Good Duke Gone Bad

The Good Dukes #3

by Eliana Piers

Enemies make the best lovers… Until they reveal their true identities… All Lady Bella wants to be is herself. And if that includes being a spinster, so what? She’s starting her own business doing what she loves, designing gardens; despite the ton looking down their noses at her ambitious spirit. She has the intelligence and competence to pursue her dreams, but can her heart and soul resist the lips of her infuriatingly desirable first client… Mr. Lyle Fairfax does not want a wife. Not one picked by himself and certainly not one from the kindhearted, meddling, but discreet, dowager duchess. In Lady Bella he sees his escape. Her coming in to redesign his gardens is the perfect distraction to keep him too busy for a wife, as well as keep his secrets safe for now. Her and her rose-tinted lips and ample… busyness will keep him from getting married, won’t they?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Enemies To Lovers, Regency, Historical Fiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2023

About the author

What makes people fall in love? Why do two people end up together? Every love story is unique and that's what I love to write.


Eliana Piers has been writing and singing stories since she was five years old. After feeling inspired by authors like Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, and Minerva Spencer, Eliana decided to test her quill on the page.


Writing about love and how two people come to connect and share parts of their souls with each other is now an obsession.


Eliana lives in Canada where she drinks ice caps every day.

Reviews

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋 (These were a bit for me – I prefer more explicit details and time spent on the scenes)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Percentage which mains are first on page together: Almost immediately (3%)
Cliffhanger: No
HEA/HFN: Happily Ever After
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
It’s not totally necessary. These characters didn’t have a ton of time in the prior books. But the series is pretty fun and seems to flow well together (Book 1 is Good Duke Gone Cold)

Basic plot:
Lyle has pleasure gardens and is in need of a distraction from the matchmaking dowager duchess. This creates the perfect opportunity for Bella to live out her dream as a garden designer.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1815)
- gardener heroine
- light enemies to lovers vibe (more on the heroine’s side)
- house party
- bargain – hero wants a fake problem to solve to get him away from the matchmaking dowager so he offers the heroine 5,000 pounds to redesign his gardens
- working hero – he owns Vauxhall gardnes
- secret identity
- celibate hero? He says How long had it been since he’d bedded a woman? Too long, he supposed, if it was causing him to flirt with the first one he’d been alone with for this entire house party. Though I’m not sure exactly how long that is.
- medium steam – 3 scenes but they are on the light side and quite concentrated together (unless I missed one?)

Ages:
- Heroine is 25, heroine is 31

First line:
Some people were destined for scandal.

My thoughts:
Piers is creating such a fun and playful Regency timeline with these books! Something I am enjoying is her heroines. I like how they have goals and desires that take center stage. Bella desires to be a gardener, a designer, and it works out perfectly that Lyle is a pleasure gardens owner…

Something all the books in the series have had so far is the characters are already friends or acquaintances when we open the book. (I love watching the characters get to know each other on page) In this one I couldn’t quite place how they knew each other. I wish a bit more time had been spent on their relationship as the book began. The ending too was wrapped up a bit quickly and I was left wanting a bit more solid closure? Maybe an epilogue? But I know there will be another book and Piers gives little snippets of prior characters HEA which is appreciated.

I am enjoying Piers writing quite a bit. I find some of her scenes so sweet and cute. Some are hilarious. I do think some of her language is a bit modern for Regency, but I’m not a stickler for that. (I did pause at reading ‘ok’ in this novel – but I am not familiar (purposefully) with language origins).

Her steam is just a bit light for me – I wish her scenes were just a touch longer and a bit more developed, but that’s just me. They really seem to fit her characters and the feel of the story. In this particular book, the steamy bits are concentrated towards the center of the book and I was left wanting for another in the latter half of the book.

Endearments
love

Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)

Yes! I love scenes like this SO MUCH!!

Lyle took two steps up the stool. They were eye to eye. As he extended a hand to grab the pot she had pointed to, his chest was but an inch from her breasts, and one of his thighs was crowding her dress.
“This one?” His breath was warm against her jaw as it drifted past into her ear.

This stuff right here is what makes me adore Piers’ writing. So. Freaking. Cute.

Inwardly, he shook his head.
She had a wall up, and he couldn’t get around it with niceties. It didn’t matter. After this house party, he’d likely see very little of her. Perhaps a ball or two. If he ever chose to attend. He might ask her to dance. If Margaret insisted on it. Yes, if Margaret practically threatened to rip his arm off, he would do it. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well, that’s that then.”
Even as he said this, he couldn’t stop his own thumb from rubbing a circle in her palm. And if asked, he wouldn’t have been able to give a reason for doing so.

---
I love these hilarious moments when the hero is falling…

He dug deeper. She was a woman who loved to garden. Yes, gardening. There was nothing alluring about a woman who played with flowers all day. And dirt. Hell and damnation. Was she a dirty girl?
---
Lyle shrugged. “Horse lost his shoe. What can I do? Ride with you?”
“Please tell me begging doesn’t turn you into a poet. You’re atrocious.”

---
It’s SO CUTE

Bella’s downcast head abruptly tilted up to meet him. “Hello,” she smiled.
He grinned back.
She kept smiling, and he kept returning it.

----
and the humor I like

The men were grunting as they lifted the heavy object into place.
Bella dashed to the north end of the figure. “OK, now a foot to the left.” More grunting. Bella couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
“Don’t mind her, she’s a tad sadistic,” the head gardener reassured his team.



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- mention of loss of parents
- possibility of pregnancy
- carriage accident on page (details are light and no serious injuries)


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:

Safe sex: No
43% - 🔥 kisses, oral for her on a work table
50% - 🔥 kisses, missionary (in the greenhouse?)
54% - 🔥 kisses, blow job (short and light and incomplete), missionary
58% - kiss


-----------------------------------------------------

Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (4) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
Instagram || The Storygraph || Bookbub ||

Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars.





➕ What I liked :


Gardener heroine.
(Uncommon profession for the heroine for the time period.)


Strong heroine.
(Without her being annoying or unlikable/rude/arrogant.)

Rather interesting main characters
(Especially the heroine.)


Interesting side characters.


Good romantic build up and chemistry.


OK steam.


Some witty moments.


Interesting plot.









➖ What I disliked:


In some parts the plot/story felt rushed.

Anachronistic.
(The language is too modern in many places of the story.)

The steam is OK….. but… a little bit on the light side and the scenes would be really good if they were a little longer and more developed.

Kind of vague character description of the main characters.
(Especially the heroine…...Apart from eye color and hair color much of the character description/character appearance of the heroine is rather vague.)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyle and Bella’s love story was so organically developed! Enemies to lovers is seriously one of my top favorite tropes and this did not disappoint! Honestly I liked everything going on and the information you get as a reader, it just shows whatever is going on, things will still happen as they should!

I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Bella is starting her own business doing what she loves, designing gardens; despite the ton looking down their noses at her. She has the intelligence and competence to pursue her dreams, but can her heart and soul resist the lips of her infuriatingly desirable first client Mr. Lyle Fairfax does not want a wife. Not one picked by himself and certainly not one from the kindhearted, meddling, but discreet, dowager duchess. In Lady Bella he sees his escape. Her coming in to redesign his gardens is the perfect distraction to keep him too busy for a wife, as well as keep his secrets safe for now.
A new author, I believe this is her third book & she’s new to me. A very accomplished book, with strong characters & a well paced story. I loved both Lyle & Bella & thoroughly enjoyed their story. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope & thia book showed exactly why I love the trope. Witty banter & sizzling chemistry made for a book I devoured in a sitting
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Rainelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Duke Gone Bad. First I love the fact that the leading lady’s name is Bella. Well I never read no two people who are destined to be together like these two. I absolutely enjoyed the chase towards love with Lyle Bella. These two had me laughing during so many profoundly good moments.
My favorite was the letter or message exchanges. I was like, my Lord you two. Why the two never met in one specific room I do not know. Readers, I am so happy about reading this book. The writing was enjoyable.
The plot worked with the characters. They found a joining force over plants. Well together Lyle with is wild and lust full ways kept the flames fanning as he pined over Bella. Their romance was very sweet. I give this book two snaps and a twist.
Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

SECRETS
Bella's experience on her first season left her hurt and distrustful of dukes. Years later her dream is to design gardens, but she needs her first client. Lyle owns Vauxhall and has made it successful. He and Bella meet for the first time at a house party. It's like rubbing two sticks together that eventually produce heat. He hires her to design a garden at Vauxhall, but is it just a ruse? These two never expected to fall in love, but Lyle has secrets. I love an independent woman and a man totally bewildered. VERY HOT!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I am reading in the series but I plan to read them all, since I enjoyed this one so much!

