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Wickedly Wed #1
Duke in Darkness
Colonel Gabriel Jordan-Ives once lived to serve king and country, with high hopes for a future of love, marriage, and children. Now he exists as a poor recluse, haunted by horrific war memories and struggling with a maimed body—until the day he unexpectedly inherits his cousin Exton’s dukedom and must leave his sanctuary for London, rejoin the ton he cannot abide…and secure the line with a legitimate heir.
Often punished for her hot blooded, curious nature, Lady Lilian Nash transformed herself into the perfect duchess-in-waiting to please her family. However they demand more—wed her late fiancé’s mad cousin—or they’ll be financially ruined. Her marriage of convenience is confusing; Gabriel is unlike any man she’s ever met, an untamed aristocrat both generous and secretive, a scarred yet powerful husband who introduces her to wicked pleasures in the bedchamber even as he forbids her from touching him.
But as the brutal shadows of his past intrude on their present, and cruel enemies attempt to destroy a growing bond, can love save a duke in darkness, or will the shadows consume them both?
Duke in Darkness is the first in a new full-length series. Please note it contains explicit language and sexual content.
Often punished for her hot blooded, curious nature, Lady Lilian Nash transformed herself into the perfect duchess-in-waiting to please her family. However they demand more—wed her late fiancé’s mad cousin—or they’ll be financially ruined. Her marriage of convenience is confusing; Gabriel is unlike any man she’s ever met, an untamed aristocrat both generous and secretive, a scarred yet powerful husband who introduces her to wicked pleasures in the bedchamber even as he forbids her from touching him.
But as the brutal shadows of his past intrude on their present, and cruel enemies attempt to destroy a growing bond, can love save a duke in darkness, or will the shadows consume them both?
Duke in Darkness is the first in a new full-length series. Please note it contains explicit language and sexual content.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2019
342 people are currently reading
1358 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Davidson
38 books727 followersUSA Today bestselling author Nicola Davidson worked for many years in media and government communications, but hasn't looked back since she decided writing erotic historical romance was infinitely more fun. When not chained to a computer, she can be found ambling along one of New Zealand’s beautiful beaches, cheering on the All Blacks rugby team, history geeking on the internet, or daydreaming. If this includes dessert—even better!
Her books have appeared in USA Today, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly.
Keep up with Nicola’s news on Twitter (@NicolaMDavidson) Facebook (Nicola Davidson – Author) Instagram (nicoladauthor) or her website www.nicola-davidson.com
Her books have appeared in USA Today, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly.
Keep up with Nicola’s news on Twitter (@NicolaMDavidson) Facebook (Nicola Davidson – Author) Instagram (nicoladauthor) or her website www.nicola-davidson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
January 24, 2024
A very good love story dealing with PTSD. Well written and engrossing starts out as an arranged marriage between a wounded soldier who became a duke and a lovely young woman. VERY steamy sex. A minor (almost pointless mystery)
December 10, 2021
This was an okay read. It had it's cute moments and steamy moments. The plot was lacking. The H took forever to figure out the culprit or even the problem. Then the comeuppance I'd been waiting for was rushed. :(
This book just isn't for me!
This book just isn't for me!
January 4, 2023
5 Stars
One of the better Beauty & the Beast romances out there...
-This story checks all the boxes - Sweet plot, great characters, delicious steam and a lovely romance!
- I loved the portrayal of Gabriel's character. He had a lot of depth to him, not at all your average rakish duke.
- Lillian was a bit wimpy until she wasn't.
- Interesting ancillary characters.
- Surprising and entertaining plot twists.
One of the better Beauty & the Beast romances out there...
-This story checks all the boxes - Sweet plot, great characters, delicious steam and a lovely romance!
- I loved the portrayal of Gabriel's character. He had a lot of depth to him, not at all your average rakish duke.
- Lillian was a bit wimpy until she wasn't.
- Interesting ancillary characters.
- Surprising and entertaining plot twists.
February 27, 2019
This book was so yummy and so hot. Gabriel and Lilian were really great together. The sensual scenes were terrific, and not just hot but heartfelt.
I am looking forward to more from the series.
