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Enlightenment #1
Provoked
This is a second edition of a book previously published by Samhain Publishing.
Tormented by his forbidden desires for other men and the painful memories of the childhood friend he once loved, lawyer David Lauriston tries to maintain a celibate existence while he forges his reputation in Edinburgh’s privileged legal world.
But then, into his repressed and orderly life, bursts Lord Murdo Balfour.
Cynical, hedonistic and utterly unapologetic, Murdo could not be less like David. And as appalled as David is by Murdo’s unrepentant self-interest, he cannot resist the man’s sway. Murdo tempts and provokes David in equal measure, forcing him to acknowledge his physical desires.
But Murdo is not the only man distracting David from his work. Euan MacLennan, the brother of a convicted radical David once represented, approaches David to beg him for help. Euan is searching for the government agent who sent his brother to Australia on a convict ship, and other radicals to the gallows. Despite knowing it may damage his career, David cannot turn Euan away.
As their search progresses, it begins to look as though the trail may lead to none other than Lord Murdo Balfour, and David has to wonder whether it’s possible Murdo could be more than he seems. Is he really just a bored aristocrat, amusing himself at David’s expense, or could he be the agent provocateur responsible for the fate of Peter MacLennan and the other radicals?
Tormented by his forbidden desires for other men and the painful memories of the childhood friend he once loved, lawyer David Lauriston tries to maintain a celibate existence while he forges his reputation in Edinburgh’s privileged legal world.
But then, into his repressed and orderly life, bursts Lord Murdo Balfour.
Cynical, hedonistic and utterly unapologetic, Murdo could not be less like David. And as appalled as David is by Murdo’s unrepentant self-interest, he cannot resist the man’s sway. Murdo tempts and provokes David in equal measure, forcing him to acknowledge his physical desires.
But Murdo is not the only man distracting David from his work. Euan MacLennan, the brother of a convicted radical David once represented, approaches David to beg him for help. Euan is searching for the government agent who sent his brother to Australia on a convict ship, and other radicals to the gallows. Despite knowing it may damage his career, David cannot turn Euan away.
As their search progresses, it begins to look as though the trail may lead to none other than Lord Murdo Balfour, and David has to wonder whether it’s possible Murdo could be more than he seems. Is he really just a bored aristocrat, amusing himself at David’s expense, or could he be the agent provocateur responsible for the fate of Peter MacLennan and the other radicals?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2013
283 people are currently reading
5328 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Chambers
42 books1,226 followersJoanna Chambers' muse likes red wine, coffee and won't let Joanna clean the house or watch television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 799 reviews
June 8, 2017
**Now FREE at all major retailers (ebook), 6/8/17!!**
*4.5 stars*
To be honest, I was nervous about this series.
I always feel really hesitant to start a series that is so universally beloved. For one, I never like to hate what other people like, though it happens often. I like to see the magic that other people see, and I always feel like I'm missing something critical when I don't. In addition, I feel this weird pressure about reading a very popular, very adored book, something I don't feel when I go into a book totally blind.
However, I recently read the very lovely A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers so I was feeling cautiously optimistic. As well I should have been because this book was all it's cracked up to be and more.
I think you have to view this book as a part of one longer book. It doesn't really stand alone, and I don't' know anyone who could read this story and not one-click the whole series.
I was afraid that there wasn't going to be enough tension, enough of a slow burn, but I got a really good burn, and this heated I want you, I hate you, I need you vibe that I wasn't expecting.
Provoked is also far from insta-love, with a really intense buildup and a cliffhanger-esk ending. No HFN even at the finish of this installment. However, the writing makes it all worth the wait. I died for the gorgeous language, setting, and characters. I usually don't love single POVs, but Joanna Chambers made it feel like a perfect fit. I couldn't get enough.
A truly wondrous start to what is shaping up to be an addictive series, I can't wait to see this story unfold. Just lovely.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
*4.5 stars*
To be honest, I was nervous about this series.
I always feel really hesitant to start a series that is so universally beloved. For one, I never like to hate what other people like, though it happens often. I like to see the magic that other people see, and I always feel like I'm missing something critical when I don't. In addition, I feel this weird pressure about reading a very popular, very adored book, something I don't feel when I go into a book totally blind.
However, I recently read the very lovely A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers so I was feeling cautiously optimistic. As well I should have been because this book was all it's cracked up to be and more.
I think you have to view this book as a part of one longer book. It doesn't really stand alone, and I don't' know anyone who could read this story and not one-click the whole series.
I was afraid that there wasn't going to be enough tension, enough of a slow burn, but I got a really good burn, and this heated I want you, I hate you, I need you vibe that I wasn't expecting.
Provoked is also far from insta-love, with a really intense buildup and a cliffhanger-esk ending. No HFN even at the finish of this installment. However, the writing makes it all worth the wait. I died for the gorgeous language, setting, and characters. I usually don't love single POVs, but Joanna Chambers made it feel like a perfect fit. I couldn't get enough.
A truly wondrous start to what is shaping up to be an addictive series, I can't wait to see this story unfold. Just lovely.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
October 15, 2013
Excellent. Great atmosphere, cracking sexual tension, intriguing plotting, likeable but very human characters. The Scottish Enlightenment setting seemed like it might be dour, ditto the massive internalized homophobia issues, but they were brilliantly done, with life and passion. Looking forward to book 2.
November 7, 2025
Re-read 11/2025
I love this series still so much.
This time I'm listening to the new audiobook - bundle narrated by Hamish McKinlay.
His narration is stellar, especially Murdo's voice made the reading experience richer. I had loved Murdo before (more than David, to be honest), but listening to Murdo now, I felt with him even more.
--------------
Re-read 09/2024
It's been 6 months since I first read this series, and Murdo and David where never far from my mind.. that has to mean something, because I usually forget almost everything about a book the moment I start the next book.
So it was time for a re-read.. and although I have so many other books I want to get to, I'm glad I started this series again, because.. Murdo.
Murdo is special. Even if we don't see that much of him in this first installment (it's David's pov and he has a lot going on) he's intriguing (times ten). I love him. He challenges David's believes, fell hard for him but fights against it.
I loved their dynamics, their slowly growing (emotional) connection.
Thankfully there are two more books with this couple because they have a long way to go to get closer.
-------
Read 04/2024
5 stars.
Stunning.
So, so beautiful and touching, but also raw. It hurt watching how David hates the queer part of himself. We get only David's pov, and as usual when the author is as capable as Joanna Chambers is, I loved reading the single pov.
David is a complex character, and I get that the author felt the need to write 3 novels to get him his much deserved hea (at least I hope that's where we're headed!).
I loved the writing style and the plot. It was much darker, more depressing than I usually go for. But it was perfect. I'll directly jump to Beguiled.
Ps I'm happy my copies have the new covers, the old covers here on GR are awful. The new ones are much more fitting for the books' mood.
Later edit: Thanks to Snjez's help I was able to change the cover to the one I read (and like) <3
I love this series still so much.
This time I'm listening to the new audiobook - bundle narrated by Hamish McKinlay.
His narration is stellar, especially Murdo's voice made the reading experience richer. I had loved Murdo before (more than David, to be honest), but listening to Murdo now, I felt with him even more.
--------------
Re-read 09/2024
It's been 6 months since I first read this series, and Murdo and David where never far from my mind.. that has to mean something, because I usually forget almost everything about a book the moment I start the next book.
So it was time for a re-read.. and although I have so many other books I want to get to, I'm glad I started this series again, because.. Murdo.
Murdo is special. Even if we don't see that much of him in this first installment (it's David's pov and he has a lot going on) he's intriguing (times ten). I love him. He challenges David's believes, fell hard for him but fights against it.
I loved their dynamics, their slowly growing (emotional) connection.
Thankfully there are two more books with this couple because they have a long way to go to get closer.
-------
Read 04/2024
5 stars.
Stunning.
So, so beautiful and touching, but also raw. It hurt watching how David hates the queer part of himself. We get only David's pov, and as usual when the author is as capable as Joanna Chambers is, I loved reading the single pov.
David is a complex character, and I get that the author felt the need to write 3 novels to get him his much deserved hea (at least I hope that's where we're headed!).
I loved the writing style and the plot. It was much darker, more depressing than I usually go for. But it was perfect. I'll directly jump to Beguiled.
