Taciturn in the Ton

Misfits of the Ton #9

by Emily Royal

A marriage of necessity…with a man who shuns her.

Despite being a duke’s sister, Olivia Whitcombe is shunned by Society due to one insurmountable flaw: her illegitimacy. Taunted by debutantes and rejected by suitors, her debut Season couldn’t get any worse—until she’s caught in a compromising position with a taciturn stranger.

To save the Whitcombe name, Olivia yields to her brother’s demands and finds herself transported to a neglected manor and forced to marry a silent, brooding earl with pain and anger in his eyes, who shuns her at every turn.

Charles Devereaux hasn’t spoken a word since witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child. On inheriting the earldom and a mountain of debts, he returns to Penham Park, his hated childhood home, and reluctantly enters the Marriage Mart. When a debutante of doubtful birth falls—literally—into his arms, Charles curses himself for being snared so easily.

But dark secrets and the specter of Death linger within the walls of Penham Park, and when Charles’s heart begins to soften toward his bride, it may be too late.

Genres: Slow Burn

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2026

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Emily Royal is a mathematics geek who grew up in Sussex, England and has always had a passion for romance and bad boy heroes in need of redemption. Emily graduated from Oxford University with a Chemistry degree, but returned to her mathematical roots to work in financial services, while indulging in her dream of becoming a pilot, and enjoying a brief international sporting career.

She now lives near the Highlands, with her Scottish husband, two daughters and menagerie of rescue pets including Twinkle, an attention-seeking boa constrictor. When not working on algebra, dreaming about her heroes, or keeping Twinkle from slithering over her keyboard, Emily enjoys painting, playing the piano and keeping her family well stocked with cake.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Royal is a new author for me. This is only my 10th book by her. I found her when I was searching for new authors and new books to read. When I read book one in Mar 2025, I had been reading some new authors and none were really exciting to me so was looking forward to reading her. Many of my favorite authors are published by Dragonblade which publishes her books so I knew that would be a good sign. I have really enjoyed this series and like that she keeps adding to it.

WOW I really loved this story. It had me from page 1. I loved Olivia and Charles and their personalities. I loved their struggle, especially his. I loved the mystery. It had such great depth and fierce passion. It just gave me all the feels. I am adding this to my favorite reads list for Feb, 2026. So damn good.

[Noni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take a shot every time Charles says devil breeches or Oliva hurts her ankle.

Although taciturn in the ton the 9th book in the series, you could absolutely read this as a stand-alone, which is always great in a long-running romance series. This was a good classic historical romance if you like when the characters are a little bit moodier and if you love a sad, neglected country manor. The second half is much stronger than the first honesty did feel like it took too long for them to just get married and be at the house because that's when thins actually start happening I didn't really need 30 percent at the start of waiting for the plot to begin especially when the first chapter made me think we were just going to immediately go straight into them being married. But once we are at the house, things pick up as we meet the important characters and figure out what is going on.

I would have preferred we saw more for Olivia and Charles actually spending time together and building their romance rather than them sort of just falling in love for no apparent reason. I liked Olivia's relationship with her sister-in-law Eleanor, who I believe is a previous heroine. It was very sweet how she looked out for her and treated her like a real sister and advocated for her sometimes even against her own husband.

What I really liked was that Charles' disability wasn't treated like it would be magically fixed by love. Even when it seems like he might start gaining the ability to speak, I appreciate it being made clear it's okay if he doesn't, and Olivia is happy to learn to accommodate him. This book was also much funnier than I thought it would be. At the beginning when Charles is a more arrogant man who does at times look down on women, its very much treated like he is the one being foolish in under estimating women especially women like Anne/Angelina. Which leads to some of the funnier scenes in the book towards the second half when they cross paths again. My only real proper complaint is it felt like we spent a long time building to the inevitable climax, but when it did finally all come together the resolution was completely brushed over despite the situation Olivia ended up in I feel had a lot of weight to it and there should have been more of a reaction rather than skipping straight to the epilogue.

But overall, this was a fun, easy read. If you're a fan of historical romance, especially with a more broody lead and force proximity, you should check this out. I'm definitely interested in maybe going back in the series and reading the stories for some of the characters you meet in this book, like Eleanor and Henrietta.

arc copy provided by netgalley.

[Traci]

Notes for me

Charles, Lord Deveraux. Selectively mute due to witnessing mother’s death

Olivia - illegitimate daughter

Six months earlier Charles returns from Italy due to his father’s death. His father has a loan on the property at 20% interest. He has to sell his beloved horse and Olivia’s brother buys him.

DNF end of chapter 2 his valet talks about hiring a doxie. Chapter 5 opens with a descriptive session of him with said doxie. 🤮 He hadn’t met Olivia yet, but still.

I have a few books by this author marked as nope because of OW.

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mouse, an ogre, a forced marriage, a disastrous wedding night and an aloof husband more eager for her dowry than her company... doesn’t this sound promising?

Olivia – a duke’s by-blow with an inferiority complex who’s brother (the current duke) took her in with all the best intentions, except... the ton is of a different opinion. The cherry on top of her miserable season: being found in the arms of a stranger on a dark balcony.
Charles – a glowering mute giant who only just returned from a decade abroad to inherit a besmirched title, a crumbling estate and a mountain of debt. Only one solution: marry a fortune. And then an insipid wallflower fell into his arms.

Now don’t go thinking Charles is a cad for leaving days after the wedding. He cares, but he’s been angry for so long – and he most definitely didn’t plan for feelings. Luckily there’s his valet – creative translator, personal Yoda and impertinent bane of Charles’s existence – to smooth out the rough.
Through the estate agent, Olivia learns Charles is investing in the tenants and the land, neglecting himself and by extension her. So she decides to invest in him, hoping for a positive return. All very promising if it weren’t for the local vulture circling her...

I think I loved the side-characters in this story before the MCs. Mrs Poor-me & Mr Thorn-in-my-paw took a while to grow on me. In their case absence really was a blessing: she grew stronger, more confident, and his head got to catch up with his heart. But I have questions...
For a woman who just lived through the worst of Society, why is she still so naive?
How did Charles and the others learn sign language? And why does he never share his truth? I sort of missed that moment where he told Olivia his story. Yes, she lovingly shuts him up, but he could have written her a letter or something.
I don’t know, this was a lovely original tale that kept me engaged till the very end, yet I missed that little extra zing to make it outstanding.

[Imromanticallyinvolved · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Let's start out with what I liked:
I love the premise of a mute Earl and an illegitimate Duke's daughter being forced to marry after being caught in a "compromising" situation. We're given hints that his past was very traumatic stemming from the death of his mother. There's nothing I love more than a tortured hero! I loved the fact that her legitimate brother, the Duke's heir, acknowledged her and sought to support and love her. She experienced some truly cruel things at a ball that made my heart hurt. I appreciated the fact that his muteness wasn't magically fixed in order to bring them closer. I think my favorite character was Mrs. Brougham with her wise ways and even wiser words.

The beginning of the story had me so excited to read it with the expectation of some real character growth and strong relationship development. Unfortunately, I finished the story with almost just as many questions at the end as I did in the beginning. My biggest disappointment was the lack of time the MC's spent together. It was a good plot point at the beginning but it continued on to the point that their love felt superficial and I don't even know how they fell in love, it felt so out of the blue. I was hoping at some point they would share with each other the trauma of their past and form a connection but this just didn't ever happen. We were TOLD that they were emotionally scarred, we were TOLD that they loved each other, I wanted this to be shown or even discussed forming a bond between them. Another little thing that bugged me was how pencil and paper wasn't brought out until well into the story in order for them to communicate. I love a language barrier but this was pushed beyond believability.

My takeaway is that this had the potential to be a five star read for me but sadly, it fell flat. After stating all of this, I would definitely try another book by this author with the hope that the characters are more fleshed out.

I was honored to receive an early copy from the publisher and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taciturn in the Ton is the ninth book in the Misfits of the Ton series. This book can be a stand-alone read.

Two broken people destined for each other in a marriage of convenience.

Olivia Whitcombe has been shunned ever since she was found by her brother the Duke. He brought her home to live the life he felt she should have had. Her illegitimacy stands in the way of her future. The Ton takes pains to keep their distance with their moral high ground. Taunted by debutantes and rejected by suitors, her debut Season couldn’t be farther than what she was led to believe. After being humiliated Olivia steps outside on a terrace only to break out in tears. Nothing could be more humiliating—until she’s caught in a compromising position with a stranger.

To avoid the scandal, Olivia concedes to marry and quickly finds herself in a neglected manor and married to a silent, brooding earl with pain and anger in his eyes, who shuns her at every turn. Life could not be worse.

Charles Devereaux himself has been tortured from the ton since his mother’s violent death as a child. He hasn't spoken a word since and learned sign language to do the speaking for him. To make matter worse, he had inherited the earldom and a multitude of debts, He returns to Penham Park, his hated childhood home and the source of all his pain. He has no choice but to enter the marriage mart to gain a large dowry to make repairs to his home and the tenants.

As Charles and Olivia make progress in their relationship, danger looms near and Olivia finds herself betrayed by someone close to her.

I loved this story! It was dark and hopeful at the same time. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Charles and Olivia. Olivia is so patient with Charles as he tries to communicate with her. I can only imagine how frustrated he had been. Until Olivia puts pen and paper around the house so he can write hist thoughts as she learns sign language. How smart and thoughtful of Olivia.

The relationship between Charles and his valet, John, was entertaining. In fact, the whole ragtag staff was warm and inviting. There wasn't one thing that disappointed me in this love story. I wish I had read the series from the beginning. The writing is easy to read and draws you in from the first few pages. I look forward to reading more from Emily Royal.

I received and ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[niam · Rating 2 out of 5]

i like how the foundation of their relationship and ability to sympathise with one another comes from their shared status as outcasts in the eyes of society, olivia due to her status as an illegitimate child and charles due to his inability to speak, and i appreciated the inclusion of selective mutism and sign language.

however i'm quite confused as to where charles's disdain for women even comes from? he has a deep vitriol reserved for women that at times surpasses his anger towards his father/men, who have demonstrably caused him more harm, and borders on seriously grating. the most important women in his life (his mother and his housekeeper) were significantly positive forces and a source of support in his life prior to his leaving. obviously period-typical misogyny exists and is often an unavoidable part of the genre and its leads but his is to an extent that has no (explanatory not justifying) reason. he then subsequently cares for olivia and has consideration for her circumstances, but from the way he's positioned to regard women prior why would he?

in addition, they simply don't spend enough time together. although as stated earlier you can see the basis for why they may find solidarity with one another, it's never explored in depth. they never have a sincere discussion about themselves and how their experiences have shaped them. i'm fairly certain he never even discusses his parents with her, and everything she knows about his situation comes from the word of others. as for olivia, she herself doesn't discuss her own life and circumstances with the reader much less charles. what about her own feelings regarding parents and her pointed lack of them? what about her life before her brother took her in beyond the cursory one or two expository lines? ultimately, the care and love seems to form because they're married, instead of their marriage being an event that creates the environment for that care to form.

a very minor issue is that charles tends to use one single type of curse, which can get repetitive.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has all the classic historical romance ingredients—an arranged marriage, a brooding hero, and a heroine who’s far stronger than people give her credit for.
Olivia is easy to root for. Even though she comes from a powerful family, her illegitimacy makes her an outcast, and you really feel how unfairly she’s treated. I liked that she doesn’t become bitter—she’s hurt, yes, but still hopeful in her own quiet way. Watching her adjust to a cold marriage and an unfamiliar home kept me invested.
Charles, on the other hand, is the definition of emotionally closed off. His silence and past trauma make him hard to read at first, but it’s clear there’s more going on beneath the surface. His gradual softening is one of the more satisfying parts of the story, even if it takes a while to get there.
The setting at Penham Park adds a slightly darker, almost gothic tone, which works well with the mystery surrounding Charles’s past and the lingering sense of danger. It’s not just a romance—there’s an underlying tension that keeps things interesting.
If I had one small complaint, it’s that the emotional payoff feels a bit rushed compared to the slow build. Still, the journey to get there is engaging, and the characters carry the story well.
Overall, this is a solid, emotional historical romance with a touch of darkness, perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn relationships and wounded heroes.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being a duke’s sister, Olivia Whitcombe is shunned by Society due to one insurmountable flaw: her illegitimacy. Taunted by debutantes and rejected by suitors, her debut Season couldn’t get any worse—until she’s caught in a compromising position with a taciturn stranger. To save the Whitcombe name, Olivia yields to her brother Montague’s demands and finds herself transported to a neglected manor and forced to marry a silent, brooding earl. Charles Devereaux hasn’t spoken a word since witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child.
Two misfits who were forced to marry both have lots of baggage so this made for a riveting read. I think it’s my favourite of the series so far. I loved the dynamics between Charles & Olivia & how they gradually fell in love. Their road to a HEA isn’t easy by any means but I loved how they tackled each obstacle which was thrown in their way. I also liked most of the secondary characters, one I disliked from first meeting them & my dislike of them only grew. The book flowed well & I was engrossed from cover to cover. I also liked that Charles didn’t suddenly find his voice.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Pat Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one very heart-wrenching tale of 2 misfits….one of “low” birth and the other scarred from a past no one should live. Watching Charles trajectory change was heart warming and I was enamored with the sign language . Olivia is split between two worlds and the ton never lets her forget it. I loved how Charles dealt with one slimy male, with the help of his banker- that was rather funny. Their meeting was different and I enjoyed how protective of her he became as the story progressed. The villain or villains were somewhat hidden, but it doesn’t take much to figure it out. The author asks what I didn’t like about the story, so here it is. The constant and obsessive use of the f-bomb. It DESTROYS a story for me and honestly I flinch every time it shows up. So many beautiful , heart wrenching stories are written without it, (thinking back to Kathleen Woodwiss) and they did very well. There is NO need, in my opinion to plaster a truly wonderful story with such crass language. Thus the 4 stars.What could and should have been exceptional with as many stars as could be given, looses its appeal quickly with it.

