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The Rakes #3
Secret Nights
Set amid the glittering decadence of Regency England, Anita Mills' new historical is a passionate tale of deceit and desire. Elise Rand, the only child of a wealthy merchant, convinces brilliant and ambitious barrister Patrick Hamilton to defend her father on a murder charge. But Patrick's kisses draw her into an emotional vortex.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
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296 people want to read
About the author
Anita Mills
44 books66 followersA former history and English teacher, Anita Mills turned to writing in the mid-1980's. After her regency romance SCANDAL BOUND was published followed by her highly acclaimed LADY OF FIRE, Anita Mills went on to enjoy an award filled career. Her historical novels and regency short stories are ranked among the best in their respective genres. The parents of four children, Anita and her husband Larry find peace on a small farm near Plattsburgh, Missouri. This former teacher has drawn upon her love for both history and English to enrich her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 7, 2020
Secret Nights tells a very different regency as the author warns in the foreword – it shows the dark shadowy underbelly of London during that period, rather than the gay glittering balls and soirees. In this gloomy yet compelling setting, even the characters are painted grey and multilayered.
*Spoilers aplenty*
*Spoilers aplenty*
March 1, 2016
How is it that this book has such a low rating? I really enjoyed it.
I feel that I should not have liked this book as much as I did. Ellie was sometimes annoying but I couldn't dislike her. Patrick was a some kind of sleazeball but I couldn't dislike him. The "proving Ellie's father's innocence" plot took the spotlight away from Ellie and Patrick. But I was still digging Patrick and Ellie, or as I have come to call them: "Pallie".
I have not read a whole lot of Anita Mills, only a few of her medievals. I said about her medievals before that she creates such a period tale, one cannot help but feel that one is transported back in time. Apparently, she does the same magic with her regency as well. I love the historical feeling she installs in her stories.
This book doesn't have a lot of lords and ladies. Patrick came from a prestigious family but was a rathe poor relation to a Duke. He was a barrister, guy worked for a living. His big dream was to go into parliament. And he was one step away from fulfilling that dream: he just needed to marry an earl's daughter.
Somehow he met Ellie, through her merchant father. In the beginning he was just kind of attracted to Ellie but put it down to, who wouldn't desire a beautiful girl like Ellie? But circumstances threw Ellie and Patrick together. Ellie didn't exactly like Patrick. But she was never rude, just rather honest. She recognized when she was unnecessarily unkind and made amends when she calmed down. I think that's why I could tolerate her quick temper.
Patrick on the other hand, was a whole different mystery. I feel that I should really despise him for accepting Ellie's offer: Ellie offered herself in exchange of Patrick' services as her father's barrister. But I couldn't. I wanted to dislike him for being the sleazeball that he was, but I couldn't. Even when he bought jewelry for his betrothed in a political marriage and at the same time bought something for Ellie, I felt that I should be outraged, but I wasn't. I kind of liked the guy (face palm)! He cared for Ellie. He couldn't not care for Ellie. He struggled and knew that of course Ellie was hurt to know that he was marrying some lord's daughter to gain political advantage. I kind of felt for the guy. He really didn't want to give up Ellie, but he didn't know what to do other than suggesting that they continued their liaison after his marriage took place. Ellie of course turned him down flat. He understood but he couldn't let go. I wanted to get mad at him for being the toolbag that he was. But I totally bought his crxp about caring for Ellie and not wanting to lose her.
Will I recommend the book? I don't know. I only know that I stayed up until 3:30 am to finish this book. And I have to get up in mere 3 hours to go to work. I loved Patrick and Ellie in this book. I wish there was more of them. I could have done without all the Newgate bits and trials and "Is Ellie's father a murderer?" scenes. And I thought it a shame that Elli never did know the truth about her father. I haven't the faintest idea whether this book is historically accurate. The book starts out slowly but once Patrick and Ellie met each other, I couldn't put down the book.
I feel that I should not have liked this book as much as I did. Ellie was sometimes annoying but I couldn't dislike her. Patrick was a some kind of sleazeball but I couldn't dislike him. The "proving Ellie's father's innocence" plot took the spotlight away from Ellie and Patrick. But I was still digging Patrick and Ellie, or as I have come to call them: "Pallie".
I have not read a whole lot of Anita Mills, only a few of her medievals. I said about her medievals before that she creates such a period tale, one cannot help but feel that one is transported back in time. Apparently, she does the same magic with her regency as well. I love the historical feeling she installs in her stories.
This book doesn't have a lot of lords and ladies. Patrick came from a prestigious family but was a rathe poor relation to a Duke. He was a barrister, guy worked for a living. His big dream was to go into parliament. And he was one step away from fulfilling that dream: he just needed to marry an earl's daughter.