Ps I'm happy my copies have the new covers, the old covers here on GR are awful. The new ones are much more fitting for the books' mood.
Later edit: Thanks to Snjez's help I was able to change the cover to the one I read (and like) <3
December 13, 2013
Confession time: I’m writing this review after having already read book 2 in the series. I usually NEVER do this. I usually write a review immediately after reading a book…and definitely before reading another one…and forbid myself before reading another one in the series. But…I just couldn’t stop reading…
And honestly…it makes a difference.
I really enjoyed Provoked. I say it over and over again: I don’t read Historicals. And then I always get a raving recommendation from someone (in this case, KJ Charles) and I feel I must. I begrudgingly, kicking and screaming, open up said Historical…and I, 4 times out of 5, fall in love. (shhh…don’t tell anyone…apparently I love Historicals!)
Provoked feels…dark…to me. I don’t think it’s the intention. It’s really more the period and how unacceptable it was, and dangerous no less, to be gay. Men often loathed themselves for being ‘unnatural’ and reduced themselves to seedy encounters in dark alleys. This just makes me feel…sad. And I had anxiety throughout the whole book, terrified that they’d get caught.
Despite this underlying emotion for me, I truly came to love David and Balfour. Their brief interactions were so FILLED with desire…both acted upon and not. And their growing attraction…from physical to more…was delicious to read.
All the side stories that filled out the information about their lives were interesting and entertaining. A historical romance that included political radicals, assassination plots, childhood heartache, class/society struggles…and closeted men trying to find lives that include room for their ‘proclivities’…all melded together so engagingly by Joanna Chambers.
The ending was abrupt and it's why I'll say…do NOT read Provoked as a stand-alone. Read it with the intention of reading the entire series. Book 2, Beguiled, is PHENOMENAL, and it just made the foundation set in book 1 THAT. MUCH. BETTER…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...whether you like Historicals or not!
January 2, 2025
David Lauriston, is a lowborn lawyer in his mid-twenties, and Lord Murdoch Balfour, a confident aristocrat in his mid-thirties. They meet one evening, and the sparks ignite.
David is a kind-hearted man struggling with the guilt and shame he has over his sexuality. He knows he will never marry, as he doesn’t wish to live a lie.
Murdo, is unapologetic about his desires, and plans to marry a woman while continuing to have dalliances with men on the side.
Gay romance
1822 Edinburgh
Palpable chemistry
Size difference
Historically authentic
Single POV
On-page intimacy
The internal struggles feel genuine and relatable. This isn't a story of instant gratification, it’s a slow-burning journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
The ending is bittersweet, with the two men parting ways. Thankful this is a trilogy!
David is a kind-hearted man struggling with the guilt and shame he has over his sexuality. He knows he will never marry, as he doesn’t wish to live a lie.
Murdo, is unapologetic about his desires, and plans to marry a woman while continuing to have dalliances with men on the side.
Gay romance
1822 Edinburgh
Palpable chemistry
Size difference
Historically authentic
Single POV
On-page intimacy
The internal struggles feel genuine and relatable. This isn't a story of instant gratification, it’s a slow-burning journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
The ending is bittersweet, with the two men parting ways. Thankful this is a trilogy!
May 28, 2014
irritating.
occasionally melodramatic dialogue, crushingly boring prose, and unsympathetic characters hurt my face.
what a frustrating experience!
i find few things more tedious than a whining, puritanical mungbucket denying himself the pleasures of the flesh.
murdo's dialogue was all over the place—sometimes making him sound like a spiteful brat instead of a coolly sardonic peer of the bloody realm.
the ending was completely ineffective, and the prose...
everything is dutifully described in enervating language of such unbelievable dullity i could hardly stand it.
it was wasteful writing. long stretches of quelling details about how a person lights a candle or whether the footman heard them fucking. it was pedantic recitation. dead words that were not plot, or insight, or romance.
srrssly?
oh, and the fucking: hot. unusually hot. but all of a page, once, plus a bit of alleyway cocksucking, because that's not regency homofic cliche at all, and fuck you very much because the promise of MOAR SEXORZ was the only reason i kept reading.
but there wasn't any more. just a kiss that—apparently—exploded all the blood vessels in david's mouth like a left hook.
oh, whatever.
despite the malformed characters, my body was ready.
i wanted to see murdo dick that boy's guts out.
i got Notes On What Everyone Is Doing With Their Hands Right Now, instead.
occasionally melodramatic dialogue, crushingly boring prose, and unsympathetic characters hurt my face.
what a frustrating experience!
i find few things more tedious than a whining, puritanical mungbucket denying himself the pleasures of the flesh.
murdo's dialogue was all over the place—sometimes making him sound like a spiteful brat instead of a coolly sardonic peer of the bloody realm.
the ending was completely ineffective, and the prose...
everything is dutifully described in enervating language of such unbelievable dullity i could hardly stand it.
it was wasteful writing. long stretches of quelling details about how a person lights a candle or whether the footman heard them fucking. it was pedantic recitation. dead words that were not plot, or insight, or romance.
srrssly?
oh, and the fucking: hot. unusually hot. but all of a page, once, plus a bit of alleyway cocksucking, because that's not regency homofic cliche at all, and fuck you very much because the promise of MOAR SEXORZ was the only reason i kept reading.
but there wasn't any more. just a kiss that—apparently—exploded all the blood vessels in david's mouth like a left hook.
oh, whatever.
despite the malformed characters, my body was ready.
i wanted to see murdo dick that boy's guts out.
i got Notes On What Everyone Is Doing With Their Hands Right Now, instead.
November 27, 2017
Damn! these MM/ Historical books. They have now permanently crawled their way into my heart.
All the books that i have read in this genre i have done so in one sitting. When i start i never want to stop until i am done.
“Yes, I hate what I am at times, but at least I accept myself enough to realise that I can’t lie my way through life, pretending to prefer women when I don’t.”
David - you can't help but root for him. I adored the pretty guy.
Murdo- You either love him or hate, i ended up loving him.
Overall I loved the damn book.
October 30, 2021
2020 reread: Still 5 stars, and I've added some thoughts at the end of my original review.
______
This is brilliant. It goes straight onto my Best of 2017 shelf. Honestly, I had no idea Joanna Chambers could write like this.
My standards for historical fiction are very high — go ahead and call me a snob, I don't mind. I loathe anachronisms, and the worst anachronism of all is populating historical fiction with modern-day people with modern-day values and modern-day attitudes. You know, those fundamental attitudes about sex, gender, social class, government, religion, childrearing, personal hygiene, etc, that most people prefer not to have questioned as they go about their daily lives — those are among the many things that writers of historical fiction must research and attempt to render convincingly. Not to mention the countless details of the physical world that need to be captured as well. Writing historically accurate/convincing fiction must be a nearly overwhelming job, and I'm sure glad I don't have to do it.
I was totally swept up in the world created here (I want to say I was "beguiled"), won over by details large and small. From the way shadows fall in a room lit only by a single candle, to how David struggles with his inner sense of worth in a society that would condemn him as an abomination — I thought it was brilliantly executed, richly atmospheric, and emotionally engaging.
Before I move on to book 2, I need to say that I think Provoked would have made a magnificent stand-alone novel. It wouldn't have pleased romance readers, that's for sure — but this book packs such a punch, and is so perfect in its self-contained way, that I'm almost sorry there are sequels. I guess that pretty definitively outs me as not-really-a-romance-reader. I do sometimes feel like a bit of an imposter here amongst "real" romance readers, but everyone has put up with me so far and I do appreciate that. :)
If the remaining books in the series are as immersive and moving as this one, I'll be blown away. And if they're not, I'm still going to remember this one as nearly perfect of its kind.
~~ Oh yeah, and THAT COVER. The old one wasn't bad, but the new one helped move this book right up to the top of my TBR shelf. Go ahead and call me shallow, I don't mind. ~~
______
2020: Three+ years and hundreds of m/m books later, this book still stands out as a gem.
