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Danvers Family (Chronological order) #4
It Takes a Hero
Rebecca will have to take a page from her own book to keep the dashing Rafe Danvers from spoiling her success. But how does one play hard-to-get with a man one cannot resist? Rebecca Tate never intended to cause a revolution with her notoriously popular Miss Darby novels, merely to earn enough to support herself and her ailing uncle. But now it seems every eligible debutante in London is emulating her spunky heroine and refusing to marry...ever! Still, Rebecca's enjoying her newfound success as Miss Darby's anonymous creator, and she's not about to let anyone interfere—not even the rakishly appealing Raphael Danvers. Having survived the perils of war and espionage, Rafe is less than thrilled by a disgruntled society matron's wish that he unmask the unknown author and halt the scandalous scribblings. The assignment becomes more attractive, however, when the trail leads to the enticing Miss Tate. Suddenly the dashing adventurer can't get enough of the charming troublemaker—and her resorting to some rather Darbyesque trickery to distract him serves only to intensify his desire. But will a rogue's determined pursuit result in a happy romantic ending . . . or lead them both into a dangerous intrigue?
367 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 30, 2004
About the author
Elizabeth Boyle
97 books2,087 followersElizabeth Boyle is the New York Times bestselling author of 28 historical romance novels and several novellas. Her most recent novel, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, is a mix of women's fiction and historical fiction, with a bit of magic thrown in. This story of friendship and empowerment has garnered rave reviews. Her next book in the series, WE THREE KINGS will arrive in the Fall of 2027.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 9, 2014
Let me start with a warning. This book is not a realistic historical romance, more of a romantic comedy set in past idealized times. The writing was still not perfect and neither was the editing job. One character's name kept changing from Throckmorten to Throckmorton, and that's just one example among others.
This story is very loosely inspired by the Moonstone of Wilkie Collins, which I had just started to read for the second time a few days ago. At a moment when I was reading the previous book in this series, and decided to follow through, not knowing there might be some similarities. Indeed a cursed gem stolen from an Indian temple followed by violent death everywhere it went and worth thousands or millions of today. The similarities stopped there and this book was indeed not a plagiarism of Collins', one part of the plot was just very loosely inspired by the other.
It was indeed more of a comedy than the previous despite the horrific death of some characters. It started early on with the hero, an impoverished third son, rake of the first order, compelled by pecuniary constraints to take over a mission of finding the author of romantic novels, whose reading created turmoils in the debutantes' rank. His encounters with the spinster writer all made me smile. It took a while for the darker part of the plot to appear and even there it was managed extremely lightly.
I deeply enjoyed reading this book, which made me smile all through it. That's the only one of this author that I intend on keeping and reading again someday.
But I'll definitely be very open-minded to other books from this author.
This story is very loosely inspired by the Moonstone of Wilkie Collins, which I had just started to read for the second time a few days ago. At a moment when I was reading the previous book in this series, and decided to follow through, not knowing there might be some similarities. Indeed a cursed gem stolen from an Indian temple followed by violent death everywhere it went and worth thousands or millions of today. The similarities stopped there and this book was indeed not a plagiarism of Collins', one part of the plot was just very loosely inspired by the other.
It was indeed more of a comedy than the previous despite the horrific death of some characters. It started early on with the hero, an impoverished third son, rake of the first order, compelled by pecuniary constraints to take over a mission of finding the author of romantic novels, whose reading created turmoils in the debutantes' rank. His encounters with the spinster writer all made me smile. It took a while for the darker part of the plot to appear and even there it was managed extremely lightly.
I deeply enjoyed reading this book, which made me smile all through it. That's the only one of this author that I intend on keeping and reading again someday.
But I'll definitely be very open-minded to other books from this author.
Did Not Finish
May 2, 2018I read half the book, but it was such an effort that I decided to not finish it. I liked the premise with the girls rebelling against the institution of marriage because of adventure books. But the execution... I could not like the writing and felt that there were a lot of inconsistencies.
