For a heartbroken woman and a daring thief, the most tempting proposal comes after marriage in the unforgettable final Lost Lords of London novel by USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.
Long ago, Dare Grey disappeared from privilege to help the downtrodden. Abandoning his future as a nobleman, he instead came of age as the most skilled—and wanted—thief in East London. But when the … East London. But when the Robin Hood of the Rookeries is captured, his influential grandfather offers him a choice: face his heritage…or the gallows. And to step into his rightful role as marquess, Dare must find a wife.
Little do they know, he already has.
Marrying Dare rescued young Temperance Swift from a brutal life. Yet his commitments were elsewhere, and Temperance would not continue in the charade of a relationship that surely would end with her husband in Newgate Prison. It broke her heart to leave the righteous bandit, but she established a new life for herself as a seamstress. One who respected and obeyed the law and kept herself safe—if lonely.
But Dare finds her and offers to resume their role as husband and wife, and this time it will yield a fortune. A fortune that could be used to help the disadvantaged, without resorting to ever-more-daring thefts…
Once they’re ensconced in the comfortable family fold of Mayfair, the romance they thought ended years ago stirs again. But when every kiss is shadowed by the mistakes of the past, and a haunting secret Temperance bears, will love be enough to save them from such an uncertain fate?
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Heartbreaking yet beautiful romance
Wow! That opening scene was HARD to read, yet in hindsight it did an excellent job of setting up Dare’s character, his priorities, and his selflessness. Still, whew, was I ever glad to see things change for the better!
The author doesn’t let us like Darius very much at first, not until we oh-so-gradually get all his backstory and understand why he’s so closed off and haunted by his past. Temperance, on the other hand, is an exquisitely honest wide-open book, a woman of strength and compassion who is perhaps the only one who sees Dare for who he really is deep inside.
This story works as a second-chance romance, as Dare has to admit he’s already married and gain Temperance’s cooperation in order to pursue the opportunity he simply can’t pass up. I was impressed with the complexity of the storyline and plot, the many layers developed for each character, and the attention to detail that left no thread unaddressed.
I absolutely loved every second I was lost in this fascinating tale. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
It took me a while to get into this story but I did enjoy it. Dare and Temperance have quite a number of things to work through. Dare has to come to terms to his position as marquess and his past. Temperance had a hard upbringing and she does love Dare but she doesn’t agree with what he has done. Temperance also has a secret that she hasn’t told Dare. Dare is determined to help others in need, luckily for him, Temperance is there to show him the bigger picture. There are some heartfelt moments and there is also a mystery as to who betrayed Dare. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the final book in the fabulous Christi Caldwells Lost Lords of London series. This has been a more gritty dark series this last one more so. The subjects written about are real and at time hard to read, but it’s important that these topics are highlighted and talked about. Dare, our hero is the best thief in all of London, he does not steal for personal gain but to help the less fortunate. Temperance, our heroine has lived a difficult life, Dare saved her years ago but left to take on another job five years ago which left her exposed. Now Dare is being thrust back into polite society a world he never thought to return but his life is saved by his family now he has a choice to make. Seeing no other way out he persuades Temperance to join him. Old hurts and secrets are exposed causing them to question what they should do in the future. Ultimately their love for each other wins out and they get their HEA. For those who don’t take romance novels seriously should read these amazing books. Life is hard especially this year so it’s good to escape into books written by a fabulous author. I can’t recommend this book enough. It can be read as a stand alone, though once you read this you will want to read the others.
