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Blackmailer's Delight
“All the hopes, doubts, pain and sensuality of hidden gay love in the English 18th century fill David Lawrence’s sparkling new novel… He brings it all together in the most unexpected way in this charming, sexy, witty romp.” – Stephanie Cowell, author of The Boy in the Rain and American Book Award recipient
“Lawrence crafts a romance that rouses, with twists, surprises, and a randy wit… (a) passionate, uproarious gay romance. – BookLife Reviews
A misunderstanding ties the fates of three men together in this heartfelt, sensual, and hilarious romantic puzzle. Blackmailer’s Delight is a tale of lives tossed into the air, then reassembled in some unanticipated ways.
England 1795
London gentleman Daniel Thornton has just dumped his philandering lover Clarence. He moves to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle and nurse a broken heart. The move he hopes will be a fresh start – a place to discover himself and perhaps a new way of seeing the world.
Luke Morley is a draper's son struggling to accept his sexuality. He has withdrawn into a world of fantasy, but with the arrival of Mr. Thronton this private world is shattered. Grantham’s most eligible bachelor is everything Luke has ever dreamed of. After months of silent admiration, he determines to introduce himself.
Re-enter Clarence, who arrives to win back his old lover. When Daniel rejects him again, he is not about to take it lying down…
A blackmail note appears – a demand that Daniel marry one of Luke’s sisters. A demand that he fulfill Luke’s sexual desires.
Daniel saw young Mr. Morley leave the note on his mantle.
The note is from Luke.
Isn’t it?
From the author of Hugh and Blue Billy’s Rogue Lexicon.
“Lawrence crafts a romance that rouses, with twists, surprises, and a randy wit… (a) passionate, uproarious gay romance. – BookLife Reviews
A misunderstanding ties the fates of three men together in this heartfelt, sensual, and hilarious romantic puzzle. Blackmailer’s Delight is a tale of lives tossed into the air, then reassembled in some unanticipated ways.
England 1795
London gentleman Daniel Thornton has just dumped his philandering lover Clarence. He moves to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle and nurse a broken heart. The move he hopes will be a fresh start – a place to discover himself and perhaps a new way of seeing the world.
Luke Morley is a draper's son struggling to accept his sexuality. He has withdrawn into a world of fantasy, but with the arrival of Mr. Thronton this private world is shattered. Grantham’s most eligible bachelor is everything Luke has ever dreamed of. After months of silent admiration, he determines to introduce himself.
Re-enter Clarence, who arrives to win back his old lover. When Daniel rejects him again, he is not about to take it lying down…
A blackmail note appears – a demand that Daniel marry one of Luke’s sisters. A demand that he fulfill Luke’s sexual desires.
Daniel saw young Mr. Morley leave the note on his mantle.
The note is from Luke.
Isn’t it?
From the author of Hugh and Blue Billy’s Rogue Lexicon.
325 pages, ebook
First published February 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
January 24, 2024
In the midst of the French Revolution, the English "Revolt of the Housewives" erupted in 1795, whereby the mostly female rioters redistributed food stores to those in need, after one of England's coldest winters, setting fair prices for the food and paying the proceeds back to the original owners. I love how the women strived to give all involved a good outcome, and in a sense, this reflects the overall tone of David Lawrence's book.
Throughout the course of Blackmailer's Delight, we find, yup, blackmailers, some perfectly horrid characters, miscommunications and misunderstands galore, and situations where there seems to be no good outcome. And at first, the tone of the writing - for me personally - was a bit much to really digest. There's a certain formal tone and a huge amount of descriptions that bogs down the story and many of the actions and events in the book are told after the fact, or recalled as a memory, resulting in a lack of immediacy.
But once the plot was fully in swing, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it all. Daniel Thornton goes to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle, declaring that he wished to find the goodness in the world. Yet when confronted with Luke Morley "this young man I've joked with, caroused with, argued with, f@cked with, and tried to emotionally blackmail. Everything, it seems, except to speak to properly.") he believes the absolute worst of him, and yet believes most of what his ex Clarence tells him.
Clarence starts out as a simply horrid character who I was eager to write off, and yet Daniel manages to find a good resolution to their former relationship. He manages to circumvent the supposed blackmail plan for his marriage to Luke's sister, and the solution is really a stroke of genius all the way around. The secondary characters are well-developed and fleshed out and as the book come to an end, there is a world of possibilities for all the characters. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the course of Blackmailer's Delight, we find, yup, blackmailers, some perfectly horrid characters, miscommunications and misunderstands galore, and situations where there seems to be no good outcome. And at first, the tone of the writing - for me personally - was a bit much to really digest. There's a certain formal tone and a huge amount of descriptions that bogs down the story and many of the actions and events in the book are told after the fact, or recalled as a memory, resulting in a lack of immediacy.
But once the plot was fully in swing, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it all. Daniel Thornton goes to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle, declaring that he wished to find the goodness in the world. Yet when confronted with Luke Morley "this young man I've joked with, caroused with, argued with, f@cked with, and tried to emotionally blackmail. Everything, it seems, except to speak to properly.") he believes the absolute worst of him, and yet believes most of what his ex Clarence tells him.
Clarence starts out as a simply horrid character who I was eager to write off, and yet Daniel manages to find a good resolution to their former relationship. He manages to circumvent the supposed blackmail plan for his marriage to Luke's sister, and the solution is really a stroke of genius all the way around. The secondary characters are well-developed and fleshed out and as the book come to an end, there is a world of possibilities for all the characters. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2024
DNF at 50%
This book started out well. I enjoyed the writing style and the introduction to the characters and world building. But then the actual blackmail plot happened and it all fell apart for me. Not sure if this all really counts as "spoilers" but I marked it as such anyway.
It all hinges on a handwritten blackmail letter, and therein lines the immediate issue. The book makes a point of talking about all the letters Daniel and his ex wrote to each other, and yet Daniel doesn't recognize his ex's handwriting? Not even a little bit? No suspicion or thought at all after the ex made a scene in his house? So instead the MC just immediately assumes it came from this random kid? And then, getting a different note from said kid later on, never questions that the writing isn't at all alike? Or never, in the whole contrived "relationship" does he think to outright question being blackmailed? Not even an affronted "you think you can blackmail me!" to which the kid would say (in essence) "wtf are you talking about?" and the whole miscommunication could resolve. But no, why do that when everything could be needlessly complicated and the whole sexual relationship between the two character could be made to feel gross and obligatory and spiteful? Which just made me feel angry and disgusted for the kid, who's sweet and innocent and trying his best, because a man who's supposedly in his 30s can't recognize handwriting or use the baseline critical thinking to ask a question.
The book really did try to get me to buy all of this, and I can respect that, but it didn't work. And even without the plothole, that kind of "relationship" between our love interests, especially with the age and experience gap already so large, just made reading this unpleasant. Maybe others wouldn't be bothered by that. Maybe I somehow missed a crucial point that would have fixed this. Maybe it gets better and becomes amazing by the end. If so, I hope others enjoy it, but it's not gonna be me.
This book started out well. I enjoyed the writing style and the introduction to the characters and world building. But then the actual blackmail plot happened and it all fell apart for me. Not sure if this all really counts as "spoilers" but I marked it as such anyway.
It all hinges on a handwritten blackmail letter, and therein lines the immediate issue. The book makes a point of talking about all the letters Daniel and his ex wrote to each other, and yet Daniel doesn't recognize his ex's handwriting? Not even a little bit? No suspicion or thought at all after the ex made a scene in his house? So instead the MC just immediately assumes it came from this random kid? And then, getting a different note from said kid later on, never questions that the writing isn't at all alike? Or never, in the whole contrived "relationship" does he think to outright question being blackmailed? Not even an affronted "you think you can blackmail me!" to which the kid would say (in essence) "wtf are you talking about?" and the whole miscommunication could resolve. But no, why do that when everything could be needlessly complicated and the whole sexual relationship between the two character could be made to feel gross and obligatory and spiteful? Which just made me feel angry and disgusted for the kid, who's sweet and innocent and trying his best, because a man who's supposedly in his 30s can't recognize handwriting or use the baseline critical thinking to ask a question.
The book really did try to get me to buy all of this, and I can respect that, but it didn't work. And even without the plothole, that kind of "relationship" between our love interests, especially with the age and experience gap already so large, just made reading this unpleasant. Maybe others wouldn't be bothered by that. Maybe I somehow missed a crucial point that would have fixed this. Maybe it gets better and becomes amazing by the end. If so, I hope others enjoy it, but it's not gonna be me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2024
I understand that 34 year olds dating 18 year olds during this time period was probably about as common place as marrying your cousin but c'mon. There was a wide array of ages to pick from and you just HAD to make the 18 year old learn to explore his sexuality with the 34 year old.
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July 25, 2025DNF at 17%
I don't like hetero historical romance because the dynamics are very uneven. I don't feel like any woman could properly have consented in the past because they weren't treated like fully autonomous beings (they still aren't so I don't really read heteromance).
I feel the same way about age gaps. It's icky having a dude that's over a decade older lusting after someone who is just barely legal by today's standards and also extremely unexperienced. It might have been different if the older guy was the inexperienced one but as it stands, this is not my jam and I'm gonna pass on in.
I don't like hetero historical romance because the dynamics are very uneven. I don't feel like any woman could properly have consented in the past because they weren't treated like fully autonomous beings (they still aren't so I don't really read heteromance).
I feel the same way about age gaps. It's icky having a dude that's over a decade older lusting after someone who is just barely legal by today's standards and also extremely unexperienced. It might have been different if the older guy was the inexperienced one but as it stands, this is not my jam and I'm gonna pass on in.
January 31, 2024
I received an ARC promotional copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
TLDR: This book does have sexual scenes and an age gap. However, it's well written, especially if you're already a fan of historical romance. It's very much of the genre and I liked it. 4 stars because I'm personally not a fan of age gaps.
Normally, I don't read historical romance. However, this book is so well written and quite honestly so adorable, it made me rethink my previous stance on the genre. The chemistry between the characters, as well as the strength within the characters themselves is so amazing to experience. David Lawrence has a way of describing the events and the world that the story takes place in that made me want to keep reading. There is an age gap between the main men of the story, so be aware if that's something you don't like. But I think that's normal within the genre, and it's not a major plot point. There are sex scenes but they’re not explicit and are mostly used to further the feelings of the main characters at the time. They’re also used to show the full desire between them.
The true feelings of the love between the characters made me smile so much my cheeks started to hurt. There are twists and reveals that made me gasp out loud. Overall, I had an absolute blast reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of romance.
TLDR: This book does have sexual scenes and an age gap. However, it's well written, especially if you're already a fan of historical romance. It's very much of the genre and I liked it. 4 stars because I'm personally not a fan of age gaps.
Normally, I don't read historical romance. However, this book is so well written and quite honestly so adorable, it made me rethink my previous stance on the genre. The chemistry between the characters, as well as the strength within the characters themselves is so amazing to experience. David Lawrence has a way of describing the events and the world that the story takes place in that made me want to keep reading. There is an age gap between the main men of the story, so be aware if that's something you don't like. But I think that's normal within the genre, and it's not a major plot point. There are sex scenes but they’re not explicit and are mostly used to further the feelings of the main characters at the time. They’re also used to show the full desire between them.
The true feelings of the love between the characters made me smile so much my cheeks started to hurt. There are twists and reveals that made me gasp out loud. Overall, I had an absolute blast reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of romance.
March 12, 2024
Exceedingly well written comedy of errors makes for a highly amusing romp where everyone gets their comeuppance, redemption or happy ending as deserved.
The absolute dreck you see on here rated 4.7 and for this not to be up there is a travesty.
The absolute dreck you see on here rated 4.7 and for this not to be up there is a travesty.
January 14, 2024
I was given a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair review, thanks to Net Galley and the publisher.
DNF @ 40%
Blackmailer's Delight is a historical LGBTQ+ romance about a man Daniel Thornton (who seems to be in the landed gentry/old money) who has recently come to the country after breaking up with his lover Clarence, and who falls for a tradesman's (new money) son, Luke Morley. It started off strong with a great breakup scene between Clarence and Daniel.
One thing that got to me early is the huge age gap: Daniel is in his mid 30s and Luke is about 20 years old. Daniel also is the more powerful character. Luke is a golden retriever, and Daniel is a grump, and I would hope that there would be a bit more equality between them.
The pacing is also off: the characters don't spend much time on the falling for each other bit before the complication is introduced, and actually they don't really spend much time together at all. Or thinking about each other. A lot of the book is spent talking about their families which would be fine, but we don't really get much character development to care about those families.
The PoV also jumps around at times in weird ways where it's hard to keep track of who we're following. The first Luke chapter seemed to be more from his mother's PoV.
So at 40% when things didn't really seem to be picking up much, I am giving this a DNF.
You might like this book if you're super into blackmail plots and don't mind the age gap or the inequality of feelings.
DNF @ 40%
Blackmailer's Delight is a historical LGBTQ+ romance about a man Daniel Thornton (who seems to be in the landed gentry/old money) who has recently come to the country after breaking up with his lover Clarence, and who falls for a tradesman's (new money) son, Luke Morley. It started off strong with a great breakup scene between Clarence and Daniel.
One thing that got to me early is the huge age gap: Daniel is in his mid 30s and Luke is about 20 years old. Daniel also is the more powerful character. Luke is a golden retriever, and Daniel is a grump, and I would hope that there would be a bit more equality between them.
The pacing is also off: the characters don't spend much time on the falling for each other bit before the complication is introduced, and actually they don't really spend much time together at all. Or thinking about each other. A lot of the book is spent talking about their families which would be fine, but we don't really get much character development to care about those families.
The PoV also jumps around at times in weird ways where it's hard to keep track of who we're following. The first Luke chapter seemed to be more from his mother's PoV.
So at 40% when things didn't really seem to be picking up much, I am giving this a DNF.
You might like this book if you're super into blackmail plots and don't mind the age gap or the inequality of feelings.
February 6, 2024
*I received a promotional copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*
Blackmailer’s Delight by David Lawrence is a historical romantic comedy with coming-of-age and LGBTQ themes. The story itself starts off in 1795 London, where main character Daniel Thornton lives with his lover, Clarence. Clarence, though, is a philanderer, a fact that up until this point, Daniel has been more or less dubiously accepting of, as he lives by the idea that, “There is safety in cynicism.” As far as he’s concerned, it’s better to remain pessimistic about life, acknowledge (and expect) the bad in people, and simply build walls to shield yourself from the world. However, when the need arises for him to move to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle, Erasmus, Daniel takes it as an opportunity to leave his philandering lover behind (with dramatic flair) and break down his self-made walls, in order to become a ‘better person.’ Once settled in Grantham, he makes the acquaintance of young Luke Morley, a local draper’s son, who shares his inclinations (and interest), thus beginning a whirlwind romance. Of course, this relationship must remain secret, and so, becomes a relationship where struggles and misunderstandings abound.
The book is full of more serious subjects such as rejection and heartbreak, self-discovery and the struggles of self-acceptance, family and societal expectations, secrets and deceit and blackmail schemes, and some period-typical homophobia. It does, though, have enough witty quips and comical relief, mainly thanks to the lovely Albert Collins, valet and supportive friend of Daniel, as well as cute/tender moments of new love, which keep it from staying too heavy. The constant twists and turns and surprises weaved into the story are sure to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as well. I know I was hooked from the get-go, drawn into the characters’ worlds, and needing to know how things worked out for each of them, if there was any possibility of a happy ending.
I will say that there are some love scenes in this book (not overly explicit, but definitely steamy), so if that’s something you’re uncomfortable with, or if, perhaps, you take issue with large age gaps in relationships, this probably isn’t the novel for you. If, however, you don’t have any problem with those things, and you’re looking for a good LGBTQ love story with relatable characters, interspersed with comedic moments, and historical facts, I would highly recommend giving Blackmailer’s Delight a read.
Blackmailer’s Delight by David Lawrence is a historical romantic comedy with coming-of-age and LGBTQ themes. The story itself starts off in 1795 London, where main character Daniel Thornton lives with his lover, Clarence. Clarence, though, is a philanderer, a fact that up until this point, Daniel has been more or less dubiously accepting of, as he lives by the idea that, “There is safety in cynicism.” As far as he’s concerned, it’s better to remain pessimistic about life, acknowledge (and expect) the bad in people, and simply build walls to shield yourself from the world. However, when the need arises for him to move to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle, Erasmus, Daniel takes it as an opportunity to leave his philandering lover behind (with dramatic flair) and break down his self-made walls, in order to become a ‘better person.’ Once settled in Grantham, he makes the acquaintance of young Luke Morley, a local draper’s son, who shares his inclinations (and interest), thus beginning a whirlwind romance. Of course, this relationship must remain secret, and so, becomes a relationship where struggles and misunderstandings abound.
