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Surprise! Dukes #2
The Duke's Bartered Mistress
The whispers say he’s a demon, but now he owns her…
It is vital Lady Georgia Stoughton finds a way to pay her father’s debt, but the cursed man who owns it refuses her money. So when she offers herself in repayment, the devil with the body of an angel calls her bluff…and signs the contract. Now she belongs to him, body and soul, until the last hour of December.
Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, wants two things in his life: seclusion, and revenge on the man who scarred him so horribly, making him unfit for Society. The first is going perfectly fine until a brash beauty pushes her way into his life, and before he can kick her out the door, offers the second. Lady Georgia’s father is the key to his revenge, but this contract is so much sweeter: the use of Georgia’s body, whenever and however he wants her, for the next month.
It's going to be a Hayle of a holiday season.
Georgia can’t regret the arrangement that made her Demon’s, not when she has free run of his castle, library, and neglected rose garden. And as she becomes addicted to the pleasure he shows her in the bedroom (and study, and conservatory, and once up against the wall in the linen closet), she begins to doubt her own plans.
Then comes the letter with the announcement Demon has just unexpectedly become a duke. Well, blast. Is he ready for London? It’s up to Georgia now, but as the end of December looms nearer, Demon’s revenge is slipping from his grasp…
It is vital Lady Georgia Stoughton finds a way to pay her father’s debt, but the cursed man who owns it refuses her money. So when she offers herself in repayment, the devil with the body of an angel calls her bluff…and signs the contract. Now she belongs to him, body and soul, until the last hour of December.
Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, wants two things in his life: seclusion, and revenge on the man who scarred him so horribly, making him unfit for Society. The first is going perfectly fine until a brash beauty pushes her way into his life, and before he can kick her out the door, offers the second. Lady Georgia’s father is the key to his revenge, but this contract is so much sweeter: the use of Georgia’s body, whenever and however he wants her, for the next month.
It's going to be a Hayle of a holiday season.
Georgia can’t regret the arrangement that made her Demon’s, not when she has free run of his castle, library, and neglected rose garden. And as she becomes addicted to the pleasure he shows her in the bedroom (and study, and conservatory, and once up against the wall in the linen closet), she begins to doubt her own plans.
Then comes the letter with the announcement Demon has just unexpectedly become a duke. Well, blast. Is he ready for London? It’s up to Georgia now, but as the end of December looms nearer, Demon’s revenge is slipping from his grasp…
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2022
593 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
August 10, 2023
Re-read June 2023
5-Oh-So-Sexy-Stars
My Thoughts
- This is one of the most hilarious stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading!
- Caroline Lee never claims historical accuracy, which is not an issue if it's disclaimed as such.
- I loved the plot, the reverse intimacy ladder, the grumpy-sunshine trope, the romance, the steam, the friendship, essentially, everything.
- Demon & Georgia were a delight to read. Just adorable. They were probably one the happiest couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Highlights...
- The chocolates for every female in the manor! He. Bought. Chocolates!
- The creative cursing. Insane!
- The Grand Gesture, Grovel, G-flowers. All because her name starts with G!
- Thorne.
- Book #3 sneak peek!
Just read it. Trust me.
5-Oh-So-Sexy-Stars
My Thoughts
- This is one of the most hilarious stories I've ever had the pleasure of reading!
- Caroline Lee never claims historical accuracy, which is not an issue if it's disclaimed as such.
- I loved the plot, the reverse intimacy ladder, the grumpy-sunshine trope, the romance, the steam, the friendship, essentially, everything.
- Demon & Georgia were a delight to read. Just adorable. They were probably one the happiest couples I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Highlights...
- The chocolates for every female in the manor! He. Bought. Chocolates!
- The creative cursing. Insane!
- The Grand Gesture, Grovel, G-flowers. All because her name starts with G!
- Thorne.
- Book #3 sneak peek!
Just read it. Trust me.
December 30, 2024
The Duke’s Bartered Mistress by Caroline Lee
Surprise! Dukes series #2. Historical romance with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Lady Georgia Stoughton will do anything to find a way to pay her father’s debt. Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, has refused all payments and offers to settle, mostly for revenge on the man that gave him scars enough to make him hide in his castle. Georgia is determined and as sparks fly, she ends up making a deal for Demon to use her sexually during the holiday season. They both become addicted to the pleasures they are able to share. News arrives with the announcement that Demon is now a Duke and he must take his place in society which throws all arrangements in flux.
What a nasty father. I’m sorry that Georgia feels a loyalty to him. But since she and Demon get on so well, in more than one way, it turns out well.