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Royal has done it again! Taciturn in the Ton was an excellent addition to the series. This time around the titular character is the male! Charles, Lord Devereaux, lost his ability to speak after he witnessed a horrific event as a child. Consequently, he grew up to become a social recluse. Olivia, the half-sister of Duke Whitcombe, was first introduced in "Oddity of the Ton." Being illegitimate, she constantly struggled because she felt that she wasn't good enough. When Charles and Olivia, innocently stumble into a compromising situation, her brother is all too happy to push them into a marriage neither of them wants.
The only minor gripe that I had with this book is that the couple went from being virtual strangers to having secret thoughts of love rather quickly. Apart from that, the pages are filled with humor and the words simply flow. The internal monolog of Charles was priceless and I loved the banter between him and his valet. On top of that, some previous characters are revisited and there is also a bit of mystery and danger. The book was engaging and I read it in a day. I received a free ARC from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest review.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Best of the Series.
I truly enjoyed this story with two very intriguing characters, wonderful plot, hidden villain that caught me off guard, along with an interesting story of two people from different classes
Charles with an emotional traumatic affliction and Olivia and emotional self-conscious wreck growing up as a natural born child.
The drama between Charles and Olivias story is realistic due to their upbringing. He needs money, she has money.
The story moves at a solid pace with an ending I did not see coming until it was happening.
Why I liked this story I can't really say other than I found it out of the ordinary and it was very well written and captured my heart.
⭐Most impressive, surprising scene: Charles and the lady's pleasure instructor.
💖Enjoyable characters: John the valet and Mrs. Brougham, housekeeper. They added much to the story
💋Mature Advisory 1/5

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.

Olivia is a young woman out during her first London Season, trying to find a suitable match at the behest of her other brother. Her search has been unsuccessful thus far because of the fact she is actually the prior duke's illegitimate child. Her brother is insistent that she finds a good match, but the status of her birth leaves her as the butt of many jokes. While at a ball, she has The misfortune to be compromised with a large and imposing earl.

Charles is a very tortured man, returned from Italy to take over his estate after the death of his terrible father. Rendered mute after a horrible trauma as a child, it has been many years since Charles has spoken. In order to settle his father's debts he not only needs to sell his beloved horse but also to find a wife with a very substantial diary. When he is found in a compromising position with Olivia it actually works to his favor.

Unfortunately for Olivia, Charles thinks very little of women and the start of their marriage is very rocky indeed. However as time goes by Charles begins to realize that Olivia is actually a kind and innocent person who does not deserve the treatment she has received. He works hard to be a better husband and to make her happy.

He goes to London and learns the art of pleasuring a woman ( there is no cheating in this book however), and while he is away she in turn tries her best to come up with beautiful surprises for him. Olivia spends a great deal of time getting to know the tenants and staff on the estate, and makes a good friend of the sister of her lady's maid.

This book satisfies a lot of tropes for me. There is some other woman drama, but not the kind that you would think. There is also a big twist at the end with a small amount of betrayal. But overall the couples relationship progresses realistically and their love for each other is believable. The book was very well written and the story was very fun to read.

