What do you think?
Rate this book
Beastly Lords #1
Lord Desesperado (Lores Malditos nº 1)
Desde la exuberante campiña inglesa hasta la resplandeciente sociedad del Londres victoriano, lord Desesperado pensó que había dejado lo peor en la jungla birmana. ¡Pero estaba equivocado!
¿Cómo puede un hombre abrazar su derecho de nacimiento cuando no puede salir de su dormitorio?
Lord Simon Devere regresa de la guerra de Birmania, perseguido por recuerdos vívidos e incapaz de reconocer los sueños de la realidad.
¿Cómo puede una joven inteligente mantener a su familia después de que su padre muere endeudado?
Jenny Blackwood está decidida a no dejar que su madre y sus hermanas sucumban a un destino cruel. Con el pretexto de ser un contable, pronto adquiere un cliente inesperado.
Un aristócrata dañado y un peligro disfrazado...
Con las arcas de la propiedad misteriosamente menguando, Jenny va donde otros temen pisar, a la habitación oscura del inestable conde. Un peligro aún mayor les aguarda a ambos, ¡pero la mayor amenaza para Jenny puede ser el mismísimo lord Desesperado!
Personajes atractivos, una perfecta ambientación y romance apasionado con un toque de intriga: todo lo encontrará en las historias de Sydney Jane Baily, autora de éxitos de ventas en USA Today.
¿Cómo puede un hombre abrazar su derecho de nacimiento cuando no puede salir de su dormitorio?
Lord Simon Devere regresa de la guerra de Birmania, perseguido por recuerdos vívidos e incapaz de reconocer los sueños de la realidad.
¿Cómo puede una joven inteligente mantener a su familia después de que su padre muere endeudado?
Jenny Blackwood está decidida a no dejar que su madre y sus hermanas sucumban a un destino cruel. Con el pretexto de ser un contable, pronto adquiere un cliente inesperado.
Un aristócrata dañado y un peligro disfrazado...
Con las arcas de la propiedad misteriosamente menguando, Jenny va donde otros temen pisar, a la habitación oscura del inestable conde. Un peligro aún mayor les aguarda a ambos, ¡pero la mayor amenaza para Jenny puede ser el mismísimo lord Desesperado!
Personajes atractivos, una perfecta ambientación y romance apasionado con un toque de intriga: todo lo encontrará en las historias de Sydney Jane Baily, autora de éxitos de ventas en USA Today.
537 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2018
867 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Jane Baily
60 books185 followersUSA Today bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily writes historical romance with engaging characters, attention to period detail, and sensual romance ~ often with a touch of intrigue. Amazon page: author.to/SydneyJaneBaily
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 11, 2025
Read: 9/11/25
Setting: Victorian England
Trope: PTSD solider, second chances
3.0 stars
The slow beginning and slow romance made this a tough read! The plot deals with the H's bad PTSD and with some missing money. Simon spends the majority of the book trying to deal with his violent nightmares. Strangely, Jenny seems to be the only one who can calm him down. Soon, a friendship develops between the pair and then love. Once the couple marries, the story improves significantly! I really enjoyed the last half, even if it was clean.
Conclusion:
The book was well written, and the characters were well developed. Unfortunately, the slow beginning ruined some of my enjoyment of the 2nd half.
Setting: Victorian England
Trope: PTSD solider, second chances
3.0 stars
The slow beginning and slow romance made this a tough read! The plot deals with the H's bad PTSD and with some missing money. Simon spends the majority of the book trying to deal with his violent nightmares. Strangely, Jenny seems to be the only one who can calm him down. Soon, a friendship develops between the pair and then love. Once the couple marries, the story improves significantly! I really enjoyed the last half, even if it was clean.
Conclusion:
The book was well written, and the characters were well developed. Unfortunately, the slow beginning ruined some of my enjoyment of the 2nd half.
February 1, 2019
Good book
It started out strong but kind of lagged towards the end. The heroine was wonderful. I loved her pragmatism and her intelligence. The Hero was a sad man but he did love the h. I hated when he pushed her away because of his sleeping problem.
He had been held in a cell with his cousin Tobias in Burma for two years. His cousin is killed and he is haunted by what he saw. He hasn't left his room until A young lady, the h shows up to help one day with his niece and nephew. She brings
It started out strong but kind of lagged towards the end. The heroine was wonderful. I loved her pragmatism and her intelligence. The Hero was a sad man but he did love the h. I hated when he pushed her away because of his sleeping problem.
He had been held in a cell with his cousin Tobias in Burma for two years. His cousin is killed and he is haunted by what he saw. He hasn't left his room until A young lady, the h shows up to help one day with his niece and nephew. She brings
December 1, 2022
Kept me interested the whole way, though the pacing was uneven and the story traveled in rolling waves instead of an arc. I very much liked the characters and I thought Simon’s mental and emotional struggles were well described. My emotional investment in the characters took a nosedive after Jenny climbed into bed with Simon a second time knowing what could happen and then he was extraordinarily mean to her (to protect her, of course, insert eye roll here) and disappeared without a word for three months. Still, I cared enough to hang in to the end.
A good read but not a great one.
A good read but not a great one.
dnf
April 27, 2020Audio 5 Stars
Story dnf @46%
Story dnf @46%
December 18, 2018
This was a good book with the potential to be way better. I do appreciate that while the heroine was able to pull the hero out of his self-imposed isolation (he had major PTSD after being a POW for years in the jungle), the heroine was not expected to "fix" the hero. The hero actually found a professional to treat him.
HOWEVER...I think the book started to go awry halfway through. And the drama/tension around the climax/resolution was a big turn off for me, and utterly contrived. The hero, deciding rightfully that his violent nightmares were a major issue and impediment to their marriage and happiness, decided to resolve it by bringing up divorce and then disappearing on Jenny for months while he was seeing a doctor on the continent for his PTSD. Jenny was left to wonder what happened to her husband, where was he at, if or when he would he return, etc. I thought that was absolute bullcrap to be honest. I could not conceive of a situation where a couple who cared for each other would play out a scenario like this. What was the harm in her husband letting her know he was getting treatment and where he was at?
I liked Simon and Jenny, they had good chemistry, their interactions were a joy to read, and the beginning of the book was great. But I felt really frustrated by the unnecessary contrived drama and how the story began to drag about midway though. By the end I was more than ready to move on from this couple.
HOWEVER...I think the book started to go awry halfway through. And the drama/tension around the climax/resolution was a big turn off for me, and utterly contrived. The hero, deciding rightfully that his violent nightmares were a major issue and impediment to their marriage and happiness, decided to resolve it by bringing up divorce and then disappearing on Jenny for months while he was seeing a doctor on the continent for his PTSD. Jenny was left to wonder what happened to her husband, where was he at, if or when he would he return, etc. I thought that was absolute bullcrap to be honest. I could not conceive of a situation where a couple who cared for each other would play out a scenario like this. What was the harm in her husband letting her know he was getting treatment and where he was at?
I liked Simon and Jenny, they had good chemistry, their interactions were a joy to read, and the beginning of the book was great. But I felt really frustrated by the unnecessary contrived drama and how the story began to drag about midway though. By the end I was more than ready to move on from this couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
An initially interesting story which dribbles away tension [and interest] in episodic stages by solving problems too quickly, then dashing off to the next, then the next, each less interesting than the last, and finally boring.
May 10, 2020
I really enjoyed it. I rate it 4.5 stars and averaged down as the financial aspect was oddly resolved. The PTSD seemed realistic. I don't know if the treatment was being used during the Victorian era.
February 27, 2019
Started out fine, but then I got bored.
February 4, 2020
This was a great story, except for a lot of the middle. The part where Simon went to Germany for help with his PTSD was too long and drawn out. No way did it have to be 404 pages. BUT the first part of the book made up for the parts that got a little boring.
I thought Simon and Jenny were wonderful, as was Jenny’s mother and 3 sisters, as well as Lord Cambrey. BUT Ned was a real ass and so was Simon’s uncle.
I have to say, it was different that the hero was quick to tell Jenny of his brutal nightmares. Instead of a hero keeping them secret, as if he’s ashamed of them. I think that’s what made the book so much better. I hate when things like that are going on in a book and as I read I just keep telling the hero “tell her, for pete’s sake.” So annoying.
Okay! One reviewer said there wasn’t enough sex! Jeez, do some readers just read for the sex? There was plenty of sexual tension and lots of necking, petting, feeling and kissing that went on throughout the book. The only thing you didn’t read about was the screwing. It was not full of sex. There was just enough of everything, IMO.
As to the narration: You don’t get much better than Tim Campbell. He’s a wonderful narrator.
March 16, 2020
2.5 stars. Pretty meh. Lord Despair is ‘healed’ too quickly, and there’s a whole lotta instalove going around. Probably won’t read any more of this series.
November 18, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Absolutely brilliant, loved every page, word and phrase .
The characters were so well thought out and the story was riveting.
Can’t wait to read more rom this author.
In this story our Lord Devere suffers from PTSD after being imprisoned , and witnessing the death of his cousin.
The only one who seems to be able to help him is Jenny , originally visiting him to sort his finances.
The two click , but I won’t say more , and there is so much more to this book .
The adventure is far from over with these two as their relationship flourishes and they move from country to town, and the ton get their claws out .
Other characters include Cam , Lord Devere’s best friend ,and Maggie, Jenny’s sister .
These two are so geared up for their own story .
This is one you really don’t want to miss .
I look forward to Cams story soon .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
💋💋
Absolutely brilliant, loved every page, word and phrase .
The characters were so well thought out and the story was riveting.
Can’t wait to read more rom this author.
In this story our Lord Devere suffers from PTSD after being imprisoned , and witnessing the death of his cousin.
The only one who seems to be able to help him is Jenny , originally visiting him to sort his finances.
The two click , but I won’t say more , and there is so much more to this book .
The adventure is far from over with these two as their relationship flourishes and they move from country to town, and the ton get their claws out .
Other characters include Cam , Lord Devere’s best friend ,and Maggie, Jenny’s sister .
These two are so geared up for their own story .
This is one you really don’t want to miss .
I look forward to Cams story soon .
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review
December 23, 2019
H has PTSD, he's stuck in a never ending loop, until the h helps him to find a way forward. He recovers at first, but soon realises he's not cured. I didn't like that he just left the h, but it was understandable. Liked the h, she's smart, practical and almost too nice. I liked this book, but thought the financial issues were overly complex, and didn't quite feel resolved.
November 10, 2020
DNF at 56%. The beginning was interesting, but then it lagged. The romance was luke warm and I kept hoping it would become more because there was something there, but it always fell flat. I decided to give up when I realized this was all it was ever going to be.
May 3, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed Baily's book Lord Despair. Not going to go into the plot, but I do like that she tied up all the loose ends (and there were a few). I listened to the narrated version, read by Tim Campbell. I'll admit to searching for a book on Audible with a male narrator and this was the first to come up, so I downloaded it on a chance, but I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I stayed up late last night to finish it!
I'm giving the story 5 stars, but the narration 4 (even though I probably shouldn't rate the narration here) because the narrator seemed to speed up as the story went along. It didn't bother me enough not to continue listening...more like something I became aware of as the story progressed.
I'm off to download the next one in the series!
I'm giving the story 5 stars, but the narration 4 (even though I probably shouldn't rate the narration here) because the narrator seemed to speed up as the story went along. It didn't bother me enough not to continue listening...more like something I became aware of as the story progressed.
I'm off to download the next one in the series!
February 10, 2020
FREE today on Amazon.
February 11, 2019
A beastly disappointment?
I feel cheated. This novel was rife with multiple winding plots that failed to deliver. Was there to be a continuation of sorts? No, not Lord Cambry's story, which I will gladly avoid for fear of dispepsia. The only reason this book received a two instead of a one was because the romance plot was actually a delightful story, and the heroin and hero were rather sweet. But i wasted hours of contemplation on characters and story lines that were dead ends. It feels like I was in a maze with faux paths to mislead me from finding my way out. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement. The resolution of the nightmares was so underwhelming, the explanation for the discrepancies was so blase and pat. There was so much good raw material in this story that could have made it interesting. It was as if the author reached a word limit and instead of revising the entire plot to conform, she just ended the story abruptly.
I would not recommend this novel.
I feel cheated. This novel was rife with multiple winding plots that failed to deliver. Was there to be a continuation of sorts? No, not Lord Cambry's story, which I will gladly avoid for fear of dispepsia. The only reason this book received a two instead of a one was because the romance plot was actually a delightful story, and the heroin and hero were rather sweet. But i wasted hours of contemplation on characters and story lines that were dead ends. It feels like I was in a maze with faux paths to mislead me from finding my way out. To say that I'm disappointed is an understatement. The resolution of the nightmares was so underwhelming, the explanation for the discrepancies was so blase and pat. There was so much good raw material in this story that could have made it interesting. It was as if the author reached a word limit and instead of revising the entire plot to conform, she just ended the story abruptly.
I would not recommend this novel.
November 25, 2018
This book had promise, and it had moments of levity that actually made my laugh, but it lacked tension between the H/h, and the one sex scene I read was over in a sentence. There should have been more push-pull before they declared their love for one another.
It fell flat.
--Shannon
It fell flat.
--Shannon
March 28, 2019
A nice vacation read.
July 14, 2019
This book is dull.
November 20, 2018
Prepare to be pulled into this well written story that captures the essence of a wounded hero and the demons he fights. Lord Simon Devere is in a dark place, literally, when he is unable to sleep due to the nightmares he has since he returned home from the Burmese war. He has what we call today PTSD and can only sit in the dark trying to tell himself he is home in England and needs to take up his responsibilities.
Jenny is desperate in her own way, needing to earn a living to help her mother and sisters. Using a man's name she is a skilled bookkeeper and obtains Simon as a client, the one they call Lord Despair.
As she starts to do the books, she ventures into the dark room of the earl. Thus the story takes off and somehow it seems Jenny might get through to Simon. But can she bring him back to himself?
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was totally enthralled with this book. My favorite trope is the damaged hero, because I always love to see them be redeemed and find their happy ever after. I cannot wait to read more by this author and in this series!!
Jenny is desperate in her own way, needing to earn a living to help her mother and sisters. Using a man's name she is a skilled bookkeeper and obtains Simon as a client, the one they call Lord Despair.
As she starts to do the books, she ventures into the dark room of the earl. Thus the story takes off and somehow it seems Jenny might get through to Simon. But can she bring him back to himself?
This is the first book I have read by this author and I was totally enthralled with this book. My favorite trope is the damaged hero, because I always love to see them be redeemed and find their happy ever after. I cannot wait to read more by this author and in this series!!
September 17, 2019
Lord Despair is book one in The Beastly Lords series by Sydney Jane Baily. I have to say that I feel I have discovered a treasure in Baily’s writing. She tackles tough issues and layers her characters with vulnerable depths. I think I fell in love with the hero Lord Simon Devere. Plagued by PTSD, he is a man wracked with pain, and yet he has a gentle, loving side too. Jenny Blackwood is a wonderful heroine - compassionate and wise. I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait to read the rest in this series.
December 9, 2022
⭐4.5⭐
Una linda historia, donde se encuentra además de romance, su cuota de intriga. Eso hizo que la historia me atrapara. Me agradó como se da el encuentro entre los protas y como se va desarrollando su relación y sentimientos.
Es la primera vez que leo a la autora y la he disfrutado! 📚💖
Una linda historia, donde se encuentra además de romance, su cuota de intriga. Eso hizo que la historia me atrapara. Me agradó como se da el encuentro entre los protas y como se va desarrollando su relación y sentimientos.
Es la primera vez que leo a la autora y la he disfrutado! 📚💖
April 26, 2022
DNF 33% I very much enjoy this trope but not when modern sensibilities are masquerading as being in any way the male and female MCs would ever dream of behaving in the Victorian era the story is set in.
April 17, 2020
It's Okay
It's not very steamy. In fact, it's all so proper that one becomes rather bored by it. The antagonists aren't very threatening, the hero is too nice as is the heroine. It's rather sedate.
It's not very steamy. In fact, it's all so proper that one becomes rather bored by it. The antagonists aren't very threatening, the hero is too nice as is the heroine. It's rather sedate.
March 17, 2020
My 5 thoughts:
1. I cringed inside so badly whenever Jenny called her mum 'mummy'.
2. Simon disappears to the continent for months without a word. Forgiven in the space of a page ...
3. Just all a bit drawn out and lacking in any real emotion.
4. Just not a fan of the writing style. It didn't feel particularly period accurate either.
5. I'd have punched that Ned in the nose. Annoying character with next to no purpose for the plot.
1. I cringed inside so badly whenever Jenny called her mum 'mummy'.
2. Simon disappears to the continent for months without a word. Forgiven in the space of a page ...
3. Just all a bit drawn out and lacking in any real emotion.
4. Just not a fan of the writing style. It didn't feel particularly period accurate either.
5. I'd have punched that Ned in the nose. Annoying character with next to no purpose for the plot.
November 23, 2018
Love
I enjoyed reading this story about
Simon Devere, seventh Earl of Lindsey. Simon and his cousin Tobias were best friends and did so many things together. They both led troops in Burma and were held captives together. Simon also watched Tobias killed because he asked for another sip of water. After two long years Simon was given his freedom and sent home. Now he is living a nightmare in his dark bedroom.
About a mile away lives the Blackwood family. The Baron Lucien Blackwood died with a lot of debt. His wife and three daughters moved to live in their country cottage in Sheffield. The oldest daughter,Jenny was great with numbers and bookkeeping. Maggie was good at teaching French to the children of Tobias Devere.
Jenny helps Maggie one day and she meets Simon. After that different people and events start happening and she helps Simon with getting out of his room. Through Jenny helping with the bookkeeping Simon finds out the some funds are not adding up right.
To really get the best out of this book would be to read it and enjoy it. I certainly did and can’t wait until another.book is published!!
I enjoyed reading this story about
Simon Devere, seventh Earl of Lindsey. Simon and his cousin Tobias were best friends and did so many things together. They both led troops in Burma and were held captives together. Simon also watched Tobias killed because he asked for another sip of water. After two long years Simon was given his freedom and sent home. Now he is living a nightmare in his dark bedroom.
About a mile away lives the Blackwood family. The Baron Lucien Blackwood died with a lot of debt. His wife and three daughters moved to live in their country cottage in Sheffield. The oldest daughter,Jenny was great with numbers and bookkeeping. Maggie was good at teaching French to the children of Tobias Devere.
Jenny helps Maggie one day and she meets Simon. After that different people and events start happening and she helps Simon with getting out of his room. Through Jenny helping with the bookkeeping Simon finds out the some funds are not adding up right.
To really get the best out of this book would be to read it and enjoy it. I certainly did and can’t wait until another.book is published!!
January 6, 2020
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. At times it was quite sad though. Lord Simon Devere was held captive for two years in a Burmese cell and saw his cousin brutally slain. His sleep is haunted by his memories and he does not know what is real anymore, thus being dubbed Lord Despair.
Jenny Blackwood is a bookkeeper who is determined to not let her mother and sisters end up without a home. Simon's butler hires Jenny, or rather "Mr. Cavendish", to look over the estates ledger's.
Jenny finds missing entries and that the money is mysteriously dwindling. Jenny gives her findings to the estate and assumes she is done.
She is surprised when they want her to come to the estate and go over all the ledgers. She encounters Simon during one visit and when he asks her to come visit him again a friendship starts to form.
Can Jenny and Simon overcome his fears? Or will Jenny be in danger from Lord Despair?
I really enjoyed this book. At times it was quite sad though. Lord Simon Devere was held captive for two years in a Burmese cell and saw his cousin brutally slain. His sleep is haunted by his memories and he does not know what is real anymore, thus being dubbed Lord Despair.
Jenny Blackwood is a bookkeeper who is determined to not let her mother and sisters end up without a home. Simon's butler hires Jenny, or rather "Mr. Cavendish", to look over the estates ledger's.
Jenny finds missing entries and that the money is mysteriously dwindling. Jenny gives her findings to the estate and assumes she is done.
She is surprised when they want her to come to the estate and go over all the ledgers. She encounters Simon during one visit and when he asks her to come visit him again a friendship starts to form.
Can Jenny and Simon overcome his fears? Or will Jenny be in danger from Lord Despair?
March 1, 2021
I read the series of the sweet shop ladies getting husbands, so I knew this would be another good one.
I like that things don’t always follow the same formula for her, but yet it felt a little like it did. But with the PTSD, it did make sense for an expert, but still...
Like that she doesn’t just put in a little between the characters but has more going on, too. Makes it a richer story.
I like that things don’t always follow the same formula for her, but yet it felt a little like it did. But with the PTSD, it did make sense for an expert, but still...
Like that she doesn’t just put in a little between the characters but has more going on, too. Makes it a richer story.
December 6, 2025
Lost me halfway through
It's not the first time I read an HR with a hero suffering from PTSD, but the story was original. I just didn't love it.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
It's not the first time I read an HR with a hero suffering from PTSD, but the story was original. I just didn't love it.
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
March 20, 2019
An astounding historical romance that gives its hero a horrible case of PTSD and its heroine a head for numbers.
Read full review in the 2019 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews