Synopsis
London society is cruel for a young woman whose father is an avid gambler. Miss Grace Ashton is not one to stand idly by while her family becomes destitute. Donning a mask, she slips into the night and attends the infamous Raven Club to confront the proprietor. But nothing prepares her for the sinfully attractive and wealthy Ian Swift.
Ian is intrigued when Grace walks into his gambling club but refuses her offer of a few jewels to pay her father’s large debts. Unbeknownst to anyone, Ian has inherited the Earldom of Castleton, and he must reluctantly take his place in Society. But Ian’s manners as a gentleman have suffered. He needs a tutor, and he knows the exquisite lady standing before him is the answer.
But soon tutoring turns to flirting, which unfortunately lands both of them in...marriage?
Ian is intrigued when Grace walks into his gambling club but refuses her offer of a few jewels to pay her father’s large debts. Unbeknownst to anyone, Ian has inherited the Earldom of Castleton, and he must reluctantly take his place in Society. But Ian’s manners as a gentleman have suffered. He needs a tutor, and he knows the exquisite lady standing before him is the answer.
But soon tutoring turns to flirting, which unfortunately lands both of them in...marriage?
Review
It's a lovely read which I enjoyed thoroughly. I loved both the main characters and found their encounters quite interesting. The story is fast paced and flows perfectly so it is a quick read.
All Miss Ashton wants is to save her father. He has developed a habit of gambling and the way he is going soon they won't have anything left to their names. She can't let that happen so it is up to her to do something before it's too late. With that thought in mind she visits the 'gaming hell' her father frequents. However, things don't go the way she had anticipated because the owner is a cad of worst sort and doesn't see anything wrong with gambling away ones inheritance.
Ian knows that Miss Ashton is misplacing the blame. If he refused her father admittance to his club he will only go some where else. The problem is not the gaming clubs but her father's own issues. And he needs to deal with them himself. No one else can stop him from ruining himself. But one thing is becoming clearer, Ian will definitely try to intervene simply because he is having a hard time saying know to Grace. She is a lady and he is an owner of gambling club, one thing she hates most, yet he is hoping to garner favour with her. Dare he hope or is there no happy ending for them both?
It's a great historical romance novel. I liked the story, it's well-written and keeps readers interested from the very beginning until the end. Definitely a must read for historical fiction's fans.
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley.