I'm kind of in my regency era so this was one that I realized I owned but hadn't read yet. In my mind, I was going to put everything else away and spend time devouring this one.
Realistically, I struggled just a bit,
First, the good: I'm a sucker for enemies-to-lovers. And this definitely had that. And it brought about a definite good amount of angst for our characters. Also, the hero of the story was entertaining to read about. I did find myself liking him.

Now, what didn't work for me: The heroine. I really just didn't like her. And when I'm reading a book, I NEED to like the heroine. I found Matilda just really annoying.
Also, I was a bit bored at times. Instead of quickly devouring this book like I'd hoped, I kind of slogged through some of it. The end was good. But the main character and the pacing are definitely what brought it down to three stars for me.

Wanted to like this tale, but much of it felt forced and went completely against the grain most of the time. Also, with the main protagonists behaving like rueful children throughout, it proved a tough read to sink into. Sadly, wasn't enjoyable

Hello,

Apologies for the late notice, but I have decided not to review this title.

While I am certain it's obvious by now, I wanted to also clear this off NetGalley, so it's not showing as open for either of us.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2023 and beyond.

Laura

First, this is book four of the Lords of Vice series and I haven't read the other three. Previous characters appear in the story but I would consider it a stand alone book. When Matilda's coach wheel breaks down, Sullivan just happens by and they end up staying in the only available room at the inn. Someone sees them of course, and they marry to prevent scandal. Tilly is a member of The Ladies of Virtue, a club training women to deal with thieves and other nuisances. They also each pick a man to reform for a sin they think he has. She thinks Sullivan is slothful for allowing his brother to manage the estates Sullivan inherited. None of this goes very deep in the story. In fact, so many things remain unresolved. Did someone tamper with the coach wheel? Did the younger brother kill the older brother? I'll probably never know. This book had so much potential but it failed to deliver.

I just absolutely had so much fun and I was so sad to turn the last page. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories from this author.

From the beginning, this was unique because I don’t think I’ve ever read a hero with the name Sullivan before (Monster’s Inc on cassette tape notwithstanding). I was hooked from the beginning, as I’m a sucker for the childhood enemies trope and also the whole admitting feelings to the wrong person thing it had going on.

The banter was >>> and I had a good time watching them work out their emotions. He also called her freckles which always gets me.

I was also happy to see them compromised (sorry not sorry) because her feelings for his brother couldn’t gotten tedious but they remained pretty manageable for me. I also liked the jealousy they instigated in Sullivan.

The steam was great and it got hot and charged pretty much right away. Explicit language and one of my favorite mini tropes: having a sex dream only to wake up with a hard body all pressed up behind her. The accidental snuggling is always immaculate.

I haven’t read the others in the series, but I’ll definitely go back and start from the beginning. I will say RIP Roderick I was truly sad to see you go old chap.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this fun historical romance. Tilly always felt as the less attractive and charming sister. Due to one night of sharing a room with Sullivan, they were forced into a marriage without harming her reputation. This was enemies to lovers with lots of banter and tension. I thought Sullivan was a great MC and so righteous. My only complain is that Tilly’s constant internally reminder about her being not as pretty and charming got a little repetitive. I also feel like they left the death of Roderick unfinished as well as Lady X even though these plots played a big part of the story.

I found this book to be just ok. The plot felt flimsy and at times I was skimming through the pages. I liked Sullivan but didn't like Tilly as much. There was way to much talk of Tilly being tall with freckles. It started to annoy me by the end.

This was a fun read and quite enjoyable. I actually really loved and connected with Matilda. The one issue was Sullivan. He was just eh. He got better towards the end -which is why I can say it was a good read.
The ending wasn’t my favorite part ever, but it was still fine. I would definitely read the other books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the arc. All opinions are my own.

Oh my gosh what a quick and enjoyable read! The ending was a bit abrupt and a bit ridiculous, but I really liked everything before it. I haven’t read the other books so I can only assume the mysteries introduced are part of the long game of this series. Even tho I haven’t read the others, it was easy to understand the story as it focused mostly on the couple. I loved them! I felt so badly for our heroine and soooo annoyed with her too. And the hero was just great—until he really lost his character so abruptly! Luckily he got some pluck back or I would have had to rate this book poorly. As it is there were a few places that just didn’t make sense in terms of how the characters behaved in relation to what we already knew of them from previous scenes. So it wasn’t a five star read, but if you are looking for a quick hist-rom that’s enjoyable, this is definitely a contender for your tbr. Enjoy!

