To Love a Lord

The Heart of a Duke #5

by Christi Caldwell

All she wants is security:
The last place finishing school instructor Mrs. Jane Munroe belongs, is in polite Society. Vowing to never wed, she’s been scuttled around from post to post. Now she finds herself in the Marquess of Waverly’s household. She’s never met a nobleman she liked, and when she meets the pompous, arrogant marquess, she remembers why. But soon, she discovers Gabriel is unlike any gentleman she’s ever known.

All he wants is a companion for his sister:
What Gabriel finds himself with instead, is a fiery spirited, bespectacled woman who entices him at every corner and challenges his age-old vow to never trust his heart to a woman. But…there is something suspicious about his sister’s companion. And he is determined to find out just what it is.

All they need is each other:
As Gabriel and Jane confront the truth of their feelings, the lies and secrets between them begin to unravel. And Jane is left to decide whether or not it is ever truly safe to love a lord.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2015

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!

Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.

Reviews

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

adored them! jane and gabriel worked so well together. having a horrible father and harbouring life-long guilt about things made gabriel stay away from all emotions and everyone. he doesn’t let too many people too close to him–not even his siblings. within a week of meeting gabriel, he was engaged in more feelings. although he was first suspicious of jane, curiosity and an unnamed desire to know her rose up in gabriel. i liked them both. jane’s really outspoken about her opinions and feelings. she totally threw gabriel in a loop.

[Tanya Sridhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Stars.

Mostly enjoyed this edition in the Heart of a Duke series. Longer, more comprehensive review to come soon.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this a long time ago but put a stop to it because it was a bit dark. after reading to love a rogue I wanted to know Gabriels story.
but it is not often that I like a character more as a secondary character and not so much during his own book.
but this happened here.

all in all it was an ok read

[Katrin Schäfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Versuchung des Herzogs
von Christi Caldwell
Amazon Publishing Deutschland
Cover:
Das Cover ist der Zeit angepasst und wirkt allein dadurch realistisch.
Rezension:
Gabriel, der Marquis of Waverly sucht dringendst für seine äußerst temperamentvolle Schwester Chloe eine Gesellschaftsdame. Er liebt seine Schwester abgöttisch, doch muss er ihren Eigensinn ein wenig zurechtrücken.
Der Schreibstil des Buches ist leicht und fließend gewählt, die Sprache leicht verständlich und eingängig. Erzählt wird abwechselnd aus der Sicht von Jane und Gabriel. Die Charaktere waren gut ausgearbeitet und haben mir gut gefallen. Chloe war einfach Klasse, ziemlich rechthaberisch aber liebenswert. Gabriel, der sich selbst feige nennt hat von allen das größte Paket zu tragen aber auch die anderen haben so ihre Macken und Altlasten. Zur Geschichte an sich kann man nur sagen, sie wurde mit viel Witz und Charme erzählt, wobei aber auch ein bisschen Traurigkeit und Gefühl durchdrang. Ein für die damalige Zeit skandalöser Touch darf natürlich auch nicht fehlen um ein Buch dieser Epoche zu einem guten Lesestoff zu machen. Daher vergebe ich gut gemeinte 4/5 Sterne.
Ich bedanke mich herzlich bei Amazon und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar, meine Meinung wurde dadurch nicht beeinflusst.

[Topastro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off great but I didn't fully connect with either MC and its a bit forgettable. Not my favorite by Christi Caldwell but I see why others will love this.

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENJOYABLE!!

To Love a Lord is one of my favorites in the Heart of A Duke series. I was excited to finally read Gabriel the Marquis of Waverly's story. Gabriel and the Edgerton siblings have suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of there father when they were children. Once he is dead Gabriel seems to be a unattached, cold person similar to his father, but without the abuse. His sister Chloe is in need of a chaperone as Gabriel intends to have her married off in the next 2 months. Chloe is his last sibling to marry off and then he will be free of his responsibility to his family. He sends a letter to Mrs. Bentons finishing school to hire one of her Dragon teachers as a chaperone for Chloe.

Mrs. Jane Munroe is the illegitimate daughter of the Duke Ravenscourt. The Duke has cast her off and never owed up to her paternity. The Duke does however make arrangements to get her employment. Jane has been a teacher for the past year at Mrs. Bensons. She has always been cruelly treated because of her birth. Now she has been accused of wrong doing by one of the titled ladies at the school. This results in Mrs. Benson firing her from her job as teacher. While distracted from the conversation with Jane she leaves the room and Jane steals the letter from the Marques. This is were the story gets a little unbelievable.