I really enjoyed this dark side of London – yes, it was depressing in parts, but it was life on the streets in the rough part of London & life isn’t all sunshine & lollipops! Dare, (Lord Darius Grey) disappeared from his life of privilege when he was ten & grew to be a man in the East End of London. Temperance Swift grew up with a vicious father who beat her & she escaped him when Dare offered her protection – not a real marriage but it kept her safe. She left him as he would never quit stealing from the rich to give to the poor & she needed to make a life for herself, but she has never quit loving Dare, even after being gone five years. The Duke & Duchess finally find their grandson, Dare, & bribed him back into society to see his sister settled in marriage – a sister he has never met. Now he also needs a wife & he finds Temperance & offers her money to help succeed in the Duke’s stipulations to him giving Dare a lot of money. Temperance agrees to help & the road to their HEA is filled with a long list of emotions – anger, concern, happiness, love, passion, sympathy, sadness but I smiled when I read the last page.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Lord Darius (Dare) Grey disappeared from a privilege life he was lured into the East End and then never returned to society. He had a stern and unloving father, who told him he was a failure, he should not go into the East End to feed the poor or stricken. He’s on his way to the gallows when his grandfather the Duke rescues him, but with stipulations of his own. Marrying Dare rescued young Temperance Swift from a brutal life, a life where her father beat her on a regular basis. Temperance wanted more out of life, but she couldn’t except Dare didn’t want to change his way of life. Dare’s grandfather wants him to marry and have an heir, he has a wife now to just convince her to play along for the benefit of his grandfather and twenty thousand pounds. I loved this witty exchange between Dare and Temperance, she the voice of reason, and the one woman he’s always loved. Once they’re in residence in Mayfair the sparks fly and the passion is rekindled, but will their new found love survive Dare’s dangerous games in the East End. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.
I wanted to know what others thought of this story after I finished it so I read several reviews and a lot thought the story was too dark. I have to tell you that I have read a lot of Christi’s stories and have loved all that I read but her books set in the Mac Diggory world are dark and sometimes there seems to be no resolution that would create a happily ever after. These dark reads are my favorites of Christi’s. They are dark but you get to see the other side of Regency England. The same could be said of this story. There seems to be no way that Dare and Temperance would see eye to eye and could not make their love work. I loved both of these characters. They were strong and fought for what they believe to be right, even though it sometimes veered off the path. I thought the ending was amazing (no giving anything away).
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley
4 1/2 STARS****
A complex series of events and emotions follow the grandson of a Duke. Dare Grey’s sense of adventure as a child alienates him from his father’s approval and affection. Once he can’t return home, he grows up in London’s rookeries. To steal from the rich and support the poor is what he lives for, until he’s standing on the gallows of Newgate. Rescue by his grandfather is on the table if he agrees to two terms. One will force him to confront the past he’s ignored for five years, the woman he really loves. With a lot of twists and turns, this book goes deep with emotional and physical pain that may be triggers. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
4.5 Stars
Long ago, Dare Grey disappeared & was thought to have died. Abandoning his future as a nobleman, he instead came of age as the most skilled—and wanted—thief in East London. But when the Robin Hood of the Rookeries is captured, his influential grandfather offers him a choice: face his heritage…or the gallows. And to step into his rightful role as marquis, Dare must find a wife.
Little do they know, he already has. Marrying Dare rescued young Temperance Swift from a brutal life. Yet his commitments were elsewhere, and Temperance would not continue in the charade of a relationship that surely would end with her husband in Newgate Prison. It broke her heart to leave the righteous bandit, but she established a new life for herself as a seamstress. But Dare finds her and offers to resume their role as husband and wife.
This is the third book In this darker gritty series. Another very well written, engrossing read, I was drawn in from the first page when Dare is being taken to the scaffold & I was captivated until the end. The characters are complex & have depth, I loved both Dare & Temperance, he wants a better life for those in the rookeries, she’s the voice of reason. The journey to their HEA wasn’t easy & was strewn with obstacles but it did make for an engrossing read. I would have loved an epilogue that told us Dare became the successful Marquis he was destined to be
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This book had a slow start which I think is because of the continual rehashing of their pasts. That foundation of course was necessary but felt like it was gone on longer than I liked.
This was an emotional story with different griefs expressed. But Dare kind of made me think of him as an urban Robin Hood. He felt the hurts of others, while feeling unworthy being himself. As the story continues we begin to see the exact reason that is such a huge part of him.
Temperance was a good main character as well. Her name could have easily been Honor. Because even though she grew up under horrific conditions , she still holds high standards.
This story does come to a good conclusion but I am sorry to say that it just didn’t grab me as much as I would have liked. But I am giving it 3.5 Stars on Amazon when it opens to reviews because it was a fairly deeply written story. It’s not the author’s fault that it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I’m sure others probably won’t feel the same.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Undressed with the Marquess
Lost Lords of London Book 3
Christi Caldwell
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristiCaldwell/
Release date 11/17/2020
Publisher Montlake
For a heartbroken woman and a daring thief, the most tempting proposal comes after marriage in the unforgettable final Lost Lords of London novel by USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell.
Long ago, Dare Grey disappeared from privilege to help the downtrodden. Abandoning his future as a nobleman, he instead came of age as the most skilled—and wanted—thief in East London. But when the Robin Hood of the Rookeries is captured, his influential grandfather offers him a choice: face his heritage…or the gallows. And to step into his rightful role as marquess, Dare must find a wife.
Little do they know, he already has.
Marrying Dare rescued young Temperance Swift from a brutal life. Yet his commitments were elsewhere, and Temperance would not continue in the charade of a relationship that surely would end with her husband in Newgate Prison. It broke her heart to leave the righteous bandit, but she established a new life for herself as a seamstress. One who respected and obeyed the law and kept herself safe—if lonely.
But Dare finds her and offers to resume their role as husband and wife, and this time it will yield a fortune. A fortune that could be used to help the disadvantaged, without resorting to ever-more-daring thefts…
Once they’re ensconced in the comfortable family fold of Mayfair, the romance they thought ended years ago stirs again. But when every kiss is shadowed by the mistakes of the past, and a haunting secret Temperance bears, will love be enough to save them from such an uncertain fate?
Will his negative view of life impede his future with the woman who could redeem his soul …
I have to say I quite dreaded this read because of reviews from people I follow and I was not really in the mood for a dark depressing read, why I pushed it forward, but I have to fulfill the promise I made.
Sure it is no stroll in a park but it is not the hardship I expected, the author’s style makes the story flows smoothly.
It is just the heroes are not easy to care for as they do not want to be loved. They believe they do not deserve it.
I can’t say I was found of the main characters when they were introduced.
Dare, while his reasons for rejecting his title are kept in the dark, is not easy to appreciate, so judgmental about the people he has decided to loath. And while I thought I understood what he wanted to do, why being a marquess would impede it.
Temperance is presented firstly as more stupidly stubborn than clever, so determined to prove she is smarter about something as trivial as the right color of a gown (let the woman appear as a walking pinkish nightmare if it is what she wants) when she works to put a roof on her head and food in her belly. Why jeopardize everything for such frivolities as it might endanger her living.
It is certain they are no prince nor princess charming, so very damaged by the rough existence they have lived.
So flawed and broken they leave nobody in. And I struggled to feel for them. She hold ont he tragedy of her past for too long, when he is blind to everything around so set on his way, he does not see that if he destroys his legacy, he will throw people in the streets when from his place in the society’s ladder, he has the means to fight for his oldest battle and new ones.
I disliked how he painted everything in black and white, the poor as the good and the rich, the bad. And while the child he was might have believed it, two decades later, he should have acknowledged there are more shades of grey than only black and white and from any side of the fence.
Why, it is sure they gave me a hard time, I did not read their story in one sitting. Otherwise, I would have thrown objets to their heads. I needed pauses to quiet my temper.
Yet once the past was shared, I reconciled with them, both were led on wrong paths, mostly Dare, so determined to reject his past and origins.
The author did not choose quiet personalities for her new heroes, these were so very destructive, especially Dare. Each sets on its own path, why my heart sided with Temperance because despite her flaws and the unsaid, she never strayed from her ideals when Dare lied to himself to justify his deeds.
4.5 stars
On a last note, I feel this book needed an epilogue as until the very last words, nothing was assured for Dare and Temperance.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Montlake, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/747721212483719/?d=n
I was a little leery going in knowing this one was going to be slightly dark, but it was extremely well handled. Temperance and Dare have a history together that they had to work hard to get through before we can have our HEA. You just want to hug Temperance just to help her through her struggles and smack Dare! I hope we get more on Dare’s sister in the future to get more of her story! Thank you for the advanced copy, it was a joy to read, even as I cried through parts of it!
Growing up in the east end of London the two had met and became friends, and then… more than friends. Two unselfish soles who would go to any length to help those they cared about, while not realizing, or maybe refusing to admit, their own burning needs buried deep inside. Dare Grey, a man consumed with nurturing and giving to others, while feeling he himself unworthy of such love and attention. A man reliving endearing childhood memories long forgotten in the recesses of his mind. And Temperance Swift, a young woman constantly striving to bury heart wrenching haunts of a past life where every day was a struggle to survive. But as their world closed in and forces around them threatened, their lives took different paths.
When Dare’s family returns him to the life in Mayfair long ago lost to him, he strikes a deal with his grandfather. When Temperance’s help is necessary to meet the demands of the agreement, she joins him in London. Each with the idea that once the agreement has been met, they will part ways once again. But as their union strengthens and hidden feelings resurface, the bond grows stronger and they find themselves secretly wanting more.
She had always saw the good in him even as he doubted himself… could her love be enough? He had always encouraged her to want more for herself, that she deserved more. Would he believe in the faith she had in him that he could travel a better path where he could dream of a future filled with love and family, and would he reveal the desire that she too might be a part of his plan?
Whether light and funny or dark and sad, one thing the reader can count on with a Christi Caldwell novel is a captivating and emotional journey with amazing characters and a strong storyline. And without a doubt the reader will also be guaranteed as they turn that last page a feeling of satisfaction, triumph over trials, and the hope of love and new beginnings.
I received an arc of this book for my honest opinion. I’ve also pre-ordered a copy because… well I just can’t resist a new release from Christi Caldwell. I totally encourage the purchase of this well written, impassioned and beautiful story. It’s definitely one I will read many times over.
As little more than a child, Dare Grey left his privileged life for what seemed a grand adventure to help the oppressed of East London. Rather than coming into his noble title as Marquess of Milford, he became a king of thieves. But upon his inevitable capture, this Robin Hood of East London is left with few options and must agree to a rather distasteful contract: his grandfather, a powerful duke, will free Dare from the noose, but only if he accepts his birthright as marquess, finds a wife, and sees his sister safely married off.
Unbeknownst to his family, Dare already has a wife. Temperance Swift married Dare for protection from her violent drunkard of a father. But Dare would not abandon his thievery in his determination to provide for others and Temperance refused to stand by while her husband would up imprisoned or executed. Breaking her own heart, she fled London, finding a place for herself as a seamstress, a safe and respectable, if lonely, existence.
When Dare offers her a fortune if she resumes her role as his wife, Temperance knows she can’t refuse, for her brother’s sake and to keep Dare from thieving. Once they’re back under the same roof, the connection between Dare and Temperance reignites as if no time has passed, but their every interaction is tainted by painful past mistakes, and a devastating secret Temperance has kept to herself. As before, their love may not be enough to keep them together.
As a rule, I enjoy reading about couples who are already married. It’s often endearing to see that reconnection and improved communication. That’s not what happened here and this one just didn’t quite work for me. The subject matter is quite dark in several aspects so at first I thought perhaps it was just the wrong time for me to be reading it, but the more I read, the more I realized this had several other issues that were throwing me off. I think my main problem boils down to this heroine. Yes, she had an incredibly sad and tragic history, but she kept Dare in the dark for far too long about things he had every right to know. Yes, there were times in which Dare failed to be what she needed, but she also wasn’t willing to delve into his issues and try to figure out why that might be. She was utterly perplexed as to why Dare didn’t believe himself worthy of love and had such a generally low sense of self-worth and all the while she was almost constantly berating him for his shortcomings and enumerating all the things he’d done wrong. Perhaps much of their issues could’ve been avoided if she’d been more open with him about her feelings as well. Instead, it was like these two just went around in circles and never got anywhere. I felt like I read the same dialogues and inner monologues from both MCs over and over again and it just became tedious and overly dramatic. There was also an issue of lack of believability in one of the key plot points: there’s no way a marquess would’ve been arrested and held in Newgate for bribery. This just would’ve have happened with that rank and I also felt like this scene just felt gratuitous and didn’t truly do anything to advance or improve the plot. That’s a less important point, but it was the addition of insult to injury for me on this one.
I desperately wanted to like Dare and Temperance as a couple, but she just pushed him away repeatedly, so much so that their relationship seemed much the same in the end as it had in the beginning. Dare underwent significant character development and Temperance somehow really didn’t, despite all the emotional upheaval she experienced. I also felt like I needed more from the ending, not necessarily an epilogue, but just more, especially wit regards to Dare’s grandmother and the stability of his and Temperance’s future together. Temperance came off as a bit fickle to me so their HEA needed a bit more shoring up to be wholly satisfactory for me. Overall, I got tired of Temperance harping on all reasons they couldn’t be together, even after Dare got his act straight and came into his own in the role he was always meant to occupy (which was also a very long time coming.) this is one of my favorite authors, but I don’t expect to like every single book. This one fell flat for me, but I still look forward to what’s next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The opening scene has Dare walking to the gallows to be hanged for theft. He’s been there several times before – all for theft – and he’s managed to escape. But it doesn’t look like it will happen this time. The scene describes the previous hangings that day – ones that Dare had to witness – one person’s head comes off and another dangles and twitches forever. The bag is put over Dare’s head, the noose is put over his head and they are moving him forward over the trap door – when …
Temperance Swift was born in the rookeries to a mean, abusive drunk and a Vicar’s daughter (we didn’t learn how that matchup happened). Her mother took in washing and her father ran street gangs. Temperance, her mother, and her brother all suffered horrible beatings from her father. Yet, temperance always took care of others – especially her brother. She does have a loving and giving heart. She marries Dare Grey because he will protect her from her abusive father – and – well – she loved him. She wanted desperately for him to change his ways, but she still loved him.
Darius Greyson (Dare Grey), Marquess of Milford, has to meet one of two requirements from his grandparents in order to receive the twenty-thousand pounds they have for him. He NEEDS that money in order to help more people in the rookeries, so he agrees. He has to either marry off his sister or marry and produce an heir. Little do they know he’s already married – and they all learn that in a really dramatic way.
Old enemies emerge to cause trouble for Dare and Temperance gives him some devastating news before they finally get around to the ending. That ending – well – it was just there – all of a sudden – and it left me unfinished. I’m not sure I felt the HEA – thus the need for an epilogue.
Please realize it is with great sadness and dismay that I tell you this book just didn’t work for me. If you read it, I sincerely hope it works for you. The book, as always, is well written – it is just that the story didn’t work for me. It is one of the darkest, most depressing books I’ve ever read – without a single ray of sunshine. I didn’t find a single character that I really liked – except for a couple of the supporting characters. The main characters, especially the heroine, were so busy wallowing in self-pity that they couldn’t move on with their life. I totally understand Temperance’s loss, I just think 5 years is enough time to come to grips with it. Not accept it – not like it – but to at least have dealt with it so she can live her life. I also thought the plotline itself was implausible – so many things just didn’t make sense to me. I guess the bottom line is, it just didn’t make me feel good when I finished reading it. I also believe this is one book that simply cried for an epilogue set a couple of years into the future so maybe we find out they managed to have their own child after all – or – we find them surrounded with several foster children – something to put a little sunshine into the book.
There were so many things in the premise of this book that just didn’t make sense to me. For one thing, there was no way society was going to accept these two – especially Temperance – back into society even if his grandfather is a duke. Then, there is the arrest of him for trying to bribe a prison guard – after he was the Marquess – just wouldn’t have happened. A peer might have been arrested for murder, but not much else. And the ledger he had – with all of the names of folks he helped in the Rookeries – how did he still have that after being locked up in Newgate then going to be hung?
Anyway – I’m truly sorry this book didn’t work for me – and I truly hope it works for you should you choose to read it. I love this author and always love her books – I just couldn’t love this one. I do look forward to reading more books by her though.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.