A steamy romp with plenty of humor and emotional connection. A wonderfully hot and entertaining series.
Surprise! Dukes series #2. Historical romance with erotica elements. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Lady Georgia Stoughton will do anything to find a way to pay her father’s debt. Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, has refused all payments and offers to settle, mostly for revenge on the man that gave him scars enough to make him hide in his castle. Georgia is determined and as sparks fly, she ends up making a deal for Demon to use her sexually during the holiday season. They both become addicted to the pleasures they are able to share. News arrives with the announcement that Demon is now a Duke and he must take his place in society which throws all arrangements in flux.
What a nasty father. I’m sorry that Georgia feels a loyalty to him. But since she and Demon get on so well, in more than one way, it turns out well.
A steamy romp with plenty of humor and emotional connection. A wonderfully hot and entertaining series.
March 10, 2025
Hilarious. Charming. A scared hero that is a SCOT!!! Sign me up! The heroine offered herself to the hero for 30 days to pay her father’s debt and I love how it starts off from the word go! When I snap my fingers..well, you gotta read to find out 😈
January 4, 2023
The Duke’s Bartered Mistress, Caroline Lee. What a heck of a read this was! Georgia and Demon’s love story was splendidly written. I have to give Caroline some bowing praises. I know that’s not allowed in reviews, but this is my review.
First Demon was totally fantastic in this story. I’m like fan Duking all over him. How he was described and the vision that I had him in my mind was… let me just say this. Hot daum he could hurt me, if he took me to bed! Ok?
His character is my favorite one in the book. I found him quite charming and very entertaining. The dialogue that he spewed was hilarious. It reads like Gibberish, but there was at least one word that I could understand in it. Now Georgia’s character is described with class, charm and adoration for her love interest.
I enjoyed her Sassiness when it came to the persuasion of Demon. I really loved it when she shocked or blew Demons mind when it came to the intimate fun that the two shared. What I found so powerful in the story It was Georgia’s ability to put so much support and care behind Demon when he really needed it. That made her character standout so much more in the story. Together Demon and Georgia brought some electrically charged entertainment, adding to this book being an awesome page turner.
My favorite dialogue was when Ms. Kettle and Georgia were trying to figure out who Bruno was. That was classic. You guys will love the cat. Clearly she ran the house. The background story was emotional and wonderfully written for Georgia and Demon’s character.
Yes the book is a little longer than the authors other books. I think that this was a fantastic choice from the author. I give this book two snaps and a, “lock the door to the library before you two give Bruno a heart attack! Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
First Demon was totally fantastic in this story. I’m like fan Duking all over him. How he was described and the vision that I had him in my mind was… let me just say this. Hot daum he could hurt me, if he took me to bed! Ok?
His character is my favorite one in the book. I found him quite charming and very entertaining. The dialogue that he spewed was hilarious. It reads like Gibberish, but there was at least one word that I could understand in it. Now Georgia’s character is described with class, charm and adoration for her love interest.
I enjoyed her Sassiness when it came to the persuasion of Demon. I really loved it when she shocked or blew Demons mind when it came to the intimate fun that the two shared. What I found so powerful in the story It was Georgia’s ability to put so much support and care behind Demon when he really needed it. That made her character standout so much more in the story. Together Demon and Georgia brought some electrically charged entertainment, adding to this book being an awesome page turner.
My favorite dialogue was when Ms. Kettle and Georgia were trying to figure out who Bruno was. That was classic. You guys will love the cat. Clearly she ran the house. The background story was emotional and wonderfully written for Georgia and Demon’s character.
Yes the book is a little longer than the authors other books. I think that this was a fantastic choice from the author. I give this book two snaps and a, “lock the door to the library before you two give Bruno a heart attack! Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
December 28, 2022
Lady Georgia Stoughton is sent on a mission to Scotland to pay her father's debt by any means necessary. Demon Hayle, Baron Edymion, needs information from Georgia's father and refuses to allow the debt to be paid. But when Georgia offers herself in repayment, Demon can't resist.
This is the second book in the Surprise! Dukes series. I highly recommend reading the first book to understand the relationships between some of the characters. The author even notes that there is a bit of an info dump in order to try to catch readers up. I think I would have appreciated the side characters more if I had read the first book.
Settle-a-debt stories are some of my favorite plots, so I was predisposed to like the set up of this book. There was almost a rom-com feel with a superstitious servant, persnickety cat, and lots of salty exclamations from the hero. Of course, I really loved how sexy this book was!