Somehow he met Ellie, through her merchant father. In the beginning he was just kind of attracted to Ellie but put it down to, who wouldn't desire a beautiful girl like Ellie? But circumstances threw Ellie and Patrick together. Ellie didn't exactly like Patrick. But she was never rude, just rather honest. She recognized when she was unnecessarily unkind and made amends when she calmed down. I think that's why I could tolerate her quick temper.
Patrick on the other hand, was a whole different mystery. I feel that I should really despise him for accepting Ellie's offer: Ellie offered herself in exchange of Patrick' services as her father's barrister. But I couldn't. I wanted to dislike him for being the sleazeball that he was, but I couldn't. Even when he bought jewelry for his betrothed in a political marriage and at the same time bought something for Ellie, I felt that I should be outraged, but I wasn't. I kind of liked the guy (face palm)! He cared for Ellie. He couldn't not care for Ellie. He struggled and knew that of course Ellie was hurt to know that he was marrying some lord's daughter to gain political advantage. I kind of felt for the guy. He really didn't want to give up Ellie, but he didn't know what to do other than suggesting that they continued their liaison after his marriage took place. Ellie of course turned him down flat. He understood but he couldn't let go. I wanted to get mad at him for being the toolbag that he was. But I totally bought his crxp about caring for Ellie and not wanting to lose her.
Will I recommend the book? I don't know. I only know that I stayed up until 3:30 am to finish this book. And I have to get up in mere 3 hours to go to work. I loved Patrick and Ellie in this book. I wish there was more of them. I could have done without all the Newgate bits and trials and "Is Ellie's father a murderer?" scenes. And I thought it a shame that Elli never did know the truth about her father. I haven't the faintest idea whether this book is historically accurate. The book starts out slowly but once Patrick and Ellie met each other, I couldn't put down the book.
November 2, 2021
4 GOTHIC STARS
This is my first novel by Anita Mills, and although I'd planned to start from the first book in the trilogy, I just couldn't resist the pull of another barrister as a romance hero and a mystery storyline to boot. (this is only the second HR I've come across featuring a lawyer, the first being my beloved 'Dukes prefer Blondes'. Any HR recs featuring a hero from this profession is very much appreciated!).
Mills weaves a compelling, if at times somewhat slow-paced, story of a sizzling romance between Patrick Hamilton, Regency London's most eligible barrister with political aspirations, and an extremely wealthy Cit and philanthropist, Miss Elise Rand, whose father becomes indicted of a series of murders.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is its multifaceted portrayal of the human psyche: the chapters from the villain's POV were spine-chilling in their realism, and neither the hero nor the heroine is spared their fair share of contradictions and biases. Complex Hs and hs grappling with their morality are my catnip, and these two MCs had me shaking my head at their antics and double standards throughout a good chunk of the book.
This is probably the first HR I've come across where the hero, with an impressive lack of compunction, fully takes advantage of the heroine, with no immediate intention of marrying her. I really enjoyed watching these two trying to reign in the unwanted romantic feelings they evoked in each other, and inevitably losing the battle. I very nearly lost hope in Pattrick eventually turning from charming antihero to actual hero when he went to buy jewels for both his aristocratic fiancée and Elise (). Thankfully, he did have a 180-degree change of heart that was both swoon-worthily romantic and logical: it wasn't just a matter of choosing between the daughter of a duke and his base-born lover, but of staying true to his notion of justice as well as his moral values, both of which were at odds with his plan to join the Tories.
Once he made the decision to stay true to himself and what he believed in, it only seemed natural that he would marry for love the woman whose principles were so similar to his own.
While the romance was everything I've ever wanted (angsty, slightly antagonistic, and definitely sexy), this book also has a definite gothic and downright bittersweet undertone, which was probably inevitable since the novel features a great many secondary characters from the London rookeries and underworld. I also liked how not quite every ghost was laid to rest, because some truths about our loved ones are just too bitter to swallow and therefore better left unsaid.
This is my first novel by Anita Mills, and although I'd planned to start from the first book in the trilogy, I just couldn't resist the pull of another barrister as a romance hero and a mystery storyline to boot. (this is only the second HR I've come across featuring a lawyer, the first being my beloved 'Dukes prefer Blondes'. Any HR recs featuring a hero from this profession is very much appreciated!).
