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Notorious Pleasures
(Maiden Lane #2)
by
From the New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt comes the second book in her beloved Maiden Lane series.
Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother ...more
Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 371 pages
Published
February 1st 2011
by Vision
(first published 2011)
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Start your review of Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2)

For me, very few aspects sours a book faster than the Hs having smex time with OW/OM; still, if the author must include such, it HAS to be a fade to black....more
Unfortunately, the reader's first glimpse of, Griffin, our H, is of him having a romp with a married woman. Worse is that he was found in flagrante by none other than the heroine, Hero.
Bad intro for sure, yet I held out hope that the rest of the book would slough away that awkward scene.
Except, it got worse.
• Hero was engaged to Griffin's

5 STARS

This one was a total winner for me! Loved it from beginning to end.

Lord Griffin Reading was somewhat of an arrogant arse... which I'm sure is why I loved him so much. Don't ask me why, buy I am just enamored by the total jerks in these books. His dirty mouth could light a glacier on fire. Sexy as fuck. That is all I can say.

This one was a total winner for me! Loved it from beginning to end.

Lord Griffin Reading was somewhat of an arrogant arse... which I'm sure is why I loved him so much. Don't ask me why, buy I am just enamored by the total jerks in these books. His dirty mouth could light a glacier on fire. Sexy as fuck. That is all I can say.
"I dare," he muttered, "because I'm selfish and black-hearted and vain. I dare because you are what you are and I am what I am. I dare because I cannot otherw...more

I love this couple!
OMG if this book got any hotter....I am just saying.
Setting / Time / Genre: Georgian, London.
Length: 371 pages
Series: Yep, book 2
Sexy times: Holy lord. Steam factor, high. Dude, it's a historical and Hoyt says "penis" or "cock" at least 3 times each. Penis, for goodness sakes. I. Can't. Eve ...more
“You say my name like a lover, so soft, so sweet. I want to lick the word from your lips, sip the exhaled breath from your mouth. I want to possess you utterly. Right now. Right here.”

OMG if this book got any hotter....I am just saying.
Setting / Time / Genre: Georgian, London.
Length: 371 pages
Series: Yep, book 2
Sexy times: Holy lord. Steam factor, high. Dude, it's a historical and Hoyt says "penis" or "cock" at least 3 times each. Penis, for goodness sakes. I. Can't. Eve ...more

Not as good as the first one, but I still liked it.
Our female's name is Hero and the male is... shit, forgot his name already. Let's just call him Bad-Brother, or BB for short.
So, Hero meets BB by walking in on him sticking it to a married woman at her engagement party. Engagement to his brother. Apparently, something must have been impressive because after this meeting, Hero is all aflutter over little brother and can't stay away from him. I'm guessing that little brother isn't so little, if yo ...more
Our female's name is Hero and the male is... shit, forgot his name already. Let's just call him Bad-Brother, or BB for short.
So, Hero meets BB by walking in on him sticking it to a married woman at her engagement party. Engagement to his brother. Apparently, something must have been impressive because after this meeting, Hero is all aflutter over little brother and can't stay away from him. I'm guessing that little brother isn't so little, if yo ...more

It’s always a total joy to pick up an Elizabeth Hoyt book. Her characters always draw me into their world, with their emotions and what lurks behind the mask they wear, or what makes them tick. Hoyt’s newest series started off with a bang and just keeps getting better with Notorious Pleasures
Lord Griffin Reading is know to the ton and society as a rake with a lustful appetite, some shading dealing and rumors that fly around that cause no end of a stir for him. To add fuel to the fire, its well ...more
Lord Griffin Reading is know to the ton and society as a rake with a lustful appetite, some shading dealing and rumors that fly around that cause no end of a stir for him. To add fuel to the fire, its well ...more