Personally, I wish the series wasn't called "Surprise! Dukes" because I would have preferred to be surprised by Demon's unexpected title inheritance. But, it was a good catalyst to showcase the characters' softer sides. Demon had to face his fears relating to his scars and going out in public, and Georgia had to deal with rejection from an absolute jerk of a father. I didn't connect completely with this story, but I did like how these characters came to support and love each other. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Tropes: Auctioned/Gambled/Sold/Settle-a-Debt, Widow, Beauty & Beast/Scarred Hero, Opposites Attract/Grumpy-Sunshine, Unexpected Title
Steam: 5
* I received and ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
This is the second book in the Surprise! Dukes series. I highly recommend reading the first book to understand the relationships between some of the characters. The author even notes that there is a bit of an info dump in order to try to catch readers up. I think I would have appreciated the side characters more if I had read the first book.
Settle-a-debt stories are some of my favorite plots, so I was predisposed to like the set up of this book. There was almost a rom-com feel with a superstitious servant, persnickety cat, and lots of salty exclamations from the hero. Of course, I really loved how sexy this book was!
Personally, I wish the series wasn't called "Surprise! Dukes" because I would have preferred to be surprised by Demon's unexpected title inheritance. But, it was a good catalyst to showcase the characters' softer sides. Demon had to face his fears relating to his scars and going out in public, and Georgia had to deal with rejection from an absolute jerk of a father. I didn't connect completely with this story, but I did like how these characters came to support and love each other. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Tropes: Auctioned/Gambled/Sold/Settle-a-Debt, Widow, Beauty & Beast/Scarred Hero, Opposites Attract/Grumpy-Sunshine, Unexpected Title
Steam: 5
* I received and ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
December 28, 2022
It is vital Lady Georgia Stoughton finds a way to pay her father’s debt, but Demon Hayle, Lord Endymion who owns it refuses her money. So when she offers herself in repayment, he calls her bluff…and signs the contract. Now she belongs to him, body and soul, until the last hour of December. Demon wants two things in his life: seclusion, and revenge on the man who scarred him so horribly, making him unfit for Society. Georgia can’t regret the arrangement that made her Demon’s, not when she has free run of his castle, library, and neglected rose garden. Then comes the letter with the announcement Demon has just unexpectedly become a duke.
The second book in the series & it could easily be read on its own. A fantastic light hearted romp with brilliant characters, lots of humour & plenty of steam. I loved both Demon & Georgia & oh boy does their attraction sizzle! The secondary characters are also well portrayed & have some wonderful names & for icing on the cake we get an appearance from Bull. Laugh out loud moments - we don't talk about Bruno! as well as moments that tug at the heart strings. a brilliant book that totally lifted my mood
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The second book in the series & it could easily be read on its own. A fantastic light hearted romp with brilliant characters, lots of humour & plenty of steam. I loved both Demon & Georgia & oh boy does their attraction sizzle! The secondary characters are also well portrayed & have some wonderful names & for icing on the cake we get an appearance from Bull. Laugh out loud moments - we don't talk about Bruno! as well as moments that tug at the heart strings. a brilliant book that totally lifted my mood
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 3, 2023
Caroline Lee is sort of like a new author to me. I had only read her in the Second Chance Manor series with Scarlett Scott and Merry Farmer. But the last book in that series was one that she wrote and it was my favorite and was so damn good, I had to try her again. She writes a lot of Scottish genre which isn't my favorite. This is my 8th book by her.
I really like Those Kilted Bastard series, but returned book 1 of Bad in Plaid series. Way too Scottish for me but she writes so good, I wanted to try her again, so was glad she had this new series out.
I really liked Book 1 a lot. It was a great storyline, great characters and good sex scenes. I like it had some suspense and intrigue so really excited about Book 2.
I loved Demon and Georgia. I couldn't put this book down it was so damn good. I loved the continuation of the story and loved their storyline. Sex was so well written and hot.
Definitely recommend!!!
I really like Those Kilted Bastard series, but returned book 1 of Bad in Plaid series. Way too Scottish for me but she writes so good, I wanted to try her again, so was glad she had this new series out.
I really liked Book 1 a lot. It was a great storyline, great characters and good sex scenes. I like it had some suspense and intrigue so really excited about Book 2.
I loved Demon and Georgia. I couldn't put this book down it was so damn good. I loved the continuation of the story and loved their storyline. Sex was so well written and hot.
Definitely recommend!!!
April 1, 2023
A beauty and the beast retelling that actually works….
