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sunflowerhalo's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this!
I read the first book in the series and automatically had to read the second one once I finished. It was just as good as the first one. Similar theme of course but totally original. Can’t wait to read #3!
I read the first book in the series and automatically had to read the second one once I finished. It was just as good as the first one. Similar theme of course but totally original. Can’t wait to read #3!
cdb393's review against another edition
4.0
I received an arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was very interested in reading this book because I felt the first book in the series had some great elements despite being uneven. Locke has a knack for creating interesting and complex main characters. The problems I had in the first book were not present in this one. The pacing was good throughout the entire book and the supporting characters were handled better (with one small exception that I'll address later in the review).
I really liked both Elizabeth and Con. Elizabeth loves her son and she wants to have the kind of relationship with him that she didn't have with her parents. She's used to taking care of herself and makes sure she gets what she wants. She sees herself as unloveable and selfish but we see through her interactions with Con and her friends that this isn't completely true. We also see her reach out time after time to her family only to be rejected every time. She's made mistakes but she's recognized them and would like a chance at forgiveness but her family refuses. Her father goes so far as to support the father of Elizabeth's son in his bid to take their son, Oliver, away from Elizabeth.
Con is such a likable character. Even though he has decided to pose as the father of Elizabeth's son to get money, he grows to care about both Elizabeth and Oliver. He complains about his brothers and mother but he obviously loves them deeply and would do anything for them. A great deal of the money he gets from Elizabeth is used to settle his twin brother, Dare's, gambling debts. Con is a bit of a people pleaser; he wants everyone to be happy even at his own expense. Despite all of his selflessness, he doesn't come off as a martyr or too good to be true. We see his conflict about wanting to help the people he cares but also wanting to put his wants and needs first sometimes. He also desperately wants his brothers to see him as a success.
There is a lot of drama and conflict in this book. The major conflict is the fact that Oliver's father, Finn, wants to take his son back from Elizabeth like he had previously done. While Con initially creates doubt in Finn's mind about Oliver's parentage, Finn quickly decides he's been had and that he is Oliver's father. I was always aware that this book is about trying to keep a child from his real father. That did bother me some. The injustice of Elizabeth having no rights when it comes to custody of her own child and the fact that Finn had taken Oliver away from her before definitely made me feel better about rooting for Elizabeth's plan to work but didn't completely eliminate my reservations.
The other big conflict, in the last fourth of the book, felt forced to me. Elizabeth withholds some information from Con and his brothers because she doesn't trust Con not to stay with her if he no longer needs her money. It just didn't ring true that Elizabeth would have withheld this information. Even if she didn't completely trust Con to stay with her, I felt there was enough trust between the two that she would have risked it and dealt with the consequences if she was wrong. Con's reaction to finding out this information seemed a little out of proportion to the deception given the relatively short time she kept the secret especially when much of the time it would have been impossible to tell him and inappropriate to tell his family.
The other big problem I had with this book was that the final chapter revolved solely around a supporting character in the book. It seemed to be setting up a book for that character, but it wasn't Roman who is the hero of the next story. Maybe this ending somehow plays into the next book but I felt the author could tells us about the continuing storyline with that character a little earlier and integrate it better with the main story.
While this story wasn't perfect, I still had a good time reading it and would recommended to historical romance fans.
I was very interested in reading this book because I felt the first book in the series had some great elements despite being uneven. Locke has a knack for creating interesting and complex main characters. The problems I had in the first book were not present in this one. The pacing was good throughout the entire book and the supporting characters were handled better (with one small exception that I'll address later in the review).
I really liked both Elizabeth and Con. Elizabeth loves her son and she wants to have the kind of relationship with him that she didn't have with her parents. She's used to taking care of herself and makes sure she gets what she wants. She sees herself as unloveable and selfish but we see through her interactions with Con and her friends that this isn't completely true. We also see her reach out time after time to her family only to be rejected every time. She's made mistakes but she's recognized them and would like a chance at forgiveness but her family refuses. Her father goes so far as to support the father of Elizabeth's son in his bid to take their son, Oliver, away from Elizabeth.
Con is such a likable character. Even though he has decided to pose as the father of Elizabeth's son to get money, he grows to care about both Elizabeth and Oliver. He complains about his brothers and mother but he obviously loves them deeply and would do anything for them. A great deal of the money he gets from Elizabeth is used to settle his twin brother, Dare's, gambling debts. Con is a bit of a people pleaser; he wants everyone to be happy even at his own expense. Despite all of his selflessness, he doesn't come off as a martyr or too good to be true. We see his conflict about wanting to help the people he cares but also wanting to put his wants and needs first sometimes. He also desperately wants his brothers to see him as a success.
There is a lot of drama and conflict in this book. The major conflict is the fact that Oliver's father, Finn, wants to take his son back from Elizabeth like he had previously done. While Con initially creates doubt in Finn's mind about Oliver's parentage, Finn quickly decides he's been had and that he is Oliver's father. I was always aware that this book is about trying to keep a child from his real father. That did bother me some. The injustice of Elizabeth having no rights when it comes to custody of her own child and the fact that Finn had taken Oliver away from her before definitely made me feel better about rooting for Elizabeth's plan to work but didn't completely eliminate my reservations.
The other big conflict, in the last fourth of the book, felt forced to me. Elizabeth withholds some information from Con and his brothers because she doesn't trust Con not to stay with her if he no longer needs her money. It just didn't ring true that Elizabeth would have withheld this information. Even if she didn't completely trust Con to stay with her, I felt there was enough trust between the two that she would have risked it and dealt with the consequences if she was wrong. Con's reaction to finding out this information seemed a little out of proportion to the deception given the relatively short time she kept the secret especially when much of the time it would have been impossible to tell him and inappropriate to tell his family.
The other big problem I had with this book was that the final chapter revolved solely around a supporting character in the book. It seemed to be setting up a book for that character, but it wasn't Roman who is the hero of the next story. Maybe this ending somehow plays into the next book but I felt the author could tells us about the continuing storyline with that character a little earlier and integrate it better with the main story.
While this story wasn't perfect, I still had a good time reading it and would recommended to historical romance fans.
emilyhei's review
4.0
Courtesan Elizabeth Spencer struck a deal with Lord Constantine Alexander, in exchange for enough money to keep him out of debtor’s prison he claims her infant son is his. What should have been a simple exchange has turned into an embroiled with her ex-lover who still believes the child is his, Con’s family demands to see the child, and Elizabeth is not quite fond of the idea of letting him borrow the child. Not to mention the spark of growing attraction that seems to escalate when in each other’s company.
Full review on Single Titles
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/16621095
Full review on Single Titles
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/16621095
moniqueg93's review
5.0
Loved this!
I read the first book in the series and automatically had to read the second one once I finished. It was just as good as the first one. Similar theme of course but totally original. Can’t wait to read #3!
I read the first book in the series and automatically had to read the second one once I finished. It was just as good as the first one. Similar theme of course but totally original. Can’t wait to read #3!
perfectphlaws's review
3.0
Reading a love story about a mistress, is definitely not my ideal, especially one who was in love with a married man. It was really hard to relate, maybe if she was down on her luck I would have understood more, but since she was the daughter of an Earl I found her choices pretty terrible. That said the heroine was no Mary Sue, which was interesting, but also had me angry with her on multiple occasions. Her complete lack of faith in the hero got pretty annoying, especially towards the end. I understand she was battling with her conscience, but the way she withheld information that could help him and his family was pretty despicable. Although a little farfetched, I mean why would Trestin who is best friends with one of the members of the family tell Elizabeth first and not the concerned party. Honestly he would probably easily contact any member of the family first. That basically didn't make sense.
I appreciate the Emma Locke is writing stories about characters who are real, but maybe I'm just more into the unrealistic parts of romance.
I appreciate the Emma Locke is writing stories about characters who are real, but maybe I'm just more into the unrealistic parts of romance.
silvercal's review
4.0
When a beautiful courtesan approaches Lord Constantine Alexander with the offer of ten thousand pounds for his aid in getting her son back, it seems like an easy 'yes'. After all, all he needs to do is cast doubt of the childs paternity and then be on his way... but that would be too easy. Lady Elizabeth Spencer's former paramour, after being embarrassed into giving the child up, starts to cause a ruckus about his son being stolen away from him. And then there is Con's family. They want him to do right by Elizabeth, she is a lady even though she left that life behind and she has plenty of money to help this debt ridden family. Con and Elizabeth know they truth about their faux relationship but these circumstances force them to spend time together and put on a united front. As they spend time together, a mutual attraction grows and Elizabeth decides she must keep Con around to keep her son and the way to keep him is to seduce him. Con refuses to be bedded just for sport and he refuses her advances and we get to watch them slowly find their true way to each other. When a drastic turn arrives in the form of Elizabeth's rotten father, it will test the boundaries of their fragile relationship, which is further stretched thin when Elizabeth keeps an important bit of information from Con. Will Con be able to trust Elizabeth again and how can they keep her son?
What an interesting, fun, sexy, emotional romance! I enjoyed Emma Locke's debut but I think this one is even better frankly. It may have tugged on my heart strings a bit more since I could not imagine being separated from my son but the whole story line, from Con's delightful family and all their personal struggles to Elizabeth and her obnoxious family and her need to find her place in life was such a pleasure to read. If you have read the previous book in this series ([b:The Trouble with Being Wicked|16620379|The Trouble with Being Wicked (The Naughty Girls, #1)|Emma Locke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360807232s/16620379.jpg|22825113]) Elizabeth came across a bit selfish and self centered but since the birth of her son she has had a wonderful change about her, making her take stock in her life and her choices. She is bold, clever and sassy and I really enjoyed her. And Con. Sigh. Such a gentleman! He agrees to be a babies father and when he realizes that this means more than just five minutes, it means for life, he jumps in with both feet and never looks back! He loves and cares for his family so much but carries so much on himself. There are five brothers (he is the fourth) but it is his twin that is causing him the most pain, especially financially. He strives to fix this and I liked watching how all these men bounced off each other and the addition of his mother, who has no problem accepting her son's born out of wedlock son, was a nice family relationship. Together Elizabeth and Con are a good couple who have many flaws to overcome but together find the happiness they so deserve. A charming, well written treat filled with ups and downs that is sure to make you tear up, cheer, smile and sigh all along the way to a happily ever after. 4 very solid stars
eARC provided by the author, thanks!
[b:The Trouble with Being Wicked|16620379|The Trouble with Being Wicked (The Naughty Girls, #1)|Emma Locke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360807232s/16620379.jpg|22825113]
What an interesting, fun, sexy, emotional romance! I enjoyed Emma Locke's debut but I think this one is even better frankly. It may have tugged on my heart strings a bit more since I could not imagine being separated from my son but the whole story line, from Con's delightful family and all their personal struggles to Elizabeth and her obnoxious family and her need to find her place in life was such a pleasure to read. If you have read the previous book in this series ([b:The Trouble with Being Wicked|16620379|The Trouble with Being Wicked (The Naughty Girls, #1)|Emma Locke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360807232s/16620379.jpg|22825113]) Elizabeth came across a bit selfish and self centered but since the birth of her son she has had a wonderful change about her, making her take stock in her life and her choices. She is bold, clever and sassy and I really enjoyed her. And Con. Sigh. Such a gentleman! He agrees to be a babies father and when he realizes that this means more than just five minutes, it means for life, he jumps in with both feet and never looks back! He loves and cares for his family so much but carries so much on himself. There are five brothers (he is the fourth) but it is his twin that is causing him the most pain, especially financially. He strives to fix this and I liked watching how all these men bounced off each other and the addition of his mother, who has no problem accepting her son's born out of wedlock son, was a nice family relationship. Together Elizabeth and Con are a good couple who have many flaws to overcome but together find the happiness they so deserve. A charming, well written treat filled with ups and downs that is sure to make you tear up, cheer, smile and sigh all along the way to a happily ever after. 4 very solid stars
eARC provided by the author, thanks!
[b:The Trouble with Being Wicked|16620379|The Trouble with Being Wicked (The Naughty Girls, #1)|Emma Locke|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360807232s/16620379.jpg|22825113]
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