*** 4 ***
A buddy read with the incurable romantics at the MacHalos! We need more love in our lives:-)
This is the second book in the Historical Romance Series of Maiden Lane. The first introduced us to the seedy neighborhood of Saint Giles in London in the seventeen hundreds. This one picks up about 7 months later and Lady Hero, the brave and gentile sister of a Duke we got to know, who won our hearts by investing into the urchin children's home, meets a scoundrel, Griffin. At first, the sparks ...more
A buddy read with the incurable romantics at the MacHalos! We need more love in our lives:-)
This is the second book in the Historical Romance Series of Maiden Lane. The first introduced us to the seedy neighborhood of Saint Giles in London in the seventeen hundreds. This one picks up about 7 months later and Lady Hero, the brave and gentile sister of a Duke we got to know, who won our hearts by investing into the urchin children's home, meets a scoundrel, Griffin. At first, the sparks ...more

🌟🌟5 Incredible Stars!🌟🌟🌟
London, 1737
“You say my name like a lover, so soft, so sweet. I want to lick the word from your lips, sip the exhaled breath from your mouth. I want to possess you utterly. Right now. Right here.”
I'm convinced.
Elizabeth Hoyt writes magic. She has a magical, unicorn laptop and when she types the words just somehow magically appears and combines to make a fabulous story.
I'm convinced that only adjectives can adequately describe this book:
-Sensual
-Chivalrous
-Sexy
-Arousing ( ...more
London, 1737
“You say my name like a lover, so soft, so sweet. I want to lick the word from your lips, sip the exhaled breath from your mouth. I want to possess you utterly. Right now. Right here.”
I'm convinced.
Elizabeth Hoyt writes magic. She has a magical, unicorn laptop and when she types the words just somehow magically appears and combines to make a fabulous story.
I'm convinced that only adjectives can adequately describe this book:
-Sensual
-Chivalrous
-Sexy
-Arousing ( ...more

"How romantic," she drawled in a bored, social voice that set his teeth on edge, "to think that love has anything to do with marriage."
Our heroine, Hero (I'll pause to let you work that one out), is another woman of her time, thinking marriages are for enhancing your family and sex is for men and their mistresses. Our hero, Heroine, just kidding, Griffin, has somewhat erroneously bore the ne'er-do-well family title. He's the second born but manages the family finances and set them up in the ...more
Our heroine, Hero (I'll pause to let you work that one out), is another woman of her time, thinking marriages are for enhancing your family and sex is for men and their mistresses. Our hero, Heroine, just kidding, Griffin, has somewhat erroneously bore the ne'er-do-well family title. He's the second born but manages the family finances and set them up in the ...more

What do you do when you finish the Huge Saga that is the Wheel of Time series? Well if you are me you binge read a bunch of Historical Romances and splash a little smut into the mix.
Okay so I really enjoyed the first book in this series and then I started this one thinking I’d made a horrible mistake. This starts off with two things that I really don’t care for in my books and so right off the bat it had two strikes against it.
#1 – I hated the meet cute (that the moment that the main love intere ...more
Okay so I really enjoyed the first book in this series and then I started this one thinking I’d made a horrible mistake. This starts off with two things that I really don’t care for in my books and so right off the bat it had two strikes against it.
#1 – I hated the meet cute (that the moment that the main love intere ...more

Jan 10, 2011
Krista (Miura Haruma-san, I will always miss you)
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
fave-rom-hero,
adult,
wall-banger,
yst,
historical-romance,
own-ab,
read-around,
funny,
fave-rom-heroine,
fave-romance
All right.
Characters:
Griffin.

That about sums up my reaction to him. He is offically my favorite romance hero of all time. He is funny, caring, warm, hard-working, sexy as hell, loving, and on top of that, he's described as not being handsome, which made me very happy. Yeah, that sounds weird, but it's true. His interactions with Hero were swoon-worthy. Also, he's such a sweetie to his mother, which is adorable. On top of this he works his beautiful butt off to support his family while his ass o ...more
Characters:
Griffin.

That about sums up my reaction to him. He is offically my favorite romance hero of all time. He is funny, caring, warm, hard-working, sexy as hell, loving, and on top of that, he's described as not being handsome, which made me very happy. Yeah, that sounds weird, but it's true. His interactions with Hero were swoon-worthy. Also, he's such a sweetie to his mother, which is adorable. On top of this he works his beautiful butt off to support his family while his ass o ...more

This second story in the series continues its edginess with two characters that test your acceptance of them and their behavior.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, has somewhat earned his rake reputation and the onset of the story won't endear him to you (probably). The opening scene is provocative and it took me a bit to get that out of my head. Lady Hero Batten, sister of a Duke and co-patroness of the children's home in St. Giles, has the unfortunate experience of witnessing his debauchery. Sh ...more
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, has somewhat earned his rake reputation and the onset of the story won't endear him to you (probably). The opening scene is provocative and it took me a bit to get that out of my head. Lady Hero Batten, sister of a Duke and co-patroness of the children's home in St. Giles, has the unfortunate experience of witnessing his debauchery. Sh ...more

Maybe 2-2.5. I'm stuck with a feeling of indifference and even a general distaste for the way things played out.
Lady Hero left me cold and was way too stubborn about her feelings for WAY too long. This book could have been finished in 100 fewer pages if she weren't such a coward about what she was feeling and if Elizabeth Hoyt didn't have word count requirements. For those of you who've read my review of
, Lady Hero actually reminded me a bit of Sir Argus, and you know that's not a good thi
...more
Lady Hero left me cold and was way too stubborn about her feelings for WAY too long. This book could have been finished in 100 fewer pages if she weren't such a coward about what she was feeling and if Elizabeth Hoyt didn't have word count requirements. For those of you who've read my review of


Another awesome reread for me!!! I figured it out and it had been almost five years since I read this!! I did remember certain scenes very well, but I'm still very glad that I decided to refresh myself before starting book five!! My memory just does not seem to be that great anymore! LOL
Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my top fave authors for Historical Romances...and I totally understand why! She creates an entertaining story, and the sex is hot and steaming-even if it is "back in the old days"....LOL ...more
Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my top fave authors for Historical Romances...and I totally understand why! She creates an entertaining story, and the sex is hot and steaming-even if it is "back in the old days"....LOL ...more

4.5 stars.
I enjoyed the first in the series but I really enjoyed this one. I loved both characters, Griffin and Hero.
GRIFFIN

HERO

I enjoyed the first in the series but I really enjoyed this one. I loved both characters, Griffin and Hero.
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .
GRIFFIN

HERO

Lord Griffin Reading is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. Ho...more

Notorious Pleasures is the perfect example of a great story destroyed by annoying secondary characters. I would have given this 4 or 5 stars if only Thomas, the hero's older brother to which the heroine was engaged, did not exist.
Thomas was a lying, cheating hypocrite. He put up this air of perfection and morality, when in fact, he has less morals than a 10-year-old. He was such a bitch to Griffin, the hero. He had the gall to lecture him about being a gentleman when he was far, far from being ...more
Thomas was a lying, cheating hypocrite. He put up this air of perfection and morality, when in fact, he has less morals than a 10-year-old. He was such a bitch to Griffin, the hero. He had the gall to lecture him about being a gentleman when he was far, far from being ...more

Worth a read, but my least favorite Hoyt book so far (3.5 stars)
Notorious Pleasures was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. ...more
Notorious Pleasures was not as bad as I at first thought it would, but it definitely doesn't compare to the other books I've read by this author. This is my fifth Elizabeth Hoyt book since I started reading her three weeks ago and so far, it is my least favorite. By no means bad, but it didn't have the something extra that most of her others did.
Separately, I liked her lead characters, with our hero, Griffin, easily taking the lead. ...more

Favorite Quote: “Do you like it?” he asked grasping himself.
The first time Lady Hero Battan sets her eyes upon Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, she is utterly shocked. She doesn’t see his face, only his backside as he enjoys the offerings of the married woman underneath of him. Hero is horrified, but also knows the lady’s husband has arrived at the ball, and it would be best for Griffin to cover that backside up. After throwing her diamond earring at his rear, hence getting his attention, Griff ...more
The first time Lady Hero Battan sets her eyes upon Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, she is utterly shocked. She doesn’t see his face, only his backside as he enjoys the offerings of the married woman underneath of him. Hero is horrified, but also knows the lady’s husband has arrived at the ball, and it would be best for Griffin to cover that backside up. After throwing her diamond earring at his rear, hence getting his attention, Griff ...more

DNF - 60%

Well, I tried reading this one only to get to Scandalous Desires, as Silence's character appears in this book, too. But this is a total failure for me. As much as I liked Wicked Intentions, I dislike this one.
Hero and Griffin are a mess, Thomas is an arse, and Silence has too little book time. This is simply not worth my time. So I looked a little at the spoilery reviews, and found out that (view spoiler) ...more

Well, I tried reading this one only to get to Scandalous Desires, as Silence's character appears in this book, too. But this is a total failure for me. As much as I liked Wicked Intentions, I dislike this one.
Hero and Griffin are a mess, Thomas is an arse, and Silence has too little book time. This is simply not worth my time. So I looked a little at the spoilery reviews, and found out that (view spoiler) ...more

Oh dear lord. Lord Griffin Reading you are one cocky bastard aren’t you. That and a dirty talker. His kisses, his touches and his whispers had Lady Hero’s lady parts all a flutter.
Notorious Pleasures was another fabulous story by Elizabeth Hoyt. I absolutely loved it. Just as much or if not more than Wicked Pleasures. Griffin Reading was shameless. Or so one thought. And Lady Hero appeared perfect even though her thoughts and desires were impure.
When their paths cross neither thought highly of ...more

Apr 22, 2018
Melanie A. *mostly on hiatus*
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
all-time-favorites,
library
5 STARS!
Griffin, Lord Reading works hard to keep his family's finances in the black, but he couldn't care less about what society thinks of him. Life is something to be lived and he takes his pleasure when and where it pleases him.
"Most men at least pretend to be abashed when caught in wrongdoing, but you - you strut about like a feckless cockerel."My historical kick continues with the fabulous Elizabeth Hoyt!
Griffin, Lord Reading works hard to keep his family's finances in the black, but he couldn't care less about what society thinks of him. Life is something to be lived and he takes his pleasure when and where it pleases him.
"For me, true love would be a complete and utter catastrophe."...more

Mar 07, 2015
Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2015,
historical
Gin, gin, gin...and more gin. A gin saturated plot about gin distillers, gin sellers, and the gin drinking masses. And politicians trying to get rid of all the gin.
Hero was a good heroine, intelligent, clever, fearless, and able to portray the role of a perfect lady. Only sour point is her preachy nature on gin, that the poor would all sober up & be wonderful if only there was no more gin. Like they wouldn't find something else to replace gin.
Griffin appears to be an utterly worthless rake, an ...more
Hero was a good heroine, intelligent, clever, fearless, and able to portray the role of a perfect lady. Only sour point is her preachy nature on gin, that the poor would all sober up & be wonderful if only there was no more gin. Like they wouldn't find something else to replace gin.
Griffin appears to be an utterly worthless rake, an ...more

Absolutely loved this book and although it’s only the second book in the Maiden Lane series, I’m really hooked!
I adore Hero and Griffin and love the risque opening scene in which they meet for the first time, particularly as she has no idea who he is! I thought the part where Griffin jumps up and dives under the settee was hilarious. I kept picturing that in my mind.
They are so right together and, although very different in many ways, they share a great love of classical history. It’s a case of ...more
I adore Hero and Griffin and love the risque opening scene in which they meet for the first time, particularly as she has no idea who he is! I thought the part where Griffin jumps up and dives under the settee was hilarious. I kept picturing that in my mind.
They are so right together and, although very different in many ways, they share a great love of classical history. It’s a case of ...more

Another Scrumptious Read in Elizabeth Hoyt's "Maiden Lane" series!
Lord Griffen Reading (Lord Shameless) takes pleasure where it's to be found. In the first chapter we find him in a illicit "meeting" with a married woman. The man is a rake.
That is until Lady Hero Batten (Lady Perfect) brings him to his knees. She changes his ambitions and desires wanting him to be a better man and worthy of her. He desperately wants under her skin when he discovers she is newly engaged to his pompous brother, Tho ...more
Lord Griffen Reading (Lord Shameless) takes pleasure where it's to be found. In the first chapter we find him in a illicit "meeting" with a married woman. The man is a rake.
That is until Lady Hero Batten (Lady Perfect) brings him to his knees. She changes his ambitions and desires wanting him to be a better man and worthy of her. He desperately wants under her skin when he discovers she is newly engaged to his pompous brother, Tho ...more

★★★★✩ First, let me say I tried to read this book once before; the opening scene put me off. So, when it came up as a suggestion for a “buddy read” with discussion questions in one of my groups, I thought, “Why not?” Second, I really loved book #1 in the Maiden Lane series, Wicked Intentions; it has actually been one of my best reads this year. So much so that I listened to the well narrated audiobook to refresh the story right before this one. And third, I am looking forward to book #3, Scandal
...more

Wow!! This love story was intense! In a very good way. I don't think there's a person anywhere who doesn't want to be loved the way Griffin loves Hero.
As always, Hoyt's characters fly off the page. I found myself sympathizing with Griffin a bit more than Hero, just because he's so fiery and emotional. He loved her passionately, and she was still trying to sort out her feelings. Hero was much more closed off because she'd been raised to do everything a Duke's daughter must do. But still, every t ...more
As always, Hoyt's characters fly off the page. I found myself sympathizing with Griffin a bit more than Hero, just because he's so fiery and emotional. He loved her passionately, and she was still trying to sort out her feelings. Hero was much more closed off because she'd been raised to do everything a Duke's daughter must do. But still, every t ...more

I read this back to back with Wicked Intentions and I am reviewing them together because: laziness.
Both of these were rereads because I was in a Hoyt kind of place. I wanted something well written and entertaining, yet wouldn’t expect too much from me or be too angsty. Some pure, joyful, bodice ripping escapism. For me, that is Hoyt.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: lady is dependable. I’ve enjoyed everything she’s written and I feel like she doesn’t get enough love in a romance world ...more
Both of these were rereads because I was in a Hoyt kind of place. I wanted something well written and entertaining, yet wouldn’t expect too much from me or be too angsty. Some pure, joyful, bodice ripping escapism. For me, that is Hoyt.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: lady is dependable. I’ve enjoyed everything she’s written and I feel like she doesn’t get enough love in a romance world ...more

Second DNF in two days. I'm on a Maiden Lane roll.
Despite really liking/loving this series as well as E. Hoyt's writing, this one did not do it for me.
The heroine cheats on her stupid and shallow fiancee with his younger, smarter, more handsome brother. I'd give her a pass, maybe, but, one, she still plans to marry the jerk even after falling in love with the H as well as falling in his bed, and two, I didn't like her. Her brother, another Duke, is going to make her marry him even after the fian ...more
Despite really liking/loving this series as well as E. Hoyt's writing, this one did not do it for me.
The heroine cheats on her stupid and shallow fiancee with his younger, smarter, more handsome brother. I'd give her a pass, maybe, but, one, she still plans to marry the jerk even after falling in love with the H as well as falling in his bed, and two, I didn't like her. Her brother, another Duke, is going to make her marry him even after the fian ...more

Loved it - although this one caused me a lot more angst than the others. Very intense at times! Oh, and a great set up for other books. I can't wait!
...more

Review up!
2.75 stars
Not what I was hoping it would be and fell short next to Book 1. This was lacking that punch and I had some problems with it overall. I knew I was in trouble from the start when I found out our heroine is engaged to the hero's older brother who everyone and their mother puts on such a high pedestal while completely disregarding the fact thathe's an unmitigated asshole his own brother dislikes him. Red Flag #1 right there. I generally don't mind love triangles, in fact if han
...more
2.75 stars
Not what I was hoping it would be and fell short next to Book 1. This was lacking that punch and I had some problems with it overall. I knew I was in trouble from the start when I found out our heroine is engaged to the hero's older brother who everyone and their mother puts on such a high pedestal while completely disregarding the fact that

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topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Elizabeth Hoyt Fans: Notorious Pleasures (Book 2) | 11 | 19 | May 02, 2016 08:19AM | |
Elizabeth Hoyt Fans: Heroines engaged to men who are not the heroes -- your opinions? | 1 | 10 | Apr 14, 2016 12:34PM | |
Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 2 | Feb 22, 2015 12:53PM | |
♥♥ Serious About ...: Historical Series Group Read -Maiden Lane #2- Notorious Pleasures | 20 | 18 | Jan 05, 2015 07:21PM | |
Notorious Pleasures "Buddy Read" | 5 | 72 | Mar 11, 2013 05:59PM |
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