Lady Bella and Mr. Lyle Fairfax have one thing in common, the love of plants. They dislike each other initially but find their feelings shifting as they spend time together. Although, the book is slated as Enemies to Lovers, I did not think they actually were enemies in the traditional sense, just my opinion.

I loved the concept of Lyle wanting to outsmart the Dowager Duchess and hirers Lady Bella to recreate his gardens, as a ploy, but he should have known better!

A very engaging story, wonderful characters, suspense, secrets, witty banter, misunderstandings, and a few surprises, I did not expect.

I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Maria Dariotis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Duke Gone Bad book 3
by Eliana Piers

Eliana Piers is a new to me author which in all honesty her writing gives the impression she’s been doing this a while.
This is Lyle and Bella’s story, a light hearted romance with witty banter sexual tension and a very satisfying ending. Lyle has been keeping secrets that have helped him live his life away from responsibility. He’s been running away from his fate since the day he came into his title.
Bella has been trying to forget the day her fiancé never showed up.
Lyle and Bella are such great characters the reader can actually feel the attraction between them. I loved the way their relationship blossomed like the gardens Bella loved.
I received a complimentary copy, this is my honest opinion.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightfully engaging story. Bella and Lyle have a past, but can they overcome it to have a future??? I liked how ingenious Lyle was to get to his heart's desire. Ay times, this couple was like two peas in a pod, and at other times they were like oil and water and refused to mix. A very entertaining storyline and enjoyable characters. This was a great addition to the other two books in the series, and I look forward to more.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Bella and Lyle was my favorite of this series so far. The two of them end up falling in love despite their best efforts not to. The author has a unique writing style which I think will really appeal to younger HR readers. The story is fast paced and witty. There is also a bit of steam and several interesting supporting characters. I especially got a kick out of poor Agatha. Hopefully she will be getting a book of her own soon! I received a free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery Duke
I enjoyed this lighthearted and fun historical romance. Bella and Lyle seem like oil and water to start. Little do they know that there are more connections to the past than they realize. Some of the banter between this couple is just plain hilarious. Navigating this time as a woman interested in landscaping is certainly a challenge. I really liked the ups and downs shared as well as the fun intervention of friends.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Hailey Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one in the Good Dukes series by Eliana Piers. I do think it felt a bit rushed in places and I went backwards and reread a few pages to make sure I didn't miss anything. I did like our MFC, Piers knows how to give us a strong female main character. Ones that aren't afraid to pursue their own dreams and not settle to being just a wife and a mother if that's not all they want. Not common in historical romance novels. I thought our MMC was just alright. I much prefer a strong MFC anyways. I would have liked a little more story or perhaps an epilogue.

[Imromanticallyinvolved · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHO: Lady Bella *Spinster *Aspiring Garden Designer
Lyle Fairfax *Vauxhall Pleasure Garden Owner aka Elliott Anthony Banton, Duke of Ennit

WHAT to expect: Enemies to Lovers *Secret/Hidden Identity

WHEN: 1815 - Regency

WHERE: Country Estate House Party *London *Vauxhall Garden

WHY I liked it: Light angst, witty, character driven plot with engaging banter. The MC's were easy to love and their issues were plausible. The flow of their story was well paced with mid-steam.

HOW it plays out: Lyle has a secret that allows him to live his life anonymously and away from the eyes and pressures of society. He loved and lost once before and has no interest in settling down and doing his duty. His meddling aunt has other ideas.

Lady Bella cherishes her independence and embraces her spinster status. She only wants to pursue her dream of becoming a garden designer. Her previous engagement to a duke was broken off when her intended just didn't show up at their announcement. She has no interest in marriage, especially not to a duke.

FINAL thoughts: I really enjoy the author's writing style. I become fully involved in the story and want to read right through. I would have liked a little more steam and a bit longer scenes. In addition to the sexy times in the middle of the story, I was hoping for one near the end. These are just personal preferences though. Also, I would have loved an epilogue!

*I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author (Thank you!) All thoughts and opinions are my own. *

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous story, so well written, keeps you reading till the end and wanting more. Full of love, suspense, intrigue, drama, steam and a few surprises. Bella is the daughter of an Earl who was to marry the son of a Duke, which is why is dislikes Dukes so much. It didn't happen as he fell in love with another woman whom he wanted to marry but she leaves him for a Prince. Soon after that his parents died and he leaves and is not heard from for a long time. Bella moves on with her life- the society whirl but after some seasons never marries, she wants to start her own business. She runs into Lyle at a social affair and he hires her to redo some of his gardens. They both realize that their feelings for each other are changing toward the romantic side of things and then the steam happens. Trouble brews when Bella finds out who he really is. He realize he either tells her what happened , who he really is and that he loves her so hopefully they can work things out. Together as they work on the issues they do get to their happily ever after. Can't wait for Charlotte's story to come out in the next book in this great series. Would recommend to everyone.

