Another untraditional historical romance, this time really dealing with a lot of PTSD. I enjoyed watching Hugh and Lila heal throughout the novel, and I thought it was refreshing to read a historical without all of the balls and fashionable adventures. Instead, Lila (a lady) seeks out the hero (Hugh) to help her learn self defense to get over her tragic past. Hugh hates fighting, but it is his whole career and way of life. It was interesting to see two characters struggle to overcome the same event in such different ways. The secondary characters were also interesting. I look forward to reading more about what happened offstage during this novel.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

I had been having a bad few days: washer quit, faucet leaking, I decided to read for a while and try to regain my sanity. All I can say is " This book hooked me from the very beginning. A heroine who is not typical at all:, practical, and willing to go toe to toe for what she thinks is rightfully hers. No shrinking violet here! The hero is handsome, .' if you like strong heroines, flawed but gorgeous heroes, and witty dialogue....this is it!

I've read Caldwell's work before and as before, I feel like this one also showed a lot of potential and possible references for previous and future books. I prefer my books to not have as many references as this one had.

Since the beginning of the book, I didn't really know where to put this book. Don't want to spoiler this book but they slept together after only knowing each other for a couple of days (at least that's how I saw it) and then suddenly the book turned out to be a slow burn. There's no much romance after that, no sexual scenes, nothing. I think they don't even kiss (after they slept together I mean). It's so unexpected and weird for a book to turn so dramatically.

I think I'm not spoiling anything since the title already mentions him being a duke. Apparently, he's a long lost duke. When he suddenly raises to his title, the author doesn't expand the scene. I was expecting the scene how he - a man from the bad side of the town, a man who never knew the privilege of being rich - adjust to the new properties, behaviour. I would expect amazement, fear, maybe some awkwardness but there's nothing. How do one just suddenly become a gentleman with decent manners? He never had a proper education as far as I know. We're just thrown into the scene where he's already well adjusted in the manor.

Once he became a lord and plan a business with Lila I find it so weird when they talked how much money she will give to invest in the business. They were working together. He was way wealthier than her. I was missing the equality specter in this situation.

I liked Lila's sister but I admit, I wanted to like Bragger and Maynard too. But they were characters that were likable one moment and hateable the next (is that even the word? Hateable???). Anyway, I'm curious about them. However, they should be nicer to Hugh.

I wish I could give in the Dark with the Duke more than 3 stars. But lately, I'm very picky with my books and this one just slowed me down. I don't like books that are fast and slow-paced. I loved how the author included Peterloo. I never heard of it before and at first, I thought it was part of author's imagination but then I Googled it and now I'm glad I learned something new.

Basically, the reason why this book didn't wow me is because I wanted more romance in the book and less ''I don't want to make a Fight Society'' thing.

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christi Caldwell continues to write books that touch somewhere inside each reader. I loved Lila and Hugh's story. I love it when a secondary character in other books finally comes into her own. Lila is so quiet and with Hugh she really learns to take her life back. Ms. Caldwell is an author I would buy just because her name is on the book. I know from that it is going to be fantastic.

Great addition to the Lost Lords of London Series.
Lila March is a recluse, frightened to go outside her home during the day, ever since a horrific night she endured years ago which left her scarred on the inside and out.
Hugh was a child living on the streets when he was forced to become a street fighter for the perverse pleasure of the men of the ton. He abhors fighting and hates what he has been forced to become.
Lila seeks out Hugh and begs him to teach her to fight, a new kind of fighting for self defense. Hesitant to help, Hugh is ready to make a deal. He helps her defend herself and she owes him a favor. When it comes to light that he is indeed a Lost Lord and now has a title and wealth, he needs Lila to help him become accepted. He needs the acceptance so that he can find those responsible for the Fight Society and finally get revenge.
I thought the book was great, I loved Lila and Hugh. I did however feel that at times the story jumped. The plot would be developing and then all of a sudden Hugh is living in a mansion with money. As if parts of the story were not as developed as the rest of the book.
I received an advance copy of this. book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is part of the Lost Lords series, but can be read as a stand alone.
I have to say, I had great difficulty getting into this story. I almost gave up on it. But I am so glad I didnt.
This is about 2 damaged people, Lila and Hugh. Each has experienced horror and tragedy in their lives, effecting how they live it.
Lila goes to Hugh for help. He reluctantly gives it. What developes is a friendship, a love that helps heal them both. And, as is the usual case with a Christi Caldwell book it brings out every emotion along the way. It has a few twists and turns, you may or may not see coming, but it keeps you intrigued.
If I had rated this book a third of the way thru, I would have given it 3stars. But by th time I finished it, I absolutely loved it. I'm giving it 4 1/2 stars for the slow start.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Enjoyed the story. It is well written, emotional and entertaining. The first part of the book tells of how children were forced to fight to survive which was a very emotional opening to this story. Then the story jumps about 18 years and picks up with Lila attempting to hire Hugh to teach her how to fight for self protection or if necessary to protect her family. There is a lot going on in this book that deals with another lost lord, nightmares, the Peterloo Massacre and how Lila and Hugh remember that day. In all of this chaos, Hugh and Lila find something that neither of them thought would come into their lives and that was a strong love for each other. It is a great story that is full of emotions. I would highly recommend it as a great read.

Love, love this book! Christi has a way of keeping you turning pages with the suspense and excitement she builds into her stories.

This book is fantastic! I love Crisiti Caldwell's stuff. She doesn't disappoint with this one. Hugh was sold off by dirty family members to steal his birthright. Years later he discovers he is a duke after leading a life of fighting to survive. He hates fighting! Then one day a timid woman walks into his life and turns it upside down, .She is sassy, and strong willed, and doesn't know how to take no for an answer. Read this book and fall involve with these two as they find love and happiness.

*** WARNING: spoilers ahead. You have been warned. ***
In the Dark with the Duke by Christi Caldwell is the second in her Lost Lords of London series. While its in a series, I found you didn’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. The theme of young lordlings being kidnapped was consistent, but you didn’t see the characters from the first book appear in this story (although there are characters from some of Christi’s other series and I adore this crossover as you get to revisit old friends).
Our heroine is Lila March, who is a recluse after being at Peterloo and being horribly injured physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hugh Savage is our hero who was sold into a fight club where young boys and girls fought, sometimes to the death, for the entertainment of the peerage. It is a dark subject, but Christi does a good job of enlightening her audience without the book drowning in dark subjects.
Lila is being asked to come back into Society by her family. While she has no desire to do so, she feels she must protect them as she sees monsters and darkness in every corner after her experience at Peterloo. She seeks out Hugh, the best street fighter out there, to give her self-defense lessons so she can venture back into Society to protect her family.
The attraction between the two simmers for a short period of time, but once Hugh learns Lila is a lady, he calls off their relationship (he rightfully so despises the nobility and cannot bring himself to separate Lila from the experiences of his youth). As it turns out, he is a long-lost Duke and upon being restored to his title, he calls upon Lila to help him exact revenge on those who used him as a young man. Of course, she helps him although their relationship is far from what it once was.
I greatly enjoyed the first installment of this series and the second did not disappoint. The story is complex, moves at a good pace and you can understand the character’s perspective, even if you do not agree with it. There was a fair amount of steam between the characters and felt believable, something Christi does well (nothing so over the top or unbelievable).
On a side note, I did not receive an epilogue in this book. I personally love epilogues as you get to see into the couple’s happily ever after and feel this would have added to the story in this case (perhaps seeing Lila’s self defense school take off or what became of their family life a few years down the road). It did not take away from the story, but I do love ending a book with a good epilogue and was disappointed one was not included after this lovely story.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion; all opinions stated above are my own. I enjoyed this story, giving it 5-stars and would recommend it to a friend.

I have really loved Christi Caldwells Lost Lords of London series. This is the second book and it was just as good as the first. I love any hero described as King of the Underworld. You just know right away he is going to be powerful and mysterious and I was not disappointed. Hugh, our hero meets his match in Lila. A heroine who is tired of being afraid and wants to learn to fight to feel some semblance of power for herself. I loved all the interaction between the two! Highly recommend this one!

