Lord Ares

Lords of the Masquerade #3

by Jade Lee

LORD OF WAR

He’ll fight for veterans, defend the poor, and give the shirt off his back, but he hasn’t got time for love. Aaron, Earl of Kittrel, is too busy governing England to find a wife. When a feisty fairy at his masquerade catches his attention, he’ll defend her honor, but he won’t marry her. And if he captures a kiss from her delectable lips, then it’s not enough to pull him from his duty. Or is it? Because he can’t stop thinking about her...

LADY OF SUBSTANCE

Lilah Rees defies categorization. Born illegitimate, she was raised as a lady. Trained to manage the most elevated of homes, she’s been dismissed by everyone with a pedigree. What could a famous Member of Parliament want with a bastard? Nothing but a kiss. So she turns her attention to forging her own way outside of the ton.

When the battle is for love, the one who surrenders wins. But who will lay down arms first? And whose heart will break wide open?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Regency Romance, Adult, Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Kathy Lyons.

A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.
To find all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com! And find out where you can meet her at: http://jadeleeauthor.com/appearances

Reviews

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and romantic, I found this love story generally well-written, but rather slow-moving in parts. Caught up in the entertainment at the annual masked ball, Lilah's attention was elsewhere and when accosted by a group of revelers it is the Earl of Kittrel, the man who sets her heart racing, who comes to her rescue. Lilah has worshipped him from afar for some time and is embarrassed when he rejects her offer. Although I enjoyed the third book in this series, I found the dialogue rather drawn out in parts. I also got frustrated with Aaron that it took him so long to see what was in front of him. However, I was glad that the story ended on a positive and happy note. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was focused on his role in parliament, trying to get a bill passed to help the poor veterans returned from war. So he was not necessarily looking for a wife.

She wanted to find a worthy husband, and he caught her eye. At the masquerade ball, their identities were hidden but she knew who he was and in a chance of fate, or at least rescue, she had his attention. Now she just had to convince him she would be a worthy wife!

A journey of two people who seem so different, but in the end, right for each other! Can they find a way?

Another great story by an author I love!

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the skills that the writer Exemplify in this story. I enjoyed how the writer pulled me into the story by well written synopsis of the story. I enjoyed the entertainment as well as the romance between the interesting couple. I thought that the book was easy to read. The drama was on occasion intense. The writer did a great job with the description of things. This gave me a better visual of the story while reading.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most poignant aspect of Jade Lee's story of Lord Ares involves the struggle of an earl's bastard daughter to find her place of comfort in the world. Acceptance and marriage into noble society as desired and expected by her father's family does not become a reality. What shall Lilah do with her life? She needs purpose and some way to support herself, or she will be the spinster living with and caring for her step-mother for the rest of her life. Lilah shows intelligence, organization, and some gutsy courage. She proposes to the man she loves and participates in a gaming challenge at a notorious gambling den, as well as tempting her love into a night of passion without commitment. I liked this heroine, but as with the other Lords of the Masquerade, Aaron did not draw me to liking him much. He had his moments, but he was so busy avoiding love relationships like his parents' terrible marriage that he actually became more and more like his father, a parliamentarian distanced by duty from family and friends. Several good secondary characters spiced up the story. The ending seemed somewhat abrupt and contrived to me. The intimate scenes satisfied without getting insensitive or gratuitous. I recommend this book to readers of historical romance who enjoy the story of a woman finding her place in the world.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jade Lee’s novel takes the reader deep into the world of aristocracy during a time when your parentage was one of the most valuable things you held.

Read full review in the 2021 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Ares by Jade Lee is a complicated romance in which the author attempts to make Regency people think like modern ones, which is not to say it wasn't highly entertaining. Aaron, the new Earl of Kittrel, and his sister live a chaotic life in London. He loves his sister Clara, and would never disrespect her by suggesting that her manner of managing his home was less than adequate, but it was. She had a new friend, Lilah Rees, whom he had met a year ago and been enthralled. In fact, he had left town determined to marry her. The he got to his parents' home and saw the disaster their mismatched marriage had been and discarded the thought. No love for him if this is where it led. Now a year later he is back in London and Lilah is often in his home. He wrote it off as lust. He would not act on it. He would not make her his mistress and could not make her his wife. Lilah was born illegitimate, out of love certainly, but still a by-blow. He father had brought her to his home when she was nine and his other children loved her and his wife came to love her. He wanted a noble marriage for her, but the men of the ton were not cooperating. She had determined he best bet was to open an agency that would provide servants to noble household, for a fee. As she shared that goal with her "mother," she was told to leave the house. She did and came directly to Clara, her friend. She discovered after some missteps that she loved her job. She could have a happy life without a husband.

This was a fun story. Stories of reluctant men always are. It is fun to see them twisting in the breeze. Lilah was a realist. If she couldn't have what she wanted, she'd find something else to want. Aaron couldn't get past what he thought he should do ever giving a thought to what was best. He hadn't recognized his mother for what she was, which would never changed despite the fact she loved him. He was letting everyone else control him, until he decided to wrest control from them all and give it to himself. It was an entertaining story with a slight appearance by Lady Dove-Lyon, which really just complicated things further. The characters were fully developed, with plenty of motivation for the ways they behaved. The plot was good and the pacing was excellent. It was all-in-all, an excellent read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Lord Ares by Dragonblade through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #lordares

[Katie Bogdan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Lord Ares, the third book in Jade Lee's Lords of the Masquerade Series, has got everything that a classic historical romance needs: lovers who can't be together, overbearing mothers, the requisite bluestocking, and a happily ever after. I did enjoy it, but found myself wishing that it just had a little bit more of everything. It felt a little tame for my taste and at points, I wished that the book was actually about the secondary romance with the hero's sister and the Scottish laird who is pursuing her as that seemed to be a lot more interesting. Even though this was more of a middle of the road read for me, I know that there are plenty of readers that will fall head over heels for Lilah and Aaron's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

[Missy Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

A wonderful historical romance with a feisty heroine and charming hero. I like that it was about a character born a bastard and how she moved beyond that in a society that put birth circumstances above all else.

[A Klue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm trying to convince myself to chalk this one up to "It's likely just me" and leave it at that, folks. But before darting off, I just got to say Aaron, the afraid to marry Lilah in particular and reluctant to love in general hero, was rather hard to root for. He doesn't really man up until almost the very end. That's likely why I found myself sort of hoping Lilah would leave for Scotland and pursue estranged relatives and another possible love interest. Would have done this gent some good to have had to pursue her further and grovel more.

Lilah..Lilah...Lilah. I'm not sure why you convinced yourself you were in love with this guy. You gave new meaning to wearing your heart on your sleeve and getting your heart stomped.

Things just kind of played out here leisurely and mostly not overly dramatic.

Title: Lord Ares, Series: Lords of the Masquerade (Book 3), Author: Jade Lee, Pages: 222, pub date: 5/27/21, afraid to marry her, reluctant to love hero, couple very graphic smex scenes, plays out rather uneventfully, gets her heart stomped on repeatedly, at times a doormat heroine, relationship angst.

Book 1 - Lord Lucifer
Book 2 - Lord Saytr
Book 3 - Lord Ares
Book 4 - Lord Scot

(I read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or compensated in any form for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or any PR firm.)

[Winnifred D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jade Lee is hit or miss for me, and this series unfortunately hasn't always highlighted her strengths. The template involves ambitious women entering the workforce during the Regency period, but her writing is most often at its best when she focuses on quirky characters and humor, not the staid protocols of business, government, and the ton. That said, there were things I liked about the previous entry in the series and was looking forward to this one. Lilah, an illegitmate daughter of nobility, was a sweet, engaging character in Lord Satyr and I wanted to follow her journey to her HEA. (This is also the last book in the series, so I had to see how things ended.)

Honestly, I wished she'd been paired with a different MC. Aaron is a prig through 90% of the plot. And that kills the book for me.

SPOILERS AHEAD............................................The story kicks off with Aaron lasciviously kissing Lilah at a party in front of the ton. She wants to marry; he turns her down flat, saying he doesn't love her. Nonetheless, his actions should have caused a big enough scandal for her brother to pressure him to marry her. But her ruination is strangely overlooked by her, the ton, and the rest of her family. Later, it's supposed to make Aaron seem noble that he approached her brother regarding the incident, but ultimately, Aaron does nothing more because he's too big of a snob to marry her. When they're intimate and she says several times that she loves him, he tells her that love isn't enough. Then he says that what they have together is lust, not love. He wants her, but doesn't want to besmirch himself by taking a mistress. When he finally does decide to privately propose, he mentions hiding her away in the country. Even when he has his Big Breakthrough and plans to publicly propose, he's worried that he might be embarrassed by a "by-blow" turning him down.

Ugh.

BTW, this book uses the terms "bastard" and "by-blow" way too frequently. It just makes me feel worse and worse for Lilah, who is barely able to climb out of the hole of her low self-esteem by the end of the book.

There are moments of humor that work, some heartfelt scenes with family and friends that should have come sooner than later, and, trying to break through the surface, there is an underlying theme about people's skills and abilities being more important than their titles. The steamy scenes aren't mechanical, which is impressive considering what a cold fish Aaron is. Also, I liked the tie-in with the Lyon's Den and was intrigued by the underworld angle. I also appreciated how the rift in Lilah and her non-biological mom's relationship is resolved--too many Regencies feature overly nasty mothers or fathers.

However, everything is wrapped up way too abruptly, without even an epilogue. And the HEA, as mentioned, is not convincing. It's a shame, because Lilah's a sympathetic character and there's an interesting plot that started to emerge involving her past. Maybe it will be mentioned in the first book in the new series?

Overall: I'll try Jade Lee's next series, but I wish this one had ended with more of a bang.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love makes you choose

Aaron is a staunch supporter for veterans and their well-being after the war! Lilah is a bastard and that is constantly mentioned about 101 times like ridiculous! Lilah is intelligent, beautiful and totally without pride! She says after constant rebuttals from Aaron she will find a barrister or merchant from her own class as it's not possible to marry in the Ton because you guessed it she's a Bastard!! (Roll my eyes)! But still pants after Aaron!
She can train servants, visit the Lyon Den (my absolute favorite) gamble away her inheritance and almost give her virtue but can't stop requesting multiple times if Aaron would just let her be his mistress no better than her mother!!!?? Ughhhhhh really as much pain she invokes because of her mother profession and her birth! Her half siblings support her and would have taken her in even though she "works"! I know in this time period it was frowned upon and made women subject to lewd proposals! Well none of that was needed as Lilah made plenty of her own! I felt like the relationship with Aaron wss almost forced as she couldn't keep her hands to herself and Aaron acted honorably several times! But then of course Aaron finally realizes his feelings and does it in a public way which didn't feel genuine as he constantly said from day1!! I am not looking for a wife I'm active in parliament to help the Veterans! Nothing is mentioned Aaron having any female entanglement with women of any nature until Lilah! There is another dramatic last minute twist to his proposal which felt less than genuine and of course they have a HEA even after Lilah has major choices!
The way she chased the man and bared her heart and body well persistence won the day! This one is okay! The 4 stars is for the brief detour through the Lyons Den! I love any of their stories and this alone is one of the most interesting parts of the story! Yes Clara gets her story next so maybe a brief detour as well through the Lyons Den??

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

I liked the h a lot. She was strong, loving, smart and had a mind for organization. She knew she was illegitimate, and Society never lets her forget either. I am always thankful I didn't live in this time period. Where Society looked down their noses if you were in trade or born on the wrong side of the blanket.

The H knows his duty and it certainly isn't marrying an illegitimate women. My feelings were all over the place on the him. Even though I understood he needed to form into the mold Society decreed, I still didn't like how long it took him to realize he was becoming his father.

The H's sister added humor to the story and hers is next in the series and I can't wait. I've already pre-ordered it. I've read the whole series and it is a stand alone. You do have cross over character's and would get more enjoyment if you read them all, but you wouldn't be lost if you don't.

Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 4 1/2 out of 5. Romance builds slowly which I liked. Also, parts of the story were unique so my rating reflected this.

Some suspenseful moments, twists and surprises. I'm a huge fan of the Dove-Lyon series written by various authors. I enjoyed our Mrs. Dove-Lyon and her Den had a small part in this story.

No cliffhanger, No cheating, interesting secondary character's, HEA and steam. (ljb)

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Ares by Jade Lee is one of my favorite historical of 2021. I had all the warm, happy feelings that I love from reading a historical romance. It has a strong plot with fun characters and interesting conflicts. I’m a new reader to Lee and I can’t wait to read more! Fantastic writing. Book worked well as a stand alone.

Lilah was born out of wedlock to her actress mother. Later adopted by her father and his family. Lilah wants to marry and has exceptional skill at organizing a household. Lilah is brave, kind and funny. I love that she isn’t a classic lady of the town and a much more nuanced character.

Lord Kittrel, Aaron, is learning to take his father’s place as an earl and in parliament. He is a genuinely good man and wants to help others. He can be slightly to disciplined at times but it adds to his depth of character. Aaron has an eccentric sister, Clara, who was my favorite in the book! She loves seances! Hoping her story is next!

If you love a romance with two people who think they shouldn’t be together and a super sexy more than kissing but not enough to marry scene.. this one is for you!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #LordAres #NetGalley #JadeLee

[Amanda Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Lord Ares is the third book in Jade Lee's Lords of the Masquerade is another winner. I really enjoyed the entire series and I'm happy to see a fourth is in the works.

Aaron and Lilah are quite different - he is a titled gentleman and she is a gentleman's illegitimate daughter. They meet at the masquerade and kiss and he resolves to marry her. One year later, he feels differently, there is no way he can marry a woman who won't further his political career and this is lust, not love. He irks me to no end with this ridiculous thinking.

Lilah has had it a bit rough. She was raised by her father and stepmother who has been good to her. But her stepmother believes she should stay home and grow old with her and take care of her. Lilah wants a husband, love and a family.

There are some steamy scenes between Lilah and Aaron. I really wanted him to be knocked down a peg or two for treating her almost as badly as others have in society. They are perfect for each other and totally deserve the happy ending that was finally to be theirs.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron and Lilah meet at a masquerade, when he rescues her from some drunken party goers. They are immediately taken with each other. When Aaron recognizes her, he realizes, or at least he believes he cannot marry her, even though she makes a great case for just that. Lilah is the illegitimate daughter of an earl, raised and educated in his household to be a lady. She has always felt like an outsider, not quite accepted by society. Aaron believes that he must marry a lady from his social status. Even when they begin to believe they love each other, he holds stubbornly to this idea. Aaron and Lilah are awesome characters and will make a wonderful couple if they can work through the uncertainties. Lady Clara and Lord Loughton were great secondary characters. This is an engaging story with equal doses of drama, emotion, and humor. How does it end? At a ball, of course, where there will two grand surprises for Lilah. A great addition to the series. I look forward to the next one.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is interesting - the first couple books I read by "Jade Lee" were at least partly about why women would want to work for their living. This one returns to that theme, and it does so in a sensitive way, that both raises problems for the protagonists and helps them to grow. They both have to change a lot over the course of the book.

I can't help but think, though, that the fashion for quick novels, rather than the baggy 1980s monsters, does this kind of story a disservice. There are operatic potentials in the content that the form smothers.

On the other hand, the novel does an excellent job at illustrating a real strength of the romance novel, as a genre: taking seriously the deeply stupid things people think are important, and through which they weave their personal identities and their understanding of the world. A good novel, I think, manages to take those things seriously, and take the people seriously, while walking them through the steps they must take to change their mindset.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book of the “Lords of Masquerade” series and the best of the series. I enjoyed watching Lord Ares otherwise known as Aaron, Earl of Kittrel, as he finally realizes what really matters in life. It took him a bit but he does get it right eventually, watching his character growth through the realization made for a fun read.

Then there is our heroine Lilah Rees — a woman who knows what she wants but like her Earl it takes her a bit to get her HEA. It still amazes me that children born out of wedlock were once thought of as “lesser individuals” yet an aristocrat man taking a mistress was almost expected. I mean, hello…sounds about right, along with the concept of women being a mans property. But I digress.

Overall, I am glad that Aaron and Lilah got their HEA - even if it was at the end of the book. Now I can’t wait to read the next book where we will finally get to see what’s up with Lord Laughton and Miss Clara —

4 Stars ⭐️ | 3.5 Flames 🔥

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron, Earl of Kittrel fights for veterans, defends the poor, and will give the shirt off his back, but he hasn’t got time for love. When a feisty fairy at his masquerade catches his attention, he’ll defend her honour, but he won’t marry her. Lilah Rees born illegitimate, she was raised as a lady. Trained to manage the most elevated of homes, she’s been dismissed by everyone with a pedigree.
This is the third book in the series about three lords who hold a masquerade party. A well written entertaining book with strong characters, I really like Both Aaron & Lilah & loved how their relationship grew & developed, I also liked some secondary characters & was routing for them too. I found myself engrossed in the story & read into the night to finish it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[maluactress · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️Lord Ares is a solid historical romance read with characters that you can’t help but like. Both Aaron, Lord Kittrel, and Lilah are genuinely good people that care about making a difference in the world. I enjoyed their moments together and loved how they found their HEA. The math challenge scene was fun to read and was captivating. I would have enjoyed more character development of Aaron’s sister, Clara, though. It would have also been more engaging to read more of her budding relationship with her Scottish Lord.

Did I enjoy the book? Yes.

Did I love it? Eh. I liked it!

Will I read more in this series? A strong maybe.

Do I recommend this one? Sure - it’s an easy read with likable characters.

In summation, give Lord Ares a try and enjoy!

*I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#LordAres #Netgalley

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron and Lilah. She is illegitimate and he has political aspirations. She knows she wants him and he has all the feels for her but consistently tells her that he can't marry her because of her parentage. But he can't stay away. Giving up on finding a husband in the peerage she decides to go another route and start up a employee placement office and train people to be house staff. She goes to the Lyon's Den and wagers against a peer in a battle of mathematics. On a technicality she loses but spends the night with Aaron (still walks away with her virtue). Falling in love with her he decides he wants to marry her but when he asks she tells him no because she's decided on a different life and doesn't want to be his little secret hidden away. He does a proposal in front of the entire ton at a ball to show that he wants everyone to know about her and their love for each other.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this set of three (so far) inside out. By title it’s connected by the heroes, three young friends destined to be earls. Their relationship seems more casual than many one meets in the historical romance world. They also are connected through the family of sisters and half sister who will be their heroines. And lastly common to all are the dismal marriages that spawned them. Apparently no one was happy in the parents’ generation and we have five damaged peers and one by blow to show for it. Oh well. We do end up with HEAs for all and a pending new generation despite the advanced anti marriage thoughts that are espoused by 4 out of 6 along the way. You have to wonder—how long will this happiness last.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has such great characters. I was excited for Lilah to have her happy ever after. She definitely had to work hard for it. Not only were the main characters enjoyable, but side characters as well. I would enjoy reading Clara and Loughton's story.
Lilah didn't feel like she fit in anywhere except when she was with Aaron. Aaron felt he needed to be perfect for parliament and didn't want his life to be like his parents. Them coming together was such a loving and entertaining story.
This book can be read alone, but I recommend the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an honest review.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bastard born Lilah Rees was raised in her father’s house as a lady with her siblings, but society sees her only as illegitimate and not worthy of their time. At the yearly mask ball she falls for Lord Ares aka Aaron, Earl of Kittrel but he rejects her offer. It’s interesting to see his sister take her under her wing. Then Aaron see Lilah’s worth in her teaching his sister about managing a household, but not as wife. An enchanting story of a man who doesn’t immediately see what a gem Lilah is, he’s not ready to settle down, but Lilah is a woman hard to ignore and love takes time as he sees she’s perfect for him. I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book filled romance.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even as mere acquaintances, Aaron and Lilah sense that they could easily fall in love. But as an earl, his ambitions require he have a political wife. Polite society will never accept illegitimate Lilah. To avoid a state of dependency, she strikes out to start a business. But what happens when Aaron can’t forget the beautiful, independent woman who’s stolen his heart?

I love the Lords of the Masquerade series, and this book doesn’t disappoint. The characters were original and fun, and really drove the story. It’s a bit of a romp, with Aaron‘s sister Clara adding humor and whimsy.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this first book for me from Jade Lee. Lilah, the illegitimate daughter of an nobleman and an honorable to a fault Earl. She feels isolated, neither commoner or aristocrat, and only wants a place to belong and real love. He is concerned for the welfare of the country and his position. I felt for LIlah at her frustrations in knowing this man loved her but he keeps denying her.

This story moved slowly, and there was a large cast of characters, but all seem to fit into place and we get a satisfying if not a bit too perfect HEA.

Looking forward to Clara’s story.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one. I liked the idea of it, but Lilah frustrated me a lot. She sees this guy at a masquerade and expects him to marry her after spending a little bit of time with her. Sees him again a year later and asks again. Acknowledges the social strata problem but then tells him he's the worst of them all because he won't marry her, then a chapter or two later thinks, this is a man I can trust. Like I said, frustrating. But also, seems really unrealistic to the point that it brought me out of the story. Overall, not a series I will be continuing.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

💗💗💗💗
💋💋

Lilah and Arron are the third couple to meet as a result a Masquerade, which is the setting for this series.

It's enjoyable and amusing in parts, the two are good strong characters as are their friends, this makes for a more addictive read .
The settings are interesting and the whole book was one I think I would probably read again .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post a review

[Ladye Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Ares

An unusual story of a by blow of a gentleman, who brought his daughter to live with his wife and their children, and a young man who became an Earl and was a member of the House of Lords. Their varied expectations as compounded by the manner in which they were raised, gave them many quandaries in deciding how they should live their respective lives and find love. Found this novel very interesting; was able to read in one sitting.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilah Rees meets Aaron at a ball and proposes. She wants a home and family, he thinks love is a trap. This is a nice end to the Lords of the Masquerade. Both are great characters with strong opinions. Their trip to a HEA is full of fun moments, tension, romance and a story line that includes previous characters in the series.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron, the Earl of Kittrel wants to work for the veterans and the good of the country. He needs the right wife to be able to do that he thinks. He meets Lilah Rees at a masquerade. She is in love with him at their first meet. She worries about the fact she is a bastard, maybe more than others worry about that. Aaron is afraid to marry for love. Can they find a happy life?