When a Rogue Meets His Match

Starred review from September 28, 2020
An arranged marriage leads to passion, intrigue, and love in Hoyt’s engaging second Georgian-era Greycourt romance (after Not the Duke’s Darling). Gideon Hawthorne is tired of working as a henchman for the dastardly Duke of Windemere. But when the Duke offers Gideon his niece Messalina Greycourt’s hand in marriage in exchange for one final job, Gideon, who has been besotted by Messalina since they were teens, can’t refuse—not even when he learns the job is murder. Messalina’s hefty dowry and high connections might finally allow Gideon to leave behind his lowly past. Though fiery Messalina balks at the arrangement, she realizes that marrying Gideon offers an escape from the tyrannical rule of her uncle. The dynamic relationship between Messalina and Gideon is alluring, stirring, and sensual, but complicated by Gideon’s struggles to fulfill his commitment to the Duke and the constant interference of Messalina’s siblings, who hope to rescue her from Gideon while evading their uncle’s sinister machinations. Historical romance fans will be gratified by the way Hoyt highlights social issues, focusing on Gideon and Messalina’s struggle against poverty and 18th-century gender roles. Credible characters, steamy romance, and heart-pounding action set this romance apart. This edition includes a bonus novella not seen by PW. Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House.