Note to self: Never start a Christi Caldwell historical romance at 5pm. If you do, you will find yourself rushing through dinner and bath time, putting the kids down a bit earlier than usual, and still awake at 2am — so sleepy, but on edge to find out who just came through the study door (gasp) and locked it? Yep, that was me! This book is SO good, maybe her best of the series yet. You should definitely read it, but you know, maybe don’t start reading it at 5pm.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another dark tale from Christi Caldwell, this is the second in the Lost Lords series, but only the briefest mention is made of the first (and since it appears all of Caldwell’s stories live in the same universe, you never know who might turn up). The hero and heroine here (as well as any number of secondary characters) continually suffer from the fall out of traumatic experiences. And these are not minor events. I’m surprised they could still function rationally. So to witness their strength and redemption was a beautiful thing.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

There is nothing I love more than a broken hero and Christi Caldwell’s heroes from the Lost Lords series have master being broken down to an art form!

These fated mates, Lady Lia and Hugh Savage were destined for each other! I loved how their pasts experiences mirrored, allowing them to finally be the person to make the other person whole again.

Brooding hero Hugh has fought for survival, fought for his freedom, fought for king and country and now he fights for his living. He may be unbeatable but he no longer wants to fight.

In steps reclusive Lady Lila who has been hiding from society for years and needs Hugh’s help to learn how to fight back in order to face her fears and go out in society again.

The chemistry between these two is electric, especially
juxtaposed with the differing ambitions and social stations of both Lila and Hugh.

I could not put this book down! I had wondered how you could create a series based on the return of lost lords and continue to make it plausible and captivating. Christi has definitely succeeded in captivating me! I am now anxiously awaiting to see where the next lost lord will pop up!

In the Dark with the Duke by Christi Caldwell is scheduled to release June 9th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/05/in-dark-with-duke.html

#IntheDarkwiththeDuke #ChristiCaldwell #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Christi Caldwell never ceases to amaze me with her stories and this one was no exception !!!😁👏

Christi wows again in this second book, part of her Lost Lords of London series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but the first book is equaly amazing, trust me you'll want to read it😉
This author brings two characters together, from different walks of like, and blends them effortlessly and delightfully. I truly enjoyed reading the story of Hugh and Lila
This is story about two people who are trying to move from their pasts. Lila and Hugh have suffered so much physically and emotionally that it has consumed their lives. When Lila decides she wants to learn how to defend her to protect those she loves she finds Hugh, who is known as the best fighter in London.
Lila wants to find more ways to slowly become the person she once was. She is brave and resilient, honest, and has a no nonsense attitude that I love.
Hugh is a child of the streets. He was forced to fight for years before leaving to join the military.

Will learning to fight be enough to face her fear and free her to love finally, when he only wants to let all kind of violence behind ...

She did it again, Mrs Christi Caldwell once more unsettled me, when I thought she had explored most of the darkest places in her characters life, she finds a secret passageway to add more evil layers to her already ugly dark world.

How a sad and painful life Hugh has lived, his whole life he has only been used for the coins he would yield or the death he would cause. He is victim living in the heinous ness of his deeds. Actions commandeered by others. Using his guilt, anger or fears to bring him to heel, he survived the sins of others, but it left him bereft of hope, lost to any other thought than living one day after another, an empty shell, wary of other’s demands.
My heart bled for him and the horror he overcame, and each time it looked like he had finally found his place, he was robbed of it, online to begin back at the beginning again, begging for some scraps of food. He had been trampled by life, over and over, and still he stands up, but the more harshness he gets over, the more he bends his head, all hope lost of a better future. He is no king in his kingdom, only a hurt boy doing what he had to to live one more day.
Until a flittermouse stumbles in his life, and shows him he can ask for more and deserves it.

Lila is a survivor too, of a different nature, she was left scarred and scared after one day of I dulled liberty. Since she lives in the shadow of her own self. But now she wants be able to protect those close to her, thus her need to retrieve the part of herself she has lost so many years ago.
When she lived estranged from her own world, she became in the eyes of those around a fragile thing, afraid of her shadow, too hurt to face strangers gaze.
While with Hugh, he does not see a wounded creature but a strong woman who wants to be able to take her destiny in hand.