I'd forgotten so much about the story — the plot, the melancholy mood that sometimes shifts into outright bleakness, the details of the interactions between the MCs, how short the book is. It's so rich and atmospheric that I remembered it as much longer; there's a lot of emotion packed into the pages. But what I hadn't forgotten was the ending: So heartbreaking. So perfect. I had tears in my eyes (okay, some of them leaked out, who am I kidding) during that last chapter. And I still think this would have been magnificent as a standalone. The next two books complete the romance arc, and are necessary for reaching an HEA, but they didn't move me the way this book did.
______
This is brilliant. It goes straight onto my Best of 2017 shelf. Honestly, I had no idea Joanna Chambers could write like this.
My standards for historical fiction are very high — go ahead and call me a snob, I don't mind. I loathe anachronisms, and the worst anachronism of all is populating historical fiction with modern-day people with modern-day values and modern-day attitudes. You know, those fundamental attitudes about sex, gender, social class, government, religion, childrearing, personal hygiene, etc, that most people prefer not to have questioned as they go about their daily lives — those are among the many things that writers of historical fiction must research and attempt to render convincingly. Not to mention the countless details of the physical world that need to be captured as well. Writing historically accurate/convincing fiction must be a nearly overwhelming job, and I'm sure glad I don't have to do it.
I was totally swept up in the world created here (I want to say I was "beguiled"), won over by details large and small. From the way shadows fall in a room lit only by a single candle, to how David struggles with his inner sense of worth in a society that would condemn him as an abomination — I thought it was brilliantly executed, richly atmospheric, and emotionally engaging.
Before I move on to book 2, I need to say that I think Provoked would have made a magnificent stand-alone novel. It wouldn't have pleased romance readers, that's for sure — but this book packs such a punch, and is so perfect in its self-contained way, that I'm almost sorry there are sequels. I guess that pretty definitively outs me as not-really-a-romance-reader. I do sometimes feel like a bit of an imposter here amongst "real" romance readers, but everyone has put up with me so far and I do appreciate that. :)
If the remaining books in the series are as immersive and moving as this one, I'll be blown away. And if they're not, I'm still going to remember this one as nearly perfect of its kind.
~~ Oh yeah, and THAT COVER. The old one wasn't bad, but the new one helped move this book right up to the top of my TBR shelf. Go ahead and call me shallow, I don't mind. ~~
______
2020: Three+ years and hundreds of m/m books later, this book still stands out as a gem.
I'd forgotten so much about the story — the plot, the melancholy mood that sometimes shifts into outright bleakness, the details of the interactions between the MCs, how short the book is. It's so rich and atmospheric that I remembered it as much longer; there's a lot of emotion packed into the pages. But what I hadn't forgotten was the ending: So heartbreaking. So perfect. I had tears in my eyes (okay, some of them leaked out, who am I kidding) during that last chapter. And I still think this would have been magnificent as a standalone. The next two books complete the romance arc, and are necessary for reaching an HEA, but they didn't move me the way this book did.
August 24, 2025
It is a short first book in this series, but it manages to create the perfect historical atmosphere with just a few words. The plot is very on point and excitingly interesting.
I felt drawn in pretty quickly, and the narrative, told solely from David's perspective, is never boring.
The first encounter with Murdo, my goodness, so hot. All the other encounters with Murdo, gosh, I don't know whether to love him or hate him. But David, oh, he's such a darling, and the last few pages broke my heart. I'll need a little time before I can continue reading this series, but it was really wonderful, and I can already feel how it has wormed its way into me.
There was something raw and powerful in Balfour’s dark gaze. David saw desire and determination. He saw that Balfour wanted him.
Beyond anything else, that decided him.
He was going to lapse again.
He would hate himself in the morning, but that didn’t matter right now. 🥺💗🥺
Balfour kissed up the line of David’s throat and whispered harshly in his ear, “God, but I want to do everything to you. I want you in my hand. I want you in my mouth. I want to bury my tongue inside you and fuck you forever.” 🥵🥵🥵
“Don’t think so much. Everything gets complicated when you think about it, but this is really very simple. I want you. You want me. And when it’s over, we part.” 💗😔💗
“I’m not judging you,” David protested. “I couldn’t give a damn what you do—but I can’t be what I am not. I can’t, and that’s the beginning and the end of it.”
“Christ almighty, don’t you want to be happy?” 💔💔💔
I felt drawn in pretty quickly, and the narrative, told solely from David's perspective, is never boring.
The first encounter with Murdo, my goodness, so hot. All the other encounters with Murdo, gosh, I don't know whether to love him or hate him. But David, oh, he's such a darling, and the last few pages broke my heart. I'll need a little time before I can continue reading this series, but it was really wonderful, and I can already feel how it has wormed its way into me.
There was something raw and powerful in Balfour’s dark gaze. David saw desire and determination. He saw that Balfour wanted him.
Beyond anything else, that decided him.
He was going to lapse again.
He would hate himself in the morning, but that didn’t matter right now. 🥺💗🥺
Balfour kissed up the line of David’s throat and whispered harshly in his ear, “God, but I want to do everything to you. I want you in my hand. I want you in my mouth. I want to bury my tongue inside you and fuck you forever.” 🥵🥵🥵
“Don’t think so much. Everything gets complicated when you think about it, but this is really very simple. I want you. You want me. And when it’s over, we part.” 💗😔💗
“I’m not judging you,” David protested. “I couldn’t give a damn what you do—but I can’t be what I am not. I can’t, and that’s the beginning and the end of it.”
“Christ almighty, don’t you want to be happy?” 💔💔💔
June 22, 2020
June 2020: Audiobook = ***3.5 Stars***
I wasn't overly thrilled with the narrator's voice for Murdo, he sometimes sounded as if he were pushing 60... 🙄
***********************************
***4.5 Stars***
Consider me hooked and better brace yourself!
I have no friggin' clue why I always hesitated to read m/m historicals, but from now on you might get tired of me indulging myself in the regency world more often.
Oh, and as for Murdo...
... of course he gained a new proud member to his fan club. ;-)
He and David have a chemistry that knocked my socks off! Next time please warn a girl, okay? This book should come with a 'don't-read-this-at-the-office!' sign, especially not when your boss is around!!!
I was so desperate to see them together on page all the time, I was almost tempted to skim a few pages, although the story itself and the atmospheric mood captivated me.
And what the hell kind of ending was that??? Well, one that made me download the next book immediately. ;-)
I wasn't overly thrilled with the narrator's voice for Murdo, he sometimes sounded as if he were pushing 60... 🙄
***********************************
***4.5 Stars***
Consider me hooked and better brace yourself!
I have no friggin' clue why I always hesitated to read m/m historicals, but from now on you might get tired of me indulging myself in the regency world more often.
Oh, and as for Murdo...
... of course he gained a new proud member to his fan club. ;-)
He and David have a chemistry that knocked my socks off! Next time please warn a girl, okay? This book should come with a 'don't-read-this-at-the-office!' sign, especially not when your boss is around!!!
I was so desperate to see them together on page all the time, I was almost tempted to skim a few pages, although the story itself and the atmospheric mood captivated me.
And what the hell kind of ending was that??? Well, one that made me download the next book immediately. ;-)
November 4, 2020
Re-read ...Audio 11.4.20
Audio...4.5 Stars
Story...3.75 Stars
Wow! I can't believe it's been a little over 3 years since I read this...
I've lowered my rating slightly. I found myself a bit frustrated by the lack of couple time and actual romance this time around even knowing it will get better as the series continues. 🤷🏽♀️
*******************
4.5 stars
I'm just moving on to book 2. It's that good and that ending made me sad because I can see it being the end of the story for a lot of gay men back then.
Audio...4.5 Stars
Story...3.75 Stars
Wow! I can't believe it's been a little over 3 years since I read this...
I've lowered my rating slightly. I found myself a bit frustrated by the lack of couple time and actual romance this time around even knowing it will get better as the series continues. 🤷🏽♀️
*******************
4.5 stars
I'm just moving on to book 2. It's that good and that ending made me sad because I can see it being the end of the story for a lot of gay men back then.
May 19, 2020
4 Stars
I can see why this M/M historical series is so beloved by many.
As an idealistic lawyer, living and working in 19th century Edinburgh, country-born David Lauriston does his best to fit in among high-society, fighting to right injustices on behalf of his clients. With strong ideals and a pure-heart, David works tirelessly to set aside his own forbidden sexual desires, which seems to work well for the most part, but when Lord Murdo Balfour enters David’s life, the walls David has carefully built around himself begin to crumble.
