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Rogues to Riches #4
Lord of Temptation
An enemies-to-lovers, second chances romance from a New York Times bestselling author:
When Lord Hawkridge inherits a penniless marquessate, he must abandon his courtship of the lowborn girl he loves. Years later, she rises from commoner to textiles heiress. Hawk has never banished her from his heart. Here's their chance to share his home! But how can he convince a woman whose trust he destroyed that he desires her far more than her money?
Faith Digby's chaotic world is too full to bother with men. She controls half a boarding school, one life-endangering secret, and two recently gentrified parents. There's no time for the old flame roaring back into her life. Not when admitting she still loves him would imperil everything and everyone she holds dear...
In the Rogues to Riches historical romance series, Cinderella stories aren’t just for princesses...
When Lord Hawkridge inherits a penniless marquessate, he must abandon his courtship of the lowborn girl he loves. Years later, she rises from commoner to textiles heiress. Hawk has never banished her from his heart. Here's their chance to share his home! But how can he convince a woman whose trust he destroyed that he desires her far more than her money?
Faith Digby's chaotic world is too full to bother with men. She controls half a boarding school, one life-endangering secret, and two recently gentrified parents. There's no time for the old flame roaring back into her life. Not when admitting she still loves him would imperil everything and everyone she holds dear...
In the Rogues to Riches historical romance series, Cinderella stories aren’t just for princesses...
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2018
403 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Erica Ridley
133 books2,202 followersGet freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
April 23, 2018
Lacking.
I'm a big fan of Erica Ridley, but this book and the male MC really rubbed me the wrong way.
Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge, was unlikable. I just really, really didn't like him. He was entitled and arrogant, and I didn't believe his remorse or buy his intentions. It's always hard for me to like a book when I don't connect with one of the MCs, and it affected my enjoyment greatly here.
I don't mind an antihero, actually. as long as things change. Faith forgave Zachary WAY too easily, and I just hated how she let her attraction overcome the uber-crappy way he treated her. I was not buying that bull, no way.
The historical details also felt a little... dodgy. I'm not a stickler for details in a historical romance, but parts of the book felt like a deviation from what would actually have happened at that time.
Erica Ridley is a very talented authors, and I really like her Rogues to Riches series, but this book wasn't quite there for me. Too many issues, too much antipathy for the MCs.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
I'm a big fan of Erica Ridley, but this book and the male MC really rubbed me the wrong way.
Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge, was unlikable. I just really, really didn't like him. He was entitled and arrogant, and I didn't believe his remorse or buy his intentions. It's always hard for me to like a book when I don't connect with one of the MCs, and it affected my enjoyment greatly here.
I don't mind an antihero, actually. as long as things change. Faith forgave Zachary WAY too easily, and I just hated how she let her attraction overcome the uber-crappy way he treated her. I was not buying that bull, no way.
The historical details also felt a little... dodgy. I'm not a stickler for details in a historical romance, but parts of the book felt like a deviation from what would actually have happened at that time.
Erica Ridley is a very talented authors, and I really like her Rogues to Riches series, but this book wasn't quite there for me. Too many issues, too much antipathy for the MCs.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
April 4, 2018
This is tough to rate. On the one hand, I absolutely loved the beginning, but then the second half happened and kind of ruined everything for me.
At first, it seemed like this would be 100% my kind of book: a second chance love story between two people who fell in love when they were 18, have been separated for 10 years, and finally find a way to forgive and move on.
I thought Hawk was a sweetheart for the first half. Yes, he slept with Faith when they were young and left her when he discovered that his father left him astronomical debts and he would have to marry a rich heiress to even remotely become solvent again- add to that the fact that Faith is decidedly lower class AND her father is a mere merchant and his mother and guardian continue to berate him for the scandalous connection... I can see why a young, impressionable man overwhelmed by duties he is determined to take seriously would think leaving the love of his life was the way to go. Yes, the way he went about it was not ideal, but he was eighteen. Ten years later, he has grown into a responsible -if still impoverished- Marquess who is still trying hard to restore his estate. He has never forgotten the only woman he loved, and when he realizes that his bastard half-brother he recently met has married Faith's best friend he tries his best to apologize and make up for lost time. But Faith is determined to keep the new-found independence her father's financial success has allowed her, and doesn't trust Hawk isn't just after her dowry...
The first half was lovely and slow-burn, the feelings were killing me, but then, unfortunately, the second half was much too dramatic for my tastes. There's a big bad secret Faith is hiding, and I thought Hawk's reaction when he finds out was just despicable. Honestly... It sort of went downhill from there for me. I thought both held on to their anger much too long, and then just forgave each other out of nowhere.
All in all, I enjoyed it up until the middle, and then sort of only skimmed. But I have little tolerance for fabricated drama, so. It might just be me. Who knows. But I did enjoy the beginning immensely, that was a solid 5 star read. Up until the middle...
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
At first, it seemed like this would be 100% my kind of book: a second chance love story between two people who fell in love when they were 18, have been separated for 10 years, and finally find a way to forgive and move on.
I thought Hawk was a sweetheart for the first half. Yes, he slept with Faith when they were young and left her when he discovered that his father left him astronomical debts and he would have to marry a rich heiress to even remotely become solvent again- add to that the fact that Faith is decidedly lower class AND her father is a mere merchant and his mother and guardian continue to berate him for the scandalous connection... I can see why a young, impressionable man overwhelmed by duties he is determined to take seriously would think leaving the love of his life was the way to go. Yes, the way he went about it was not ideal, but he was eighteen. Ten years later, he has grown into a responsible -if still impoverished- Marquess who is still trying hard to restore his estate. He has never forgotten the only woman he loved, and when he realizes that his bastard half-brother he recently met has married Faith's best friend he tries his best to apologize and make up for lost time. But Faith is determined to keep the new-found independence her father's financial success has allowed her, and doesn't trust Hawk isn't just after her dowry...
The first half was lovely and slow-burn, the feelings were killing me, but then, unfortunately, the second half was much too dramatic for my tastes. There's a big bad secret Faith is hiding, and I thought Hawk's reaction when he finds out was just despicable. Honestly... It sort of went downhill from there for me. I thought both held on to their anger much too long, and then just forgave each other out of nowhere.
All in all, I enjoyed it up until the middle, and then sort of only skimmed. But I have little tolerance for fabricated drama, so. It might just be me. Who knows. But I did enjoy the beginning immensely, that was a solid 5 star read. Up until the middle...
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 16, 2023
⭐⭐💫
2½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Second chance romance.
A little bit “older” heroine (28)
The beginning of the story was rather interesting.
The heroines parents.
➖ What I disliked:
The hero was a entitled mama's boy (both as an young adult and as a adult.)
The hero was rather weak/cowardly and fickle.
The heroine forgave the hero too quickly for the way he had and did treat her. (The heroine deserved a better man that understood and valued her. Etc.)
Anachronistic.
Unlikable hero.
Annoying hero.
No real character growth from the hero.
Inconsistencies.
Emotionally immature hero.
Too many issues/problems that were too easily resolved.
(The heroines parents forgave the hero too fast…. The heroine and the heroes mother and their issues etc.)
Repetitive.
The ending felt unfinished but also kind of rushed.
The romantic build up and chemistry between the main characters was unconvincing.
2½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Second chance romance.
A little bit “older” heroine (28)
The beginning of the story was rather interesting.
The heroines parents.
➖ What I disliked:
The hero was a entitled mama's boy (both as an young adult and as a adult.)
The hero was rather weak/cowardly and fickle.
The heroine forgave the hero too quickly for the way he had and did treat her. (The heroine deserved a better man that understood and valued her. Etc.)
Anachronistic.
Unlikable hero.
Annoying hero.
No real character growth from the hero.
Inconsistencies.
Emotionally immature hero.
Too many issues/problems that were too easily resolved.
(The heroines parents forgave the hero too fast…. The heroine and the heroes mother and their issues etc.)
Repetitive.
The ending felt unfinished but also kind of rushed.
The romantic build up and chemistry between the main characters was unconvincing.
March 30, 2018
Duty, honor, the snobbery and privilege of the peerage, all designed to keep “commoners” in their place, regardless of their financial assets. Love is of little consequence in theory, but the financially ruined, young Lord Hawkridge loved the wealthy commoner, Faith Digby, but their match was not to be.
Hawkridge would have given anything, to take Faith as his wife, thumbing his nose at the Ton, but foolish management of the family money had left him with nothing except the need to repair his family’s standings. Little did he know, Faith was crushed, heartbroken and left with more than painful memories of his “betrayal.”
Ten years later, Faith now a wealthy young woman and half owner of a boarding house for orphaned girls will face a well-worn Hawkridge who still owns nothing but his pride and his devastating charm and good looks. Can he win his way back into her arms? Too many years, too many secrets, too many tears and now he is back. Is it her dowry he craves? He betrayed her once before, she will not allow it again, especially when another innocent heart is involved.
His sense of duty and pride cost him the only woman he could love, and still he cannot offer her anything but his heart, something no man with an ounce of integrity should do. Her sense of selflessness, her dedication to her young ward and her tireless work to protect and shelter the orphans will teach the duke the true meaning of love and what real honor is and it is priceless, as priceless as he learns family can be.
LORD OF TEMPTATION by Erica Ridley is one more in swoon-worthy romance portraying a feisty woman with heart, a ruined Lord and the strength of love in all of its shapes and sizes. Ms. Ridley weaves humor, heart and entanglements of the era into a tale that will leave many of smiling and very grateful we live in the times we do! Her style of writing is free-flowing, colorfully detailed and completely mesmerizing, making the journey to the inevitable like a carriage ride back in time, a little bumpy, but beautiful!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion!
Series: Rogues to Riches - Book 4
Publisher: WebMotion (March 30, 2018)
Publication Date: March 30, 2018
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Hawkridge would have given anything, to take Faith as his wife, thumbing his nose at the Ton, but foolish management of the family money had left him with nothing except the need to repair his family’s standings. Little did he know, Faith was crushed, heartbroken and left with more than painful memories of his “betrayal.”
Ten years later, Faith now a wealthy young woman and half owner of a boarding house for orphaned girls will face a well-worn Hawkridge who still owns nothing but his pride and his devastating charm and good looks. Can he win his way back into her arms? Too many years, too many secrets, too many tears and now he is back. Is it her dowry he craves? He betrayed her once before, she will not allow it again, especially when another innocent heart is involved.
His sense of duty and pride cost him the only woman he could love, and still he cannot offer her anything but his heart, something no man with an ounce of integrity should do. Her sense of selflessness, her dedication to her young ward and her tireless work to protect and shelter the orphans will teach the duke the true meaning of love and what real honor is and it is priceless, as priceless as he learns family can be.
LORD OF TEMPTATION by Erica Ridley is one more in swoon-worthy romance portraying a feisty woman with heart, a ruined Lord and the strength of love in all of its shapes and sizes. Ms. Ridley weaves humor, heart and entanglements of the era into a tale that will leave many of smiling and very grateful we live in the times we do! Her style of writing is free-flowing, colorfully detailed and completely mesmerizing, making the journey to the inevitable like a carriage ride back in time, a little bumpy, but beautiful!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion!
Series: Rogues to Riches - Book 4
Publisher: WebMotion (March 30, 2018)
Publication Date: March 30, 2018
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com
not-interested
August 20, 2018DNF 20%. Not too keen on the behaviours of either MCs.
March 28, 2018
This is a very emotional second chance at love story. Ten years ago Faith Digby and Zachary Nash were in love, they shared a night of passion and promises were made. But the next day, reality slapped Zachary in the face. With the death of his father, he became the Marquess of Hawkridge and responsible for all the debt the marquisate had accumulated under his father and then his guardian. Foolishly, Hawk thought he could marry Faith, but when he learns the full extent of his obligations, he sends her a letter breaking with her.
Faith was devastated by Hawk's rejection and wrote back telling him to never speak to her again. Later when she learns that she is expecting a child, she and her parents concocted a story to explain the appearance of Christina. In the years since Hawk left her, the Digby's have become rich and it enables Faith to work with Dehlia at the school in St. Giles. When Dehlia's husband Simon, brings his half-brother to dinner, it is the last man Faith ever wanted to see again - Hawk.
Hawk regrets loosing Faith, but he could not afford to marry her then or even now. He has worked hard the last ten years and is close to paying off his debts and once again being financially stable. He hopes once the port he is building is opened, he will finally be in a position to win back the only woman he has ever loved. When he sees Faith again, the years fade away and he is desperate to apologize and explain his actions.
Faith wants nothing to do with him and is terrified he will learn her secret. She is still angry and hurt, but admits to herself that she still loves him. Hawk tries to get himself back into her good graces and then learns that her family is rich - how can he convince her that it is her and not her money he wants?
When Hawk learns of his daughter, he is furious and will stop at nothing to be with his child, even marry her mother. Faith agrees to marry him, but she will be damned if he gets a shilling from her and makes plans to ensure he doesn't.
These two have a long, painful road to their HEA and will have to learn to forgive and trust each other before they can have any sort of future. I thought the book was well written, but there are some inconsistencies and dropped plot lines - but in fairness, I read an uncorrected eARC and these issues might be resolved prior to publication. I did feel that Faith's anger was out of proportion considering the secret she kept from him and her actions before and after they married. For quite a bit of the book, I didn't like her but she was able to redeem herself by the end. The book is very emotional, has cameos with Dehlia and Simon and a very sweet ending.
This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title - HOWEVER, I would suggest reading the previous book Lord of Night before reading this book to get a better understanding of Simon and Hawk's relationship.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an Uncorrected eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher*
Faith was devastated by Hawk's rejection and wrote back telling him to never speak to her again. Later when she learns that she is expecting a child, she and her parents concocted a story to explain the appearance of Christina. In the years since Hawk left her, the Digby's have become rich and it enables Faith to work with Dehlia at the school in St. Giles. When Dehlia's husband Simon, brings his half-brother to dinner, it is the last man Faith ever wanted to see again - Hawk.
Hawk regrets loosing Faith, but he could not afford to marry her then or even now. He has worked hard the last ten years and is close to paying off his debts and once again being financially stable. He hopes once the port he is building is opened, he will finally be in a position to win back the only woman he has ever loved. When he sees Faith again, the years fade away and he is desperate to apologize and explain his actions.
Faith wants nothing to do with him and is terrified he will learn her secret. She is still angry and hurt, but admits to herself that she still loves him. Hawk tries to get himself back into her good graces and then learns that her family is rich - how can he convince her that it is her and not her money he wants?
When Hawk learns of his daughter, he is furious and will stop at nothing to be with his child, even marry her mother. Faith agrees to marry him, but she will be damned if he gets a shilling from her and makes plans to ensure he doesn't.
These two have a long, painful road to their HEA and will have to learn to forgive and trust each other before they can have any sort of future. I thought the book was well written, but there are some inconsistencies and dropped plot lines - but in fairness, I read an uncorrected eARC and these issues might be resolved prior to publication. I did feel that Faith's anger was out of proportion considering the secret she kept from him and her actions before and after they married. For quite a bit of the book, I didn't like her but she was able to redeem herself by the end. The book is very emotional, has cameos with Dehlia and Simon and a very sweet ending.
This is the fourth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title - HOWEVER, I would suggest reading the previous book Lord of Night before reading this book to get a better understanding of Simon and Hawk's relationship.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an Uncorrected eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the publisher*
April 11, 2018
Temptation just too much!
I just did not like Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge. I did not like his treatment of Faith Digby, his jilted fiancé of the past. The way he threatened Faith, after his dastardly treatment of her, as though he had any rights after his abandonment of her was disturbing.
I can understand, given the times and the importance of marriage as a social contract, his duty to family lines, to restoring the fortunes, but all in all he was a spineless coward. His anger is not righteous, rather it's a blatant act of birth and privilege towards a woman whom he gave up all rights to.
Yes, there is a HEA but the story just lacked that special something.
As you can see I was not impressed by Hawk, nor by Faith's reactions to him, more of a victim than someone who had conquered the past. I almost DNF. Hawkridge and his rant about his rights became quite tedious. His threatening of Faith, his high handedness I found disturbing. I just did not like him by the end of the novel. Faith was in an unenviable position, trapped by her own feelings of powerlessness, hopelessly still besotted it seems by Hawk and unfortunately in a position to lose all, given the rights of the ruling class and men in particular at this time.
A NetGalley ARC
I just did not like Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge. I did not like his treatment of Faith Digby, his jilted fiancé of the past. The way he threatened Faith, after his dastardly treatment of her, as though he had any rights after his abandonment of her was disturbing.
I can understand, given the times and the importance of marriage as a social contract, his duty to family lines, to restoring the fortunes, but all in all he was a spineless coward. His anger is not righteous, rather it's a blatant act of birth and privilege towards a woman whom he gave up all rights to.
Yes, there is a HEA but the story just lacked that special something.
As you can see I was not impressed by Hawk, nor by Faith's reactions to him, more of a victim than someone who had conquered the past. I almost DNF. Hawkridge and his rant about his rights became quite tedious. His threatening of Faith, his high handedness I found disturbing. I just did not like him by the end of the novel. Faith was in an unenviable position, trapped by her own feelings of powerlessness, hopelessly still besotted it seems by Hawk and unfortunately in a position to lose all, given the rights of the ruling class and men in particular at this time.
