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The Bluestocking War #12

The Beast's Bliss

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From USATODAY Bestselling author Eva Devon, writing as Maire Claremont, comes a brand new series that will sweep you away to the drama and angst of Regency England. Glittering ballrooms, wild moors, and brooding lords waiting to be tamed by bluestockings await. . .

Lady Rose must marry. All young ladies do! Her mother is even certain she has what it requires to be the Diamond of the Season. But Rose cannot bear the crush of a ballroom. And one night, unable to endure the boisterous, dancing crowd, she seeks shelter in the garden. . . Where either the answer to her dilemma or her ruination waits.

For Viscount Clarence is beautiful, dangerous, and. . . Offers her help when no one else will. But is the cost of that help too high to obtain Lady Rose's desires.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2023

297 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

Eva Devon

105 books545 followers

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5 stars
288 (54%)
4 stars
159 (30%)
3 stars
67 (12%)
2 stars
12 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,545 reviews91 followers
September 5, 2023
I very much liked Lady Rose, though I felt sorry that her mother was such a bitch to Rose and her sisters. Her mother was haughty and arrogant. But along comes Viscount Clarence, who liked Rose and her sense of humour.
A good storyline and characters. 4☆
Profile Image for Sandra R.
3,365 reviews47 followers
April 18, 2023
Nicely written with good historical details, as usual by this author - I've been reading her books for years. I wasn't really grabbed by the characters or their story as much as I could have been in this one, so just an okay read for me.
Profile Image for Aou .
2,053 reviews216 followers
Read
April 2, 2023
So bored thus DNF!
Profile Image for Pam  Bereznak.
1,834 reviews137 followers
April 4, 2023
This is my 55th book by Eva Devon. I read 1 of her books in 2016 and didn’t pick her up again until 2018. She is now one of my favorites. I am really enjoying this series although I read them super fast. :). They are pretty short reads.

I really enjoyed Rose and Damian. It was such a nice story just about them finding themselves. It was a nice, fast paced, enjoyable read.


Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews145 followers
May 17, 2023
Bad Mother 👺
Sweet and Clean Regency Romance💕 Novella with Kindred Spirits.
Lady Rose's mother only sees life through the ton as worth while. Rose💃 is a Blue stocking who would rather stay home and read a book and she also has a phobia of crowds. Her mother pushes her to go to a ball where she can't stand being around all those people so she runs to the garden To get away.
Viscount Clarence🐺🗡💪🐎, A former Army Officer, is in the garden for the same reason and they begin talking. Finally, Rose💃 has met a man she can actually have a real conversation with!

I got this ebook from Amazon📚 with KU.

This Is a cute, well written story That can be read jn a few hours.
Profile Image for Rachel.
667 reviews
February 4, 2025
The story was a nice easy plot, uncomplicated. I liked the characters, except for the mother at first. It was a fast read. But the plot was pretty basic and like other books.

Fyi Spice level was high; 3 kisses and a bedroom scene.
1,128 reviews4 followers
May 16, 2023
3.5*
Pressured by her mother to be a perfect lady all the time, Lady Rose finds living up to her mother's expectations in society difficult, and being constantly in crowded places, whether its at a race track or in a ballroom.
Seeking refuge from a crowded ballroom, Rose flees to the gardens and meets Damian, Viscount Clarence, a soldier/spy who's fought Napoleon, but is now based back in London as a tactician, but is also battling what we'd call mild PSTD or maybe depression with we see no signs of it through the book, we're just told he sometimes has dark thoughts.
Damian is at his friend Brookhaven's ball supporting Abernathy (who sounds fascinating), a friend and fellow soldier returning to society after losing a foot during battle. When he sees a young lady fleeing across the lawn, he goes to offer help.
The Beast I suppose is Damian, although that moniker is given to all the lead men in the series, the Bliss is finding his mate Rose.
I have loved this series, and looked forward to the release of each book, but this one leaves me a little flat. I don't particularly like Rose, which doesn't help, her sister sounds more interesting, in many ways it feels like this book is an introduction to Hyacinth and Abernathy's story (a supposition as I don't know that there is a book for them, but there should be).They set off sparks together, which Rose and Damian just don't have. Maybe that's why I'm like warm about this book, it's all too easy, no suspense or sparks. Rating may be influenced by my love of the rest of the series. In this case I didn't mind the book being so short.
Profile Image for Lynn.
938 reviews31 followers
June 11, 2023
The Rose and the Spy

Damian Hardbrook, Viscount Clarence had good close friends that were soldiers or like himself, spies, but he was also alone in many ways afraid that having a family would weaken him.

Lady Rose, the eldest of two daughters of the Earl of Millbank was expected by her mother to be the diamond of the season, and why not? She’s beautiful, graceful, well cultured and charming and Damian is stunned to find her hiding outside her first ball. As a soldier, it isn’t difficult for Damian to diagnose the young lady’s problem as a panic attack, and tells her how to calm her nerves. He also promises to help her find an acceptable husband, because the wonderful and singular young Rose is terrified of making an unfortunate match.

Too bad Viscount Clarence isn’t ready to marry, because they would be perfect for each other.

Like all the Bluestocking books, this was a short and easy read, and a sweet romance. Something nice to read when you want to have a calm lovely hour.
510 reviews3 followers
April 12, 2023
So lucky

Lady Rose and Viscount Clarence both have terrible fears. Thankfully Clarence found Rose at just the right time to help her deal with hers. Little did he know then that by giving into his need for Rose he would not only be safeguarding her but also gain the strength he needed himself. By giving Rose his love and support and her freedom little did he realize she would gain enough strength to over come her fear of crowds and become a vital hostess.
Loved the cooks reaction when Clarence snuck in the back door to find his wife and the reason his home was full of guests. Who knew the power of caring enough to bring an employee wildflowers she would never see otherwise would get such results.
When you selflessly care for those around you they will do the same for you.
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,479 reviews29 followers
May 4, 2023
Overcoming Fear

Rose is very nervous and fearful in crowds! She is beautiful and her mother has high aspirations but Rose is not sure she wants marriage!
Her parents lead separate lives and her mother is a leader in the Ton! Neither of her 2 younger daughters are anything like her or her father!
Damien is a Viscount outwardly unscathed by the war but has inward struggles for control over himself and all his emotions!
They meet while Rose is hiding in the garden trying to get her breathing and emotions under control!
An unlikely friendship with Damien offering to aide her in finding a husband!
These two are an unlikely pair! One fearless and one fearful!
Rose changes and evolves into a confident woman and definitely a wonderful equestrian! I love how Damien discovers how he wants to love her and overcomes his own objections and painful childhood! Bravo
Profile Image for Cindy Woltman.
288 reviews
April 5, 2023
Beautifully written story of fear, love and freedom!

The Beast’s Bliss is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read.Viscount Clarence had complete control of his life. He worked for the Crown, devoting his life to the efficiency of battle. Lady Rose is forced to be the diamond of the season. She would rather be reading. She had a deep fear of crowds, of people, of conversations.
An accidental meeting in the garden during a ball changes their lives. He longs to free Rose from the walls of expectation and replace the fear with joy. Clarence has bottled his emotions retaining tight control. Together they find love, support, freedom and real purpose in life.
The book is beautifully written as have been all The Bluestocking War series. Each one has touched my heart.
1,039 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2023
straight forward relaxed love story

I gave this book 5 stars for the way it straight forward handles anxiety disorders, loyalty, honor, direct speech, kindness and the willingness to help others that then helps oneself. The story is filled with positivity even though the characters deal with personal stress, PTSD, social anxiety, and physical pain and loss. The hero Damian is quite a good respectable character. The heroine is bullied by a mother whose vision of success in society is different then Rose’s. She must overcome her anxiety and through love she can learn to cope. It’s a very positive, hopeful story that relaxes the soul. Really no beasts were involved.
651 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2023
A great read

Rose and Damian met by chance when she was having a panic attack, he made her feel better and taught her how to get over it. He had been a spy for the war but had been wounded and he had healed on the outside but not the inside, that didn't happen until he gave himself freely to his wife. She would always feel fear but with Damian by her side gave her the courage to face it head on. I loved this book! I highly recommend this book! 👍👍👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤
197 reviews1 follower
April 5, 2023
Beautiful story! Lovely!

So lovely to meet our friends in New adventures. A grand story with fantastic characters that will enchant us in this book and next ones as well. Impossible not to fall in love with Clarence... Cannot wait for the next story.
1,127 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2023
Good read from Devon/Claremont. I really liked this story, the characters and the plot. It's not fun to suffer from anxiety and it's not easy to overcome. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment of this series.
604 reviews2 followers
May 1, 2023
Excellent.

Another excellent novel in this series “The Bluestocking War”
Well written, enthralling storyline, likeable main characters, well paced read.
I loved this novel. Though I couldn’t see anything beastly about Viscount Clarence.
Profile Image for Angela Harriman.
456 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2023
Lovely

I really enjoyed this story. Love the characters. Nice even flow and pace. I was so absorbed in the story I was almost sorry it ended. It was a very nice wrap up. I like to see how things have gone on since the wedding vows. Very nice.
429 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2023
Wordy and redundant. Without the near constant references to the heroine's anxiety and the repetitive phrasing (i.e. long day, very long day, very very long day), this might have been a short story. The big events near the end of the book were also...odd.
Profile Image for Alda  Delicado.
739 reviews8 followers
May 22, 2023
A bit of a disappointment. I enjoy these beauty and beast stories but this was one that was totally without anything new. Not really worth it.
Profile Image for Brittany.
3,537 reviews27 followers
June 15, 2023
I have a ton of reviews to do tonight so this will be quick. This is a review for books 10-14. I still can not figure out why the series was named this it makes no sense. I did enjoy these reads.
99 reviews
July 3, 2023
Delightful Read

Another delightful read in this series. I could not put it down once started. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Candice Waite.
542 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2023
Face your fears

Delightful story showcasing how facing your fears lets you become free and powerful. Love gives you strength to do what you didn't think you could.
Profile Image for Dee Lewis.
Author 5 books2 followers
Read
October 25, 2023
What a lovely story.

The characters are wonderful as they battle their fears and find love. This is a beautifully written and delightful read.
Profile Image for Theresa Moore.
8 reviews
October 30, 2023
Blissfully good

I liked the fact the love scene wasn't too graphic and the characters were real. A good And fast read.
Profile Image for CB.
766 reviews25 followers
its-a-no-for-me-dawg
January 4, 2026
Too short
Profile Image for Lisa.
531 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2023
Damian Hardbrook, Viscount Clarence, finally gets his HEA!!! He has helped others, thinking he was not worthy of one. He has worried that he would not be a good husband. Worried he could not do justice to his role within the government as well as a wife and family.

Anxiety is no easy thing to have. Ms. Devon approaches it realistically and with a grace of understanding. Rose has a severe case that can leave her incapable of participating in groups or crowds. The meet-cute was wonderful! I was ready to hug Damian on the spot. His calm, supportive presence and helpful suggestions aid Rose in finding ways to navigate her world. Seeing her find her personal strength as she gains more control had me cheering. Thank you, Ms. Devon for your tender care and grace.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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