Lady Diantha Courtenay is the quintessential oldest daughter, who prides herself on being the sensible and reliable one in an unconventional family. But for one night, she wants to just do what she wants and ends up in a coat closet with the son of her father’s nemesis. Lord Lucian Blackwood is a charming rake-about-town who excels in nothing so much as delegating, but the second he sees Lady Diantha, he’s stopped in his tracks. They’re pushed together again when they have to work on their parent’s behalf to settle a co-owned factory – with a side project to help getting kissing out of Lady Diantha’s system.

The Devil’s Charm was a very fun, romp-y historical romance. Both characters are really enjoyable, you can see almost right away that Blackwood is undervalued by his family for his ability to put the right person in the right job, and Diantha is seen as stuffy by her family and undervalued for her ability to keep them from “eel days”. I liked the Romeo-and-Juliet star-crossed lovers vibes and how the same comet had such a drastic effect on both their lives. I really loved that they kept meeting at the British museum for trysts (they make out in a sarcophagus?!), and how frustrated they both became when they were thwarted by other people being in this public space. Overall, a good choice for those looking for a light-hearted Victorian romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good family feud trope, and Lucian and Diantha are two lovers who fight against their attraction due to an old family feud, but circumstances bring them together so that they cannot keep denying what’s between them. As the spare and the proper lady clash, they slowly realize that their love may be more important than an old grudge. Megan Frampton’s dialogue is as fresh and clever as ever, and don’t sleep on this excellent regency romance.

Two people who shouldn't get along, but certainly do. Lady Diantha is the level-headed member of her family that tries to keep the rest of them together and their lives afloat. Lord Lucian seems like the affable second son that doesn't have anything serious in his life, but that's not all true. Their fathers had business together before a falling out and Diantha and Lucian are left to resolve the final piece of their dissolvement and that has them spending a lot of time together and things get heated between them. It's a fun romance to read and I'd be interested in reading more of this new series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

The Devil’s Charm is the first book in Megan Frampton’s Heirs and Spares series.
Lord Lucian Blackwood, the carefree second son of the Duke of Waxford, is accustomed to charming women and winning at cards. At a friend’s wedding, he unexpectedly kisses Lady Diantha Courtenay, the daughter of his father's enemy. Despite her proper demeanour, Diantha is drawn to Lucian, leading her to a moment of recklessness. The next day, she resolves to uphold her reputation, only to discover they must work together on a project aimed at mending their families' feud. As they work together, they both find it hard to balance their growing feelings with their responsibilities.
This is an enjoyable first in series. Diantha and Lucien are likeable characters and I enjoyed their banter. Diantha is the sensible one in her family and I liked how she strived to finally just do something for herself. Lucien starts off living fairly aimlessly but working with Diantha he realises that there is worth in doing things for the greater good. What I liked is that they balanced each other out.
The cover is gorgeous and this was a fun read. I received an advanced review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Megan Frampton hasn't been on my radar until recently and I'm happy for it. This was a little bit slow by my tastes but it's promising and the writing was excellent. Besides, is the first on a new series, so i hope I can read the rest if the series. In the mean time, I'll read her backlist

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

Megan Frampton’s The Devil’s Charm is a solid historical romance with a dash of intrigue but it doesn’t quite live up to its full potential. Set in the Regency era, the novel follows Lucian, a charming rogue with a dark past, and Diantha, a determined and intelligent woman who is far more than just another damsel in distress.

Frampton excels at crafting witty banter between her leads, and the chemistry between Lucian and Diantha is palpable. Their verbal sparring adds a delightful spark to their developing relationship, and the push-pull dynamic keeps the reader engaged.

Additionally, the secondary characters feel somewhat underdeveloped. With more attention to these elements, the world of "The Devil’s Charm" could have felt richer and more immersive.

In the end, The Devil’s Charm is an enjoyable read for fans of historical romance, especially those who love a dashing rogue. While it doesn't break new ground, Frampton's signature wit and the central couple's chemistry make it a pleasant diversion, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was book 1 in a new series. It was actually fairly good in the beginning but it got really slow. I liked it but was not over the moon.

The Devil's Charm was exactly that, charming!

I absolutely loved the romance between Diantha and Lucian. They brought out the best in each other which is really sweet and romantic. I also thought they had fantastic chemistry right from the start. These two just complimented each other. I couldn't get enough scenes with them together. I mean look at that gorgeous cover? These two look so happy!

The steamy scenes are great here. As I said before, these two had fantastic chemistry and it showed during the love scenes.

I loved Diantha's eccentric family. They were such fun side characters and I can't wait to (hopefully) read their stories too.

I thought the plot was interesting. I liked the twist towards the end of the book. What a surprise!

A charming, fun and romantic read! Would recommend!

This story was just ok for me I'm sad to say. I felt it dragged toward the last especially. Pass on this one.

Lady Diantha is the sensible daughter of an earl, whose eccentric family drives her up the wall. She's spent most of her life trying to keep her family afloat. While Lord Lucian is a second son who defies his father's desires for him to be stop being a rake and be more serious. When they meet at a friend's wedding, sparks fly.

First, I love the cover. They look so happy and he doesn't look cold at all.

Second, I liked the twist at the end. It wasn't what I expected, but it was very satisfying.

Third, I liked how Diantha and Lucian bring out the best in each other.

loved this so much. the relationship between the hero and the heroine is so well done and developed. looking forward to more in this series and hoping maybe Drusilla will get her own book, she was fun!

THE DEVIL’S CHARM by Megan Frampton is the first in a new series called Heirs and Spares, starring Diantha, the daughter of an eccentric noble family who is the only sensible and responsible one of the bunch, and Lucian, the second and only fun-loving son of a highly starched and stiff necked Duke. Their families have long been at odds, but when Diantha and Lucian meet at a party, sparks fly. Then they must work together to resolve a long standing issue between their families, while also dealing with the attraction between them.

First off, can I just say that this cover is SO CUTE?? They look so happy!! And that’s a major theme of the book. I really enjoyed that Lucian was not a typical rake. His father believed him to be a wastrel and someone who couldn’t do anything, but he had a particular set of skill his father just didn’t value—he was good at determining what people are good at. While Lucian doesn’t really like nose to the grindstone type work, he can see what others around him are good and crucially, what they enjoy, because he has taken the time to know them and learn about them as his friends. I just found that personality trait so refreshing.

This was a fun read. I was nervous about the interloper Lucian’s father sends to keep an eye on him, but that was thankfully resolved without a lot of trouble. I did think Lucian and Diantha’s positions flipflopped a little fast at the end, and they didn’t appreciate that they had taken on traits that the other had valued earlier, but I did like their declaration of love and the resolution. 4.5 stars.

Heat level: 2.5 (one could scoot by parts of ch 21 and 26)

An absolute gem! I'm such a huge fan of Megan Frampton and this book was no exception. Romantic, sweeping, and delicious on every single page!

The Devil's Charm by Megan Frampton is nothing short of fantastic! As one of my favorite authors, Frampton once again showcases her incredible power to tell a story that resonates deeply with her readers. The characters are so well-drawn, the plot is captivating, and every page feels like it's filled with emotion and wit. Frampton has a way of weaving romance, tension, and charm that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish. This novel is a true testament to her storytelling abilities, and I was completely enthralled the entire way through. Absolutely a must-read!

“I just want what I just want”. Diantha, laughter of an eccentric Earl, has fashioned herself to be the proper member of her family. She takes care of the finances and any problems that arise. One night at a wedding ball, she decides to do what she wants, and that is to be kissed. Enter Lucien, second son to a Duke. He is known to be somewhat of a rake and enjoys the finer things life has to offer. Diantha and Lucien find themselves in a coat closet and he delivers what she wants. But Diantha discovers once is not enough. What a charming story of two people finding themselves and their HEA despite warring fathers. A most enjoyable read.

It’s sharp, witty, and brimming with that perfect mix of flirtation and frustration. Every conversation feels like a battle of wits, with Diantha determined to stay proper while Lucian lives to see just how far he can push her buttons. Lucian’s devil-may-care attitude meeting Diantha’s rigid sense of duty creates this delicious tension that keeps you flipping the pages. The sparks fly in every scene, especially when they realize they have to work together. You just know things are going to go delightfully off course. And those moments when Diantha tries to suppress her desire? Perfection. Her struggle is so real, and I couldn’t help but root for her to throw caution to the wind. I was grinning like a fool through their teasing exchanges, and honestly Lucian and Diantha are the kind of couple that stays with you long after the final page.

A delightful first book in the Heirs and Spares series. Lucien is the quintessential spare until he crosses paths with Lady Diantha. If you are looking for a little romance with your historical read; this is it!!

I really wanted to like this one, as I have really enjoyed Megan's books previously, but I just couldn't get into this one. I just couldn't get invested in Lucian's character at all for some reason.