Their tale is one of missed rendezvous, she hides who she is, he conceals what he did too. Both very private about why they stand as they are now. Yet, through their griefs, they are also able to recognize a kindred spirit. Then, before names are exchanged, they feel a connection, something much deeper than classic insta-lust, she sees the man with profond scars and wounds still not healed, he gives her the strength to face her nightmares.
So when identities are revealed, past anger time, will this soul-connection be enough for them to stand for the other.

Mrs Caldwell one more time has shaken my certitudes, Hugh despite his strength and talent is so destroyed in the inside and lost, he will do anything for those who threw him some scraps, refusing to see what lies really behind their “kindness”, when Lila after years of being just the shadow of herself, can’t stand it anymore, decided to regroup herself to become a new version of her past self, more aware of the outside world and its dangers. While Lila lacks in physical force, it is her inner strength that will save Hugh and her own will to change the course of her life.

5 stars for this poignant tale of two survivors finding their way to one another.

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Montlake, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Book 1: IN BED WITH THE EARL, 3.5 stars -> Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3239615505?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Book 2: IN THE DARK WITH THE DUKE: 2.5 stars

I always love reading Caldwell's Historical Romances for a sweet, romantic read and unique characters, but something about this book just didn't hit the nail on the head for me. I loved the idea of "lost lords," and finding missing heirs who were raised outside polite society in this series. I think it has a lot of potential regarding exploration of class conflict issues. But the execution in this book just didn't do it for me.

Lady Lila is a scarred recluse who had a traumatic event in the past, while Hugh Savage is fighting as a way to repay the men who saved his life after he left the army. She hires him to teach her self-defense, which he reluctantly accepts despite his hatred for fighting. The first half of the book is a lot of back-and-forth between them, with Hugh not trusting Lila while Lila tries to get him to open up. (She's a very special snowflake, this one.) When Hugh is revealed as a lost lord, it contributed very little to his character arc. He didn't really acclimate to the role, and the ton didn't even want to deal with him since they perceived as an outsider. It was pretty contrived to help develop the main mystery plot. I don't know - something about the romance just felt off for me, and I didn't feel the chemistry like I usually do in Caldwell's books. Hopefully the next book fixes that!

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the review copy!

This one didn't work for me not because the plot wasn't interesting or that the characters weren't engaging. Caldwell is a good writer and I imagine many will enjoy this book. However, I am not a fan of overly emotional, angsty, or slow romances. I enjoy action, whit, banter, and steam. This just didn't have enough of those things to keep and hold my interest.

Again, this author comes through on every promise she made in the cover blurb. The heroine is a non-debutante who experiences PTSD. The hero is a bare-knuckle fighter. She is very traumatized an ordeal 9 years ago, and she wants to be able to.protect herself. She, well, kinda forces the hero to teach her self-protection fighting techniques. The hero is world weary of fighting, first as a child, then later as a soldier. All he wants is his own little piece of peace. And from there the story goes off onto a wonderful ride to the bad side of town, the good side of town and everywhere in between. This was such a good story, I don't know where to begin. I like the age range of the central characters, they are older and more mature. They are definitely likeable and grow during the story. The sub characters, well, with Ms. Caldwrll, you have to pay attention to them all. Because they normally pop up as central characters in other books. The hero was from an earlier book and the heroine was from 'The Spitfire'. I am going to say this repeatedly, these are stand alone stories. This story entirely was it's own creations and a bunch of 5 men or ladies didn't get together and go haring off on some grand adventure. No. It is just that there is a small society and the characters are shared. You will never be able to predict who the author would pair with another. I do not read this author very much because I do not get a discount very often, but when I saw her name, I definitely requested to read her book as an ARC. This book is very ready for publication. There are no spelling or grammar errors. All of the book makes sense and there are no loose ends or untold stories. I heartily recommend this book, 5 stars

Lila has shut her self away and doesn't like crowds. She suffers from PTSD and agoraphobia.
Hugh, is King of the underworld. He is a top notch fighter.
Lila, has to find strength and courage to go out to find Hugh to help her learn to defend herself.
This is a darker romance. You get to revisit characters from some of Christi's other books