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella is resigned to being a spinster, she knows she isn't marriage material and no gentleman of the ton is going to offer for her so she decides to make the best of it and cultivate her love of gardening into a career that will enable her to live independently on her own.
Bella attends her aunt's house party where she encounters the infuriatingly handsome, arrogant, self-indulgent, know-it-all Lyle Fairfax, owner of Vauxhall pleasure gardens and the biggest pain in the arse Bella has ever encountered! Sparks fly from the very first meeting of these two and oh my what delightful, entertaining sparks they are! The chemistry between these two can be felt by the reader. Watching as their relationship develops from enemies to lovers is a extreme pleasure, you can't help but get totally immersed in their story.
This book was a brilliant, light-hearted, humorous, touching read with a wonderful ending to wrap it up with perfection. I think this is the best of the series, it is my favorite. I highly recommend it to all regency romance lovers and give it 5 stars, I would give more if I could.
Thank you to Elian Piers for the free ARC, I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Matteja LV · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He was the earth, wind, water and sunlight. She needed him in order to grow."

📖 Good duke gone bad, Eliana Piers

I received ARC copy from new author for me, and this was my first book from her. It can be read as a standalone but I was confused at the beginning at her cousin scene (I figured later that was the story of 2nd book).
I didn't get the vibe that they are enemies to friends to lovers (but again- maybe because I didn't read previous books).

So. We have story about Bella, who wants to start her gardening job and Lyle, introverted hero, who wants to avoid courting season- with an excuse that he needs to rearrange his gardens... Lyle hires Bella and quickly they have sparks flying... Story becomes pretty sensual and the plot was good. But Lyle has a secret... That can affect other people too!

Overall, I liked this story. It wasn't too long, but there were some confusing scenes, where I would like to have more answers to the story.

Thank you for ARC copy Eliana! All opinions are my own!

[Holly Rife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella has her life figured out. She wants to be single and have a career. Lyle does not want to be married. Others may have something to say about that…

This is quite the slow burn, but it is delicious. Ella and Lyle work quite well together throughout the book. Ella's independence is quite grand and I love that she has some (if even a small amount at times) support in it. Lyle is quite an interesting character and he hides so much, if even from himself…His character arc is quite broad and it works quite well with their 'couple arc'. I love it! The steam is nice too!! Ooh la la!

This is Book 3 of the 'Good Duke' series, but it can be read as a standalone.

This is such a good love story for those who love a good historical romance.

[Marion Löw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all books of this series and this book lives up with the previous ones.

Bella wants to be independent and a professional gardener. Lyle, a businessman, owns Vauxhall and has a secret, he doesn’t want to share with anybody. They meet at a houseparty hosted by Bella’s relatives which have already been introduced in the previous books.

Bella and Lyle have such a wonderful and steamy chemistry, their verbal banters are witty and sarcastic which made me laugh aloud quite a few times.

It’s such fun to encounter again most characters from the former books. The side characters remind me a bit of Shakespeare side characters (dumb, humorous, smug...) and are a wonderful addition to the story.

I really like the author‘s playful writing style and I can’t wait for her next book!

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the "Duke Gone" series. I liked how it continues with some of the characters from the previous stories. It contained a determined and strong-willed heroine who I admired. This story was very entertaining and unpredictable. It kept me engaged throughout with its hidden secrets, intrigue, mystery, and so much wit and humor and sarcasm that I frequently laughed out loud or was constantly chuckling then along with past heartbreak which made me tear up. And best of all, a romance which includes steam bloomed into love after what felt like I was on a wild roller-coaster ride in which I enjoyed to end with a very happy ending. I highly recommend reading!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short-ish historical romance about a duke in disguise and a spinster with a love for gardening. I'm not sure if it was because of my lack of sleep or the writing, but I was a bit confused during the first couple chapters, but after that it was a quite enjoyable read. I loved how the entire story pulled together in the ending, I thought that was quite clever. Though, I had not realised this is book 3 or 4 in a series, so I guess, I have to read the other books now.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Featherway was having her debutante ball, and she was going to meet the Duke her parents were going to betrothed her to. Unfortunately the Duke never showed up.

Bella was at a house party she caught her cousin in the garden and now house party was extended for a wedding. Bella wasn’t happy with the idea to marry she wanted to be a gardener and make her own way. She met Lyle Fairfax and he was in partnership at Vauxhall his place had a garden and she wanted to be able to design a new one for him.

Her Grace was saying he needs to find a wife as heir was required. He told her he didn’t want to marry. He decided to allow Bella to design one of the gardens at Vauxhall, so he can be too busy to find a wife. Bella and Lyle become close while at the club. They tell each other about their self and Lyle tells her the girl he was in love with left him for a Prince.

Bella was not having a good time she was almost in tears and Charlotte came up to her and said he was one of the good ones. Her friend Kat was rambling about a Prince, she left a Duke for a prince. She goes who left who for a prince? Said no one has seen the face of the Duke, he came home fell in love just about to propose and the chit left him for a prince, and no one has seen him. At the evening dance, Bella noticed that Lyle has not even asked her for a dance. Kat says she didn’t even tell her the best part, she just learned apparently that future Duke had an informal understanding with another family, He didn’t even show up to meet her at her debut ball. Bella figured out that Lyle was the Duke.

She left in the morning for London she was going to finish the garden and move on. She decides to design a statue and have in put in the garden. He comes to the garden when it’s being set and after tells him off that he was THE Duke who stood her up and never wants to see him again,

She is at Davin house trying to design the garden but no luck. She receives a note from Lyle saying she needs to come fix the fountain or return some of the funds. Her friends trick her as they are not going to church instead to London. Will they work out their problems?

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are four books in this series so far, Good Dukes gone Cold, Hard, Bad and Low. It is best to read them in order. The stories follow each other with the same characters in all the books. The main characters are all friends, some who grew up together and got into all kinds of trouble. The cast of the characters all have secrets, and some have been best friends since childhood. Through the books you will learn how each see and interacts with the others now that they are grown up. It is an amusing read and each book has its own wonderful story and just the right amount of passion, second chances, love and understanding. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a great story, with mystery, wit, steamy along with twist and turns our couples need to unravel and overcome to find what they all want the most. Somethings your biggest dreams and desires are not what you really love. I received Arc’s for all the books and wish to thank the author. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it. I have read some of the other reviews and wonder if we read the same books. I can’t wait to see if there is more to this series. I’ve had my favorite but enjoyed them all. Don’t miss this series, you will miss out on some great reading if you do.

[Carolyn Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written with great characters. While I enjoyed the first two books in the series, I absolutely loved this one. I have known since the beginning that there was something not right about Lyle. I was so happy to find I was correct. Lyle and Bella are a beautiful couple and I hope they get mentioned in the next book.

[Ashtyn Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so glad Lyle got his story! I have been waiting to read about him since book 1. I love how fate has intertwined these characters and enjoyed seeing them both thrive independently (Lyle being his own man without being hindered by title and Bella chasing her dreams without being hindered by dependence on a husband or brother). So glad they found one another!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed reading Bella and Lyle's story of romance and love. Lady Bella loves designing gardens and starts her own business doing so. Lyle doesn't wish to marry and sees Bella as the perfect foil to thwart his well meaning relatives plans. However what he didn’t plan for is the lady herself.

[Destynnee Realta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I love Lyle and Bella's story. How they're both drawn together over their love of plants. And how the best thing he could ever show her was a greenhouse. One of my favorite characters across this series is the dowager dutchess - she is something else. She's always planning and plotting.

Jenni S

[Lisa C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of Lady Bella, who loves gardening, and Mr. Lyle Fairfax, who owns one of the biggest gardens in London, Convent Gardens. Loved these characters and their interactions were poignant and sometimes funny. Also loved the unique storyline. Highly recommend.

[Richard Burlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange book with a fairly standard trope of the two main characters sparring off each other and then coming together, but at least set mostly away from the standard social scene. There is some humour and entertainment but it did not fully engage me.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story and I enjoyed the romance that developed between Bella and Lyle. Distractions and secrets won't stop this love that's meant to be. It was well paced, enemies to lovers one of my favourite tropes and this one didn't disappoint.

[Pamela Barbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of how two very different people can come together and find what they have been looking for all along. The story does have some graphic parts in it.