Member Reviews
Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an engaging historical romance with a brave heroine determined to provide a safe place for poor children to live. She underplays her looks in order to discourage suitors but it captures the attention of Pierce who practically stalks her in order to discover her secret. Truly touching how they both risk their reputation to help those in need. While I wasn't crazy on how Pierce pursues the heroine, it's romantic how he falls in love with her spirit and strength.
Caroline decided, at the very young age of thirteen, that she did not want to be married. She wanted to do as she pleased and that was to sacrifice to help others who were less fortunate. What she didn’t expect was to meet a man that would tempt and test her. Baron Markham accepted the orphan daughter of his brother and his wife; but also swore to avenge their deaths. The only problem, they were members of the peerage and he wasn’t sure exactly who they were. When he and Carolyn met, he was intrigued by his “little mouse” and she was perturbed with him. When they finally decided to work together to assist orphaned children and find the culprits that murdered Daphne’s parents, they fell deeply in love. The final revelations for themselves and others were unexpected-but a very satisfying ending.
How to Steal a Thief’s Heart by Bree Wolf
Author Bree Wolf writes a suspenseful storyline, but enhances the readers enjoyment level by adding in a touch of adventure with romanticism!
She throws in for good measure a few evil nemesis who have no convictions for right or wrong! She adds in a couple charismatic, sincere, and handsome good guys! The heroines are resilient, invincible, but they are evocative as well!! The author mixes this up in the book and she weaves together a mystery and a romance that I would recommend for any book lover to have in their library to keep or share with friends!
A wallflower hides her beauty and wit in plain sight. However, what is so unique is that Caroline Hawkins hides all of her potential from not just her suitors, but her own family fails to see what is right beneath their own noses!
As a child, Caroline witnesses another urchin child being denied food and it made her sad , but angry as well because nobody to include her own family were not doing anything to help this child or any other person that was less unfortunate. Caroline decided then that she would not only help this little girl, but when she was older she would make sure she helped others. Caroline had aspirations to feed and clothe children in the orphanage homes, but she wanted to school them and teach them a trade. She figured if she had to marry her husband would not let her go about this and so she devised a scheme to make herself look less unappealing and seem not marriageable.
Pierce or The Black Baron Is what he is called behind his back by jealous malicious jerks! Pierce is one of the good guys who happened to leave a friends house late and he still wishes that he would have left his friends house on time because the chilling scene that he came across he still cannot get out of his head ! He came upon a man shot and a woman almost dead, but she was also a victim of a brutal rape as well. She managed to tell him that it was several rich men of the ton and her daughter was still out there somewhere! The woman died and Pierce went searching and found a 3 year old little girl hiding almost catatonic. Pierce took Daphne into his home and made her his daughter. He made a vow that he would find those that perpetuated Daphnes family deaths! As he was coming up to there death scene he had heard the voices and laughs and he said he will never forget those as long as he lived. So, he started robbing carriages of the rich and giving it away sort of like a modern day a Robin Hood!
Pierce and Caroline meet and fall in love and of course the bad guy always strikes!!
This is why you have to buy the book to discover the Evil Plot and all the Nuances of Caroline’s secrets and her cousin Rebecca’s & Pierce’s new Ward!!
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!!!
I received a advanced copy from netgally! These are my words and my thoughts and opinions!
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Miss Carolyn Hawkins has her life all planned out. Stay unmarried and overlooked and follow her dreams of helping the unwanted children of London. After all her parents were more worried about was her cousin’s marriage desires. Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham has secrets, too. He does not understand the terrible behavior of the men or society. So, he makes them pay forward what they take from the unprivileged. Bree Wolf has given us another wonderful adventure with great characters that you care about. This is a great and enjoyable read in the Happy Ever Regency series created by Bree Wolf.
The writing in general was not for me.
Pierce (the male MC) was the best of the two protagonists, but still it was a ‘the lesser of two evils’ case.
Caroline (the female MC) was extremely annoying and immature and wholly not likable.
4.5 Stars
Devoted to the children at her orphanage, Miss Caroline Hawkins hides her beauty behind thick spectacles and drab clothing in order to remain unwed and free to do as she pleases. While her parents would love nothing more than to see her well married, Caroline is determined to live life on her own terms, refining her disguise to perfection in order to scare off suitors. Until Lord Markham, a.k.a. the Black Baron, takes a closer look and realizes that there is more to mousy Miss Hawkins than meets the eye. Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, detests English society for their selfish disdain and complete disregard for others, and thus, to even the odds, to give back at least a little, Pierce dons a black mask at night and sets out to rob his fellow peers in order to do what is right…
This is the fourth book in the series but is easily read as a stand alone. I’m thoroughly enjoying the series & their take on fairytales. I found it to be a well written story, the characters had plenty of depth & they were very likeable. I loved both Pierce & Caroline both hiding behind masks & both with secrets. I was drawn in from the start & captivated until the end & loved the road to their HEA
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Enjoyable book with a different heroine! Caroline hides her looks to provide support to orphanages after meeting a girl when she was younger who becomes her friend and lady’s maid. Pierce does what on the surface is robbery but there’s a reason why he does it.
This book occurs in large part at the same time as the third book, which featured Caroline’s cousin Rebecca. It was similar to how books one and two and in sone ways book three in the series were connected.
As with some of the other books in the series, there were enough details that you knew it was meant to be the Regency period but at times sone of the character’s actions were a bit too modern.
All in all though, a good book in a good series.
An encounter in her youth sets Miss Caroline Hawkins on a path where she puts the needs of those who cannot help themselves before her own. Hiding behind a facade to avoid the notice of the ton, Caroline almost manages to stay hidden, that is until she meets a kindred spirit who is determined to discover her secrets. The Black Baron has his own agenda, but when he unexpectedly meets up with Caroline on one of his forays, he finds himself becoming even more enamoured by her and sets himself up as her guardian and protector. This is a gentle romance with some suspense as Pierce and Caroline try to discover the perpetrators of the heinous crime committed some years before. Their joint collaboration brings about surprising results, including the realisation that their feelings are reciprocated. This is a thoroughly enjoyable Regency romance, and although part of a series is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Caroline Hawkins is determined to care for the children in her orphanage. If it takes hiding behind spectacles, drab dresses and powder to cover her hair colour, then Caroline will do all that and more, if she remains single and have her independence. Yet Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, sees beyond her cover of the ‘wallflower’ and soon finds himself captivated by Caroline. However, his mission to steal from his fellow peers, to give to those less fortunate, may not make him the perfect suitor.
The premise for this story was delightful and made for an interesting read. Both Caroline and Pierce’s characters are honourable and determined to help those in need. Whilst approaching their goal in quite different ways, it is their determination, that makes them such a lovely couple. I must admit that Caroline’s parent’s oblivious response to her appearance was quite interesting, but I suppose that could have been dismissed as the way of the ton.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a really sweet read. Caroline and Pierce compliment each other well and the chemistry between them is believable and heartwarming. Pierce being the dashing masked thief and Caroline being the wallflower with secrets of her own is a well used trope, but the author writes it well and the story was never boring. It wasn’t an overly sexual book, which some might be glad for. The biggest complaint I might make is that the conclusion of the book felt quite rushed, and left a few open ends.
This was such a gorgeous story, so well written. Caroline and Pierce both had so much to hide, helping others under disguise, getting to know each other, learning to trust each other and slowly falling in love with each other. And, of course bringing a villain to justice which was nicely wrapped up in the end. It was enchanting, definitely a Happy Ever Regency romance!
Two people with secret identities makes for a very interesting story! I must say, I really enjoyed this story and I loved how you could feel the passion between the hero and heroine right from the start.
Caroline is a beauty but she prefers to hide herself under dull clothes, glasses and unflattering hairstyles. That way, no one notices her and she can do what she wants without fear of being forced to marry and lose her independence.
Pierce dons a black mask at night to rob the undeserving rich and give to the needy. Although not legal in any way, when you read why he's doing what he is, you really can't blame him! The night he stops Caroline's carriage with the intent of robbing, he's stunned and his life will never be the same again!! He sees her, he truly SEES her, under her disguise and although she keeps fighting him, you can't help but feel the passion that zings between them.
The secondary characters are also a joy and there are many emotional scenes that saw me reaching for a tissue. Very well written and definitely worth reading.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Miss Caroline is hiding behind her frumpy clothes and glasses she wants to be invisible.
Most of her life has been devoted to helping children.
She meets up with someone taking from bad people.
Some great secondary characters.
You root for heroine to smack the villans.
Will she see past his mask and let it go for him ...
Mrs Bree Wolf is an author I come to like more and more, her stories are always full of drama, angst, sadness and twists and turns. And while this one follow a fairytale pattern, it is not exempt of a that makes her success.
While I have only read the first in this series, I like how the classics of my youth are revisited. Here it was like a mix between Donkey Skin and Robin Hood tales with Caroline hiding her true appearance to avoid the marriage mart and Pierce praying on the richest with a team of misfits or outcasts recruited from the scum of the city, all turned down by those thinking they are their betters and who left them to fend for themselves because of some supposed sins or wrong behavior.