The book is full of more serious subjects such as rejection and heartbreak, self-discovery and the struggles of self-acceptance, family and societal expectations, secrets and deceit and blackmail schemes, and some period-typical homophobia. It does, though, have enough witty quips and comical relief, mainly thanks to the lovely Albert Collins, valet and supportive friend of Daniel, as well as cute/tender moments of new love, which keep it from staying too heavy. The constant twists and turns and surprises weaved into the story are sure to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, as well. I know I was hooked from the get-go, drawn into the characters’ worlds, and needing to know how things worked out for each of them, if there was any possibility of a happy ending.
I will say that there are some love scenes in this book (not overly explicit, but definitely steamy), so if that’s something you’re uncomfortable with, or if, perhaps, you take issue with large age gaps in relationships, this probably isn’t the novel for you. If, however, you don’t have any problem with those things, and you’re looking for a good LGBTQ love story with relatable characters, interspersed with comedic moments, and historical facts, I would highly recommend giving Blackmailer’s Delight a read.
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February 13, 2024Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy of this book!
The writing in this book is very solid. The author nailed the dialogue particularly, it felt very accurate to the time period. The prose was fast moving and light, which made it easy to read. The characters were colorful and interesting. Luke was my favorite. He was adorable. The miscommunication trope worked particularly well here, being that the characters were unable to speak about certain things to each other outright.
That being said, I don’t think I would be the target audience for this book but I thought it was cute and I can see how others would like it.
The writing in this book is very solid. The author nailed the dialogue particularly, it felt very accurate to the time period. The prose was fast moving and light, which made it easy to read. The characters were colorful and interesting. Luke was my favorite. He was adorable. The miscommunication trope worked particularly well here, being that the characters were unable to speak about certain things to each other outright.
That being said, I don’t think I would be the target audience for this book but I thought it was cute and I can see how others would like it.
May 7, 2026
Blackmailer’s Delight genuinely surprised me in how much my opinion of it evolved from beginning to end. Before I first started reading, I did pause at the age difference between the two main characters Daniel, who is 34, and Luke, who is 18. At face value after reading some reviews on here, that dynamic felt slightly uncomfortable to me, and I wasn’t immediately sure how I would settle into their relationship.
What changed everything for me was stepping back and really engaging with the story beyond my initial reaction. After a discussion session in my book club, I found myself rethinking a lot of those early assumptions. Hearing different interpretations of Daniel’s emotional isolation, Luke’s coming-of-age perspective, and the way secrecy shapes their entire connection helped me see the relationship less as something simple or straightforward, and more as something deeply rooted in vulnerability, repression, and the constraints of the time period.
David Lawrence actually does a very strong job of showing how both characters are emotionally incomplete in different ways. Daniel is guarded to the point of cynicism, shaped by betrayal and disappointment, while Luke is still trying to understand himself in a world where he has very little freedom to do so openly. Their connection is messy, imperfect, and at times uncomfortable — but it’s also written with a level of emotional intention that becomes clearer the more you sit with it.
The Georgian setting also adds a lot of weight to everything. The secrecy isn’t just a plot device; it actively shapes how these characters behave, communicate, and misinterpret each other. That made the misunderstandings feel less like frustration for the sake of drama and more like a reflection of their environment and emotional limitations.
What I ended up appreciating most is how much this book benefits from discussion. On my own, I might have stopped at discomfort or hesitation, but talking through different perspectives made me realize how layered the story actually is. It’s not just about romance — it’s about isolation, emotional survival, and the difficulty of connection in a restrictive world.
By the end, I wasn’t just invested in the characters I was genuinely impressed by how much my reading experience changed through reflection and conversation. *Blackmailer’s Delight* is exactly the kind of book that proves interpretation matters just as much as plot, and that’s why it became a 5-star read for me.
What changed everything for me was stepping back and really engaging with the story beyond my initial reaction. After a discussion session in my book club, I found myself rethinking a lot of those early assumptions. Hearing different interpretations of Daniel’s emotional isolation, Luke’s coming-of-age perspective, and the way secrecy shapes their entire connection helped me see the relationship less as something simple or straightforward, and more as something deeply rooted in vulnerability, repression, and the constraints of the time period.
David Lawrence actually does a very strong job of showing how both characters are emotionally incomplete in different ways. Daniel is guarded to the point of cynicism, shaped by betrayal and disappointment, while Luke is still trying to understand himself in a world where he has very little freedom to do so openly. Their connection is messy, imperfect, and at times uncomfortable — but it’s also written with a level of emotional intention that becomes clearer the more you sit with it.
The Georgian setting also adds a lot of weight to everything. The secrecy isn’t just a plot device; it actively shapes how these characters behave, communicate, and misinterpret each other. That made the misunderstandings feel less like frustration for the sake of drama and more like a reflection of their environment and emotional limitations.
What I ended up appreciating most is how much this book benefits from discussion. On my own, I might have stopped at discomfort or hesitation, but talking through different perspectives made me realize how layered the story actually is. It’s not just about romance — it’s about isolation, emotional survival, and the difficulty of connection in a restrictive world.
By the end, I wasn’t just invested in the characters I was genuinely impressed by how much my reading experience changed through reflection and conversation. *Blackmailer’s Delight* is exactly the kind of book that proves interpretation matters just as much as plot, and that’s why it became a 5-star read for me.
February 25, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy of this book.
Blackmailer’s Delight by David Lawrence was witty and funny and really spoke to what it is to live in distrust of the world around you. The book begins with a breakup scene between Daniel Thorton and his lover Clarence Ludlow before Daniel receives a letter whisking him away to an estate in the countryside to care for his ailing uncle and to find goodness in the world. What follows is a tumultuous and heartwarming story as Daniel Thorton and Luke Morley try to love one another in a world that forbids them from doing so.
The plot of this novel was driven forward by multilayered miscommunication. Although I typically don’t enjoy the miscommunication trope, I can appreciate the role it played in this story. The factors that allowed this miscommunication to persist for so long were realistic to the time period as opposed to just being the lack of simple communication. I enjoyed the resolution at the end of the novel and the way that it tied together so many of the obstacles faced throughout the story. I thought that it was a sweet and wholesome end to a romp.
Despite understanding the role of miscommunication, it made it so that I struggled a little to believe the romance between Daniel and Luke. There is a 16 year age gap between the two of them and the power inequality was apparent from the very beginning. In addition to this, Daniel and Luke don’t spend enough time truly getting to know one another. This is justified in part given the weight of a blackmail note hanging in the balance but it made it hard to believe the feelings they were developing after so little civil interaction.
The characters in this novel were charming and nuanced. Daniel Thorton is a kind and gentle man made distrustful from years of feeling ostracized in a society that refuses to accept him. Luke Morley is a young man coming to terms with the realities of his orientation, distancing himself from those he loves and standing defiant against an oppressive world. Clarence Ludlow was the image of a man spoiled by overbearing parents, but even he grew and developed wonderfully by the novel's end.
Blackmailer’s Delight by David Lawrence was witty and funny and really spoke to what it is to live in distrust of the world around you. The book begins with a breakup scene between Daniel Thorton and his lover Clarence Ludlow before Daniel receives a letter whisking him away to an estate in the countryside to care for his ailing uncle and to find goodness in the world. What follows is a tumultuous and heartwarming story as Daniel Thorton and Luke Morley try to love one another in a world that forbids them from doing so.
The plot of this novel was driven forward by multilayered miscommunication. Although I typically don’t enjoy the miscommunication trope, I can appreciate the role it played in this story. The factors that allowed this miscommunication to persist for so long were realistic to the time period as opposed to just being the lack of simple communication. I enjoyed the resolution at the end of the novel and the way that it tied together so many of the obstacles faced throughout the story. I thought that it was a sweet and wholesome end to a romp.
Despite understanding the role of miscommunication, it made it so that I struggled a little to believe the romance between Daniel and Luke. There is a 16 year age gap between the two of them and the power inequality was apparent from the very beginning. In addition to this, Daniel and Luke don’t spend enough time truly getting to know one another. This is justified in part given the weight of a blackmail note hanging in the balance but it made it hard to believe the feelings they were developing after so little civil interaction.
