Le Dernier Fils du Duc

The Lost Lords of Pembrook #3

by Lorraine Heath, Catherine Berthet (Translator)

Only one woman can break through his heart of stone...

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright...

Lord Rafe Easton may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Audiobook, Adult

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Also writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.

Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."​​​​​​​

She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.

When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.

Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including ​​​​​​​USA TODAY and the New York Times.

The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.

Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal r​​omance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.

Reviews

[Viri · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Dios mío! Es que no tengo palabras... ¡me ha encantado!

Les prometo que mientras lo leía internamente pensaba "este es un 5 estrellas seguro" y así seguí hasta el final. Donde me dije " si no tiene epílogo voy a matar a la autora" pero lo tuvo y fue tan bonito, tan liberador. Uffff ahorita no creo poder hacer una reseña objetiva porque en mis ojos solo hay corazones.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sin embargo, por un fugaz instante, se le ocurrió que, si pudiera comprar un corazón para Evelyn, lo haría.

Amo a Rafe, su oscuridad, su tormento, su todo. Es que este hombre se creía una persona sin corazón cuando lo tenía más grande que todos. Y lo amo más por lo que vivió, padeció y perdió.
En cierta forma siempre tuve el pensamiento constante de que Rafe es TODO lo que yo buscaba en el Rhys Winterborne de la Kleypas. Es tosco, desconfiado, oscuro, despiadado y ambicioso. Ha superado muchas cosas en su vida, todo a cambio de su corazón.
Rafe sabe que no puede amar, nada le importa porque si nada importa, entonces nada duele.

—¿Y si te roba el corazón?
—Primero tendría que encontrarlo.

Cuando leí el libro iba con muy bajas expectativas. Definitivamente era la peor serie que leí de la autora hasta el momento. El primer libro lo terminé a fuerza de voluntad y El Segundo lo leí porque odio dejar series empezadas. Así que comprenderán que dudaba demasiado sobre si comprar o no este libro. Al final lo hice y no me arrepiento.

Si, hubo algunos detallitos, como el que Eve fuera en exceso inocente y tontilla a veces pero es que es de ley... si te enamoras es 5 estrellas. Y yo lo hice, estoy total y completamente enamorada de Rafe Easton. ❤️

(Inserten emojis con cara de corazones)

Que sí, que ha sido el mejor en muuuuuuucho tiempo. Al menos en cuanto a romance histórico se refiere. Porque siendo sincera hace mucho que un libro no me hacía sentir tan a gusto leyéndolo y sufriéndolo. Cuando amas un género y te has leído tantos libros del mismo, (como yo en romance histórico) empiezas a ser más crítica y quisquillosa. Por eso, la sorpresa que me he llevado con este libro merece quizás esa última estrellita.

—Si fuera de los que escupen poesía —comentó él al fin—. La escupiría por ti.

Ay! Mi corazón...

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord of Wicked Intentions wraps up Lorraine Heath’s The Lost Lords of Pembrook trilogy with Rafe’s story, and what a poignant, romantic, passionate, beautifully told story is it!

From the Cover:

Lord Rafe Easton may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

I haven’t read the first two books – yet – but I can’t imagine either of Rafe’s brothers had a harder life than he did. The youngest of the three at the time, he was left at a workhouse while his brothers went off to do what they had to do in order to return to Pembrook one day and reclaim their inheritance. Workhouses were horrid places and my heart broke for Rafe as we learn some of what he had to endure, just to survive the years spent waiting for his brothers return.

I adore Rafe – the boy he was, and the man he became. And Evelyn – Evie – what a wonderful woman she is! Strong, loving, compassionate… the kind of woman I would want to be, living in her era. One of my favorite “quotes” comes from Evie, and speaks to her determination to not just survive, but to live.

He had revealed only bits and pieces of himself but she was beginning to gain a sense of the whole. Like her, he had been left with no one to see after him. But he had managed to make himself into a successful man. He had not relied on his heritage, but on himself. He was to be admired.

Perhaps someday she would meet a man who would respect her for doing what she had needed to in order to survive.

As I said, I did read this story first, and I can tell you it does work well on its own. That said, I’m so intrigued by Sebastian’s and Tristan’s stories, that I immediately purchased their books and will be reading them soon. If you haven’t yet purchased Lord of Wicked Intentions, or even if you have, grab She Tempts the Duke and Lord of Temptation too, so you can read them all in order. And don’t forget the charming Christmas novella, Deck the Halls With Love.

The bottom line: Lorraine Heath is a truly talented writer and one of my few go-to authors when I need a guaranteed feel good story. Her characters are always amazing people with such an incredible capacity for love, whether giving it or receiving it, whether deserved or not. Though, in the end, their happily ever afters are hard fought, and always deserved.

My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Pepa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
Me ha gustado mucho!!!! Creo que es el mejor... puro ejemplo de que una historia de lo más tipica, puede ser una buena novela con un buen ritmo y unos buenos personajes.
Mi problema es que el final es tan tan tan precipitado que me ha dejado en estado de shock, eso no me ha gustadonada y le ha restado una estrellita a la novela. ç
La autora tenía demasiados frentes abiertos, tres, para ser concretos y los cierra todos en apenas 10 hojas. Eso no se hace!!!
Tema aparte es Rafe... admito que me esperaba un personaje totalmente diferente y tanto repetir que es malo, malote, cuando en realidad es un trozo de pan jajaja. Sí, ha hecho cosas muy malas, pero las explica tan de puntilla que casi no te das cuenta.
No quiero desvelar más de lo que debiera, así que sobre el trauma tampoco comentaré mucho. Me esperaba también algo distinto, más típico así que ese giro sí me ha gustado
La relación entre ellos me ha gustado. Prácticamente la novela se centra en su relación y, pese a que él pretende que sea fría, lo cierto es que está llena de pequeños detalles que enamoran
Una lectura muy recomendable, rabia ese final !!!
Esta autora me gusta!!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW for child abuse

If you want a dark and brooding hero, you're going to love Rafe. I was so excited to get to his book because he was definitely the most serious of the brothers and the one who was the most closed off. Evelyn is in a very bad situation where her father dies and her brother decides to sell her off to the highest bidder. Evelyn thinks she's being sold as a wife, but she's really being sold off as a mistress. Rafe immediately feels protective over Evelyn and decides to buy her and bring her home. I loved their connection and the development of their romance. Rafe is so protective over her and won't let anyone hurt her. He starts opening up about his childhood and relationship with his brothers and it was just so good! Such a great conclusion to this series!

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lorraine Heath brings her Lost Lords of Pembrook series to a satisfying conclusion with this emotive, romantic and passionate story.

How I imagine Lord Rafe Easton…


Nothing touched him, nothing bothered him. Nothing mattered.

I have been waiting for Rafe’s story and I knew it would be angsty. He was only ten years old, the youngest and most vulnerable of the three brothers who escaped that night and the one with the deepest emotional scars. His experiences have left him reclusive, cold and cynical; a man who cares for nothing or no one; a man with dark secrets he has never shared with anyone.

He’d been unable to stop thinking about her since he’d first seen her. She invaded his dreams, inhabited his thoughts, occupied his mind.

I loved watching Rafe trying so hard to deny his feelings for Eve when everything he does reveals just how much he really cares. He takes steps to return the sapphire necklace that her father bought her for her nineteenth birthday and her father’s portrait to her. He always refuses to use his title but refers to himself as Lord Rafe Easton to get the respect Eve deserves from Madame Charmaine, the dressmaker. He never attends balls but is willing to take Eve to his brother’s ball simply because she wants to dance. Hardly the actions of a man who doesn’t care!