I am looking forward to more from the series.
February 22, 2020
Mediocre romantic erotica.
August 24, 2019
Quite Risque
Okay I find that this authors books can be quite titillating and contain some very amorous exploits. There is a romance in them but there is also an abundance of bad words and erotica. I like the romance but some of the scenes left me a a little uncomfortable. I am an old lady though and so that may be why.
I loved the scarred hero and his Duchess very much. They were perfect together. I hated the heroines Grandmother with a passion. She was heartless and cruel. There was a scene where the heroine sided with her Grandmother over her Duke just to keep the peace that was heartbreaking to me. I felt so bad for the hero. He was a true military hero and had been tortured severely during the war leaving him scarred all over his body. The scene where he finally shows it to her turns out to be quite steamy. Too steamy for me but nonetheless it was the turning point in their relationship. I took away one star due to the somewhat raunchy sex, but I did love the romance over all.
Okay I find that this authors books can be quite titillating and contain some very amorous exploits. There is a romance in them but there is also an abundance of bad words and erotica. I like the romance but some of the scenes left me a a little uncomfortable. I am an old lady though and so that may be why.
I loved the scarred hero and his Duchess very much. They were perfect together. I hated the heroines Grandmother with a passion. She was heartless and cruel. There was a scene where the heroine sided with her Grandmother over her Duke just to keep the peace that was heartbreaking to me. I felt so bad for the hero. He was a true military hero and had been tortured severely during the war leaving him scarred all over his body. The scene where he finally shows it to her turns out to be quite steamy. Too steamy for me but nonetheless it was the turning point in their relationship. I took away one star due to the somewhat raunchy sex, but I did love the romance over all.
January 5, 2020
A lot of this was me and not the book.
First off, from the way it was talked up online, I thought it was more of a romance and less erotica, so I went into it expecting more emotional growth and intimacy rather than a copious amount of copulating. The touch aversion felt more like a kink than an actual problem.
The worst part is that I liked the beginning, but somewhere around the 2/3s mark, it fell flat. It was repetitive in terms of phrasing ("spicy," repetitive dirty talking, etc.). It grew old quickly because it wasn't padded/counterbalanced with emotional growth or intimacy or even action. The side plot felt like it was tacked on and didn't play much of a part in the story.
Frankly, this book reminded me why I tend to stay away from straight m/f romance/erotica. It just isn't my thing.
TL;DR: Not enough emotional intimacy for my taste or plot. Erotica, not romance, so know what you're getting into.
First off, from the way it was talked up online, I thought it was more of a romance and less erotica, so I went into it expecting more emotional growth and intimacy rather than a copious amount of copulating. The touch aversion felt more like a kink than an actual problem.
The worst part is that I liked the beginning, but somewhere around the 2/3s mark, it fell flat. It was repetitive in terms of phrasing ("spicy," repetitive dirty talking, etc.). It grew old quickly because it wasn't padded/counterbalanced with emotional growth or intimacy or even action. The side plot felt like it was tacked on and didn't play much of a part in the story.
Frankly, this book reminded me why I tend to stay away from straight m/f romance/erotica. It just isn't my thing.
TL;DR: Not enough emotional intimacy for my taste or plot. Erotica, not romance, so know what you're getting into.
October 8, 2024
REVIEW
Score: 3.5/5
POV: Dual
Heat Level: 5.5/5
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience; Dark MMC/Light FMC; Evil Grandmother/matriarch; Regency Era
Virgin FMC
Likes:
* I really liked how the MCs truly became friends. It was so sweet to see how their relationship blossomed. This is not a friends to lovers though as they become lovers before friends.
* The side characters, especially Hobbs.
* the spice was spicing!
Dislikes:
* the author wrote not time period appropriate passages. It didn’t completely take me out of the story but it might for someone else.
* can’t stand the evil matriarch trope. Bitch needed to go! AND to make it worse I want to read the next book but I know this old hag will be present in the next book. Ugh
Really sweet story. The MMC is a very injured war hero who suddenly becomes a duke because he’s the only left male relative. With his new found dukedom he now needs a bride. So how about he marries the precious dukes betrothed? 🤷🏻♀️ why not!