Mills weaves a compelling, if at times somewhat slow-paced, story of a sizzling romance between Patrick Hamilton, Regency London's most eligible barrister with political aspirations, and an extremely wealthy Cit and philanthropist, Miss Elise Rand, whose father becomes indicted of a series of murders.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is its multifaceted portrayal of the human psyche: the chapters from the villain's POV were spine-chilling in their realism, and neither the hero nor the heroine is spared their fair share of contradictions and biases. Complex Hs and hs grappling with their morality are my catnip, and these two MCs had me shaking my head at their antics and double standards throughout a good chunk of the book.
This is probably the first HR I've come across where the hero, with an impressive lack of compunction, fully takes advantage of the heroine, with no immediate intention of marrying her. I really enjoyed watching these two trying to reign in the unwanted romantic feelings they evoked in each other, and inevitably losing the battle. I very nearly lost hope in Pattrick eventually turning from charming antihero to actual hero when he went to buy jewels for both his aristocratic fiancée and Elise (). Thankfully, he did have a 180-degree change of heart that was both swoon-worthily romantic and logical: it wasn't just a matter of choosing between the daughter of a duke and his base-born lover, but of staying true to his notion of justice as well as his moral values, both of which were at odds with his plan to join the Tories.
Once he made the decision to stay true to himself and what he believed in, it only seemed natural that he would marry for love the woman whose principles were so similar to his own.
While the romance was everything I've ever wanted (angsty, slightly antagonistic, and definitely sexy), this book also has a definite gothic and downright bittersweet undertone, which was probably inevitable since the novel features a great many secondary characters from the London rookeries and underworld. I also liked how not quite every ghost was laid to rest, because some truths about our loved ones are just too bitter to swallow and therefore better left unsaid.
May 30, 2016
This is one of my favorites. A historical romantic suspense. A artfully constructed story of unacceptable/unrequited love.
Suspense fans will revel in this whirlwind romance. It combines all the right ingredients: a spellbinding cast, stimulating dialogue and dramatic tension. It is a page-turner that flows with testosterone and an overwhelming desire for power.
The Regency Era was a time of glitter, but at night...under the blanket of darkness, characters jumped out of alleys. Instead of the grandeur of London's elite, we are immersed in a society where desperate people turn to crime and vice to survive.
If you think the sub-plot is interesting, then grab hold because the events will keep you on the edge of excitement. It starts slow then speeds up. Then it allows you to breath and takes off again.
What I like about the novel, Patrick Hamilton, a charismatic barrister is a Robin Hood to the unfairly accused. Morally, he reminds me that every man has weaknesses. Just a little history input. Please, bare with me. Sir William Garrow the barrister who coined the phrase "innocent until proven guilty" is a basis for the character Patrick. IMHO.
Elise Rand is a likeable willful heiress. I like her beliefs and her ability to speak out. The character's human reaction to stressful situations felt real.
A most interesting character is Elise's father, Bat Rand. Bat is a powerful opponent. He thinks, for a certain price 'a man can be bought.' I think a psychological evaluation is a much wiser use of his guineas.
I like stereotyped characters. Definitely not boring. Just remember to consider the motive before you judge.
Praise to Ms. Mills for creating Secret Nights. Despite a grand ending to the Autumn series, I would have preferred a different ending to this story.
The audio version enhanced the story, although I felt the narrator's voice was mediocre. Her voice sounds tired.
If you like this book you will enjoy Honor Among Thieves by Elizabeth Boyce a suspense thriller.
Suspense fans will revel in this whirlwind romance. It combines all the right ingredients: a spellbinding cast, stimulating dialogue and dramatic tension. It is a page-turner that flows with testosterone and an overwhelming desire for power.
The Regency Era was a time of glitter, but at night...under the blanket of darkness, characters jumped out of alleys. Instead of the grandeur of London's elite, we are immersed in a society where desperate people turn to crime and vice to survive.
If you think the sub-plot is interesting, then grab hold because the events will keep you on the edge of excitement. It starts slow then speeds up. Then it allows you to breath and takes off again.
What I like about the novel, Patrick Hamilton, a charismatic barrister is a Robin Hood to the unfairly accused. Morally, he reminds me that every man has weaknesses. Just a little history input. Please, bare with me. Sir William Garrow the barrister who coined the phrase "innocent until proven guilty" is a basis for the character Patrick. IMHO.
Elise Rand is a likeable willful heiress. I like her beliefs and her ability to speak out. The character's human reaction to stressful situations felt real.
A most interesting character is Elise's father, Bat Rand. Bat is a powerful opponent. He thinks, for a certain price 'a man can be bought.' I think a psychological evaluation is a much wiser use of his guineas.
I like stereotyped characters. Definitely not boring. Just remember to consider the motive before you judge.
Praise to Ms. Mills for creating Secret Nights. Despite a grand ending to the Autumn series, I would have preferred a different ending to this story.
The audio version enhanced the story, although I felt the narrator's voice was mediocre. Her voice sounds tired.
If you like this book you will enjoy Honor Among Thieves by Elizabeth Boyce a suspense thriller.
November 17, 2013
Powerful, totally unique , emotionally charged story.
November 29, 2022
Unfortunately, I finished reading it, and it didn’t get any better.
This is literally the most boring romance book I read this year, and it’s Dec.
Talk about SLOW, is this even romance? The vast majority of the book is about the H, who is engaged to another woman, trying to get the heroines evil father off murder charges. There is very little romance or a love story here, but the mystery was interesting.
- no chemistry between the MCs.
- I did enjoy the angst from the H being engaged to another.
Safety spoilers
-the H is engaged to another woman, so he is cheating on the ow with the h.
- after taking the h’s virginity, which she sold to save her father, he kissed the ow. Then the next day, he’s having sex with the h again.
- H is engaged for most of the book. This guy is more obsessed with power than with the h.
- the H wasn’t in love with the ow, or even cared about her. He basically thought her pretty enough (ow is beautiful, but the h is an incomparable beauty. ) but annoying. He was only with her because of her powerful father. He needed his connections to get into politics.
This is literally the most boring romance book I read this year, and it’s Dec.
Talk about SLOW, is this even romance? The vast majority of the book is about the H, who is engaged to another woman, trying to get the heroines evil father off murder charges. There is very little romance or a love story here, but the mystery was interesting.
- no chemistry between the MCs.
- I did enjoy the angst from the H being engaged to another.
Safety spoilers
-the H is engaged to another woman, so he is cheating on the ow with the h.
- after taking the h’s virginity, which she sold to save her father, he kissed the ow. Then the next day, he’s having sex with the h again.
- H is engaged for most of the book. This guy is more obsessed with power than with the h.
- the H wasn’t in love with the ow, or even cared about her. He basically thought her pretty enough (ow is beautiful, but the h is an incomparable beauty. ) but annoying. He was only with her because of her powerful father. He needed his connections to get into politics.
May 27, 2019
5 ��️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Loved this book!!! 💕💕
Very well written & emotionally though provoking! Great well rounded characters.
Very well written & emotionally though provoking! Great well rounded characters.
March 22, 2010
I've been looking forward to read other books by Mills after greatly enjoying her medieval series but I'm afraid this one did not please me at all.
Elise Rand is a Cit's daughter, she doesn't move in the same circles as the ton ladies but she has no problems with that. She is busy fighting for social reform and helping the ones less fortunate than she is. Through her father, Bat Rand a self made man that became rich making bricks; she meets Patrick Hamilton, a famous barrister. Bat seems to think he will need a barrister in the future so he invites Patrick to dinner and offers him money for future services, he also throws Elise at him but Patrick is nearly engaged to Lord Dunster's daughter despite finding Elise very attractive.
The dynamic in Elise and Patrick's relationship changes when her father commits murder. Now, we know he did it right from the very beginning, Patrick suspects it but Elise has no clue, she believes her father innocent. Due to Bat Rand's lack of cooperation Patrick refuses to defend him and he ends up manipulating Elise to offer herself to Patrick so he will defend him despite his refusal to tell him the truth.
And that's when it all began to go terribly wrong for me. Elise was a nice girl, a proper girl; would she really offer herself as payment? I had my doubts especially because her father was not a nice man that, I thought, would inspire such filial devotion. And then there was Patrick, would he accept such an exchange? He was a good man in the sense that he tried to defend those less fortunate than him whose poverty would lead them to the gallows or to hang just because the judge thought that that was the best way to end up crime even if the accused had only stolen a loaf of bread. I didn't buy that Patrick would accept her offer because of his character but also because I did not feel that there was much chemistry between them from the beginning. So I was quite surprised when he accepted and proceeded to take advantage immediately.
My view of their relationship was immediately coloured by this lack of belief and the other big thing that annoyed me till the end is that Elise never found out that her father was a murderer, an abuser of women and was, in fact, the complete opposite of the things she fought for. While she fought to give prostitutes a better life, he believed the women were not even human anymore so their deaths really were no crime. I really thought Elise should be informed of this and Patrick could have told her. Usually bad guys in romance land are villains who oppose the main character's relationship. Not so, in this book, the villain was what brought them together but to be honest I would have preferred it not to happen this way. Oh and I guessed fairly early what was behind Elise's previous fiancé's murder. That she sacrifices so much for someone who harmed her so much really made feel uncomfortable.