The characters in this novel were charming and nuanced. Daniel Thorton is a kind and gentle man made distrustful from years of feeling ostracized in a society that refuses to accept him. Luke Morley is a young man coming to terms with the realities of his orientation, distancing himself from those he loves and standing defiant against an oppressive world. Clarence Ludlow was the image of a man spoiled by overbearing parents, but even he grew and developed wonderfully by the novel's end.
February 10, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Broadbound Publishing for the ARC of Blackmailer's Delight by David Lawrence. Set in 1795 this book broaches the topic of time specific homophobia and the men and women you fight to have the relationships they want outside of societies standards.
Blackmailer's Delight starts with the rather spectacular breakup of Daniel and Clarence prior to Daniel moving back to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle. There he meets Luke who is a younger man seeking to understand his sexual orientation. After a night of partying Daniel receives a letter blackmailing him about his sexual orientation. Daniel believes the blackmailer to be Luke and uses this to his advantage.
The characters in this book where really well developed and written. Daniel is definitely a person who while he may seem selfish he truly cares about those around him. He worries that if his uncle finds out the truth about himself that he may lose the closest family member he has. Luke starts off as a really innocent character who doesn't know much about the world. Throughout the book I just wanted to hug and protect him. Clarence is 100% what happens to spoil children who have overbearing parents. He does develop a lot as a character throughout the book but he frustrated me so much during it.
I loved the open communication of what it is to be a queer person in this time period and how one must protect themselves. I think the ending was pure perfection and was the only way for everyone to have a happy ending. I also think this was one of the best versions of a misunderstanding/miscommunication trope I have read. The misunderstanding does go for a while in the book but once it is solved there is such wonderful and open communication between all characters.
I highly recommend this for a good and quick read. If you enjoy historical fiction books this is the one for you. Content warnings are period specific homophobia.
Blackmailer's Delight starts with the rather spectacular breakup of Daniel and Clarence prior to Daniel moving back to Grantham to care for his ailing uncle. There he meets Luke who is a younger man seeking to understand his sexual orientation. After a night of partying Daniel receives a letter blackmailing him about his sexual orientation. Daniel believes the blackmailer to be Luke and uses this to his advantage.
The characters in this book where really well developed and written. Daniel is definitely a person who while he may seem selfish he truly cares about those around him. He worries that if his uncle finds out the truth about himself that he may lose the closest family member he has. Luke starts off as a really innocent character who doesn't know much about the world. Throughout the book I just wanted to hug and protect him. Clarence is 100% what happens to spoil children who have overbearing parents. He does develop a lot as a character throughout the book but he frustrated me so much during it.
I loved the open communication of what it is to be a queer person in this time period and how one must protect themselves. I think the ending was pure perfection and was the only way for everyone to have a happy ending. I also think this was one of the best versions of a misunderstanding/miscommunication trope I have read. The misunderstanding does go for a while in the book but once it is solved there is such wonderful and open communication between all characters.
I highly recommend this for a good and quick read. If you enjoy historical fiction books this is the one for you. Content warnings are period specific homophobia.
May 7, 2026
I ended up giving Blackmailer’s Delight 4 stars after hearing about it from my book club, mainly because the story kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end. It sparked a lot of discussion for us, especially around the romance itself, which honestly made the reading experience even more interesting.
David Lawrence did an amazing job with the atmosphere and dialogue. The Georgian-era setting felt immersive without becoming overwhelming, and I really enjoyed the balance between humor, emotional tension, secrecy, and romance. The book had this dramatic energy that kept pulling me from one chapter to the next.
Luke was probably my favorite character because of how vulnerable and sincere he felt throughout the story. Daniel, meanwhile, carried so much cynicism and emotional damage that watching him slowly open himself up again became one of the strongest parts of the novel for me.
The one thing that kept this from being a full 5-star read personally was the age difference between Daniel and Luke. I understand that relationships like that may have been more common during the time period, but there were moments where the dynamic between a 34-year-old man and an 18-year-old who was still figuring himself out felt a little difficult for me to fully settle into emotionally. I think I would have connected even more with the romance if the emotional bond between them had been developed a bit further outside of the attraction and misunderstandings.
That said, I still genuinely enjoyed the experience of reading this book. The blackmail plot, the emotional confusion, the secrecy, and all the dramatic twists made it incredibly hard to put down. Overall, this was witty, emotional, messy, and memorable, and I can absolutely see why it became such a big discussion point in our book club.
David Lawrence did an amazing job with the atmosphere and dialogue. The Georgian-era setting felt immersive without becoming overwhelming, and I really enjoyed the balance between humor, emotional tension, secrecy, and romance. The book had this dramatic energy that kept pulling me from one chapter to the next.
Luke was probably my favorite character because of how vulnerable and sincere he felt throughout the story. Daniel, meanwhile, carried so much cynicism and emotional damage that watching him slowly open himself up again became one of the strongest parts of the novel for me.
The one thing that kept this from being a full 5-star read personally was the age difference between Daniel and Luke. I understand that relationships like that may have been more common during the time period, but there were moments where the dynamic between a 34-year-old man and an 18-year-old who was still figuring himself out felt a little difficult for me to fully settle into emotionally. I think I would have connected even more with the romance if the emotional bond between them had been developed a bit further outside of the attraction and misunderstandings.
That said, I still genuinely enjoyed the experience of reading this book. The blackmail plot, the emotional confusion, the secrecy, and all the dramatic twists made it incredibly hard to put down. Overall, this was witty, emotional, messy, and memorable, and I can absolutely see why it became such a big discussion point in our book club.
March 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Broadbound Publishing for sending this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blackmailer’s Delight follows Daniel Thornton as he leaves his relationship with Clarence. After moving to his Uncle’s estate to care for him, he meets Luke Morley. As Daniel enters this new relationship, conflict transpires as he receives a blackmail letter asking that he marry one of Luke's sisters. All signs lead to Luke, and confusion ensues.
This book’s strength is certainly in its prose. It is unique in that the language is similar to that of a period classic—think Pride and Prejudice—rather than a modern retelling of historical events, which I loved. It's witty and lighthearted and won't leave you heartbroken by the end. I felt that the pacing of the novel worked well given its length. I think it would be a great choice for anyone who appreciates a classic romance novel but would like more diversity regarding romantic relationships. I also appreciated the history lesson regarding 'The Revolt of the Housewives,' an event that takes place during the time of this novel.
I admit I had a tough time getting into this book at first, but once I was a ways along, it was much easier to get immersed in the plot. A few of the characters felt flat at times but I felt that this didn’t detract too much from the work as a whole, especially considering that the novel itself is meant to be more lighthearted. I would have loved to see a deeper, more intimate connection between Daniel and Luke apart from an attraction for physical features.
I recommend Blackmailer’s Delight to fans of A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue who are looking for a tale with similar feelings but less modern language.
Blackmailer’s Delight follows Daniel Thornton as he leaves his relationship with Clarence. After moving to his Uncle’s estate to care for him, he meets Luke Morley. As Daniel enters this new relationship, conflict transpires as he receives a blackmail letter asking that he marry one of Luke's sisters. All signs lead to Luke, and confusion ensues.
This book’s strength is certainly in its prose. It is unique in that the language is similar to that of a period classic—think Pride and Prejudice—rather than a modern retelling of historical events, which I loved. It's witty and lighthearted and won't leave you heartbroken by the end. I felt that the pacing of the novel worked well given its length. I think it would be a great choice for anyone who appreciates a classic romance novel but would like more diversity regarding romantic relationships. I also appreciated the history lesson regarding 'The Revolt of the Housewives,' an event that takes place during the time of this novel.
I admit I had a tough time getting into this book at first, but once I was a ways along, it was much easier to get immersed in the plot. A few of the characters felt flat at times but I felt that this didn’t detract too much from the work as a whole, especially considering that the novel itself is meant to be more lighthearted. I would have loved to see a deeper, more intimate connection between Daniel and Luke apart from an attraction for physical features.
I recommend Blackmailer’s Delight to fans of A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue who are looking for a tale with similar feelings but less modern language.
November 24, 2024
Damn you dramatic irony! Damn you miscommunication trope!
A Blackmailer’s Delight is well written, with complex secondary characters and a surprise twist ending. The book passes the Bechdel Test.