Murdo Balfour is everything David isn’t. He’s wealthy, self-assured and powerful, speaking his mind and self-indulging in his sexual appetites with other men when he sees fit. He challenges everything David thinks and feels, infuriating and captivating David in equal measure.
The chemistry between the two men is palpable, despite David’s constant efforts to deny his growing attraction at every advance. Yet, although David is strong of will, his resolve slips a little more with each encounter shared with the provocative Lord.
To make matters more complicated, a case David is working on, to help a client’s brother seek out a wrongful party—a potential government spy—just so happens to lead David time and again into Murdo’s path, casting suspicion on Murdo’s character and making David doubt his new feelings for the powerful man who may not be what he seems.
I liked this story a lot. I was completely immersed in Chambers’ writing from the first page; I was won over completely by the stories atmospheric Scottish setting and the wonderfully rich and complex characters that filled the pages of this memorable historical romance.
David and Murdo undoubtedly made a compelling pair, and although their first story ended without so much as a HFN for them as a couple, I feel there is still great promise and hope for these two going forward, despite the times and their individual circumstances. I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next!
I can see why this M/M historical series is so beloved by many.
As an idealistic lawyer, living and working in 19th century Edinburgh, country-born David Lauriston does his best to fit in among high-society, fighting to right injustices on behalf of his clients. With strong ideals and a pure-heart, David works tirelessly to set aside his own forbidden sexual desires, which seems to work well for the most part, but when Lord Murdo Balfour enters David’s life, the walls David has carefully built around himself begin to crumble.
Murdo Balfour is everything David isn’t. He’s wealthy, self-assured and powerful, speaking his mind and self-indulging in his sexual appetites with other men when he sees fit. He challenges everything David thinks and feels, infuriating and captivating David in equal measure.
The chemistry between the two men is palpable, despite David’s constant efforts to deny his growing attraction at every advance. Yet, although David is strong of will, his resolve slips a little more with each encounter shared with the provocative Lord.
To make matters more complicated, a case David is working on, to help a client’s brother seek out a wrongful party—a potential government spy—just so happens to lead David time and again into Murdo’s path, casting suspicion on Murdo’s character and making David doubt his new feelings for the powerful man who may not be what he seems.
I liked this story a lot. I was completely immersed in Chambers’ writing from the first page; I was won over completely by the stories atmospheric Scottish setting and the wonderfully rich and complex characters that filled the pages of this memorable historical romance.
David and Murdo undoubtedly made a compelling pair, and although their first story ended without so much as a HFN for them as a couple, I feel there is still great promise and hope for these two going forward, despite the times and their individual circumstances. I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next!
October 2, 2024
Re-read 12/2021
I loved this just as much as the first time!!! If you enjoy MM historical fiction, then look no further because this trilogy is fantastic. You won’t be disappointed. I’ll be forever grateful to Leslie for introducing me to David & Murdo 😍
I loved this just as much as the first time!!! If you enjoy MM historical fiction, then look no further because this trilogy is fantastic. You won’t be disappointed. I’ll be forever grateful to Leslie for introducing me to David & Murdo 😍
November 4, 2025
4,5 ⭐ my god but this somehow ended up being utterly perfect for me!
I’m still a bit blindsided because, objectively, it shouldn’t have worked so well for me?? I’m still barely dipping my toes into the historical romance genre, and my slowburn-loving soul should have objected to the lust-on-first-sight that happened here but... The way this book had me by the throat was insane!
It took me about half a chapter to decide that I would kind of die for David. He has my heart for how utterly true to himself he is, how kind and gentle (to a fault) and empathetic, no matter the hardships his steadfast views can bring. On the other hand, his internalized homophobia is heartbreaking; every time he allowed himself to give in to his “sinful” desires, he felt the need to punish himself as if he deserved to be hurt.
Murdo, on the other hand... HAH! What an asshole, but...a pretty harmless one? I found him intriguing and very entertaining, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into his character. Right now, he seems petulant and possessive (and confused about it, loved that), and his massive ego is more like a shell full of helium, which I want to pop. He’s so touchy about certain topics, instantly launching a verbal assault to cover his own insecurities - at least that’s my current view of him.
And when these two meet for the first time? When they set eyes on each other and the chemistry sizzles? When they keep meeting and the desire is even more intense, even though the first taste should’ve been the last? GOLDEN! I was giggling, kicking my feet, and a few times, I’m pretty sure I resembled a steam locomotive with all the wheezing I did 🚂
These two have very differing personalities and views, they clash quite a lot whenever they get to talking about anything Murdo doesn’t agree with (lol), but their chemistry is undeniable 😩
I loved the writing, it got me hooked right from the start, and the plot was interesting and fast-paced, but David and Murdo are stealing the show so I don’t even care, they could be prowling a ballroom the whole time and I would read about it with bated breath, I’m pretty sure 🤭
The only reason I’m unwilling to rate higher is that there’s no way the next two books won’t be even better so...I’m just leaving some room for growth, I guess??
I’m still a bit blindsided because, objectively, it shouldn’t have worked so well for me?? I’m still barely dipping my toes into the historical romance genre, and my slowburn-loving soul should have objected to the lust-on-first-sight that happened here but... The way this book had me by the throat was insane!
It took me about half a chapter to decide that I would kind of die for David. He has my heart for how utterly true to himself he is, how kind and gentle (to a fault) and empathetic, no matter the hardships his steadfast views can bring. On the other hand, his internalized homophobia is heartbreaking; every time he allowed himself to give in to his “sinful” desires, he felt the need to punish himself as if he deserved to be hurt.
Murdo, on the other hand... HAH! What an asshole, but...a pretty harmless one? I found him intriguing and very entertaining, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into his character. Right now, he seems petulant and possessive (and confused about it, loved that), and his massive ego is more like a shell full of helium, which I want to pop. He’s so touchy about certain topics, instantly launching a verbal assault to cover his own insecurities - at least that’s my current view of him.
And when these two meet for the first time? When they set eyes on each other and the chemistry sizzles? When they keep meeting and the desire is even more intense, even though the first taste should’ve been the last? GOLDEN! I was giggling, kicking my feet, and a few times, I’m pretty sure I resembled a steam locomotive with all the wheezing I did 🚂
These two have very differing personalities and views, they clash quite a lot whenever they get to talking about anything Murdo doesn’t agree with (lol), but their chemistry is undeniable 😩
I loved the writing, it got me hooked right from the start, and the plot was interesting and fast-paced, but David and Murdo are stealing the show so I don’t even care, they could be prowling a ballroom the whole time and I would read about it with bated breath, I’m pretty sure 🤭
The only reason I’m unwilling to rate higher is that there’s no way the next two books won’t be even better so...I’m just leaving some room for growth, I guess??
May 14, 2025
Murdo Balfour is kind of an ass, I'm not gonna lie lol.
I'm not sure what it says about Murdo and David and where they are currently at with their relationship that I actually think David would be better off in a Lavender marriage with Elizabeth as things currently stand hahahaha.
Knowing that this is a multi book series (although fairly short and easy listens) was really helpful to adjusting my expectations cause whilst the sexual chemistry and the tension between these two was hot, personality wise they are no where near ready to be in a relationship with each other, nor hold any sort of real emotional connection together. David has some pretty hefty internalized homophobia and rigid thought patterns to work through and Murdo has his own anger issues and resentment to process.
All that being said, I had a fun time with this book and I'm really excited to see the development that is going to occur between these two and how their circumstances change over the time gap between books 1 and 2. I feel like the slow burn here will be satisfying when the pay off comes ❤️❤️
The audiobook was a delightful listen and Hamish McKinlay did a great job.
I'm not sure what it says about Murdo and David and where they are currently at with their relationship that I actually think David would be better off in a Lavender marriage with Elizabeth as things currently stand hahahaha.
Knowing that this is a multi book series (although fairly short and easy listens) was really helpful to adjusting my expectations cause whilst the sexual chemistry and the tension between these two was hot, personality wise they are no where near ready to be in a relationship with each other, nor hold any sort of real emotional connection together. David has some pretty hefty internalized homophobia and rigid thought patterns to work through and Murdo has his own anger issues and resentment to process.