Jane arrives at the Waverly's home. Gabriel doesn't think she will suit Chloe, but he lets her stay overnight and she must leave in the morning. During the middle of the night she is in Gabriel's library and they kiss. OK but then she gets scared I guess and hits him and breaks his nose. Later that morning she refuses to leave. Now come on!! No Titled Lord of the Ton would allow someone to break his nose and then let her stay to meet his sister.

Other then that Jane and Gabriel are two like souls with a lots in common. I felt really sorry for bought of them. They learn together how to love and how not to judge others no matter who they are. They grow together. The romance is OK!! This is not a sensual story. None the less it was a good story. I enjoyed it.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Jane Munroe is in a panic, if she doesn't have a job she will have to live on the streets. Dismissed from her teaching job, she takes a letter on the headmistress' desk from the Marques of Waverly asking for a companion for his sister. At first Gabriel doesn't think she will do, but Jane won't take no for an answer. With his sister's consent, she stays, and starts to break down the barriers around his heart. Though he cannot deny the physical attraction, his fear of caring for someone else holds him back. Is Jane strong enough to change his mind? Caldwell a delivers a great read.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story breathes new life into the classic governess/companion romance. Jane isn’t just a damsel in distress; she’s a woman pushed to the brink who uses her wits to survive. The irony that she finds her greatest happiness while living a lie adds a beautiful layer of melancholy to the plot. The Marquess is exactly what you want in a Regency lead: protective, observant, and deeply loyal to his family. The moment he realizes Jane isn't who she says she is, but loves her anyway?

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifth in the series. I am reading them back to back. The heart shaped ruby magical necklace is the connection to all the books. Some of the characters are friends and family members. Each story is unique with various issues the h and H need to work through.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Deniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5Stars

[iread · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Love A Lord is book 5 in The heart of a Duke series. Caldwell is such a master at building layered characters. I so enjoyed this book. The hero is complex and yet totally likeable. The heroine is vulnerable and strong at the same time. I am thoroughly enjoyed reading through this series.

[Shawna Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with the Heart of a Duke series and Gabriel and Jane story is another beautiful addition to the series.

I can't say how much I have fallen in love with the Edgerton family. The suffering they endured at the ends of their father has been heartbreaking. They are beautifully imperfect and I have enjoyed watching them heal as individuals and as a family.

Oh how I wanted to hug Gabriel throughout this book. Much like is other siblings he resolved to never fall in love. He believes himself unworthy of love because he failed to protect his siblings from their father's beatings. He has kept is heart locked up a cool & aloof persona, but for those who he did love, he would sacrifice anything.

Jane was a wonderful heroine. I admired how she fought for everything she had and refused to let how others mistreated her deter her from her ultimate goal. Life had been unfairly cruel to Jane and she was determined to let no other girl in the same position (the illegimate daughter of a nobleman) go through the same cruelty.

When Jane and Gabriel meet you knew all bets were off. They are two lost souls both hurt by the ugliness of the world, both vowing to never love but unable to deny the pull they had to each other.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I RATHER LIKE HER A LOT"

Which perfectly describes how I feel about Christi Caldwell. And her heroines. Jane is no exception, and the pain inside Gabriel is so obvious (even if I didn't already read all the previous books, honest!) that my heart bled for him.
Christi creates wonderful, believable characters that inhabit the opulent world of Regency England. The plots may be standard, but I don't read Regency Romance for unique plots, I read it to escape. The details she puts in - the mauve dress, the lost pendant in a dark room, the shattered windows...all these are good. But what really win me over are the details that create the emotional climate of the scene and of the book.
Thank you once again, Christi Caldwell.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 Stars. Enjoyed the cast of characters even if Gabriel could havery been fleshed out a bit more as the tormented hero. I also enjoyed pretty much the entire book except the ending and epilogue were a bit of a let-down. Finding out that Gabriel had never been with a woman was a sweet reveal -- except his performance was both unrealistic and unaccountably experienced/confident. Add to the fact that such a reveal, I would think implied his abuse was SO terrible (not necessarily sexual, mind you) that he decided to abstain from women all together-- that he would carry scars to be remarked upon - even if they would only be on his back or somewhere easily hidden? So he performed perfectly and carries no scars?...meeeh...kinda ruined it.

[LOU71 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series, The Heart of a Duke. It was boring and predictable. Lukewarm in the chemistry department. Rambling in the story-telling department.

For Love of the Duke: 3 stars
More than a Duke: 3- stars
The Love of a Rogue: 3 stars
Loved By a Duke: 2 stars
To Love a Lord: 2+ stars

Jane Monroe. Illegitimate daughter of a duke. Fired finishing school instructor.