But a large portion of the middle section contained: Oh-so-very painful and stressful miscommunications between the MCs. These misunderstandings spanned so many anxiety provoking chapters, taking away from my enjoyment of the overall story. About 7 chapters into the story, I knew I’d have to finish it, in order to get rid of the anxiety in the pit of my stomach. I had to power through the tortuous middle section, in order to reach the happily ever after resolution. So, in summary: This book held me hostage!
I utterly despise the anxiety that the reader experiences when the omniscient narrator reveals something to the audience about which the characters in the story are unaware. The feeling is so horrendous. The misleads, lies and frustratingly avoidable miscommunications go on for so long making at least 50% of the reading experience so unpleasant- and effecting my overall rating. It was impossible to enjoy the sex and intimacy that occur during the misunderstands. That being said the writing was good, narrator (Cornell Collins) was excellent as per usual.
Ultimately the romance was satisfying, once all the miscommunications were revealed and explained, but not until the near end.
So much of the book made me queasy and anxious that most of it wasn’t enjoyable to read. If it weren’t for all the dramatic irony and strong reliance on the miscommunication trope, I’d rate the book more highly.
A Blackmailer’s Delight is well written, with complex secondary characters and a surprise twist ending. The book passes the Bechdel Test.
But a large portion of the middle section contained: Oh-so-very painful and stressful miscommunications between the MCs. These misunderstandings spanned so many anxiety provoking chapters, taking away from my enjoyment of the overall story. About 7 chapters into the story, I knew I’d have to finish it, in order to get rid of the anxiety in the pit of my stomach. I had to power through the tortuous middle section, in order to reach the happily ever after resolution. So, in summary: This book held me hostage!
I utterly despise the anxiety that the reader experiences when the omniscient narrator reveals something to the audience about which the characters in the story are unaware. The feeling is so horrendous. The misleads, lies and frustratingly avoidable miscommunications go on for so long making at least 50% of the reading experience so unpleasant- and effecting my overall rating. It was impossible to enjoy the sex and intimacy that occur during the misunderstands. That being said the writing was good, narrator (Cornell Collins) was excellent as per usual.
Ultimately the romance was satisfying, once all the miscommunications were revealed and explained, but not until the near end.
So much of the book made me queasy and anxious that most of it wasn’t enjoyable to read. If it weren’t for all the dramatic irony and strong reliance on the miscommunication trope, I’d rate the book more highly.
May 7, 2026
I really enjoyed Blackmailer’s Delight and ended up giving it 4 stars. David Lawrence created a historical romance that felt emotional, witty, and incredibly immersive. The Georgian-era atmosphere was one of the strongest parts of the novel for me the dialogue, social expectations, and secrecy surrounding the characters all felt very believable and added a lot of depth to the story.
Luke was easily my favorite character. He had such a genuine sweetness and vulnerability that made it impossible not to root for him. Daniel was also interesting because of how emotionally closed off he was, and watching him slowly lower his guard became one of the more rewarding parts of the book.
The story definitely kept me entertained with all the misunderstandings, blackmail drama, and emotional tension. There were several moments where I genuinely didn’t know how things were going to resolve, which kept me turning pages.
The main thing I would have loved the author to change slightly is the pacing of the blackmail plot itself. At times, I wished certain misunderstandings had been resolved a little sooner because a few situations started to feel more frustrating than suspenseful. I also would have loved even more direct emotional conversations between the main characters since their chemistry was strongest when they were honest with each other.
Still, none of that stopped me from enjoying the experience overall. The romance was heartfelt, the writing was strong, and the characters stayed with me after finishing the book. David Lawrence clearly put a lot of care into this story, and it absolutely shows.
Luke was easily my favorite character. He had such a genuine sweetness and vulnerability that made it impossible not to root for him. Daniel was also interesting because of how emotionally closed off he was, and watching him slowly lower his guard became one of the more rewarding parts of the book.
The story definitely kept me entertained with all the misunderstandings, blackmail drama, and emotional tension. There were several moments where I genuinely didn’t know how things were going to resolve, which kept me turning pages.
The main thing I would have loved the author to change slightly is the pacing of the blackmail plot itself. At times, I wished certain misunderstandings had been resolved a little sooner because a few situations started to feel more frustrating than suspenseful. I also would have loved even more direct emotional conversations between the main characters since their chemistry was strongest when they were honest with each other.
Still, none of that stopped me from enjoying the experience overall. The romance was heartfelt, the writing was strong, and the characters stayed with me after finishing the book. David Lawrence clearly put a lot of care into this story, and it absolutely shows.
May 7, 2026
This book completely swept me away. Blackmailer’s Delight has all the elements I love in historical romance emotional tension, witty dialogue, messy misunderstandings, longing, heartbreak, and characters who feel genuinely human.
David Lawrence did an incredible job creating a world that felt immersive from the very first chapter. The Georgian-era setting never felt like simple background decoration; it shaped every interaction, every secret, and every emotional decision the characters made. You could feel the pressure and fear hanging over them constantly, which made the romance even more intense.
What really made this story stand out for me was the emotional depth behind the drama. Daniel is such a layered character underneath all his cynicism and emotional walls, and Luke brings such warmth and sincerity into the story that their connection became impossible not to root for. Their chemistry felt emotional before it even felt romantic, which made the relationship far more believable and compelling to me.
I also loved how the humor balanced out the heavier moments. Some scenes genuinely made me smile while others completely broke my heart. The supporting characters added so much charm and personality as well.
Yes, the story is dramatic and chaotic at times, but honestly, that’s part of what made it so addictive. I kept telling myself “one more chapter” and suddenly half the night was gone.
David Lawrence deserves a lot of praise for writing a historical LGBTQ romance that feels heartfelt, entertaining, emotional, and memorable all at once. This is absolutely a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
David Lawrence did an incredible job creating a world that felt immersive from the very first chapter. The Georgian-era setting never felt like simple background decoration; it shaped every interaction, every secret, and every emotional decision the characters made. You could feel the pressure and fear hanging over them constantly, which made the romance even more intense.
What really made this story stand out for me was the emotional depth behind the drama. Daniel is such a layered character underneath all his cynicism and emotional walls, and Luke brings such warmth and sincerity into the story that their connection became impossible not to root for. Their chemistry felt emotional before it even felt romantic, which made the relationship far more believable and compelling to me.
I also loved how the humor balanced out the heavier moments. Some scenes genuinely made me smile while others completely broke my heart. The supporting characters added so much charm and personality as well.
Yes, the story is dramatic and chaotic at times, but honestly, that’s part of what made it so addictive. I kept telling myself “one more chapter” and suddenly half the night was gone.
David Lawrence deserves a lot of praise for writing a historical LGBTQ romance that feels heartfelt, entertaining, emotional, and memorable all at once. This is absolutely a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
May 7, 2026
I actually discovered Blackmailer’s Delight through my book club, Shepherds Bush, and I’m genuinely glad it ended up on our reading list because this book completely surprised me.
What started as a witty historical romance quickly turned into something far more emotional and immersive than I expected. David Lawrence did an amazing job bringing the Georgian setting to life the dialogue, the tension, the secrecy, all of it felt incredibly authentic without slowing the story down.
Daniel and Luke had such an interesting dynamic. Their relationship was messy, vulnerable, frustrating at times, but also deeply heartfelt. I know the age gap may not work for every reader, but I personally found myself more invested in the emotional journey between them and the loneliness both characters carried throughout the story.
The blackmail and misunderstanding plot created so much drama that I kept saying “just TALK to each other already,” yet somehow that chaos became part of the charm. And honestly, the humor balanced everything out perfectly.
Our Shepherds Bush discussions about this book were amazing because everyone seemed to connect with different parts of it some loved the romance, some loved the historical atmosphere, and others loved the emotional complexity behind the characters.
Overall, this was witty, touching, dramatic, and surprisingly addictive. Huge compliments to David Lawrence for crafting a historical LGBTQ romance that actually stays with you after you finish it.
What started as a witty historical romance quickly turned into something far more emotional and immersive than I expected. David Lawrence did an amazing job bringing the Georgian setting to life the dialogue, the tension, the secrecy, all of it felt incredibly authentic without slowing the story down.
Daniel and Luke had such an interesting dynamic. Their relationship was messy, vulnerable, frustrating at times, but also deeply heartfelt. I know the age gap may not work for every reader, but I personally found myself more invested in the emotional journey between them and the loneliness both characters carried throughout the story.
