I really enjoyed reading this regency romance story over the past couple of days. It was surprisingly sweet, funny, entertaining, and even had a moment at the end where I teared up.

I didn't like this book quite as much as I enjoyed The King and Vi, but it was still a very enjoyable read. My biggest complaint was that the whole story involving Katie's father didn't have a satisfactory conclusion (in my opinion at least). It served as a great way to show how much Henry cared for Katie, but I wasn't happy that Shrewsbury basically got everything he wanted with no repercussions. Some things I did really enjoy about the book were how Henry's gambling addiction didn't just go away because he had found true love, that Henry and Katie's first time having sex was a little disappointing to her, and the way Katie talked to Henry about being by his side through good times and bad. Both characters were able to see past what others saw in each of them (Henry's troublemaking and gambling, Katie's birth mark) and really see one another for who they really were. If you haven't read the first book that's not necessarily a problem when it comes to the curse - the basic story is retold here. What you do miss out on is what is going on with King in book 1 and how he gets his part of the counter-curse. The events of books one and two take place simultaneously which I also really liked. Now we just need to know what Rory has been up to and get all three together to finally break the curse.

This series is so different and refreshing and I really enjoy reading each story and cannot wait for the payoff third book. The first book in this series was very funny and this story is a little more serious and I am there for it. Katie is the rock in this story – you go girl! Both Katie and Henry’s stories are not easy to read. I guarantee you will sympathize for each of these characters. It was not love at first site and grew over the story. A lovely read.

Will the curse be broken? All three parts must come together to break the curse. I look forward to Rory’s story, which I think will be a heartbreaker.

I hadn’t read the first title in this series but after reading the synopsis for this, decided to take a chance, and was happily able to jump into it without feeling lost.

Though I was left with some unanswered questions and wondering about some secondary characters (that I’m hoping will be answered/cleared up in the third book) I still found this to be a very fun and enjoyable read

This was my first time reading the authors work (I’ve already downloaded the first title in the series, The King and Vi, to my kindle) and can’t wait to read more of this series, and more of Ms Galen’s work 🙂



Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

Henry is addicted to gambling and, when he loses all, he returns to his mother’s dowager house in the country. Living in the estate house is Katie, the daughter of the man who is determined to take everything from him. Katie, having been banned from London by her cruel father, is bored at the crumbling estate he banished her to. Deciding to help the poor tenants, she approaches Henry and demands he help her take care of them. In doing so, sparks fly but they soon realize there are many obstacles they must overcome. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

A wonderful romance that's filled with an entertaining story and characters that jump off the page. Henry and Katie have great chemistry and develop an enduring love for each other. Not an easy journey but one that's full of hope and desire for the future.

Henry Lewis, the Duke of Carlisle, has a problem with gambling – cards, dice in fact there’s never been a wager he won’t take or a bet he won’t make. In a last attempt to win back his dwindling fortune, Henry wagers it all to the devious Marquis of Shrewsbury, a man who has been trying to ruin the Carlisle family for years. And when Carlisle puts the last card on the table, Shrewsbury has his revenge. Carlisle is left penniless and homeless. He retreats to his mother’s dower house only to find the marquis has banished his daughter to live on the nearby estate—an estate her father won from Henry. Lady Katherine Malfort was born with a birthmark on her face and kept hidden away by her family. But when she turned twenty-one, she wanted to study painting in Paris, a demand which angered her father and resulted in her banishment to Carlisle Hall. Katie is used to being alone, but she finds some solace in the friendship of the Duchess of Carlisle. Then Henry arrives not only does Katie have no respect for a man who would disregard his mother and gamble away his family’s home, she’s angry at the way he's neglected the estate and the tenants. Henry wants to know why the marquis has a vendetta against him. He believes the answer is hidden in the library at Carlisle Hall and needs Katie to help him search it. She agrees, but only if he’ll make amends for his neglect of his tenants. Searching the library and aiding the tenants put Henry in Katie’s presence more than she’d like.
Henry is the second of three thirteen year old boys whose prank on a witch went wrong & she put a curse on the three of them. The curse would fully come into effect on their thirtieth birthdays - on that day Henry loses his town house. I loved both Henry & Katie he’s the flawed man fighting his addiction. Katie thinks she’s flawed because of her birthmark. I loved how they helped each other whilst falling in love, he saw past the mark, in fact after their initial meeting hardly noticed it, she blossomed throughout the book & was willing to fight to help Henry even when he lapsed. Strong characters, sizzling chemistry & a well paced story had me glued to my kindle. I also loved the humour throughout the book especially Ellsworth with his selective hearing. The only downside is that there’s a wait until the third book when the three men hope to break the curse
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read