I enjoyed this story and found the characters to be well developed and the main characters are well matched. I haven’t read a lot by this author but I will be looking out for more of her work in the future.

Overall 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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I liked the style and storyline of this novel. It wax gentle and explains clearly the options to women in this time - when not of genteel birth - harlotry and its variants was the prime choice but service in a household if you were lucky and had references was also available. But poorly paid and was difficult to manage if you had children. Though there was a thriving trade in looking after (if not necessarily well) the children of servants.
Not many turned to highway robbery though, but it was better paid it would appear for the hours put in, than other positions. I liked the that the early police force was mentioned too.

A wonderful depiction of opposites attracting. Loved it. Effie is an impoverished widow with a son and aging aunt to support. To make ends meet she masquerades as a highwayman. Griffin is a second son tired of idleness and overindulgence. Knowing her secret, and to keep her safe, Griffin offers to make Effie his mistress. In order to protect her secret and family, Effie accepts.
Thank you Elise Marian, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

After seeing so many reviews that either loved or hated this book I just had to give it a read and see for myself. I will say, there is not much of a storyline here- Effie needs money, she starts a life of crime, when offered to become a mistress she accepts. Griffin thinks he is protecting her which he is but he never really thinks more of her than mistress even though the author tries hard to get you to believe that it's true love between them. Like so many other reviews mentioned, there was just something about this story that was 'meh'. It didn't seem to go anywhere, I didn't feel connected to the characters, they seemed shallow.
The author can write well but tended to repeat a lot which is unnecessary. I feel she can do better and I would read more of hers but I just don't feel this book hit the mark, it needed more.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a while to get through. I can't quite pin down why. It was an okay story but itching it moved a little slow.

Effie is a widow with an aging aunt and young son to care for. The money she makes as a seamstress is not enough so along with her friends she begins to rob carriages.

Desperate she goes alone one night only to be caught by Griffin St John.

Griffin is fascinated by Effie and offers to make her his mistress.

This book wasn't bad it just was not exciting enough for me. I would check out this series again but it isn't a must read for me.

Another book by Elise Marion, another book that leaves me on the edge of the abyss, my heart gives itself completely to its heroines because it is impossible to read without committing to the story
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Effie, like Helena in the previous book and like the rest of the women in the group, are victims of circumstances to which the society of that time 1800, does not give them many options to survive. It is a men's world where women are continually at a disadvantage.
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Effie lost her husband three years ago and with a small child and a great-aunt to take care of a poor job as a seamstress, it is barely enough. When her best friends from school get together and talk about being in similar situations, one of them suggests robbing carriages. After being trained in shooting firearms and riding, the group disguises themselves as men with hoods and baggy coats, making the most opulent carriages their target.
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In this second book, things get complicated when the hunt for the bandits takes a serious path and the group prefers to be calm for a while. For Effie it is not so easy and she decides to go out alone one night, not expecting that after keeping the valuables the gentleman of the carriage will knock her down and discover that she is not a simple robber.
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For Griffin St. John, life had become a complete boredom of social engagements, women, and card games until a bandit stopped his carriage. Instead of acting like any aggrieved gentleman, Griffin decides to take the cards in his hands and find out all about his assailant
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Each detail opens a new door to Effie and to try to mend her situation, he offers her to became his mistress, thinking that this arrangement can remain simple between the two of them but nothing is si simple between them
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I deeply enjoyed this beautiful book even when it have me crying. Thanks to Dragonblade Publishing and Elise Marion for give me this great book in exchange for my honest opinion

The Highwayman Widow and the Rake

To make ends meet, a group of women resorted to masquerading as highwaymen. Effie was a widow, and one night, she decided to venture out on her own. Little did she know that she was about to pick the wrong, or was it the right, target. Little did she know that her world was about to change. When Effie held up Griffin, he was determined to find her. Did she make the right choice by becoming his mistress? None of us could judge Effie unless we walked a mile or two in her tired shoes. Effie had a child and an ill aunt she had to support. She also had friends who were suffering, and she felt loyalty to them. Once she chose her path, would she steal again? Effie and Griffin must overcome quite a few challenges, and their feelings become involved. Could they settle for a temporary arrangement, or would love consume them, demanding more from them? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance, where the hero and heroine meet on a dark road instead of the drawing room or the ballroom.

This was my first time reading Elise Marion and it won't be my last. I enjoyed the unusual idea of the Band of Brigands, ladies joining together to earn a living rather than other unfavorable choices of that time. However, if caught, the price to the ladies would have been to high. Effie and Griffin had instant chemistry and loved their characters.
I plan to go back and read Book 1 in this series, and if you haven't read Elise Marion, you are missing out on a great author!

I'm in the minority here with this book, but i really couldn't get myself to love it.
Why? There was so storyline!! It was basically two people from completely different social standing, one of them a single mother, which gave the author a good chance to give the book some angst, but sadly my wish wasn't granted, and then they get infatuated with each other.
The author tried so hard to give their relationship a romantic side, but all i saw was just lust and desire, she literally wrote a book consisting of smut only, and it was so repetitive! Don't get me wrong a little bit of spice in a book doesn't hurt, especially if written right, but for the whole book to revolve around it was over the top.
I also felt the uncertainty the author had when writing the obstacles that faced the characters, she just didn't know how to put them into the book without talking a lot, so she took the easy route and declared the characters to be overly Understanding and for all side characters to be agreeing about everything that makes the main characters happy, it was too perfect for it to be realistic.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*

Thank you for the opportunity to review this lovely story. This book is not something I would have normally picked out for myself but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story.

Effie a recent widow who needs to take care of her son turns to robbing the elite of riches with her four friends. Very much a modern Robin Hood. Effie’s story was a beautiful and romantic. It showcased the strength of a women who would do what was needed to survive and care for her loved ones.

Effie is financially struggling with her son. So in the mornings, she works as a seamstress, and during the night she works as a highwayman. One night, she robs Griffin of his belongings, but with bad luck, he discovers her identity and seeks her out. He has a proposition, she becomes his mistress and he keeps his mouth shut.

I loved Effie, she is a strong heroine doing everything possible to make sure her son and loves one are taken care of and lack nothing. But she is dealt a bad hand and well, things happen. Griffin is calm and knows that he needs to take care of Effie, but she is too pigheaded, so he decides that the only way to do that, is by threatening her.

The dynamic between the two main characters is great! The highwayman (woman) also brings a lot of friendship and sisterhood to the story! Looking forward to the next books in the series.

A restless, bored second son, Griffin St. John is looking for more than continuing his life as a rake. On the road traveling back to London from a house party, he is robbed by the Band of Brigands. Catching one of the robbers, he discovers she is a woman. His only clue to her identity is a silver cross on a delicate chain with the name Effie. Fate intervenes and he finds her, pursues her and offers a proposition. Effie is afraid Griffin is going to turn her in to Bow Street. Totally surprised by his proposition, Effie is a widow and considers her choices to take care of her son and sick aunt. How can she turn away from the man willing to give her anything she wants as his mistress?
I really enjoyed this book with an unexpected trope. Griffin is so sweet and changes into a man who finally falls in love with a woman he just couldn't resist.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I haven't read the first book of the series, but had no trouble following the story. The story was unique and interesting and I found myself really enjoying it. Effie is in a desperate place after her husband dies and she finds herself impoverished. She is a seamstress but is unable to make ends meet and must find a way to provide for her son and aunt. Effie sees her only choice as becoming a highwayman, or should I say highwaywoman. When she tries to rob Griffin, he realizes she is not a man and tries to find her later to help her. As fate would have it, their paths do cross again and he suggests to her becoming his mistress. Griffin and Effie's relationship is full of passion and emotion and I enjoyed seeing their relationship development and each of them go through their own growth. This was a well-written story with an interesting storyline which I enjoyed reading. I would love to read the next installment of the series.

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

This is such a sweet and charming second installment in the Lawless Ladies series! Elise Marion does a lovely job of crafting a delight story with a strong female group of friends at the center. Marion's writing is well paced, extremely engaging and filled with sweetly swoon worthy moments. I was absolutely taken with the first novel in this series and I am impressed to find that this installment holds its own. Marion has a way of creating compelling characters who are willing to help and do anything to survive in a world that does not always have a favorable place for women and a means for them to survive. Her characters are three dimensional with understandable problems who fight tooth and nail for those they love.