What I did like in the story was it's portrayal of London. After seeing Garrow's Law it is not difficult to imagine the poverty, the vice, the unfairness that that society was and yes Patrick Hamilton seemed a bit inspired in William Garrow. This is why I'm giving it a 3 instead of a 2, and because Mills knows how to write, she just didn't write a story I believed in.
Grade: 3/5
Elise Rand is a Cit's daughter, she doesn't move in the same circles as the ton ladies but she has no problems with that. She is busy fighting for social reform and helping the ones less fortunate than she is. Through her father, Bat Rand a self made man that became rich making bricks; she meets Patrick Hamilton, a famous barrister. Bat seems to think he will need a barrister in the future so he invites Patrick to dinner and offers him money for future services, he also throws Elise at him but Patrick is nearly engaged to Lord Dunster's daughter despite finding Elise very attractive.
The dynamic in Elise and Patrick's relationship changes when her father commits murder. Now, we know he did it right from the very beginning, Patrick suspects it but Elise has no clue, she believes her father innocent. Due to Bat Rand's lack of cooperation Patrick refuses to defend him and he ends up manipulating Elise to offer herself to Patrick so he will defend him despite his refusal to tell him the truth.
And that's when it all began to go terribly wrong for me. Elise was a nice girl, a proper girl; would she really offer herself as payment? I had my doubts especially because her father was not a nice man that, I thought, would inspire such filial devotion. And then there was Patrick, would he accept such an exchange? He was a good man in the sense that he tried to defend those less fortunate than him whose poverty would lead them to the gallows or to hang just because the judge thought that that was the best way to end up crime even if the accused had only stolen a loaf of bread. I didn't buy that Patrick would accept her offer because of his character but also because I did not feel that there was much chemistry between them from the beginning. So I was quite surprised when he accepted and proceeded to take advantage immediately.
My view of their relationship was immediately coloured by this lack of belief and the other big thing that annoyed me till the end is that Elise never found out that her father was a murderer, an abuser of women and was, in fact, the complete opposite of the things she fought for. While she fought to give prostitutes a better life, he believed the women were not even human anymore so their deaths really were no crime. I really thought Elise should be informed of this and Patrick could have told her. Usually bad guys in romance land are villains who oppose the main character's relationship. Not so, in this book, the villain was what brought them together but to be honest I would have preferred it not to happen this way. Oh and I guessed fairly early what was behind Elise's previous fiancé's murder. That she sacrifices so much for someone who harmed her so much really made feel uncomfortable.
What I did like in the story was it's portrayal of London. After seeing Garrow's Law it is not difficult to imagine the poverty, the vice, the unfairness that that society was and yes Patrick Hamilton seemed a bit inspired in William Garrow. This is why I'm giving it a 3 instead of a 2, and because Mills knows how to write, she just didn't write a story I believed in.
Grade: 3/5
January 19, 2024
The Rakes series by Anita Mills: Autumn Rain (1993), Falling Stars (1993), Secret Nights (1994), probably deserve their own individual reviews as they are all 5 star books but no … I have to mention them now while they are fresh in my mind.
All are dark HRs in the vein of Victorian Rebels but dare I say stronger, more riveting and darker. Shades of Charles Dickens seep in, especially in the third book. All include difficult, painful circumstances for heroines with inner strengths who eventually survive and thrive. The heroes are flawed in their own way, self centered, scoundrels, or very prideful. Great HRs that are dark give us a sense of sadness with a balance of hope and joy in the romance.
Autumn Rain: 15 year old Elinor is forced by her father to marry an enormously wealthy 61 year old man who is cruel and uses her as a showpiece for his vanity amongst the ton.
Falling Stars: Plain and shy Kate is quickly courted by Russian count and whisked off to live in Russia with him and his sister in their 117 room palace in the country with 2,000 serfs. A Russian winter and disaster brutalize her.
Secret Nights: Beautiful Elise has been humiliated by her wealthy father’s attempt to arrange a marriage for her with the most famous barrister in London… a ghastly murder mystery and courtroom trial ensues.
Brilliant writing and superbly crafted stories each very unique. Must reads for connoisseurs of fine bodice rippers!
Includes: incest, emotional and physical abuse, sex with others before and during marriage, murders and whores.
All are dark HRs in the vein of Victorian Rebels but dare I say stronger, more riveting and darker. Shades of Charles Dickens seep in, especially in the third book. All include difficult, painful circumstances for heroines with inner strengths who eventually survive and thrive. The heroes are flawed in their own way, self centered, scoundrels, or very prideful. Great HRs that are dark give us a sense of sadness with a balance of hope and joy in the romance.
Autumn Rain: 15 year old Elinor is forced by her father to marry an enormously wealthy 61 year old man who is cruel and uses her as a showpiece for his vanity amongst the ton.