How I imagine Evelyn (Eve) Chambers…


She possessed a determination, a strength of will that would have had her finding a way to avoid the rookeries.

Eve was so naïve and vulnerable at first having been protected from the harsher realities of life by her father. After her initial distress, I admired her for coming to terms with the reality of her situation and it was satisfying to watch her grow in strength, confidence and determination.

“Mistresses are supposed to take what they’re given and not question it.”
“Is that the law? Is there a law of mistresses somewhere, a book that solicitors study?”

I smiled everytime she stood up to Rafe and particularly when she flaunted his rules for being a mistress.

I loved her determination to make Geoffrey pay for what he did to her and I positively cheered when she confronted him with her head held high. Better still was the scene where she ploughed her fist into his face!

Ms Heath built the sexual tension so well. When Rafe agreed to allow Eve time to adjust to him, it created a delicious sense of anticipation, particularly as Rafe has difficulty keeping his hands off her. My favourite scene is where Rafe finally allows Eve to touch him. There is something so beautiful and sensual about it.

He held her, just held her, while she held him.
Marveled at the wonder of it. So much skin against skin. Silk to satin. Velvety warmth.



Rafe has always struggled with feelings of anger and resentment towards his brothers for abandoning him. It was satisfying to finally see the seeds of reconciliation between Rafe, Sebastian and Tristan and, when Rafe is in danger, his brothers are prepared to do anything to find him. There is a lovely moment in the Epilogue when I knew that Rafe had finally come home.

Lord of Wicked Temptations delivered everything I look for in historical romance… emotional, sensual and romantic; the perfect end to this wonderful series. Highly recommended!


REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS

The Lost Lords of Pembrook series (click on the covers for more details):



This review is also posted on my blog:

http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...

[Alba Turunen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4'5 Estrellas. Me ha gustado mucho, muchísimo. Se ha convertido en mi libro favorito de Lorraine Heath. Si le he dado las 5 estrellas es porque ha conseguido no decepcionarme, y a la vez convencerme de que puede ser una de las grandes. Y es que aquí, señoras mías, tenemos una gran novela.

Tras mi chasco con el libro de Tristan, debo decirlo, mis expectativas iban muy bajas. Imagino que por eso me ha sorprendido que éste libro haya estado a la altura. Durante las dos anteriores novelas, hemos vislumbrado cómo debía haber sido la vida del hermano menor, Rafe Easton, para que tuviera un carácter tan esquivo y frío con todo el mundo, pero sobre todo con sus hermanos. En cierto modo ha sido el libro más esperado de la trilogía. A mí me ha convencido, y estoy segura de que no seré la única.

¿Y qué tenemos aquí? No voy a mentiros, es un cliché, pero tan bonito, tan romántico, tan esperanzador. Es una renovación de la historia de la Bella y la Bestia. Tenemos a Evelyn, la hija bastarda de un noble, y a Rafe, un hombre que tuvo que forjarse en lo peor que el mundo podía ofrecer, y que en cierto modo le convirtió en una bestia.

La historia empieza cuando el padre de Evelyn muere, éste le hizo prometer a su hermano que cuidaría de ella, por supuesto, él la odiaba por lo que representaba y no sólo no cumplió su promesa, si no que se deshizo de ella de la peor manera que podéis imaginar. Por las circunstancias, Eve acaba viviendo con Rafe Easton en calidad de amante. Él es muy claro con su trato, estará dispuesta para él en el momento y como él quiera, con él nunca le faltará de nada y podrá disponer de todo lo que quiera. Y como en todo cliché imagino que sabréis cómo acabará la cosa.

Decir que sus protagonista me han encantado es quedarse corta. Evelyn se ha convertido en una de mis heroínas de romántica favoritas, cuando empieza el libro es prácticamente una niña inocente, demasiado inocente para su propio bien, dada su condición de bastarda, aunque fue amada y protegida por su padre, éste la mantuvo ignorante del mundo y vivió en una jaula dorada. Con Rafe madura, se convierte en mujer, pero en una mujer buena y honesta, que realmente me ha convencido del amor que profesa a Rafe. En cuánto a Rafe ¿Qué voy a deciros? Se come el libro con papas. Es tan frío, tan huraño, tan distante... decir que su vida fue dura es quedarse corto, y no es el único protagonista de novela romántica que conozco que ha tenido un pasado similar, pero creo que Lorraine Heath ha sabido captar muy bien y transmitir el dolor y la desesperación que vivió Rafe. Precisamente por lo que vivió, desechó de su persona el cariño y el amor, para él no existe, él no puede dar amor, y no es merecedor de ello, pero aysss... eso es lo que él piensa, porque chicas, Rafe es amor en estado puro, puede que él no lo sepa, que no lo diga con sus palabras, pero está en sus acciones, en esos pequeños detalles, que dicen más de él de lo que cree.

Y por una vez, puedo deciros que no hay insta-love. Es un romance que crece poco a poco, del roce al cariño, o eso dicen. En las primeras miradas hay gusto, en sus palabras hay deseo, pero éste irá muy lentamente, cocidito a fuego lento, como a mí me gusta. Me ha encantado, el libro en sí, el romance, los personajes, y sí, la intervención de todos los hermanos, pues tienen mucho que decirse, y sus escenas me han resultado de lo más enternecedoras. El libro ha quedado cerrado y bien cerrado, y me ha parecido una conclusión magnífica de la trilogía.

Para las que no lo hayáis vislumbrado, ésta serie tiene algunos guiños con los "Huérfanos de St. James", serie que estoy deseando retomar, sobre todo tras la intervención de algunos de sus personajes secundarios.

Por mi parte he quedado encantada, y seguiré teniendo la obra de Lorraine Heath en mi lista de preferentes, aunque me dé historias reguleras (pues aseguro que me las ha dado, y muy malas), también me ha dado unos libros maravillosos que merecen la pena, y éste ha pasado a uno de mis libros románticos favoritos.

[Addie · Rating 1 out of 5]

(Tropes: Shitty-ass-forced-proximity, So-bad-for-each-other-opposites-attract)



After having really enjoyed the 1st and 2nd book in the series, this took a drastic turn. Rafe is one of my most disliked heroes I have come across in a long while.

People who loved 50 Shades of Grey might enjoy this. For people like me, who hated it, I strongly suggest skipping the 3rd brother of the Lost Lord series.



*****
- He didn’t have to care about her. He wouldn’t care about her. But he could damn well make use of her.
*****



I found Rafe to be a laughable dark character. His reasons for being this way is never properly explained or unreasonably exaggerated.

- He didn’t do anything that even reeked of permanence because anything that hinted at forever could be snatched away, could leave him, would leave him…… He had nothing in his life that meant anything at all to him, that would cause him the least hurt if he should lose it…… Nothing touched him, nothing bothered him. Nothing mattered.



- Even she, as sweet and innocent as she was, would take advantage, would ruin him, would leave him. She didn’t much like him. He had expected that. He’d never cared one way or the other if anyone fancied him. He was a loner. It suited him.



Such a dislikeable character.

- “You can’t possibly want me to be your mistress. You don’t even like me.”
“I don’t have to like you to bed you. Truth be told, it’s better that there be no sentiment between us.”

- “It’s Evelyn,” she informed him, trying to regain her bearings, trying to convince herself that she could handle the monstrously unappealing task that lay before her.
“Evelyn doesn’t suit me.”

- I will be providing you with a home, food, clothing, jewelry, servants . . . everything about you will suit me. You will spend your day planning for my arrival. You will amuse me with discussion, entertain me with pianoforte. You shall read to me.”



- He wanted her to just sit in the garden with him. He wanted her to spread out on the bed and welcome him. He would hold her hands to keep her from reaching for him, but then he would kiss her slow and deep, just before he pounded into her.