The blackmail and misunderstanding plot created so much drama that I kept saying “just TALK to each other already,” yet somehow that chaos became part of the charm. And honestly, the humor balanced everything out perfectly.
Our Shepherds Bush discussions about this book were amazing because everyone seemed to connect with different parts of it some loved the romance, some loved the historical atmosphere, and others loved the emotional complexity behind the characters.
Overall, this was witty, touching, dramatic, and surprisingly addictive. Huge compliments to David Lawrence for crafting a historical LGBTQ romance that actually stays with you after you finish it.
May 7, 2026
I picked up Blackmailer’s Delight after it was recommended during one of our Shepherds Bush book club discussions, and I honestly did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.
The biggest strength of this novel for me was the writing itself. David Lawrence has a way of making the dialogue and atmosphere feel very natural to the time period while still keeping the story entertaining and easy to follow. The book feels elegant without becoming overly dense, which I really appreciated.
Luke completely stole my heart. His awkwardness, curiosity, and emotional sincerity made him such an easy character to root for. Daniel, on the other hand, carries so much emotional baggage and cynicism that watching their relationship slowly unfold became incredibly compelling.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just romance for the sake of romance. Beneath the humor and scandal, there’s a real exploration of loneliness, secrecy, fear of judgment, and the desire to be understood in a society that gives these characters very little freedom.
The blackmail plot definitely creates a lot of chaos and frustration, but somehow it kept me glued to the pages because I genuinely needed to know how everything would unravel.
This ended up being one of the more memorable historical LGBTQ romances I’ve read recently, and judging by the reactions in our Shepherds Bush discussions, I definitely wasn’t the only one who got emotionally invested in it. David Lawrence truly did a wonderful job with this story.
The biggest strength of this novel for me was the writing itself. David Lawrence has a way of making the dialogue and atmosphere feel very natural to the time period while still keeping the story entertaining and easy to follow. The book feels elegant without becoming overly dense, which I really appreciated.
Luke completely stole my heart. His awkwardness, curiosity, and emotional sincerity made him such an easy character to root for. Daniel, on the other hand, carries so much emotional baggage and cynicism that watching their relationship slowly unfold became incredibly compelling.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just romance for the sake of romance. Beneath the humor and scandal, there’s a real exploration of loneliness, secrecy, fear of judgment, and the desire to be understood in a society that gives these characters very little freedom.
The blackmail plot definitely creates a lot of chaos and frustration, but somehow it kept me glued to the pages because I genuinely needed to know how everything would unravel.
This ended up being one of the more memorable historical LGBTQ romances I’ve read recently, and judging by the reactions in our Shepherds Bush discussions, I definitely wasn’t the only one who got emotionally invested in it. David Lawrence truly did a wonderful job with this story.
May 7, 2026
I first heard about Blackmailer’s Delight through Shepherds Bush book club, and after seeing so many mixed opinions during our discussion, I had to read it for myself. I’m very glad I did because this book was such an entertaining experience.
What I loved most was how alive the characters felt. Daniel isn’t written as the perfect romantic lead he’s guarded, bitter, dramatic, and constantly fighting his own fears. Luke brings this warmth and innocence that balances Daniel perfectly, and together they created so much emotional tension that I kept flying through chapters just to see what would happen next.
The Georgian-era setting was also beautifully done. David Lawrence clearly understands how to build atmosphere. The secrecy surrounding the relationships, the social pressure, and the constant fear of exposure gave the romance a deeper emotional weight that made the story stand out from a lot of other historical romances I’ve read.
I know some readers may struggle with the age gap or the heavy use of miscommunication, but personally I felt the emotional storytelling outweighed those concerns for me. The misunderstandings honestly added to the chaotic charm of the book.
There were moments that made me laugh, moments that frustrated me, and a few moments that genuinely hurt emotionally, which is exactly what I want from a romance novel.
Overall, this was dramatic, funny, emotional, and surprisingly addictive. Huge credit to David Lawrence for writing a historical LGBTQ romance that sparked so much conversation in our Shepherds Bush group.
What I loved most was how alive the characters felt. Daniel isn’t written as the perfect romantic lead he’s guarded, bitter, dramatic, and constantly fighting his own fears. Luke brings this warmth and innocence that balances Daniel perfectly, and together they created so much emotional tension that I kept flying through chapters just to see what would happen next.
The Georgian-era setting was also beautifully done. David Lawrence clearly understands how to build atmosphere. The secrecy surrounding the relationships, the social pressure, and the constant fear of exposure gave the romance a deeper emotional weight that made the story stand out from a lot of other historical romances I’ve read.
I know some readers may struggle with the age gap or the heavy use of miscommunication, but personally I felt the emotional storytelling outweighed those concerns for me. The misunderstandings honestly added to the chaotic charm of the book.
There were moments that made me laugh, moments that frustrated me, and a few moments that genuinely hurt emotionally, which is exactly what I want from a romance novel.
Overall, this was dramatic, funny, emotional, and surprisingly addictive. Huge credit to David Lawrence for writing a historical LGBTQ romance that sparked so much conversation in our Shepherds Bush group.
May 7, 2026
Blackmailer’s Delight ended up being such a fun and emotionally layered read. I went into it expecting a light historical romance, but David Lawrence delivered something that felt far richer and more memorable than I anticipated.
The writing was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dialogue felt authentic to the period without becoming difficult to follow, and the atmosphere was so vivid that I could easily picture every scene unfolding. There’s a wonderful balance between humor, tension, romance, and emotional vulnerability throughout the story.
Daniel and Luke were both compelling in very different ways. Daniel carries so much emotional damage and distrust that watching him slowly open himself up again became one of the strongest aspects of the novel for me. Luke, meanwhile, brought such sincerity and warmth to the story that I found myself immediately attached to his character.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t shy away from the realities of the time period. The secrecy and fear surrounding the relationships added genuine emotional weight to the romance and made many scenes feel even more intense.
The blackmail and misunderstanding storyline definitely creates chaos, but honestly, that dramatic messiness became part of the entertainment for me. I was completely invested in seeing how everything would unravel.
Overall, this was witty, heartfelt, dramatic, and very addictive. David Lawrence did a fantastic job creating a historical LGBTQ romance filled with emotion, tension, and memorable characters.
The writing was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dialogue felt authentic to the period without becoming difficult to follow, and the atmosphere was so vivid that I could easily picture every scene unfolding. There’s a wonderful balance between humor, tension, romance, and emotional vulnerability throughout the story.
Daniel and Luke were both compelling in very different ways. Daniel carries so much emotional damage and distrust that watching him slowly open himself up again became one of the strongest aspects of the novel for me. Luke, meanwhile, brought such sincerity and warmth to the story that I found myself immediately attached to his character.
I also appreciated that the book didn’t shy away from the realities of the time period. The secrecy and fear surrounding the relationships added genuine emotional weight to the romance and made many scenes feel even more intense.
The blackmail and misunderstanding storyline definitely creates chaos, but honestly, that dramatic messiness became part of the entertainment for me. I was completely invested in seeing how everything would unravel.
Overall, this was witty, heartfelt, dramatic, and very addictive. David Lawrence did a fantastic job creating a historical LGBTQ romance filled with emotion, tension, and memorable characters.
February 12, 2024
3.5 stars
Interestingly, I was still not sure, halfway into the book, whether it was intended to be a capital-r romance or not, and, unfortunately, this lack of clarity about what this book wanted (was supposed?) to be affected my experience with and enjoyment of it. The cover calls it a "Georgian Era Romp," and it certainly is that. Lawrence's writing style is wry, self-aware, and more than occasionally outright funny. It definitely succeeds as a queer historical romp, and I recommend it for readers who want that. I, however, am a Romance Reader and cannot help but view it through that lens. As such, the romance did not work for me: there is no build-up to their feelings for each other, in large part because they actually spend very little time together. It's very insta-lovey. There is a line halfway through that claims "[t]here had been moments at the ball and in his home which seemed like openings to a private joke or a pet name." If so, all of those moments happened off-page. It's a shame because I think more on-page development of the burgeoning relationship central to the story could have made this an outright delight of a book. I did enjoy the romance aspect more after about 60% in, when it starts to treat the romance with a bit more earnestness. Truthfully, Mr. Collins may have been my favorite part. Overall, I mostly enjoyed the fun ride, and I'd be willing to give Lawrence's other books a shot.
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Interestingly, I was still not sure, halfway into the book, whether it was intended to be a capital-r romance or not, and, unfortunately, this lack of clarity about what this book wanted (was supposed?) to be affected my experience with and enjoyment of it. The cover calls it a "Georgian Era Romp," and it certainly is that. Lawrence's writing style is wry, self-aware, and more than occasionally outright funny. It definitely succeeds as a queer historical romp, and I recommend it for readers who want that. I, however, am a Romance Reader and cannot help but view it through that lens. As such, the romance did not work for me: there is no build-up to their feelings for each other, in large part because they actually spend very little time together. It's very insta-lovey. There is a line halfway through that claims "[t]here had been moments at the ball and in his home which seemed like openings to a private joke or a pet name." If so, all of those moments happened off-page. It's a shame because I think more on-page development of the burgeoning relationship central to the story could have made this an outright delight of a book. I did enjoy the romance aspect more after about 60% in, when it starts to treat the romance with a bit more earnestness. Truthfully, Mr. Collins may have been my favorite part. Overall, I mostly enjoyed the fun ride, and I'd be willing to give Lawrence's other books a shot.
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2024
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
dnf @ 58%
I feel very mixed about this book. On one hand, the writing style is EXCELLENT -- it's extremely engaging and witty, and was one of the parts of the book that I enjoyed the most. The characters were also pretty fun, tho I do wish we'd been able to delve into the main characters a tad more than we did.
On the other hand, there were many things that really frustrated me. The central conceit of the book (a blackmail comedy of errors) is often so ridiculous that it's difficult to suspend your disbelief, to the point that it irritated me most times it came up. I would have also loved if we got more development of the romance; it felt more like a mutual lust/instalove combination, which is fine for some people, but not to my taste.
I also found the historical setting somewhat challenging. The author has a forward saying how they wanted to play with this specific time period because of the unrest around food prices, but we don't properly engage with that until 50% into the book. At which point that unrest seems to have arrived out of left field, and only serves to confuse the reader. If it had been better incorporated into the book from the beginning, I think it could have been really interesting and successful! But alas.
Overall, I think this is a book that has a lot of bright points that might draw and entertain readers, but alas, it was not a successful book for me.
2.5 stars
dnf @ 58%
I feel very mixed about this book. On one hand, the writing style is EXCELLENT -- it's extremely engaging and witty, and was one of the parts of the book that I enjoyed the most. The characters were also pretty fun, tho I do wish we'd been able to delve into the main characters a tad more than we did.
On the other hand, there were many things that really frustrated me. The central conceit of the book (a blackmail comedy of errors) is often so ridiculous that it's difficult to suspend your disbelief, to the point that it irritated me most times it came up. I would have also loved if we got more development of the romance; it felt more like a mutual lust/instalove combination, which is fine for some people, but not to my taste.
I also found the historical setting somewhat challenging. The author has a forward saying how they wanted to play with this specific time period because of the unrest around food prices, but we don't properly engage with that until 50% into the book. At which point that unrest seems to have arrived out of left field, and only serves to confuse the reader. If it had been better incorporated into the book from the beginning, I think it could have been really interesting and successful! But alas.
Overall, I think this is a book that has a lot of bright points that might draw and entertain readers, but alas, it was not a successful book for me.
May 7, 2026
I went into Blackmailer’s Delight a little unsure at first, mainly because of the age gap between the two main characters Daniel, who is 34, and Luke, who is 18. On paper, that dynamic initially felt a bit odd to me, and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it as the story progressed.
But after reading it and, more importantly, after hearing different perspectives during discussions in my book club session, I actually found myself understanding the relationship in a different light. People pointed out the historical context, the emotional imbalance, and how the story frames their connection through secrecy, loneliness, and self-discovery rather than just surface-level attraction. That really shifted how I interpreted it.
David Lawrence still did an excellent job overall the writing is rich, the Georgian setting is immersive, and the emotional tension between Daniel and Luke is incredibly compelling once you look at it through that broader lens. Luke’s sincerity and Daniel’s emotional guardedness made their dynamic very gripping to follow.
What stood out most for me is how much a book can change depending on discussion and interpretation. I genuinely went from being unsure to appreciating the story far more deeply.
Truly, this is one of those books that proves reading is only half the experience the other half is talking about it. And that’s exactly what made this a 5-star read for me.
But after reading it and, more importantly, after hearing different perspectives during discussions in my book club session, I actually found myself understanding the relationship in a different light. People pointed out the historical context, the emotional imbalance, and how the story frames their connection through secrecy, loneliness, and self-discovery rather than just surface-level attraction. That really shifted how I interpreted it.
David Lawrence still did an excellent job overall the writing is rich, the Georgian setting is immersive, and the emotional tension between Daniel and Luke is incredibly compelling once you look at it through that broader lens. Luke’s sincerity and Daniel’s emotional guardedness made their dynamic very gripping to follow.
What stood out most for me is how much a book can change depending on discussion and interpretation. I genuinely went from being unsure to appreciating the story far more deeply.
Truly, this is one of those books that proves reading is only half the experience the other half is talking about it. And that’s exactly what made this a 5-star read for me.
March 22, 2024
Sadly, this wasn’t for me, DNF at 38%.
“A misunderstanding ties the fates of three men together in this heartfelt, sensual, and uproarious romantic puzzle.”
The age gap between two of those three, Daniel and Luke felt uncomfortable and unnecessary. Luke is very recently 18 and constantly gets referred to as a boy, while Daniel is 34. Daniel is also the rich Londoner, to Luke’s small-town youth. Combined with the miscommunication their acquaintance (relationship?) is built on, I can’t help but feel very sorry for Luke.
Another reason not to keep reading was because I don’t enjoy the old timey language. It’s quite flowery and tends to take me out of the story a lot. I suppose it fits the story and setting (1795), but it kept me from connecting with the characters and story. It wasn’t particularly sensual or uproarious, either.
In terms of setting and marriage plotting, this felt somewhat similar to Pride and Prejudice. I didn’t particularly enjoy either of the main characters’ perspectives, though. One being the grumpy, judgemental character’s, the other a naive boy who gets taken advantage of. A bunch of the side characters also got POVs, which felt rather expository.
As said, not for me. I hope this finds its audience.
Thanks to NetGalley and Broadbound Publishing for the ARC.
“A misunderstanding ties the fates of three men together in this heartfelt, sensual, and uproarious romantic puzzle.”
The age gap between two of those three, Daniel and Luke felt uncomfortable and unnecessary. Luke is very recently 18 and constantly gets referred to as a boy, while Daniel is 34. Daniel is also the rich Londoner, to Luke’s small-town youth. Combined with the miscommunication their acquaintance (relationship?) is built on, I can’t help but feel very sorry for Luke.
Another reason not to keep reading was because I don’t enjoy the old timey language. It’s quite flowery and tends to take me out of the story a lot. I suppose it fits the story and setting (1795), but it kept me from connecting with the characters and story. It wasn’t particularly sensual or uproarious, either.
In terms of setting and marriage plotting, this felt somewhat similar to Pride and Prejudice. I didn’t particularly enjoy either of the main characters’ perspectives, though. One being the grumpy, judgemental character’s, the other a naive boy who gets taken advantage of. A bunch of the side characters also got POVs, which felt rather expository.
As said, not for me. I hope this finds its audience.
Thanks to NetGalley and Broadbound Publishing for the ARC.
February 8, 2024
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Content Warning for Novel: graphic sexual content, some sexual (consensual) violence, cheating, adult language. 18+
I received a promotional ARC of this book, and everything stated below is my honest opinion.
Think Bridgerton, but gay. And less of the Gossip Girl anonymous writer feeding everyone’s private business to the masses. However, there are some letters, one of which–arguably the most important–does happen to be anonymous… And it kicks off the whole fiery story. Gay smutty romance, the historical time period, and a wealth of misunderstandings drove me crazy with this novel.
Lawrence’s writing was *chef’s kiss* in this novel. He knows exactly when to tease and when to satisfy us readers. He plays around with multiple POVs that allows us to see into the minds of various main characters, raising tension when our two favorite have completely opposite understandings of what just happened. I loved being able to clearly see how a single event could foster love in one, and hate in another. It was so intriguing and, unfortunately, realistic. Communication is key here, people.