Caroline found her calling as a young miss, and because of it, she changed everything in herself, from her appearance to her attitude.
Hiding behind a fabricated likeness to not be found out for the mascarading she does, when by blending with the furniture, it gives her power to assist those who need her.
Pierce has always been quite lonely if not for the few friends he has gleaned along the years, so when he lost a friend and his wife in a terrific attack, he is left scathed and determined. From there his life purpose moved. Now he hunts down those responsible why he wears a mask to hide his nocturnal activities and lets the rumor does the rest.
As both act under a disguise, it is logical they both spot one another. Even if Pierce is the first to suspect Caroline to be more than the drab outfit and ugly glasses she wears. His perseverance to unmask her unsettle Caroline, as she stands against two supposed different men, the peer and the robber. Yet, their protectiveness is something that affects Caroline.
Mrs Wolf once more presents us with a moving and entertaining read with few idle time.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing.
I would like to thank netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline hides her beauty in order to continue her work with the orphanage. A husband would curtail her freedom and stop her work. Pierce uses the disguise of a highwayman to rob from his fellow members of the ton, and to give to those in need. Falling in love will help them see through the others disguise.
Enjoyable, like the authors other books, but maybe a little soppy.
Miss Caroline Hawkins has developed a wall flower persona in order to appeal to the ladies of the ton for donations for her orphanage. If she remains invisible with her dour dresses and oversized spectacles, she doesn't draw the attention of any gentleman seeking her hand in marriage. She relishes her independence until Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham, *sees* beyond her wall flower identity. Pierce has his own secrets, but Caroline intrigues him from the beginning. The more he learns about her, the more he craves her company. Can they both open up about their secrets and let their attraction to each other bloom?
Ms. Wolf has woven a delightful and intriguing story. I really enjoyed both Caroline and Pierce's characters especially their passion for helping those less fortunate in society. It was interesting to see how they revealed the villain especially when the villain almost turned it around to accuse Pierce of theft. The pages flew by as I was captivated by the story.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
An enjoyable read from the fourth book in this series ,that will have you glued to the pages.
A woman in hiding , evading marriage, running an orphanage.
A man with two identities, one as a peer , the second as an outlaw.
Both have their secrets, and now they’re about to find each other.
It’s a romantic story and very satisfying to read.
I enjoyed every minute of reading this, and look forward to more.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
Miss Caroline Hawkins hides herself from everyone with a little change to her appearance. She has things she wants to achieve, and she can only do them if she stays unmarried and unnoticed. Luckily for her, her beautiful cousin is the focus of her parent's marriage ambitions.
Pierce Byrne, Baron Markham has more than a few secrets of his own. He hates the behavior of some of society, especially the men who do despicable things just because they can get away with them. So he makes as many as possible pay for it.
This is definitely a fun read. Both our hero and heroine are determined to help those who can't help themselves and that causes them to get into difficult situations.
There are giggles, tears, danger and highly emotional moments. So much to enjoy and keep the pages flying past.
This story is set in the same timeline as the previous book in the series which is the beautiful cousin's story. It made me smile to think I knew something this heroine didn't about the other girl's secrets. But if you are going to read the series ( highly recommended) you should read them in order or this one could spoil the ending of the other.
I loved every page.
Two people cross paths during the night, each with their own secrets. Caroline makes herself invisible, that way on one notices her and what she does with her time. No desire to be bound in marriage, for that will ruin the freedom she worked so hard to earn. However, someone does notice her. Pierce, Lord Markham, steals from his peers that seem to think they are better than everyone else. Pierce has his own personal mission, based on events he was unable to stop. Until one day he tries to steal from the wrong carriage and see Caroline is much more than her appearance. Pierce keeps "an eye" on Caroline and both begin to "see" the other as more than their appearance. Pierce never expected Caroline to steal his heart, but he still has a mission to complete.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Honestly could not put this book down. Caroline has devoted her life to helping orphans and in doing so has disguised herself so she does not end up married as she believes that a husband would only prevent her from the work she does. Pierce is the one man who has been able to see the woman behind the unnecessary spectacles. Pierce also has a secret he has been robbing his fellow peers in a Robin Hood way of justice. The novel creates a fun connection between two people who truly want to make the world a better more fair and justice place. I appreciate Pierce's desire to protect Caroline especially once we find out why he has become a highwayman. At the same time, Caroline is a strong, independent woman who takes control over her own destiny. The romance is definitely a slow burn and stays clean. The hints of other characters from past and future novels was enough to make me want more without overwhelming this story. I highly recommend this book.