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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We think of the Regency as being all about Mr. Darcy going for a swim, but in fact, it was also a time when civil rights were suspended, deadly force was used by the government against the general populace, wishing the Regent ill over a pint could result in arrest, and poverty was horrendously widespread.
Undressed with the Marquess delivers Christi Caldwell’s signature heart-warming romance, but also acknowledges that it was the worst of time as well as the best of times. Our hero is a Robin Hood figure forced to resume his genteel, titled life, while his wife must adapt to dwelling among the wealthy and idle. Both characters are struggling with substantial unresolved family issues, and until they find the courage to face the past, they can’t have a future.
I liked the substance of this tale, liked watching the protagonists grow from coping to hoping to healing as a couple. Undressed with the Marquess is not a frothy bagatelle, but from my perspective, it’s a very satisfying read.
This is a story in Lost Boys series. Dare is a man who left home as a child because he wanted adventure. When he tried to come home, his father spurned him and he was forced to live in the streets of London. Temperance is the daughter of a brutal drunk who has been beaten regularly as a child and young woman. These two meet as young people. They grow up together and marry…but because Dare won’t give up stealing, they do not stay together. Five years later, things change.
Ms. Caldwell has done an excellent job of developing these characters,. There is less steam but more story in this Lost Boys tale. I do not write spoilers so I will not tell you what happens, but I will say that this story brought me to tears more than once. The pain and confusion of our H & H is painful. This story is written so well you will find yourself emotionally involved and hoping for happiness for all. I have no doubt this will become a favorite.
This is the third and final book of the Lost Lords of London series, which means I missed out on books 1 and 2. I plan on definitely going back to see what I missed out on! Temperance and Dare’s love story was quite an intriguing one. They had known each since childhood, Dare left his heritage behind to help the less fortunate and risked the gallows everytime he did so. He later married Temperance and saved her from a brutal life, but she could not stand by and watch him risk death or imprisonment everytime he helped the less fortunate, so she left and started a life of her own. Dare eventually goes back to claim his heritage, however, inorder to be eligible for his fortune, he must marry and produce an heir. Well he’s already halfway there since he is already married to Temperance and he finds her and brings her back. Their love is certainly put to the test as they try to rekindle what they once shared. Secrets and past mistakes could tear them apart. This book was filled with drama and suspense and kept my interest till the end. The storyline flowed smoothly and the plot twists kept me turning the pages, anxious to see what happens next. I look forward to Ms. Caldwell’s next book!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy. The opinions posted here are my honest and voluntary review.
At 10 years old, Darius Greyson became Dare Grey. The son of the Marquess of Milford and grandson of Duke of Pemberly he went on a lark to slums of London, but was soon sold and became a thief – a Robin Hood stealing from corrupt rich to give to the needy. Always a dreamer, his father was happy to see him leave. But justice caught up with Dare and he was minutes from hanging until he was saved by his grandfather. During his life in the rookeries, Dare met Temperance, and saved her from her abusive father. What began as friendship, then hero worship, and finally Temperance fell in love. They married but Dare’s first responsibility was to steal to help others. Temperance tried unsuccessfully to steer him to an honorable way. They separated. When he was rescued by the Duke, he inherited a bankrupt title. He was offered a fortune which would be his upon his sister (who he never knew) marriage or when he married and produced an heir. Dare seeks out Temperance with a business arrangement to help him see his sister wed. She finally agrees, and enters a world completely foreign. But Temperance has a loving heart, giving nature and always is on the side of honor and dignity. Dare, so hurt by the rejection of his father, keeps her and his family at a distance. He refuses to give up his thieving ways and once again falls into a trap and in jail. Temperance enlists the Duke’s help and gains his release. Dare now begins to question his feelings after being pushed by Temperance, who has made a friend of his sister and gained the respect of his grandparents. But because of her father’s brutality, she was told she was barren. Seeing Dare so at ease with society, Temperance goes to the Duchess and agrees to an annulment and leaves Dare. Finally coming to terms with his anger and past, Dare realizes how right Temperance was in all ways and begins anew with his family. The betrayal of the one who took him under his wing in the rookeries was finally realized – along with the deep love and respect he has for Temperance. She sought to free him so he could have a future with another. But does she have the right to make that decision for him? Poignant tale of despair and hate, power and jealousy, cruelty and injustice but also hope and honor, kindness and caring, friendship and loyalty – but most of all driven by true love, the greatest and most enduring gift!
