The Devil's Charm

Heirs & Spares #1

by Megan Frampton

In this delightfully enchanting first book in Megan Frampton’s new series, Heirs and Spares, opposites attract when a devilish lord and a rule-following young lady from rival families find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another.

One Night He Cannot Forget…

Lord Lucian Blackwood, second son of the Duke of Waxford, has assumed all the responsibilities of a spare, meaning it is his duty to seduce all the women, win vast sums at gaming, and appear gorgeously clothed for any occasion. He doesn’t expect his friend’s wedding to be any different—but then he meets, and kisses, her. Even more delicious is that she is the daughter of his rigid father’s longtime enemy…and now Lucian and Lady Diantha are tasked with working together on a project that will heal the rift.

One Night She Can’t Help but Remember…

Lady Diantha Courtenay always does the right thing. She wears the proper clothes, she speaks to the right people, she smiles exactly the right amount. When she attends her friend’s wedding, however, she sees a gentleman who makes her want to do all the wrong things. With him. The next morning, she is appalled, and sets herself back on course to being the most proper young lady, relieved she now has a family project to focus on. She thought she was safe from that other Diantha until she realizes she’ll be working with him.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Adult, Fiction, Audiobook

359 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 25, 2025

About the author

Megan Frampton's love affair with books began when her parents moved her to a remote town in New Hampshire where there was only one television station. And then the TV broke. She devoured every book of fiction in her well-read parents' library, finding special joy in Georgette Heyer and the fairy tales collected and translated by Andrew Lang. Megan majored in English literature at Barnard College and worked in the music industry for fifteen years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband (her former intern) and her kid.

Reviews

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! A fun, lighthearted, historical romance romp! I feel like Megan Frampton’s books are always a delightful fun time, but nothing I’m left thinking about months or years later. So take that for what you will.

I especially love the cover for this one! It’s the first in a new Heirs and Spares series by the author. An opposites attract romance with a devilish, rakish lord and a rule-following lady from rival families who end up having to work together. I think it lasted a bit too long and didn’t always hold my attention because of that. Otherwise, fun enough.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #1 in Megan Framptons’ NEW SERIES “Heirs & Spares.” Opposites attract + enemies to lovers tropes.

Lady Diantha Courtenay wishes for just one night of fun, and WOW does she ever find it with Lord Lucian Eldridge, second son of the Duke of Waxford. It is Lady Dianthas’ first kiss ever, and not the last with Lord Lucian, all brought about in unusual spaces.. a coat closet, museum.. etc. With their fathers (who are ex-business partners + rivals) lawsuit settled in court, Lucian is put in charge of resolving what to do with their factory. Before his trip to Scotland, Lucian’s father makes a stern statement to him. BY THE TIME HE RETURNS either prove himself with the factory.. or lose his town house to a forgotten cousin + the building to the Crown. And then we have Diantha stepping in for her father, the Earl of Courtenay. Now the two must decide the factory’s fate.. while dealing with her eccentric family and his cousin.
I had second thoughts whether these two would actually get a happily ever after. Loved this cinnamon roll hero, witty banter, their swoony opposites attract chemistry.. and the family troubles oh boy.. I couldn’t help but root for Diantha + Lucian! What a great start to this series. ❥ 4.25 stars — Pub. 2/25/25

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Megan Frampton's books! I like that they're fun and low angst while still being spicy enough to keep me entertained.

This one is a bit enemies to lovers, opposites attract, with some family rivalry thrown in too. Lucian and Diantha have a ton of chemistry from their first meeting, but once they start working together, the sparks truly start to fly. I adored them together!

The Devil's Charm was an excellent start to a new series, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DEVIL’S CHARM by Megan Frampton is the first in a new series called Heirs and Spares, starring Diantha, the daughter of an eccentric noble family who is the only sensible and responsible one of the bunch, and Lucian, the second and only fun-loving son of a highly starched and stiff necked Duke. Their families have long been at odds, but when Diantha and Lucian meet at a party, sparks fly. Then they must work together to resolve a long standing issue between their families, while also dealing with the attraction between them.

First off, can I just say that this cover is SO CUTE?? They look so happy!! And that’s a major theme of the book. I really enjoyed that Lucian was not a typical rake. His father believed him to be a wastrel and someone who couldn’t do anything, but he had a particular set of skill his father just didn’t value—he was good at determining what people are good at. While Lucian doesn’t really like nose to the grindstone type work, he can see what others around him are good and crucially, what they enjoy, because he has taken the time to know them and learn about them as his friends. I just found that personality trait so refreshing.

This was a fun read. I was nervous about the interloper Lucian’s father sends to keep an eye on him, but that was thankfully resolved without a lot of trouble. I did think Lucian and Diantha’s positions flipflopped a little fast at the end, and they didn’t appreciate that they had taken on traits that the other had valued earlier, but I did like their declaration of love and the resolution. 4.5 stars.

Heat level: 2.5 (one could scoot by parts of ch 21 and 26)

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 22nd book by Megan Frampton. I have been reading her since 2016. I love her writing and her stories and her sex scenes are so good. I am so happy to see a new series by her since she only had 1 book come out last year. Really looking forward to this series.

I have to say I was a bit disappointed in this book. Diantha’s family were totally weird. Lucian’s dad was typical asshole duke. The storyline was weird. Even Lucian and Diantha, I felt they were 15 year olds “experimenting” with each other. I felt no chemistry between them. I felt just an overall strange read.

[Hope Vollm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually such a fun book!

Lucian and Diantha are such opposites- she likes order and predictability, he likes doing what makes him happy. Interestingly enough, it seems each would fit in to the others family perfectly. Their fathers are old rivals, but now they have to decide what to do with a jointly owned factory… and they decide their children can figure it out.

Lucian and Diantha are thrown together trying to decide what to produce at this factory but they are also falling for one another after another stolen kiss at a wedding.

I loved their chemistry and how they were just trying to “get it out of their systems”. It felt so believable and like something people do today. I was rooting for them from the start. I also very much enjoyed Diantha’s family- they seemed like they would be so fun. The business proposals were also absolutely hilarious.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Diantha is the sensible daughter of an earl, whose eccentric family drives her up the wall. She's spent most of her life trying to keep her family afloat. While Lord Lucian is a second son who defies his father's desires for him to be stop being a rake and be more serious. When they meet at a friend's wedding, sparks fly.

First, I love the cover. They look so happy and he doesn't look cold at all.

Second, I liked the twist at the end. It wasn't what I expected, but it was very satisfying.

Third, I liked how Diantha and Lucian bring out the best in each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[i_hype_romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid start to a new series. The dialogue was witty, even if some of the plot points were a bit far-fetched.
The beginning sparkled, but things collapsed in on themselves somewhere in the middle of the book and didn’t become interesting again until the last few chapters.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely adorable beginning to a series. Diantha and Lucien are wonderful characters. They are each the exact opposite of their parents, she the daughter of an Earl who is just a little weird and he the son of a strict and proper Duke.
The Duke and the Earl had been partners in a factory, but Halley's comet 15 years before had changed them both. A lawsuit had been on going for years, so when a settlement finally happens, Diantha and Lucien must be the family representatives on what to do with the factory.
They had met the week before at a ball, so the story unfolds with them figuring out their future.
The banter is excellent as Diantha is quite brilliant and longing for a different life. Lucien is a happy guy, just oppressed by his father.
Of course there is a happy ending, as they both realize they are better together than apart.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Historical romances are my favorite subgenre and I will never get tired of reading them. I was drawn in by the pretty cover while I was looking through the catalog. This was my first Megan Frampton book and it unfortunately may be my last. This book didn't work for me. I've never minded "instalove" books in the past because I recognize authors have a specific timeframe to tell the story. They need to fall in love in order to progress the narrative. The Devil's Charm had these characters falling in love at the speed of light and I could barely keep up with the frenzied pace of their courtship.



Lucian and Diantha were enamored by each other from the word "go". I couldn't fathom that quick of a connection just by locking eyeballs. I wasn't sold by their chemistry. I had a bad feeling reading this book and didn't enjoy myself. I didn't fully buy their relationship and it seemed like their relationship was merely built on physical attraction. I understand it's important to fancy your partner, but that shouldn't be your foundation. These two needed to realize you're not always gonna be young and pretty.



