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Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26He wants revenge. She believes in his redemption. Loving her may cost him everything.
Lord Tristan is accustomed to taking what he wants—and now he wants Effie, the compassionate, quietly determined daughter of his business rival, the Earl of Winchester. Their connection is immediate, dangerous, and deeply forbidden.
Effie refuses to believe the cruel portrait her father paints of Tristan. Beneath his commanding presence and ruthless reputation, she glimpses a man burdened by grief, addiction, and a darkness he keeps carefully hidden. Against her father’s wishes, Effie is determined to reach the man behind the walls—even if it costs her everything.
When a devastating bombing at Aldersgate Station cripples Tristan’s railway company, he becomes convinced the Earl of Winchester is responsible. Consumed by fury and grief, Tristan prepares to strike back with calculated vengeance. But revenge would destroy the one woman who still believes in him.
Caught between justice and obsession, love and retaliation, Tristan must decide whether to surrender to his darkness—or fight for a future where Effie might still choose him.
Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is a darkly emotional Victorian romance that confronts grief, addiction, and redemption head-on. Blending forbidden love with high-stakes revenge and raw vulnerability, this story delivers a brooding hero, a courageous heroine, and a powerful journey toward healing. Perfect for readers who crave intense emotion, complex characters, and romance that dares to explore the shadows—and the light beyond them.
Please Includes themes of self-harm (non-cutting), addiction, physical injury to a child, grief and loss, depression, panic attacks, and violence related to boxing and industrial sabotage.
Lord Tristan is accustomed to taking what he wants—and now he wants Effie, the compassionate, quietly determined daughter of his business rival, the Earl of Winchester. Their connection is immediate, dangerous, and deeply forbidden.
Effie refuses to believe the cruel portrait her father paints of Tristan. Beneath his commanding presence and ruthless reputation, she glimpses a man burdened by grief, addiction, and a darkness he keeps carefully hidden. Against her father’s wishes, Effie is determined to reach the man behind the walls—even if it costs her everything.
When a devastating bombing at Aldersgate Station cripples Tristan’s railway company, he becomes convinced the Earl of Winchester is responsible. Consumed by fury and grief, Tristan prepares to strike back with calculated vengeance. But revenge would destroy the one woman who still believes in him.
Caught between justice and obsession, love and retaliation, Tristan must decide whether to surrender to his darkness—or fight for a future where Effie might still choose him.
Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is a darkly emotional Victorian romance that confronts grief, addiction, and redemption head-on. Blending forbidden love with high-stakes revenge and raw vulnerability, this story delivers a brooding hero, a courageous heroine, and a powerful journey toward healing. Perfect for readers who crave intense emotion, complex characters, and romance that dares to explore the shadows—and the light beyond them.
Please Includes themes of self-harm (non-cutting), addiction, physical injury to a child, grief and loss, depression, panic attacks, and violence related to boxing and industrial sabotage.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
He wants revenge. She believes in his redemption. Loving her may cost him everything.
Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is a darkly romantic Victorian tale that masterfully intertwines vengeance, forbidden love, and the possibility of redemption. Lord Tristan, a man scarred by grief and consumed by obsession, has built his life on ruthlessness and self-reliance. Effie, the compassionate and quietly courageous daughter of his sworn enemy, sees past his cold façade to the broken man within.
The story begins with a poignant past: a destitute young Tristan seeks aid from Effie’s father, only to be refused. Effie alone shows him kindness, bringing food and a glimmer of hope. Years later, hardened by loss and driven by a relentless need for retribution after a devastating railway bombing, Tristan has rebuilt his fortune and earned a reputation as a ruthless businessman. It is through his suffering horse—and Effie’s tender care—that their paths cross again, reigniting a connection that is immediate, dangerous, and deeply forbidden.
Effie, self-taught in veterinary medicine, embodies nurturing strength and quiet defiance in a world that limits her aspirations. While her father warns her against Tristan, she trusts the man she glimpses beneath the armor of bitterness and addiction. Their relationship unfolds against a backdrop of family conflict, business rivalries, and long-buried secrets. Effie’s unwavering love becomes the catalyst for Tristan’s painful but necessary journey toward healing and redemption.
This novel thrives on the tension of love versus vengeance, painting a vivid picture of two souls caught between society’s expectations and the shadows of their pasts. The author excels at creating complex characters layered with vulnerability and strength, while weaving a plot that keeps the pages turning.
Effie’s goodness helps Tristan become a better man, their journey was difficult but in the end love prevailed. Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is more than a romance—it is an emotional exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. I loved it and think you will too!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is a darkly romantic Victorian tale that masterfully intertwines vengeance, forbidden love, and the possibility of redemption. Lord Tristan, a man scarred by grief and consumed by obsession, has built his life on ruthlessness and self-reliance. Effie, the compassionate and quietly courageous daughter of his sworn enemy, sees past his cold façade to the broken man within.
The story begins with a poignant past: a destitute young Tristan seeks aid from Effie’s father, only to be refused. Effie alone shows him kindness, bringing food and a glimmer of hope. Years later, hardened by loss and driven by a relentless need for retribution after a devastating railway bombing, Tristan has rebuilt his fortune and earned a reputation as a ruthless businessman. It is through his suffering horse—and Effie’s tender care—that their paths cross again, reigniting a connection that is immediate, dangerous, and deeply forbidden.
Effie, self-taught in veterinary medicine, embodies nurturing strength and quiet defiance in a world that limits her aspirations. While her father warns her against Tristan, she trusts the man she glimpses beneath the armor of bitterness and addiction. Their relationship unfolds against a backdrop of family conflict, business rivalries, and long-buried secrets. Effie’s unwavering love becomes the catalyst for Tristan’s painful but necessary journey toward healing and redemption.
This novel thrives on the tension of love versus vengeance, painting a vivid picture of two souls caught between society’s expectations and the shadows of their pasts. The author excels at creating complex characters layered with vulnerability and strength, while weaving a plot that keeps the pages turning.
Effie’s goodness helps Tristan become a better man, their journey was difficult but in the end love prevailed. Don’t Be Gentle with Lord Tristan is more than a romance—it is an emotional exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. I loved it and think you will too!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Very well written by this fantastic storyteller, she keeps you turning the pages while the storyline has some triggers you may want to read the warnings. Full of drama, abuse, pain, emotions, society, intrigue and family. Lady Effie is the 13th child and living at home. The rest of her siblings are all married and her mother is living in their country home. She and her father, Lord Winchester are in London. Effie is hoping to return to the country , where she can take care of the animals. Pepper, her dog and Kettle, her cat, are both with her. Lord Tristan, Marquess of Montcrest, shows up to her home wanting to talk to her father. She remembers him looking for food or any kind of help years ago. Tristan has arrived at her home on his horse and she notices right away that the horse was a little colic. She helps the horse and Tristan realizes that she has not changed from when she helped him years ago. She heads to his house to check on both him and his horse and meets his brother, Rowan, and his Uncle George. As she spends some time there she notices that some strange things going on and has to be strong and stand up to Tristan. Lots of action, a bomb explosion, injuries from beatings, lies and so much more. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fabulous read. Would strongly recommend to everyone.
Review of advance copy
This book explores and reveals our complex nature. Lord Tristan, successful businessman, stern, severe, aloof, uncompromising, and loyal to the core. Relationships are not easy with him. He lives up to his reputation, or perhaps his reputation helps cement him. However, nothing is ever quite as it seems. Effie, 13th daughter of the Earl of Winchester, has a special heart. She challenges those around her to be their best and reminds them of their duty and to do what is right. She is devoted to her pursuit of veterinary medicine. Being a woman makes this a singularly challenging task; one she does not shy away from. Effie’s and Tristan worlds collide through Zeus, Rowan, and conflicts in business. Secrets are kept, secrets are revealed and life gets a bit complicated. Effie’s healing spirit provides a catalyst for Tristan to overcome a dangerous addiction. Effie’s capacity for love and for trusting in that love speaks volumes. She weaves a web of caring, concern, and confidence that provides a safe haven for healing and change. I love that this author knows how to weave complex characters into a must-read story. This is a 5-star journey that filled my heart with joy. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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February 15, 2026This was a story about a man who was struggling and then found his salvation. Lord Tristan suffered poverty and loss in his youth. He ultimately grew up to become a wealthy and ruthless businessman. However, he was unable to fully leave the shame and loneliness of his early years behind him.
Effie is the daughter of a wealthy lord. Her father is a long-time business rival of Lord Tristan. She once had a soft spot for Tristan but she sees that he is no longer the same person. She has dreams of being a veterinarian, but as a woman, caring for animals can't ever be more than a hobby. Nonetheless, her nurturing spirit and medical knowledge do cross over to other aspects of her life.
Tristan and Effie initially begin to bond over a sick horse. Effie soon realizes that the master of the horse needs healing as well. She sticks with Tristan as they work through some issues. It was rough going, but they do get their happy ending.
This romance was very touching and the handsome Lord Tristan is adorably awkward. I enjoyed reading their scenes together. I received a free ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest review.
Effie is the daughter of a wealthy lord. Her father is a long-time business rival of Lord Tristan. She once had a soft spot for Tristan but she sees that he is no longer the same person. She has dreams of being a veterinarian, but as a woman, caring for animals can't ever be more than a hobby. Nonetheless, her nurturing spirit and medical knowledge do cross over to other aspects of her life.
Tristan and Effie initially begin to bond over a sick horse. Effie soon realizes that the master of the horse needs healing as well. She sticks with Tristan as they work through some issues. It was rough going, but they do get their happy ending.
This romance was very touching and the handsome Lord Tristan is adorably awkward. I enjoyed reading their scenes together. I received a free ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
An enjoyable read of the love between a smart and caring woman and the man with demons to grapple with. Scandals, gossips, misunderstanding, revenge will not hinder their HEA.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews