When a Rogue Meets His Match (Greycourt, #2) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Jan 29, 2019 Sara Reads (mostly) LOTS of Romance rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

EDIT Jan 7 2021: I would rate this 2.5 stars and here's why:
(this part of the review will not have super intense reactions, just some things I liked and things I didn't).

What I liked:

The Characters: Messalina and Gideon have great personalities and they are super likable. I liked some of the side characters that were introduced, especially her siblings who have personalities.

The Premise: I really liked the plot and the way it all started. I love when the hero is assigned to do something dang ...more

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Dec 12, 2018 Lubnaa (Romance Library) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance, own, chemistry, arc, beautiful-cover-stepback, married-couples, anti-hero, 2020, enemies-to-lovers, unrequited-love

4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's official: Elizabeth Hoyt cured my terrible historical romance slump. Was this book perfect? No, but the romance was my EVERYTHING 😍

When a Rogue Meets His Match is the second book in the Greycourt series, but it can be read as a standalone. The series follows two families who were torn apart by a tragedy. The mystery surrounding that tragedy is an overarching arc that will continue to unfold throug 4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's official: Elizabeth Hoyt cured my terrible historical romance slump. Was this book perfect? No, but the romance was my EVERYTHING 😍

When a Rogue Meets His Match is the second book in the Greycourt series, but it can be read as a standalone. The series follows two families who were torn apart by a tragedy. The mystery surrounding that tragedy is an overarching arc that will continue to unfold throughout the series. The romance in this book easily gets 5 stars from me. This book's only weakness is the rushed climax and ending, which left a couple of small loose ends dangling. But I am rounding up my rating to 5 stars because 1) the romance was *chef's kiss* and 2) this is the first historical romance in a really long time that actually held my attention.

Gideon Hawthorne has spent 10 years doing the Duke of Windemere's dirty work, but he is now financially secure enough to leave the awful Duke's employ. But when the Duke offers him his niece's hand in marriage in exchange for one last job, Gideon can't resist the bargain because he has wanted Messalina Greycourt for forever. Messalina hates her uncle and his henchman, Gideon, but she has no choice but to agree to this arranged marriage, lest her uncle force her younger sister to take her place. But what Gideon doesn't know is that Messalina is secretly plotting to escape him once she gains access to some of her dowry money.

Gideon has wanted Messalina for the longest time, but he never had a chance with an aristocratic lady. Messalina has always hated Gideon by default because he works for her odious uncle. Gideon has done morally questionable things and he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Messalina as his wife. This is a steamy and romantic enemies to lovers and arranged marriage/marriage of convenience romance, mixed with some incredibly delicious pining from the hero. The chemistry between Messalina and Gideon is 🥵🔥 The build up of intimacy and sexual tension is delicious perfection 🥵🔥 Gideon is an anti-hero through and through, but he falls HARD for Messalina. It slowly, but surely, takes Messalina a while to fall in love with Gideon. As for Gideon, it takes this scary but adorable fool forever to realize that he's been in love with Messalina this entire time. Some of the things he said to Messalina made me swooooon omg. I don't think Gideon realizes how romantic he actually is lol.

I was completely enthralled with Gideon and Messalina's romance and they kept me up late into the night because I could not stop reading. Elizabeth Hoyt has managed to capture everything that I love in a dark and steamy historical romance novel. The plot is also interesting, especially with the roles the supporting characters played. The plot was great up until the climax and ending, which were too rushed. There was one thing that kind of came out of nowhere, but now that I have thought about it, I guess I can kind of see where it came from. But I still think the motivation behind it is a bit weak. So there are definitely some loose ends here, nothing that impacts the story in a major way, but they just weren't wrapped up properly. I think this book needed an extra chapter or maybe an extended epilogue. That's pretty much my only complaint.

A note about the Greycourt series:
I don't think this series is as dark as the Maiden Lane series...at least, so far. I think the author did a better job setting up the cast of characters here, than in the previous book. I can sort of see where Elizabeth Hoyt is heading with this series and I am excited to see how it unfolds!! ...more

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Nov 29, 2020 WhiskeyintheJar rated it liked it

Shelves: series, historical, 1700s

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

But that was the point: Messalina was his weakness. There was no way he could've let her go.

Second in the Greycourt series, this picks up where the first (Not the Duke's Darling) ended, Gideon Hawthorne spirits Messalina Greycourt to London on her uncle's orders. Gideon has been the Duke of Windemere's factotum for the last ten years and is rumored to do al I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

But that was the point: Messalina was his weakness. There was no way he could've let her go.

Second in the Greycourt series, this picks up where the first (Not the Duke's Darling) ended, Gideon Hawthorne spirits Messalina Greycourt to London on her uncle's orders. Gideon has been the Duke of Windemere's factotum for the last ten years and is rumored to do all sort of shady deeds for him. Messalina fears him and does her best to stay away from her uncle and Gideon. When she learns that she is to marry Gideon, her plans for running away from her uncle and taking her sister Lucretia to America rush to the forefront. With more threats to Lucretia, Messalina ends up marrying Gideon and we have a forced marriage of convenience, enemies-to-lovers, and some unrequited love.

An aristocrat such as she would never give her heart to a baseborn blackguard such as he.

The first book in the series introduced us to the feud between the Greycourts and de Morays; Messalina's sister Aurelia is thought to have been killed by Ran de Moray. This shattered their group of friends and has set-up underlining secrets and mysteries for the series. While I do think it could be possible to start the series here, you'd miss specifics about characters and emotions, you wouldn't get the full understanding and feel for some characters' thoughts and actions. The other big storyline from the first was an ancient society called the Wise Women, no worries there as it's barely discussed and only to say it has disbanded. While the first was too busy with numerous storythreads and plots, this slows down and focused on Messalina and Gideon.

His voice when he replied was husky. “Perhaps I do it for you.”

Focusing on Messalina and Gideon would have worked for me as Gideon's wrong side of the tracks unrequited love for the rich girl could have provided some great angst and tension but for as much as I wanted these two to spark and burn, they more often than not, fell flat. I would have loved a prologue showing a younger Gideon pining for Messalina, showing us why he grew to love her and provide some burning emotion. Messalina, for her part, seems to have always shunned Gideon, so we don't get her really seeing him until they are married. There's some rich girl naivety that Gideon calls out as he is from St. Giles, but there was too much back and forth from Messalina and that caused more of a dragged out feeling than slow burning. Messalina makes the deal that they won't consummate the marriage for one month and the day after, Gideon will give her some of her dowry, which then Messalina plans on using to escape with Lucretia to America. Messalina's plans never truly form, as she's fairly wishy-washy but there is some foreboding tension from the last task Messalina's uncle wants Gideon to complete and why he offered Messalina in marriage to Gideon. The Angst Big Misunderstanding comes and it felt forced in a way that had Messalina looking like she was overreacting and more so to just add some angst.

Then Messalina looked at him with dancing gray eyes, her mouth pursed sweetly to keep from laughing.
She was worth all the trouble in the world.

Overall, I did think this was better than the first that had way too much going on in it. This focuses more on the couple but while there is alluding to storylines dealing with Messalina's siblings for future books, I'm going to flip and say there wasn't enough going on in this one. Messalina and Gideon didn't give me enough for them to carry the book. I never felt why Gideon loved Messalina, besides loving that she smelled like bergamot which was repeated over and over, when Gideon was trying to bond with Messalina she thought he was playing her and when Messalina pushed Gideon to tell the truth about the task her uncle gave him, she punished him for actually telling her. I do think the underlining threads and plot for the overall series, was cleaned up and feels more on track; Aurelia's death that separated the Greycourts and de Morays is obviously going to tie the characters and series together. Messalina and Gideon were adequate but missing that usual Hoyt deliciousness. ...more

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Dec 05, 2020 ♥Rachel♥ rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, audio-book, 2020-audio-book-challenge, historical

4.5 Stars

Gideon’s comes off as an uncaring rogue at first, but as the story reveals he’s anything but. His past broke my heart! He’s longed for Messilina, watching her from afar, wanting her out of the clutches of her villainous uncle. He’s a horrid man! Don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, unfortunately.
Gideon takes on a Devil’s bargain to marry her.

I do love the forced marriage troupe. Messilina and Gideon are enemies-to-lovers because of it, well on Messilina’s side, anyhow, but oh! When ...more

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Nov 23, 2020 Maureen Carden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hot, romance, historical, set-in-england, family

Elizabeth Hoyt joins a short list of sister authors who write smart historical romances. Some authors write super steamy, some super romantic romance. The really smart HR authors add great plots and fascinating characters to their books. When a Rogue Meets His Match, the second book in the Greycourt series is no exception. As an additional treat, Hoyt sets her books seventy to fifty years before the Regency period, in the Georgian years.
The characters delight, starting with an evil uncle, the Du Elizabeth Hoyt joins a short list of sister authors who write smart historical romances. Some authors write super steamy, some super romantic romance. The really smart HR authors add great plots and fascinating characters to their books. When a Rogue Meets His Match, the second book in the Greycourt series is no exception. As an additional treat, Hoyt sets her books seventy to fifty years before the Regency period, in the Georgian years.
The characters delight, starting with an evil uncle, the Duke of Windemere. Gideon Hawthorne is his man raised from the gutters who does all of the Dukes dirty work and will do anything to have the niece. Messalina Greycourt is Windemere’s niece who thinks she will do anything to gain her freedom and safety for her beautiful sister. Oohh that sounds like a match made in heaven. They all, separately agree to dark deals, not really knowing the motivation or cost of each one’s deal. Except for Windemere the puppet master and even he can be surprised.
There is also a beautiful, bright sister, Lucretia, and a pair of- so far- worthless brothers, Quintus and Julian. Freya, the Duchess of Harcourt returns from the first book of the Greycourt series.
In class obsessed England, it was almost impossible for people to change their circumstances; but possibly easier in Georgian England than in nineteenth century England. Gideon is determined to leave his beginnings in the filthy slum of St. Giles far behind and he plans on using Messalina to achieve those ends. He wants full entry into the aristocracy in order to pursue his business interests.
Gideon and Messalina make a startling discovery about themselves. Each one of them is far stronger, far more resilient than they, or anyone else imagined. How they came to this realization is the bones for this very good book.
I’m a big fan of the old-fashioned morality stories. We know who to hiss, who to applaud, and who to swoon over. We don’t know always know all the villains, but we might suspect. Hoyt’s great talent in story-telling becomes obvious in making the enemies to lovers theme become imaginative and fresh in When a Rogue Meets His Match
Messalina is spirited and intriguing, but Hoyt is supreme with her troubled heroes. Gideon joins a list of Hoyt’s best, such as river pirate “Charming” Mickey O’Conner, Valentine Napier, Duke of Montgomery and Winter Makepeace. These characters, with their darkness and doubts would eagerly welcome Gideon.
When a Rogue Meets His Match is the second Greycourt. The first book, laying out the mystery of who is responsible Aurelia Greycourt’s death, is barely mentioned in this book. Aurelia was the middle Greycourt sister. So this can easily be read a standalone.
My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 09, 2020 Elise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pink, favorite-author, raven-haired-heroine, i-ve-loved-you-so-long, angst, favorite-male-character, to-review, 5-stars, beauty-and-the-beast, 2020

12/1/2020 : I READ IT TOO FAST :((( Review to come

Edit 10/6/2020 : I just read another excerpt... and it keeps getting BETTER and BETTER.

After reading the first two scenes released in Elizabeth Hoyt's newsletter, I say to her:

description

...more

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Winterbeats Ambitious, sly, and lethally intelligent, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the gutter. For the last ten years, he's acted a ...more
May 10, 2020 11:07PM

Elise Hi! Thank you so much! The plot sounds promising.
Maybe she did do a rewrite because usually they are out consistently.
Lol yeah the title is kind of ...more
May 29, 2020 09:20AM

Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover Yay glad you liked it! I’m starting this soon
Jan 11, 2021 11:33AM

Nov 26, 2020 Barbara Rogers rated it liked it

Shelves: xx-2020-read, netgalley

Series: Greycourt #2
Publication Date: 12/1/20
Number of Pages: 496
*** Maybe 3.5 Stars ***

The first book in this series, Not The Duke’s Darling, was published in December of 2018. That means this book has been a long time coming! I have read and devoured all of this author’s other works – especially the Maiden Lane series – so I always look forward to anything new she’s written. I’m sad to say this book (series) just doesn’t ‘feel’ like an Elizabeth Hoyt book to me – you might feel differently. It Series: Greycourt #2
Publication Date: 12/1/20
Number of Pages: 496
*** Maybe 3.5 Stars ***

The first book in this series, Not The Duke’s Darling, was published in December of 2018. That means this book has been a long time coming! I have read and devoured all of this author’s other works – especially the Maiden Lane series – so I always look forward to anything new she’s written. I’m sad to say this book (series) just doesn’t ‘feel’ like an Elizabeth Hoyt book to me – you might feel differently. It left me with more questions than answers. I adore continuation type series – where each book solves a small part of an overarching mystery or problem, etc. But, in this one – I still don’t know what the mystery is nor do I have any idea what part, if any, was solved here.

The first book made a big deal about the heroine being part of a group called the Wise Women and I was thinking – Cool – I like it. Then, it just sort of disappeared and I never did understand it. The Wise Women are mentioned again in this book, but – again – it didn’t really play any significant role. What is the deal?

Years ago, there was the Greycourt Tragedy. I’m not sure of the details of what happened (I told you I had more questions than answers), but it tore two families apart, well, actually three families, I guess. Anyway, a Greycourt sister ended up dead and a de Moray brother lost a hand, etc. This book didn’t further any understanding of that situation either – but it talked about it a lot. I’m assuming that maybe we’ll learn more in the other Greycourt sibling’s books.

Gideon Hawthorne was born in St. Giles to a light skirt mother and an unknown father. He knew more hunger and cold than anything else. Survival was hard – nearly impossible – but Gideon managed. He learned to knife fight and became the best at it – yes, it was a sport. He was ruthless and determined never to lose – and he was also determined to work his way out of St. Giles no matter what it took. So, at seventeen (or so), when the Duke of Windmere, Augustus Greycourt, offered him a job, he jumped at it. He didn’t care what he had to do as long as it meant getting out of St. Giles. He now has enough wherewithal to leave the duke’s employment – but, the Duke makes him an offer he can’t refuse for doing just one last task. Gideon has long admired Messalina Greycourt and the Duke offers Gideon her hand in marriage. Gideon doesn’t know what task will be asked of him, but for Messalina, he’ll perform it.

Messalina Greycourt has had a tragic life and living under the thumb of her very, very evil uncle makes that life even more tragic. When Messalina is brought to her uncle’s home, she is told she will be marrying Gideon Hawthorne – a man she dislikes immensely. She refuses, but her uncle makes threats against Messalina’s sister, Lucretia, – and Gideon offers her a compromise, so she agrees.

The only Greycourt I even remotely liked was Lucretia. I did not like the brothers Julius and Quintus – and Messalina made me want to spank her. Maybe their problem is the gosh-awful set of names with which they were saddled. I fully expected to dislike Gideon – I mean he basically marries a woman who wants no part of him – she’s forced into it – and he’s been the Duke’s Fixer for a great many years, so he hasn’t been a nice man. But – I didn’t dislike him at all – in fact, I liked him very well. It was Messalina I disliked. I actually understand her plotting to leave Gideon once she got her money. But then, she started to warm up to him and I’m thinking – this could be good – and then she went off the deep end again. She made me insane. When she asked him to be honest with her – and he was – she either didn’t pay any attention to the part where he said he was NOT going to do what the Duke asked – or she ignored it. Her reaction was so very implausible, childish, and over-the-top. I was tempted to stop reading right there.

The story was basically a good one, but there is just so much going on – plots, sub-plots, plots-within-plots so it was a pretty hard task to keep up with it all as well as the romance too. It just left me feeling a little unsatisfied – with too many unanswered questions. Anyway, I guess the bottom line is – it was a good enough read, but I wouldn’t read it a second time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
...more

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Feb 27, 2019 ρυηүα [Punya Reviews...] marked it as to-read

Shelves: elizabeth-hoyt, damn-i-want-this-now, wishlist

Messalina must have one of the most unfortunate heroine names that I've come across (Messy, anyone?? *facepalm*) but damn gurl, I luv ya! :-* ...more

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Nov 13, 2020 GigiReads rated it really liked it

Shelves: class-differences, assassins-criminal-underworld, fighter-hero, alphas, marriage-of-convenience, grumpy-heroes, bearded-hotties, from-villain-to-hero, bad-boys, bookish-characters

This is the second book in the Greycourt series. It was a marriage of convenience-opposites attract-enemies to lovers with a dash of Beauty and the Beast and it was an absolute delight. I devoured it in one long plane ride.

Gideon Hawthorne is a hitman for the Duke of Windermere. Assassin heroes are my catnip because they are a cornucopia of emotional issues and Gideon didn't disappoint. Gideon wants to free himself from the old evil duke's clutches. For reasons I didn't quite understand the Duk This is the second book in the Greycourt series. It was a marriage of convenience-opposites attract-enemies to lovers with a dash of Beauty and the Beast and it was an absolute delight. I devoured it in one long plane ride.

Gideon Hawthorne is a hitman for the Duke of Windermere. Assassin heroes are my catnip because they are a cornucopia of emotional issues and Gideon didn't disappoint. Gideon wants to free himself from the old evil duke's clutches. For reasons I didn't quite understand the Duke will give Gideon the object of his unrequited love, his niece Messalina Gerycourt, and his freedom if Gideon will perform one last task.

Messalina has her pick of suitors but she accepts the marriage mostly because she sees Gideon as her means to escape her uncle's evil clutches. They both see each other as a means to an end. Gideon tells himself he needs his beautiful bride to open doors to the rarefied world of the aristocracy and Messalina needs Gideon so she can get her hands on her dowry and run away with her sister. Of course, they are both horny for each other from the word go and their relationship development is where the book shines. I was shown and not told about both of them getting to know one another, fighting their sexual attraction, and peeling the layers back.

Gideon is my favorite kind of hero: dark and deliciously emotionally stunted. His character arc is my favorite thing about this book. Hoyt is also a master at building sexual tension and this book is chock full of it, the sex scenes are steamy, the love story is solid and the angst was to die for. But, I did find Messalina a tad boring after the very promising opening chapter, and also since I didn't read the first book I felt like I was walking in the middle of their story. I felt mostly lost and struggled with the plot for the entirety of the book and I found the huge cast of characters super confusing. I also wished that one certain characteristic about Gideon's career choice had been a little clearer but maybe it will be in the published copy. That being said, I really enjoyed the love story even if the rest of the overarching plot was hazy and the heroine was kind of meh.

4 1/2 stars. Highly Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy. ...more

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Dec 04, 2020 Barb in Maryland rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction

I was disappointed. The rating is rather generous, thanks to a timely appearance by the heroine's sister Lucretia.
When I finally get my thoughts on this sorted out I may write a real review.

I will mention that Messalina's insta-lust for Gideon had me rolling my eyes--a lot! She has just been forced to marry him; she wants nothing to do with him, but still manages to think he's hot.
:::gag me with a spoon:::

FYI, I thought the Kelly Bowen story that shares the volume was better than Hoyt's novel. I ...more

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Dec 04, 2020 Zoe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Engaging, seductive, and entertaining!

When a Rogue Meets His Match is set in London during the late eighteenth century and features the spirited, intelligent Messalina Greycourt who after reluctantly agreeing to wed the dangerous, yet roguishly handsome Gideon Hawthorne finds herself inadvertently falling for his hidden charms and tender nature.

The prose is witty and sharp. The characters are tough, feisty, and passionate. And the plot is a delightfully scandalous blend of familial drama, Georgi ...more

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Dec 21, 2020 book bruin rated it really liked it

Shelves: forever

What an enjoyable historical romance! I am always a fan of the grumpy hero who only shows his tender side to the heroine and Elizabeth Hoyt got it exactly right with Gideon Hawthorne. This is my first book by the author, but it certainly won't be my last. When a Rogue Meets His Match is book two in the Greycourt series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I didn't read book one prior to jumping in and though I was able to figure out what was going on easily, I think there would have been a lo ...more

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Dec 29, 2020 Nursebookie rated it it was amazing

This book had all the drama and romance I needed.

This is my first Elizabeth Hoyt book and I am hooked for the masterful writing in this historical romance genre.

Hoyt’s writing is truly immersive and includes important issues during 18th century which addresses gender roles and social issues through realistic characters you heart will be invested in.

Get ready to swoon in this lush and steamy love story.

I enjoyed this one!

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Nov 18, 2020 EmpK rated it liked it

I've been reading excerpts of this book via Hoyt's email newsletter, and when an ARC showed up, I snapped it up like a hog at feeding time.

So here's the good news about this book: it's MUCH better than the first one. The interplay between the characters is great-- you can feel the tension from page 1, as these two are in a real battle of goals and wits. The family members and other random characters add interest and depth to the story.

The plot boils down to this: Messalina wants to save her sis ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Julie - One Book More rated it it was amazing

When a Rogue Meets His Match has everything I love in a story – romance, mystery, suspense, dynamic characters, and a well-layered plot. Much like Not the Duke’s Darling, the first book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Greycourt series, this story gripped me from the first pages when Gideon and Messalina are pushed into an arranged marriage by Messalina’s dastardly uncle. Messalina determines not to fall for Gideon, one of her uncle’s most-feared henchmen and a man she loathes. Instead, she plans to obtain h When a Rogue Meets His Match has everything I love in a story – romance, mystery, suspense, dynamic characters, and a well-layered plot. Much like Not the Duke’s Darling, the first book in Elizabeth Hoyt’s Greycourt series, this story gripped me from the first pages when Gideon and Messalina are pushed into an arranged marriage by Messalina’s dastardly uncle. Messalina determines not to fall for Gideon, one of her uncle’s most-feared henchmen and a man she loathes. Instead, she plans to obtain her dowry money and flee with her younger sister. However, as she gets to know this enigmatic man, Messalina finds him harder and harder to resist. Gideon is a man who knows what he wants, and he wants Messalina. However, what will Gideon do when Messalina’s powerful uncle charges him with a task that is sure to ruin his future with Messalina?

Something that I like about the series how dynamically developed the characters are. The main characters, in particular, learn from their mistakes and are willing to change. They are not flat, stagnant characters, and when they realize that they have misjudged a person or situation, they are willing to admit it, even if it is sometimes a bit begrudgingly. Messalina and Gideon are prime examples of characters whose opinions change, especially in regards to each other.

The enemies-to-lovers romance between Messalina and Gideon is chemistry-laden swoon-tasticness! It’s pretty clear from the start that Gideon desires Messalina, but Messalina does not like Gideon at all! They’ve known each other for a long time, but as they commit to each other and truly get to know each other, their connection deepens beautifully. Gideon listens to Messalina, and for the first time, she feels heard by a man. Gideon is also overly generous with Messalina, in his time, money, and patience, which is the opposite of what one would expect of a man with his reputation. I love that Messalina brings out the best in Gideon and helps him to let his guard down. I also love that Gideon teaches Messalina what it really means to be admired and loved.

Several of the minor characters in the novel are absolutely charming as well, including Messalina’s younger sister, Messalina’s new pup, and several of the men who work for Gideon. I also loved that a few of the characters from Not the Duke’s Darling make an appearance in this book. Though they don’t have large roles, they give Messalina support and confidence when she most needs it.

I’m also intrigued by the event that happened at Greycourt many years before the series starts. It’s fascinating and devastating to see how that tragedy affected so many characters in so many different ways. I like how the overarching story about Greycourt is slowly unraveled throughout the series. It makes for a well-layered and compelling story.

When a Rogue Meets His Match is a great enemies-to-lovers romance that I very much enjoyed, and though it is the second book in the Greycourt series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Forever, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. ...more

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Oct 22, 2020 Sheena ☆ Oh, the Sheenanigans! rated it liked it

Shelves: arcs-ebook, historical, marriage-or-marriage-arrangement, romance, standalone, the-struggle-is-real, everlasting-friends, this-was-a-joke-right, slow-burn, skim-through

This was unsatisfying in every sense of the word.

Too many loose ends, the constant pull and tug, which I originally loved, between the characters was overused and annoying. This started off so strong and the slow burn romance had me swooning but there were too many unresolved issues/loose ends that ultimately affected my reading experience. From the would be ‘assassins’, the heroine’s dowry, Uncle Augustus Greycourt who is the Duke of Windemere true intentions, what happened whe ...more

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Dec 20, 2020 Aly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5

"Mr. Hawthorne wasn't a particularly big man. One didn't immediately think on first glance, Here's a fellow I should avoid at all costs if I value my life. It was the second look that did it."

Did Messalina Greycourt made a deal with the devil? And now he's her new husband! Well, it's not as if she really had a choice anyway. Her uncle, who's her guardian, gave her hands in marriage, in exchange for a favor that his henchman will only learn about after they're wedded.

Gideon Hawthorne was born ...more

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Nov 30, 2020 ChasingLeslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Messalina Greycourt is outraged when her odious uncle summons her and forces her to wed his henchman. She reluctantly agrees in order to keep her sister safe, but she has plans to get part of her dowry and escape. Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the slums. What he wants more than anything is marriage to the beautiful Messalina and entry into society in order to make business connections. The more time the pair spends together, the more Messalina begins to soften towar ...more

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Nov 13, 2020 Dania rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, trope-marriage-of-convenience, kindle-books, historical, 3-5-stars

ARC kindly provided by the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

*3.5 stars*

My first book from Hoyt and a pretty solid one at that.

Gideon and Mesalina get into an arranged marriage/ marriage of convenience and start to fall for each other although she initially intended to leave him and he, who works for her evil uncle, is tasked to murder one of her family members.

I liked Gideon but Mesalina lacked just a bit for me. I really liked he ...more

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Oct 22, 2020 Amy ~ Love At 1st Read rated it it was amazing

After I read the first of Elizabeth Hoyt’s Greycourt series, I was hooked. When a Rogue Meets His Match is an outstanding addition. It is filled with passion, mystery, betrayal, and humor. A heart thumping love story, intriguing plot, the smarmiest of villains, and incredible characters you love rooting for.
Gideon and Messalina were such wonderful characters. They needed each other to achieve their goals. They saw each other as a means to an end. But once they wed and got to know each other, th ...more

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Dec 03, 2020 Amanda rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was totally, extremely okay. I feel much the same way about this one as I felt about the first in the Graycourt series. Whelmed.

The hero, Gideon, is a bully for hire who works for a very unpleasant nobleman. He has coveted the heroine, the unpleasant nobleman's niece, for the last forever years. So when he is offered her hand in marriage for a "special" job, he jumps at it. With Messalina and her dowry, he thinks he can break into the aristocracy and make his fortune.
Messalina thinks This book was totally, extremely okay. I feel much the same way about this one as I felt about the first in the Graycourt series. Whelmed.

The hero, Gideon, is a bully for hire who works for a very unpleasant nobleman. He has coveted the heroine, the unpleasant nobleman's niece, for the last forever years. So when he is offered her hand in marriage for a "special" job, he jumps at it. With Messalina and her dowry, he thinks he can break into the aristocracy and make his fortune.
Messalina thinks this is all a complete crock of The Worst Idea Ever, but since her opinion is not solicited, she finds herself married. She has wrangled a month before the marriage is consummated, and she plans to take her younger sister and hit the road to the American Colonies. Thusly getting away from both her Gross Uncle and her Unwanted Husband.

SPOILERS AHOY!

And here is where, for me, the fit hits the shan, because:
Turns out that the job Uncle Unpleasant wants done is the murder of his heir, Messalina's oldest brother. So yeah, it is going to be a little awkward at family dinners.
And in about three days Messalina is starting to have warm feelings towards the man who forced her into wedlock. For no reason other than he is (of course) very good looking, she starts to think he has hidden depths (he doesn't).
It was just so unrealistic. And I KNOW that there is just so much in most romance novels that is unrealistic and ridiculous. I know that! I just could not suspend my disbelief for this one. One day Messalina hates her husband's guts, he gives her a puppy, and blammo, she thinks she loves him. I like puppies as much as the next person, but No.
Messalina finds out that Gideon is a big old liar who rushed her into bed when he realized her brothers could force an annulment. What she thought was True Love was actually I Have the Hots for You and Really Need Your Dowry.
After three attempts on his life, Gideon starts thinking someone might want him dead. He still hasn't murdered his brother-in-law. His wife hates his guts. So he mans up and has a long talk with her about everything that is happening. HA. As if. Instead, he buys her a library. Listen, I like books way more than the next person, and even a library would not have made me like him, because he was going along acting like a complete selfish schmuck. A little honest communication would have gone farther than a library.
In the end, the library and the puppy, and the fact that Gideon does NOT whack her brother, makes Messalina fall right back in love and it is all happy endings.
They find out who was trying to kill Gideon, but if you could not figure that out before they did, you were not trying very hard.
I like most of Hoyt's other books, but this one was just okay.

I do hope that in the next book we find out who killed the golden Aurelia. ...more

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Nov 19, 2020 Niki (mustreadalltheromance) rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-paperback, arc

3.5 stars

Born and raised in St. Giles, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life climbing out of the streets and into a better life. He’s ruthless and resourceful and has used his skills in the employment of the Duke of Windemere for the last ten years, taking care of risky problems without hesitation. But the duke is depraved, and Gideon is weary of the tasks he’s forced to complete. He’s eager to leave the duke’s employ and work on his own business ventures, but the duke wants Gideon to do one last 3.5 stars

Born and raised in St. Giles, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life climbing out of the streets and into a better life. He’s ruthless and resourceful and has used his skills in the employment of the Duke of Windemere for the last ten years, taking care of risky problems without hesitation. But the duke is depraved, and Gideon is weary of the tasks he’s forced to complete. He’s eager to leave the duke’s employ and work on his own business ventures, but the duke wants Gideon to do one last thing for him, an undisclosed task. When the duke offers the reward, marriage to his niece, Messalina Greycourt, Gideon cannot refuse the chance to be with the lady he has always desired.

Messalina Greycourt has had many suitors, but none that appealed enough to pursue. She’s furious when her uncle drags her to his London home to force her immediate marriage to his lackey, but she’s pleasantly surprised to find that she can treat with Gideon. He’ll leave her alone until she welcomes his attentions, as well as give her a portion of her dowry money, if she agrees to act the complacent wife and help him establish connections with investors amongst the aristocracy. Messalina is sure she’d never welcome Gideon, so she’s happy to agree. After all, she plans to leave him as soon as she has her money anyway so she and her sister can flee the country and finally escape the duke. But as she comes to know Gideon, Messalina finds herself contemplating a real future with him and struggling to maintain her distance.

This book left me with so many conflicting feelings. Gideon is quite possibly the best antihero I’ve ever read, although I must say Messalina’s frequent and persistent descriptions of him as demonic and evil did throw off the romance a bit. Messalina frustrated me with her tendency toward snap judgments and her refusal to listen to Gideon, especially when he was finally willing to open up to her. At that point, I felt he was giving literally everything he had, and she wouldn’t even meet him halfway. At times Messalina’s behavior was very overly dramatic and that was a bit annoying. I really enjoyed the overall storyline with the bad boy, wrong side of the tracks hero and the arranged marriage/forced proximity. Gideon showed tremendous growth and character development and opened Messalina’s eyes to her own sheltered naivete. That growth dynamic in their relationship ultimately made these two work for me as a couple, though I did find the pace to be a little slow in places. I adored the depths Gideon had and his revelations of his pain to Messalina were heart wrenching. I only wish she’d been there to meet him when he was ready to finally open up and learn to love, but thankfully it didn’t take her long to figure things out and get herself straight. I was very intrigued by Julian and Quintus as characters, especially when they finally started working with Gideon instead of against him. I think those two have great potential as heroes of their own books. The sister, Lucretia was mostly a very annoying and distracting character for me, and her meddling and selfish attitude was irritating. She mostly just popped up in scenes to eat all the food and cause problems but at least she did help Messalina come to the right decision in the end, even if this did seem a bit out of character for Lucretia. I enjoyed the action and the plot twist at the end, but it did feel rather too abrupt and I would’ve liked a slightly longer reconciliation between Messalina and Gideon with more apology and emotion from Messalina, as it still left me feeling like Gideon wound up giving much more of himself than she did. I also wanted more info on the dispensation of the villain, but maybe that’s forthcoming in another book along with the duke’s comeuppance. There were some intriguing side characters presented here and I look forward to continuing the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Nov 26, 2020 Cheryl rated it it was amazing

Review to follow

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Nov 29, 2020 Tracy Emro rated it really liked it

3.5 stars

Gideon Hawthorne was born on the streets and clawed his way out of the rookeries, his break came when the Duke of Windemere hired him as a henchman. But after years of servitude and clever investments, Gideon wants his freedom. He is ready to break with the duke when he is offered a reward he can’t pass up – marriage to Messalina Greycourt, Windemere’s niece, that will give him the connection to society he needs to advance his businesses along with her substantial dowry – the catch? He 3.5 stars

Gideon Hawthorne was born on the streets and clawed his way out of the rookeries, his break came when the Duke of Windemere hired him as a henchman. But after years of servitude and clever investments, Gideon wants his freedom. He is ready to break with the duke when he is offered a reward he can’t pass up – marriage to Messalina Greycourt, Windemere’s niece, that will give him the connection to society he needs to advance his businesses along with her substantial dowry – the catch? He must kill her brother Julian, the duke’s heir.

Messalina is shocked that her uncle plans to marry her off to Gideon and refuses, but soon changes her mind after learning that Windemere will let Gideon marry her younger sister, Lucretia if she refuses. She makes a deal with Gideon, she will marry him, but wants a portion of her dowry and stipulates that her sister must live with them. She plans to use the money to run away and take Lucretia with her. But from the first she is surprised by Gideon and slowly begins to fall for him. Things are progressing and Messalina is reconsidering her plans, but any chance for a HEA is shattered when she learns the truth.

Gideon has also reconsidered his plans and to win his wife back he will have to thwart the duke, figure out who is trying to kill him and prove to Messalina that he is capable of love. Easier said than done…

This was a well written, fast paced book with an interesting mix of characters and a lot of surprising twists. The book has a little bit of everything; steamy love scenes, action, mystery, vile villains, betrayal, cameos from former characters, surprising twists and turns and finally a HEA. I did feel like there were a lot of unanswered questions and I still don’t understand why the duke wanted Julian dead. I also didn’t care for Messalina’s reaction to learning the truth – I expected better of her. Overall, I liked this book and would be happy to recommend it. This is the second book in the series, but it is very loosely connected to the first book and can easily be read as standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher* ...more

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Oct 25, 2020 Ashley Dang rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Rating: 5/5
First off, let me start by saying you can read this as a standalone! The story is very sweet and definitely had my favorite trope, aka, ENEMIES TO LOVERS YALL ( though the enemies thing is one sided, BUT it still counts). I really liked how Gideon and Messalina both were discovering each other and falling in love with each other. They both had to deal with difficult situations and trust was not easy but they worked on it. There were so many twists and turns and obstacles in their rela ...more

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Nov 09, 2020 Carvanz rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-favorites, abcd, alpha, anti-hero, favorite-hero, married, mysteryish, complicated, enemies-to-lovers, favorite-books

Reading this book felt like coming home! Gah, I totally loved everything about this story!!!

Messalina was a heroine with fierce loyalty and protective instincts particularly regarding her sister. These character traits lead to her initial scheme when confronted with her uncle’s plan for her. I loved the way she slowly began to separate herself from those intentions as she began to see there is more to Gideon Hawthorne than what she thought.

My Love is forever...

I love a hero that is hard and coarse on the outside as ...more

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Oct 26, 2020 Annie (Under the Covers Book Blog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 2020-favorites, ebooks, read-in-2020, genre-historical-romance, review-requests, author-elizabeth-hoyt, series-greycourt

review to come

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Dec 04, 2020 Lissa added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Characters
Duke of Windemere - Greycourt evil uncle. Has control of girls.
Greycourt family - father died young, mother died days after Aurelia, girls sent to bachelor uncle who died, leaving the. To evil uncle, duke of ?
Julian greycourt- best friends with Harlow, Ranulf at 18. Was present & held Harlow back as uncle beat Ranulf.. now cold & not much use to Melisandre
Aurelia greycourt bright and vivacious. Was planning on eloping with Ranulf & escaping evil uncle but was dead when Harlow arrived ...more

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Nov 26, 2020 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: review, historical, romance, read-2020

4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

A lovely and determined woman discovers there is more to the lethal and cunning man she’s married than she thinks in When a Rogue Meets His Match . Strains of Beauty and the Beast flow through Messalina and Gideon’s story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Elizabeth Hoyt excels at creating captivating heroes who start out morally ambiguous at best and Gideon is a perfect example. The dark and brooding man fought his way out of the gutter and is obsessed with 4.25 stars - Reviewed for Wit and Sin

A lovely and determined woman discovers there is more to the lethal and cunning man she’s married than she thinks in When a Rogue Meets His Match . Strains of Beauty and the Beast flow through Messalina and Gideon’s story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Elizabeth Hoyt excels at creating captivating heroes who start out morally ambiguous at best and Gideon is a perfect example. The dark and brooding man fought his way out of the gutter and is obsessed with money and power. He’s been a fixer for Messalina’s evil uncle for years and he wants to be his own man, but the duke offers him something he can’t resist: Messalina’s hand in marriage. Messalina is beautiful, clever, and has captivated Gideon for years. She also hates him. But the two strike a bargain that promises Messalina freedom for herself and her sister – something she wants so desperately she’ll deal with the devil to get it.

Messalina is an open book and I liked that about her. She’s clever and kind but she also becomes aware how blind she has been her whole life to the lives of those less fortunate than her. Gideon, whose past will break your heart, opens her eyes to reality. Gideon is a hard man and he can be ruthless, but there’s a softness to him that not even he realizes exists. Gideon wants Messalina’s connections into society and he doesn’t hide his ambitions, but growing up as poor as he did makes it all make sense. Ms. Hoyt doesn’t mind shining a light on the hardships normally glossed over in historical romance (though the book doesn’t linger there) and I thought the reality woven into the fantasy made the book stronger. I loved peeling back the layers of Gideon’s character and found him incredibly compelling. The sexual tension between Gideon and Messalina is palpable from the start and I loved it. Their love story isn’t a smooth one but every obstacle in their path was worth overcoming. Their romance developed organically and was ultimately wonderfully satisfying.

When a Rogue Meets His Match is the second book in the Greycourt series and it’s much more focused than the first book, which I really liked. We truly meet the Greycourt family in this story and what a fractured, messy family they are. I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Hoyt has in store for Messalina’s sister and brothers. This book did leave me with some unanswered questions, but they’re mysteries I expect to be solved in future stories. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed When a Rogue Meets His Match . Gideon was a fascinating hero and Messalina his match in every way. Their romance was sensual, engaging, and kept me happily entertained for hours.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ...more

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Nov 25, 2020 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: adopted-orphan, historical, kidnapping, annoying-siblings, aristocracy, dogs, irritating-seniors, marriage-of-convenience, read-anything-by-this-author, english

Three and a half stars.

Gideon is the Duke of Windermere's fixer and bully boy, born in the slums of St Giles he has done whatever he has to in order to claw his way out of the gutter. Now, he's ready to quit but the Duke has one last request, and the reward is beyond Gideon's wildest dreams, the hand in marriage of the Duke's niece Messalina.

The Duke of Windermere is vicious and conniving but he has blackmailed Messalina into accepting Gideon's hand by threatening to force her younger sister int Three and a half stars.

Gideon is the Duke of Windermere's fixer and bully boy, born in the slums of St Giles he has done whatever he has to in order to claw his way out of the gutter. Now, he's ready to quit but the Duke has one last request, and the reward is beyond Gideon's wildest dreams, the hand in marriage of the Duke's niece Messalina.

The Duke of Windermere is vicious and conniving but he has blackmailed Messalina into accepting Gideon's hand by threatening to force her younger sister into marriage instead. Then Gideon offers her a compromise, a marriage in name only unless she chooses otherwise.

This is an enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, opposites attract kind of romance. Gideon may be a commoner and have done some very questionable things in his lifetime, but he has a heart as big as a house and is determined to help others. Messalina may be a kind and gentle aristocrat but she has never thought about the plight of the poor.

After their marriage Gideon finds he has agreed to perform a task which will alienate Messalina forever, he also has to cope with multiple attacks on him and Messalina are they coincidence or the work of the Duke? Or even Messalina's two brothers?

I enjoyed this novel, as I do most of Elizabeth Hoyt's books. The characters are believable, engaging and the dialogue is sharp and snappy. I had two small niggles. Firstly, I felt I had read the plot before (I honestly thought it was an Elizabeth Hoyt book as well) and therefore the identity of the person behind the attacks was not in the least bit a surprise to me. Secondly, I thought the intimate scenes were a bit rinse and repeat and therefore a bit boring. Finally, a personal foible, I loathe the words quim and cunny and I wish they could be expunged from all historical romances!

As always, I focus more on the negatives than the positives. Gideon was a dark, dangerous, yet vulnerable hero. Messalina was a kind, family-orientated woman who is willing to see the truth when her eyes are opened. There are cute moppets, ridiculously cute dogs, irritating siblings and scheming uncles. All the perfect ingredients for a rip-roaring historical romance.

Edit: I have now read the first book in this series and I recommend you read it first. While this book can be read as a stand-alone there is a common thread of what happened years ago to Messalina's older sister. Having read the first book I now, based on this book, have a much better understanding of events and a suspicion of what occurred.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. ...more

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