I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good historical romance novel. Love the cover.

This series keeps getting better and better. Kate Archer likes to keep us waiting for the hero and heroine to finally get together but it is worth the wait! I am glad that the villian in this book was an original character and not one that we had previously met.

This is the third part of the Dukes' Pact series in which a bunch of dukes want to force their bachelor heirs to get married. The heirs of the pact are against marriage for somewhat childish reasons but when they meet that special lady they fall in line, one by one.

Lily Farnsworth is good at card games and uses her piquet skills to finance her season in London. Lord Ashworth is also a gambler in financial dire straits. Not because of gambling but because he is heir to a dukedom but his estate needs quite a bit of work. He acts rather condescending to Lily but when they play against each other she beats him soundly. Their relationship appears fraught but when they come across a dangerous situation at a gambling party they both frequent they must cooperate to escape a villain. She finds out he is not as annoying as she thought at first and he realizes he rather admires her nerves of steel.

I like the author's writing style, and many of the dialogues and clever turns of the phrase.
The romance is light but the title of the book gets explained rather late in the story, and I loved the reason Lily finally loses a card game. I enjoyed it enough to get the other books in the series. I do hope there will be one for Lord Burke eventually.

The steam level: not really. There may be a kiss or two.

Favorite line:
<blockquote>Boldly, she said, "The gentleman's compliments are absurd and do not affect me in the slightest. A moment ago, I was to know my eyes were as the night sky."
"Ridiculous," Lord Ashworth said. "They are far more like a lake at midnight." </blockquote>

I got a review copy from Netgalley and I'm leaving a honest, voluntary review.

Thanks to Dragonblade publishing, the author and Netgalley for an Advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I find myself blazing through this series - I just can’t seem to get enough. This time it’s Viscount Ashworth’s turn to try and avoid the parson’s noose. The practical and aloof card sharpe has his work cut out for him when he meets the beautiful Lily Farnsworth. Not only is she beautiful but she dents his pride by beating him at his best game!

Although this time the other ducal heirs do not try to thwart their budding romance, obstacles abound with shady brigands conspiring to ruin them both.

This is by far the most exciting of the books so far. Cannot wait to read the rest.

This is a story about two skilled gamblers who face off at the tables. The leads were both likable and relatable. The story was interesting and slightly out of the ordinary. I enjoyed the read.
Thank you Kate Archer, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Title: The Lord’s Desperate Pledge
Author: Kate Archer
Rating: 4.5 stars

WARNING: This review contains plot spoilers; do not read unless you are okay with learning details about the plotline.
Summary:
Lily is a country girl who has gambled her way to paying for a London season. The oldest sister in her family, it is her duty to marry well so that her younger sisters may have seasons of their own to secure their future. Her life has not been easy; her grandfather nearly drove her family’s estate into bankruptcy and while her father has kept it afloat, she has not led a charmed, sheltered life. So, off to London she goes to seek a rich husband and maybe earn some money at the piquet table…
Hayes is a Viscount, the heir to the Duke of Dembly, and while he is not overwhelmingly rich, he has not lacked funds his entire life. His father mismanaged the estates and wisely handed them over to his son to bring back from ruin, which Hayes has managed to do by playing piquet and winning most of the time. His father wants him to marry now, but Hayes has other plans: he wants to have his finances in order before he takes a wife (wise man). His father does not care if he wants to wait, he has made a pact with five other dukes to see their heirs married and threatens to take back the management of the estates if Hayes does not comply. Hayes does not have to call his bluff (yet) and continues his rakish ways, until he encounters Lily...
Lily trounces Hayes at cards not once but twice, quite the spectacle for a country girl to win against a lord with a reputation of winning at cards. At first, they can barely stand each other, although both feel a physical attraction. Ultimately, they are thrown together by a madman when Lily notices the cards he is using are marked and calls him out for cheating. Hayes and Lily are locked in the attic and must make a daring escape down the side of the building. Hayes is impressed by her calm demeanor and she is swayed by his gentlemanliness at saving her from a maniac.
Without giving the rest of the plot away, our hero and heroine fall in love and live happily ever after. I will say, I appreciated that this book provided some obstacles, but not so many that you find yourself yelling at the story, telling them to just communicate with one another. There was a little bit of this when Hayes is shot and does not wish to tell Lily about it and so of course he effectively ignores her (insert eye roll here). I appreciated that Lily had enough self esteem and control over her emotions to not be melodramatic but instead continue to communicate with Hayes as she was able.
One other thing that I appreciated about this book was that Ms. Archer wraps up the story neatly at the end without it feeling rushed and providing an appropriate ending (do you not hate it when you feel like there should be another chapter to see how things turn out after the happily ever after?!).
This is a well plotted story that I enjoyed. It was my first book by this author, but I plan to purchase the first two books in this series so I can catch up on the two stories that came before and will intend to purchase the 3 still to follow.
I rate this book 4.5-stars. The reason this did not receive a 5-star review is that there was little to no steam between the characters. Yes, there was attraction, but aside from one kiss stolen in the garden after they are engaged, there is little actual passion in the story. This is the first book I have read by this author, so perhaps it is her style, but I prefer my romance to include some steam along the way to their happily ever after.
I was provided a free advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A pair of gamblers face off, romance ensues. Decent representation of Victorian England. Relatable characters.