Falling Stars: Plain and shy Kate is quickly courted by Russian count and whisked off to live in Russia with him and his sister in their 117 room palace in the country with 2,000 serfs. A Russian winter and disaster brutalize her.
Secret Nights: Beautiful Elise has been humiliated by her wealthy father’s attempt to arrange a marriage for her with the most famous barrister in London… a ghastly murder mystery and courtroom trial ensues.
Brilliant writing and superbly crafted stories each very unique. Must reads for connoisseurs of fine bodice rippers!
Includes: incest, emotional and physical abuse, sex with others before and during marriage, murders and whores.
October 27, 2014
A dark story of murder and mayhem and a wealthy Cit who believes his wealth shields him from the law. It's a well-written romance, with well-drawn characters, with whom readers can identify.
October 5, 2024
DNF.
The h in the story is anachronistic to be unbelievable and takes the reader out of the story. Even having read the author’s note at the beginning the h’s stand becomes increasingly annoying and slips into preaching.
While she wears her “Cit” origins proudly (the author tells us this, repeatedly, but doesn’t do the showing part well) she comes across as an idiot, as a pick-me girl. She says if she were a man she wouldn’t just build a business but become a flagbearer (and martyr) for the poor. Casually forgetting that if she were a man, she would be responsible for a family, and that if he wanted to make his way in the world he would need money, and while he was earning said money, there would be no time to think of anything else, especially for someone who is a commoner.
This ignorance I lay at the feet of the author. She gives the H all the best lines and perspective, and insights – same with the h’s father also (insight and perspective, not the best lines). From what I’ve read and understood of the difference between Cits and the Ton, the difference is something that is made evident and repeatedly underscored in several subtle ways – esp. for women – from the very beginning. Where is this h getting her “gumption” from? The author does not explain.
The H saves her from being run over, and when he calls on her a few days later, refuses to see him. Manners and courtesy, she has none.
All she has going for her is her looks, and her obsession of doing good. While castigating others for not doing the same. She is judgmental, discourteous, and undeserving of the H.
Not sure if she grows up any in the course of the story, but I’m not signing up to waste my time finding out.
The h in the story is anachronistic to be unbelievable and takes the reader out of the story. Even having read the author’s note at the beginning the h’s stand becomes increasingly annoying and slips into preaching.
While she wears her “Cit” origins proudly (the author tells us this, repeatedly, but doesn’t do the showing part well) she comes across as an idiot, as a pick-me girl. She says if she were a man she wouldn’t just build a business but become a flagbearer (and martyr) for the poor. Casually forgetting that if she were a man, she would be responsible for a family, and that if he wanted to make his way in the world he would need money, and while he was earning said money, there would be no time to think of anything else, especially for someone who is a commoner.
This ignorance I lay at the feet of the author. She gives the H all the best lines and perspective, and insights – same with the h’s father also (insight and perspective, not the best lines). From what I’ve read and understood of the difference between Cits and the Ton, the difference is something that is made evident and repeatedly underscored in several subtle ways – esp. for women – from the very beginning. Where is this h getting her “gumption” from? The author does not explain.
The H saves her from being run over, and when he calls on her a few days later, refuses to see him. Manners and courtesy, she has none.
All she has going for her is her looks, and her obsession of doing good. While castigating others for not doing the same. She is judgmental, discourteous, and undeserving of the H.
Not sure if she grows up any in the course of the story, but I’m not signing up to waste my time finding out.
August 16, 2025
Not all men, but definitely this guy — the classic specimen who wants to have his cake and eat it too.
My heart went out to all the prostitutes in the tale - the only sympathetic characters in this shabby sham of a love story.
It’s a strong story, but it lost all momentum—and all its charm—the moment it wandered into romance territory. What a clumsy “love” story.
I loathed the hero. Mature and worldly, yet utterly lacking in true strength of character—no pride, no clarity, no moral spine. He claims to be strong-minded, and yet most of the characters push him around a fair bit. He is the only dishonest 'whore' in this narrative.
His “pragmatism” felt too real, and for once, I hated realism. This wasn’t even forced seduction; it was rape. I could never trust this man. His fiancée was painted as a harpy, but I’m certain he’d have made the same choices even if she were a saint. His supposed sentimentality over his house felt contrived for someone with his ambition.
The heroine fared no better—weak, lacking discernment, and utterly unbelievable as a woman of her time. How could she so readily believe her father’s innocence? Her disregard for her mother’s intelligence shocked me.
The relentless emphasis on her “goddess-like beauty” was the final straw. What’s an unattractive woman supposed to do in this world?
Both leads moved like plot-driven puppets, not truth-driven people. The only characters with any genuine intrigue were the father and mother.