Gabriel Edgerton. Marquess of Waverly. 32 year old virgin. What?

One typo in book said, “he filled his air with lungs.” Geez.

Come on series...pick yourself up. I got ten more books to go.

[C JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel's story was quite interesting in the telling. I love that Christi's writing is not "cookie cutter" plots. Each story brings a unique insight of the diverse characters in her Heart of a Duke series. At least 3 more books to follow and I can't wait for Rutland to be redeemed, Chloe to find her HEA (Waterson hmmmm?) and now Primly gets to expand on his own pages. The series is well worth the read.

[Tammy Schoen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Die Versuchung des Herzogs“ ist der 5. Band der Reihe „The Heart of a Duke“ von Christi Caldwell. Ich mag ja Christi Caldwell Romane gerne, eine nette Art und Weise um zu entspannen.
Zwei Menschen, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein können und sich doch so ähnlich sind, werden durch gesellschaftliche Vorgaben zusammengebracht.
Jane – eine junge Frau, die uneheliche Tochter eines Dukes, deren Mutter bereits verstorben ist und sie ohne Hab und Gut zurückgelassen hatte, versucht sich als Gouvernante und letztlich als Lehrerin an einer typischen englischen Mädchenschule, die nicht gerade dafür bekannt ist, das revolutionäre Gedankengut von Mary Wollstonecraft zuzulassen. Aus diesem Grund wird Jane, auch bekannt unter dem Namen Mrs. Jane Munroe bekannt, entlassen. An dem Tag ihrer Entlassung entdeckt sie einen Brief auf dem Schreibtisch der Rektorin, in dem der Marquis of Waverly eine Gesellschafterin für seine Schwester für die Dauer von zwei Monaten sucht.
Gabriel Egerton, der Marquis of Waverly, sucht aus einem einfache Grund eine Gesellschaftsdame für seine Schwester – um sich von dem Ballast zu befreien, sich um sie kümmern zu müssen. Er liebt seine Schwester Chloe, nur möchte er keine Verantwortung für Menschen übernehmen, hat er doch in der Jugend gegen seinen Vater versagt, der stets damit beschäftigt war, seine Kinder zu misshandeln.
Jane stielt den Brief, schleicht sich bei Waverly ein und erhält innerhalb weniger Augenblicke einen Abfuhr – ihr strenger Knoten, die langweilige braune Kleidung, die fehlende Information zu seiner Schwester – sie konnte ja nicht wissen, dass Chloe ihr ähnlicher war als vermutet. Ihre Sturheit und das gewisse Ziel, das sie vor Augen hat – zwei Monate durchzuhalten, bevor sie von ihrem leiblichen Vater 3000 Pfund bekommen sollte zu ihrem 25. Geburtstag – führen dazu, dass sie bleiben kann.
Waverly erkennt rasch, dass sie anders war als die Frauen, die er kannte. Würde sie einen Schlüssel zu seinem Herzen finden, obwohl das nicht ihre Absicht ist?

Eine flott erzählte Geschichte mit interessanten Protagonisten und in einem angenehmen Stil geschrieben, also kurzum absolut empfehlenswert. Außerdem muss man sagen, dass Caldwell eine gute Übersetzerin hat, das kann man nicht von vielen englischen Historical-Romance-Autoren sagen.

*I got this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this whole series about the Edgerton Family siblings and the abuse each one suffered at the hands of their father when they were children until he died. Gabriel, the eldest is now the Marquis of Waverly, is bitter, serious and haunted from his past for himself and for not being able to save his younger siblings. He has one more sibling to see married to a good husband that will protect his sister, Chloe.

Jane Munroe is an illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Ravenscourt, who never claimed her as his. She has been a governess and a teacher at a ladies school, where she has lost her position because of complaints on her independent thinking for women. Jane lies herself into a position as companion for 2 months to Gabriel's sister while she finds a husband (his idea, not how his sister feels) by season's end.

Now starts all the lies, regrets, friendships, love romance, broken hearts & spirits, humor and some really likable characters plus some revisits from family from earlier books. I really did enjoy the story - Gabriel had suffered so much and Jane was treated badly being illegitimate (she was too back and forth between sweet and outspoken for my liking) but it was a good read and I would recommend it.

[Ms M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same old story!

The H falls for a woman that he hired either as governess, companion, housekeeper, an illegitimate's daughter you got the point. Nothing new, nothing special sameo sameo. Not too fond of this series (well tbh I only read 3 including this) the synopses couldn't entice me.

The reason I picked up this book as I was reading The Lady Who Loved Him book 2 from The Brethren series, Chloe's story, and intrigued about a back story of Jane and her brother.