An unexpected treasure of good and bad memories, safe and endangered lives, honest and real evil realities and a host of painful, shocking, hateful, resentful and healing emotions. The main characters Dare and Temperance started out life differently but grew up in the harsh east end of London. They grew up best friends and when old enough married. In their own way they loved each other. But Dare did not love Temperance enough to give up his thieving ways and he left her. Her abusive father beat the living daylights out of her because he wanted her to marry someone else. He left her unrecognizable and barren. She lost her baby as she was heavy with child when he beat her. This is a dark story to read. But it makes one think on the value of family, friends, acquaintances and spouses. It makes one think on what makes a person do what they do. The why of it and the how of it. Is it worth it? When Dare is given the chance for a new life, a new beginning will he accept it, embrace it, exploit it or own it? And what of Temperance? How will she fit into this new life of Dare’s and will she want to be a part of it or not? This story covers all that and much, much more. It reveals the human psyche as no other book I have ever read. It reveals the good. the bad and the ugly side of life and love. I hope the author considers writing a sequel that would revolve around Temperance’s brother Chance and the woman he loves and at the same time bring us up to date with Dare and Temperance. A must read. I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.
Undressed with the Marquess is another engaging regency romance by Christi Caldwell. Dare and Temperance were wonderful characters. So well written, it had it all and I loved every page of this book.
A powerful, emotional and passionate must read that pulls at the heart and soul. Darkness and light war with each other in the lives of Dare and Temperance as they come together as youths, break apart and are reunited.
Dare saved Temperance from a life of abuse, but he could not pull away from his propensity to steal from the rich and give to the poor. She decides to go out on her own due to him not giving up this almost obsession.
It finally catches up with him, but he is rescued by his grandfather with conditions he has to carry out. To obtain his rightful inheritance, he must provide an heir and help his sister find a husband. He goes to Temperance and they come back together.
But can they now find love and live happily ever after? Their journey is not an easy one, but obtaining a long and lasting love, is more than worth it….
3.5 Stars
Undressed with the Marquess is the third and last book in the Lost Lords of London series. Darius “Dare” Grey left Mayfair thinking he would have a grand adventure in the Rookeries, but it was only an illusion. His father, the Marquess of Milford, convinced him his family was better off without Dare in it. So, Dare turned to the thievery and became Robin Hood in the Rookeries for people in need. Eventually, his luck ran out and he found himself in Newgate facing the gallows. His grandfather, the Duke of Pemberly who never believed he was dead, was searching for him and found him just in time. The duke proposes that Dare take up the title and he will give him the money he has set aside for Dare if he will meet two conditions. Dare must take care of Kinsley, his sister until she is married or if he must get married and provide a male heir.
Temperance Swift had married Dare when she was young and tried to convince him to stop his thievery before he got caught. She is surprised when Dare finds her and asks her to come to London as his wife and help find his sister a husband. When she realizes that Kinsley does not want to get married, she knows Dare cannot meet his grandfather’s conditions because she can’t have children after her tragic miscarriage.
I’ve always loved books by this author, but this book was not a hit for me. The writing itself was good but there were too many things that just didn’t make sense such as a marquess being taken to Newgate for bribery. The book was too sad with no happiness to counteract it. I’m still a fan and will read future books by this author but I just didn’t care for this one.
A little too depressing for me. I prefer her other books. The Lost Lords are too dark and gloomy for me.
Another amazing story and a great way to end to this series.. Christi is such an amazing author I just can’t say enough about this book other than I love the characters, the storyline is incredible, there is so much love between the characters and it’s one of those books that once you start reading it you don’t stop until you finish it.
Caldwell hits it out of the park again. This tale was heart wrenching and happy too. I loved these characters and the plot of this book. I want to know more of what happened to these ” Lost Lords” . I want epilogues! Can’t wait to read more from this author.
This is one of those books that kept me up late into the night because I could not put it down. Dare Grey is facing an imminent hanging for stealing when he is saved by a family he has long forgotten. Grey was born to the nobility but ended up one of the lost lords of London as a child and wound up living in the Rookeries. He’s plucked from the gallows and returned to Mayfair as a Marquess with a family and expectations. Those expectations lead him back to his wife of years ago. Tempest grew up in an abusive household that Dare helped her to escape. She had her heart broken once by Dare so isn’t exactly excited when he returns to collect her from the shop she’s working at as a seamstress to join him in Mayfair.
The premise of this story is intriguing and I loved how neither of the main characters grew up in noble society. It makes for a different story that has you sucked in to see how things work out. This is essentially a marriage of convenience with a twist and plenty of angst that is heartbreaking at times. I nearly teared up reading certain sections which is something I never do. I love that Caldwell’s writing has so many layers to it that things are not so easy and clearcut. You really feel the push and pull that both Dare and Tempest have with certain issues that they are dealing with. Both are likeable and good people, I desperately wanted that HEA for them.
Caldwell’s books are tough to put down. This is the historical romance that will knock you right out of that reading slump. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
Dare and Temperance’s love story was a tumultuous one as each one – especially Dare had seen a lot of darkness during his growing years. That is the reason he is so unwilling to accept the rich people for their qualities.
Temperance is a clever heroine, though sometimes she does have a way of proving she is smart than getting the work done.
As Temperance and Dare come together and share their past stories and their romance blossoms slowly, both the characters reveal the changes in their personalities to reveal their other sides.
The description of the old times, the people and the romance was all enjoyable to read. Liked it.
The opening of this novel is pure genius. I was immediately immersed in Dare’s perspective. The Robin Hood of the rookeries made his choice long ago, and he’s resigned to his fate. A last-minute reprieve thrusts him into a life he abandoned. He abhors the luxury he was born to, and has no desire to go back. But it’s that or the gallows.
Five years ago, marriage to Dare saved Temperance from the brutality of the rookeries. But he refused to give up his criminal ways, and she refused to build a life with a man who could be arrested and dragged away at any moment. She’s found a quiet if difficult existence working as a seamstress.
When Dare comes to claim her as his marchioness, she’s reluctant. She can’t trust him to put her ahead of his mission and the thievery that’s sure to put him back in Newgate. She goes with Dare only to help her brother, so he can afford to marry his sweetheart.
This novel is more character-driven than most of Caldwell’s work. It mostly involves Dare coming to terms with his new identity, and how he can achieve his old goals in new ways. His devotion Temperance, and her commitment to keep him from doing stupid things that could get him killed, helps him through the transformation. It’s a deeply emotional story featuring characters who’ve suffered painful pasts and who are trying to put their lives back together.
As is often the case with Caldwell’s novels, dark moments make the happy ending all the more satisfying. I’m not a huge fan of gritty stories, but this author is such a masterful storyteller that I find her books irresistible.
I always love Christi Caldwell’s writing so I was looking forward to this release and it didn’t disappoint. I read it in one night and I loved the characters and their story. Christi’s writing brings the characters to life and makes me feel like I’m right there in their lives. It was one of those books that I was sad to see it end.
Another brilliantly written story in the series
This is another brilliantly written story in a great series. The plot is full of emotional twists and turns, as well as plenty of suspense. The characters are wonderfully crafted with the necessary strength to overcome their obstacles. This is a great book that would be suitable for anybody who loves steamy historical romances that is full of intrigue and surprises.
I like this book just enough to finish it. It’s the first book I read from this author but I think it’s not going to be the last one.
There are some scenes beautifully written, but some parts of the story were to slow for my taste. I like Temperance but not Dare. Both have a terrible past and they have suffered too much, but the way she lives with that pain is completely different that the choices he choose to take. There are a few interesting and sexy times, unfortunately not enough in my opinion.
The book is well written and there are really interesting side characters.
I’ve received an ARC of this book and all the opinions are my own
This is one incredibly heart wrenching story that takes the reader on an emotional journey. Christi Caldwell writes like no other, creating characters with so many layers and depths to their lives and their brokenness, that I become invested in each one. Dare Grey was raised to be a Marquess for the first ten years of his life, but never felt love or of any worth to his father. Venturing off into the slums of East London one day, he is caught up and sold into a life of thievery and becoming a Robin Hood to those in need. There he meets Temperance Swift, and rescues her from the streets. But she cannot stand for his continued stealing and subsequent trips to prison. They both are similar in not being able to see their own worth, so instead they strive to help out others while sabotaging relationships with the ones they need most in their lives. A beautiful and heart gripping story!
Undressed with the Marquess by Christi Caldwell
Lords of London #3
Dark rather depressing second chance romance that does see the main couple together but for some reason I did not feel the happiness that I had hoped to feel for the couple. I am not sure if it is the covid-19 pandemic wanting me to have bluebirds and happiness or something else but I came away feeling sorry for the couple rather than elated for them though both were better off at the end of the story than they were when the book began.
Both Dare and Temperance had more years of hard work and difficulty in their lives living in the rookeries and even outside of them. They had dreams that were thwarted. They lost more than they gained. Both helped others as they could. And yet neither one ever seemed to be the one on the receiving end of goodness for themselves…or if/when it happened, they didn’t seem to realize, grasp, and enjoy it. I guess I felt sorry for them even though they grew apart then managed to grow close by the end of the story and wished that all their dreams could have come true.
As a conclusion to the series it might have been nice for the three kidnapped men to have met or shown up in an epilogue together though whether that was a possibility is an unknown.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Dare- was about to be hung ,found out he was a marquess. (he robs from rich and gives to the poor.)
Temperance- currently working as a seamstress, had a terrible childhood and life.
This is a intriguing and heart wrenching story that is well written with charismatic characters. This couple had to deal with a bit of everything kidnapping, parental abuse, physical and mental abuse, miscarriage, separation, treachery, almost hanging, imprisonment and eventually love.
Their story does have a good conclusion but no real HEA. It needs an epilogue or another chapter to validate a their HEA/relationship and future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.