September 12, 2012
This book made me laugh. Liked the premise (lady writer who has all of the Ton's daughters convinced they will never marry due to the death of her fictional hero and upset Mama's send Rafe after her in order to make HER STOP WRITING THOSE BOOKS SO MY DAUGHTER CAN MARRY)and all the characters were great -especially the mad Uncle and sixteen year old orphan who eats everything in sight. Would rec for those who want to laugh while reading.
September 14, 2012
I love a book with a strong heroine, such as Rebecca in this story, but I almost felt, at times, that she was outshining the hero. I enjoy reading Elizabeth Boyle's novels, but I wasn't as impressed with this one as I am others. There were times I was a bit bored with the story and felt it was somewhat choppy in places :(
May 26, 2013
I took off a full star for rebecca saying take me, please take me! seriously? that was the stupidest thing. and it wasn't said in irony, which I could have accepted, but in full seriousness. gak.
July 28, 2024
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle, book four of the Danvers Family series
.
Cover (stepback): 5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, mentioned scenes not on page)
Ending: HEA with Epilogue
.
Stand Alone or Series: Could be read as a stand alone. Character cross over.
.
England, Regency (1817)
Infamous Rogish Gentleman
Secret Author Lady
Adversary to Lovers
Close Proximity
Meddling Friends
English/Spanish Hero
English Countryside
Missing Treasure
Mystery Plot
Former Military Hero
Danger and Peril
.
This book does take on some darker and traumatic themes, some occurring on the page. While there are brushes of comedic dialog here and there, the overall tone of the book is heavier. While not as perhaps outlandish with darkness as, say, the Maiden Lane series by Hoyt, Boyle does dive right into some pretty twisted themes here.
What a wild ride this novel is! While this book takes on another darker storyline, Hoyt manages to insert a great deal of lighthearted comedy throughout. Because of this, "It Takes a Hero" feels much lighter than the other books of this series while still taking on some seriously messed up plot points.
Rebecca and Rafe always seem to be at odds with each other. More than anything, they know how to push each other's buttons and get under each other's skin with ease. Neither of them wishes to have feelings, romantic and/or sexual, for each other let alone become emotionally close with one another.
There is a push and pull throughout the book, but it never feels exasperating. "The issue" is never pushed so much that you just want to throw up your hands. In the end, Rafe and Rebecca truly complete and complement each other well.
While this book, like the others in this series, is mystery plot-heavy, the romantic plotline never takes a second stage. Due to Rebecca and Rafe's forced proximity, the book allows for a great deal of page time with the two together working through the mystery and their feelings for each other.
As for steam, Boyle uses alluded-to terms, such as manhood, her core, between her thighs, etc. I would describe the scenes in this book as being more on the sweet and tender side. Her scenes are passionate and descriptive. Readers will need to hold out for a large portion of the book for true steam to arrive.
.
Read as a physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th- family members and friends
Details of grizzly mu*der- on and off page
Danger and Peril
Mentions of warfare and war injuries
Decling and untreated mental health issues
Physical vi*lence
G*n vi*lence
Colonialism
Derogatory term for Romani
De*th Threats
Mu*der
Illegal removal of artifacts from home country
Sword vi*lence
Threat of de*th
.
Cover (stepback): 5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, mentioned scenes not on page)
Ending: HEA with Epilogue
.
Stand Alone or Series: Could be read as a stand alone. Character cross over.
.
England, Regency (1817)
Infamous Rogish Gentleman
Secret Author Lady
Adversary to Lovers
Close Proximity
Meddling Friends
English/Spanish Hero
English Countryside
Missing Treasure
Mystery Plot
Former Military Hero
Danger and Peril
.
This book does take on some darker and traumatic themes, some occurring on the page. While there are brushes of comedic dialog here and there, the overall tone of the book is heavier. While not as perhaps outlandish with darkness as, say, the Maiden Lane series by Hoyt, Boyle does dive right into some pretty twisted themes here.
What a wild ride this novel is! While this book takes on another darker storyline, Hoyt manages to insert a great deal of lighthearted comedy throughout. Because of this, "It Takes a Hero" feels much lighter than the other books of this series while still taking on some seriously messed up plot points.
Rebecca and Rafe always seem to be at odds with each other. More than anything, they know how to push each other's buttons and get under each other's skin with ease. Neither of them wishes to have feelings, romantic and/or sexual, for each other let alone become emotionally close with one another.
There is a push and pull throughout the book, but it never feels exasperating. "The issue" is never pushed so much that you just want to throw up your hands. In the end, Rafe and Rebecca truly complete and complement each other well.
While this book, like the others in this series, is mystery plot-heavy, the romantic plotline never takes a second stage. Due to Rebecca and Rafe's forced proximity, the book allows for a great deal of page time with the two together working through the mystery and their feelings for each other.
As for steam, Boyle uses alluded-to terms, such as manhood, her core, between her thighs, etc. I would describe the scenes in this book as being more on the sweet and tender side. Her scenes are passionate and descriptive. Readers will need to hold out for a large portion of the book for true steam to arrive.
.
Read as a physical copy.
Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (may contain spoilers):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th- family members and friends
Details of grizzly mu*der- on and off page
Danger and Peril
Mentions of warfare and war injuries
Decling and untreated mental health issues
Physical vi*lence
G*n vi*lence
Colonialism
Derogatory term for Romani
De*th Threats
Mu*der
Illegal removal of artifacts from home country
Sword vi*lence
Threat of de*th
June 21, 2026
1817 should have been an exciting Season, with Napoleon finally defeated, but a popular fiction series seems to be encouraging young misses to forgo to the marriage mart. A desperate mother implores Rafe Danvers to find the author of these books and convince them to stop writing. She can't pay his fees, but she offers him the deed to a country estate instead. When Rafe arrives in the country, he's led on a wild goose chase to determine the mysterious author of the Miss Darby series. Miss Rebecca Tate has been penning the Miss Darby novels to provide extra income while searching for her brother's killer and caring for her unwell uncle who perhaps likes cannons a little too much for his own good.
This closing book for the Danvers series is as fun as the rest of them have been. Of course, we have another hidden identity, with Rebecca hiding behind her pen name, which adds to the fun. I love that the attraction between our pair is never in question, even if Rafe is a little shocked to find himself falling for a spinster and Rebecca would rather not fall for someone like Rafe. Like the rest of this series, it's a balance between romance and strong plot. Because the war is over and Rafe is the youngest Danvers, it's lighter on the spying, but we do have a hero who is trying to make a living.
This closing book for the Danvers series is as fun as the rest of them have been. Of course, we have another hidden identity, with Rebecca hiding behind her pen name, which adds to the fun. I love that the attraction between our pair is never in question, even if Rafe is a little shocked to find himself falling for a spinster and Rebecca would rather not fall for someone like Rafe. Like the rest of this series, it's a balance between romance and strong plot. Because the war is over and Rafe is the youngest Danvers, it's lighter on the spying, but we do have a hero who is trying to make a living.
June 3, 2024
Quite enjoyable if you don't take it too seriously
April 12, 2016
Not my favorite of the genre, this bodice-ripper is trying to do too much: romance, mystery, suspense. I liked the romance quite a bit, though parts of it felt as overwrought as the heroine's novels. But there were too many side characters introduced too quickly for the whodunnit to be as mysterious as it wants to be, and the suspense was brief and not very suspenseful. Sloppy editing (ring a peal, not ring a peel) added to the problems. Meh.
October 22, 2018
I did enjoy this although at time the heroine's dialog sounded like something from her own novels. The characters are fully developed, despite that dialog bit and the story line moves along adequately. The ending though felt a bit like a... "situation" dump with a lot of different things happening besides the romance between Rafe and Bex and the search for the murderer and the search for the ruby. I much enjoyed the Colonel's craziness.
March 14, 2020
Rafe Danver has a mission to find M Briggs who is the author of Miss Darby's adventures and stop her from publishing any more stories. Miss Rebecca Tate is not about to help him. She wants to confuse and mislead him so that he leaves Bramley Hollow. The town matchmaker may or may not have a hand in the results.
