An a**hole of a hero and a naive heroine, what could go wrong?
Everything. Literally everything.
For the life of me I couldn't root for their romance at all. I was super disturbed with how Dexter character was written. He was entitled, manipulative and a big hypocrite. The whole story stemmed from his desire to take revenge on Meggie's father because of how abusive he was to Dex and his family, specifically that one instance where the lord thrashed Dexter to the point of leaving permanent scars.
Now, this would make you think that Dexter would be a fair, merciful man when treating those poorer or under his employ. Yeah, this didn't happen. He became a replica of the people he despised, in his scheme to become part of the ton, he was turned into one of them, even going as far as believing he was a fair man when almost all of his family and his wife were either scared of him or downright hated him.
He was a really despicable character, and the sudden 180 transformation didn't atone for his actions to be honest.
Meggie, on the other hand, was exhausting to read. She was extremely naive to the point I was questioning how she survived until 23 with only one major disaster. It also didn't set well with me how easy to please she were, I get she was depraved of love and attention, but she needed a dash of wariness.
What kept me reading was the writing style, although some characters were vulgar, the writing itself was easy to read and enjoyable so I wasn't bored.
The ending was expected, everything was leading to it, apart from maybe the last revelation, it wasn't necessary but it definitely added drama.
I wasn't a big fan.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I liked this book despite the fact that I could not stand Dexter, the hero of the story. Dexter is a hard to like character but I kept turning the pages to see if he would be redeemed. Emily Royal did an excellent job capturing the feelings of men towards women of that time period.

A man from nothing, through hard work and determination, becomes a self-made banker and one of the wealthiest men in London. Dexter Hart has devoted his life to becoming an honorable man, with a plan to take revenge on the one man responsible for most of the pain in his life. He plans on marrying Viscount Alderley daughter but is duped into marrying his illegitimate daughter instead. This book is written with plenty of feeling, emotion and the characters are well portrayed. I enjoyed reading it and found that it was hard to put down.

First my usual points:
- I do not do spoilers unless warned.
- Read the summary above; it will tell you what the book is about. I will not reiterate.
- This is a standalone but part of a series
- No errors that I caught as far as editing.
- The author was not new to me

An enjoyable romance of two people forced to be together but finding love despite their circumstances.

I loved the first book of this series and this one was just as good. The characters were practically exact opposites but were perfect for each other. I love stories of arranged marriage turned to love. I didn't like Dexter at the beggining, he didn't care about the others, he was just looking for himself. Maggie was so badass lady, I really liked her personality and hard work.
I hated how dad treated her. I'm glad she was so strong person.

It was a great read, a bit emotional but swoonworthy.

This is such an awesome story! It has just about everything - deceit, betrayal, fear, pain, as well as honor and hope. Dexter Hart sets out to get revenge, but circumstances he does not expect see him wed to Margaret Alder.
Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. I highly recommend it!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After pulling himself and his family out of the gutter, the self-made Dexter Hart only wants one more thing - revenge. He was ridiculed and punished by the wicked Viscount Alderley as a boy, and now that he holds more wealth than imaginable, he's out to punish Alderley by forcing his hand and marrying his eldest daughter. After winning a wager, Dexter seems to have defeated Alderley, but when the old Viscount reveals his eldest daughter is not the Honourable Elizabeth, but rather his bastard daughter, Meggie, who he's had hidden in the countryside. Now forced to marry beneath him, Dexter sends his new wife away to the country, and tries to ignore the growing connection between them.

After reading What the Hart Wants, I was intrigued by Delilah's older brother, and was glad when Dexter's story became available to review on NetGalley. However, I just really disliked Dexter in this entire book, even if he did redeem himself towards the end of the story. He was rude, condescending, and wholly ignorant to the feelings of others around him. He basically shunned half of his family, talked down to Meggie, and cared only about the titles and prestige that came with society. His lust for Elizabeth, who was a raging bitch if ever there was one, annoyed me to no end, and I just wanted to hug Meggie at nearly every turn. For Meggie, she was a lovely character, who had been hurt in the past, and it's because of her this book is a 3 star read for me. I loved her growth and development, and felt so sorry for what she had faced being the illegitimate daughter of Alderley, and being seduced and left pregnant when she was just a bairn herself. I think I probably will read Hidden Hart, just to see if we learn more about Meggie, but I'm in no real rush.

Their Marriage Starts in Deceit; Can It End in Love?

This might be my favorite Emily Royal book yet. It is a sad tale in some ways, but it is also a happy one. Two people are thrust together by circumstances, and their path won’t be an easy one. Can Dexter and Meggie get past the trickery and deceit that thrust them together? In the beginning, I did not like Dexter very much. Did he redeem himself? The cruelty he experienced as a child shaped him, but will he let it forever define him? I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical romance that touches the heart.

Born into poverty, self-made banker Dexter Hart is now one of the wealthiest men in London. His ambition is to marry a title and who better than the daughter of his enemy Viscount Alderley.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Emily Royal is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book

"Fifteen years was a long time to wait for vengeance on the man who had almost killed him."
Dexter knew he had Alderley in a corner. He had won all of his money and bet him one last time. Dexter would be given his daughter's hand to marry. Him the grandson of a blacksmith. Unfortunately, he was tricked and ended up with his first daughter, Meggie who was born out of wedlock and nobody knew about her, until then.

Intriguing you say? Well yes and such a great story! The hardened scarred heart of Dexter and the untonish Meggie who had been dealt a hard hand. But she had such a heart regardless of her ability to act the lady.

The journey for them both was filled with a little anguish, secrets, villians (yes her real father and her half sister Elizabeth who I just wanted to smack!) and Hart's siblings, who we do not meet all, but I cannot wait to read Devon's story.

I highly recommend this story that won my heart!

I have complicated feelings about this book. I liked it and I didn't. It is well written with really good character development and depth. BUT I am really tired of reading about assholes. And Dexter is a really big asshole. Despite having a big heart (reportedly) underneath it all - I am not sure I really ever got past his attitude and behavior.

Dexter is the oldest brother in a family of siblings that grew up working class poor in a small village. Dexter has come up in the world as a banker and now wants to secure high class marriages for all his siblings and himself. He also wants revenge on the titled man who treated him and his family so badly. He is going to effect his revenge by marrying the man's daughter. Only, the pretty nasty guy tricks Dexter into marrying his first-born illegitimate daughter instead of his legitimate one. Meggie has had a pretty terrible life - she was raised on her father's estate but pretty much treated like garbage. She is working as a teacher in a small school when her father arrives and drags her off to marry Dexter against her will. He pretty much blackmails her into it. Dexter proceeds with the marriage as a matter of honor - but isn't happy about it.

There are secrets and betrayals along the way - but Meggie brings out a good side of Dexter and has the kindness and tenderness he needs to temper his asshole behavior. The issue is - the only person he really isn't a big jerk to by the end is Meggie. He turns the corner there - but not really to anyone else. His siblings hate him and his colleagues seem to just tolerate him. And - so did I.

I found this book to be fairly paternalistic and borderline misogynistic. Meggie is very sweet and smart - and supposedly shows the men in the book that women can be more than one dimensional - but it felt very thin to me. I don't think that was the author's intent - but I just didn't feel it. Maybe there was just to much male toxicity going on for me to feel any female empowerment at all. And - like I said - I'm tired of that. I want partners to talk and find balance - not smile and pat the other person on the head.

Overall - this was just ok to me. If you like more traditional regencies - this is one I'd recommend to you. But it is definitely not for fans of more progressive historicals.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Dexter hart is a self-made man, he’s lifted himself up out of poverty to be one of London’s most wealthy bankers. He’s been driven to succeed by his hatred for the Duke of Auderly who as a nine year old boy had him whipped and he looks forward to one day having his revenge.
Dexter Hart thinks he’s outsmarted his enemy, he’s won the duke’s daughter Elizabeth’s hand in marriage in a game of cards, but he quickly finds out the duke has another natural daughter born out of wedlock. Margaret Alder aka Meggie is the bastard daughter of the Duke of Auderly, his first daughter. Her father has sent for her to marry her off to Dexter. Both Margret and Hart agree to a marriage neither one wants. With this marriage she’s thrust into a world she doesn’t know and a husband who doesn’t want this marriage any more than she does. Hart knows she’s not been trained to live in London’s society and sends her to his country home. I love how these two gradually learn to trust each other, all Hart ask for is complete honestly from Meggie, but he can tell there’s something she’s holding back from him. Can there new love survive when secrets come to light and their world is shattered? I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Dexter Hart was born with nothing but his brother and sisters but now he is a successful banker. Lord Alderley has been a thorn in his side for many years. He wins the marriage of the Lord's oldest daughter not realizing the Lord has another daughter hidden away in the country..
Margaret Alder has to marry Dexter and enter a life she knows nothing about. Can they each learn to trust the other and learn what love is? Dexter has gotten the best part of the bargain though it takes him awhile to learn that, A fun read.

This is the story of self-made banker Dexter Hart who is one of the wealthiest men in London. His ambition is to marry a title and plots to marry the daughter of the man who whipped him as a child. But Lord Alderley is able to outsmart him and coerces his illegitimate daughter to marry him instead.

Margaret Alder has lived in exile and disgrace her whole life. Never feeling loved by anyone in her life. Unfortunately, this marriage forces her into a world she does not understand and a husband who does not seem to really care. Though she soon discovers that a heart does lurk beneath his cold exterior. Soon they are moving towards love, but with plenty of twists and turns to keep the book interesting. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading Vivienne Lorret and Megan Frampton.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review..

Dexter Hart worked his way from poverty to become a prominent London banker. He has finally found a way to get revenge for his treatment as a child, but his plan doesn’t work exactly as he wanted. Somehow, his enemy manages to trick him into marrying his illegitimate daughter. Meggie has endured a rather hard but fulfilling life since her father turned her out. Imagine her shock when he forces her away to marry Dex. Neither is happy; neither trusts the other. Meggie finds herself in a world she doesn’t understand. Dex doesn’t view her as an intelligent capable woman, and doesn’t believe she will ever learn to fit in. The way forward is a difficult one. Will they be able to weather what comes their way? Can they leave the past and find happiness?