August 24, 2023
This one bounced around in rating a lot for me. I found the middle to be rather boring and happily skimmed it but the end did have me smiling at my book which I have to give points for
January 16, 2024
I’m an addict. And this is the high I’ve been chasing.
I loooooved Georgia so much. And I loved how unabashedly in love with her Demon is.
A perfect book to hit 1000 read books with🥰
I loooooved Georgia so much. And I loved how unabashedly in love with her Demon is.
A perfect book to hit 1000 read books with🥰
October 15, 2025
Funny, poignant and a delightful read
December 21, 2022
“Five more weeks of this?
Dear Lord, five more minutes of this and she’d be a whimpering pile of goo at his feet”
Lady Georgia Stoughton has been the subject of scandal once before. She was lucky her father took her back and she is desperate to do what she can to make up for her previous sins.
Demon Hayle, the Baron Endymion, believes himself a monster. He has retreated from life to hide the scars and burns he suffered at the hands of Blackrose.
Georgia can’t help the attraction she feels towards Demon. She sees beyond the scars to the man hidden underneath. It’s going to be an interesting (and enjoyable) 5 weeks till Hogmanay, then her fathers debt will be cleared.
A brilliant 2nd book in this new series, surprise Dukes with lots of steam.
Dear Lord, five more minutes of this and she’d be a whimpering pile of goo at his feet”
Lady Georgia Stoughton has been the subject of scandal once before. She was lucky her father took her back and she is desperate to do what she can to make up for her previous sins.
Demon Hayle, the Baron Endymion, believes himself a monster. He has retreated from life to hide the scars and burns he suffered at the hands of Blackrose.
Georgia can’t help the attraction she feels towards Demon. She sees beyond the scars to the man hidden underneath. It’s going to be an interesting (and enjoyable) 5 weeks till Hogmanay, then her fathers debt will be cleared.
A brilliant 2nd book in this new series, surprise Dukes with lots of steam.
January 20, 2023
This was my first Caroline Lee book and I LOVED it! I loved the steam and the spice. (In fact, probably a good rule of thumb with this book is make sure no one is in the vicinity whenever you're reading it. Make sure you're reading it alone in a room by yourself. I could feel myself blush.) If you LOVE the beauty and the beast trope, you will adore this book. I can't wait to read more about these characters!!
March 9, 2023
Took me some time to finish it but I don't like the way of this story
A Lady stormed to the Hero's castle as a representative of her father to do whatever it is to pay her father's debt. Hero was scarred, that's my very favorite trope but this story took a wrong turn. I accept hero's seclusion but the heroine is so easy to get. They don't know each other and bam she was so aroused. I don't like it.
A Lady stormed to the Hero's castle as a representative of her father to do whatever it is to pay her father's debt. Hero was scarred, that's my very favorite trope but this story took a wrong turn. I accept hero's seclusion but the heroine is so easy to get. They don't know each other and bam she was so aroused. I don't like it.
July 29, 2024
Second read: Listened as Audiobook; Philip Alces narrated and he was sublime. (Remainder of review to come very soon, promise.!!)
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First read: ebook, 2023 - rated it a solid 4 stars. Wrote: “Review in progress…” and got behind in reviews and didn’t review. Good thing I reread in 2024 because now I’ll have a full review!
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First read: ebook, 2023 - rated it a solid 4 stars. Wrote: “Review in progress…” and got behind in reviews and didn’t review. Good thing I reread in 2024 because now I’ll have a full review!
March 25, 2023
The writing was fine. This is just an erotic historical that's not meant to be taken seriously. Read it for a romance and steam buzz. DNF.
November 4, 2024
Silly and salacious with ridiculous curse words and cute enough banter. Always trust a smutty period romance to get out of a reading slump.
May 26, 2025
3.75★
Like a historical BatB... Some hot moments, some funny moments... Demon is all gruff outside and gooey inside, which I enjoyed... Georgia is a strong character... Demon's staff made me laugh too... had to overlook certain parts/language because otherwise I'd just roll my eyes. And it took me some time to finish this, not sure why...
First time reading this author, won't be the last... I think...
Like a historical BatB... Some hot moments, some funny moments... Demon is all gruff outside and gooey inside, which I enjoyed... Georgia is a strong character... Demon's staff made me laugh too... had to overlook certain parts/language because otherwise I'd just roll my eyes. And it took me some time to finish this, not sure why...
First time reading this author, won't be the last... I think...