The MMC is major grump, but understandably, and the FMC is sweet but not “I can step all over you” sweet which was great. She was the perfect amount of kind and caring in order to handle the MC and to grow and cultivate the friendship they needed in order to make their marriage of convenience work.
I would definitely recommend this and I will pick up the next book eventually.
3.5/5
CW:
Attempted Suicide
Torture
Score: 3.5/5
POV: Dual
Heat Level: 5.5/5
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience; Dark MMC/Light FMC; Evil Grandmother/matriarch; Regency Era
Virgin FMC
Likes:
* I really liked how the MCs truly became friends. It was so sweet to see how their relationship blossomed. This is not a friends to lovers though as they become lovers before friends.
* The side characters, especially Hobbs.
* the spice was spicing!
Dislikes:
* the author wrote not time period appropriate passages. It didn’t completely take me out of the story but it might for someone else.
* can’t stand the evil matriarch trope. Bitch needed to go! AND to make it worse I want to read the next book but I know this old hag will be present in the next book. Ugh
Really sweet story. The MMC is a very injured war hero who suddenly becomes a duke because he’s the only left male relative. With his new found dukedom he now needs a bride. So how about he marries the precious dukes betrothed? 🤷🏻♀️ why not!
The MMC is major grump, but understandably, and the FMC is sweet but not “I can step all over you” sweet which was great. She was the perfect amount of kind and caring in order to handle the MC and to grow and cultivate the friendship they needed in order to make their marriage of convenience work.
I would definitely recommend this and I will pick up the next book eventually.
3.5/5
CW:
Attempted Suicide
Torture
Read
February 26, 2024DNF early on
Within twenty seconds of meeting his prospective bride in an arranged marriage, Duke is imagining what he would do between her thighs. Very subtle. Which told me this book was going to be about sex and very little else.
I plowed on.
Then Granny tells bride on her wedding day that she should just lie down on the bed, let her husband lift her gown and insert his parts, be still and bear the discomfort because only whores enjoyed sex and that enjoyment killed their babies.
Which killed any interest I had in this book. I could see the entire setup: girl follows granny’s advice, guy gets frustrated at lack of response and tries harder, girl responds unwillingly, lives in fear that she’s dooming her chances at having babies, and this misunderstanding goes on ad nauseum.
If I’m wrong about that—and I would love to be—would someone please let me know and I’ll go back and read the rest of the book. There’s a tiny flicker of hope that maybe these two actually communicate on their wedding night and insane Granny’s influence disappears early, but it’s a weak flicker.
Within twenty seconds of meeting his prospective bride in an arranged marriage, Duke is imagining what he would do between her thighs. Very subtle. Which told me this book was going to be about sex and very little else.
I plowed on.
Then Granny tells bride on her wedding day that she should just lie down on the bed, let her husband lift her gown and insert his parts, be still and bear the discomfort because only whores enjoyed sex and that enjoyment killed their babies.
Which killed any interest I had in this book. I could see the entire setup: girl follows granny’s advice, guy gets frustrated at lack of response and tries harder, girl responds unwillingly, lives in fear that she’s dooming her chances at having babies, and this misunderstanding goes on ad nauseum.
If I’m wrong about that—and I would love to be—would someone please let me know and I’ll go back and read the rest of the book. There’s a tiny flicker of hope that maybe these two actually communicate on their wedding night and insane Granny’s influence disappears early, but it’s a weak flicker.
May 13, 2024
3.5 Star PTSD Duke
✔️ Dual POVs (Lillian x Gabriel)
✔️ Set in Regency-era London during Britan’s war with Napolean
✔️ Open-door historical romance (4/5 🌶️)
✔️ Tropes: Arranged marriage; military romance; virgin heroine
This book lightly takes on the subject of coping with PTSD during the early 1800s. The colonel-turned-duke finds himself unaccepted by London society due to his injuries. Also, his pain is only somewhat managed by alcohol and drugs.
Of course, his arranged marriage with his cousin’s former fiancée has just the ticket for healing — as long as she can overcome her Victorian stuffiness! There is a mildly suspenseful B-plot involving a missing ledger.
