Nicholas Fyfe, the Duke of Barnbury had suffered a tragedy in his past. A tragedy that he hid from the world, and which shaped him into the man he was; a man who dedicated his life to helping the unfortunate souls of St. Giles, saving them because he had been unable to save the woman he loved, and the child he’d never known.
Nic prided himself on the rigid control he had over his life and his emotions. He never let himself feel anything too deeply, and he never let anyone get too close. That was how he’d lived for the past ten years. And that’s how he intended to continue living.
Alison Langton had come to England to follow in her sister’s footsteps – meet a handsome English gentleman and enjoy the glamour and romance of a famed English Season.
Beautiful and admired by all, Alison had never met a man she couldn’t charm. Until Nicholas Fyfe. From their first meeting, the sombre duke had made his dislike of Alison blatantly clear. And the more he made his feelings obvious, the more Alison was determined to find out why.
With the Season in full swing, Nicholas finds it harder and harder to maintain his much lauded self-control around the irascible Alison Langton. And the closer he comes to giving in to the temptation of her, the closer she is to finding out his secret.
Will Nicholas finally give in to his feelings? And can Alison tempt the Saint of St. Giles to sin?
I'm Nadine, a writer from County Laois in Ireland.
I’ve been writing historical romance since March 2014 and have no plans to stop!
While my heart belongs to Regency, there are a lot of other genres and ideas fluttering around in my brain so who knows what will happen next?!
When I'm not writing I can be found scurrying around after my three children. Or my dog. Or my cat.
I have a brilliant family and wonderful friends who are ever patient and supportive of me.
I'm sometimes asked where my inspiration comes from. I guess it's from everywhere! I love my gorgeous husband to distraction so that helps! I think I also put a little bit of people I know into my characters...so if you know me and you recognize someone... ;)
Have an ever so mild obsession with Jane Austen and have properly researched time machines in case there's one who could take me back to 1800s. Spoiler alert: there isn’t one. My brain might be odd but it's a pretty fun place to be at times!
My writing really took off when my youngest started preschool. So now, while my children are being taken care of by teachers, my characters are being taken care of by me!
To be fair though, I can quite regularly be found at 2am glued to the laptop when I get an idea!
While I liked this story, I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the others. It just felt a bit repetitive I guess, and I just wasnt feeling it as much between Nic and Ally. Still a good read and if you've read the other books, you'll want to get Nic's story and it's nice to see him get his HEA.
This book was absolutely stellar and the best of the series. After reading it, I think it would be beneficial to read the others in the series. I don't think I would've been lost necessarily had I not read them, but to see the characters from the other novels in here added more life to it and gave it that extra punch. It should've since Nic, Robert, James, and Simon have been best friends since they were children and are pretty much brothers-by-other-mothers. They've been through a lot together and they stood together even as adults as their worlds changed and they fell in love, despite their qualms with it. To witness the change in them was gratifying, each had their own cross to bear and their own obstacles to overcome giving me some of those feel-good moments that I crave in romances.
They were all great, but the transformation in Nic was the most fantastic. He was stoic, always in control, the voice of reason when there was none to be had, never raised his voice...he never lost it until he met Alison Langton. When she was introduced into the series, I got the feeling that he really did not like her. I thought she'd done something to anger or offend him. He glared at her, sneered at her, was even curt.
In this book, he did the same thing until an unsuitable suitor started pursue her. Then he took a stand much to the surprise of his best friends who all believed nothing could shake him. But Nic had some secrets that he'd never told anybody, not even them. He was so private and kept a part of his life hidden and that part of his life was in St. Giles, the underbelly of London.
Alison is an American in England with her sister who was married to Robert. She wanted to have a season in London. She was excited for it. She knew it would be a lot of fun and she thought maybe she could catch a husband while enjoying the balls and all the sights. She wasn't sure just what she'd done to get on the bad side of Nic, but she had a good idea. Every time she came across with the term "odious duke", I laughed. She wasn't wrong. He was odious, but when I found out why, my heart broke for him. When she found out the truth, it made me tear up. Nic was in so much pain and had never told a soul. She wasn't sure if she would ever get to his heart.
I wanted these two to get their happily ever after so bad. They fought it. They fought each other. There was fire between them, although there were no love scenes. There were some hot kisses, though, and sometimes that's all you need. The angst, the hot/cold signals, the time they spent alone made this book all the more satisfying.
