Review: Not the Duke's Darling by Elizabeth Hoyt

Not the Duke's Darling (The Greycourt #1) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publication Date: December 18th 2018 by Forever

Pages: 496 (with bonus novella)

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt brings us the first book in her sexy and sensual Greycourt Series!

Freya de Moray is many things: a member of the secret order of Wise Women, the daughter of disgraced nobility, and a chaperone living under an assumed name. What she is not is forgiving. So when the Duke of Harlowe--the man who destroyed her brother and led to the downfall of her family--appears at the country house party she's attending, she does what any Wise Woman would do: she starts planning her revenge.

Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, is being blackmailed. Intent on keeping his secrets safe, he agrees to attend a house party where he will put an end to this coercion once and for all. Until he recognizes Freya, masquerading amongst the party revelers, and realizes his troubles have just begun. Freya knows all about his sins. Sins he'd much rather forget. But she's also fiery, bold, and sensuous-a temptation he can't resist. When it becomes clear Freya is in grave danger, he'll risk everything to keep her safe. But first, Harlowe will have to earn Freya's trust-by whatever means necessary.

Features a bonus novella from New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes!

My Thoughts:

Freya was a woman of titled nobility but reduced due to a scandal involving her brother and the Greycourts. Christopher, brother’s childhood friend was also involved, and while Freya would like to set him in his place with revenge, it soon becomes apparent that Freya may not know all the details

Freya’s newest mission leads her to a house party in order to get close to Lord Randolph, a man who wants to pass a law to once again subject women to witch trials. Lord Randolph had a wife, a much younger woman, who died under questionable circumstances, and Freya wants to make sure Lord Randolph didn’t get away with murder. Little did she know that Christopher, now Duke of Harlow, would also be at this house party.  Christopher accepts the invitation to deal with a despicable man trying to blackmail him. 

As they each deal with their own challenges they can’t help but be drawn to each other. Freya, because she loved Christopher once upon a time, even though she’s angered over his part in her brother’s ruin.  Christopher can’t resist the feisty woman who pushes his every button with her sharp wit and cutting words.  Soon they’re stealing away to satisfy the fiery passion between them and I could feel the heat coming off the pages every time they came together!

I love that Freya was a strong woman, not really influenced by societal norms here.  She’s undercover, hiding the fact that she’s a duke’s daughter to get close to those who would reinstate antiquated laws in order to punish and subject woman who don’t fit into their boxed expectations.   Even though I liked Freya I was a little irritated with her actions in the end. A smart woman should use all her assets to keep safe, such as asking for backup or help when facing danger.  Going off alone isn’t the wisest thing in my opinion, especially a woman facing off with a man. Her resistance to Christopher was annoying, too, even though it was clear she loved him as he loved her.  Thankfully, these situations weren’t long and drawn out so I still really enjoyed the story. 

Elizabeth Hoyt’s historical romances are always beautifully written, sensual and captivating so I was excited to dive into her new series.  Not the Duke’s Darling was an entertaining start to what looks to be a fantastic series!  Can’t wait for the next story! 

4 Suns