Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing a DRC of this title.

Enjoyable historical romance between a dissolute rake and dutiful daughter of two feuding families. Not my favorite romance by Frampton, but I'd recommend it to patrons looking for some Romeo and Juliet vibes in a regency romance.

This one was so fun! We follow Lucien, the adventurous and loving spare of a strict and no-nonsense duke and Diantha, daughter of an eccentric family who prides herself on being the only normal one of the bunch. There is a bit of a Hatfield/McCoy type feel between their family because they have been at odds for a while. We follow Diantha and Lucien as they navigate their growing feelings for each other but also trying to dissolve the distaste and strife between their families.

I was first drawn to this book solely off the cover because it's so cute and I love the dark blues and purples used in the background. I also love that the two main characters are smiling at each other in a fun and flirty way because that fits their personalities perfectly.

I don't really have much to say other than this was so fun. Both main characters aren't afraid to laugh and have some fun which I appreciated because I find that some main characters are so broody in historicals.

Thank you to

Megan Frampton’s The Devil’s Charm was a fun read with some great banter and a unique setup, but it didn’t quite pull me in the way I’d hoped. I liked the idea of Lucian and Diantha being caught between their feuding families and forced to work together, and their first meeting had a spark that made me excited to see where things would go. I'm a sucker for a forbidden romance with Romeo and Juliet vibes.

Lucian was constantly described as a carefree rake, but I never really saw that side of him. Instead, he was sweet, responsible, thoughtful, and attentive, and while he’s supposed to be a rake, I actually liked his softer side. Diantha was just ok for me. I feel like her personality was kind of inconsistent. Sometimes she was so confident and others she was incredibly insecure. I didn't always understand the change in her, and I definitely enjoyed her moments of confidence more, especially when she took charge of the business side of things.

As far as the romance, there were some really lovely moments between Diantha and Lucian, especially when they let their guards down and just enjoyed each other’s company, but it never felt like the stakes were very high. Considering they came from feuding families and there is a forbidden nature to their relationship, I expected a little more conflict and tension.

That said, Frampton’s wit shines through in the dialogue, and there are some genuinely comical moments throughout the story. There was more than one scene that had me chuckling. I liked the side characters, too, and while they're not as layered, they add a lot of humor and warmth to the story, especially Diantha’s unconventional family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Historical romances are my favorite subgenre and I will never get tired of reading them. I was drawn in by the pretty cover while I was looking through the catalog. This was my first Megan Frampton book and it unfortunately may be my last. This book didn't work for me. I've never minded "instalove" books in the past because I recognize authors have a specific timeframe to tell the story. They need to fall in love in order to progress the narrative. The Devil's Charm had these characters falling in love at the speed of light and I could barely keep up with the frenzied pace of their courtship.

Lucian and Diantha were enamored by each other from the word "go". I couldn't fathom that quick of a connection just by locking eyeballs. I wasn't sold by their chemistry. I had a bad feeling reading this book and didn't enjoy myself. I didn't fully buy their relationship and it seemed like their relationship was merely built on physical attraction. I understand it's important to fancy your partner, but that shouldn't be your foundation. These two needed to realize you're not always gonna be young and pretty.

I was once again duped by a pretty cover with an unsuspecting underbelly. I'm sure others will enjoy this book, but I prefer a story with more substance. I'll continue to keep reading my favorite subgenre and won't let this misstep bother me. I must be immune because The Devil's Charm didn't affect me at all!

🤍Book review 🤍

The Devil's Charm
A Novel
by Megan Frampton

The Devil's Charm by Megan Frampton is a fun historical romance filled with humor, romance, and witty banter.
Lord Lucian Blackwood and Lady Diantha Courtenay share an unexpected kiss at a wedding, only to later discover their families are longtime rivals. Forced to work together to resolve a business dispute, their initial tension turns into friendship and undeniable attraction.
Lucian is a playful and caring hero, while Diantha is strong-willed yet practical. Their adventures, especially their secret meetings at the British Museum, add a unique touch to their romance. The side characters bring extra humor, and the story is full of lighthearted moments.
While the enemies-to-lovers aspect feels a bit forced at times, the book’s charm, engaging dialogue, and amusing situations make it an enjoyable read. Fans of historical romance will appreciate this entertaining story.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

DNF at 41%. This was so inoffensive, it was boring. For a guy who is occasionally called Lucifer, Lucian feels really lacking. And Diantha was equally muddled and forgettable. Dear historical authors, you can absolutely write compelling plots without having to choose between your characters being “awful” or “boring!” I want to support you, because the genre is dying, but either you’re not giving what needs to be given, or the publishers just aren’t getting the message about what readers want!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The male main character was a Duke's second son which is unusual and gave the story an interesting spin. The main characters were appealing and their connection was evident when they were together. However, I would have liked more scenes with the characters together and much less time with the characters in their own heads, rehashing the same thoughts over and over again. I enjoyed this story but wish there was a bit more of it.