December 21, 2022
Once again Caroline Lee hits it out of the park. This book starts hot and never cools off. The not quite historically accurate bits and innuendos had me laughing out loud in public places. The names of people and places are a riot. The heros choice of swear words (yes, there are lots) is absolutely hilarious. All the new characters drew me in and Demon and Georgia were perfect together. My fan favorite Bull even made an appearance (or two). Now I'm eagerly awaiting the next book and more Bull.
February 14, 2023
This was exactly as promised! Spicy, sassy, and hilariously written. Light-hearted reading is good for the soul!
December 10, 2024
Equal parts sweet and… shockingly riské.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
This was just delightful, with the hilarious internal monologues (especially his outlandish cursing), the hot sex, the slow slide into love, the “we don’t talk about Bruno” bit. It was just funny and entertaining and I really really enjoyed every bit of it.
June 7, 2025
What an absolute pile of nonsensical mock-historical writing! The cussing was gloriously inventive. I laughed so hard I probably woke up all my neighbours 😅
January 23, 2023
4 stars. Silly and captivating. I laughed out loud a few times. Best part is the author’s note at the end that separates fact from fiction and explained the relationship ladder people are used to seeing, and how this book deliberately inverts the ladder.
February 21, 2024
5 and 100 more stars for Gabriel "Demon" and Georgia
A debt, a contract and then my jaw dropped. Never expected this much spice, fun, emotion and character in a historical romcom.
Demon surprised me most. Georgia floored me and some side characters luckily need a reread. So I will be back and relisten. I loved the narration. I will lusten again and then pick up more. It didn't feel inorganic or wrong to find that spice in a historical story. It was like the natural extension of very persuasive fictive characters. I am happy I discovered this author and will pick more stories.
A debt, a contract and then my jaw dropped. Never expected this much spice, fun, emotion and character in a historical romcom.
Demon surprised me most. Georgia floored me and some side characters luckily need a reread. So I will be back and relisten. I loved the narration. I will lusten again and then pick up more. It didn't feel inorganic or wrong to find that spice in a historical story. It was like the natural extension of very persuasive fictive characters. I am happy I discovered this author and will pick more stories.
April 17, 2023
Excellent story of Lady Georgia Stoughton, who has come in her father's stead to bargain with Demon Hayle, the new Duke of Lickwick. Hilarious, laugh out loud yet very poignant. Loved the characters, the antics, the mystery, etc, etc - loved it all. Part of the Surprise! Dukes series but can be read as a standalone. Can't recommend enough.
January 10, 2023
This was a very good story, but there were a few things that kept it from earning a 4th star. The editing/proofreading could have been better - quite a few mistakes slipped through toward the end. The inventive cursing was funny at first, but became tedious and over-used. It was a distraction and slowed the pace.
Enjoyed the superstitions of Mrs. Kettel; loved the cat!
Enjoyed the superstitions of Mrs. Kettel; loved the cat!
March 8, 2024
What is your ideal date? Mine is comedy, porn, comedy, porn, comedy, porn, then, learn Caroline’s ridiculously funny expletives. Listening to this book was like my favourite date.
Fekkin hell, people!
(TMI) I’m just gonna go commando when reading Caroline. Who has time to do all that laundry in addition to my own labour of love? But apart from extra laundry, this book is hot!
It's hotter than a ghost pepper having a fever dream in the Sahara Desert. It's so hot, even the sun is like, "Damn, I need to step up my game!” Imagine a volcano having a passionate love affair with a supernova… That's how hot this book is!
Right off the bat, the first chapter is so hot, the first thing I thought was, “I can never look at that woman in the eye.” I’d be like, “You that chick who wrote that shit that I do my… laundry to?”
Hot scenes in almost every chapter, folks. Almost EVERY CHAPTER!
If I weren’t so lazy, I’d scream it from the mountain top because it’s about time I get more than a few unapologetic spicy action in historical romance.
I know, I know. There are many other HR novels with lots of sex, so why is this one special? This is why.
• The tension from passion is broken by humour. It’s the perfect combination like coffee and cake, chocolate and hazelnut, wine and cheese…
• Both characters are super likeable. She is bold, grounded, doesn’t falter, and thank the jabbering hash tits, she is horny (this lip-smacking morsel of expletive is Caroline’s. Not sure if this is accurate since I listened to the book).
• He is gruff, insensitive, beastly on the outside but super tender on the inside. He is also the perfect husband material because of his poor negotiating skills. Allow me to illustrate:
W: Do you want a BJ, honey?
H: Wh-what? Are you sure? Have you seen this thing? It’s hideous, angry, irrational, selfish, and pukes up stinky stuff.
W: I’m sure. I want to suck it.
H: All right. Let me get you drunk to numb your pain and memory.
All right, Carojunkies. I have one issue with the storyline. Hear me out before you put a bounty on my head. I don’t understand why Georgia got so angry with Demon at the end. The plot allowed for a more acceptable reason for her to be angry, but her reason, IMO, was irrational. Having said that, I’m also the person who looked at a Picasso and said, “I can draw better than that.” Meaning, I don't know what I don't know.
I want to be serious for a sec.
It’s easy to laugh, get horny, and hate oneself for getting horny when reading spicy HR. No? Just me? Fine.
It is all too easy to dismiss romance, particularly those of the steamy variety, as mere fluff—frivolous reading devoid of intellectual depth, profound insight, or earth-shattering revelations. But I, for one, vehemently disagree with this opinion.
For me, books like these are portals to the intangible wonders that make life worth living. They are a testament to the power of love to transform lives in ways both grand and subtle. In "The Duke's Deceitful Governess," we see Rourke patiently imparting life's crucial lessons to his young charges, drop by precious drop. Through Demon, we witness Georgia's hunger for freedom finally sated as she steps into a world she never dreamed possible. These stories capture the magic and marvel of experiencing life's firsts. A magic that, for some of us, can only be tasted vicariously through the pages of a book.
As I lose myself in these tales, I find myself absorbing the characters' wide-eyed wonder, their hearts fluttering with each new sensation and discovery. And though my chances for such firsts have long passed me by, these books offer me a priceless gift— the chance to see the world anew, if only for a few hours, through the eyes of those still innocent enough to be astonished by it.
Fekkin hell, Carl!
To craft a work of fiction that reaches into the very depths of a stranger's soul, gripping their heart with an intensity they've never known, reshaping it and forever altering its landscape… That, my friends, is nothing short of pure artistry, sheer sorcery, and an absolute mindfuck.
And now, I find myself utterly consumed by the desire to weave a tale of my own, one that ignites the flames of new love so fiercely, the reader feels its heat searing their very core. A love story where the truth of it all is revealed in a dizzying dance of grand gestures and the most delicate of touches, leaving the world forever changed in its wake. The kind of story that leaves you grinning like a fool, whether you're tossing rubbish in the bin or gritting your teeth through a root canal.
In this book, Caroline has struck that perfect balance between the explosive and the intimate, the thunderous and the whisper-soft. She has reminded us that love, in all its forms, has the power to utterly transform us, to leave us breathless and aching and alive in ways we never knew possible.
Damn, the man on the cover is still wearing pants...
Fekkin hell, people!
(TMI) I’m just gonna go commando when reading Caroline. Who has time to do all that laundry in addition to my own labour of love? But apart from extra laundry, this book is hot!
It's hotter than a ghost pepper having a fever dream in the Sahara Desert. It's so hot, even the sun is like, "Damn, I need to step up my game!” Imagine a volcano having a passionate love affair with a supernova… That's how hot this book is!
Right off the bat, the first chapter is so hot, the first thing I thought was, “I can never look at that woman in the eye.” I’d be like, “You that chick who wrote that shit that I do my… laundry to?”
Hot scenes in almost every chapter, folks. Almost EVERY CHAPTER!
If I weren’t so lazy, I’d scream it from the mountain top because it’s about time I get more than a few unapologetic spicy action in historical romance.
I know, I know. There are many other HR novels with lots of sex, so why is this one special? This is why.
• The tension from passion is broken by humour. It’s the perfect combination like coffee and cake, chocolate and hazelnut, wine and cheese…
• Both characters are super likeable. She is bold, grounded, doesn’t falter, and thank the jabbering hash tits, she is horny (this lip-smacking morsel of expletive is Caroline’s. Not sure if this is accurate since I listened to the book).
• He is gruff, insensitive, beastly on the outside but super tender on the inside. He is also the perfect husband material because of his poor negotiating skills. Allow me to illustrate:
W: Do you want a BJ, honey?
H: Wh-what? Are you sure? Have you seen this thing? It’s hideous, angry, irrational, selfish, and pukes up stinky stuff.
W: I’m sure. I want to suck it.
H: All right. Let me get you drunk to numb your pain and memory.
All right, Carojunkies. I have one issue with the storyline. Hear me out before you put a bounty on my head. I don’t understand why Georgia got so angry with Demon at the end. The plot allowed for a more acceptable reason for her to be angry, but her reason, IMO, was irrational. Having said that, I’m also the person who looked at a Picasso and said, “I can draw better than that.” Meaning, I don't know what I don't know.