A NetGalley ARC
March 28, 2018
A wonderful story of how honour and duty can make you lose the most important things in your life, but also finding them again.
A story of friendship and family and love.
Also, the love of books is everywhere.
A story of friendship and family and love.
Also, the love of books is everywhere.
April 9, 2018
ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I have read two other novels by Erica Ridley and enjoyed them, so I think this one and I simply didn’t fit. I found the relationship between Hawkridge and Faith to be somewhat tedious, and almost adolescent in its repetitiveness of thought. It annoyed me that suddenly seeing the man who had, as far as she knew, deserted her ten years earlier, suddenly made a very capable woman giddy and well, fluffy. The dinner scene at the beginning, where Hawkridge was invited to dine at the school, made no sense. Dahlia is Faith’s best friend, and is completely wound up that Hawkridge is even there—she behaves in a very protective manner toward Faith. Within minutes, however, she is so deeply involved in a conversation with her husband, Hawkridge’s half-brother, she doesn’t even notice Faith and Hawkridge are having a conversation.
The novel just continues along in this tenor, and to make things worse, Faith has a daughter that resulted from her liaison with Hawkridge who she is hiding from him. Her daughter doesn’t know that Faith is her mother, she thinks Faith is her aunt. I didn’t find either character very likable, (I would have liked Faith if she just hadn’t been so ninny-headed over Hawkridge, who comes across as very controlling).
In all honesty, if this had not been a book I was reviewing, I would have stopped reading it. I was incredibly annoyed when at the book club meeting Faith was invited to they discussed “Gothic novels,” because they were pretty much called Romances back then. We labeled them Gothic Fiction later on. Granted, in “The Castle of Otranto,” Walpole states that it is a Gothic Story, but when I was getting my degree in English Lit specializing in Gothic Fiction, we we talked about it and in the books at the time (such as Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, which was published posthumously intentionally because romance novels/adventure novels were in such high demand —even though they were looked down on—she didn’t want a novel poking fun at them published while she was alive) which is also why it’s an odd choice for a book the ton would be reading? I don’t know about that, after all, it was a popular genre). Enough of that. It just really jumped out at me and I was already annoyed.
The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when Hawkridge found out about Christina and demanded she be returned to him immediately, despite the fact that he is in no position whatsoever financially to take care of her, and Faith has make sure that Christina has had everything that she didn’t have as a child. Christina has had everything Hawkridge never had a child, for that matter. He jeopardizes his daughter’s future by acquiring a Special License and basically requiring Faith to marry him or he’ll just take Christina without her.
The hubris to make such a decision was, I felt, appalling. It didn’t take Christina into account at all, it merely treated her as an object. Hawkridge, despite how much he claimed to have changed in ten years, really hasn’t changed at all. And then, once they’re married and getting along and Faith’s parents are no longer out to kill him, he has the gall to forgive Faith for her lie of omission?
So yes, the book does have a HEA, if you enjoyed the book. I guess this one is a matter of taste. As I said, I liked the other two novels I read by this author, and I think these characters just rubbed me the wrong way.
Addendum 4/8/18: I have since read another Regency that refers to them as Gothic, so now I’m just throwing up my hands and giving in. I honestly don’t remember, and if it’s appearing in more than one book...
I have read two other novels by Erica Ridley and enjoyed them, so I think this one and I simply didn’t fit. I found the relationship between Hawkridge and Faith to be somewhat tedious, and almost adolescent in its repetitiveness of thought. It annoyed me that suddenly seeing the man who had, as far as she knew, deserted her ten years earlier, suddenly made a very capable woman giddy and well, fluffy. The dinner scene at the beginning, where Hawkridge was invited to dine at the school, made no sense. Dahlia is Faith’s best friend, and is completely wound up that Hawkridge is even there—she behaves in a very protective manner toward Faith. Within minutes, however, she is so deeply involved in a conversation with her husband, Hawkridge’s half-brother, she doesn’t even notice Faith and Hawkridge are having a conversation.
The novel just continues along in this tenor, and to make things worse, Faith has a daughter that resulted from her liaison with Hawkridge who she is hiding from him. Her daughter doesn’t know that Faith is her mother, she thinks Faith is her aunt. I didn’t find either character very likable, (I would have liked Faith if she just hadn’t been so ninny-headed over Hawkridge, who comes across as very controlling).
In all honesty, if this had not been a book I was reviewing, I would have stopped reading it. I was incredibly annoyed when at the book club meeting Faith was invited to they discussed “Gothic novels,” because they were pretty much called Romances back then. We labeled them Gothic Fiction later on. Granted, in “The Castle of Otranto,” Walpole states that it is a Gothic Story, but when I was getting my degree in English Lit specializing in Gothic Fiction, we we talked about it and in the books at the time (such as Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, which was published posthumously intentionally because romance novels/adventure novels were in such high demand —even though they were looked down on—she didn’t want a novel poking fun at them published while she was alive) which is also why it’s an odd choice for a book the ton would be reading? I don’t know about that, after all, it was a popular genre). Enough of that. It just really jumped out at me and I was already annoyed.
The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when Hawkridge found out about Christina and demanded she be returned to him immediately, despite the fact that he is in no position whatsoever financially to take care of her, and Faith has make sure that Christina has had everything that she didn’t have as a child. Christina has had everything Hawkridge never had a child, for that matter. He jeopardizes his daughter’s future by acquiring a Special License and basically requiring Faith to marry him or he’ll just take Christina without her.
The hubris to make such a decision was, I felt, appalling. It didn’t take Christina into account at all, it merely treated her as an object. Hawkridge, despite how much he claimed to have changed in ten years, really hasn’t changed at all. And then, once they’re married and getting along and Faith’s parents are no longer out to kill him, he has the gall to forgive Faith for her lie of omission?
So yes, the book does have a HEA, if you enjoyed the book. I guess this one is a matter of taste. As I said, I liked the other two novels I read by this author, and I think these characters just rubbed me the wrong way.
Addendum 4/8/18: I have since read another Regency that refers to them as Gothic, so now I’m just throwing up my hands and giving in. I honestly don’t remember, and if it’s appearing in more than one book...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2018
Even though both the protagonists are only in their late twenties, this is a second-chance romance. Both eighteen when they first met and fell in love, Lord Hawkridge was talked out of marrying penniless Miss Faith Digby for the good of his failing estate.
Now ten years older and wiser, still desperately trying to bring his bankrupt marquesate back into profit, Hawk is startled to run across Faith again. Still unmarried, still the only woman he’s ever loved, she’s now a considerable heiress. How will she ever believe, though, that he wants her for herself and not her money, when money was the reason he left her all those years ago? When he discovers the secret she’s been desperately trying to hide, though, all bets are off.
Though this is the fourth in Erica Ridley’s Rags To Riches series, I haven’t read any of the others and that didn’t matter in the slightest. The story stands perfectly well alone. Hawk and Faith were absolutely charming together, both of them willing to recognize past mistakes and move on. Hawk’s determination to offer an apology to Faith even though he understood he might not receive her forgiveness, just because it was the right thing to do, made me fall utterly in love with him.
This was such a delightful read. As soon as I finished it, I wanted more. A perfectly crafted gem of a Regency romance, I highly recommend this one to lovers of the genre. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
Now ten years older and wiser, still desperately trying to bring his bankrupt marquesate back into profit, Hawk is startled to run across Faith again. Still unmarried, still the only woman he’s ever loved, she’s now a considerable heiress. How will she ever believe, though, that he wants her for herself and not her money, when money was the reason he left her all those years ago? When he discovers the secret she’s been desperately trying to hide, though, all bets are off.
Though this is the fourth in Erica Ridley’s Rags To Riches series, I haven’t read any of the others and that didn’t matter in the slightest. The story stands perfectly well alone. Hawk and Faith were absolutely charming together, both of them willing to recognize past mistakes and move on. Hawk’s determination to offer an apology to Faith even though he understood he might not receive her forgiveness, just because it was the right thing to do, made me fall utterly in love with him.
This was such a delightful read. As soon as I finished it, I wanted more. A perfectly crafted gem of a Regency romance, I highly recommend this one to lovers of the genre. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
March 30, 2018
Lord of Temptation is Book 4 in the Rogues to Riches series. I love the last book, this one not so much. I have heard it said a good book will produce strong emotions. On that note let it be said I LOATHE Hawk. He steals Faith's innocence, unknowingly leaving her with child, hinting marriage is to come. Then he decides he's too good to marry her because he's a marquess and she is a commoner and writes her a NOTE. Add in that he needs an heiress with an impressive fortune to pull his marquessate out of debt and then he disappears for ten years. After finally making peace with his older, illegitimate brother, he stumbles back into Faith's life and attempts to start up his relationship with Faith all over again with a feeble apology. Faith owns half a boarding school, running it with Hawk's sister-in-law, Dahlia. Faith is sweet and self-sacrificing, spending all her time on the school and raising her daughter as her niece to protect her from sensor and cruelty. Her parents provide selflessly for Faith and Chris and support Faith. This book left me feeling Hawk got off way too easy. He gets all self righteous after finding out Faith hid his daughter for ten years. Personally, I thought Hawk should have been challenged to a duel and left laying for the way he treated Faith. It takes 3/4 of the book before Hawk becomes a nice enough person to even feel sympathy for. The saving grace for this book is mainly the background characters that I loved from past books. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.
March 29, 2018
Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley
Rogues to Riches #4
This second chance romance sees Lord Hawkridge and Miss Faith Digby meeting up ten years after a very difficult breakup. Both had thought they would spend the rest of their lives together married and happy only to have Hawkridge cry off when he found out the arrears his inherited estate was in. He was young and only thinking of what he needed to do and how he could not provide for even himself let alone a wife and she was angry and perhaps did not make the wisest decision at the time.
Ten years later Faith has loving parents, good friends, wealth, a ward to care for and professional focus that gave her strength when she met Hawkridge again. He, on the other hand, really did not have much in the ensuing years but debt, his title, a newfound half-brother and the hope of one day being able to do more than pay bills. Their meeting is not easy and neither are most of their further encounters. The two have remained in love with one another over the years but their road to an eventual HEA is complex and at times difficult.
I liked this story because it was believable. I loved Faith’s parents. I enjoyed the fact that the H/h story did not have them falling into one another’s arms immediately but instead had them waiting, talking and really looking at the part each had in making the past turn out the way it did as they worked toward a potential future together.
I enjoyed this story and am now very interested in reading Lord of Secrets when it comes out. I sort of wonder if Gideon will have a story of his own, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Rogues to Riches #4
This second chance romance sees Lord Hawkridge and Miss Faith Digby meeting up ten years after a very difficult breakup. Both had thought they would spend the rest of their lives together married and happy only to have Hawkridge cry off when he found out the arrears his inherited estate was in. He was young and only thinking of what he needed to do and how he could not provide for even himself let alone a wife and she was angry and perhaps did not make the wisest decision at the time.
Ten years later Faith has loving parents, good friends, wealth, a ward to care for and professional focus that gave her strength when she met Hawkridge again. He, on the other hand, really did not have much in the ensuing years but debt, his title, a newfound half-brother and the hope of one day being able to do more than pay bills. Their meeting is not easy and neither are most of their further encounters. The two have remained in love with one another over the years but their road to an eventual HEA is complex and at times difficult.
I liked this story because it was believable. I loved Faith’s parents. I enjoyed the fact that the H/h story did not have them falling into one another’s arms immediately but instead had them waiting, talking and really looking at the part each had in making the past turn out the way it did as they worked toward a potential future together.
I enjoyed this story and am now very interested in reading Lord of Secrets when it comes out. I sort of wonder if Gideon will have a story of his own, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
March 30, 2018
A beautiful regency Romance , once again Cheers to Erica Ridley she has given her readers a wonderful book ...i have read many of Erica's books & somehow she has never disappointed me in any of her books.. always comes right upto ur expectations...
This story is also about second chances in your life , how two people whohave made mistakes, taken wrong decisions due to there immaturity, circumstances once again get a chance to rectify there past mistakes & find love once again... though d story is predictable it has been presented very refreshingly by Erica ... not boring at all, u get engrossed in d story as d plot & story line is well developed, scripted & presented.
The two main characters are Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge /Faith Digby ve a history .Although they were once close they haven’t seen each other for ten years. they are strong , wonderful characters who have to work at their relationship which is complex , insecured feelings .
I fell in love with lord Hawk's character so human once he realises his mistakes... Faith at times acted stupid but is a strong , bold women who after bearing a child out of wedlock & left by the person she love makes her life independent which is admirable considering the Regency Era where life for women was difficult, cruel & didnt ve a say in society . The d secondary characters also beautifully presented . The character of Chris is also so lovable ...
Overall i would strongly recommend dis second chance at love book which is heart breaking with a lovely conclusion.. well done Erica & thank u for giving us a superb read ... this is my honest review
This story is also about second chances in your life , how two people whohave made mistakes, taken wrong decisions due to there immaturity, circumstances once again get a chance to rectify there past mistakes & find love once again... though d story is predictable it has been presented very refreshingly by Erica ... not boring at all, u get engrossed in d story as d plot & story line is well developed, scripted & presented.
The two main characters are Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge /Faith Digby ve a history .Although they were once close they haven’t seen each other for ten years. they are strong , wonderful characters who have to work at their relationship which is complex , insecured feelings .
I fell in love with lord Hawk's character so human once he realises his mistakes... Faith at times acted stupid but is a strong , bold women who after bearing a child out of wedlock & left by the person she love makes her life independent which is admirable considering the Regency Era where life for women was difficult, cruel & didnt ve a say in society . The d secondary characters also beautifully presented . The character of Chris is also so lovable ...
Overall i would strongly recommend dis second chance at love book which is heart breaking with a lovely conclusion.. well done Erica & thank u for giving us a superb read ... this is my honest review
March 26, 2018
Even though this story took a while to arrive, it was well worth the wait!
It can be read as a stand alone and is the fourth in this series.
Written with interesting, strong characters, each one of them helps to keep the story alive and fast paced.
There are definite tie-ins to the previous book and we learn more about the brother, his family and the school and how these all affect the main characters of this story.
There are interesting and touching moments when both of the main characters realise they still love and can forgive each other for what happened in the past.
I particularly loved the young Chris who played her part beautifully. She is a young lady who knows her own mind and is not shy to show what she is thinking. She also knows just how to win over even the most hardened of hearts.
A lovely, romantic story and I am so happy to be able to recommend it and hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
I voluntarily read and have reviewed an advance copy of this ebook.
It can be read as a stand alone and is the fourth in this series.
Written with interesting, strong characters, each one of them helps to keep the story alive and fast paced.
There are definite tie-ins to the previous book and we learn more about the brother, his family and the school and how these all affect the main characters of this story.
There are interesting and touching moments when both of the main characters realise they still love and can forgive each other for what happened in the past.
I particularly loved the young Chris who played her part beautifully. She is a young lady who knows her own mind and is not shy to show what she is thinking. She also knows just how to win over even the most hardened of hearts.
A lovely, romantic story and I am so happy to be able to recommend it and hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
I voluntarily read and have reviewed an advance copy of this ebook.
March 31, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and Web Motion for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in this series that I have read. Erica Ridley has a done a superb job with this story. I certainly had the range of emotions with this book.
This story has abandonment, premarital sex, learning from other people what a family should be, second chance at love and family. So much more to this story. If you love Erica Ridley books, you need to get this one. If you have never read her books, take a chance on this one. It is worth it and I highly recommend it.
This story has abandonment, premarital sex, learning from other people what a family should be, second chance at love and family. So much more to this story. If you love Erica Ridley books, you need to get this one. If you have never read her books, take a chance on this one. It is worth it and I highly recommend it.
March 26, 2020
4.5 stars
*I received a free copy of Lord of Temptation. This has in not way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
I loved Faith and Hawk so much! Their story was filled with obstacles, but it was still very sweet. Of course, Faith had enough temper to not simply become a stumbling mess when Hawk tried to woo her.
I love Ridley's stories - they are sweet, hot, uplifting and always with unconventional characters.
*I received a free copy of Lord of Temptation. This has in not way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
I loved Faith and Hawk so much! Their story was filled with obstacles, but it was still very sweet. Of course, Faith had enough temper to not simply become a stumbling mess when Hawk tried to woo her.
I love Ridley's stories - they are sweet, hot, uplifting and always with unconventional characters.
March 24, 2018
This was a very absorbing read. The two main characters are Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge and Faith Digby. Although they were once close they haven’t seen each other for ten years. The passage where they were reacquainted was written so eloquently that I felt Faith’s pain at being in the company of Hawk once again. Can it be that too much has happened in their past for them to be together again? There were a few surprises as well. I like the fact that the books in this series have a link in some way, be that familial or friends. This book also stressed the importance of family in quite a number of ways. This was another gem in this series.
March 24, 2018
I think every new book I read in the Rogues to Riches series is my favorite. But now I cannot decide. They are all just as great as the previous books. This story of second chance romance will tear at your heart and make you root for their love. Hawk and Faith are wonderful characters who have to work at their relationship which is definitely not an easy road. Their growth towards forgiveness not only for themselves but for each other is wonderfully portrayed in the story. A fantastic series!
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
March 25, 2018
Lord of Temptation is a tale of duty and honor. The odds were stacked against a pair of star crossed lovers, but love found a way. Hawk and Faith have a history. Their love happened fast, burned hot and left a lasting impression on their souls. He broke her heart and now he wants the chance to mend it. Ten years and one secret too late. Can the pain of the past, be healed by the hope for the future? Ms. Ridley takes her cue from the classics and crafts a tale of broken dreams, battered hearts and maybe a happy ending.
July 14, 2019
1.5 stars.
The hero, Hawke, was a tool and Faith should have kicked him to the kerb and moved on to someone who understood and valued her. What is it with all these women holding out for a man for years??
There was some irony here, in that he allowed his family to talk him out of marrying her, after he had slept with her and, unbeknownst to him, made her pregnant
Faith should have walked away. Yes, Hawke spent ages apologising and trying to redeem himself. But I can't see how he could come back from that. (If she'd been a member of the upper classes, he would have felt honour-bound to marry her. That class distinction was the lid on his coffin for me- he could not really have loved her at all.) To whine that he was "only 18"- nope. Just nope.
To sum up, hero was a jerk and heroine should have given him his congé
The hero, Hawke, was a tool and Faith should have kicked him to the kerb and moved on to someone who understood and valued her. What is it with all these women holding out for a man for years??
There was some irony here, in that he allowed his family to talk him out of marrying her, after he had slept with her and, unbeknownst to him, made her pregnant
Faith should have walked away. Yes, Hawke spent ages apologising and trying to redeem himself. But I can't see how he could come back from that. (If she'd been a member of the upper classes, he would have felt honour-bound to marry her. That class distinction was the lid on his coffin for me- he could not really have loved her at all.) To whine that he was "only 18"- nope. Just nope.
To sum up, hero was a jerk and heroine should have given him his congé
January 26, 2023
Lord of Temptation: Regency Romance Novel (Rogues to Riches Book 4)
The love story of Hawkridge and Faith. Hawk and Faith plan to marry until his uncle and mother tied him he was broke and need to marry a heiress so he left Faith. Ten years later Hawk see Faith again and neither have marry. Can they find love again even with a secret Faith is hiding? Great story.
The love story of Hawkridge and Faith. Hawk and Faith plan to marry until his uncle and mother tied him he was broke and need to marry a heiress so he left Faith. Ten years later Hawk see Faith again and neither have marry. Can they find love again even with a secret Faith is hiding? Great story.
May 13, 2019
Oggi, Fenici, vi parlo del libro Il signore della tentazione di Erica Ridley, quarto capitolo della serie Dalle stalle alle stelle, serie che, pur non facendomi impazzire, ha dei personaggi sicuramente interessanti.
Abbiamo conosciuto il protagonista, Lord Hawkridge, nel libro Il signore della notte, che ha visto il giovane e spiantato nobile fare finalmente pace con il fratello nato da una delle tante relazioni extraconiugali del padre. Ora fra lui e Simon si è instaurato un bel rapporto, fatto di stima e comprensione, e, per la prima volta, Hawkridge sente di poter contare su qualcuno che non lo deluderà come hanno fatto il padre e lo zio.
Sono stati loro, infatti, a portare alla rovina la loro nobile casata, spendendo più del dovuto per abiti, donne e lussi e lasciandogli, una volta maggiorenne, una montagna di debiti. L’allora giovane Hawkridge era innamorato di una donna che apparteneva a un ceto sociale inaccettabile per un Marchese, e la sua nuova condizione di capo famiglia lo vedeva costretto a cercare un’ereditiera che gli permettesse di ripagare gli enormi debiti contratti dai suoi predecessori.
Lasciare Faith gli ha spezzato il cuore, ma la sua giovane età non gli consentiva di contrastare la madre e i tutori; eppure, niente è andato nel verso giusto.
Sono trascorsi anni, pieni di rimpianto per l’amore perduto e passati in solitudine, durante i quali Lord Hawkridge ha cercato di rimediare ai danni fatti alla reputazione e al nome della famiglia, industriandosi per pareggiare i debiti contratti da altri. Ma proprio l’essersi riavvicinato al fratello lo rimette di fronte all’unica donna che non è mai riuscito a dimenticare e che, per giunta, ora è diventata incredibilmente ricca grazie al padre commerciante. Potrebbe essere la sua unica opportunità di riavere la donna amata, se fra loro non vi fosse il suo addio improvviso e crudele, e una bugia che Faith ha mantenuto per anni.
Il comportamento privo di onore del defunto Lord Hawkridge ha pesato enormemente sulle vite dei suoi figli. Per Simon è stato lo sprone per perseguire la correttezza sopra ogni cosa, troppo dolore ha dovuto subire nel non poter mai far parte della vita del padre; Hawkridge invece ha dovuto vedere la madre sottostare ai desideri di un uomo che non l’ha mai amata, ma che pretendeva di dirigere la vita della sua Marchesa e del suo erede con il pugno di ferro.
Dopo aver ereditato un titolo e terre piene di debiti, ha cercato con ogni mezzo, anche quelli sul filo dell’illegalità, di trovare i fondi per risanare i debiti, e ora potrebbe essere in procinto di realizzare un progetto che lo porterebbe fuori dall’indigenza e gli permetterebbe di mantenere una moglie. Nonostante la madre continui a esortarlo a trovare un’ereditiera, il giovane non ha mai smesso di desiderare un matrimonio diverso da quello dei suoi genitori; lui vuole essere completamente differente dal precedente Marchese, sia come marito che come genitore. L’essersi avvicinato al fratello gli ha fatto capire quanto fosse stato un uomo egoista e meschino, sempre pronto a perseguire i suoi piaceri, ma incapace di amare veramente.
L’invito a cena del fratello, nel collegio per signorine sfortunate, che la cognata dirige aiutata da Faith, è l’occasione che il Marchese intende cogliere per scusarsi della sofferenza che le ha causato. Non pensa di poter essere perdonato, ma vuole finalmente spiegarle quelle ragioni che al tempo non ha potuto dirle.
Se Hawkridge non l’ha mai dimenticata, Faith lo ha detestato per lungo tempo, si è sentita tradita, ed è convinta che lui l’abbia lasciata perché ha avuto ciò che desiderava. Il suo ritorno nella sua vita non è contemplato. Ora è una donna ricca, una persona diversa, e deve proteggere il suo segreto a ogni costo. Eppure, non può rimanere indifferente a quell’uomo che non ha mai dimenticato, un uomo che tenta in ogni modo di farsi perdonare, ma che forse mira ora alla fortuna che le spetta in dote. Potrebbe forse esserci ancora speranza per loro, ma troppe cose sono state taciute e forse è troppo tardi per rimediare.
La trama di questo libro non ha tocchi particolarmente originali, l’amore di gioventù che non si è potuto vivere per colpa di un titolo ingombrante non è così insolito nei libri storici, così come i rancori che questi abbandoni portano con sé. L’autrice è però riuscita a mettere in campo personaggi intriganti e pieni di sfaccettature.
Hawkridge, pur essendo nobile, non ha esitato a buttarsi negli affari per risaldare i debiti, anche se questo ha voluto dire trovare chiuse molte porte del ton, che tollera volentieri un uomo che si impossessa della dote di una moglie ricca anche se non la ama, ma non perdona un nobile che cerca nel lavoro e nel commercio un modo per trovare il denaro necessario.
Non ha mai dimenticato Faith, una ragazza che viveva ai margini della nobiltà, troppo ricca per la gente comune, ma di estrazione troppo bassa per essere annessa nei salotti. Una ragazza bellissima che non aveva amiche, tranne le figlie del Barone Grenville, le uniche fra la nobiltà a essersi rese conto del suo valore; un’amicizia, la loro, capace di superare la prova del tempo.
Una storia d’amore dolce, con pochissimi attimi di passione, ben scritta e ben tradotta, capace di regalare momenti di tranquillo relax, arricchita dai precedenti personaggi che abbiamo incontrato nei capitoli precedenti. In definitiva una lettura più che discreta, specie se si sono letti i libri precedenti.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
Abbiamo conosciuto il protagonista, Lord Hawkridge, nel libro Il signore della notte, che ha visto il giovane e spiantato nobile fare finalmente pace con il fratello nato da una delle tante relazioni extraconiugali del padre. Ora fra lui e Simon si è instaurato un bel rapporto, fatto di stima e comprensione, e, per la prima volta, Hawkridge sente di poter contare su qualcuno che non lo deluderà come hanno fatto il padre e lo zio.
Sono stati loro, infatti, a portare alla rovina la loro nobile casata, spendendo più del dovuto per abiti, donne e lussi e lasciandogli, una volta maggiorenne, una montagna di debiti. L’allora giovane Hawkridge era innamorato di una donna che apparteneva a un ceto sociale inaccettabile per un Marchese, e la sua nuova condizione di capo famiglia lo vedeva costretto a cercare un’ereditiera che gli permettesse di ripagare gli enormi debiti contratti dai suoi predecessori.
Lasciare Faith gli ha spezzato il cuore, ma la sua giovane età non gli consentiva di contrastare la madre e i tutori; eppure, niente è andato nel verso giusto.
Sono trascorsi anni, pieni di rimpianto per l’amore perduto e passati in solitudine, durante i quali Lord Hawkridge ha cercato di rimediare ai danni fatti alla reputazione e al nome della famiglia, industriandosi per pareggiare i debiti contratti da altri. Ma proprio l’essersi riavvicinato al fratello lo rimette di fronte all’unica donna che non è mai riuscito a dimenticare e che, per giunta, ora è diventata incredibilmente ricca grazie al padre commerciante. Potrebbe essere la sua unica opportunità di riavere la donna amata, se fra loro non vi fosse il suo addio improvviso e crudele, e una bugia che Faith ha mantenuto per anni.
Il comportamento privo di onore del defunto Lord Hawkridge ha pesato enormemente sulle vite dei suoi figli. Per Simon è stato lo sprone per perseguire la correttezza sopra ogni cosa, troppo dolore ha dovuto subire nel non poter mai far parte della vita del padre; Hawkridge invece ha dovuto vedere la madre sottostare ai desideri di un uomo che non l’ha mai amata, ma che pretendeva di dirigere la vita della sua Marchesa e del suo erede con il pugno di ferro.
Dopo aver ereditato un titolo e terre piene di debiti, ha cercato con ogni mezzo, anche quelli sul filo dell’illegalità, di trovare i fondi per risanare i debiti, e ora potrebbe essere in procinto di realizzare un progetto che lo porterebbe fuori dall’indigenza e gli permetterebbe di mantenere una moglie. Nonostante la madre continui a esortarlo a trovare un’ereditiera, il giovane non ha mai smesso di desiderare un matrimonio diverso da quello dei suoi genitori; lui vuole essere completamente differente dal precedente Marchese, sia come marito che come genitore. L’essersi avvicinato al fratello gli ha fatto capire quanto fosse stato un uomo egoista e meschino, sempre pronto a perseguire i suoi piaceri, ma incapace di amare veramente.
L’invito a cena del fratello, nel collegio per signorine sfortunate, che la cognata dirige aiutata da Faith, è l’occasione che il Marchese intende cogliere per scusarsi della sofferenza che le ha causato. Non pensa di poter essere perdonato, ma vuole finalmente spiegarle quelle ragioni che al tempo non ha potuto dirle.
Se Hawkridge non l’ha mai dimenticata, Faith lo ha detestato per lungo tempo, si è sentita tradita, ed è convinta che lui l’abbia lasciata perché ha avuto ciò che desiderava. Il suo ritorno nella sua vita non è contemplato. Ora è una donna ricca, una persona diversa, e deve proteggere il suo segreto a ogni costo. Eppure, non può rimanere indifferente a quell’uomo che non ha mai dimenticato, un uomo che tenta in ogni modo di farsi perdonare, ma che forse mira ora alla fortuna che le spetta in dote. Potrebbe forse esserci ancora speranza per loro, ma troppe cose sono state taciute e forse è troppo tardi per rimediare.
La trama di questo libro non ha tocchi particolarmente originali, l’amore di gioventù che non si è potuto vivere per colpa di un titolo ingombrante non è così insolito nei libri storici, così come i rancori che questi abbandoni portano con sé. L’autrice è però riuscita a mettere in campo personaggi intriganti e pieni di sfaccettature.
Hawkridge, pur essendo nobile, non ha esitato a buttarsi negli affari per risaldare i debiti, anche se questo ha voluto dire trovare chiuse molte porte del ton, che tollera volentieri un uomo che si impossessa della dote di una moglie ricca anche se non la ama, ma non perdona un nobile che cerca nel lavoro e nel commercio un modo per trovare il denaro necessario.
Non ha mai dimenticato Faith, una ragazza che viveva ai margini della nobiltà, troppo ricca per la gente comune, ma di estrazione troppo bassa per essere annessa nei salotti. Una ragazza bellissima che non aveva amiche, tranne le figlie del Barone Grenville, le uniche fra la nobiltà a essersi rese conto del suo valore; un’amicizia, la loro, capace di superare la prova del tempo.
Una storia d’amore dolce, con pochissimi attimi di passione, ben scritta e ben tradotta, capace di regalare momenti di tranquillo relax, arricchita dai precedenti personaggi che abbiamo incontrato nei capitoli precedenti. In definitiva una lettura più che discreta, specie se si sono letti i libri precedenti.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
May 27, 2018
Book 4 in this series is by far the most emotional, heart-wrenching story of a lost love and the long journey back from the brink of despair. Lord Hawkridge has been struggling for 10 years to bring his estates back from the ruin that his father and uncle left him with. The debts he inherits are astronomical and at 18 years old he has to give up everything, including the girl he loves because it will be years or never before his estates will be back in the black. He is now 28 and has paid off at least half of the debt in the ensuing 10 years. He is looking for investors for a project that will finally pay off the debts and give his mother the life she lost long ago. He has sold everything he can, rented out his entailed properties and he is still living the life of a pauper. He refuses all charity and is determined to succeed on his own. His only regret is leaving behind the love of his life. She was not Quality, just a poor beautiful girl that he loved with all his heart. He was convinced by his mother that he could not marry a poor girl who was not a Lady. He has missed her every day of the past ten years.
Faith Digby is the daughter of a Textile merchant who is very rich. Her family was not always wealthy, but her father turned around a family business that was part of his wife's dowry. Now Faith is a lovely lady who has good friends, parents that love her and a 10-year-old daughter. She has only been in love once and has never forgotten him and even if she won't admit out loud that she has never stopped loving the scoundrel who took her virginity and left her the next day.
Faith is part owner of The St Giles School for Girls and helps her best friend Dahlia with the daily running of the place. Dahlia's new husband is the half-brother of Lord Hawkrige who happens to be the man who broke her heart 10 years ago. Faith is afraid that Hawk will find out about his daughter and take her away from her.
Will Hawk be able to get to know his daughter and convince the love of his life that he is sorry for all the heartache he has caused?
This story was both very sad and heart-warming at the same time. Hawk is a man who was dealt a bad hand when he was young and paid for it for ten years. If anyone deserves a HAE it is Hawk. I will admit that I cried reading this one. Another must read in this series. I absolutely recommend Erica's books!!
Faith Digby is the daughter of a Textile merchant who is very rich. Her family was not always wealthy, but her father turned around a family business that was part of his wife's dowry. Now Faith is a lovely lady who has good friends, parents that love her and a 10-year-old daughter. She has only been in love once and has never forgotten him and even if she won't admit out loud that she has never stopped loving the scoundrel who took her virginity and left her the next day.
Faith is part owner of The St Giles School for Girls and helps her best friend Dahlia with the daily running of the place. Dahlia's new husband is the half-brother of Lord Hawkrige who happens to be the man who broke her heart 10 years ago. Faith is afraid that Hawk will find out about his daughter and take her away from her.
Will Hawk be able to get to know his daughter and convince the love of his life that he is sorry for all the heartache he has caused?
This story was both very sad and heart-warming at the same time. Hawk is a man who was dealt a bad hand when he was young and paid for it for ten years. If anyone deserves a HAE it is Hawk. I will admit that I cried reading this one. Another must read in this series. I absolutely recommend Erica's books!!
March 24, 2018
Lord of Temptation is the fourth book in the Rogues to Riches series by Erica Ridley. It can be read as a standalone, but if you've read the previous books there is the bonus of being able to catch up on some of the characters from those.
Lord Hawkridge, Hawk to his friends, and Faith Digby were madly in love 10 years ago. They were very much in lust with each other too and the night before Hawk was to ask Faith's father for her hand in marriage, they anticipated their wedding vows. Unknown to either of them, Hawk would end up unable to meet with her father. Circumstances got in the way. Hawk inherited a marquessate from his father and discovered that it was penniless, with many many huge debts. There was no way he could marry Faith, he needed to marry a rich woman if he ever had hopes of bringing the estate into the black again. He didn't have the courage to face Faith, so he wrote to her to tell her of his circumstances, promptly breaking her heart.
Now, 10 years on he is still struggling to pay off the debts, but is so close to it he can almost taste it. He is shocked when through his half-brother, Simon, he meets Faith again. She is the best friend of Simon's wife. They own and run a school for girls in St Giles, a poor area in London. As soon as they see each other again memories come pouring back. Hawk who never did manage to marry a rich woman never stopped loving Faith, and although she won't admit it even to herself, Faith has never stopped loving Hawk.
Faith is now a woman of means thanks to her parents successful business. She knows Hawk is still struggling, so can there be any chance of their romance being reignited again when she will always be thinking that he is only interested in her now because of her dowry. She also has a skeleton in her closet that she cannot let out, one that Hawk must never know. With those obstacles in mind, there doesn't seem any possibility of them taking up where they left off ten years ago. Or is there?
I really enjoyed this story, and I felt so much for both Faith and Hawk. They were so much in love but had so much baggage between them that they couldn't help but let that get in the way a lot of the time. I wanted so much for them to have a happy ever after and at times could just not see how it was going to be possible. It was a pleasure to read a book where I loved both the hero and the heroine and could see both sides of their story: Could see that they were right about their feelings, their worries, their woes. I also enjoyed catching up with Simon and Dahlia, characters from a previous book in the series. The whole idea of the school and how Dahlia and Faith run it is just beautiful and unique. I could read a whole other series just about the antics of the pupils there. All in all, I definitely recommend this book and indeed the whole series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
Lord Hawkridge, Hawk to his friends, and Faith Digby were madly in love 10 years ago. They were very much in lust with each other too and the night before Hawk was to ask Faith's father for her hand in marriage, they anticipated their wedding vows. Unknown to either of them, Hawk would end up unable to meet with her father. Circumstances got in the way. Hawk inherited a marquessate from his father and discovered that it was penniless, with many many huge debts. There was no way he could marry Faith, he needed to marry a rich woman if he ever had hopes of bringing the estate into the black again. He didn't have the courage to face Faith, so he wrote to her to tell her of his circumstances, promptly breaking her heart.
Now, 10 years on he is still struggling to pay off the debts, but is so close to it he can almost taste it. He is shocked when through his half-brother, Simon, he meets Faith again. She is the best friend of Simon's wife. They own and run a school for girls in St Giles, a poor area in London. As soon as they see each other again memories come pouring back. Hawk who never did manage to marry a rich woman never stopped loving Faith, and although she won't admit it even to herself, Faith has never stopped loving Hawk.
Faith is now a woman of means thanks to her parents successful business. She knows Hawk is still struggling, so can there be any chance of their romance being reignited again when she will always be thinking that he is only interested in her now because of her dowry. She also has a skeleton in her closet that she cannot let out, one that Hawk must never know. With those obstacles in mind, there doesn't seem any possibility of them taking up where they left off ten years ago. Or is there?
I really enjoyed this story, and I felt so much for both Faith and Hawk. They were so much in love but had so much baggage between them that they couldn't help but let that get in the way a lot of the time. I wanted so much for them to have a happy ever after and at times could just not see how it was going to be possible. It was a pleasure to read a book where I loved both the hero and the heroine and could see both sides of their story: Could see that they were right about their feelings, their worries, their woes. I also enjoyed catching up with Simon and Dahlia, characters from a previous book in the series. The whole idea of the school and how Dahlia and Faith run it is just beautiful and unique. I could read a whole other series just about the antics of the pupils there. All in all, I definitely recommend this book and indeed the whole series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
April 13, 2018
Three and a half stars.
Lord Hawkridge is penniless, desperately trying to rectifying the profligate spending of his predecessors. He is building a dock and needs capital to fund the latest stage whilst trying to pay off some of the estate's creditors. When he goes to his illegitimate older brother's home for dinner he is astonished to run into Faith Digby, the commoner he fell in love with over a decade ago. When Faith and Hawk fell in love he didn't realise the extent of the marquessate's financial difficulties, he was about to propose marriage when his guardian made the situation clear - marry an heiress or live in abject poverty. Since then Hawk has been searching for an heiress to marry without finding anyone who compares to Faith. When he sees her again he knows he is as much in love with her as ever before.
Faith was devastated when Hawk made love to her and then sent her a letter the following day breaking off their relationship. Now over a decade later she can't believe she still has feelings for the man who broke her heart.
Hawk is torn, he is still in no position to marry or start a family, much as that is his dream, but his love for Faith is strong. When he finds out Faith is an heiress are all his problems solved? Or does this just make things more complicated?
Can two former lovers turn a marriage of convenience into a love match?
Hawkridge is quite selfish to begin with, all his thoughts are of the marquessate, his mother and the docks. He has no time or compassion for anyone else. When he discovers Faith is an heiress he thinks more about her dowry than anything else. I truly disliked him and was just waiting for his comeuppance (I may have cheered). When he blackmails Faith into marrying him with no care for the woman he (allegedly) loves I was incensed. So it is a tribute to Erica Ridley that by the end of the book I was a little bit in love with Hawk myself.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Lord Hawkridge is penniless, desperately trying to rectifying the profligate spending of his predecessors. He is building a dock and needs capital to fund the latest stage whilst trying to pay off some of the estate's creditors. When he goes to his illegitimate older brother's home for dinner he is astonished to run into Faith Digby, the commoner he fell in love with over a decade ago. When Faith and Hawk fell in love he didn't realise the extent of the marquessate's financial difficulties, he was about to propose marriage when his guardian made the situation clear - marry an heiress or live in abject poverty. Since then Hawk has been searching for an heiress to marry without finding anyone who compares to Faith. When he sees her again he knows he is as much in love with her as ever before.
Faith was devastated when Hawk made love to her and then sent her a letter the following day breaking off their relationship. Now over a decade later she can't believe she still has feelings for the man who broke her heart.
Hawk is torn, he is still in no position to marry or start a family, much as that is his dream, but his love for Faith is strong. When he finds out Faith is an heiress are all his problems solved? Or does this just make things more complicated?
Can two former lovers turn a marriage of convenience into a love match?
Hawkridge is quite selfish to begin with, all his thoughts are of the marquessate, his mother and the docks. He has no time or compassion for anyone else. When he discovers Faith is an heiress he thinks more about her dowry than anything else. I truly disliked him and was just waiting for his comeuppance (I may have cheered). When he blackmails Faith into marrying him with no care for the woman he (allegedly) loves I was incensed. So it is a tribute to Erica Ridley that by the end of the book I was a little bit in love with Hawk myself.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 9, 2018
I love a good historical romance that portrays the socio-economic class division like it was rather than bowing to what modern readers want to read. This book is a fine example that portrays the truth that the newly rich merchant class couldn't buy its way into the peerage; it had to find impoverished lords and marry its way in. Ms. Ridley doesn't paint a soft picture of the stigma put on children born out of wedlock and their mothers during this era. She brings us into the world of the disenfranchised with a blend of reality and hope.
Hawk and Faith had loved each other as teenagers, but the reality of the bankrupt Marquessate left after his father's death gave Hawk little choice but to break his understanding with Faith and pursue a wife from a "good family" whose dowry would restore the estate and provide for the people whose livelihood depended on it. Ten years later and having turned to physical labor and commerce to preserve the estate, Hawk is blackballed from ton events and hasn't found that heiress to wed after all. Faith, on the other hand, is now a wealthy heiress and co-owner of a charity orphanage for indigent children from the slums. When they meet again, their desire for each other remains but regrets, secrets, lies, and fear stand firmly in the way of a happy reunion. To overcome these obstacles, both will need to face their demons, forgive and seek forgiveness for their part in adding to the drama between them, and commit to acting in the best interest of each other. I was drawn into their story and found my emotions alternately soaring and plummeting with the action of the story. It was a very satisfying read.
I voluntarily read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinions in response.
Hawk and Faith had loved each other as teenagers, but the reality of the bankrupt Marquessate left after his father's death gave Hawk little choice but to break his understanding with Faith and pursue a wife from a "good family" whose dowry would restore the estate and provide for the people whose livelihood depended on it. Ten years later and having turned to physical labor and commerce to preserve the estate, Hawk is blackballed from ton events and hasn't found that heiress to wed after all. Faith, on the other hand, is now a wealthy heiress and co-owner of a charity orphanage for indigent children from the slums. When they meet again, their desire for each other remains but regrets, secrets, lies, and fear stand firmly in the way of a happy reunion. To overcome these obstacles, both will need to face their demons, forgive and seek forgiveness for their part in adding to the drama between them, and commit to acting in the best interest of each other. I was drawn into their story and found my emotions alternately soaring and plummeting with the action of the story. It was a very satisfying read.
I voluntarily read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinions in response.
March 31, 2018
Miss Faith Digby and Lord Zachary Nash were young and mad for each other. He promised to ask her father for her hand in marriage, they anticipated their wedding vows, but marry they did not. He is the heir to a noble marquessate, she is a commoner, whose father is in textile trade. The social divide prohibits their union.
Zachary Nash, the Marquess of Hawkridge inherited the title from his father, the title came with insurmountable debt.
Ten years on and Hawk is still managing his best to settle the notes his profligate father has accrued. Faith is now an heiress to her father's textile business fortune. Their chance meeting crackled with palpable tension and undeniable attraction for each other.
I was on tenterhooks as to how Faith and Hawk would manage to move forward from that moment on. Hawk was wracked in remorse for what he did to Faith; he's utterly exhausted from a decade of putting the marquessate coffers into rights, not to mention his ailing mother; and his broken heart has been unremittingly pining for Faith. Faith is equally tormented by guilt for concealing a growing secret from Hawk. Her heart never cease to yearn for Hawk despite her anger of being abandoned.
Erica Ridley couldn't have written this better. I truly appreciate how she penned range of strong emotions into the plot, considering this plot has been re-used over and over again. The rigid dichotomy of social classes still befuddle the modern minds, Ms Ridley made this Regency tale truly wonderful and interesting.
I voluntarily read an eGalley copy. This is my honest and impartial review.
Zachary Nash, the Marquess of Hawkridge inherited the title from his father, the title came with insurmountable debt.
Ten years on and Hawk is still managing his best to settle the notes his profligate father has accrued. Faith is now an heiress to her father's textile business fortune. Their chance meeting crackled with palpable tension and undeniable attraction for each other.
I was on tenterhooks as to how Faith and Hawk would manage to move forward from that moment on. Hawk was wracked in remorse for what he did to Faith; he's utterly exhausted from a decade of putting the marquessate coffers into rights, not to mention his ailing mother; and his broken heart has been unremittingly pining for Faith. Faith is equally tormented by guilt for concealing a growing secret from Hawk. Her heart never cease to yearn for Hawk despite her anger of being abandoned.
Erica Ridley couldn't have written this better. I truly appreciate how she penned range of strong emotions into the plot, considering this plot has been re-used over and over again. The rigid dichotomy of social classes still befuddle the modern minds, Ms Ridley made this Regency tale truly wonderful and interesting.
I voluntarily read an eGalley copy. This is my honest and impartial review.
March 30, 2018
Responsibilities versus Feelings.
Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge - aka Hawk - had no choice; others chose for him.
At age 18, he was in love with Miss Faith Digby.
Her parents were poor, merchants - owners of textile factory - and without titles.
Even though he had promised in secret to marry her, when he was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of a totally bankrupt title, he ended his engagement to her...
Worse than ending that commitment, it was the way he did it.
Ten years ahead, Hawk had not yet managed to marry an heiress, so despite being a nobleman, he decided to become a merchant. He would build a port and win over transported goods.
The problem was getting financiers for this venture. Slowly, he could get something.
But some problems began to arise, causing Hawk's time to subside.
Her mother began to show signs of depression and some other strange illness that made her cough a lot.
The little money Hawk had invested with his friend Gideon was invested in a new business that would only give him a financial return in a year.
Not long ago, Hawk had made peace with his older brother, Simon Spaulding.
Simon was the bastard son of Hawk's father, married to Dahlia, the administrator of the St Giles school for girls. And Dahlia was the best friend of... Faith.
Hawk and Faith meet again.
He felt guilty. She felt angry for being abandoned.
But as the two met each other more and more, Hawk becomes aware of a secret that can change all the plans he had for his life.
A second chance novel with great chances of going wrong but that works out several times.
5 stars
Zachary Nash, Marquess of Hawkridge - aka Hawk - had no choice; others chose for him.
At age 18, he was in love with Miss Faith Digby.
Her parents were poor, merchants - owners of textile factory - and without titles.
Even though he had promised in secret to marry her, when he was overwhelmed by the responsibilities of a totally bankrupt title, he ended his engagement to her...
Worse than ending that commitment, it was the way he did it.
Ten years ahead, Hawk had not yet managed to marry an heiress, so despite being a nobleman, he decided to become a merchant. He would build a port and win over transported goods.
The problem was getting financiers for this venture. Slowly, he could get something.
But some problems began to arise, causing Hawk's time to subside.
Her mother began to show signs of depression and some other strange illness that made her cough a lot.
The little money Hawk had invested with his friend Gideon was invested in a new business that would only give him a financial return in a year.
Not long ago, Hawk had made peace with his older brother, Simon Spaulding.
Simon was the bastard son of Hawk's father, married to Dahlia, the administrator of the St Giles school for girls. And Dahlia was the best friend of... Faith.
Hawk and Faith meet again.
He felt guilty. She felt angry for being abandoned.
But as the two met each other more and more, Hawk becomes aware of a secret that can change all the plans he had for his life.
A second chance novel with great chances of going wrong but that works out several times.
5 stars
April 28, 2018
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 4/28/18.
Lord of Temptation is a second chance romance, one of my favorite troupes. Hawk persued Faith ten years ago, but dropped his courtship when his then-guardian and mother convinced him that marrying a commoner without a suitable dowry was not going to be enough to save his floundering estate. He has regretted giving in to their suggestion ever since, never managed to snag a wealthier wife or to forget his first love and now fate has put her in his path once again--with one major secret and complication he never suspected...
This was my first book from this author, so I am not sure if a lot of introspection on the parts of the main characters is the norm for her or merely the way things were for these characters. It seemed as if both Faith and Hawk spent more time within their own heads than they did accomplishing things outside of them. There was a lot of wondering, second-guessing, musing over the past and agonizing about the future going on when I would rather have seen them getting something done--at times it was quite frustrating. Things end well (if a bit conveniently), though, and there are several cute family and couple moments along the way, ending the book on a satisfying note overall.
Lord of Temptation is the fourth book in the series, but works just fine as a standalone.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Lord of Temptation is a second chance romance, one of my favorite troupes. Hawk persued Faith ten years ago, but dropped his courtship when his then-guardian and mother convinced him that marrying a commoner without a suitable dowry was not going to be enough to save his floundering estate. He has regretted giving in to their suggestion ever since, never managed to snag a wealthier wife or to forget his first love and now fate has put her in his path once again--with one major secret and complication he never suspected...
This was my first book from this author, so I am not sure if a lot of introspection on the parts of the main characters is the norm for her or merely the way things were for these characters. It seemed as if both Faith and Hawk spent more time within their own heads than they did accomplishing things outside of them. There was a lot of wondering, second-guessing, musing over the past and agonizing about the future going on when I would rather have seen them getting something done--at times it was quite frustrating. Things end well (if a bit conveniently), though, and there are several cute family and couple moments along the way, ending the book on a satisfying note overall.
Lord of Temptation is the fourth book in the series, but works just fine as a standalone.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
March 30, 2018
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
Faith and Hawk really had a rough road to a second chance. I can see Faith's side when she was angry that Hawk rejected her after sleeping with her but I can also see Hawk's side when he wished he would have known Faith was pregnant.
Even if Hawk wanted to get back with Faith, the fact that now she was not poor would be a huge obstacle to their HEA. How could Faith ever know if Hawk chose her for love not money?
I really enjoyed that they both had to work out their feelings from the past and how they could forgive each other. It is funny what Faith used to charm Hawk's mother and how she had such a turn around in her health. The only sad part of the book is that Hawk and Faith really could not claim Christina as their daughter and would always have to acknowledge her as their ward or she would bear the stigma of being born out of wedlock.
The book has such a depth of character and growth of a new relationship. It was great that Hawk worked to woo both Faith and Christina, and not expect them to automatically be a family. I loved that initially the issue of the dowry was not there so Faith knew that he married her for love not her money!
I loved that Hawk could overcome the past problems with his brother Simon and have a friendship with him. I also have to go back and re-read the story of his romance. Only thing that was not resolved and I hope comes up in the next book was Simon's investigation of Hawk's friend, Gideon. What was going on there?? I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
Faith and Hawk really had a rough road to a second chance. I can see Faith's side when she was angry that Hawk rejected her after sleeping with her but I can also see Hawk's side when he wished he would have known Faith was pregnant.
Even if Hawk wanted to get back with Faith, the fact that now she was not poor would be a huge obstacle to their HEA. How could Faith ever know if Hawk chose her for love not money?
I really enjoyed that they both had to work out their feelings from the past and how they could forgive each other. It is funny what Faith used to charm Hawk's mother and how she had such a turn around in her health. The only sad part of the book is that Hawk and Faith really could not claim Christina as their daughter and would always have to acknowledge her as their ward or she would bear the stigma of being born out of wedlock.
The book has such a depth of character and growth of a new relationship. It was great that Hawk worked to woo both Faith and Christina, and not expect them to automatically be a family. I loved that initially the issue of the dowry was not there so Faith knew that he married her for love not her money!
I loved that Hawk could overcome the past problems with his brother Simon and have a friendship with him. I also have to go back and re-read the story of his romance. Only thing that was not resolved and I hope comes up in the next book was Simon's investigation of Hawk's friend, Gideon. What was going on there?? I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
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