I was enjoying this until the rape scene. Perversely, it didn’t even meet the hallmarks of a so-called “forced seduction” — it was neither thrilling nor convincing, just wrong.
My heart went out to all the prostitutes in the tale - the only sympathetic characters in this shabby sham of a love story.
It’s a strong story, but it lost all momentum—and all its charm—the moment it wandered into romance territory. What a clumsy “love” story.
I loathed the hero. Mature and worldly, yet utterly lacking in true strength of character—no pride, no clarity, no moral spine. He claims to be strong-minded, and yet most of the characters push him around a fair bit. He is the only dishonest 'whore' in this narrative.
His “pragmatism” felt too real, and for once, I hated realism. This wasn’t even forced seduction; it was rape. I could never trust this man. His fiancée was painted as a harpy, but I’m certain he’d have made the same choices even if she were a saint. His supposed sentimentality over his house felt contrived for someone with his ambition.
The heroine fared no better—weak, lacking discernment, and utterly unbelievable as a woman of her time. How could she so readily believe her father’s innocence? Her disregard for her mother’s intelligence shocked me.
The relentless emphasis on her “goddess-like beauty” was the final straw. What’s an unattractive woman supposed to do in this world?
Both leads moved like plot-driven puppets, not truth-driven people. The only characters with any genuine intrigue were the father and mother.
I was enjoying this until the rape scene. Perversely, it didn’t even meet the hallmarks of a so-called “forced seduction” — it was neither thrilling nor convincing, just wrong.
December 7, 2020
Wonderful read. Loved Elise and felt bad for her plight.Elise and Patrick had good chemistry and their bantering was fun.
When they struck the bargain, hated the hero a lot. But couldn’t dislike him completely also. But then he regains his foot with his actions. Even then as author said again and again about heroine’s beauty.. we feel if he is attracted to her beauty only which is not what it is. Patrick was thick skulled and too oblivious to his feelings which was irritating but I felt for him also. Once he realizes what he has to do he does it very nicely( bit unbelievable though).
Whole investigation premise was not set very well hero finds things easily which police doesn’t investigate at all?
Rand was very complex character and he got easy way out.
I just felt Elise should have known everything. She deserved it.
Author is really talented.
When they struck the bargain, hated the hero a lot. But couldn’t dislike him completely also. But then he regains his foot with his actions. Even then as author said again and again about heroine’s beauty.. we feel if he is attracted to her beauty only which is not what it is. Patrick was thick skulled and too oblivious to his feelings which was irritating but I felt for him also. Once he realizes what he has to do he does it very nicely( bit unbelievable though).
Whole investigation premise was not set very well hero finds things easily which police doesn’t investigate at all?
Rand was very complex character and he got easy way out.
I just felt Elise should have known everything. She deserved it.
Author is really talented.
May 26, 2020
Not your usual Regency romance! Secret Nights develops three complex characters: Patrick Hamilton, an ambitious barrister, Elise Rand, daughter of a man who has come to be a rich brick company owner and Bart Rand himself, a complex villain. Patrick and Elise are sympathetic lovers, but life is not easy for either of them. I don't want to ruin a complex murder plot. So I will just say this is rather a dark tale with depth.
March 24, 2021
Quattro stelle! Cioè, il massimo (cinque, solo per Jane Austen o giù di lì...). Un libro scritto bene, perfetto nell'ambientazione, a metà tra un thriller e un romance, con dei personaggi che ti rimangono scolpiti dentro. Ho letto altro di Anita Mills, romanzi gradevoli e distensivi, ma non la credevo davvero capace di tanto.
May 6, 2021
Intriguing
A rather good story with an unusual plot and a plethora of particularly unusual characters just a shame the culprit was uncovered so easily. The characters were believable particularly Lady Jane, the only significant drawback was lack of proof reading and the numerous spelling mistakes that made it more difficult to read.
A rather good story with an unusual plot and a plethora of particularly unusual characters just a shame the culprit was uncovered so easily. The characters were believable particularly Lady Jane, the only significant drawback was lack of proof reading and the numerous spelling mistakes that made it more difficult to read.
September 6, 2024
It could've been a 5-star read but so many things were wrong in the story. Hated that she didn't know the truth in the ending, makes me want to hit something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2022
3.5, would’ve been more ⭐️if the heroine wasn’t so annoying in believing the awful father of being innocent.
August 13, 2016
An excellent Kindle freebie.
This was a bit different from your run of the mill historic romance. Set in the early 1800s in England, London is suffering a spate of murders of prostitutes.