All that being said, I had a fun time with this book and I'm really excited to see the development that is going to occur between these two and how their circumstances change over the time gap between books 1 and 2. I feel like the slow burn here will be satisfying when the pay off comes ❤️❤️
The audiobook was a delightful listen and Hamish McKinlay did a great job.
June 11, 2025
First of all: This audiobook was EVERYTHING.
God, a Scottish accent makes me weak in the knees, for real. (Am I alone in that?! Please tell me I’m not alone in that lol)
But beyond the swoony narration, it’s the characters that really pulled me in.
Murdo - so far - is a bit of a dick, isn’t he? Arrogant, sharp, and just a bit too smug. But I already feel like there’s so much more to him, and I fully expect some character growth in the next books.
David though? 100% my kind of guy: he’s thoughtful, principled, complex, and ultimately intensely lovable. I loved watching him navigate his world - his values, his desires, his restraint - and how all of that slowly begins to unravel (in the best way) once Murdo enters the scene. Can’t wait to see how that’ll play out further in the next books.
I also really enjoyed the side plot - it gave the story weight beyond just the romance and helped draw a rich historical setting.
Speaking of setting: My god. Scotland and more specifically Edinburgh is already my fav place on earth, so to see it all through the historical lens (and again, a Scottish accent 😮💨) made it even more special.
What a strong start to the series, diving straight into book 2!
4,5⭐️
God, a Scottish accent makes me weak in the knees, for real. (Am I alone in that?! Please tell me I’m not alone in that lol)
But beyond the swoony narration, it’s the characters that really pulled me in.
Murdo - so far - is a bit of a dick, isn’t he? Arrogant, sharp, and just a bit too smug. But I already feel like there’s so much more to him, and I fully expect some character growth in the next books.
David though? 100% my kind of guy: he’s thoughtful, principled, complex, and ultimately intensely lovable. I loved watching him navigate his world - his values, his desires, his restraint - and how all of that slowly begins to unravel (in the best way) once Murdo enters the scene. Can’t wait to see how that’ll play out further in the next books.
I also really enjoyed the side plot - it gave the story weight beyond just the romance and helped draw a rich historical setting.
Speaking of setting: My god. Scotland and more specifically Edinburgh is already my fav place on earth, so to see it all through the historical lens (and again, a Scottish accent 😮💨) made it even more special.
What a strong start to the series, diving straight into book 2!
4,5⭐️
November 7, 2013
I picked this book up as part of my own Personal Historical Month Challenge. Straight-up historical romance (without any element of paranormal) has never been a favorite genre of mine (either male/male or male/female). Provoked was recommended by a friend, MandyM, and since she loved historical romance, I trusted her judgment.
Initially, I had issues -- what can I say, my brain seemed to start doing mental blocking when I read historical. I was moaning and ready to bitching about the sense of 'old' language (one of reasons why I don't like historical) -- I was worried that I would get confused with all the period terms used. But this was a challenge, I must powered through!
And I am so glad that I did.
Because WOW. This book is really good!
I was charmed with the great writing, sense of place, SEXUAL-TENSION(!) and the characters, especially David. There was a kind of Harlequin-esqe feeling of it as well, with Balfour as the arrogant aristocrat while David is the kind blue collar man, which I wholeheartedly found alluring.
Young David Lauriston was honorable and idealistic and had such gentle heart. He was sympathetic with the cases he took, the men he defended. David was willing to help a young friend, Euan MacLennan, to find the person who betrayed Euan's brother, even if David thought it would be a lost cause.
I was deeply touched (and rather sad) with David's perception that his indulgence with men was a sin (which was part of the consequences of men living in that era). But at the same time, I was proud of David for not willing to "live a lie" by marrying a woman because he thought it would be unfair to the woman.
While Lord Murdo Balfour was pretty much David's opposite -- he was overbearing, brash, and unapologetic on his 'time' with men. There was something delicious and raw when these two men met for the first time, doing it in the alley (David on his knees) and later on when they met again due to circumstances.
I am already been warned that the romance is pretty much unfinished (there's not even HFN here) ... but I definitely will be there in December for the sequel. Because I cannot wait to see how the story moves on from here: How will they meet again? What will Balfour do? Will there be compromise in their relationship?
I guess the 1st book for my personal historical month challenge is a success!!
Initially, I had issues -- what can I say, my brain seemed to start doing mental blocking when I read historical. I was moaning and ready to bitching about the sense of 'old' language (one of reasons why I don't like historical) -- I was worried that I would get confused with all the period terms used. But this was a challenge, I must powered through!
And I am so glad that I did.
Because WOW. This book is really good!
I was charmed with the great writing, sense of place, SEXUAL-TENSION(!) and the characters, especially David. There was a kind of Harlequin-esqe feeling of it as well, with Balfour as the arrogant aristocrat while David is the kind blue collar man, which I wholeheartedly found alluring.
Young David Lauriston was honorable and idealistic and had such gentle heart. He was sympathetic with the cases he took, the men he defended. David was willing to help a young friend, Euan MacLennan, to find the person who betrayed Euan's brother, even if David thought it would be a lost cause.
I was deeply touched (and rather sad) with David's perception that his indulgence with men was a sin (which was part of the consequences of men living in that era). But at the same time, I was proud of David for not willing to "live a lie" by marrying a woman because he thought it would be unfair to the woman.
While Lord Murdo Balfour was pretty much David's opposite -- he was overbearing, brash, and unapologetic on his 'time' with men. There was something delicious and raw when these two men met for the first time, doing it in the alley (David on his knees) and later on when they met again due to circumstances.
I am already been warned that the romance is pretty much unfinished (there's not even HFN here) ... but I definitely will be there in December for the sequel. Because I cannot wait to see how the story moves on from here: How will they meet again? What will Balfour do? Will there be compromise in their relationship?
I guess the 1st book for my personal historical month challenge is a success!!
December 3, 2017
****4.5 Stars ****
Thank you, Ariana, for taking me out of my dark hole with this recomm.
This was a fine read.
Thank you, Ariana, for taking me out of my dark hole with this recomm.
This was a fine read.
May 8, 2021
Why does it have to be like that? 😭😭😭
I loved this book. I hated this book. I know, I know, it’s the historical context. But it hurts to see David hating his homosexuality. And it hurts to see Murdo talking about marrying a woman to have a family. No. Why can’t they just be together?
The MCs are not a couple here. They meet, have sex, and go their separate ways. Except they keep bumping into each other. The UST is amazing. The main story with Euan’s quest to find the man who betrayed his brother was interesting, but I didn’t love it. I wanted more between David and Murdo.
I know, I know. There are two other books about them. It’s not over. But.
“And besides all that, he’d tasted, if only once in his life, real, honest passion. With Murdo Balfour. How could he regret that? How could he regret the best, and sweetest moment of all his life?”
I loved this book. I hated this book. I know, I know, it’s the historical context. But it hurts to see David hating his homosexuality. And it hurts to see Murdo talking about marrying a woman to have a family. No. Why can’t they just be together?
The MCs are not a couple here. They meet, have sex, and go their separate ways. Except they keep bumping into each other. The UST is amazing. The main story with Euan’s quest to find the man who betrayed his brother was interesting, but I didn’t love it. I wanted more between David and Murdo.
I know, I know. There are two other books about them. It’s not over. But.
“And besides all that, he’d tasted, if only once in his life, real, honest passion. With Murdo Balfour. How could he regret that? How could he regret the best, and sweetest moment of all his life?”
March 13, 2018
Rating: 4* of five
I'd rate this lower if I hadn't been prepared for the modest sexual content. What there was the author did well and it wasn't gratuitous or inorganic. I was sure the story needed to be in that place at that moment; I was sure the characters were true to their established motivations; in the end, it wasn't about dissatisfaction that I've read from a few other reviewers. I suspect the issues arose from what I was inclined to see as "instaluuuv" between men of radically (!) different stations in Regency life.
That mattered a great deal more then than it does now. Not that it doesn't now, it definitely does, but then it was an issue front and center in every act of daily life. How Balfour comes on to David is completely believable. How David responds, and how he feels, is also completely believable.
That Murdo Balfour argues for the pragmatic accommodation of self to society is unremarkably in character; that David starchily stands for conformity to the harshest possible code of actions while suffering for it is also unremarkably in character for his Presbyterian upbringing. A sect that preached predestination...your soul's salvation was not earned or even earnable since God decided the identity of the 144,000 saved at the beginning of time....wasn't likely to produce anything but the most craven sorts of lickspittles.
What made the read pleasurable for me was the sense that the men were genuinely, if ineptly and obtusely, falling for the person wearing the pretty face that neither could quite unsee. David's red hair, Balfour's dark eyes, David's slightness and Balfour's height and heft...timelessly, opposites do indeed attract. But the characters, the bits that have to fit if a passion is to alter its bell curve towards love's more complex shapes, do match. The men are motivated by their respective and surprisingly similar sense of honor.
It's just a pity that David's sense of humor is so impaired at the expense of that sense of honor.
Not for the squeamishly heterosexual.
There is a short fiction entry, Seasons Pass, which is best read for free before reading the next book, Beguiled.
I'd rate this lower if I hadn't been prepared for the modest sexual content. What there was the author did well and it wasn't gratuitous or inorganic. I was sure the story needed to be in that place at that moment; I was sure the characters were true to their established motivations; in the end, it wasn't about dissatisfaction that I've read from a few other reviewers. I suspect the issues arose from what I was inclined to see as "instaluuuv" between men of radically (!) different stations in Regency life.
That mattered a great deal more then than it does now. Not that it doesn't now, it definitely does, but then it was an issue front and center in every act of daily life. How Balfour comes on to David is completely believable. How David responds, and how he feels, is also completely believable.
That Murdo Balfour argues for the pragmatic accommodation of self to society is unremarkably in character; that David starchily stands for conformity to the harshest possible code of actions while suffering for it is also unremarkably in character for his Presbyterian upbringing. A sect that preached predestination...your soul's salvation was not earned or even earnable since God decided the identity of the 144,000 saved at the beginning of time....wasn't likely to produce anything but the most craven sorts of lickspittles.
What made the read pleasurable for me was the sense that the men were genuinely, if ineptly and obtusely, falling for the person wearing the pretty face that neither could quite unsee. David's red hair, Balfour's dark eyes, David's slightness and Balfour's height and heft...timelessly, opposites do indeed attract. But the characters, the bits that have to fit if a passion is to alter its bell curve towards love's more complex shapes, do match. The men are motivated by their respective and surprisingly similar sense of honor.
It's just a pity that David's sense of humor is so impaired at the expense of that sense of honor.
Not for the squeamishly heterosexual.
There is a short fiction entry, Seasons Pass, which is best read for free before reading the next book, Beguiled.
July 11, 2021
4.5 stars ⭐️ omg, how could I not love this book?! David and Murdo are everything. The back and forth between Murdo and David didn't infuriate me at all and only made me too excited to see what would happen the next. I was emotionally invested in the story the whole time. If you never read a historical romance, just read this. It will give you a reason to make a soft spot inside your heart only for historical romance.
David was a farm boy who became now a lawyer and has a deep and sensitive heart. He has been working so hard to make a good reputation for his profession. David always found himself helping others. I was in love with David instantly. He was too good to be true. Oh boy, lastly I knew when I finished the book, I was seduced by David’s kindness and humanity.
Murdo was an aristocrat. He came to Edinburgh for duty, and finally, met with his soulmate David. He was too direct with what he wanted, and at first, David was too stunned by his self-possession and the blunt way he has expressed his desires to David without being ashamed. Murdo was captivated by David’s glamour. Every time he was with David he found himself wanting another chance to be with this gorgeous man.
“…because you’re beautiful, virtuous and utterly unthreatening…”
But there was one problem that constantly made David regret. He wanted men. But whenever he was with a man, the inner voice of his heart told him that it wasn't okay. But that voice just stopped once he was with the man who could forget every nagging voice inside of his heart.
The slow-burn relationship between Murdo and David was what I loved the most in the book. Step by step in their every encounter, the chemistry has grown. I was too excited and was grinning like a fool when they kissed each other. Oh man, it was hot. I didn't put this book down for a minute. I love these two boys so damn much. It was a long time, I was utterly fascinated by two boys who really make my heart swooning.
Nevertheless, in the end, I wanted to cry and whine. But this is a trilogy and we can cross our fingers about what will happen to them in the following books. 😮💨😮💨
David was a farm boy who became now a lawyer and has a deep and sensitive heart. He has been working so hard to make a good reputation for his profession. David always found himself helping others. I was in love with David instantly. He was too good to be true. Oh boy, lastly I knew when I finished the book, I was seduced by David’s kindness and humanity.
Murdo was an aristocrat. He came to Edinburgh for duty, and finally, met with his soulmate David. He was too direct with what he wanted, and at first, David was too stunned by his self-possession and the blunt way he has expressed his desires to David without being ashamed. Murdo was captivated by David’s glamour. Every time he was with David he found himself wanting another chance to be with this gorgeous man.
“…because you’re beautiful, virtuous and utterly unthreatening…”
But there was one problem that constantly made David regret. He wanted men. But whenever he was with a man, the inner voice of his heart told him that it wasn't okay. But that voice just stopped once he was with the man who could forget every nagging voice inside of his heart.
The slow-burn relationship between Murdo and David was what I loved the most in the book. Step by step in their every encounter, the chemistry has grown. I was too excited and was grinning like a fool when they kissed each other. Oh man, it was hot. I didn't put this book down for a minute. I love these two boys so damn much. It was a long time, I was utterly fascinated by two boys who really make my heart swooning.
Nevertheless, in the end, I wanted to cry and whine. But this is a trilogy and we can cross our fingers about what will happen to them in the following books. 😮💨😮💨
November 13, 2025
I’ll probably just write one review after I finish the trilogy. But, I gotta say, this book was perfection.
Sweet Davy was such an interesting character; the only thing that would have made the book even better was having Murdo’s POV, too. I wanted to see his descent into madness, and if he realized how much he was obsessed with David or not.
Sweet Davy was such an interesting character; the only thing that would have made the book even better was having Murdo’s POV, too. I wanted to see his descent into madness, and if he realized how much he was obsessed with David or not.
December 13, 2013
Wonderful start to a trilogy!
Those of you who read a lot of historical M/M romance, you know that the majority of it just isn't realistic. I mean the norm is: two confirmed bachelors meet, have a hot and steamy, illicit affair, figure upon a perfectly illogical reason for two men to share housing, then live out their happily ever after together...forever and ever. Totally cliche and predictable, right? You're not going to see any of that in Provoked.
First of all, I'm not going to rehash the plot; thats not what I'm here for.
Second of all, I'm saying "fuck it" to writing a real review for this because I want to go start the sequel NOW!! (Thank gods I have an ARC; so look for a real review on that one!)
Quickly, let me count the ways I loved this...
♥ The setting and time period
♥ The realism
♥ The darkness
♥ The denial
♥ The mystery
♥ There's no HEA or HFN
♥ The sexual chemistry between David and Balfour
Whether David is an idealist or a realist...thats not for me to answer now is it? But some part of me is still hoping for that cliched HEA.
Highly recommended!
Provoked is the first part if the Enlightenment Trilogy. Beguiled is soon to follow.
Those of you who read a lot of historical M/M romance, you know that the majority of it just isn't realistic. I mean the norm is: two confirmed bachelors meet, have a hot and steamy, illicit affair, figure upon a perfectly illogical reason for two men to share housing, then live out their happily ever after together...forever and ever. Totally cliche and predictable, right? You're not going to see any of that in Provoked.
First of all, I'm not going to rehash the plot; thats not what I'm here for.
Second of all, I'm saying "fuck it" to writing a real review for this because I want to go start the sequel NOW!! (Thank gods I have an ARC; so look for a real review on that one!)
Quickly, let me count the ways I loved this...
♥ The setting and time period
♥ The realism
♥ The darkness
♥ The denial
♥ The mystery
♥ There's no HEA or HFN
♥ The sexual chemistry between David and Balfour
"God, but I want to do everything to you. I want you in my hand. I want you in my mouth. I want to bury my tongue inside you and fuck you forever." - Balfour
Whether David is an idealist or a realist...thats not for me to answer now is it? But some part of me is still hoping for that cliched HEA.
Highly recommended!
Provoked is the first part if the Enlightenment Trilogy. Beguiled is soon to follow.
June 21, 2017
This has bored me to tears every time I picked it up.
I actually love well-written historical romances, whether m/m or m/f. I like them realistic and steeped in historical detail. So, thinking I can't miss with this after reading quite a few reviews, I bought the whole series. God, do I rue this at the moment! It's however why I tried so hard to get into this story.
But I can't, and I haven't even yet reached any naughty bits or whatever. I'm still just into the setup. Which was enough to show me how much I dislike the pretentious prose, which is purple and dry at the same time. It was enough to instill something akin to active dislike in David, and even more than dislike in Balfour. The plot goes nowhere, I'm pages in and nothing happens. Not even the execution of his client moved David, and if he is so sex-negative, why then does he engage in gay sex instead of seeing to things himself? It couldn't be more dour than that. There's no fragment of sensuality so far, not a tiny bit of emotion, and the whole standoffishness doesn't really come over as British repressedness, it comes over as just deficient and a genuine lack of emotion. Particularly irksome: dire m/m-speak during the one awful sex-scene I read.
What this reminds me of is a brand of historical romances I found I can't abide at all, such as books by Lisa Kleypas, Georgette Heyer, Cecilia Grant or Laura Kinsale. Never mind that they apparently are favourites of a lot of people, they give me a completely skeevy brain itch. For now I've added Joanna Chambers to that super-boring and pretentious kind and it will take quite something to convince me to try again.
What a comparison is, for instance, May 1812 instead, which also uses an adapted historical word usage, yet has a wonderfully human hero fighting with his situation of enforced marriage and coming across still as someone with innate goodwill and humour.
ETA: I tried again, and this time I failed slightly farther in. This is boring me to tears, and I'm now also pissed off at milquetoast David who hasn't got even hazelnut-sized nuts in his trousers. Duh.
I actually love well-written historical romances, whether m/m or m/f. I like them realistic and steeped in historical detail. So, thinking I can't miss with this after reading quite a few reviews, I bought the whole series. God, do I rue this at the moment! It's however why I tried so hard to get into this story.
But I can't, and I haven't even yet reached any naughty bits or whatever. I'm still just into the setup. Which was enough to show me how much I dislike the pretentious prose, which is purple and dry at the same time. It was enough to instill something akin to active dislike in David, and even more than dislike in Balfour. The plot goes nowhere, I'm pages in and nothing happens. Not even the execution of his client moved David, and if he is so sex-negative, why then does he engage in gay sex instead of seeing to things himself? It couldn't be more dour than that. There's no fragment of sensuality so far, not a tiny bit of emotion, and the whole standoffishness doesn't really come over as British repressedness, it comes over as just deficient and a genuine lack of emotion. Particularly irksome: dire m/m-speak during the one awful sex-scene I read.
What this reminds me of is a brand of historical romances I found I can't abide at all, such as books by Lisa Kleypas, Georgette Heyer, Cecilia Grant or Laura Kinsale. Never mind that they apparently are favourites of a lot of people, they give me a completely skeevy brain itch. For now I've added Joanna Chambers to that super-boring and pretentious kind and it will take quite something to convince me to try again.
What a comparison is, for instance, May 1812 instead, which also uses an adapted historical word usage, yet has a wonderfully human hero fighting with his situation of enforced marriage and coming across still as someone with innate goodwill and humour.
ETA: I tried again, and this time I failed slightly farther in. This is boring me to tears, and I'm now also pissed off at milquetoast David who hasn't got even hazelnut-sized nuts in his trousers. Duh.
June 18, 2020
Reread June 2020
4,5 stars
Ahhh, so good. David, so full of conflict and beaten up about his sexuality and tall, dark self-assured Murdo who just does as he pleases. Maybe with hindsight, I can see better, how this is step 1 in their relationship. And for that I upped my rating to 4,5.
original review:
Darn, this was like two titans meeting, clashing and then left adrift in the sea.
This is the early 19th century when being gay is perceived as evil, perverted and freaky.
Brought up in a loving, but God-fearing family David can't see himself any differently. He hates himself for his wants and 'abnormal' urges. Worse, he punishes himself for it, not necessarily consciously, but he certainly feels the need to suffer for his cravings.
However, ever so often he 'allows' himself the odd 'straying', just to get rid of the 'itch', which is how he meets Murdo. An aristocrat, who isn't only suave and accomplished with a good helping of arrogance, but who is shockingly secure in his sexuality. He says what he wants and how.
And throws David into a conundrum, not only sexually (didn't I love that first time between them) but also emotionally.
But the crux of the thing is - David lives in his very white and black world and is simply unable to paint any shades of grey. Yes, he opens up to Murdo a little bit, lets himself experience and feel 'more', but in the end, can't see past his self-imposed moral code.
Murdo is clearly in head over heels for David (and I felt utterly sorry for him), but he knows there is no point to push and force things.
And that's how this ends - a bit abrupt, with everything unresolved and up in the air ....
At which point I should say that this 3 book series is ONE story, chopped into three instalments. I am 'provoked' and intrigued by the first one, book 2 is already open and ready ....
Thank you, Christelle, for drawing my attention to this series and all of you who nudged me gently towards it!
Recommended.
4,5 stars
Ahhh, so good. David, so full of conflict and beaten up about his sexuality and tall, dark self-assured Murdo who just does as he pleases. Maybe with hindsight, I can see better, how this is step 1 in their relationship. And for that I upped my rating to 4,5.
original review:
Darn, this was like two titans meeting, clashing and then left adrift in the sea.
This is the early 19th century when being gay is perceived as evil, perverted and freaky.
Brought up in a loving, but God-fearing family David can't see himself any differently. He hates himself for his wants and 'abnormal' urges. Worse, he punishes himself for it, not necessarily consciously, but he certainly feels the need to suffer for his cravings.
However, ever so often he 'allows' himself the odd 'straying', just to get rid of the 'itch', which is how he meets Murdo. An aristocrat, who isn't only suave and accomplished with a good helping of arrogance, but who is shockingly secure in his sexuality. He says what he wants and how.
And throws David into a conundrum, not only sexually (didn't I love that first time between them) but also emotionally.
But the crux of the thing is - David lives in his very white and black world and is simply unable to paint any shades of grey. Yes, he opens up to Murdo a little bit, lets himself experience and feel 'more', but in the end, can't see past his self-imposed moral code.
Murdo is clearly in head over heels for David (and I felt utterly sorry for him), but he knows there is no point to push and force things.
And that's how this ends - a bit abrupt, with everything unresolved and up in the air ....
At which point I should say that this 3 book series is ONE story, chopped into three instalments. I am 'provoked' and intrigued by the first one, book 2 is already open and ready ....
Thank you, Christelle, for drawing my attention to this series and all of you who nudged me gently towards it!
Recommended.
July 29, 2016
This was a very enjoyable historical romance, with a plausible period feel, an interesting (beginnings of a) plot, a sympathetic narrator and a nicely enigmatic love interest.
David is a man with a deep sense of honor, and integrity. This sets him at odds with his sexual desire for other men, because he sees it as an unnatural failing. He tries to remain celibate, but occasionally gives way to temptation. Afterward he battles self-disgust, sometimes with the help of a dram or two of whiskey. Until now, he has limited his sexual encounters to faceless, fast and mostly-clothed moments of mutual release. But meeting the man named Balfour shows him the pleasures of doing more. It's not a knowledge he wants, but it's his now and very hard to resist. Balfour makes his own desire clear, but his larger intentions are less obvious. And the ambiguity doesn't make it easy to know how to deal with the man.
It doesn't help that these are unsettled times, and David is caught between the law, his employment, and his sympathies for the downtrodden and oppressed. And then there's the daughter of his employer, who is kind and clever, and makes him wonder if marriage without passion would be altogether an unthinkable thing...
If you enjoy historical romances I urge you to give this one a try, with the caveat that this story, while a complete episode, does not end in even a HFN - there is clearly still a lot of story left to tell. I'm eager to dive into the next book. Recommended, as long as it's clear that this book doesn't really stand alone..
David is a man with a deep sense of honor, and integrity. This sets him at odds with his sexual desire for other men, because he sees it as an unnatural failing. He tries to remain celibate, but occasionally gives way to temptation. Afterward he battles self-disgust, sometimes with the help of a dram or two of whiskey. Until now, he has limited his sexual encounters to faceless, fast and mostly-clothed moments of mutual release. But meeting the man named Balfour shows him the pleasures of doing more. It's not a knowledge he wants, but it's his now and very hard to resist. Balfour makes his own desire clear, but his larger intentions are less obvious. And the ambiguity doesn't make it easy to know how to deal with the man.
It doesn't help that these are unsettled times, and David is caught between the law, his employment, and his sympathies for the downtrodden and oppressed. And then there's the daughter of his employer, who is kind and clever, and makes him wonder if marriage without passion would be altogether an unthinkable thing...
If you enjoy historical romances I urge you to give this one a try, with the caveat that this story, while a complete episode, does not end in even a HFN - there is clearly still a lot of story left to tell. I'm eager to dive into the next book. Recommended, as long as it's clear that this book doesn't really stand alone..
January 6, 2018
Chambers makes Harlequins fun again! The prose wasn't particularly enjoyable. I found David a honorably dull and uninspired Mary Sue and I can't say I enjoyed spending time with him. The ending annoyed me to no end too. BUT....the nice pacing and Balfour made this an unputdownable book for me anyway. Though all would've been much better if Balfour had gotten his way... If you know what I mean...*eyebrow waggle*.
Other than that, I find myself agreeing with Rachel 100%, and will therefore lazily refer to her review.
Earlier ramblings
Upgraded from 'perhaps' to 'want to read' due to the lovely short story Introducing Mr. Winterbourne in Another Place In Time.
Other than that, I find myself agreeing with Rachel 100%, and will therefore lazily refer to her review.
Earlier ramblings
Upgraded from 'perhaps' to 'want to read' due to the lovely short story Introducing Mr. Winterbourne in Another Place In Time.
February 23, 2026
Hisfic •1820s Scotland • m/m
Ok so this was kind of delightful. I loved David’s (Davy’s) character. From a working class family, David has set his sights on a higher education and station in life and is now working for a notable lawyer as a junior counsel.
He gets caught up in a quest to find a mystery man who was responsible for the arrest of ‘troublemakers’ who were causing some political unrest over wanting a say in who ruled in their government.
He meets Murdo Balfour, a striking and confident man, and they find themselves having at least one thing in common and have a little smexual interlude in an alley outside a pub house before they part ways.
David and Murdo cross paths repeatedly and David discovers that he is actually Lord Murdo, son of a marquess (google tells me this is a British nobleman) 😆 and find themselves possibly on the opposite sides of the hunt for this mystery man.
I loved how these two very different men clash in almost every way. Murdo, is very much content with his lot in life, resigned to marrying and having a family one day and enjoying his occasional interludes with men on the side. David on the other hand, cannot fathom the idea of marrying someone he does not truly love, a woman deserves to have a husband who loves her fully. What a man, right? 🥹 and while David does indulge in the occasional anonymous interlude, he has self imposed rules on intimacy and hard limits as to what is allowed physically. He has accepted that his life will be void of the tenderness others can freely have in their lives.
Now as if that isn’t a giant gutpunch 🥺
I really enjoyed this as an audio/eyeball read combo. Narration was really good.
4⭐️
2 🌶️
Ok so this was kind of delightful. I loved David’s (Davy’s) character. From a working class family, David has set his sights on a higher education and station in life and is now working for a notable lawyer as a junior counsel.
He gets caught up in a quest to find a mystery man who was responsible for the arrest of ‘troublemakers’ who were causing some political unrest over wanting a say in who ruled in their government.
He meets Murdo Balfour, a striking and confident man, and they find themselves having at least one thing in common and have a little smexual interlude in an alley outside a pub house before they part ways.
David and Murdo cross paths repeatedly and David discovers that he is actually Lord Murdo, son of a marquess (google tells me this is a British nobleman) 😆 and find themselves possibly on the opposite sides of the hunt for this mystery man.
I loved how these two very different men clash in almost every way. Murdo, is very much content with his lot in life, resigned to marrying and having a family one day and enjoying his occasional interludes with men on the side. David on the other hand, cannot fathom the idea of marrying someone he does not truly love, a woman deserves to have a husband who loves her fully. What a man, right? 🥹 and while David does indulge in the occasional anonymous interlude, he has self imposed rules on intimacy and hard limits as to what is allowed physically. He has accepted that his life will be void of the tenderness others can freely have in their lives.
”I’m not sure life is about being happy”
Now as if that isn’t a giant gutpunch 🥺
I really enjoyed this as an audio/eyeball read combo. Narration was really good.
4⭐️
2 🌶️
January 16, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this, though I’m a bit bummed that I didn’t get my hea or even hfn! Maybe if I had been paying attention, I would have known, but I didn’t and it took me a bit by surprise.
Anyway, I liked David and Murdo, they did have great chemistry and I love the anger and the longing between them.
Not sure if I will move on to the second book right away or if I take a break from regency romance, it all depends on how my mood will influence my choices 😅🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, I liked David and Murdo, they did have great chemistry and I love the anger and the longing between them.
Not sure if I will move on to the second book right away or if I take a break from regency romance, it all depends on how my mood will influence my choices 😅🤷🏻♀️
August 2, 2018
I was very hesitant about joining the Murdo Balfour fan wagon. There is always a kind of trepidation when you start a book by new author. But I was persuaded by my fellow readers and good reviews. I was not disappointed.
As historical romance goes this book was typical in a sense that everything was regulated, rigid and formal between all the parties involved. The beginning took me aback by its gruesome details and it set the tone of the book for me - this will not be your run of the mill story with stereotyped characters and cliche ending. I quite enjoyed myself for the most part. Some things I didn't like were too much of day-to-day drudge depictions (I could have done with less), only one POV that of David which was hard to like sometimes due to his stick-in-the-mud attitude and it needed more Murdo/David interactions - there were but a handful of them and not enough in my opinion but then it might have been done specifically as to not get the MCs too close and in love which was not even on the radar for David. I think David was slightly smitten in the end while Murdo exhibited emotions of a man that was close to being obsessed if not almost in love (jealousy, protectiveness, concern for well being). These two men are as different as night and day and their characters are very complex. David comes off as prickly and prudish and Murdo as a complete a$$wipe in the beginning. But in the course of the book new personality traits are revealed, the things that led them to where they are now. There is more to Murdo than just an aristocrat and a cynic and there is more to David"s prickly attitude.
Those two together are explosive and beautiful and sometimes even all kinds of ugly to the point where you can feel their emotions bleeding onto the pages of the book. So much left unsaid, so much left to wonder and guess but there is no doubt that these men will meet again and the fire between them that the time could not douse will ignite even hotter and higher than before. I will recommend this book. It made me think, the characters are diverse and the conflict in the end is that of bravery and sacrifice for friendship and loyalty that is hard to come by. I will definitely read more!
As historical romance goes this book was typical in a sense that everything was regulated, rigid and formal between all the parties involved. The beginning took me aback by its gruesome details and it set the tone of the book for me - this will not be your run of the mill story with stereotyped characters and cliche ending. I quite enjoyed myself for the most part. Some things I didn't like were too much of day-to-day drudge depictions (I could have done with less), only one POV that of David which was hard to like sometimes due to his stick-in-the-mud attitude and it needed more Murdo/David interactions - there were but a handful of them and not enough in my opinion but then it might have been done specifically as to not get the MCs too close and in love which was not even on the radar for David. I think David was slightly smitten in the end while Murdo exhibited emotions of a man that was close to being obsessed if not almost in love (jealousy, protectiveness, concern for well being). These two men are as different as night and day and their characters are very complex. David comes off as prickly and prudish and Murdo as a complete a$$wipe in the beginning. But in the course of the book new personality traits are revealed, the things that led them to where they are now. There is more to Murdo than just an aristocrat and a cynic and there is more to David"s prickly attitude.
Those two together are explosive and beautiful and sometimes even all kinds of ugly to the point where you can feel their emotions bleeding onto the pages of the book. So much left unsaid, so much left to wonder and guess but there is no doubt that these men will meet again and the fire between them that the time could not douse will ignite even hotter and higher than before. I will recommend this book. It made me think, the characters are diverse and the conflict in the end is that of bravery and sacrifice for friendship and loyalty that is hard to come by. I will definitely read more!
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