[Fredine Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taciturn in the Ton: A Regency Historical Romance (a misfits of the Ton Book 9) @Emily Royal

Two people that were not ment to be brought together, but by fate we matched together. Charles the Earl had sold his house in Italy, tio return to his name after his father passes. Olivia a natural child of the old duke. Born on the wrong side of the blanket and very shy about the knowledge. During a ball she went out for air on the terrace but found Charles there. As happens he brother finds her out on thelveranda, Charles had taken her into his arms to protect he from falling on the broken glass. Her brother the Duke insists that they marry. They marry in a small ceremony. Charles had a teams of seeing his mother fall down the stairs to protect his from his father beating him, as a result his mother dies and Charles didn't speak from then on. Love always finds a way to bring two deserving people together for a happy ever after.

[Margaret Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Whitcombe, the daughter of a duke who was born out of wedlock was lucky that her brother, Montague, now the Duke invited her into his home to live with him and his family. Although her brother and family loved her, Olivia was not respected by the ton as she was not a legitimate member of the Whitcombe family in their eyes. She is caught in an indelicate situation with Charles Devereaux, the Earl who had sold his prize horse to her brother. Montague insisted Charles do the right thing by marrying Olivia and Charles initially refused until Monty threatened to kill his horse. So, Olivia and Charles are both stuck with a marriage neither of them wanted but for different reasons. Olivia didn't think she was worthy because of her birth and Charles because of his past with his father and the trauma he suffered upon the death of his mother. Two lost souls needing to find a way to make their marriage work. Another great story with a HEA for the couple.

[Velvet · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of historical romance, I found this book entertaining enough. I can enjoy it as a stand alone but it is well written enough for me to want to check out the rest of the novels in the series. I can't give it a full mark though because I think the author could've done better by being less repetitive in reminding the readers the causes of such poor decisions. I got it the first time it was mentioned and can conclude on my own that it's these insecurities that's preventing them from seeing eye to eye. A creative hint here and there would've sufficed instead of spoonfeeding it to the readers. I can look past it well enough but I would appreciate it more if the space alloted to these repetitions where spent more in fleshing out the characters and letting us see more of their attraction and chemistry.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars.
I’ve enjoyed reading “Taciturn in the Ton”, by Emily Royal, with its mute beast of a hero and the initially subdued heroine later turning into a solid character, in a story full of angst and passion.
“More beast than man”, the large and muscular hero exudes virility and power and has also an incredibly coarse behavior that produces unexpected funny moments and scenes particularly in the interactions with John, the vallet.
The contrast between the brutish characteristics and the hidden tenderness he seldom shows makes Charles a compelling hero.
I loved the slow building of trust between Charles and Olivia, and the fact that there’s no miracle cure for the hero.
The use of sign language was also interesting.
I felt the story dragged in the second half and could be shorter.

[D Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book with bated breath. I adore the series, Emily Royal is one of my Top 5 authors, and I found Charles Devereaux to be an intriguing character in the last book of the series.

Olivia is the sister of a duke, but is illegitimate, and it affects her ability to be part of the Ton. Her brother wants her to find a husband. She isn't as keen on it.

Charles Devereaux became mute after witnessing a tragedy when he was young. He is an incredibly angry young man. When he accidentally compromises Olivia at a ball, they are forced to marry. She is afraid of him at first. He doesn't speak, and it's easy for them to misunderstand each other.

Emily Royal can take what appears to be the same old tropes, and somehow write a fresh new story that I have never read before. I loved this book. Like the others in thr series, I'm sure I will read it repeatedly.

The only drawbacks that I could see is that I felt it could be a little longer, because the.growth of love between the two seemed a little rushed. However, it may have seemed like that to me just because I read the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down, but all her books are similarly engaging, to me. The other thing I noticed was that it seemed like Whitcombe was almost a different character from who she wrote before. His reactions and actions were not what I would have expected from him, as a more stoic duke. These issues are not enough to keep me from giving it a 5-star rating

As a person with multiple disabilities and who has a social anxiety stutter and occasional mutism, I was just very happy she ended the book the way she did. That's all I can say without spoiling.

I received a free book from the author through netgalley.com, and this is my honest review.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our lead characters in this historical romance are complicated people. Our heroine was born on the wrong side of the blanket. (illegitimate) . Our hero had such trauma in his childhood,it stole his voice. He only returned to England after the death of his father because of the responsibility to the estate.
They are both misfits to society, and have been ridiculed and tormented. They have a lot to get past, and difficulty trusting others. That doesn't mean there is only sadness in this story. There is joy, and entertainment aplenty. We also have a spiteful villain who proves dangerous.
A story that will get you thinking.
Good fun.