I was once again duped by a pretty cover with an unsuspecting underbelly. I'm sure others will enjoy this book, but I prefer a story with more substance. I'll continue to keep reading my favorite subgenre and won't let this misstep bother me. I must be immune because The Devil's Charm didn't affect me at all!

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This story answered the question what happens when an oldest daughter in an attempt to let loose for one night, meets a charming second-son with little care in the world? It also begs the question, what happens when two dumbass aristocrats decide to make business and life decisions based on a comet? You get the story of a decades-long feud between two silly men whose children meet unexpectedly and find they have more chemistry and things in common than they initially thought.

When Diantha and Lucien meet at their friends' wedding and share a passionate kiss, they think they will never see each other again, especially as their fathers are enemies. That is until their fathers' mutual business interest from decades ago comes back, and the two must work together to figure out what to do with the factory left behind. So they embark on a project to revive the factory and choose to solicit feedback from randos, which turns into a bit of a pitching Shark Tank situation that had me absolutely rolling on the floor laughing. And in between these hilarious business pitches, the two plan kissing escapades at the British History Museum and it's cute as hell.

Frampton does a really good job at writing hilariously lovable goofball side characters. Diantha's family is a perfect example of this as they're more than a little unusual but despite that you can tell there's inherent love in the family. They provided such great additional humor to the story and their scenes were some of my favorites. They also helped explain a lot of Diantha's tendency toward sensibility. Lucien was a great foil to her character, as his carefree attitude and constant desire for enjoyment was so different from hers. To see these two such different characters, grow closer toward each other and develop more of each other's good qualities was a treat. While I typically go for the dark broody hero, Lucien was the perfect Nice Guy and his biggest appeal was how often he deferred to Diantha's opinion and wishes. He truly was not afraid to be seen as not as smart as her and understood the power of women.

While not a totally original plot I see and enjoy what Frampton is doing here. Part of what kept me reading and engaged were the lovable characters and the funny situations they were put in. So although I feel like I've read similar stories, this has the author's trademark wit, charm, and unique sexy settings (there's no basic chaise lounge hook-ups here).

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the eARC, in exchange an honest review!

[eyes.2c · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bizarre and slightly beguiling plot.

A young woman Diantha, older daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, whose reaction to her free wheeling family is to take responsibility for them, meets the second son of the Duke of Wexford, Lord Lucian Eldridge, who on the surface is a dilettante, but underneath is kind generous and thoughtful
I’m not too sure if this is a story taking a leaf out of Romeo and Juliet with two feuding families (without all the angst and aggression), or just a rather different love story with the son and daughter of the feuding families sorting things out for themselves.
The Duke of Waxford, is dour and regimented and ready to disinherit his second son if he doesn’t prove himself in business negations with his enemy the Earl who is irresponsible and easily bored. Diantha wants to be less regimented and more spontaneous and chooses Lucian to help her. Hmm!
Racey and sometimes absurd but still fun.

A Avon and Harper ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute historical romance, with fun spicy scenes and some meaningful conversations about one’s sense of self. There was not a time where I felt bored with this book, it’s a quick read with good chemistry between the characters. Though they may behave a bit differently, they have a lot in common and find themselves enjoying their company. It is lust at first sight but in the scenes they have together you can see their comparability and enjoyment. I have to say I found myself comparing my sense of responsibility with the FMC. Agree that it can be hard for people to relate when they’ve never been put in that position. It was a fun palate cleanser.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager publishing, I received a ARC for an honest review !

[Albi (albireadingromance) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Devil's Charm by Megan Frampton

Setting:
Victorian England

Characters:
Diantha
Lucian
Drusilla
Julia

Tropes:
Fake Rake Wallflower
Relationship of convenience
Slow burn

Rating:
3 🌟

Spice level:
1.5 🌶

Review:
It was a good story, but for the most part, it was lackluster for me. I, too, like the heroine, felt that Lucian was a fake rake. I like my devilish heroes to be dastardly and grey area. To me, Lucian was more so a simp. The plot was fine, but the characters didn't seem to have any motivation for the drama between their fathers to end. For me, the plot lacked intensity, and the romance seemed too slow burn, especially if one is to assume Lucian is, in fact, devilish. Overall, it was more so a slow burn historical with a fake rake and wallflower. I am invested in the series and would like to see where book 2 takes us. I absolutely love the cover art, very pretty.

[Melinda Greathouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Frampton’s Heirs and Spares series kicks off with The Devil’s Charm, full of family rivalry and unexpected passion. This was an enchanting story of opposites attracting in the most delicious way.

Lord Lucian Blackwood is the ultimate charming rogue—handsome and an easygoing pleasure-seeker. Lady Diantha Courtenay, on the other hand, is the epitome of propriety, always striving to meet society’s expectations and to keep her eccentric family in check. Their undeniable chemistry sparks at the celebration of their friends’ wedding, leading to one unforgettable kiss. But when they find themselves forced to work together, their attraction proves impossible to ignore.

Frampton masterfully blends humor, heart, and sizzling romance, crafting a story that is both emotionally satisfying and utterly entertaining. Lucian and Diantha’s journey from reluctant partners to passionate lovers is fairly low-angst, and it was a perfect evening’s read.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

[dessie*₊⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the two main characters, their troubles and their growth, were really well written and fleshed out. The whole ‘fun vs responsibility’ dynamic was nice.
Cheeky writing style, but ultimately something was missing for me.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's boring and the ending was so rushed. His hard to deal with father turns out to be understanding at the end which threw me off

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Megan Frampton hasn't been on my radar until recently and I'm happy for it. This was a little bit slow by my tastes but it's promising and the writing was excellent. Besides, is the first on a new series, so i hope I can read the rest if the series. In the mean time, I'll read her backlist

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil's Charm is the first book in Megan Frampton's Heirs & Spares historical romance series. I've read some of Ms. Frampton's former books, and I enjoyed each one. She usually has humor in her stories, which I do appreciate. Why cry when you can laugh? There's not much angst here, mainly humor and pure...well, charm. Says so right in the title, doesn't it?

Lord Lucian Eldridge is the second son of the Duke of Waxford, a very rigid man who doesn't much approve of anything Lucien does. He follows all the rules of spares: seduces women, spends money at gaming tables and dresses to the nines. He doesn't expect much difference at his best friend's wedding, but then he meets and kisses Lady Diantha Courtenay, the daughter of his father's longtime enemy, the Earl of Courtenay. And now Lucian and Diantha are expected to work together on a project that will hopefully repair the rift between the families. Diantha is a bit different from Lucian: she always does the right thing, speaks to the right people and knows exactly when to smile. When she attends her friend's wedding, she meets the man who makes her want to do ALL the wrong things with him. After kissing him, she's appalled by her behavior and vows to act proper from now on. But then she finds out she'll be working on a project with...Lucian.

I'm sure we've all heard the phrase "you can't judge a book by its cover". Well, in this case you can. This beautiful cover shows two attractive people laughing and enjoying each other's company. You can see the pull between them. It's hard to decide who I loved better - Lucian or Diantha. I think Lucian has a slight edge. He just oozes charm, but in no way is he smarmy. He just loves women and having fun, and he is never mean about it. He's basically gotten to the point where he understands that his father will never approve of him, so he goes on his merry way. But then Lucian's brother, the heir, has had an accident in Scotland, and the Duke rushes to be there with him, leaving his spare to work on a project that will be beneficial to his family. However, Lucian sees Diantha, the woman whom he kissed in the cloakroom at the wedding, and finds out they must work together. Diantha must always do the right thing; unlike Lucian's father, her family is rather wonky and live their lives in any way they wish. (Wait until you hear about how the Earl attempted to make apple pies, and the Countess's taste in shawls and other colorful clothing!) Diantha must be the proper one in the family who keeps everyone in check, but she wants to be free of being a caretaker, and this project may help her reach her dream.. The only problem is she can't stop thinking of Lucian improperly, so she suggests they do a "system cleanse" so she can get over him. Let's just say it doesn't work! Their cleansing becomes more involved each time. There's some steamy times here, but they are always joyous occasions with much laughter. The project they are working on is a hoot, especially the proposal by people who dress taxidermy critters in human clothing. (Like Lady Meow-Meow. HA!). The supporting characters are great, but my favorite by far is Diantha's younger sister Drusilla. She's so darn funny, and I'm hoping against hope she will be featured in a future book. Just jump right in and enjoy this charming start to a new series!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Diantha Courtenay, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, has spent most of her life trying to keep her parents in check, she is reliable, responsible and therefore a complete mystery to her family. She always does the right thing and hopes for a day when she can pursue her own dream of a quiet, stable life. But a stolen kiss with Lord Lucian Eldridge, the younger son of her father’s greatest foe, turns her whole world upside down and then to make matters worse, she learns that the cause of their parent’s feud has been decided by the courts and now she and Lucian must work together to find a solution to factory in question or their parents will risk losing the building to the crown, and while that would be unfortunate, the real risk might be the fact that she is losing her heart to a man that is exactly like her parents, a man she shouldn’t want.