✔️ Dual POVs (Lillian x Gabriel)
✔️ Set in Regency-era London during Britan’s war with Napolean
✔️ Open-door historical romance (4/5 🌶️)
✔️ Tropes: Arranged marriage; military romance; virgin heroine
This book lightly takes on the subject of coping with PTSD during the early 1800s. The colonel-turned-duke finds himself unaccepted by London society due to his injuries. Also, his pain is only somewhat managed by alcohol and drugs.
Of course, his arranged marriage with his cousin’s former fiancée has just the ticket for healing — as long as she can overcome her Victorian stuffiness! There is a mildly suspenseful B-plot involving a missing ledger.
October 13, 2024
This was such a sweet and hot book. I picked this up on a whim after getting it as a kindle freebie ages ago, not realizing it was a Beauty and the Beast adjacent story. If I knew that going in, I probably wouldn’t have read it (because I’m kind of sick of that trope), but I went in blind and really enjoyed this overall. This is a really quiet type of story. It’s focused on the hero and heroine getting to know each other through an arranged marriage contract, and figuring out their respective roles as Duke and Duchess. They were very sweet to each other, and had some really hot spicy scenes. The MMC is also a disabled war veteran, and a lot of caretaking between the FMC and MMC ensues. There wasn’t a lot that happened in this, but I really ended up enjoying the MC’s and their sweet relationship.
October 30, 2024
4.5/5
A scarred war hero with a tortured past who doesn’t care about the ton’s rules + a shy noble who has to break free from her grandmother’s strict ideas of what a wife should be = this deliciously hot regency historical romance
There was one annoying conflict that could have been talked through (which is why I deducted half a star), but this book was a true page turner for me! It featured some of my favorite tropes and some steamy/angsty “bedsport” that did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend it if the blurb sounds interesting!
A scarred war hero with a tortured past who doesn’t care about the ton’s rules + a shy noble who has to break free from her grandmother’s strict ideas of what a wife should be = this deliciously hot regency historical romance
There was one annoying conflict that could have been talked through (which is why I deducted half a star), but this book was a true page turner for me! It featured some of my favorite tropes and some steamy/angsty “bedsport” that did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend it if the blurb sounds interesting!
March 21, 2023
Love this story. Scarred war hero, torture victim. Marriage of convenience is nurtured to passionate love because both H and h have great attitude and are considerate towards one another. Plenty of great sexy times. physical intimacy feels sincere, interesting backstory and setting
February 28, 2019
An unfortunate twist of fate made the reclusive Colonel Gabriel Jordan-Ives the Duke of Exton. The Peninsular war left him a broken man, riddled with nightmares. But his new title demands that he goes to London to find a bride. Luckily for him, his late cousin's fiancée is still in need of a husband; matters are settled quickly, for Lilian's ambitious grandmother will not waste this occasion. Lady Lilian Nash has been raised to become a duchess. Lilian's family is in dire need of money, and since her beloved fiancé is dead, anyone half decent will do. Both Lilian and Gabriel wish for so much more than the traditional loveless ton marriages, but with all the baggage they carry, can they hope to find what they really want?
Nicola Davidson has such a wonderful way with words that DUKE IN DARKNESS almost doesn't feel like fiction. Gabriel's scars, his pain, his shame and distress are palpable; his life is still hell. And poor Lilian, who has had to bend over backwards for years in order to please her dreadful grandmother, doesn't know how to act around her new husband. They are so uncomfortable at first, she doesn't know how to reach him. Gabriel's horrific experience during the war is central to the plot, as is Lilian's strict upbringing. They work hard at making their marriage successful, they make mistakes, and they mature considerably. The romance progressed organically, nothing was forced, nothing was rushed. And the gorgeous cover is actually a scene from the book!
DUKE IN DARKNESS is such an enthralling story! The prose is superb, the dialogues are splendid, and the characters are very appealing and exceedingly complex. Ms. Davidson creates a feeling of intimacy and authenticity with her lush and vivid descriptions. Seamlessly woven into the narrative are some historical tidbits that are quite informative. I can't seem to write decently today, my review does not do justice to this fabulous book, but I highly recommend it!
Nicola Davidson has such a wonderful way with words that DUKE IN DARKNESS almost doesn't feel like fiction. Gabriel's scars, his pain, his shame and distress are palpable; his life is still hell. And poor Lilian, who has had to bend over backwards for years in order to please her dreadful grandmother, doesn't know how to act around her new husband. They are so uncomfortable at first, she doesn't know how to reach him. Gabriel's horrific experience during the war is central to the plot, as is Lilian's strict upbringing. They work hard at making their marriage successful, they make mistakes, and they mature considerably. The romance progressed organically, nothing was forced, nothing was rushed. And the gorgeous cover is actually a scene from the book!
DUKE IN DARKNESS is such an enthralling story! The prose is superb, the dialogues are splendid, and the characters are very appealing and exceedingly complex. Ms. Davidson creates a feeling of intimacy and authenticity with her lush and vivid descriptions. Seamlessly woven into the narrative are some historical tidbits that are quite informative. I can't seem to write decently today, my review does not do justice to this fabulous book, but I highly recommend it!
December 4, 2021
This is a weird book. The author has tired to get in many parallel plotlines and everyone of those have been shoddily treated. There's no flow to the story at all.
What did she want to achieve?A hero's welcome and absolute acceptance of Gabriel? Because, she's truly failed . Why and how was he still helping the British troops in France? Not sure but he has all these mysterious meetings with PM Liverpool and Viscount Casterleigh. All the author has achieved is proving that bullies do get away with anything. The grandmother in question isn't called out for her cavalier treatment of her own grandson in law!. The entire effect is of a student going partly prepared for an examination and how she skims over all the questions with just enough material to pass bur not enough to ace it.
Finally, the language- I don't believe the phrase - " on a scale of 10 how would you rate your pain?" Was prevalent then in England. Its such an American phrase. Why do they insist on writing historicals set in another country if they cannot take the trouble of researching the same. This book desperately needs an extremely ruthless editor.
This is part 1 of a series. Im.not sure I'm looking forward to the others.
Recommended : meh 😐
What did she want to achieve?A hero's welcome and absolute acceptance of Gabriel? Because, she's truly failed . Why and how was he still helping the British troops in France? Not sure but he has all these mysterious meetings with PM Liverpool and Viscount Casterleigh. All the author has achieved is proving that bullies do get away with anything. The grandmother in question isn't called out for her cavalier treatment of her own grandson in law!. The entire effect is of a student going partly prepared for an examination and how she skims over all the questions with just enough material to pass bur not enough to ace it.
Finally, the language- I don't believe the phrase - " on a scale of 10 how would you rate your pain?" Was prevalent then in England. Its such an American phrase. Why do they insist on writing historicals set in another country if they cannot take the trouble of researching the same. This book desperately needs an extremely ruthless editor.
This is part 1 of a series. Im.not sure I'm looking forward to the others.
Recommended : meh 😐
March 14, 2021
Oh my DO NOT read this in company if others! This was a fascinating heartbreaking love story of pain and healing and the hottest love scenes I literally have EVER read. In steaminess an 11 on a (1-10) scale like they did everything I knew about and a few Things I did not. If you are easily embarrassed you probably cannot handle this one.
First book by this author it was an eye opener.
First book by this author it was an eye opener.
August 3, 2023
WOW! I didn’t want this story to end.
This is sheer perfection - a beautiful romantic tale of love, mutual respect and loyalty. Lillian, constrained by her disapproving grandmother into a cool, aloof, refined aristocrat and Gabriel, a battle scarred, tortured, anguished soldier turned Duke - they are strangers who enter a marriage of convenience and, despite all the odds, their relationship quickly transforms into a tender, sensual, passionate connection. Their story just does it for me! This is the first book I’ve read by this writer and it certainly won’t be the last last!
This is sheer perfection - a beautiful romantic tale of love, mutual respect and loyalty. Lillian, constrained by her disapproving grandmother into a cool, aloof, refined aristocrat and Gabriel, a battle scarred, tortured, anguished soldier turned Duke - they are strangers who enter a marriage of convenience and, despite all the odds, their relationship quickly transforms into a tender, sensual, passionate connection. Their story just does it for me! This is the first book I’ve read by this writer and it certainly won’t be the last last!
August 13, 2020
TW: alcoholism, PTSD
Its well written for an erotic historical, I suppose I shouldnt be so surprised anymore. Unfortunately it suffers from one-note side characters: the hero and heroine are wholly good and misunderstood by the evil haute society, the family is selfish, the servants are lazy, etc etc. Read it if you’re in the mood for an innocent English miss discovering the joys of sex.
There’s interesting elements in here but I’ve read these same tropes multiple times in other books.
Its well written for an erotic historical, I suppose I shouldnt be so surprised anymore. Unfortunately it suffers from one-note side characters: the hero and heroine are wholly good and misunderstood by the evil haute society, the family is selfish, the servants are lazy, etc etc. Read it if you’re in the mood for an innocent English miss discovering the joys of sex.
There’s interesting elements in here but I’ve read these same tropes multiple times in other books.
April 15, 2019
Now this is a lovely story. Hot and sexy enough and deeply moving. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait to read #2 in this series. I really liked the storyline and the characters. Very entertaining and enjoyable. 5☆
May 5, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
Want to read
March 5, 2019
Posting pic so I remember why I want to read it :)
#Teaser
January 26, 2022
Nothing really interesting happened....
July 9, 2021
I quite enjoy Nicola Davidson books; they are easy reads that are quite steamy if you like hot, dirty, detailed eroticism. But she also includes a good story to them as well.
Here we have a scarred military hero, with a serious case of PTSD after being taken while on the battlefield by the French and tortured, after doing everything he can to save those under his command - essentially sacrificing himself so they can get away. He did manage to survive, but was left with significant scars and disabilities, which affect not just his appearance, but also his ability to speak, walk, sleep, and tolerate being touched, to name just some of his issues.
Add onto this, his cousins die, leaving him the heir to a Dukedom. As the new Duke, he will need to secure an heir himself, but who in Polite Society would want the mess that he is now?
The heroine is a repressed female who was the former fiancee of the recently deceased Duke. Unfortunately, her father, a bit of a fool, has destroyed their fortunes through some poor decisions on his part, and now they have to figure out a way out of their circumstances. Well, the matriarch of the family presents marriage to the current Duke as their solution; she is the real pants-wearing boss of that particular household.
So this is a marriage of convenience that becomes a true, passionate love story. There are a couple of different villains to overcome, including a poisonous bitch, greedy and lazy servants, and members of society who misunderstand and mistreat an injured veteran. Not to mention overcoming a virginal bride's misconceptions of what is proper and acceptable in the marriage bed (no thanks to that poisonous bitch I mentioned before).
Anyways, this was a beauty and the beast type story that I really enjoyed. I really felt for the hero, and his desire to be seen for himself, and loved. That episode at Rundle and Bridges that was included really showed how when he tries, life liked to kick his feet out from under him. The heroine was a bit too retiring and there was a bit much about how she missed/loved her dead fiancee (who sounded like quite a bit of a dick) , but I will grant that it also demonstrates how much she was repressed and beaten down by the poisonous bitch.
So again, a lovely historical romantic beauty and the beast story, with a nod to military veterans and what they suffer, with some seriously detailed, hot sex scenes and dirty talk.
Here we have a scarred military hero, with a serious case of PTSD after being taken while on the battlefield by the French and tortured, after doing everything he can to save those under his command - essentially sacrificing himself so they can get away. He did manage to survive, but was left with significant scars and disabilities, which affect not just his appearance, but also his ability to speak, walk, sleep, and tolerate being touched, to name just some of his issues.
Add onto this, his cousins die, leaving him the heir to a Dukedom. As the new Duke, he will need to secure an heir himself, but who in Polite Society would want the mess that he is now?
The heroine is a repressed female who was the former fiancee of the recently deceased Duke. Unfortunately, her father, a bit of a fool, has destroyed their fortunes through some poor decisions on his part, and now they have to figure out a way out of their circumstances. Well, the matriarch of the family presents marriage to the current Duke as their solution; she is the real pants-wearing boss of that particular household.