The characters themselves were also quite compelling. Each had their own idiosyncrasies and unique ways of thinking that truly made them come to life. I will admit that I am not well-versed in this specific time period, but I did feel as if I were living beside them, listening to their woes as a loved confidante. Even the side characters were expertly woven into the narrative, just as acquaintances make up important aspects of our own, real lives!
Overall, this was an amazing read. There is quite a bit of graphic, male-on-male sexual content, and it was nicely done–even if some of the sex scenes were… let’s say, not-so-nice. It all worked very well with the entire novel as a whole. And I’m always a proponent for more LGBT+ representation! Great plot (be prepared to be frustrated!), realistic characters, and phenomenal writing. Absolute must-read.
Content Warning for Novel: graphic sexual content, some sexual (consensual) violence, cheating, adult language. 18+
I received a promotional ARC of this book, and everything stated below is my honest opinion.
Think Bridgerton, but gay. And less of the Gossip Girl anonymous writer feeding everyone’s private business to the masses. However, there are some letters, one of which–arguably the most important–does happen to be anonymous… And it kicks off the whole fiery story. Gay smutty romance, the historical time period, and a wealth of misunderstandings drove me crazy with this novel.
Lawrence’s writing was *chef’s kiss* in this novel. He knows exactly when to tease and when to satisfy us readers. He plays around with multiple POVs that allows us to see into the minds of various main characters, raising tension when our two favorite have completely opposite understandings of what just happened. I loved being able to clearly see how a single event could foster love in one, and hate in another. It was so intriguing and, unfortunately, realistic. Communication is key here, people.
The characters themselves were also quite compelling. Each had their own idiosyncrasies and unique ways of thinking that truly made them come to life. I will admit that I am not well-versed in this specific time period, but I did feel as if I were living beside them, listening to their woes as a loved confidante. Even the side characters were expertly woven into the narrative, just as acquaintances make up important aspects of our own, real lives!
Overall, this was an amazing read. There is quite a bit of graphic, male-on-male sexual content, and it was nicely done–even if some of the sex scenes were… let’s say, not-so-nice. It all worked very well with the entire novel as a whole. And I’m always a proponent for more LGBT+ representation! Great plot (be prepared to be frustrated!), realistic characters, and phenomenal writing. Absolute must-read.
February 23, 2024
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read of David Lawrence.
I liked Daniel and Luke, together and separately. I did think at points, Daniel was using his greater age over Luke to get what he wanted, but I don't think he was doing it deliberately, or maliciously.
It's steamy and smexy, plenty of that but I did find the romance element lacking. As a reader of romance, I do like a more in depth romantic element, to go along with the smexy stuff.
I did like the twist at the end! Clarence, Daniel's ex, was a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but he does come around to Daniel moving on, and does redeem himself somewhat.
Apart from the above mentioned, the story is well told and well written. I found the character development very good. It is a little long winded in the beginning, but it does pick up and then runs away with itself.
I saw no editing or spelling errors to spoil my reading.
I'd like to read something else by this author, he's on my radar now.
4 good stars
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It's the first I've read of David Lawrence.
I liked Daniel and Luke, together and separately. I did think at points, Daniel was using his greater age over Luke to get what he wanted, but I don't think he was doing it deliberately, or maliciously.
It's steamy and smexy, plenty of that but I did find the romance element lacking. As a reader of romance, I do like a more in depth romantic element, to go along with the smexy stuff.
I did like the twist at the end! Clarence, Daniel's ex, was a thoroughly nasty piece of work, but he does come around to Daniel moving on, and does redeem himself somewhat.
Apart from the above mentioned, the story is well told and well written. I found the character development very good. It is a little long winded in the beginning, but it does pick up and then runs away with itself.
I saw no editing or spelling errors to spoil my reading.
I'd like to read something else by this author, he's on my radar now.
4 good stars
February 5, 2024
I was given an Arc copy of the Blackmailer’s Delight or Love Under Duress by David Lawrence and was delighted to receive it as I am an avid reader and always looking for a new author.
The book is set in 1795 England and has an unusual and delightful opening where we meet and quickly fall in like and admiration with the hero Daniel Thornton and his cheating lover Clarence. The writing is well done and you will quickly feel for the hero and his plight as he struggles to pursue love in a restrictive and judgmental society.
I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers, but the novel begins with Daniel breaking up with his lover Clarence, and on the same day being invited to come and stay in the country by his wealthy uncle. The book is a delightful weaving of misunderstandings, first love, and lost love, black mail, forgiveness, being true to one’s self and fighting the pressures of society. The novel is a M/M romance and the intimate scenes are tastefully done. If you are a fan of this genre or new to it and looking for a good first M/M romance than give this book a try.
The book is set in 1795 England and has an unusual and delightful opening where we meet and quickly fall in like and admiration with the hero Daniel Thornton and his cheating lover Clarence. The writing is well done and you will quickly feel for the hero and his plight as he struggles to pursue love in a restrictive and judgmental society.
I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers, but the novel begins with Daniel breaking up with his lover Clarence, and on the same day being invited to come and stay in the country by his wealthy uncle. The book is a delightful weaving of misunderstandings, first love, and lost love, black mail, forgiveness, being true to one’s self and fighting the pressures of society. The novel is a M/M romance and the intimate scenes are tastefully done. If you are a fan of this genre or new to it and looking for a good first M/M romance than give this book a try.
February 6, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book, and offer my honest opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Blackmailers Delight. The book speaks to the parts of our souls that are hesitant after the betrayal of a partner. Everything seems to good to be true, and it’s hard to let any light in without questioning its motives. The book plays on the emotions of readers, making us hopeful that Luke and Daniel might find the courage to let love win.
The lovebirds are pitted against a time that doesn’t understand them, the conniving nature of jilted ex-lovers, and their own tentative minds.
Lawrence finds a good balance between conflicts of sweet love, and hot and heavy scenes to keep us on our toes.
I was engaged from the beginning and ushered along through well written chapters and a satisfying ending. I finished looking to see is Lawrence has written anything else that I could piggyback onto.
And personally, Clarence was just morally grey enough for me to leave off not actually hating him, and wanting to know more about how he ends up.
I thoroughly enjoyed Blackmailers Delight. The book speaks to the parts of our souls that are hesitant after the betrayal of a partner. Everything seems to good to be true, and it’s hard to let any light in without questioning its motives. The book plays on the emotions of readers, making us hopeful that Luke and Daniel might find the courage to let love win.
The lovebirds are pitted against a time that doesn’t understand them, the conniving nature of jilted ex-lovers, and their own tentative minds.
Lawrence finds a good balance between conflicts of sweet love, and hot and heavy scenes to keep us on our toes.
I was engaged from the beginning and ushered along through well written chapters and a satisfying ending. I finished looking to see is Lawrence has written anything else that I could piggyback onto.
And personally, Clarence was just morally grey enough for me to leave off not actually hating him, and wanting to know more about how he ends up.
February 24, 2024
I received an ARC of this book and the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Although it took me a chapter or two to fully immerse myself in the story, I am thankful I pushed on. Once I felt established in the writing, I did not want to put the book down. I found each character intriguing, each having a unique personality. Of course, there were some not-so-kind characters, the blackmailers, but I found those perspectives to help build the other characters, and to help create a clearer and more realistic picture and storyline.
I found it quite interesting for the story to be held in the late 1700s, and I am always down for some LGBTQIA+ representation in any form. I have not read many historical romance novels in the past, but Blackmailer's Delight has opened my eyes and mind to reading more soon.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smutty love story but is okay with getting a bit frustrated by the storyline.
(Frustrated in the sense of wanting to jump inside the story yourself to clear up any miscommunications between characters).
Although it took me a chapter or two to fully immerse myself in the story, I am thankful I pushed on. Once I felt established in the writing, I did not want to put the book down. I found each character intriguing, each having a unique personality. Of course, there were some not-so-kind characters, the blackmailers, but I found those perspectives to help build the other characters, and to help create a clearer and more realistic picture and storyline.
I found it quite interesting for the story to be held in the late 1700s, and I am always down for some LGBTQIA+ representation in any form. I have not read many historical romance novels in the past, but Blackmailer's Delight has opened my eyes and mind to reading more soon.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a smutty love story but is okay with getting a bit frustrated by the storyline.
(Frustrated in the sense of wanting to jump inside the story yourself to clear up any miscommunications between characters).
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