Effie, is a single mother who has spent the majority of her life caring for everyone else around her. She is always putting other people's needs before her own, no matter what the cost. When she goes out on a solo highwayman robbery (without her group of friends that she tends to work with) she comes across Griffin, the hero. Griffin immediately finds out that his highwayman is not a man but a lady and when he comes across her at his sister's dress fitting he is immediately draw to Effie. Griffin, instead of reporting her to authorities, does some investigation work trying to uncover who Effie truly is and why she might need to result to robbery for survival.

I found Griffin to be such a wonderful hero, he is a hard working, self-made man, from a noble family (his brother is the viscount). Griffin never draws to the wrong conclusion about Effie, instead he investigates what he wants to know and is also open to her answers and responses. I love that Griffin does not condemn Effie for using robbery as a means of income, instead he understands that this is something she has had to do in order to protect herself, her son and then many people who rely on her. Effie is strong and independent in her own right, she makes sacrifices for her friends and family without regret. I love that Griffin does not see this as a weakness in Effie, rather that it is a strength and that he wants to help her with some of this burden so he can help her blossom into the woman she truly is. Griffin has such an awareness of Effie that gives him a deep understand of what she finds most important in her life. I really enjoyed that Elise Marion has peppered moments into the novel where Griffin and Effie's son can have some communication and time together, Griffin see the boy as someone he cares for and wants to protect along side Effie which is absolutely endearing! Watching Griffin and Effie's attraction grow is really lovely, Griffin never pressures Effie as they enter into an arrangement, he always makes sure she feels in control and has her full consent. Their chemistry blossoms into some really delightful sensual scenes and the heat level of this romance works very nicely with this story. I also love that during the third act breakup Griffin is never bitter towards Effie, he sees she needs space, he gives her that space and he trusts that she will do what she needs to do.

I would highly recommend this beautiful romance, not only do you get supportive female friendships, but a truly lovely romance between two people who learn to trust each other and provide a safe haven for the other. Elise Marion also does a lovely job of setting up the next novel in the series and I am extremely excited to check it out and continue on as the books release!

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Enjoyable read and entertaining to.
Some really good characters that keep your attention throughout.
I loved the leading lady Effie although a widow is no doddering fool, she has her wits about her , when Griffin offers to make her his mistress she not one to agree easily.
These two were brilliant characters and I loved the push pull of the relationship .
I look forward to reading more.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

She was almost desperate to take care of her son and aunt, with the loss of her husband. A seamstress, she is unable to make the amount of income to sustain them.

When she pairs up with a group of ladies who are having the same situation, they become highway women. But it is important they keep their identities a secret.

He could not believe he had been held up by a woman. When he recognizes her, he decides to see if she will make an arrangement with him. He has nothing to lose and plenty of money.

But sometimes, money is just not enough and he finds himself caring more than he thought he ever could!

Great addition to this series!

Willful Widow by Elise Marion is a story about Effie Green who has a husband and a fine young son, until the husband dies. He was a tutor for the sons of noble gentlemen so when he doesn't work, there are no money. She has a little but has to figure out something other than working, sewing for a living. She turns to robbery, along with four of her friends. Helena had already retired, marrying an earl and offering to help. Effie and the others considered this offer and each decided independently whether to accept or reject. They did decide to hold off for a while, but Effie needed the money so she decided to go it alone. The first night she did, she was partially unmasked, but got away with the goods. She ran into him several times before he offered to take care of her: she could become his mistress, but he promised to never take anything that wasn't given freely. Things got complicated.

Effie is a fabulous character: strong-willed, responsible, passionate. Griffin has grown up because of her. He had been an irresponsible rake, although he was always good to his family, his mother and his sisters. He didn't get along with his brother, who was far too serious. As he matured, he began to understand his brother and have a relationship with him. It was a tough time for women. Without a man, there were not many ways for a woman to make her way. Effie didn't feel good about anything she had done, but she did it for others. That should make a difference. I was interesting to watch her struggle, as she matured, as well. It was a terrific story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Willful Widow by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #willfulwidow #elisemarion

4.5 Stars
The death of Euphemia “Effie” Green’s husband Stephen has left her impoverished and desperate. So along with a group of friends they become highwaymen, it’s risky, but with a young son and ailing aunt to provide for, she is willing to risk both her life and her freedom. That is, until she finds notorious rake Griffin St. John on the other end of her pistol. Griffin has grown bored of a life of indulgence and idleness. He knows something is missing from his free-wheeling, bachelor’s existence but has no idea how to find it. Fate crosses his path with that of a widowed seamstress who masquerades as a highwayman in the dark of night. The mystery of Effie Green is too compelling to be ignored, leading Griffin to learn more about the woman who fleeced him of his valuables. Offering to make her his mistress is outrageously inappropriate, but it’s the only way he can think of to keep her out of danger. Effie accepts Griffin’s scandalous offer, hoping to make a better life for her son.
This is the second book about a group of friends who through no fault of their own have fallen on desperate times, so they make the hard choice to become highwaymen to keep the wolf from the door. A very well written book with strong characters I loved both Effie & Griffin, she’s trying desperately to make ends meet, he’s a wealthy second son who has increased his wealth through good investments, when their paths cross sparks fly. I loved the chemistry between the pair & how their relationship changed & grew. I admired Effie for the choices she made to care for her son & aunt but most of all I loved how she discovered herself. Griffin was so caring & protective of Effie & he fell hard & fast for her but didn’t push the relationship along & made himself move at her pace & he also listened to her & began to heal the rift with his brother. Their road to a HEA wasn’t straight forward but it made for a very enjoyable engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The death of Effie’s husband has left her broke and desperate. Disguising herself as a highwayman to make ends meet is a huge risk, but one Effie is prepared to take as she has a young son and ailing aunt to look after.

Griffin is tired of his life. He knows something is missing from his bachelor lifestyle but has no idea how to change things. One night his path crosses with a widowed seamstress who masquerades as a highwayman. The mystery of Effie Intrigues Griffin and he does all that he can to learn more.

Griffin Offers to make Effie his mistress even though it is outrageously inappropriate, but it’s the only way he can think of to keep her safe. After much thought Effie accepts Griffin’s offer, hoping to make a better life for her son while protecting the shameful secret of her crimes.

I enjoyed this book from the first page. Griffin is a dashing hero who just wanted to care and look after Effie. He was patient and kind and gave Effie the room she needed to figure herself out. I loved Effie she was a strong independent woman who did whatever it took to look after the people in her life.

I loved how the story started off unconventional with Effie agreeing to be Griffin’s mistress and also how loyal Effie was to her friends and would do anything to help them even if that meant losing Griffin.

The Band of Brigands, notorious highwaymen robbing the elite of riches under the dark of night. But are they in fact highwaymen or desperate desolate women clinging to their only options to help their families in a society where women have little value. This story begs the question What won’t you do when it comes to providing for and protecting those you love? Effie, is faced with that question when her husband and sole provider dies leaving her alone with a son and ailing Aunt to care for. She leans into the life of a midnight highwayman until the night she ventures out alone and robs the carriage of one Griffin St.John. In realizing she is not in fact. Highwayman but a woman in disguise, Griffin becomes plagued with the need to know more. As fate would have it he stumbles upon her on an afternoon visit to the modiste with his mother & sisters. In compromising her and leaving her without employment, he then seeks her out to provide her a means of support. Being to prideful to accept charity, she ends up becoming a kept woman and succumbing to the uncontrollable pull of attraction. But can she give up her night activities and trust this new arrangement to provide her security or will she inevitably be left to secure her own future. That is what leads this story at it’s heart, can a woman who has always had to put herself aside to care for others trust someone to care for her.
Griffin and Effie’s love story is full of turmoil and passion and keeps you guessing. Your heart gets pulled in so many directions, but in the end we have faith in the Happily Ever After we know they deserve, very well written.