All Rafe wants to do is finish his mission and collect his reward, Beetlesfield Park.
All Rafe wants to do is finish his mission and collect his reward, Beetlesfield Park.
October 1, 2024
Elizabeth Boyle never fails to create a good story in this series. I have enjoyed all the installments - well 1,2 and 4 - (I have yet to read # 3).
If you enjoyed the other books, then I am sure you will like this one too. It is much along the same lines as the others with great characters, mysteries to be solved, murder and danger. The Danvers men are just fabulous and their partners are an excellent match.
An enjoyable romp all round.
If you enjoyed the other books, then I am sure you will like this one too. It is much along the same lines as the others with great characters, mysteries to be solved, murder and danger. The Danvers men are just fabulous and their partners are an excellent match.
An enjoyable romp all round.
April 28, 2026
I just had to read this: a story about a smart and creative storyteller who writes adventurous romance novels, written by a smart and creative storyteller who writes adventurous romance novels.
I think one excerpt captures Boyle's writing: "There isn't a man in England who doesn't think he can't do anything he sets his mind to ... And every woman in England knows he'll succeed with her help." -- Boyle's heroines always get some adventure in, but they also get the hero to step up.
I think one excerpt captures Boyle's writing: "There isn't a man in England who doesn't think he can't do anything he sets his mind to ... And every woman in England knows he'll succeed with her help." -- Boyle's heroines always get some adventure in, but they also get the hero to step up.
January 13, 2024
This wasn’t my favorite of the Danvers series. I had trouble getting into the story as the chemistry between Rafe and Rebecca didn’t draw me into the story. You’ll have to tough out the first two-thirds of this book before the story really picks up.
February 13, 2020
Standard romance. Some mystery, but not much. Read the ebook and there are alot of editing problems....
January 8, 2021
2.5 stars.
March 14, 2021
The best part of this book is there is several happy endings .
August 15, 2022
Pure fun, and loved the narration by Susan Duerden. 4.5.
June 15, 2023
I enjoyed this book
October 18, 2024
This was just ok for me.
January 24, 2026
Nice ending
September 24, 2024
a great finish to a wonderful series!
March 11, 2024
3.5 stars series complete
March 1, 2016
This book was a lot of fun. Our heroine writes borderline scandalous novels for ladies, and in her most recent novel, her heroine's love interest is tragically killed and so the subject of the book declares she will never marry. All of the young ladies of the ton, who follow these books almost religiously, make the same vow never to marry, which of course upsets their mothers. One of those mothers hires our hero, who works as sort of a private investigator, to find the author of these books and convince them to stop writing. I really liked a lot of the characters in this story, and the plot was pretty funny - the only thing that really threw me off was the fact that I think I've missed out by not reading any of the previous books in the Danvers series, because people kept alluding back to the hero's brothers, etc. Also, the sex scenes are REALLY bad, just to forewarn you. "Take me, Rafe! Take me!" I'm not even kidding.
April 7, 2008
I laughed hard and repeatedly -- especially the first half. The story features an anonymous author of romance novels, one of the stories which has the unintended effect of having the debutantes on the marriage market vow not to get married, leading society matrons to hire the hero to track down the author and convince her to stop writing. Already checked out more of her books from the library.
December 19, 2011
It's a fun story, but I didn't like Rebecca that much. I thought she was a bit too stubborn, living in denial. I've read several books from Elisabeth Boyle, this isn't one of my favorites but I do recommend the other ones!
August 8, 2014
I haven't read anything from the Danver's but I got curious over Ms. Darby so I started reading this one. It was good, not exactly my favorite since Ms. Tate can be quite bossy but it was overall refreshing.
January 17, 2016
I liked this cast of characters. Of course she was the author!!! I did like how she spun the "hero" of her story to be a cad. That was a great way for Bex to continue to be a writer. I will probably read the other books with his brothers in them.
March 3, 2010
Very enjoyable story. Good characterization and plot development.
September 26, 2011
I could not get into this book, which is weird because I really like Boyle's other works. Made it to page 60 in ebook, then quit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews