save her father from ruin, Livvy Hartwell agrees to accompany Martin as his paramour. She long ago accepted that a penniless bluestocking like herself had no chance for a well-suited marriage. If a few passionate months with a man like Martin is all she’ll ever have as far as romance, it’s an opportunity she will take.
Whilst part of a series this book could be read on its own but as I love the author’s books I’d recommend reading the whole series.
We first met Martin when he was in financial difficulties & his twin Helen rescued him, now several years later he is extremely rich. The pace of the book is very good & flows effortlessly & I read it in two sittings. The characters are very well fleshed. I really liked both Martin & Livvy, he tries to act the mean vengeful villain but his true character is shown by the way he treats Livvy. Livvy is a strong young woman who whilst is very attractive to Martin she won’t fall at his feet. I particularly loved how the relationship between Martin & Livvy developed. The road to their HEA wasn’t smooth but it was highly entertaining
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is an excellently told tale of romance, and revenge gone awry. I loved both the hero and the heroine. The poor hero started out trying to be a villain by ruining the man who had ruined his family eleven years ago. It didn’t take him long to come to understand that revenge wasn’t quite as sweet as he thought it would be.
Martin Banks is now a very, very, very rich man, but that wasn’t always the case. Eleven years ago, near Christmas, an evil man visited ruin and death upon his family. Martin would like nothing better than to find that man and bring that same loss and ruination to him. Finally, for the first time in eleven years, Martin has come across the villain. He certainly doesn’t resemble that formidable, evil man that brought the evil to young Martin’s home. So much the better for Martin because desperate men wager recklessly. It doesn’t take long for Martin to win everything the man owns. Ah! Revenge! Martin informs the man that he’ll call on him the next day to collect his winnings.
Lavinia (Livvy) Hartwell is in the midst of her first season, but she hasn’t seen any prospective husbands that appeal to her. Maybe she doesn’t attract suitors because her clothes are threadbare and several seasons out of style. Livvy also has a vice – yep – she reads gothic novels. As a matter of fact, she’s closeted in her room reading Lady Leticia and the Dark Duke, when she hears her father shouting, “Elizabeth! He’s here!” Livvy rushed from her room and ended up eavesdropping at the door of the drawing room. What she hears is astounding. They are to be turned out of their home tomorrow. Goodness – she just has to intervene – surely the man has some decency – so she burst into the room.
Martin hadn’t realized that Hartwell had a daughter. Ah! That sweet revenge again. He’d take Hartwell’s daughter from him since Hartwell had taken Martin’s mother from him. So, he tells Hartwell that he’ll take Livvy to be his mistress and that will cancel Hartwell’s debt. Hartwell declines, but eventually, to save her home, Livvy agrees.
It seems that Martin is a bit impulsive. He has absolutely no idea what he is now going to do with Livvy. He certainly hadn’t thought through all of the ramifications of he had done. He certainly isn’t going to force himself on her. We soon find that Martin isn’t half the villain he is trying to be and he is out of his depths in this situation.
It is lovely to see Livvy and Martin spend time together and to get the know each other – and yes – to love each other even though Martin adamantly denies it. He cannot – he absolutely refuses – to fall in love with the daughter of the man who caused his family’s ruin and ultimately cost him both of his parents. Believe me – Martin is one hard-headed fellow and it takes a near-tragedy to open his eyes to what he could have.
I definitely recommend this book.
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