WHEN A ROGUE MEETS HIS MATCH is the second book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s “Greycourt” series. Set in mid-1700s England, this story has a fairytale feel to it. Elizabeth Hoyt is superb at writing dark fairytales. The Duke of Windemere is a greedy, grasping villain with nothing but bad intentions for anyone but himself. He sees his niece Messalina Greycourt, and her siblings, as chess pieces to use for his own gain or discard. In this bleak aristocratic landscape Gideon Hawthorne is the duke’s henchman. As is typical for Elizabeth Hoyt, she takes what appears to be a stock villain or handsome rogue and colors him with intriguing shades of gray. What Messalina is unaware of is the steadfast tendre Gideon has had for her for years. So begins a very unconventional yet passionate and entertaining love story.
Gideon finds himself in an ethical conundrum. He doesn’t have quite the black heart that Messalina believes him to have but, in order to keep her, he is required to do something that would prove him to be exactly the type of villain she supposes him to be. Like in so many romance novels – the key to freeing Gideon from his conflicted state would be communication with the woman he loves. There aren’t a million misunderstandings that normally drive me crazy, but it’s beneficial that this story is told from alternating perspectives. I like that Gideon makes Messalina aware of his affection for her. He’s just slow to reveal the depth of his feelings for her. This relationship evolves over the course of the book as the heroine learns more about her new husband and what motivates him. For me, there is something about Gideon that is reminiscent of an antihero gunslinger from the wild west. He’s a dangerous hottie, but his love for Messalina is true and adorable at times.
WHEN A ROGUE MEETS HIS MATCH is a complicated fairytale with a dangerous yet tender hero. The sexual tension in this book is off the charts. Lots of smoldering looks and sharp banter between this hero and heroine. Although Gideon has a reputation for being a tough guy, I like the way he treats Messalina. I wasn’t completely sold on Messalina’s siblings in WHEN A ROGUE MEETS HIS MATCH, but I look forward to seeing what trouble they get themselves into in future stories. I eagerly await the next installment of Elizabeth Hoyt’s “Greycourt” series.
Ambitious, sly, and lethally intelligent, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the gutter. For the last ten years, he's acted as the Duke of Windemere's fixer, performing the duke's dirty work without question. Now Gideon's ready to quit the duke's service and work solely for himself. But Windermere tempts Gideon with an irresistible offer: one last task for Messalina Greycourt's hand in marriage.
Witty, vivacious Messalina Greycourt has her pick of suitors, so when her uncle demands Messalina marry Mr. Hawthorne, she is appalled. But Gideon offers her a devil's bargain of his own: protection and freedom in exchange for a true marriage. Messalina feigns agreement and plots to escape their deal. Only the more time she spends with Gideon, the more her fierce, loyal husband arouses her affections. But will Gideon's final deed for Windemere destroy the love growing between them?
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