I wanted to like this more, but the characters just didn’t ring true for me. They all seemed like hooks that the author could use to set up her romance. The mean father was too mean. The flibbertigibbet parents of the heroine were just too silly. The charming hero and very proper heroine didn’t seem real. They also fall for each other way too quickly and soon they’re sneaking off for kisses and more. None of it was believable and that was irritating.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

⭐️/4
🌶/2

I'm always a fan of a historical romance, and this one didn't disappoint.

Diantha is your regular staid lady and Lord Lucifier (Lucien 😉) is your certified gentry rake. When fate keeps throwing them together, they decide to run with it and try to "cleanse their systems" of each other, even though their parents are enemies.

I loved Diantha's family. They were a hoot. Always doing something or saying something random. It was also nice watching Lucien grow up a little and seeing Diantha let loose.

I really enjoyed this one. If you want a little bit of comedy with your regency, this is the one!

https://rynniereads.wordpress.com/2025/01/25/the-devils-charm-by-megan-frampton/When Lord Lucian and Lady Diantha meet at a ball there is an instant spark but their two fathers are former business partners who now hate each other so they know there is no chance they can be together. When the two are forced to work together on behalf of their respective fathers they develop a friendship that leads to deeper feelings as their attraction continues to grow.

I’m so happy to have a new series from Megan Frampton. I love a light and happy romance and this was exactly that. I love that the cover perfectly captures the mood of the book. I knew I was in for a treat when the first chapter was written in two perfect parallels from Lucian and Diantha’s perspectives. I really enjoyed their various ventures to The British Museum as it was the only place the pair could find privacy. The plot itself wasn’t that complicated which allowed for the relationship between the pair to be the main focus. I’m excited for the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story answered the question what happens when an oldest daughter in an attempt to let loose for one night, meets a charming second-son with little care in the world? It also begs the questions, what happens when two dumbass aristocrats decide to make business and life decisions based on a comet? You get the story of a decades long feud between two silly men who's children meet unexpectedly and find they have more chemistry and things in common then they initially thought.

When Diantha and Lucien meet at their friends' wedding and share a passionate kiss, they think they will never see each other again, especially as their fathers are enemies. That is until their fathers' mutual business interest from decades ago comes back, and the two must work together to figure out what to do with the factory left behind. So they embark on a project to revive the factory and choose to solicit feedback from randos, which turns into a bit of a pitching Shark Tank situation that had me absolutely rolling on the floor laughing. And in between these hilarious business pitches, the two plan kissing escapades at the British History Museum and it's cute as hell.

Frampton does a really good job at writing hilariously lovable goofball side characters. Diantha's family is a perfect example of this as they're more than a little unusual but despite that you can tell there's inherent love in the family. They provided such great additional humor to the story and their scenes were some of my favorites. They also helped explain a lot of Diantha's tendency toward sensibility. Lucien was a great foil to her character, as his carefree attitude and constant desire for enjoyment was so different from hers. To see these two such different characters, grow closer toward each other and develop more of each other's good qualities was a treat. While I typically go for the dark broody hero, Lucien was the perfect Nice Guy and his biggest appeal was how often he deferred to Diantha's opinion and wishes. He truly was not afraid to be seen as not as smart as her and understood the power of women.

While not a totally original plot I see and enjoy what Frampton is doing here. Part of what kept me reading and engaged were the lovable characters and funny situations they were put in. So although I feel like I've read similar stories, this has the author's trademark wit, charm, and unique sexy settings (there's no basic chaise lounge hook-ups here).

A delightful story to read! Diantha is a full, rich character who doesn't want to be like the rest of her family. As the story unfolds, she is often examining whether that is true or not. She is a smart, capable, witty female heroine. The writing is well done. There is an abundance of great dialogue, with witty repartee. There are touching moments, as well as spicy scenes. This book has it all.

My first Megan Frampton! Firstly, this conceit is delightful: One man sees Haley's Comet and dedicates his life to whimsy, and one sees the same comet and dedicates his life to seriousness. Their rebellious children have to resolve their business disagreements with a side of kissing lessons.
I feel a little seen by Diatha and her love of order and museums. Lucian is such a delightful but misunderstood rake. They two of them save lives! They get it on in a sarcophagus! It's a hilarious and sexy romp.
Drink this book: Enjoy this book with a glass of saline white wine like Albarino or Muscadet and think of the sailors.

THE DEVILS CHARM by Megan Frampton is a Romeo and Juliet love story with the tale of two love birds caught between a family feud that they need to work together to solve to reach their happily ever after.

Lucian is a fun, ever so social, rake with a stiff and stuffy Duke for a father. Diantha is the daughter of an eccentric noble family, and is the only sensible one out of the bunch.

I really enjoyed this story because it just goes to show that no matter the past, love will always prevail. Here you have an old issue between the families that doesn’t matter to either Lucian or Diantha once they set eyes on each other. Of course there’s the obvious “we can’t be together because our families are rivals” but it doesn’t take long for love to win. I disliked the fact that Lucian’s father sent someone to spy on him and also that Lucian and Diantha’s positions seemed to flip flop at the end with them each portraying traits that the other found objectionable at the beginning of the story. Their ending made me so happy and I love the “love conquers all” theme.

I wouldn’t call this a super steamy book, but sometimes those books can be a bit much. I felt that the steam in this book was appropriate for the story line.

I really enjoyed that Lucian and Diantha's families were enemies and had a lawsuit they needed to work out. I also liked that Lucian and Diantha met before knowing that they were going to be the ones nominated in their families to settle the lawsuit. It added a nice layer of tension and a slight enemies to lovers aspect. That being said, the enemies part felt a little forced. They went from essentially falling in love at first sight, to then bantering like enemies. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Diantha, though I enjoyed her character, felt contradictory. In some scenes, she was confident, sure of herself, and willing to go to bat for the people and topics she cared about. In other scenes, she was timid, easily embarrassed, and self conscience. I really liked the confident and outspoken Diantha, especially when we got to see her doing business with Lucian. I wish there had been a little more emphasis on her being a woman doing a man's work for that time period. There was one man who seemed to ignore her and only address Lucian, but other than that, she seemed to gain the respect of people pretty easily. I think it would've helped develop her character more had she had more prejudice to work against. It also would've been nice to see how Lucian would react to people treating her that way.

Lucian seemed to have no personality outside his reputation. We're told he has no care in the world, that he does what he wants without thought, and that he's not responsible. But everything we're shown about him seems to indicate the opposite. With Diantha he is caring, thoughtful, and romantic. When his father makes him do some business, he is determined, hard working, and savvy. All of which are in contrast to his supposed reputation. I wish the author had let us see Lucian as his carefree and wild old self so we could see his transformation as he falls in love with Diantha.

Overall, I think this book has good bones, but it didn't quite go far enough for me. I wish some things were solidified more (like the main character's personalities), and some other parts delved into a little more (like Diantha working in a man's world, or even both their relationships with their parents).

Note:
My rating scale:
⭐ Not a fan
⭐⭐ Meh
⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed it
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Obsessed!

Megan Frampton can be really hit or miss with me and while, I didn’t hate this, it’s not my favorite from her. I think there was a lot of potential but ultimately I was kind of bored. We kept almost getting this moments of delicious angst but they all fell through. Plus, I didn’t find either MC particularly enjoyable or interesting. Overall, not my least favorite from Frampton (because I did think the romance was ultimately sweet) but not my favorite either.

This follows Diantha and Lucian, whose families have been at odds for over two decades because of a schism caused by a comet sighting that gave the patriarchs of their families diametrically opposed values. When Diantha and Lucian meet, they each begin to compromise on their own senses of self in order to fall in love with each other.

In terms of plot, there's not much here, nor is there a great deal of angst or drama, which made this book kind of... boring. Neither Diantha nor Lucian were very relatable or interesting, and despite having supposed warring families there's not a hint of real drama to be found between them. Even Lucian who is heralded as a rake is actually pretty dull, all things considered. He doesn't have a bad reputation and he seems to only want to do things that make him happy, but never things that come at a cost to anyone else.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil's Charm by Megan Frampton

Setting:
Victorian England

Characters:
Diantha
Lucian
Drusilla
Julia

Tropes:
Fake Rake Wallflower
Relationship of convenience
Slow burn

Rating:
3 🌟

Spice level:
1.5 🌶

Review:
It was a good story, but for the most part it was lackluster for me. I too like the heroine felt that Lucian was a fake rake. I like my devilish heros to be dastardly and grey area. To me Lucian was more so a simp. The plot was fine, but the characters didn't seem to have any motivation for the drama between their fathers to end. For me tje plot lacked intensity, and the romance seemed too slow burn, especially if one is to assume Lucian is in fact devilish. Overall it was more so a slow burn historical with a fake rake and wallflower. I am invested in the series, and would like to see where book 2 takes us. I absolutely love the cover art, very pretty.

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of The Devil's Charm, written by the amazing Megan Frampton from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is the first in her new series Heirs and Spares. Lord Lucian Eldridge, second son of the very strict Duke of Waxford, is the kind of guy who likes to be useful by handing out responsibilities to those he thinks and knows will do the job as it is supposed to be done. Diantha Courtenay, daughter of the Earl of Courtenay, is a very meticulous, systematic, straightforward, orderly young lady. She has always kept her slightly outrageous parents in line by always being the sane and dependable person in her family. These two main characters seem to be two sides of one coin, where one is carefree and non-chalant, the other is bound by rules and regulations. Yet when the two meet, the saying that opposites attract is never truer. The magnetism, the pull, the electricity is magnanimous. The only problem is their fear that this temporary madness is just that, temporary. When neither knows what the future will hold, they make use of the time they have by breaking their own rules. A great read!

A cute historical romance, with fun spicy scenes and some meaningful conversations about one’s sense of self. There was not a time where I felt bored with this book, it’s a quick read with good chemistry between the characters. Though they may behave a bit differently, they have a lot in common and find themselves enjoying their company. It is lust at first sight but in the scenes they have together you can see their comparability and enjoyment. I have to say I found myself comparing my sense of responsibility with the FMC. Agree that it can be hard for people to relate when they’ve never been put in that position. It was a fun palate cleanser.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager publishing, I received a ARC for an honest review !