Six Dukes make a desperate pledge to make sure that their sons marry and produce heirs. Harry Summersby is beyond anxious. His father is holding back much needed allowance and making his life miserable. So far, two of the young Viscounts have married, leaving four barely holding on to the single life. But when Harry meets the lovely Lily Farnsworth, perhaps his days will be numbered, too. But Harry is not going down without fight, until he learns that perhaps the estate has not been managed as well as he thought. It seems that Lily and Harry keep bumping into each other and they gradually start to know one another. The characters are wonderful, the plot is something that still happens, today. Wanting what is best for our children. I really enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait until the next book comes out.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was disappointed with the pace and lack of interesting characters in this historical romance. The lovers do not meet until 15% of the novel and when they do, they engage in a game of cards devoid of sexual tension or chemistry. Just not for me.

3.75 stars

This was a cute clean romance story with a beautiful dialogue, a lot of banter, some twist and turns and DRAMA like you would expect in historical romance.
This was not my type of romance by far but I really end up enjoying it till the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the premise of The Lord's Desperate Pledge, but not the execution.

The couple in this book, Lily Farnsworth and Hayes Summersby, Viscount Ashworth, spend more time apart than together. They don't even meet until the 15% mark (in an under 300 page book), then they meet for a second time at 30%. I don't feel that their interactions had enough meat to them for a great romance. We spent more time in the "villains" head than in either the hero's or the heroine's.

Now, what I did like was the piquet scenes. Typically I get bored with long, drawn out explanations of the a card game, but these scenes made me feel like I was in the room.

Two stars if you take this novel as a suspense story with a very light romance connected.

Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am so enjoying this series about the Duke fathers wanting their sons to marry or be cut off financially. It is a little difficult for the Duke of Dembly to cut off his heir, Hayes Summersby, Viscount Ashworth. Hayes is supporting his father's estate by his card playing, especially piquet.
Hayes rarely loses, but when he plays Lily Farnsworth, he realizes he has met his match. Lily has such a fantastic memory and knows exactly which card has been played and which card is yet to be played.
This is a delightful story with a wonderful characters. I highly recommend it, and it will have you smiling.

Sexy, intriguing, enemies to lovers trope that’s done well in this regency romance story. If you enjoy the trope, The Lord’s Desperate Pledge spins it in a direction that’s refreshing.

I absolutely love Kate Archer and this series. Hayes is the ultimate gambler of the ton and they all know just how good he is. Lilly is about to bring him down a peg or two. However the more time they spend together the more they realize just how much they actually have in common. But will a pact with the other heirs keep them apart? This book will not disappoint.

It Starts with a Gamble

He is said to be unbeatable; he always wins. When she beats him at piquet, she sets the ton on its ear. The lucky viscount has met his match. He would like to know her secret. Surely, she must have a trick up her sleeve.

Lily and Hayes seem to dislike each other, but when deadly danger catches them in its grip, everything changes. Can their gamble end in love? If you like Regency romance with a dash of suspense and danger, you might like this story.

I thought that The Lord's Desperate Pledge was a cute premise and the author executed it well. I didn't read the others in the series but I was able to read and enjoy this without issues. The storyline was interesting and kept me reading. It was a bit suspense, mystery and friendship between the ladies.
Lily and Hayes had a small romance but I was hoping for more from these two. There was a spark at certain times but it fizzled to quickly.
I am looking forward to start at the beginning of this series and continue it until the end.

What are the six old dukes up to this time? Oh yes, it is Hayes Summersby, Viscount Ashworth, the eldest son of the Duke of Demby who is starring in this episode of the Duke's Pact and what a great story! A little twist in that his father could not really cut him off of funds if he did not marry because Hayes was replenishing the coffers by his card playing..

He was just about to meet his match. Lily Farnsworth. While Lily's father had set about spending all their money, Lily had decided she needed a season and set about making some money. Playing cards. In particular Piquet. Imagine, a match made in cards!

A delightful story with a little suspense and amazing characters that will keep you smiling at the end!

Lily Farnsworth is a resourceful lady. As well she should be, her father has spent years dragging the family’s estate from the edge of ruin and she’s always had to make do with little. A proper season and the gowns to go with it seem entirely out of reach. That is, until Lily discovers she has a particular skill at piquet. Pound by pound, she gathers the funds to pay her own way. Amelia Hemmings, Her aunt is delighted to play host in her modest London house and squire her niece to parties. Hayes Summersby, Viscount Ashworth and heir to the Duke of Dembly, may be in line to inherit a great estate, but that estate has recently tottered on the brink of collapse. He’s only rescued it through his skill at a card table. He’s a renowned gambler and he’s got firm opinions about it—the foremost being that women do not have the steady nerves for large bets. That is, until Miss Farnsworth challenges him in Lady Blakeley’s drawing room and wins. Despite their mutual dislike, it will not be so easy to escape one another. As Lady Montague connives, and a certain Mr. Shine schemes, Lily and Hayes will find that their acquaintance has turned from uncomfortable to deadly.
This is the third book in this charming series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved how Hayes & lily's relationship changed & how they reached their HEA. They were attracted to each other from their first meeting but also disliked each other, this gradually turned to respect & when the were thrown together by a villain the relationship shifted again. I read the book in a couple of sittings & so far it’s my favourite of the series. I also loved Amelia who said exactly what she was thinking, so she often had me smiling. A well written fun, entertaining read with characters who were well portrayed
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The older Dukes are meeting once again to discuss their successes and their next heir to be married. Which one will it be?
Hayes Summersby believes himself to be solely self-sufficient and therefore not under his father’s control. His way to support himself-gambling, it is the one vice he loves and happens to be very good. That is until Lily Farnsworth arrives. As it happens, her ability to read cards and her opponents has allowed her to provide for her father and siblings quite well. In fact, at the initial meeting of Hayes and Lily, she trounces him at cards. He is not happy and a bit embarrassed to have been bested by a female. As their paths cross, they begin to have a healthy respect for one another that turns to love? But, can they survive a mutual foe?

The Lord's Desperate pledge by Kate Archer is another in the Dukes' Pact series. featuring six young lords who are not ready to marry and six dukes, their fathers, who think it is time. The dukes have cut their sons allowances so that they will give in. It is a tactic that is not working, although two have succumbed already. Hayes Summersby, Viscount of Ashworth, is the eldest son of the Duke of Dembly, who has managed his estates poorly, well, not at all, and has agreed that his son should take over, quietly, of course. Things are slowly turning around but there are still monthly expenses that must be met. Hayes meets those by playing cards, really well, and supporting his family with his winnings. Lily Farnsworth, is also a card player. She is financing her season with her winnings, less grandly than is ideal, but still. She has friends who have graciously decided to help so she has high hopes. Both of them end up at a ball, where they play cards, and Lily wins. She is now the talk of the ton. Hayes is not being a good sport about it so when they meet up at Lady Carradine's gambling establishment, it is not difficult to arrange a rematch. He loses again, but he is intrigued. It all gets very complicated, and dangerous.

Hayes has no intention of marrying for several more years. Sometimes these things are taken out of your hands. He will be a duke on day and Lily is not duchess material. He knows it. She knows it. They get accidentally embroiled in a scheme designed to deprive Lady Carradine of her fortune by a man named Shine. Lily proves herself to be courageous and Hayes is falling. This is a fun read, full of surprises and wonderful characters. The best character is Lily's aunt, who says whatever she is thinking...literally. She is entertaining as well as thoughtful and right on very often. Lily has fallen for Hayes, but believes him to be backing off. A humorous lack of communication follows. All's well that ends well. Fun read.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Lord's Desperate Pledge by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thelordsdesperatepledge