This is not a short book, but once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. The captivating story is full of deceit, betrayal, fear, and pain. It is also full of healing and hope. Dex is harsh, but honorable. Meggie is intelligent, kind and caring, perfect for Dex. It just takes a while for him to see it. Maybe fate hasn’t been unkind after all. The Pelhams and Oliver were great friends to the couple. The only word for Alderly, his daughter Elizabeth, and Georgie Hanson is evil, true villains. There is a tense excitement throughout the story right up to the very end where everything seems to fall right into place. The epilogue is beautiful. I enjoyed the story, and I love the series. I highly recommend both.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Dexter Hart is a man on a mission of revenge. The target is the hated Alderley, who doesn’t realize the only reason he is gambling is to win his daughter, Elizabeth-not to love, but to use. What Dexter doesn’t know is that Alderley has a daughter who was born on the wrong side of the blanket. She is his prize.
Dexter does go through with the marriage, to the daughter named Margaret. Margaret has had a very difficult life. She has persevered and has become a sweet, gentle person. But what each doesn’t know is that they have secrets, many secrets that are brought as well. As Dexter uncovers the deceit, will he stand by his wife or will he banish her forever?

I liked this one, but not as much as the first. I felt like the female protagonist did not learn anything from life and was as naive as a child the entire book. The male protagonist was not what I was expecting, the hard man we got to know in the last book is nowhere in sight. I could not believe he was being pleasant to the woman who was disrespecting his wife for more than half of the book. I want to continue with the series, but this one was not a favorite.

Queen of My Hart by Emily Royal is a charming story of Dexter Hart wanted to marry Elizabeth Alderly, not so much because her loved her or really even wanted her, but because he wanted to bring her to heel. How she was within his grasp. Her father had bet, and lost, every farthing he had. Dexter suggested he agree to giving him her hand if marriage, if he lost. The bet was on one cut of the cards. The papers were drawn up, the cuts, were made, Dexter had won. But Alderly had gotten the best of him. He had contracted his eldest daughter. Few realized he had a natural daughter who was older than Elizabeth. She was now Dexter's betrothed. As it turns out, Dexter got the better end of the deal. His new wife would be Meggie/Margaret, a school marm from a small village. The biggest problem was that she would have to learn to be a lady. He needed someone to entertain, to function in society as his wife. She was no more interested in marrying him than he was in marrying her, but neither had any choice. Could her make this work out?

After an amazing wedding night, he sent her to the country. She had no idea why. But she was determined to make the best of it. He had leased an estate that had been neglected. She had minimal staff and plenty to do so she dived right in. Shortly after she got a letter wherein her father had invited him self, and Elizabeth to visit. She notified her husband and kept working. Meggie was a hard worker and such a nice person that she soon had the entire staff loyal to her. They didn't always approve of her behavior toward them, much too informal but they loved her. Dexter arrived, put out that he had been summoned, to discover what had been accomplished and how hard Meggie was working. He was impressed. Alderly and Elizabeth arrived and were not at all pleasant to Meggie, but she fought back, gaining his respect and a little of his love. As time went on, things righted themselves between the two of them and they fell in love (no surprise). Dexter had never been happier, nor had Meggie. It was a good story, with pleasant characters and one true villain. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Queen of My Hart by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #queenofmyhart

Will her past and his scars come between them ...

After Delilah’s story, I was very curious about her brother, the jaded Dexter.
He sure is not someone easily appreciated, he is a hard nutshell to break through, but behind all this cold aloof demeanor, there is a kind heart.
He rose himself from the gutter, creating his own circumstances, making him a force to be reckoned even by those who would look at him with disdain.
Even if I was more than furious when he decided to punish physically a maid in his estate.
And while tricked to marry the one woman he would never have chosen, if he had been a villain, he could have directed his anger on her.
He only asked her to trust him and be straightforward with him.
Yet she held back.
When more than one time, he reached out, trying to free her from her past.
Of court, he is far from perfect, so flawed, with a temper but not one to let it have a hold on him.
Why his friends are so loyal to him.
And while he has made errors and still makes mistakes, when he cares he will go to the end of the earth to ensure his dearests’ happiness.
Maggie had been trashed and abuses all her life, reminded of her lowly birth and her sins at every step.
And while once more, she has her life upended, her new master is not the monster she expected. He is no easy man to live with, he decides and commands. And while he does know really how to handle her, in his own way, he tried to protect her.
It was badly done, as he is often late to support her which angered me. Yet he learns his lessons and when necessity comes, he shows his backing.
As a doormat for all her life, I would have loved to see her stand for herself once. Yet at each abuse, she cowers and bents her shoulders, thus how I was upset at her for not trusting her husband’s word and letting her fears restrain her.

The author demonstrates her talent at creating three dimensional characters with Dexter and Maggie, while she finds her voice, he exposes his heart but it is no smooth journey and up to them to triumph from those set on destroying them by keeping them apart.
5 stars

Now I await Devon’s tale.

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

I'm giving this three stars because the writing quality was fine. The brutality of the "hero" was too much for me, and I couldn't finish. I'm just not a good fit for this author's books.