[Mary L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars A very good quick read... A worthy historical romance that I couldn't put down.

A social pariah and someone who avoids society are found in a compromised position and must marry to save her reputation. Their love story develops through the book. Charles is a grumpy, literally silent Gus who falls first- and hard. Olivia, despite all of the ugliness that has been thrown at her, is a sweet and trusting young women.

There are steamy scenes equal to about a 2-3 pepper.

I am now off to read the others in the Misfits of the Ton series!

Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the opportunity to read my first Emily Royal book.

[Aspoon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was worse than the one before it. Absolutely no chemistry between these characters and they barely spent any real time with each other. What bugged me the most was the fact that Olivia supposedly taught lessons in a school to kids in the previous book yet this girl didn’t know a damn thing about NOTHING. Absolutely nothing…she was constantly ruminating about people looking down on her birth and her being a woman. She act like she couldn’t understand basic things and not just from her husband. No one taught this girl anything about life it seems yet she was raised in a DUKE’S home. I couldn’t take it anymore and gave up at 80% such a waste of my time.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Olivia find love and can Charles find his voice to tell he he loves her?

Olivia Whitcombe may be the sister of a duke but her illegitimacy causes Society to hold her in contempt.

Charles Devereaux has not spoken since he witnessed his mother’s death when he was a young child.

When the two of them are innocently caught in a compromising situation they are forced to marry.

Each of them feels unworthy of love but they each crave it!

Slowly the relationship between each of them develops. There are threats from various directions, some human others are the need to communicate clearly.

I very much enjoyed this book and the supporting characters are well drawn.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born illegitimately, Olivia is never accepted by the ton. When she is found together with a stranger, Charles, on a terrace at a ball, they are forced to wed. Charles' abusive childhood has caused him to be mute. He goes through with the marriage because his estate needs her dowry. Both of them need to believe they are worthy of love. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[NelleRenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the storyline and the mention of other characters in the series. The heroine has a low self esteem as the Ton has been cruel to her. She is the half sister of a duke but illegitimate so she feels no one can love her for herself. The heroine is mute due to the tragedy of his mother’s death. He has come back after 15 years to claim his title after his despised father dies, only to find the estate in great financial hardship. They marry to avoid a scandal. There is a true villain in the story who is easy to spot. It was nice to see the way the two main characters tried to figure out their feelings.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is so touching! Olivia is such a sweet woman. She suffers greatly from being born out of wedlock. She has no desire for a society life, but loves her brother, the Duke. Charles is a man you just want to hold forever until all his pain is released. This author firmly puts the reader into the depths of the characters emotions. There were moments I didn't want read on as I knew it would be emotionally charged, but I couldn't stop. I truly believe this is the best story of this series!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book the idea that Charles has not been able to speak since his mother was killed by his father trying to stop his father beating him up was so sad and that he could only find the will to speak when his wife whom he had married for her dowry was in danger was so poignant.
I really enjoyed reading as Olivia found her self worth and Charles found he could feel emotional about a person it was lovely.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade publishing for my arc copy

[Sven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay let's starts with what works in this book. The characters are unique, the marriage happens fairly early enough, the "trouble" is convincing and there's some degree of lightness from side characters. What it lacked however, was emotional depth. You do get to see the impact of the past on the MC's, but with this being the main premise, they hardly discuss it with each other. You also don't see them falling in love. It just kind of happens.

Decent read but maybe not the best.

#netgalley

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pair of misfit thrown together by circumstances, turns out to be the perfect pair. Enjoyable read as they embark on the journey of married life crossing a sea of misunderstanding and miscommunication amidst ill treatments and envious threats. Very good and highly recommended read.

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Taciturn of the Ton! Olivia (FMC) was easy to like while Charles the MMC took some time. I did love him by the end. This book included some of my favorite tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Marriage of convenience
Compromised heroine

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you definitely need to read this newest book in the Misfits of the Ton series.

[Denise Tocci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying ,I love Ms Royals ' novels .Not this one I adore, love and couldn't get enough of this novel.I wanted it to continue. She includes 'Ole friends ',and weaves them into the story line so well. This book was the best. I recommend read this book and the series ,no disappointments, enjoy