DNF
Repeated use of an outdated racially offensive term makes this book unreadable. It’s one thing to use it in dialogue in an effort to be “historically accurate” but do you REALLY have to use it so much? This’s a bodice-ripper; I’m not reading it for a history lesson from Kenneth Clark! Therefore, it’s entirely inappropriate to use it in the descriptive narrative.
Get a FUCKING clue and do some modern research as well!!!! ( )

This is my second from least favorite of the series, but it still merits 3 stars, so that tells you how much I enjoy these books. I didn't write a review after the first time I read it, but these are my thoughts after my 2nd reading.- Asa seems to be a popular hero with many readers, but I'm just not as impressed I guess. He's kind of a slob and an asshole, and, though he isn't the worst behaved out of all the heroes in this series, he maybe has the least excuse to justify those faults. The other heroes have pretty serious trauma to overcome, they feel they were at fault for the murder of their parents, or they've been locked in an asylum for half a decade or something. So if they then have trust issues or a short fuse or something, I'm willing to cut them some extra slack considering their background. This guy though is basically just the black sheep of his family... Unfortunate, but hardly anything really. Eve, on the other hand, has a more traumatic past than most, but I feel like her problem is sort of minimized at times. Asa feels entitled to her confidence before he has really done much to earn her trust, and her bodyguard also takes him into his confidence before he's proven he's worthy of it. After he learns more information he does act better, which is good, but I would have preferred those events not go in that order. Spoiler of events *order* but not the specifics of the events- When she confides the thing she's never told anyone before, for example, the order of events go 'she places herself in an extremely vulnerable position', he pretty cruelly lashes out at her about something, and then, almost in the same breath asks her to confide in him her darkest secret, and, for some reason, she decides that's the time to actually tell it to him. (?) Right after he's just emotionally attacked her when she was especially vulnerable... So even though he then does act supportive after she's confided in him, he should have already proven himself as a safe, trustworthy person before he even asked. They do end up having some nice interactions, and there's character growth, but overall it's still nearly my least favorite of the bunch. ( )

The Makepeaces are better as central characters than secondary.

I used to find Asa aggravating, but in this? Not so much. I loved his patience, although he wasn't. I loved his dirty yet sweet mouth, and I loved his passion for his job.

When I read [b:The Governess Affair|13190596|The Governess Affair (Brothers Sinister, #0.5)|Courtney Milan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1363009352s/13190596.jpg|18371803], I realized that hair pins can be ridiculously hot. They worked here too.

Though this book wasn't dealing with light subjects, with Eve (smart-as-a-whip Eve) having suffered trauma-I did like how light it seemed. Asa and Eve gave great banter. I also liked that extra little insight into Val.

Basically, I'm busy bingeing. (4.5) ( )

http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/2019/03/25/elizabeth-hoyt-edes-csabito/ ( )

I have to confess that I am in love with the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt. I look forward to each new book in the series and this one does not disappoint. In this book, Eve Dinwoody, sister to the Duke of Montgomery, had been left to watch over his investment in Harte's Folly and garden and theater complex that was burned down in a previous book.
Mr Harte (aka Asa Makepeace), the owner of the Folly has been spending too much money without any accountability and Eve intends to get the spending under control. Their first meeting is disastrous. He insults her plain looks and she is overwhemed by his size and maleness. Nevertheless, Eve comes to the gardens to look over the accounts and a strange friendship/ love affair begins.
Eve had a horrific experience in her past that has left her with a fear of dogs and being touched by men. This first comes to light when a stray dog finds it was in to the office she now shares with Asa. She is almost paralyzed by the trauma. It happens again when Asa kisses her. He realizes that there is something strange happening with her.
While the relationship is building between them, various accidents start happening at the theater. It is apparent that someone is trying to sabotage the Folly and keep it from opening.
In addition to all of that Eve helps Asa rebuild the broken relationships with his family while he helps her become reacquainted with the women sponsors of the Home for Unfortunate Foundlings and Infants. Eve has been avoiding them since her brother blackmailed one and tried to have another kidnapped.
By book 9 this story is filled with memorable characters that the reader has come to know and love but someone picking up this book standalone would also enjoy reading it. This is a totally delightful read and it is always good to have a story where the characters aren't the most beautiful or rich or important people of the ton. ( )