Patrick Hamilton is a barrister with a reputation for defending the undefendable and getting them off. He gets a strange request from one of London's wealthiest merchants to take a significant retainer for no apparent reason. It soon becomes clear that Mr Rand has high hopes that Patrick will take an interest in his daughter Elise.
Patrick has already taken an interest in the beautiful Elise, but thought she was Rand's mistress, not his daughter! In any event, Patrick is on the verge of proposing marriage to a highly suitable and connected young lady whose father will help Patrick enter parliament, albeit as a Tory rather than a Liberal.
Then Patrick's most recent client, a brothel-owner, dies in suspicious circumstances, shortly after telling Patrick that she will pay him the balance of his fees once she has reminded a client of certain deviant behaviour - the clear inference being that she is about to indulge in some blackmail.
Soon Patrick is trying to solve the prostitutes' murders whilst reconciling his growing attraction to Elise with his political aspirations.
This book didn't go where I was expecting (on several occasions)and whilst that was refreshing it was also a little disconcerting at times.
I see this is the third book in a series - not sure whether the books are traditional romances or whether the central story is an investigation by Patrick. Either way I look forward to reading more.
This was a bit different from your run of the mill historic romance. Set in the early 1800s in England, London is suffering a spate of murders of prostitutes.
Patrick Hamilton is a barrister with a reputation for defending the undefendable and getting them off. He gets a strange request from one of London's wealthiest merchants to take a significant retainer for no apparent reason. It soon becomes clear that Mr Rand has high hopes that Patrick will take an interest in his daughter Elise.
Patrick has already taken an interest in the beautiful Elise, but thought she was Rand's mistress, not his daughter! In any event, Patrick is on the verge of proposing marriage to a highly suitable and connected young lady whose father will help Patrick enter parliament, albeit as a Tory rather than a Liberal.
Then Patrick's most recent client, a brothel-owner, dies in suspicious circumstances, shortly after telling Patrick that she will pay him the balance of his fees once she has reminded a client of certain deviant behaviour - the clear inference being that she is about to indulge in some blackmail.
Soon Patrick is trying to solve the prostitutes' murders whilst reconciling his growing attraction to Elise with his political aspirations.
This book didn't go where I was expecting (on several occasions)and whilst that was refreshing it was also a little disconcerting at times.
I see this is the third book in a series - not sure whether the books are traditional romances or whether the central story is an investigation by Patrick. Either way I look forward to reading more.
January 14, 2015
I really liked the storyline of Secret Nights; it kept me intrigued throughout. I thought Elise a thoughtful and caring character and Patrick was the kind of hero I liked. Not an alpha male, but a gentle and clever beta male.
However, I was a bit dismayed at the typos in the narrative and the constant, irritating use of adverbs that cropped up like dandelions. I felt the dialogue was strong enough to stand on its own without the addition of, she said happily, he said merrily etc etc. There must have been seven or eight per page and I found it very distracting.
If it hadn't been for the above I think I would have given this story five stars.
However, I was a bit dismayed at the typos in the narrative and the constant, irritating use of adverbs that cropped up like dandelions. I felt the dialogue was strong enough to stand on its own without the addition of, she said happily, he said merrily etc etc. There must have been seven or eight per page and I found it very distracting.
If it hadn't been for the above I think I would have given this story five stars.
June 3, 2014
I felt like I was there. The powerful emotions I felt with and about the characters are indescribable. Many of the seven deadly sins were committed through the book. This book is about power, greed, love, deceit, pride, hate and much more! While I was reading the book I was reminded of "Chicago" in some sense even tho it really has nothing to do with it. The closer to the end I got the more shocked I became with how words and actions can lead people to believe other than that is.
June 12, 2014
Good read
a nice easy book for anyone w likes historical romance with good characters and a interesting plot. Elise is now your normal heroine she has a mind of her own. Patrick is ambitious which causes him to be blind to the obvious.
a nice easy book for anyone w likes historical romance with good characters and a interesting plot. Elise is now your normal heroine she has a mind of her own. Patrick is ambitious which causes him to be blind to the obvious.
May 27, 2010
Amazing information about justice and the lack of it during the Regency period. Ms. Mills did her homework.
May 30, 2014
DNF. Couldn't get past chap 3. Nothing happened, very boring :(
June 17, 2014
Is a great book to read
September 25, 2016
DNF - couldn't get into the story. Not one for me. Struggled to 21%
January 19, 2019
A remarkable period study. Exceptional exploration of character: empathic, sociopathic and ambitious. Outstanding writing. Mills is one of the very best.
April 6, 2017
This book was incredibly dark with descriptions of violence and violent sex. It started off like an ordinary historical romance but really took a dive into dark waters. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
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