My Lord's Captive: A spicy, Victorian, enemies to lovers where female rage meets the chance for redemption

by Caitlin Riegel

818 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2026

About the author

Caitlin Riegel is married to the man of her dreams, who is the inspiration behind all her swoon-worthy, morally grey, male characters. She has an affinity for history, especially Victorian England and Greek/Egyptian Mythology, curse words, and tequila. She writes badasses in ball gowns and men who fight like the devil for their ladies.

Caitlin lives with her husband, two children, and three pets in a home she can call her own. Her journey through grief results in writing from a deeply hurt yet dynamically genuine place in her heart.

If you enjoy history lessons infused with a great deal of spice, check out her socials or website for more information on WIPs, published works, and more goodies. And don’t forget, if you find a man who would tear down the world for you, don’t ever let him go.

Reviews

[Kamari Sirelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my first time reading a historical fiction book (I'm gonna be honest, I'm allergic to history during high school🤥) but then after reading this, let's just say that it finally changed my point of view. this book was beautifully written indeed and what got me hooked is that the MMC which is Miles Bertram put in the effort to learn French just to read his wife's favourite book about the language of flowers since it reminds her of her mother so much. And what makes it more romantic is that he gifted her an English translation of the book just so that he could read it to her (alright, now where can I find a man like him irl🤧)

aside from the romance, I genuinely feel like I need to talk about the historical context especially when the Naning War is mentioned. as a Malaysian, Naning is one of the significant regions in what makes Malaysia today as it is. so here's a brief summary of what I've learned about the war during high school. The root cause of the war stemmed from the British claiming they inherit the right to collect a 10% tax on Naning's annual crops. However, the Penghulu of Naning (aka the chief) known as Dol Said refused, stating that Naning was an independent sovereign state. Despite a humiliating initial defeat in 1831 where British forces were repelled by guerilla tactics, they returned in 1832 in a much larger force and successfully broke Dol Said's regional alliances. The war ended with the annexation of Naning into Malacca and the surrender of Dol Said, who is now celebrated as a national hero in Malaysia for his early resistance against colonial rule.

so if you're looking for an arranged marriage but in Victorian era, i'd highly recommend this book❤️‍🔥trust me, it's so hard to put down😆

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating historical romance that had me hooked from start to finish! The author’s ability to draw readers into the world of the story is truly impressive. The setting felt rich and immersive, making it easy to picture every scene as it unfolded. The characters were well developed and emotionally compelling, and I found myself deeply invested in their journey.

Caitlin Riegel writes historical romance beautifully, striking the perfect balance of tension, longing, and heartfelt moments, all while weaving in thoughtful details true to the era in which the story is set. Watching the relationship grow and evolve kept me turning the pages, eager to see how everything would come together. (And yes—I found myself laughing, crying, hating, and completely obsessing over the characters!)

Overall, this was a wonderfully engaging read filled with emotion, atmosphere, and a love story that lingers long after the final page. It’s hard to believe this is the author’s debut novel. A must-read for fans of historical romance

[Whimsical.bookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written and is one of my favorite books of the year. The love, research, and time that went into this book made it a chef's kiss. I actually took my time reading this book because I didn't want it to end. It is very captivating and hard to put down. One of my favorite parts in the book is where Glad talks about flowers and how each one has a different meaning. It is also a way for her to remember and connect with her mother. Miles is a feared lord given a second chance to a new life. But will it be another trophy to add to his collection, or will he let his emotions over take him?

It's easily a 5 star read with fantastic spice!

[Allyse Reinauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tumultuous love story that had me laughing, crying and gripping the edge of my seat.
The plot and characters seamlessly oscillate between sweet and wicked.
I would recommend this to any historical romance lover looking for something a little on the darker side.