I usually love this author's books, knowing I will get a good read through her writing. But this book? I couldn't put it down! I started it one night, had to get to sleep...but I knew I had to finish it the very next day because I couldn't go on not knowing how this couple was going to end up together!
The prose is beautifully crafted, showing a range and depth of emotion that enthralled me! The chemistry is evident between the main protagonists, but it was the way they longed for each other, how the author unveils and unravels this for us on the page, that was the winner for me here. The characters also hit a level of likeable without being syrupy, Felicity an innocent without being stupid or an airhead, and Gabriel a hardened man who can kill easily but can love even more when he opens his tender heart to the ones he trusts.
I couldn't wait for them to get their happy ending, to confess their feelings for each other, to end up together in a conflagration of need but also feelings - so many feelings! And their joining did not disappoint!
The suspense is well done, though it wraps up quickly... But then again, the focus for me wasn't the suspense (though I wanted to know what was going on, and my questions were indeed answered). I was here for the romance, and boy did the author deliver on this!

I really liked the book. Felicity and Gabriel were such a loveable, swoon worthy couple.
The amount of angst and yearning was just perfect, I felt their pain and rooted for them throughout.
I wish the mystery arc were handled better, it felt like it was there just to start their interactions. The details of the attacks, and the whole subplot needed fine-tuning.
Back to the characters, I really liked main characters. In the beginning, I was a bit off-put by the extreme glorifying of Felicity's innocent, and Gabriel's savage appeal. However, as the book progressed, I realized that the descriptions reflected how both of them think of the other, and how both looked for what they lack in themselves. Felicity needed the strength and assurance of Gabriel's presence. On the other hand, Gabriel needed the soft, loving nature of Felicity. Their personalities grounded each other.
The ending was anticlimactic. The final few twists were totally unnecessary, it came out of the blue. It was all so rushed.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

After her parents’ death Felicity Goode finds out that her father made her his heir. Only on the condition that she would marry someone high-class. And so Felicity finds herself bombarded with proposals left and right. Oh, and someone is threatening her. Thus a bodyguard would be very helpful. Enter Gabriel Savaugeau, currently going by Gareth Severand. A year ago he saved Felicity’s life and faked his own death to escape the life of crime and violence he’s been living for years. He should be halfway across the globe by now but he can’t leave Felicity.
I loved this book! Just, everything about it. I love how there weren’t any games between the heroes, they are just in love with each other. I love the Gabriel worshiped Felicity. The plot was engaging (Felicity’s father was one hell of a jerk I will say). I loved that both the characters were innocent and explored their passion together. The sex scenes were steamy. I loved the character development so much! A girl who spent all her life being afraid of everything finds courage to stand up for herself, and a man who only ever knew violence learned to love and to be gentle. This was so good, honestly, can’t recommend this enough.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful installment of the Goode Sister’s series. I loved Felicity in the other books and was so excited to see more of her. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to come around to Gabriel as a hero, but this book convinced me.

4.5 stars!
I am so happy we finally got Felicity’s story! Ever since we first saw her interaction with Gabriel, I just KNEW their romance was going to be fun to watch unfold. And of course, I was right.

There definite bumps along the way but that’s life and it would be boring without them.

Watching these sisters all find their HEAs has made my heart happy. They deserved it. And each man is just perfect for them, even if they’re far from perfect themselves. I can’t wait to see what we get next from Ms. Byrne..

Ruffians with a heart of gold. Well not really, but their hearts can be melted somewhat for the right woman, and they do love to protect. So a very grntle and in need of protection wòman, can get into that heart.
A well written novel, set nicely into its historical period, that demonstrates the trope in the best manner.
Our heroine needs protection and there is the ruffian ready to help.

The fourth book in the A Goode Girls Romance series. Gabriel Sauvageau becomes Felicity Goode's bodyguard the story is well written with a very good storyline. There is suspense, drama, danger, villains, surprises, and romance. The story was well worth reading. I will be reading the rest of this series. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4.5

Quick unedited rambly disjointed notes

I really enjoyed this steamy book. The relationship between Gabriel and Felicity was realistic and sad. Both of them were treated horribly for things about them that were out of their control. Both ached for real passion and stability. I liked that Felicity knew her mind, but struggled with anxiety, night terrors and confrontation. She's a twin and missed her sister Mercy something awful. Mercy is married to Gabriels brother. Once Raphael disclosed to Felicity why Gabriel behaves the way he does she and I were both crushed. Gabriel and Felicity's fathers were monstrous. The twist at the end was shocking, to say the least. Did I mention that Felicity is the last of her sisters to get married and that her spiteful father put a clause in her inheritance?

My thoughts are jumbled. I so badly want to buy all the other books in the series and devour them. I can't because I must move on to other books. However, I will because I must know the love stories of the other four sisters.

Thanks you Oliver Heber Books for the eARC for review.

The Goode Sisters trilogy had completely lived up to its series title but with the addition of Sauvageau brothers, it was elevated from good to great!

In the previous book, Felicity Goode, was saved by Gabriel Sauvageau (prior to his surgical transformation to make him appear more human than monster). She could sense his good heart and mourned when she heard he had died saving her.

A year later, a threat to her life had her putting out an advert for a bodyguard. She mistakenly thought the transformed, Gabriel, now going by Gareth Severand, was applying for the job when she bumped into him outside her home. She immediately felt a connection to him and hired him on the spot.

Gabriel couldn't refuse the need and desire to protect Felicity as he had done in the past. His new face kept his former identity a secret and allowed him to be in close proximity to the women he fell in love with shortly after first meeting her.

Gabriel lived up to the build up of his character in the previous book and then some. Felicity was his perfect juxtaposed counterpart. I would have liked a bit more of a comprehensive epilogue with all the Goode sisters but I am holding out hope that there will be a continuation in the series.

As a Kerrigan Byrne superfan, TEMPTING FATE was everything I’ve been waiting on! 🤩 If you read the previous Goode Girl series books, then you know this book has been building for a whole. Felicity is the sheltered, shy, bespectacled Goode sister and Gabriel is the disfigured, violent, gangster who has loved her from afar for (what feels like) forever. I LOVE THIS TROPE. The dark and violent hero falls for the shy heroine with anxiety? 😍😍😍 Gimme.

This series is a little different than KB’s previous series. They’re shorter than her usual books, fast-paced, dark - but not too dark. I read this book in one sitting and it was a delight. Byrne’s writing is like a rich dessert, decadent, dark, sexy, and they have some bite.

My favorite part of any Kerrigan Byrne novel is how head over heels, fall off the deep end, in love the heroes are with their heroines. Gabriel took that to a whole new level and I ate it up with a spoon.

Highly recommend starting with SEDUCING A STRANGER (formerly titled A DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT) for the full effect. The whole series is on Kindle Unlimited 🎉🎉 and would be super fun to binge read!.

I received an advance reader copy through Goodreads. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the conclusion of the Goode Girls series, at least for the sisters. It is Felicity and Gabriel's story. One I have been looking forward to for three books! It did not disappoint!!

Gabriel is the brains and braun of the sauvignon operation. He has amassed a great deal of wealth through all their exploits. However, there's one thing he cannot obtain... The girl of his dreams.

Felicity has no wish to marry, but she is trapped in her own mind occasionally through panic attacks. I really enjoyed her character the best of the sisters. She surprised me by being equal parts smarts, funny, and compassionate. I relate so much to her because of her panic attacks.

Felicity ends up inheriting a very large fortune, which makes her a target for unruly characters. She therefore needs to hire a bodyguard, and Gabriel happens to be nearby!

The story is their journey. It is well written as all Kerrigan Byrne novels are. I think I finished it in a day. Well worth the read. The steamy scenes are beautifully written. However the gems are the depth of love and generosity of character of these two individuals.

Kerrigan Byrne writes amazing romantic stories and this book is no exception— I loved the story from beginning to end!

Disfigured in fighting pits as a lad, Gabriel Sauvageau has lived his entire life without the touch of a woman. As the brains and brawn behind London’s most ferocious smuggling syndicate, he knows he doesn’t deserve shy, bespectacled Felicity Goode. But that doesn’t stop him from watching her. Guarding her.

Wondering if her gentle touch would soothe his savage soul.

Though she wiles away hours immersed in the pages of romance novels, shy and anxious Felicity Goode has vowed never to become a bride. How can she share a life—not to mention a bed—with a man if she can’t bring herself to share a simple conversation without trembling and stuttering? Once news of her obscene inheritance circulates through the ton, she is barraged not only by a slew of suitors, but also several distressing threats against her life.

What she needs is a bodyguard.

The large, scarred ruffian she finds on her stoop is exactly what she has been looking for.

So why does his presence make her tremble in ways that have nothing to do with fear?

This was the first book I read from “Goode Girls Series” and I was able to enjoy without any confusion. The story flows very smoothly and allows the reader to get lost in romance. The characters are both realistic imperfect people who are easy to connect with and the passion growing between them is very well portrayed! I loved every word—Highly Recommend.

5 Stars ⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥

Loved it! Definitely worth a re-read. I was so eager to get my hands on a copy of this book and i wasn't disappointed. I will continue reading the series!

This entertaining, well written series ends with a HEA after much suffering. Shy Felicity the youngest of the Goode sisters thought that she would grow old with her twin Mercy, but then Mercy fell in love with Raphael Sauvageau, and they had to flee England. Little does Felicity know, that Raphael's brother Gabriel, fell in love with Felicity at first sight, but she and everyone else in London thinks he is dead. Gabriel was subjected to horrible abuse by his father while protecting his brother Raphael and had the mutilated face and body that horrified anyone who saw him. But Dr. Titus Conleith, Felicity's brother-in-law performed a series of experimental surgeries to restore him to a presentable appearance. He is ready to leave England for good, when he learns that someone is threatening Felicity and becomes her bodyguard. But who will safeguard his heart from her love? A convoluted and surprise ending.

I read an ARC from Netgalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review

Top 5 reads of 2021, Top 5 favourite heroes of all time.

I had been waiting for Gabriel's book ever since he captivated me in Courting Trouble came out in December. He then stole my heart in Dancing with Danger and I was dying to get my hands on his book. I can say with utmost certainty that this has to be one of my favourite books by Kerrigan Byrne and definitely top 2 best books I've read this year. I honestly hate myself for finishing this so fast but it was unputdownable and so incredible I could cry. It was everything I want for the love of my life Gabriel and more. As always another hit out of the park from my favourite historical romance author.

I just love these two characters! I have to say that this was my favorite of the series so far. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings and this one definitely fit the bill.

Kerrigan Byrne has another fantastic addition to the Goode Girls series. I was really hardcore about Nora and Titus being my favorite, until Tempting Fate. Felicity and Gabriel are everything. I love the complete and total opposites that they are. Also, I like a bad boy, and he's the ultimate. He's so deliciously rough and she's so shy and sweet. I love the fast pace I was completely gripped from the beginning, there's a really good twist at the end. I'm so excited to see where the rest of this series goes.

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 (for the main one, the second one is brief)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Just a touch

Should I read in order?
I would say yes, for this series. The books really do flow into one another and there’s character overlap for much of them. This is an extension off the Victorian Rebels series, so if you want to start at the beginning pick up The Highwayman. At the very least, read the previous book, Dancing with Danger, as that gives background to Gabriel’s life and what brings him and Felicity together.

Basic plot
Gabriel has been protective over Felicity ever since he laid eyes on her. She thinks him dead, but he’s still in shadows watching. The last time she saw him, his face was unrecognizably disfigured, so she has no idea who the scarred man is that ends up applying to be her bodyguard.

Give this a try if you want:
- A shorter novel – this one comes in at about 230 pages according to goodreads
- Victorian time period
- Antihero – Gabriel has been raised in a life of crime
- Class difference trope – Felicity is the daughter of a baron, Gabriel is hired as her body guard
- Heroine that suffers from anxiety
- A bit of an age gap – hero is 34 and heroine is 22 (12 years difference)
- Hero loves first and virgin hero

My thoughts:

I’ve been a fan of Kerrigan Byrne for a few years now, and this book was another fantastic read. But, I do think maybe I was in a mood because I wasn’t QUITE as into it as her other recent ones. The previous book, Dancing with Danger is still my favorite of this series, followed by Courting Trouble :)

Gabriel was just utterly sweet and romantic and perfect for Felicity. Also dark, ruthless and protective for what she needed. He’s just a wonderful hero, very concerned for his heroine’s well being and safety. There were no games played like we get with some exhausting heroes, and it was refreshing to see a hero so solid in his love.

Felicity was a wonderful heroine. Her anxiety broke my heart, but I loved seeing it on page as I know that so many of us deal with similar feelings. I really enjoyed her with Gabriel, they are the balms to each other’s souls and I am left knowing they are living a happily ever after.

I love Byrne’s mix of danger, tension, and sizzling sex. I thought this book had a lot of actual romantic thoughts in it too, which I’ve been appreciating so much. (So many romances aren’t actually romantic to me :( ) This one didn't quite hit me in the feels like hers usually do, but I still very much enjoyed it and there weren't any negatives for me (other than me selfishly disliking the shorter page count of these novels :P )

Disfigured in fighting pits as a lad, Gabriel Sauvageau has lived his entire life without the touch of a woman. As the brains and brawn behind London’s most ferocious smuggling syndicate, he knows he doesn’t deserve shy, bespectacled Felicity Goode. But that doesn’t stop him from watching her. Guarding her.

Wondering if her gentle touch would soothe his savage soul.

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Damn look at the blurbs! It's so so interesting!
This is maybe my very first book by Kerrigan Byrne but OHOHO I fell for this book! It's just that good everyone! I like the characters, the plot, the feelings, the tension here! This is the 4th book in the series but it can be read as a standalone too!
Thanks to Netgalley for the copy!

A little bit Beauty and the Beast-esque, but probably one of my favorites in this series. (Sandwich, if you will. This one and the first one.)
Felicity was so sweet and kind, albeit a bit naive. You get to see her come into her own, especially after seeing how sheltered she'd been by her family.
Gabriel is the kind of man that I'd like to find, he's big and scary, but sweet to his love.
The villain of the story is technically only introduced during the reveal, and is more a mystery throughout, but it was definitely more of the background.