Christi Caldwell one of my favorite authors she can delivery a masterpiece if she focus on quality than quantity. A handful of her books are my favorites such as Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love (Scandalous Seasons series Book 6), and the one that made a big impression from hundreds of HR books I'd read and in my 6 stars shelf is My Lady of Deception (Brethren of the Lords series). This is my reread to go book if I want a different scenes of sameo sameo plots, this book so different than CC's writing, This book takes you on a really angsty rollercoaster ride. Not for a faint of heart. See my review on its book.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

with nothing much on TV, this was a great bit of relaxed 19th century escapism to another time where society was 'upstairs and downstairs'... where nobility may have been cruel heartless persons behind doors but to society it was a different face of virtue or was it really? Men were considered the bosses and women or should I say girls were made to be wives, mothers without any own purpose or value! Jane only wanted security for her wellbeing and definitely not a man to order her about. And Gabriel was only interested in being a protector of his siblings; but his rank in society held a different future. These two beings had had hard childhoods - Jane a thinking independent woman who forged a career as 'companion' to the daughters of the rich; but her demure handsome looks always got her into trouble. All Gabriel wanted was a companion for his sister, so that she could find a secure loving marriage. For both to get the job done within two months - but it was only seven days and the fireworks already were roaring into a blaze!! The story-telling was amusing, delightful and sometimes exasperating, but heartful and romantic.....

[Tobe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's weird quirks are starting to detract from the story for me. Countless times people's eyes "collide" as their gazes meet. Several instances of people yelling in fright when someone talks to them because they were startled, or falling down or knocking things over. Feelings and backstories are endlessly repeated less we forget that the characters have baggage. Serious. Baggage. Somewhere amidst the irritating and repetitious filler, two people, that I didn't really know or like, apparently fell in love...or maybe not...it was hard to tell really. I liked Gabriel much more as a side character.

[Ligitux · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I tried to finish this book. It was boring, historicaly incorrect and the end made me simply furrious for trying to reach the end. Endless thinking, musing, regreting made me skip pages. There were no sparks between heroes. I could'n muster not even lukewarm feelings for both. And I droped the book at the heroes confessionn about his virginity. That just killed me-32 years old virgin because his father beat him and his siblings? Total bullshit. Not worth my time.

[Carole Copeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to skim

Can't honestly say much about the book other then I had to skim. Too much thought life for me. Dialogue was minimal in most of the book. I like to have dialogue that is uninterrupted in good chunks. This book could have been half the length by cutting out the repetitive thought life. I still might be good for some but I found it had to get into a conversation with a sentence here and there in the mists of thoughts after thoughts just to end with only a could of comments. You have to decide.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Love A Lord by Christi Caldwell is a phenomenal historical romance. Ms Caldwell has once again delivered a book that is well-written. Her characters are totally awesome and lovable. Gabriel and Jane's story is loaded with drama, bits of humor and a dash of spice. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover and look forward to my next book by Christi Caldwell. To Love A Lord is book 5 of The Heart of a Duke Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

[Karen Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

If you're looking to escape into fairytale (if a bit over the top) romance, this will pull at your heart strings. If you believe in women having a mind of their own, then you will be cheering for the lovely Jane. I was scoffing during the first chapter, but I kept reading and was delighted with the story, offering whit, laughter, and only a bit of romantic sex, not porn. Once I got into the story I was hooked.

[Natalie Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I didn’t like how clumsy the heroine was, the bumbling words for the first 1/3 of the book, nor the overuse of the word “alacrity.” But I did enjoy the glimpse into the era, the lack of violence/darkness, and the real internal struggles of the main characters. I got whiplash but the sudden declarations of love. I did enjoy what we learned about the hero near the very end.

[Susan R. Lundine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Jane lied her way into the home of Gabriel to work as a companion to his sister Chloe. She just needed two months and then she'd come into some money so she could set up her own school for illegitimate young women. But the truth always comes out. ... This is a well-told story with very little graphic passion.

[Melissa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've clearly read these series out of order. There needs to be some master list. Half-way through the book I decided that I was right about the idea I had while reading the previous book. I *do* know who Chloe is. Ugh. My brain and names, I swear. Still, love reading the stories of all the characters I originally thought of as "background."

[Janiece Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance at its Best

This author is exceptional! She has such an amazing view of true
romance, expectation, humor, understanding, love and desire!
Christi Caldwell is and excellent writer! Her characters are very interesting, some gallant, some not, some beautiful and smart!
Read her books and enjoy her talent.
I will recommend this author to my friends and family!