(I apologize it seems this didn’t submit when I first reviewed! My review has been on goodreads this whole time!)

I solely picked this book up because of the cover. And I am so glad I did! The main character, Matilda, was so relatable. She had body image issues and familial issues, but still loved herself! It was so beautifully written and the level of angst was just perfection.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a novel that is part of a series which I did not initially realize. The chemistry between the main characters is believable and the adventures fun.

This is the next story in the Lords of Vice series. Tilly dislikes Sullivan with a passion but he has heard her secret longing. These two were ridiculous if they would have just talked to each other they would have been fine. Drives me crazy! Sullivan was very annoying as well he was a controlling jerk for 90% of the book.

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publishers for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the fourth instalment of the Lords of Vice series and centres around Tilly, the tall and unconventional member of the Ladies of Virtue. The club, whilst being ostensibly virtuous ladies also perform good deeds and, sometimes through stealth and cunning, attempt to clean up the streets of London.

Tilly’s puppy love for her brother-in-law has always annoyed his brother, Sullivan. Apart from the fact that her affection is misguided, he fancies her himself. She may not be a conventional beauty but her freckles and her cinnamon coloured hair stir him in a way no one else has.

When a mishap on the road turns into a full-blown scandal, he has to marry her. Even though he thinks she despises him, he hopes he can change her mind.

Anyone who has read my reviews will know that I am a sucker for a plain girl/hot guy romance. This one delivers on the emotion and steamed up my glasses as well!

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

Matilda Brooks made a mistake five years ago when she tried to proclaim her love for her friend, Thomas, before he married her wicked sister, and instead told Thomas' elder brother, Sullivan, who's held it over her ever since. Now, she is over the puppy love, and cares too much about her work as a Lady of Virtue, when she sets her eyes on Sullivan, now Viscount Glenbrook, to reform him from his slovenly ways. But, Sullivan has been harbouring an affection for Tilly for years, and though he may poke fun at her, he will protect her, which leads to a compromising situation following a carriage accident. Now, they need to marry, and both feel that though the other probably doesn't have strong feelings for the other, the chemistry and sexual tension is enough. But will the truth about Thomas come out, and can Sullivan get over his feelings about Tilly being a 'Lady of Virtue', or will it push them away.

This is book 4 in a series, which I hadn't realised when I requested the review copy, but I never felt like I was missing out on too much. Really, it could be a standalone, albeit one with characters who have their own stories which may add to the overarching plotline. I really liked both Tilly and Sullivan. Tilly has always been in her elder sister, Melanie's, spotlight, constantly compared to her, and somewhat ridiculed for her height, her freckles, etc. She might not be a diamond of the first water, but she is funny and vivacious, and Sullivan has always had a tendre for her. But, Tilly was in love with his brother Thomas, who Melanie did 'steal' away from her, and that's always put a damper on Sullivan's feelings. He went off to war, and in the meantime, his eldest brother died, in a shooting 'accident', and Thomas has been the de facto Viscount. Did Thomas have a hand in the 'accident', and is he dangerous? Sullivan, following the marriage, is still wary about Thomas and Tilly's friendship, and his jealousy could get a little much at times, but it was well meant. The chemistry and sexual tension between Tilly and Sullivan was perfect, and their relationship was one where they both talked, and didn't talk, about issues, which was a little annoying. Their main problem was about Tilly's involvement with the Ladies of Virtue, and I just wish they had spoken about it a lot more. All in all, an enjoyable romance read!

It started pretty good but then I got tired of Mathilda. She was a shrew! Poor Sullivan. The book had potential but Mathilda never warmed up to me.