I want to be serious for a sec.
It’s easy to laugh, get horny, and hate oneself for getting horny when reading spicy HR. No? Just me? Fine.
It is all too easy to dismiss romance, particularly those of the steamy variety, as mere fluff—frivolous reading devoid of intellectual depth, profound insight, or earth-shattering revelations. But I, for one, vehemently disagree with this opinion.
For me, books like these are portals to the intangible wonders that make life worth living. They are a testament to the power of love to transform lives in ways both grand and subtle. In "The Duke's Deceitful Governess," we see Rourke patiently imparting life's crucial lessons to his young charges, drop by precious drop. Through Demon, we witness Georgia's hunger for freedom finally sated as she steps into a world she never dreamed possible. These stories capture the magic and marvel of experiencing life's firsts. A magic that, for some of us, can only be tasted vicariously through the pages of a book.
As I lose myself in these tales, I find myself absorbing the characters' wide-eyed wonder, their hearts fluttering with each new sensation and discovery. And though my chances for such firsts have long passed me by, these books offer me a priceless gift— the chance to see the world anew, if only for a few hours, through the eyes of those still innocent enough to be astonished by it.
Fekkin hell, Carl!
To craft a work of fiction that reaches into the very depths of a stranger's soul, gripping their heart with an intensity they've never known, reshaping it and forever altering its landscape… That, my friends, is nothing short of pure artistry, sheer sorcery, and an absolute mindfuck.
And now, I find myself utterly consumed by the desire to weave a tale of my own, one that ignites the flames of new love so fiercely, the reader feels its heat searing their very core. A love story where the truth of it all is revealed in a dizzying dance of grand gestures and the most delicate of touches, leaving the world forever changed in its wake. The kind of story that leaves you grinning like a fool, whether you're tossing rubbish in the bin or gritting your teeth through a root canal.
In this book, Caroline has struck that perfect balance between the explosive and the intimate, the thunderous and the whisper-soft. She has reminded us that love, in all its forms, has the power to utterly transform us, to leave us breathless and aching and alive in ways we never knew possible.
Damn, the man on the cover is still wearing pants...
December 24, 2022
🎄The Duke's Bartered Mistress 🐈⬛
Surprise! Dukes Book 2
✒️ Caroline Lee
https://www.facebook.com/CarolineLeeR...
Release Date 12/29/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9TX4YVX?...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
The whispers say he’s a demon, but now he owns her…
It is vital Lady Georgia Stoughton finds a way to pay her father’s debt, but the cursed man who owns it refuses her money. So when she offers herself in repayment, the devil with the body of an angel calls her bluff…and signs the contract. Now she belongs to him, body and soul, until the last hour of December.
Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, wants two things in his life: seclusion, and revenge on the man who scarred him so horribly, making him unfit for Society. The first is going perfectly fine until a brash beauty pushes her way into his life, and before he can kick her out the door, offers the second. Lady Georgia’s father is the key to his revenge, but this contract is so much sweeter: the use of Georgia’s body, whenever and however he wants her, for the next month.
It's going to be a Hayle of a holiday season.
Georgia can’t regret the arrangement that made her Demon’s, not when she has free run of his castle, library, and neglected rose garden. And as she becomes addicted to the pleasure he shows her in the bedroom (and study, and conservatory, and once up against the wall in the linen closet), she begins to doubt her own plans.
Then comes the letter with the announcement Demon has just unexpectedly become a duke. Well, blast. Is he ready for London? It’s up to Georgia now, but as the end of December looms nearer, Demon’s revenge is slipping from his grasp…
Warning: There’s a lot of spicy bits...and hilarious servants, a stubborn cat, more gardening than you’d expect in December, and still more spicy bits. Get ready to laugh out loud with another Caroline Lee HistRomCom!
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Can a relationship which began on the wrong foot be righted …
I am not into stories with weak-knees-at-the-sight-of-a-yummy-make-body heroines. I prefer them to think with their brain instead of their neither regions (same to be said about male heroes too).
But when you decide to read a Caroline Lee book, you must accept it, as it is an established fact for any of her romcom couples.
They think sex, dream about sex and swear with the most colorful imaginative body part/function related speech.
Be also forewarned, this is a historical romance with few to aplenty of historical accuracies. Like how the hero comes to be a duke or what of the title holdings or legacies … you will learn more by reading the author’s notes, keep it for a last bout of fun.
I confess I struggled a bit with the all selling oneself to clear a debt and how the hero humiliated the heroine at the beginning. But as the story progressed, their affair beginning at its end rendered it even more interesting. With their relationship beginning as a transaction, consensual but still a business like one to only move backwards as they get to know one another until they reached the point they see the other as a being they come to care about and want to keep in their life.
I was surprised by the length of the book, used to the author’s short novels, yet to help Demon and Georgia to progress from their initial contract to a sort of friendship then an amorous relationship, they needed time as so much was standing between them.
Georgia is so much in need of her father’s approval as love has never been in the equation, she is ready to anything, even offering herself as a bargained ship. Sure, it is not hardship as she has been bewitched since her first sight of Demon. Yet, the beginning of their affair is rather humiliating even if it is satisfying in term of pleasure.
Demon knows the contract they signed is wrong but he is so angry, at the man who betrayed him, at the man who refuses to bend to his demands that Georgia appears at first as a mean to an end. Why he follows the flow when in his core he is aware she is the innocent who will pay the price instead of the real culprits.
A surprising story of a revenge scheme turning to an expected love.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmjQGq...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #carolinelee #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Surprise! Dukes Book 2
✒️ Caroline Lee
https://www.facebook.com/CarolineLeeR...
Release Date 12/29/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9TX4YVX?...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
The whispers say he’s a demon, but now he owns her…
It is vital Lady Georgia Stoughton finds a way to pay her father’s debt, but the cursed man who owns it refuses her money. So when she offers herself in repayment, the devil with the body of an angel calls her bluff…and signs the contract. Now she belongs to him, body and soul, until the last hour of December.
Lord Edymion, Demon Hayle, wants two things in his life: seclusion, and revenge on the man who scarred him so horribly, making him unfit for Society. The first is going perfectly fine until a brash beauty pushes her way into his life, and before he can kick her out the door, offers the second. Lady Georgia’s father is the key to his revenge, but this contract is so much sweeter: the use of Georgia’s body, whenever and however he wants her, for the next month.
It's going to be a Hayle of a holiday season.
Georgia can’t regret the arrangement that made her Demon’s, not when she has free run of his castle, library, and neglected rose garden. And as she becomes addicted to the pleasure he shows her in the bedroom (and study, and conservatory, and once up against the wall in the linen closet), she begins to doubt her own plans.
Then comes the letter with the announcement Demon has just unexpectedly become a duke. Well, blast. Is he ready for London? It’s up to Georgia now, but as the end of December looms nearer, Demon’s revenge is slipping from his grasp…
Warning: There’s a lot of spicy bits...and hilarious servants, a stubborn cat, more gardening than you’d expect in December, and still more spicy bits. Get ready to laugh out loud with another Caroline Lee HistRomCom!
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Can a relationship which began on the wrong foot be righted …
I am not into stories with weak-knees-at-the-sight-of-a-yummy-make-body heroines. I prefer them to think with their brain instead of their neither regions (same to be said about male heroes too).
But when you decide to read a Caroline Lee book, you must accept it, as it is an established fact for any of her romcom couples.
They think sex, dream about sex and swear with the most colorful imaginative body part/function related speech.
Be also forewarned, this is a historical romance with few to aplenty of historical accuracies. Like how the hero comes to be a duke or what of the title holdings or legacies … you will learn more by reading the author’s notes, keep it for a last bout of fun.
I confess I struggled a bit with the all selling oneself to clear a debt and how the hero humiliated the heroine at the beginning. But as the story progressed, their affair beginning at its end rendered it even more interesting. With their relationship beginning as a transaction, consensual but still a business like one to only move backwards as they get to know one another until they reached the point they see the other as a being they come to care about and want to keep in their life.
I was surprised by the length of the book, used to the author’s short novels, yet to help Demon and Georgia to progress from their initial contract to a sort of friendship then an amorous relationship, they needed time as so much was standing between them.
Georgia is so much in need of her father’s approval as love has never been in the equation, she is ready to anything, even offering herself as a bargained ship. Sure, it is not hardship as she has been bewitched since her first sight of Demon. Yet, the beginning of their affair is rather humiliating even if it is satisfying in term of pleasure.
Demon knows the contract they signed is wrong but he is so angry, at the man who betrayed him, at the man who refuses to bend to his demands that Georgia appears at first as a mean to an end. Why he follows the flow when in his core he is aware she is the innocent who will pay the price instead of the real culprits.
A surprising story of a revenge scheme turning to an expected love.
5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmjQGq...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #carolinelee #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
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