Lord Lucian Eldridge, the younger son of the Duke of Waxford, has tried to please his father for most of his life and failed, Lucian likes being happy and enjoying himself, basically the complete opposite of his stodgy, duty-loving, rigid father. When his older brother is injured and his father has to attend him in Scotland, he leaves Lucian in charge of figuring out what to do with the factory the duke with the earl. Lucian is wondering if he can find someone to take over the job when he meets the earl’s daughter and shares a kiss that he can’t forget. He throws himself into the project and falls head over heels with a woman he can never have.

This was a quick, fun read, with a different plot and very likable characters. Diantha and Lucian are complete opposites and their fathers are enemies, but that doesn’t stop them from falling in love, but it may prevent them from finding their HEA. The romance part of the story was good, but there was a side story featuring the Duke’s cousin that just didn’t really impress me or add anything substantive to the story – if just felt like filler and made the story drag in places. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with wonderful characters, a bit of steam, some amusing scenes and finally a HEA that seemed almost impossible, and while it wasn’t quite the story that I have come to expect from Ms. Frampton, I would still be happy to recommend this title to HR readers who enjoy the enemies to lovers and the opposites attract tropes.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Emma Comery · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Devil's Charm is the first book in Megan Frampton's new Heirs & Spares series. Practical, reserved Diantha and tall, dark playboy Lucian find themselves caught in an instant attraction. But there's a catch – their families have been feuding for decades due to a business fallout. Despite Diantha’s best efforts to keep her distance from Lucian, things take a turn when both their parents ask them to solve a tricky business problem: What to do with an old factory they co-own, despite the ongoing feud?


As Diantha and Lucian team up to find a solution, their chemistry grows harder to ignore, leading to a few (ahem) secret spicy rendezvous at the art museum. While Diantha steps out of her comfort zone and embraces new experiences, Lucian is on a mission to prove to his father that he’s more than just a pretty face—he's got worth (and his father is the worst, so we are definitely rooting for Lucian here).


At the start, Diantha is the quiet, responsible one, while Lucian is the wild playboy. But as they spend more time together, they meet somewhere in the middle, bringing out the best in each other as they each discover new sides of themselves.


Without giving too much away, let’s just say Diantha and Lucian end up saving the factory by investing in a lifejacket production business. The backstory behind the lifejacket was fascinating, and honestly, I wish Frampton had dived deeper into its history – the design, production, and the world of seafaring work was a goldmine for a history nerd like me!


Frampton doesn't shy away from the sizzle (check out my jalapeno score for this book below!), so if you like a breezy read with some pretty substantive canoodling on the page, this is the book for you.


That said, the scene in the sarcophagus (yes, really) was a bit of a tough sell for me—coffins aren’t exactly my idea of a romantic setting. But hey, to each their own!


I also really enjoyed how Diantha was an outspoken woman who became unafraid to speak up for what she wanted. Lucian is a real stud in that regard, too -- he worships Diantha and encourages her to vocalize and take what she wants (both in and out of the sarcophagus).


Frampton’s writing is easy to digest and engaging, with plenty of witty dialogue, which, in my opinion, is essential for a great romance.


You'll Love This Book If:

You enjoy light romance with low stakes

You're feeling anxious about the state of the world and want to escape for a few hours

You love a reformed cinnamon roll rake (think: Anthony Bridgerton)


Overall Rating

⭐⭐/5

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that Lucian and Diantha's families were enemies and had a lawsuit they needed to work out. I also liked that Lucian and Diantha met before knowing that they were going to be the ones nominated in their families to settle the lawsuit. It added a nice layer of tension and a slight enemies to lovers aspect. That being said, the enemies part felt a little forced. They went from essentially falling in love at first sight, to then bantering like enemies. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Diantha, though I enjoyed her character, felt contradictory. In some scenes, she was confident, sure of herself, and willing to go to bat for the people and topics she cared about. In other scenes, she was timid, easily embarrassed, and self conscience. I really liked the confident and outspoken Diantha, especially when we got to see her doing business with Lucian. I wish there had been a little more emphasis on her being a woman doing a man's work for that time period. There was one man who seemed to ignore her and only address Lucian, but other than that, she seemed to gain the respect of people pretty easily. I think it would've helped develop her character more had she had more prejudice to work against. It also would've been nice to see how Lucian would react to people treating her that way.

Lucian seemed to have no personality outside his reputation. We're told he has no care in the world, that he does what he wants without thought, and that he's not responsible. But everything we're shown about him seems to indicate the opposite. With Diantha he is caring, thoughtful, and romantic. When his father makes him do some business, he is determined, hard working, and savvy. All of which are in contrast to his supposed reputation. I wish the author had let us see Lucian as his carefree and wild old self so we could see his transformation as he falls in love with Diantha.

Overall, I think this book has good bones, but it didn't quite go far enough for me. I wish some things were solidified more (like the main character's personalities), and some other parts delved into a little more (like Diantha working in a man's world, or even both their relationships with their parents).

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.

[Slwd · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Duke’s Son and the Earl’s Daughter

“The Devil’s Charm” is book one in Megan Frampton’s series Heirs and Spares. This is a historical romance that puts a smile on your face. I enjoyed the plot and the characters, First, the main female character is Diantha, daughter of the Earl of Courtenay. I liked this character, she was smart, levelheaded, and passionate. Diantha knew what she wanted. For all intents and purposes, she was the adult in the family, her levelheadedness and her ability with numbers catapulted her into the role of caretaker of her family and manager of the household finances. She looked forward to the day she could live as she pleased. The main male character is Lucian, second son of a stern duke who can’t seem to do anything to please his father. I liked Lucian. He was a naturally happy guy who oozed charm and who liked doing good deeds for people. Diantha and Lucian had an instant connection, the chemistry between them flared to life and only strengthened. I enjoyed their witty and heartfelt conversations. I liked that this couple accepted each other as they were and that Lucian truly listened Diantha’s thoughts and opinions and deferred to her when he concluded Diantha in the right. They made a wonderful couple. The steam and passion between them fit in the context of the story. It is open door and written for an adult audience. The families of the two main characters were quite interesting and as opposite in temperaments as two families could be which added amusement to the story, It didn’t take long to figure out the smarmy Mr. Bishop, he inserted himself into Lucian’s family and business with nefarious intent, he was unlikable from the get go and added angst to the story. In conclusion, the story is very well written, the pacing flows from scene to scene, and the enemies to lovers trope brings the story to life. All of the characters fit into this well built world and contributed to the overall storyline.. I look forward to more in this series by Megan Frampton. Definitely recommended.

I was given this advanced reader’s copy of “The Devil’s Charm” by NetGallery, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Jessica White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lighthearted Victorian romance gave me all the feelings of being young and in lust, where you will do anything to sneak off with your paramour for a little make-out session. Lady Diantha and Lord Lucian meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and are inexplicably drawn toward each other despite the knowledge that they families are sworn enemies. Diantha is predictably sensible, respectable, and organized to Lucian’s carefree, pleasure led “spare” lifestyle. But they spark something in each other that begins with a very unexpected kiss in an antechamber, and neither of them can forget it.

The fun happens when Diantha and Lucian realize they will need to work together to save their parents from throttling one another over a lawsuit involving a shared factory. Diantha has taken it upon herself to be the manager of her sometimes silly family, and Lucian has been allowed to go full himbo passing all responsibilities to his older brother. And yet working with each other they find loosens up Diantha and makes Lucian more heard and valued for his input. This is a great example of how opposites attract can actually bring out the best in each other. Add to that the tremendous attraction stirred up between Lucian and Diantha who just want to “get it out of their systems”, and you get some very creative make out sessions involving The British Museum, a sarcophagus, and sneaky bedchamber visits.

This book had a fun meet cute and even more creative outlets for sexual exploration. I also enjoyed the factory and exposition storyline and am curious to see how history aligns to the pitch Diantha and Lucian decide to accept for the factory usage. It took me a moment to get into the story, but The Devil’s Charm got better the more I kept reading. Diantha also has the best sister ever in cheeky Drusilla, and I would love to see her get her own book. I received an early copy from Avon. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭
Angst: ⬇️
Humor: 📈
Things I was not expecting: 💋⚰️🦺

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Lucian Eldridge is the second son of the Duke of Wexford. He is a handsome and healthy man. His father wants him to be constantly busy with estate business but that is not his forte. Instead, he always seems to find someone who would be thrilled to do the jobs his father wants him to do.

At a ball to celebrate the wedding of Samuel, Viscount of Alston to Julia Montbray, Lucian is there to congratulate his good friend, Samuel. Also attending the ball is Diantha, daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, and best friend to Julia. When Julian is introduced to Diantha, they both know that their fathers are sworn enemies. But that doesn’t stop an attraction that ends up in the cloakroom where they share a passionate kiss.

Diantha’s parents are somewhat irresponsible and seem to live like they don’t have a care in the world. This leaves Diantha to take care of finances and any other decisions to be made in their home.

Lucian learns that his brother, the heir, has been injured while on a shooting excursion. His father says he will travel to be with his son and that Lucian is in charge and had better get some things done or he will do his best to disinherit him as much as possible. There is a cousin coming to town and Lucian is told to learn from the man. In addition, a lawsuit between Wexford and Courtenay has been settled and he must decide what steps to take next.

Lucian turns to Diantha and they begin interviewing possible people with something to produce in the factory. Wacky and crazy inventions emerge that make Diantha nearly choke with laughter. Finally, they find the perfect invention and hope this will help them find a way to be together.

I have read a lot of Megan Frampton’s books and they always make me laugh. Her use of “50-cent words” is wonderful and I admire her for making them all work. Do enjoy this adorable love story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Milly and Mac Dashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Lucian Blackwood is the second son of a Duke, and due to his status as a spare, he has learned to be individualistic and to prioritize pleasure. This sets him apart from Lady Diantha Courtenay, a practical and intelligent daughter to an impulsive Earl. When Lucian and Diantha meet at a wedding, their attraction is instant. Diantha decides to go against her typical behaviors and indulge in one night of pleasure and spontaneity. This, followed by a necessary business partnership, leads to their obsession with each other. Their collaboration and chemistry become increasingly intense, and as their relationship develops, Lucian and Diantha learn to grow and change.

There are so many aspects of this book I adored. The dialogue is sharp and witty. The majority of the book has a jovial, humorous tone similar to Tessa Dare or Julia Quinn’s work. Whenever Lucian and Diantha are alone together, their banter shines as seductive and funny. I also loved Diantha’s character, and I appreciate the way that Frampton balances her intelligence and practicality with equal parts curiosity and desire. The building of intimacy also stands out as exceptional. Lucian and Diantha’s rendezvous are absolutely charming and satisfying.

While almost all of this book worked beautifully, I found the last portion to be a bit overwrought and rushed. There’s a plot complication and a relationship realization that seem a bit tedious, and this occurs right as I looked forward to seeing the fruition of the relationship. It is interesting to see how dramatically the hero and heroine change, but this element could have been revealed more efficiently.

I haven’t read many books by Megan Frampton even though she is an established romance author. This book made me want to revisit her backlist. Her prose and dialogue definitely show her experience and knowledge.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy. As always, these are my opinions alone. Cheers!

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Whitney Theresa June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Lucian Blackwood enjoys the life of the spare son that is until his father gives him a task Lucian cannot/doesn't want to get out of when he finds it involves Lady Diantha Courtney. Diantha wishes for one night of fun which ends up involving Lucian and kissing. Once the night if over she will return back to her steadfast ways to keep her family from their often rocky ventures. Yet, Lucian & Diantha's father's have a factory that needs to be dealt with & after a settlement has been reached, Lucian is tasked with dealing with it. And he soon finds Diantha a most intriguing upside to a task he had been loathing.

The Devil's Charm gave me such great cozy romance vibes. The audiobook narrator really brought the frothy fun to the story and characters. And I loved how much one-on-one time Diantha and Lucian had at the museum!

I enjoyed the characters of Diantha and Lucian. I love how Lucian excels at finding the perfect person for any possible task―thus allowing him the freedom to enjoy life's pleasures from his favourite ices to dancing with beautiful women at balls. He was a character that really imbued joy. Diantha, I felt a kinship too in a number of ways. I am enjoying her night of fun and the 'consequences' she is finding in luscious Lucian.

The Devil's Charm gave me such great cozy romance vibes. No matter what the characters where facing, we just knew that they would figure it out together.

Tropes Inc:
Feuding families
Opposites attract
'Fake' Rake (I feel he is more sunshine/golden retriever hero)

An eARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie - One Book More · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megan Frampton’s The Devil’s Charm was a fun read with some great banter and a unique setup, but it didn’t quite pull me in the way I’d hoped. I liked the idea of Lucian and Diantha being caught between their feuding families and forced to work together, and their first meeting had a spark that made me excited to see where things would go, but it didn’t quite have the Romeo and Juliet vibes I was hoping for.

Lucian was constantly described as a carefree rake, but I never really saw that side of him. Instead, he was sweet, responsible, thoughtful, and attentive, and while he’s supposed to be a rake, I actually liked his softer side. Diantha was just ok for me. I feel like her personality was kind of inconsistant. Sometimes she was so confident and others she was incredibly insecure. I didn’t always understand the change in her, and I definitely enjoyed her moments of confidence more, especially when she took charge of the business side of things.

As far as the romance, there were some really lovely moments between Diantha and Lucian, especially when they let their guards down and just enjoyed each other’s company, but it never felt like the stakes were very high. Considering they came from feuding families and there is a forbidden nature to their relationship, I expected a little more conflict and tension.

That said, Frampton’s wit shines through in the dialogue, and there are some genuinely comical moments throughout the story. There was more than one scene that had me chuckling. I like the side characters, too, and while they’re not as layered, they add a lot of humor and warmth to the story, especially Diantha’s unconventional family.

[The Sewist's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐4.75
🌶️1
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 21, 26
📚 Tropes: reformed rake, snarky banter, he falls first and harder
👀 Dual POV 3rd person
🩷 Something I like: literally everything
🙈 Something I dislike: I feel like I have to split hairs to find something that I dis like. I guess if I have to say anything it would be one tiny thing in the third act drama where Diantha doesn't totally see his viewpoint.
🛍️ Available: Now!

💬 Okay, this was so good! I'll be honest I didn't remember applying for this book, and when I saw that I was approved for it and I saw the cover I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy it. But I really feel like the cover was way more misleading on how well written and hilarious this book is.

Lucien specifically is just hilarious- his character had me in tears I was laughing so much. He sorta reminds me of Gilderoy Lockhart from HP, but a better person 😂😂😂 And also I know that “get it out of our systems/just one night” is a common trope in romance books but the way they planned to do so was just…so, so funny. And that dedication has become my new fave

The snark, the banter, the inner monologues, I was dying this whole book. It almost reminded me of like two teenagers in love. It's hard to really say a whole lot because I don't want to give much away because it really feels like you need to just kind of go into this book blind and just experience it, but believe me when I tell you that this was such a satisfying read and if you like historical romances I don't think you'll be disappointed with this. I've already added this authors entire backlog to my TBR

[KelseyreadsHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story between two people who both feel like the black sheep of their family, whose families also have been feuding for twenty years. The two families’ perspectives on life changed following the sight of Halley’s Comet, causing the fallout.

The juxtaposition of Lucian and Diantha characters’ wants and relationships’ to their family made for an entertaining setup and storyline. It was lighthearted with Diantha’s family being a bit eccentric and having a love for alliterations.

Lucian and Diantha sit through several product demonstrations to figure out what to do with the shared factory. From the macabre to the useless, they were entertaining and provided ways for the two to connect. Lucian and Diantha shared a lot of page time together, working together and visiting the British Museum and Madame Tussaud’s.

I especially liked how while they were both trying to figure out their feelings and what they wanted, Diantha wasn’t willing to compromise the life she wanted and Lucian was respectful of her dreams.

This was a new to me author and I enjoyed the writing and storytelling.

The Devil’s Charms is the first book in the Heirs and Spares series.

There was one encounter plus another scene with heavy petting.

I received an advance copy from the publisher from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.