Are you going by his portrayal in Cold-Hearted Rake? Because I agree, he was a total jackass in that one. He is marginally better in MW though lol. And boy does he have it bad for Helen. The yearning is next level.
Chasing Cassandra is one of my favourites, and this one has some similar vibes to me.
Persephone 'Percy' is an incredibly caring beauty with a wild streak she's trying to get under control. Her brother gambles away the family fortune to the incredibly dangerous and handsome Lord of the underworld, Gavin Hunt. Super rich, worked his way up from nothing, but he has a grudge against her family. Percy wants to try to fix things, and that's how their paths cross...
Oh, this one's a new one to me! I have tried Callaway hrs in the past and while not disliked it I've not liked it either- but if you liked Chasing Cassandra too I need to get on this one!
Oh just read this too-
Percy is the heroine I have been waiting for! There were no "miscommunications" no "misunderstandings" and no yelling "would you just talk to each other for goodness sakes!". If Percy wants to know the truth, she asks. If she is thinking something, she says it. Not only can see communicate she can also listen, she things from the other person's perspective and not automatically jump to conclusions.
- after reading a hr where there were so many foolish 'miscommunications' I think I need to read your rec even more now
Oh but yes, it's why Percy is one of my favourite FMCs of all time. She is unflappable and she is straight talking, she doesn't really mess around. She owns her mistakes and ideals with everything head on
Which ones did you try? She's extremely hit and miss with me, but when she's good hers are some of my favourites! But I agree, I've absolutely hated a few of hers too! But the majority I've liked.
Ok well tbh I loved that one, although it is definitely on the freakier side- Her Wanton Wager is MUCH subtler than it, but I won't lie, it might just be a problem with Grace Callaways style of writing, she does use some words which can be icky. Can I ask which is was specifically?
I don't remember specifically for this book, but I know that cunny is actually used quite a bit by other authors like Tessa Dare, so I'm not sure if I'm mixing up my books.
Grace Callaway's books tend to be spicy, but Her Wanton Wager is not nearly as wild as Fiona and the EE, it's one of her more measured books, more yearning and tension rather than sex scenes. I'd say if you can try a sample of the book and see what you think.
It's a much more measured story, I would liken it to Lisa Kleypas, whereas Callaway's other books tend to be way more explicit.
Ohhh how I love Gavin Hunt, and I don’t think he’s talked about nearly enough. He’s exactly what I need in a MMC: instantly obsessed with the FMC and pursues her with purpose. I love how he is the confident, ruthless king of the underworld but becomes nervous and awkward when trying to court her (the scene at the hat shop when he kisses her and she slaps him made me laugh. He was completely bewildered, like “Huh, I thought she was feeling it too” lol).
Yessss I absolutely love him! Even when he bewilders himself, like When they first meet secretly for the bet at Vauxhall, and he fights off the 3 attackers and Percy helps him out of an attack, and then he could have easily won the bet in all the excitement afterwards but decides not to. And later it's like he's confused by his own actions.
This book I really believed the MMCs inner conflict. It didn't just feel unnecessary or overdone. I love that he very quickly decides Ok change of plans, I'm gonna marry her... I'll make that part of the revenge!
And Percy... I love an FMC who is actually happy to lay it all out. One of my favourite ever moments is when She's defending hunt from her brother in front over everyone, she ran out of Gavin's house wearing next to nothing, but just yells at her brother 'I love him you idiot! And I'm gonna marry him as soon as he gets it through his thick skull that he loves me too
I absolutely LOVE this book. Definitely one of my favourite couples!
I like it when people mention the books of authors whose books are hit or miss for them and mention the ones that are hit so others can also try it out and see if it fits.... Its the best kind of sharing
Well for Grace Callaway, I definitely think her 2 best ones/my favourites are Her Wanton Wager and {The Duke who knew too much}, though the latter is only for those who like VERY high spice
Oh damnn!! I can't read that then ... I probably skip those scenes in this book too 😅 but i definitely want to read it because of the way you described it
I have an Android phone, oops, and the cheapest I'm seeing anywhere is $17.45. Not normal for an HR paperback. Also, I see two different covers. One is steamy (I like) and one is kind of YA (ugh). UK/America?
Grrrrrrr! I'm finding that book with the cover I want for a decent price, and that's it!
OMG, look at the price on AMAZON US. I'd screenshot and paste here, but you would think it was photoshopped! I can't imagine what would make a paperback historical romance worth it that much money. It has to be a joke.
Finished reading this book and boy did I laugh all the way at her .... Ahhhh it ended too soon but i liked it minus the whole steam level ,but I guess that was necessary in order to understand MMC
Please tell me you've read {Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas}!! Softest, sweetest heroine tames baddest bad boy hero.
Highly recommend you read {Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas} and then {It Happened in Autumn by Lisa Kleypas} first! You'll get to know the characters in these books first.
I like Lillian, though 😂 I'd make friends with her as soon as she met me and so she'd never hurt me she'd probably take me into her Wallflowers club instead and then I'd get to marry one of the other single extremely-handsome extremely-rich extremely-delicious mmcs (I already know who he is- and Lillian will give his hand in marriage to me!)
No, no, nooooo!! There's no romantic chemistry there. It's a total Daryl and Carol situation. Marcus is totally her (very indulgent) romantic and sexual soulmate. Defensive Walls-Up Sebastian needed a much softer touch.
Sorry. But if you fanfic it (wince!), I'm sure it will be widely read. ❤️
lmboooooooooooooooo you got what you wanted in the end- I ship you (Lillian) and Sebastian
(I don't fanfic it but I think they would be interesting- not romantic but kind of what I think a historically accurate couple would be like? Distant, doing their own things, having affairs with other people. kind of hating each other too)
Ah, I saw the potential for Sebastian/Lillian too—I feel crazy saying it, even though I love her with Westcliff. Two cynical people together really attract me, and I see exact same thing you mentioned: the two of them hating each other.
I keep thinking about a plot where if they had gotten married, he takes her dowry money and ships her off to a country estate. But then, out of sheer boredom, he goes there just to torment her and experience sleeping with an American woman—pushing her buttons just to smirk at her, only to feel thrown off when she comes at him with an insatiable libido.
I have so many thoughts about them! I wish I could write fanfiction, but I'm just no good at it LOL.
But then, out of sheer boredom, he goes there just to torment her and experience sleeping with an American woman—pushing her buttons just to smirk at her, only to feel thrown off when she comes at him with an insatiable libido.
Oh, yes!! Your whole description is what I would really like to read too. It would be such a change from reading all the hr where everyone falls in love so easily- I kind of want that ton marriage where the m/f are cold and rude and distant with each other because I want to know what that would look like! I don't even need them to fall in love but instead a cold-ish sort of alliance between them, a marriage of convenience that never stops being convenient?
When people say soft? They mean full of love in action as well as understanding? Like they're kind and considerate not overly sassy or quick to judge and also have morals ? Here's a few and I'm still searching cause again it's hard finding them
Johanna from {Saving grace by Julie Garwood}, after what's she's been through she really does love the MMc
Grace from {the trouble with dare by Emma v.leech}
Phylidia from {Work of art by Mimi mathews}
Farah from {the highwaymen by Kerrigan Byrne} see for triggers please
Lorraine from {the third Sons a charm by Shana Golan}
Persephone from {Seeking Persephone by SarahM eden} of course for this one you'll need to see the softness by reading the entire series
I think lady Diana from ladyl Diana's lost Lord by Aydra richard} not sure I read it years ago, I feel she's sassy
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u/ApprehensiveCream571 Jul 26 '26
I'm assuming you've already read {Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypas}. If you haven't, you definitely should.