Simon was the comic relief in this story. He made me laugh out loud more than once. If you don't read another book in this series, at least read his story, The Devil of Dashford Manor. You will appreciate him all the more.
I have loved a four heroes in this series & it is sad that this is the last book. Nadine Millard weaves entertaining stories that keep your turning pages but her characters are what won my heart. They are all so honorable, kind & appreciate their lives of love & happiness. Nic & Alison were a couple that I loved both of them from the start!
Nicholas "Nic" Fyfe, Duke of Barnbury was so handsome, generous, kind but a hurt in his past that he kept buried away from everyone.
Miss Alison Langton was a beautiful lady who has come to London for her come out. She is a feisty hoyden with a kind heart & a giving nature.
Nic & Alison were perfect for each other but he knows he will never love again & she thinks knows she can't compete with a ghost. Finding their way to each other is very romantic & I loved revisiting the main characters from the first three books in the series.
There was no sex in this or any of the books in this series, if it matters to you but Ms. Millard writes with such seductive & tempting words that you do not need it. I highly recommend this book & the whole series to all historical romance readers.
3.5 rounded up. In the series, Nic was my favorite. Alison seemed different In this her story than in The Devil of Dashwood Manor where she is introduced. Which brings up a problem with the female leads. Three of the four ladies' names begins with 'A' - Abigail, Amelia, and Alison. It became very confusing. It is a slow-moving romance with the usual lack of communication. Considering the heartbreak the prologue begins with there is a HEA and a good epilogue that ties the series together.
Enjoyed this final story in the series. It too had a happy ever after romance. It also has a lovely epilogue ten years down the line and gives us a gleam of their futures together.
I absolutely loved all the books in this series. Nadine Millard writes beautiful stories with issues concerning abuse, hardships, the etiquette of the times and true love. I highly recommend these books for young and mature people a like.
I loved this entire series. Nic and Allison's trials and tribulations, their love and finally acceptance were emotionally compelling. I was drawn into their story and loved it. Definitely a great read.
Another great read! I've finished the series and am so glad I did. Nic and Alison were endearing and Bob's backstory is pretty intense. Fabulous story,, try the series and I bet you'll love it.
A beautiful ending for this series. I loved ALL the books equally, for each had their unique story and theme. From the monster, the angel, the demon and the saint, each one of them carrying past wounds that the protagonists end up healing. And sometimes even healing one another. The books were amazing and so romantic like all Nadine Millard's books (she's great at it). You can feel the romance and passion between the main characters and still the stories stay clean and beautiful. Oh and let's not forget the friendship between these men and how they support and look out for one another .
So, If you're thinking about reading, don't think twice, and go and read these books. You won't regret it! You will read about love that goes beyond just physical attraction and desire , real love is what you get .
This is the last book and the series, and I must say it is my favourite. The hero Nic, Oh be still my heart. He is gorgeous. He is so well written, with a big heart that is soft, generous and hurt. Alison, with her big soft heart and generous nature is his perfect match, but of course it takes time for them to understand that. This book was such a romantic story, I loved every minute of it. There was no sex in this book, it was just a beautiful romantic love story. We now wait to see if the next series maybe the children of our four friends. Will they turn out like their parents. We hope so because we will all be in for another exciting series.
Ok the prologue alone had be gasping out loud and sucked me in. Nic has been somewhat of a mystery throughout the first 3 books. We finally get to learn his story. Watching Alison chip away his self-protective walls just gave me all the feels. I want to be more like Alison. I'm having a bit of a book hangover... or book SERIES hangover. I loved this entire series so much. I loved getting to know each of the "Saints and Sinners" boys and now I feel like I'm going to miss them. :( Good thing I have them sitting on my book shelf to visit with any time I want. 🤗
I was really curious about Nicholas's story after reading very little about him in the other books and I guess I was expecting something amazing, sadly this book didn't deliver. Alison was a bit irritating. Nicholas was hurt in his past and has sworn off love because sure that is the answer. Nothing new in this book and frankly was a bit boring.
I loved this whole series of books. Just like the ones before it, I couldn’t put it down. I enjoy the detailed plot and the characters are touching in their depth and development. Highly recommend this author
What a perfect way to end the series. Nic’s story is sad and so much good comes out of it! And he is a hot character too!! I love how Nadine has the chemistry level so high between her characters, you are swooning and sighing throughout the book! Well done!!
Nadine has done it again! This was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. I enjoyed reading about all of these characters and I'll definitely be re-reading this series!