So this is a marriage of convenience that becomes a true, passionate love story. There are a couple of different villains to overcome, including a poisonous bitch, greedy and lazy servants, and members of society who misunderstand and mistreat an injured veteran. Not to mention overcoming a virginal bride's misconceptions of what is proper and acceptable in the marriage bed (no thanks to that poisonous bitch I mentioned before).
Anyways, this was a beauty and the beast type story that I really enjoyed. I really felt for the hero, and his desire to be seen for himself, and loved. That episode at Rundle and Bridges that was included really showed how when he tries, life liked to kick his feet out from under him. The heroine was a bit too retiring and there was a bit much about how she missed/loved her dead fiancee (who sounded like quite a bit of a dick) , but I will grant that it also demonstrates how much she was repressed and beaten down by the poisonous bitch.
So again, a lovely historical romantic beauty and the beast story, with a nod to military veterans and what they suffer, with some seriously detailed, hot sex scenes and dirty talk.
November 4, 2020
The H returns from war badly wounded, so he's super grumpy. Then he finds out he's inherited a title, and it comes with a bride. She has a good heart, but has been bullied by her mean grandmother, so she starts married life by doing all the things he didn't want from a wife. She's brave enough to try and break through his barriers, and once they start to talk their relationship improves. It's a reasonable story about a couple who hide behind their mistakes, and gradually fall in love. It was a bit too OTT but I liked the characters.
July 30, 2021
Excellent story of Colonel Gabriel Jordan-Ives, the new Duke of Exton, a wounded soldier, and Lady Lilian Nash, a lady trying to be prim and proper as her grandmother expects. The way these two work on their relationship is amazing and very satisfying to read. True to the time period, and circumstances surrounding Napoleon well described. Gabriel's PTSD is also well done, and often heart wrenching. Highly recommend.
December 16, 2019
This book managed to push all my buttons at the same time. There's so much I love, from having a character to hate that's overcome, to the main characters supporting each other and finding that they are their best selves when they're together. I completely and 100% believed in the romance, and I kept crying over them because I enjoyed them being together so much. As someone with severe PTSD, I appreciated that there's no quick fix, but that the Hero finds a way to anchor himself in the here and now a fight for the future he wants. That his chronic physical injuries are also not swept under the rug is something I deeply appreciated as well. Miss Davidson's sex scenes are always spot on and hot as hell. They're plentiful and well-spaced through the novel, providing a secondary plot as Gabriel and Lili learn to love and trust each other. The whole story is a treat and I'm so glad I discovered this author.
December 22, 2021
Honestly - the day I read a Nicola Davidson book and don't gush about it hasn't arrived yet! I adore everything about this. Gabriel is gorgeous and wonderful and scarred - inside and out - and so wants to be loved. I also adored watching Lillian - Lili - come out of her shell and reclaim her personality and fight with her heart. She is soft and steel and I adored it. I especially loved the conversations around being honest when you are feeling vulnerable and
CW: PTSD, references to torture in war, scaring and injuries, manipulation by family, references to physical and emotional abuse by family,
CW: PTSD, references to torture in war, scaring and injuries, manipulation by family, references to physical and emotional abuse by family,
November 15, 2021
Victorian Beauty and the Beast retelling which had little emotional growth or plot line but a lot of assumptions made by both FMC and MMC. Their POV was them ranting about the other but never solving the issue by you know... just communicating with each other? Got bored near the end as it was quite repetitive. The smut was not my cup of tea either (I assumed the author was indicating BDSM or some weird kink with the no touching the body but it was just weird). Topics of PTSD and alcoholism were part of the story but the author did not handle it well.
January 4, 2020
I loved this. It was my first historical romance in years, and it has brought me back to the genre. I plan to binge all of Nicola's books now!
February 3, 2025
I somehow botched up the first review so here goes my second attempt, except I don't remember the story. I do know that it's got something to do with PTSD and is a good time. I liked the MCs and that's all I have to say about it at this point.
Overall, a reread won't be a huge hiccup.
Overall, a reread won't be a huge hiccup.
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