- One of my rules. I’ll never stay in the bed with you.”
“Why?”
He only shook his head, reached out, and lowered the flame in the lamp. “I won’t be here when you wake up in the morning.”
“Where are you going?”
“A mistress is not supposed to question everything. You accept what I say.”
She heard a hint of irritation in his voice.



I never gained any respect for Evelyn.

- She had no control over what she would wear, what it would look like, the shade of the material. She had no choice as to where she would live. She had no say in when she would be bedded—or even how she would be bedded, because he had rules.

- “Don’t tease me,” he ordered before urging his horse on.
“I enjoy teasing.”
“Yes, well, that’s a habit you’ll have to break while you’re with me.”
“I don’t think I want to be molded into something I’m not.” She sighed heavily, glanced around. “Although I suppose that’s happening, isn’t it?”



Farcical writing

- “You keep rather odd hours,” she said.
“Sin seldom runs on a schedule.”

- “Men have frustrations,” he said, finding himself being tied up into knots at that moment with those very frustrations. “They need a place to work it off, so I have a room where they can box or wrestle.”

- You live in a very rough world. Do you ever think of leaving it?”
“It’s where I belong.”

- “Will you ever marry?”
“No.” A simple word that left no doubt, that allowed no space for the unexpected.
“What if she wins your heart?”
“She would first have to find it.”

- There was a tightness in his chest. He feared it was the stone wall around his heart crumbling. Without it, how the hell would he protect himself?

- You said it wasn’t so lonely when I touched your skin. Do you not think it would be remarkable to have your heart touched?”
He began the task of undoing her buttons. “I have no heart to touch. I haven’t for a good long while. And I’ll not feel guilty about it.”



- He cupped her face, grateful she hadn’t realized that his knuckles were also lightly bruised and slightly swollen. They bothered him more than his cheek, but when he touched her, the pain eased, as though she were a balm.

- “I’m on a short tether here, Eve. If my shirt had come off in your bedchamber, your nightdress would’ve as well.”
She looked at him through widened eyes. “Surely not when you’re hurt.”
“When I’m hurt, when I’m ill, when I’m on my deathbed.”
“Is it that way for all men?”

- Do you know the worst thing that can happen to a man the first time he visits a gambling hell?”
“He loses everything?”
“He wins.”

- She had to admit that he was a considerate lover. With an understanding now of how things were between a man and a woman, she was well aware that he could have taken his own pleasure without giving any to her.



*****

Just no.

“I love you, Evie,” he whispered. “I doubt I’ll say it much, but tonight you should know.”



1.5 stars

[Grecia Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Mil abrazos para Rafe STARS***

Mi padre me dio esta moneda poco antes de morir. Esta mañana la he lanzado al aire. Cara, me casaba contigo. Cruz, te tomaría por esposa. Para mí, Eve, no hay ninguna elección que hacer. Te amo más que la vida misma. Y quiero pasar el tiempo que me quede demostrándotelo. Pero, amor mío, si tienes alguna duda, te dejaré marchar. Nada es más importante para mí que tu felicidad.

La serie merece ser leída sólo por este libro really really really. Es una de las historias más hermosas, profundas, sentimentales que he leído en romance histórico.



Amé la historia

Amé a los protagonistas

Amé todo.

La historia puede ser un cliché, la hija bastarda de un conde queda a merced de su hermano al morir el padre y este en lugar de velar por ella pretende venderla como amante al mejor postor y Rafe ay Rafe, él la compra según él por motivos egoístas, la desea y la quiere en su cama no le importa que ella no lo quiera al fin y al cabo es de su propiedad entonces vemos como la bella va convirtiendo a la bestia en un príncipe azul

Rafe era un hombre endurecido por la vida a pesar de su juventud le toco hacer tantas cosas para salir adelante Él es un sobreviviente.
Rafe es MALO MALO MALÍSIMO es un hombre peligroso, arrogante, frío a simple vista parece que no tiene sentimientos y que sólo piensa en sí mismo y en hacerse más rico, se cree sin corazón por lo tanto incapaz de amar a nadie y no es que no se creyera merecedor de amor es que a é no le importaba pero él tiene un corazonsote del tamaño del mundo

—Puede que debas repensarte eso —intervino Tristan—. Lo de sentirte orgulloso de lo que eres.

Lo que más me gustó de la historia fue el desarrollo de los personajes porque Rafe era un hombre duro y no se ablandó en un dos por tres NOOOO tuvo su proceso, cometió errores, se permitió sentir de a poco, lucho contra los demonios que lo atormentaban y simplemente se dio el permiso de amar

—Después. Antes quiero que sepas que te amo, Evie. Quiero casarme contigo. Quiero darte hijos y esa familia que tanto anhelas.

El personaje de Evelyn igual me gustó mucho mucho empezó como una chica inocente protegida criada en una burbuja y cuando reventó y se enfrentó a la realidad fue difícil pero se adaptó a lo que la vida la dio sin renunciar a sus sueños, se convirtió en una mujer fuerte y la pareja que hace con Rafe ufff ME ENCANTÓ, ellos me enamoraron.



Hubo escenas que me rompieron el corazón las principales cuando Rafe reveló su pasado todo lo que pasó y el dolor que todavía lo carcomía y es que si alguien sufrió de los tres hermanos era él, pero sobre todo la soledad con lo que vivió. También hubo otras que me llenaron de emoción y una de ellas es de la finales cuando todas las personas que ayudo, protegió y les dio trabajo, estuvieron para él Aww fue tan emotivo.

Hubo una parte cuando estaba leyendo que dije mm creo que le daré 4 estrellas pero noooo, se merece las 5 completitas por ese final tan bonito esperanzador y redentor.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hero was more tolerable this time.

Two characters from another series made an appearance: Dr. Graves and Inspector Jack Swindler (the latter was only mentioned by name).


Original review: June 15, 2021

Not quite a 3, but it's up there; a 2.85ish.

This would have been a solid 3 if the hero, Rafe, wasn't so stubbornly insistent that he doesn't need anyone in his life and that he has no heart/love to give to the heroine. It got repetitive, too. No matter how many times he denies that he needs anyone, he finds himself coming home to the heroine, Evelyn (his mistress) instead of staying at his apartments at his gaming hell.

Having read all three books in the series in order, I would recommend you read the prologue and possibly the first 2 or 3 chapters from the first book (She Tempts the Duke) to get some background on the "lost lords of Pembrook" and their return to Society. I liked their brotherly bond even though it has become strained (mostly because of Rafe) since their separation and I am glad to see the three brothers becoming close again by the end of this book.

[Nuria Llop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una novela maravillosa. Me he contenido de aplaudir cuando la he terminado porque estaba mi familia delante. Esta última entrega de los Lores de Pembroke es el broche de oro de una trilogía que ha ido a más con cada historia. Protagonistas estupendos, igual que los secundarios, y un desarrollo con el ritmo perfecto para mantenerte enganchada a sus páginas y devorar la novela. Me va a dar resaca lectora, lo intuyo. Rafe Easton entra con un puesto de honor en mi Hall de la Fama particular de protagonistas masculinos de novela romántica, y la autora, que ya empezaba a ser una de mis favoritas, pasa a compartir los primeros puestos junto a Kleypas y Gurhke, tanto por la construcción de sus personajes como por las tramas y su estilo narrativo. Es cierto que los protagonistas con traumas desde la infancia son una apuesta segura en este género, pero me ha encantado la forma en que la autora nos va descubriendo sus secreto, poco a poco, y no todo de golpe como suele ocurrir. La evolución de los protagonistas es paulatina y creíble. Recomiendo la trilogía, pero esta novela me parece de lectura imprescindible para las que disfrutáis con la romántica histórica.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOODNESS I'M CRYING because this book is soooooooooooooo beautiful and so good. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ONE

[KatieLittleLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Lorraine Heath fan so it is no surprise I loved this one.... but this was probably my favorite historical I have read this year!! If you like damaged heros and LH's typical morally gray plots this was a winner.

This book follows Evelyn who unknowingly gets sold by her half brother to become a mistress. After her father's death, her brother's solution to taking care of her is to sell her to the highest bidder while leaving her in the dark. She assumes she is meeting men to be married off. At this "meeting", we meet Rafe. He is a very successful club owner that her brother owes money. He is attending to make sure he will eventually be paid his debt. One look at Evelyn and Rafe knows no man in the room should own her except him.....

OH MY GOSH I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH! Rafe is so damaged and I love the effort Evelyn makes to make him comfortable. I love how crazy and questionable this plot sounds but LH makes it all seem ok lol. 100% read this book. I am already on my next Lorraine Heath book because I cannot get enough of her writing. This can be read as a stand alone. TW: child abuse

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS.

“Do you care for me?” He slowly set aside his second boot. “I give you jewelry, do I not? I took you on the blasted boat, didn’t I?” “But you didn’t hold me.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, fighting away the tears that stung the back of her eyes. “The entire day, distance existed between us. We might as well have been strangers.” Miss Evelyn Chambers is the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat. Her mother had been her father's mistress. When she died, Eve started living with her father in his country estate with his legitimate family. She was loved by her father, but only in secret because society could not know of her. She was pampered and sheltered. But her world changed when the earl died, and her half-brother, who is now the Earl of Wortham is eager to get rid of her by selling her off as a mistress to some wealthy lord. Lord Rafe Easton has no intentions of having a mistress, never had one. However, due to some circumstances concerning the current Earl's debt to him, he had been in attendance when Lord Wortham presented his sister to everyone in the room. He had been there to watch and observe, but the moment he saw Evelyn, he decided that he'd rather have her than let her be handed to other questionable Lords present.

Lord Of Wicked Intentions is the third book from Lorraine Heath's historical romance series, The Lost Lords of Pembrook. I am well-aware that I've read the series out of order but since this one is pretty enjoyable, I've decided that I might read Sebastian and Tristan's respective books soon. Hmmm. This one is kind of hard to rate because it is not a 3 but not quite a 4 either... Perhaps a 3.5 but it does not feel right. Hmmm.

Evelyn Chambers, the heroine, is a bastard. She is an Earl's by-blow. She lived with her father ever since she was six years old because her mother died. Still, she's an illegitimate child and even if her father's an Earl, she's not entitled to be addressed as a Lady. Her mother had been her father's mistress, which Evelyn was unaware of until she was older and smarter than when she was a child. Her father loved her in secret as he could not acknowledge her publicly. She lived a very lonely life. And her life got even lonelier when her father died, leaving her with the now Earl of Wortham, her brother. He has never been unkind when their father was alive, but he was not kind either. Now that the late Earl is dead, he's desperate to get rid of her and use the money to pay off his debts.

Lord Rafe Easton is the third son of a Duke. But his once perfect childhood became tragic when his father died and their uncle was eager to have the Dukedom. This was explored more in the first and second books, I think. Though born a Lord, he had to do questionable things in order to survive. Now he's a wealthy man and his brother reclaimed the Dukedom. But all the wealth in the world can't make him forget everything he had to go through as a boy. He's estranged with his brothers, hated them for leaving him when he was a mere boy of 10. And he had to endure a lot of things that explains why he is the man he is at five and twenty. A tortured hero. This type of hero is so over-used in the historical romance genre but I love it when done right.

I am aware that this book is very questionable. I mean, the whole mistress thing. The whole "Good enough to bed but not to Wed" thing. A mistress is basically a man's lover, but the man in the relationship does not always have to be married in order for his inamorata to be called a mistress. They're basically what one calls a "sugar baby" in today's world. Evelyn is a mistress but the hero is not married. I just had to make that clear. So there is no cheating, it is safe.

This had all the right ingredients to be a good and angsty book but somehow it felt lacking in the angst department. You see, the whole mistress thing and the tortured hero stuff could've been more angsty! I wanted to be really hurt but unfortunately, it did not deliver. It was enjoyable but there was something missing and I can't quite pin out what it is.

I think even if the whole plot has a sensitive element, Lorraine Heath managed to deliver a fine love story. From the beginning, the hero cared for the heroine even when he was not required to. I liked that about him. He says rude things that he does not really mean but his actions say otherwise. I love that he made the heroine's brother suffer for what he did to Evelyn. He had that coming. He is the cold sort of hero. He has abandonment issues, that much is obvious. He has this wall built around his heart so no one could ever matter to him because he thinks in the end, they would just leave him like his brothers did. But for all he has, he tries his best to give Evelyn what he could. Quoting Lana, "you're cold as ice, baby, but when you're nice, baby, you're so amazing in every way." Yes. That's basically him. Eve, on the other hand, is a strong heroine without being annoying. She does not let the hero walk all over her. She was so patient with the hero and I loved her for that. She really deserved him and it's believable that he would fall in love with someone like her. She has a kind heart. I love when the hero saves the heroine and the heroine saves them right back. Give and Take. Adored how much they cared for each other. Their banter is fun and it's just believable that they'd be attracted to each other and eventually fall in love.

I liked Eve and I liked Rafe. And I liked them together. They had nice chemistry and their conversations flowed nicely. I know it's not much but the fact that the hero waited until the heroine was comfortable is just nice. I loved when he started opening up, thanks to the never-ending questions coming from the heroine. And when he realized he was starting to allow Eve to know him quite a bit, he wanted to be closed-off again but then he could not help but go home to the residence they share because he thinks about her all the time. He also has this aversion to touch that he overcame with the help of the heroine. She was very patient with him but I think both of them are the stars of the book. I think I liked the hero because his issues are realistic and I am a whore for brooding heroes.

Towards the last 10 % or so, it felt rushed. It was underwhelming. And the sudden realization of love on the brink of death is not my favorite but it works sometimes if the author writes nicely. In this case, it was executed fine but did not really give me the feeling I was looking for. It had so much potential to be so much more angsty and it was not. I did not lose any interest while reading but at the same time it was not exciting. There was just something that's lacking but I do not know what it was. The issues felt resolved too quickly.

And when it comes to epilogues, I wish authors wrote longer endings. I want more from the couple. They basically had to overcome struggles for the whole book and you're only gonna give me 5-10 pages of them happy? it will not do. I need more. I want more.

Overall, I dig Lorraine Heath's writing style and I would probably read more of her books. I had a pretty good time reading but sadly it would not be on my list of favorite reads. Going to settle for 3.5 stars.

“Of course not. I know only that I’m not completely happy with you.” He shot to his feet. “What do you want of me, Eve? I’ve given you everything.” Her heart sank to the bottom of her soles. Slowly, she shook her head. “No, you’ve only given me what can be purchased.”

“I was thinking of you,” she admitted. That brought him up short. “I was thinking of us. We’re very different from the other couples.” Leaning forward, he planted his elbows on his thighs, narrowed his eyes on some point on the far wall, the window maybe. “I never lied to you. I was always honest about what would exist between us.” “But we’ve shared so much, I began to convince myself that things might change. I saw potential for what might be. I dared to want what I never thought to hold.” He shifted his gaze over to her. “I still dream of being a wife.” Of being your wife.

"It always amazed and humbled him to find her still there, still in his arms, smiling at him, making him laugh, giving him sons—two so far. She told him that the next time she was giving birth to a daughter. He suspected she would. She had a habit of achieving what she set her mind to do." Give you my wild, give you a child <3

“If I were the sort to spout poetry,” he finally said, “I would spout it for you.”

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, heartbreaking, satisfying conclusion to Lorraine Heath's Lost Lords of Pembrook series! At long last we get the story of the youngest brother, Lord Rafe Eason and the woman who breaks down the walls around his heart, Miss Evelyn Chambers. Evelyn is saddened by the death of her father but her half brothers promise to look after her takes a very unexpected turn when he sells her off and after one glimpse, Rafe knows he has to have her...and no one tells him no. Yet when the circumstances become clear as to what Eve is to become to Rafe, he sees her shock and dismay and for some reason, gives her time to adjust. He finds himself fascinated by this slip of a woman, this woman who talks back to him and does not back down in fear. Rafe knows his dark and tortuous past will be too much, even for Eve and he realizes he must let her go before she finds out about how much pain he has caused and try to avoid causing pain to Eve. Eve is stubborn though and when his life is threatened he can only hope for Eve to find him so they can find a new life together. . .

I have been eagerly anticipating Rafe's story since I read the previous books in this series as I knew that underneath that gruff exterior was a kind, caring soul and I was so happy to see this all unfold. Rafe is tough and comes across rude and unbearing to those around him, which helps immensely in the running of his club, yet Eve with her boldness and gentle heart seeps into the cracks he has built around himself and sinks in in a way that Rafe never thought possible. I loved watching the relationship between Eve and Rafe develop but also that of Rafe and his brothers. They have overcome so much and dealt with so much at a young age, it has been hard for them to find common ground to start anew on, even after many years of being reunited. As Rafe still struggles with how he was seemingly abandoned by his older brothers, Eve is there to charm and help heal. I was drawn to the story straight from the beginning as was sad to read the epilogue as I knew this tale was over. Equal parts joy, love, heartbreak, heat and humor this romance will be a winner for all romance fans alike! 4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Avon books via edelweiss

[Simply_ego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es difícil explicar con palabras todo lo que he sentido en este libro.

Me ha gustado cómo ha llevado la historia con pequeños detalles en cada capítulo sobre la vida de Rafe. Como ha ido haciendo frente valientemente, sin remilgos, sin rencor Evelyn a su nueva situación que se le presentaba. Pensó “"bueno, es lo que hay, disfrutemos del viaje". Ha sido, de verdad, increíble cómo han ido conociéndose poco a poco. Cómo han conseguido, sobre todo Evelyn, derrumbar esa barrera que había puesto Rafe para protegerse. Cómo con su dulzura; su esperanza por la vida; su falta total de cinismo por ella, en definitiva, su forma de ver la vida lo que ha conseguido que Rafe se abra y vuelva a vivir. Ya que durante los últimos quince años de la vida de Rafe a sobrevivido, no vivido.

En cuanto a Rafe, ha sido uno de los personajes masculinos que me ha hecho querer abrazarle; darle mi amor; consolarle; en sí simplemente amarle porque es un ser para amarle en su totalidad. Un niño perdido, en un cuerpo de hombre aparentemente fuerte, pero tan vulnerable. Todas las palabras que salían por su boca, todos los pensamientos que tenía me hacían suspirar.

Me recomendaron leer pausadamente este libro, y entiendo el consejo, ya que está lleno de pequeños pero grandes momentos, sensaciones, gestos y palabras que simplemente no podías ir más rápido (teniendo en cuanta que soy una persona que lee muy rápidamente). Repito lo que dije en otro sitio.

Cuando hablaba Rafe, cuando tenía un pensamiento me paraba, respiraba profundamente y volvía a leer lo que ha dicho o pensado. Entonces, suspiraba y seguía leyendo.

Y no porque fueran pensamientos o frases grandilocuente, sino todo lo contrario. Eran tan “Tan” en su sencillez, que me llenaban.

Estos dos personajes han sido creados para amarse, cuidarse el uno al otro. Pocas veces he visto tal compatibilidad en una pareja. Hasta me parece mal decir que me gustaría un Rafe en mi vida (cómo digo con todos los hombres que crea Lorraine), porque simplemente es de Evelyn. Eso sí, van a formar parte de mi vida y estarán en mi memoria hasta que ya no esté aquí. Tal vez también después.

[Beanbag Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in Heath's "Lost Lords of Pembrook" trilogy. I thought it was the best of the three, but I was still a bit dissatisfied in the end.

The trilogy revolves around three brothers: Sebastian, Tristan, and Rafe. Sebastian and Tristan are twins and four years older than Rafe. When the twins were 14 and Rafe was 10 their uncle murdered their father -- the Duke of Pembrook -- and locked the boys in the tower with the intention of killing them as well. Their neighbor friend, Mary, helped them to escape. They ran away and split up. Sebastian, being the oldest, made the decisions. He left Rafe at a work house, sold Tristan to a ship's captain and bought himself a commission in the army. All of them suffered in various ways during their separation. Twelve years later, they came back together to take back what had been stolen from them.

Rafe's story always promised to be the most difficult. He was left behind, crying and begging his brother. He had been the pampered youngest and always felt an outsider with his brothers who were so close they knew each other's thoughts. His situation in the workhouse was abusive and, once he escaped, he did things of which he was extremely ashamed.

Evelyn Chambers is the illegitimate daughter of an Earl. When her mother died, he brought her to live with him, giving her all the love he never shared with his legitimate son. When he dies, his son promises to take care of her. He does this by planning to put her up for auction to any nobleman who will take her as his mistress. She, naturally, hasn't even heard of these plans, so she's a deer in the headlights.

Rafe takes one look at her, talks to her for about five seconds and snaps her up for himself. And so our story begins.

Evelyn (Evie) and Rafe have nice chemistry. She's innocent and naive, but she's also smart, compassionate and strong-willed. It's completely believable that Rafe would fall in love with her. It's believable that she would fall in love with him.

Everything is going along swimmingly until the end (this is the point where the first book in the trilogy unraveled a bit, too). It just doesn't make sense. When she leaves and goes to Sebastian and Mary, it's utterly bizarre that neither one of them at least visits Rafe to see how he's feeling about Evie's absence. It was baffling and completely unbelievable.

I was also disappointed in the resolution of the brothers' troubles with one another. I felt like there should be a more dramatic, or poignant, scene where they sort things out. In Heath's "Scoundrels of St. James" series, the backdrop of a rough childhood is also present, but it seems to be handled much better. I felt like that backdrop was made remote and glossed over, even though it's as important to the "Lost Lords" as their eventual love interests. Especially with Rafe. We had a couple of explanations of the horrible things that happened to him, but it all seemed removed from the story even though we've been told throughout that it's ever-present for him. Somehow there's a disconnect, and I think it was in the lack of concrete resolution between the brothers.

I love Lorraine Heath and I have enjoyed this trilogy despite some unfortunate flaws. I highly recommend her if you're a fan of historical romances.

[Vintage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well done Victorian romance with a spunky heroine and a shut-down damaged hero.

Eve is the illegitimate daughter of an Earl. Her father has died and her legitimate, half-brother made a vow to take care of her. He does take care of her just not not in the manner her father was hoping for. Bad brother sets up a party and invites wealthy, skanky men to purview her as mistress material; sweet, naive dumb bunny that she is she thinks it is a pre-courting session. When her brother dumps her at Rafe's house, she thinks she's there to be a housekeeper.

Rafe, youngest and most damaged brother of the Lost Lords, sees her and sets her up as his mistress. For such a fine, young brooder, he is quite smitten and is quite gentle with Eve. He has a few kinks but nothing major.

Eve is a hoot. Initially she comes across as Miss Milk Toast, but adapts and grows to her situation. Given the constraints on women at the time, how she was raised, and what she was led to expect by her father she doesn't have many or any options. So a mistress she becomes. She has a nice sense of humor. After the big reveal of what her status really is as well as what a scum bucket her half-brother has turned out to be, she contemplates what can she do...

she wasn’t certain she could even manage a household. .... She was horrendous at stitchery, her penmanship was not precise, and numbers were not her friend. They never added up the way they should. She could read, very well in fact, but who would hire her to read?

It also seemed she was very good at drinking Scotch. She downed the last of the liquid in the glass and set it aside.

The primary plot is the development of their relationship. Rafe is a yum hero, but very damaged, and Eve is a sweet, loving heroine. Sounds boring, but no. There is sufficient romantic and erotic angst to make most romance readers happy as well as the dramatic tension from the presence of Rafe's two older brothers and their attempts to get close to little brother.

And, this a big and, if you like your evil-doers to get a nice comeuppance rather than simply drift into some fictional la la land, the evil-doers are punished appropriately and amusingly.

[Arlenis Ralfsdóttir · Rating 4 out of 5]

No he leído mucho últimamente, digamos que no he tenido tiempo, pero este libro lo estuve leyendo de a poquito con el fin de terminar la serie. Me ha gustado, mucho. Por momentos incluso llegue a pensar que era mejor que los anteriores, pero sigue faltando algo.

Eve no fue totalmente de mi agrado, algo en ella, tal vez ese constante deseo de amar a Rafe y todo su dilema, no lo sé, fue un poco molesto. Y Rafe, me gustó mucho mas que sus hermanos en sus respectivos libros, pero tampoco es la clase de protagonista de las 5 estrellas. Lo que sí es seguro es que el libro no es malo porque si algo me caracteriza a mi es que cuando tardo mas de cinco días leyendo un libro que no sabe captar mi atención, es un caso perdido. Y este libro siempre me tenia volviendo.

Lo que me llama mucho la atención con esta serie, es que dejando de lado a Rafe, los otros dos hermanos me agradaron mas fuera de sus propias historias. Tristan para mi fue un personaje increíble en el primer libro y en este, pero le falto muchísimo en su propio libo. Sebastian me agradó mas aquí, pero me dejó decepcionada en el primer libro.

En fin, un gran libro para pasar el rato. Tal vez el mejor de los tres.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Evelyn's father dies from a illness that slowly killed him, she has little time to mourn. Her brother, immediately orders her to her room. Then he makes her go to a planned meeting, Evelyn thinking, it is to meet future suitors for marriage. Little does she know that her brother is trying to sell her to the highest bidder as a mistress, not a wife. She gains the attention of Rafe Easton. Rafe's only interest is to settle his debt with Geofrrey, where he see's the most gracious and elegant young woman, who stirs his blood like none other. When he see's the other men bidding on her, he knows he can't let anyone else have her but himself. So he takes her, only when her brother brings her to him, she has no inkling of an idea of why she is truly there. Evelyn, is shocked to the core, when she learns the truth she is devastated that her own brother would betray her this way. She knows that if she doesn't become Rafe's mistress, she will live a life on the streets with no home or food and any place to call her own. She knows that this is the only recourse available to her. First she doesn't expect for Rafe to give her time to get used to the idea, but she never thought he would be wooing her in a way. Rafe has a very tough exterior, but she knows that there is more to him than meets the eye. She finds herself falling in love with a man she knows would never love her in return...For he can only fight his demons.Lord of Wicked Intentions is the third installment in the series by Lorraine Heath. After reading the first two, I had been looking forward to reading Rafe's story. Rafe is very different I think from his brothers. He suffered in a way they never did, he barely managed to survive. He resists his brothers attempts to befriend him, and always rejects their offers for family gatherings. Rafe is a hardened man, who on the outside appears to care for nothing and for no one. He feels alone, always has since he was ten years old, when his brothers abandoned him. He didn't understand the why for it then, and now that he does, he can't seem to forgive himself for the horrible things he has had to do, so he is unable to forgive family. But when he meets Evelyn, his life changes. He see's his life in a whole different light. She brings laughter, hope and love into his life. I truly adored Rafe, I found his to be utterly irresistable, dangerous and sexy in a way that just appealed to me. He is the kind of hero you just ache for, but admire for his strengths. Evelyn, hasn't suffered like Rafe has, but she doesn't judge his past life. She see's something good in him, and in her own way fights for him. I love the inner strength and will she possess to not run from her circumstances that she has been dealt. She handles it very well, and I loved her courage at times. Overall a heart wrenching, that just had me in tears at various times through the book. There were so many moments that I had to stop and control my emotions. A Magical read that had me from the first page, a story that will pull at your heart strings and leave you aching for more. Another great work by a talented author that has never let me down!!! A exciting read filled with romance, love, and take you on a journey with these characters...one you will never forget.
Favorite quotes

"I have particular needs. The first is that you are to never wrap your arms around me."
"Why not?" She whispered
"Because it's what I require." He lowered his lips to hers, and she realized that if he hadn't menacled her wrists that her arms would have twined about him of their own accord, simply to ensure that she remained standing when her knees grew so weak.
His tongue toyed with her mouth, painting it, outlining it as though he wanted to be intimately familiar with it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For a moment in his mind, all th eglobes he'd collected over the years spun. More than a hundred, spinning, spinning. He'd been searching for someplace better that where he was.
He'd finally found it, the best place of all--wrapped tightly in Eve's arms.

[Clio Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know how old movies and cartoons sometimes do that thing where there's an angel and a devil perched on a character's shoulders, urging the character in opposing sides of some dilemma? That was me reading this book. As I read, my sensitive-to-feminist-issues better angel kept whimpering, "This is not okay," while the just-caught-in-the-fantasy devil growled, "You're over thinking this. Just feel all the lovely, happy Feelings."

The premise has an off-the-charts high Ick Factor. Evelyn is the sheltered, pampered by blow of the Earl of Wortham and his long deceased mistress; when the earl dies, his son auctions Evelyn, and her virginity, off to the highest bidder. Only Evelyn doesn't get it: she thinks she's being introduced around as a potential bride (which, given the cruel way her brother treats her, makes her a little bit Too Stupid to Live).

Lord Rafe Easton is the highest bidder. We're meant not to hold this against him, because he's not as boorish and crude as the other gents, and because he's not actually paying money for her (just forgiving her brother's gambling debt). He is so offended by the spectacle of the auction that it almost seems that, by "rescuing" her, he is being noble. (Feminist Angel calls BS, because just like all the other men there, he intends to make Evelyn his mistress and not give her any say in the matter, so she has not been saved from sexual slavery: he's just a kinder, gentler Master than the alternatives.)

Early in their acquaintance, Rafe takes Evelyn to St. Giles to show her the extreme poverty and degradation there. (Feminist Angel cringes at the not-so-subtle "lesson" for Evelyn: isn't it better to be a whore for one man, in a clean, fancy house, than it is to whore for many in these dirty streets? But make no mistake, girl: your only choice is to get on your back.)

Then (because he has a Tortured Past, croons Fantasy Devil by way of excuse), Rafe has to counter every tender impulse he feels toward Evelyn, and every kindness she offers him, with a cruel, humiliating reminder that they are not lovers, he cannot love her, he will not give her the respectable life she craves: she is his mistress, he will use her when and how he wants until he's done with her, and so long as she toes the line and doesn't leave first, he'll make it worth her while by settling a house and fortune on her when he goes. Icky, Icky, Icky!

It is a testament to Lorraine Heath's skill as a storyteller that I didn't throw the book at the wall at the sensible urging of Feminist Angel. Because Fantasy Devil is right: despite the Ick Factor, this story is full of delicious, seductive, romantic, warm, fuzzy, gooey, melty Feelings. Rafe's character arc, overcoming his Tortured Past to learn how to love and be loved in return, is the kind of emotionally satisfying transformation we romance addicts live for. I didn't like Evelyn nearly as well--(she goes from being Too Stupid To Live at the start of the book to unrealistic Mary Sue perfection by the end, providing Rafe sublime sexual and emotional healing despite her total innocence)--but she does grow a bit of a backbone by the end, so I'll cut her some slack.

Whether you will enjoy this book may depend upon whether Feminist Angel or Fantasy Devil holds more sway with you. For me, Feminist Angel made me deeply uncomfortable with this book, but the notion of a benevolent Master holds some appeal, at least in fantasy, so I was able to enjoy the romance despite my discomfort. For others, Evelyn's lack of agency may be a hard limit.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a difficult time getting past the situation the heroine, Eve, finds herself in. It would be one thing if the hero genuinely felt like he wanted to save her from being bought up and sold as a sex slave - put the pretense of "mistress" aside, because that implies willingness. Yes, he waited the requisite number of days for Eve to feel comfortable with him, the standard thing for romance heroes to do when they find themselves within a forced or arranged marriage, or some other situation in which they will end up in bed together. There was one scene that that made me think things would turn out all right for her - when she runs away in the rain when she realizes what she was purchased for and Rafe comes after her. But it was only because she was his property and he couldn't let her leave.

It was EXPECTED that she do what she was purchased for, with the threat that she end up on the streets as a prostitute. And yes, he takes her out there to show her how the other half lives. Frankly, it felt abusive and he presented her with a false dilemma. The author tries to give him a good side by giving him a background from which he comes from the same place he showed her, and mentions that he gives money out to the poorer residents of the street, but you know what? He bought a woman with the expectation that she have sex with him, and she didn't have a clue.

Eve, who supposedly had a "choice" to leave, didn't appear to have much imagination or any sort of personality that would help her out of the situation. I felt like she was a victim, not a woman with her own mind and desires. She was kept cloistered by her father her entire life, sold by her brother to a man she didn't know, then was taken advantage of by this man who tells her that she will be a low-class prostitute if she doesn't become his high-class prostitute.

Sure, it all wraps up happily in the end, but both Rafe and Eve were distinctly unlikable.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha parecido una historia maravillosa; tanto Evelyn como Rafe han evolucionado muchísimo durante la novela y esta evolución me ha parecido creíble. Ella empieza siendo demasiado inocente, consecuencia de haber estado protegida en exceso durante su vida; no obstante, acaba siendo consciente de su lugar en el mundo como la bastarda que es y acaba "resignándose" a su destino. Rafe es uno de los lores perdidos de Pembrook y ha tenido una vida muy dura, ha sufrido mucho y ha tenido que hacer cosas horribles para sobrevivir; al inicio piensa simplemente que ni tan siquiera tiene corazón; gracias a Evie, quien poco a poco va ganándoselo, va eliminando los muros que ha construido y acaban teniendo una relación muy tierna.
Ha sido una historia muy bonita y la he disfrutado mucho (la he devorado en dos días); nada que ver con el primer libro de la serie, que ni fu ni fa...

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I definitely read this series out of order, this being my first book I've read in this series. There's a few spoilers for the earlier books so perhaps a better series to read in order if that matters to you. (Not serious spoilers, but basic plot things that have happened in the first 2 books.) I liked this book so much, I bought the first two in the series as well.

Evelyn, or Eve has the hero likes to call her, has been sheltered from this world. Born a bastard, she has had the love of her mother and upon her death, the love of her father who she moved in with. This has given her a rather skewed view of the world and her place in it unfortunately. There is so much she doesn't know about, so much she hasn't experienced, and so much she's unprepared for because of her birth. She thinks upon her father's death she will be able to rely on her half brother, the new earl. But her brother's betrayal is harsh and devastating, sold to the highest bidder for his own selfish ends.

But let's get to the real star of this book for me. Rafe. Sigh. He's one of my favorite types of heroes. He has a hard past. Dark secrets. He's lived a rough and dangerous life. No one has loved him and if they have they are gone. His heart is locked away. He cares for no one, or so he thinks.

He's invited to partake in the buying process of Eve, though she has no idea what is going on until it's too late. Eve and Rafe are perfect for each other. She brings out his protective instincts from that first moment. And they never stop, he can't stop thinking of Eve, doing things for her, putting her first. She is so innocent and gentle for him. It's a beautiful love story. So much of the book is spent in his head and from his perspective, I love love love books that do this. It was wonderful watching Rafe fall for Eve. Every step further his heart was opening to her and he was healing from his past. It was wonderful.

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

As vrea mai mult de 5* pentru această carte/ serie/ autoare!
Mi s-a parut un final de serie cu totul aparte! Mai intensa emotional decat ma asteptam. Nu cred ca este mai buna decat primele doua volume ale seriei, doar ca te impresionează mai mult. Poate si datorită traumelor suferite de Rafe; poate si datorită lui Eve care nu se mulțumește cu locul pe care-l ocupa in viata lui...
O serie superba! O carte ce nu trebuie ratata!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B+

Rafe has been the most standoffish Pembrooke brother, choosing to stay solitary instead of rebuilding relationships with the brothers he’s been separated from for years. He still carries anger over being 10-years old and left behind by his brothers when they had to split up to avoid being killed by their uncle. He thought himself not good enough to be able to go with them and he had a hard, tough time of it. He was 10 and left at a workhouse where he was abused, worked hard and when he escaped it was to live on the streets and work for an evil man who had him do cruel things to others. He eventually was able to build himself up, take over that same man’s gaming club and he’s now worth more money than he can count. But his heart is hardened, he refuses to let anyone get close enough to hurt him, that includes the brothers who want to be a part of his life, and he still struggles with the tortures he went through. He tries to help the people that need it the most, which leads him to Evelyn and him stepping in to help her on the night her brother tries to auction her off to the highest bidder.

Evelyn is the illegitimate daughter of an earl and after her father passes away and entrusts her well-being to her half-brother, her life changes for the worst in the blink of an eye. Her brother hates her and while she believes that he’s setting out to help her find a suitable match and husband, he’s really setting up a night to auction her off for money so he can settle his own debts. Rafe steps in and takes her and her life comes down to one choice: stay with Rafe as his mistress and never want for another thing or leave. Eve was given nothing from her brother but the clothes on her back and she picks the lessor of two evils, she stays with Rafe and hopes to make the best of a horrible situation.

Rafe is gruff and hard at the start but he refuses to take Eve until she’s comfortable around him. This leads to a tentative courtship, he takes her shopping for a new wardrobe, he starts thinking about her more than his club where he had been spending all his days and nights. He’s slowly letting her in even though he’s clear throughout that once he’s done with her and her place as his mistress, he’ll provide a comfortable life for her and nothing more. But Evelyn dreams of having a husband and family and she knows that now on her way to being ruined, those dreams are fast escaping. She wasn’t expecting to care for the man who she feels forced her into this position but she can’t stop thinking about Rafe and just longs for him to like her.

…He wore only his familiar linen shirt and breeches. She was fairly certain that he’d recently bathed because his hair curled at the ends and appeared damp. But his feet…good God. She couldn’t recall ever seeing a man’s feet before. Like the rest of him, they seemed powerful. He crossed one ankle over the other and settled back as though he intended to stay the night.

“Don’t look so alarmed,” he said, his voice low and somehow sensual. “I’ve told you that nothing will happen tonight.”

“I’m not alarmed. I’m simply…it’s not proper for me to see your bare feet.”

He released a dark chuckle. “Sweetheart, nothing between us is going to be proper.”

I really enjoyed their relationship. I liked that Rafe and Evelyn spent plenty of time together before having sex, yes Eve was brought in to the situation to be his mistress but it never felt like that was the role she played. She truly cared about Rafe and he hasn’t had someone in his life who worried about him in years. It was sweet in that he didn’t really know what to do with her or all these new feelings and it was endearing the way that this talkative, inquisitive woman works her way into his life and heart. Rafe has an aversion to being touched going back to his youth and a specific moment when he was almost killed. While these two were very sexy together, for me the big moments were the little ones, seeing Eve want desperately to be able to touch Rafe and waiting for that moment when he finally lets her and starts to comes to terms with the demons from his past.

Evelyn also helps in bringing the brothers closer together, if for no other reason than Rafe wants to give her anything she wants. She wants to go out on Tristen’s yacht and dance at Sebastian’s party and Rafe can’t say no. The brothers jump at the chance to spend more time with Rafe and it’s been a long time coming in seeing the brothers’ relationship start to mend and more forward.

I really loved getting to know Rafe and to finally understand the feelings and darkness he’s been dealing with for years. Evelyn was the perfect heroine for him. She’s understanding, she gets him like no one else and she loves him, something he’s never felt before. I had a hard time putting this story down and would recommend not only this book but the entire trilogy as great, must read books.

[Elis Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final installment of the Lost Lords trilogy was actually the best of the three, IMO. Probably because almost from the get, I found the hero here, Rafe, the most fascinating of the three brothers. What happened to him after his brothers left him at the workhouse? Why is he so cold? Why can't he stand to be touched? Yeah, I love a mystery.



All is revealed here—and the answers are not what you probably expected.

Evelyn Chambers is the "natural" daughter of the Earl of Wortham. When her mother died, her father brought her to live in his house—along with his wife and legit son, Geoffrey.



Years later, her dying father asks Geoffrey to see that Evelyn is cared for. Geoffrey replies, "she'll get what she deserves," and Evelyn is naïve enough to be reassured.

After their father draws his final breath, Geoffrey locks her in her room for days, but even then, Evelyn's too naïve to be suspicious. Days later, when Geoffrey tells her to don a pretty frock and come meet some gentlemen, she thinks it's a bit soon—disrespectful to Da—but she's still confident that Geoffrey plans to find her a husband. Yeah, now we're moving a bit past naïve and into…



Rafe was invited to this soiree so he can see that Geoffrey will soon have the means to repay the debt he owes Rafe's gaming house. He's just there to check out the gents—wants to see if he can detect weaknesses he can exploit, but when Evelyn comes into the room....



He keeps reminding himself that he doesn't feel anything, doesn't want this girl, has no sympathy, uh huh, but when Geoff offers to let the gents find out for themselves whether Evelyn's a virgin, it's too much—Rafe buys her outright. Hell, why not? He'll enjoy her. It's not a matter of caring. Just seems a waste to let these mongrels paw such a pretty piece.

The next day, Geoffrey brings Evelyn to Rafe's house with only the frumpy mourning gown on her back. He leaves her there, telling her that she'll see to Rafe's needs. From which Evelyn takes that she'll be managing the man's household.



When Rafe clarifies the position she'll be holding in his household



Evelyn runs out in the rain, heading for home. She figures there was a mistake somewhere, and that Geoffrey will explain it all. But when she gets to her father's home, the servants deny her entry--on Geoffrey's orders.

Rafe takes her home and, rather gently for a heartless bastard, explains her options: She can walk away—likely she'll end up in the rookeries and make her way on her back anyway—or she can be his mistress and, when he's done with her, she'll have a neat severance package that guarantees her freedom once he's done with her.

Eve—because Rafe insists on renaming her—is pragmatic enough to choose eventual freedom.

Meanwhile, Rafe hears rumors that Dimmick, the gangsta who snagged him out of St. Giles and taught him how to be a thug, who Rafe eventually blackmailed out of his gaming hell… Well that guy isn't as dead as everyone assumed.



Rafe has a lot of baggage that keeps him from trusting his emotions. He fights—hard—to keep Eve at arm's length, and hurts her badly in the process. Add in the threat from Dimmick, and the story takes a neat turn at the end. I liked the other two books in this trilogy well enough to keep reading, but this one made it worth the effort. 4.5 stars.

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

2018 rating: 5 stars
2020 rating: 4.5 stars.
2022 rating: 4 stars

2020 review
rafe's book is definitely the best in the lost lords of pembrook series. sebastian's and tristan's book was disappointing but i absolutely loved rafe's story!

as compared to mary and anne, i really loved eve. she embraced every part of rafe, a man with scars so deep, even deeper than his brothers' scars and managed to break down every wall rafe made around his heart.

and rafe, he's a nicer guy than he thinks he is. he saves eve, and says it's for his own benefit but he actually was just a nice guy, saving eve from other men.

i just loved how rafe took his revenge on wortham for eve at the end. a wonderful love story by lorraine heath! 4.5 stars because i skimmed some of the inner thoughts.

2022 review
I don’t think there’s much to say about this book that I have not already said in my 2020 review. I really liked eve and rafe and their relationship.

Rafe is not a man a person usually challenges but eve does it occasionally, and it is not to the extent of her being obnoxious or annoying. She does it to tease him, joke with him or lighten the mood—it sometimes made him laugh a little—which I loved about her. She helps him to relax. Even though she was sheltered by her father and did not know the harsh realities of life, she was a very strong and determined woman. I admired her for that.

As for rafe, man oh man, I have a thing for tortured heroes, so it is no surprise I loved him as well. He had traumas, hence the reason he keeps himself closed off to everyone around him. I just love the fact that he lies to himself that eve was just his mistress which justifies him buying things for her & doing things for her. But actually, deep down he just wanted her to be happy, that’s why he does things for her. He’s a big softie, I swear. His words may sting but his actions says otherwise. It’s bloody romantic to me, honestly.

I always enjoyed seeing heroines try to heal their tortured heroes, and this book was no exception. It was slow, but eve tried to help rafe in her own way. It was heartwarming to see rafe finally let eve in & help his issue.

Their chemistry and banter was great, loved it.

A wonderful book.

[Patry Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

Quiero abrazar muy fuerte a Rafe.... me encantan los hombres torturados y las historias en las que poco a poco vamos descubriendo que en fondo solo necesitaban alguien que les quiera *_*

[ChasingLeslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes: Anti-Hero, Class Difference (sort of), Auctioned/Gambled/Sold, Ruined, Protector, Forced Proximity

Steam: 3

[Alloverthebooks ✎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 étoiles

Cette romance était très plaisante, j'ai vraiment accroché à cette histoire tout de suite. Or, pour les deux premiers tomes de la saga, ça n'a pas été le cas ; j'ai à chaque fois arrêté ma lecture bien assez vite.
J'ai trouvé, ici, les protagonistes très attachants. Leur psychologie était assez bien exploitée, je dois dire. Leur romance se développe petit à petit. Ils doivent d'abord apprendre à se connaître avant d'aller plus loin. Pour une fois, on se trouve dans une romance historique où le personnage féminin est reconnu publiquement en tant que la maîtresse du protagoniste. Ce n'est pas quelque chose de très courant, car généralement, les maîtresses sont juste là pour donner un peu plus de difficultés à la vraie romance qui doit se développer entre les autres personnages. Donc j'ai adoré voir ce côté des choses. C'était aussi assez mignon.
On retrouve également les autres personnages des autres tomes. C'était assez sympa, même si je n'avais pas accroché à leurs histoires.
Je termine cette saga sur une bonne note finalement. Si je ne peux pas la recommander entièrement, je peux au moins vous recommander celle-ci.