I'm so torn on this book from really liking to really not. Bottom line- this has a fantastic story line, strong writing and very intriguing and different characters.
I love that the author portrayed Tilly as not the normal high borne lady. She has flaws and she embraces those even if her self esteem is next to nothing. Sullivan cares for her, he lusts after her but I didnt find their relationship going beyond the physical. I didnt feel a deep connection between them.
Steamy scenes- there are lots, in fact it seems like once they are married, they do nothing but have sex. I dont mind that, I like a book that has steam to it, some readers mind find it a bit much however.
Several chapters mention the same thing over and over- for example numerous times of Tilly saying that she wont trust him, she wont loose her heart to him, or her thinking that he doesn't truly love her - and the list goes on and on, really drained me. And the assumptions in this book drove me mad! My goodness, I found myself groaning at my computer at how many times either character flew off the handle without having a discussion about it.
The plot (and subsequent threads)- it gets going, you believe it, Sullivan mentions it over and over, but then it goes absolutely no where. Such a downer, it never gets resolved. This book is short, there was so much work up to the plot that I feel the author needed to, and could have, taken more time to finish the story. It needs more overall.
The title I feel cheapens this excellent story (and really, she's only a virgin for a few chapters), a stronger title would have helped.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, absolutely but read it for an interesting story, steamy scenes but a lack of resolution and lack of depth.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

I really enjoyed Tilly and Sullivan's story! It is always interesting to see how the H/H of a forced marriage deal with one another and to watch their journey to HEA unfold. I love that Sullivan saw the beauty that was inside and out of Tilly and helped her to see it in herself.

The first reason I HAD to pick up this book was the cover. It is absolutely STUNNING! 🤩😍 That red dress is striking with her pale skin and red hair… I instantly had to know more about this story. Then I read the synopsis and was intrigued by this enemies to lovers story between Matilda “Tilly” Brooks and Sullivan Chase, Viscount Glenbrook.
♡︎
Tilly is absolute perfection. She is too tall, hair not quite brown but not quite red, gap between her front teeth, and freckles that covers her entire body. Her family can’t help but continuing to remind her that she is NOT a beauty, that she will NOT be wanted, and basically is just plain… odd. 😑 Seriously… they are the absolute WORST! Insert Sullivan Chase, who to Tilly, is slothful, obnoxious, and rude… but also tall, handsome, and absolutely dreamy. The worst! These two make the perfect match for the enemies to lovers romance! Sullivan absolute adoration for Tilly will warm your heart. 💕 He is perfection. I wish Tilly had more confidence in herself. Throughout the book I wanted to shake her at times. Girl, you are beautiful!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️
♡︎
I also want to note that this is book 4 in the series: The Lords of Vice. There is a larger story line that is playing along behind the main story line in the book. This does not effect this book at all though. It did, however, make me want to read books 1-3!
♡︎
If you love historical romance book, enemies to lover romances, or Bridgerton… this book is for you!
♡︎
Thank you to @entangled_publishing and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book! ❤️

Forced marriage, enemies to lovers.

The Virgin and the Viscount is the fourth book in the Lords of Vice series.

The Lords of Vice fall hard for the Ladies of Virtue!

This is the first book I've read in this series and I had no problem jumping in to the story.

What worked? The main characters! Tilly is a gap-toothed, tall, confident (except around her sister), woman, covered in freckles ("Freckles" is the hero's adorable nickname for her). Sullivan is the second son, a soldier, who wasn't prepared to take over the responsibilities of his titles.

I liked them together. Some VERY steamy moments. Sullivan had been pining for Tilly for years, but was too stubborn to let his feelings be known.

Through a series of events, the possibility of ruination (by forced proximity) leads to a forced marriage.

What didn't work? There were a lot of loose ends. Nothing happened to the whole mystery surrounding the death of Sullivan's older brother. Nothing. Nothing happened with the Lady who was blackmailing Sullivan. Nothing. Nothing happened to the villain of the story. Nothing happened with Sullivan's concerns that someone was trying to kill his wife or sister in law. Nothing. In fact, he mentions the possibility of them being targets, but then has a spat with Tilly and leaves town instead of staying to protect her! The story just ended. There was a happily ever after for the couple, but too many unfinished threads. It was actually really bizarre. I can't see this being a big cliffhanger, because if the next book isn't about Tilly and Sullivan, it just wouldn't make sense.

So this was a hard one for me to rate. I liked the characters. I liked the dialogue. I liked the sexy scenes. There was a lot of potential, but there was also so much missing.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.