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Goode Girls #3
Dancing With Danger
Mercy Goode is only truly good at one thing: finding mischief wherever she goes. Such as getting arrested at a murder scene with Raphael Sauvageau, a brutally handsome, ruthless smuggler with a dangerous past and a dubious future. The silver-tongued devil doesn’t deserve a lick of her confidence, but she has evidence that he’s not the killer.
She can’t deny that he’s relentlessly wicked.
Raphael has no time for obsession. He’s an empire to run, a murder to avenge, and a plan to save his brother that is likely a suicide mission. But this clever, infuriating bluestocking--who insists she’s an amateur sleuth--keeps showing up where she doesn’t belong. And for some bloody reason they can’t seem to be in the same room without him yanking her into his arms and kissing her until they’re both breathless.
Power, prestige, and a staggering fortune hasn’t filled the abysmal void where Raphael’s heart should be...
Perhaps what he needs is a night with her.
Perhaps what he needs is redemption.
Perhaps what he needs is a bit of Mercy.
She can’t deny that he’s relentlessly wicked.
Raphael has no time for obsession. He’s an empire to run, a murder to avenge, and a plan to save his brother that is likely a suicide mission. But this clever, infuriating bluestocking--who insists she’s an amateur sleuth--keeps showing up where she doesn’t belong. And for some bloody reason they can’t seem to be in the same room without him yanking her into his arms and kissing her until they’re both breathless.
Power, prestige, and a staggering fortune hasn’t filled the abysmal void where Raphael’s heart should be...
Perhaps what he needs is a night with her.
Perhaps what he needs is redemption.
Perhaps what he needs is a bit of Mercy.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 2021
About the author
Kerrigan Byrne
72 books4,731 followersIf you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
March 13, 2021
It just shouldn’t have been this short! Because Mercy and Raphael had potential. Their story would’ve been so good if it wasn’t moving so fast. Ans if they hadn’t fallen in love within only two days! I don’t know what is it about this series, it’s different from the other books I read by the author. It kinda feels like reading an author’s debut, if that makes sense, which is weird since this is her newest release. Those books are just so short and they move so fast. I would’ve wanted a chance to get to know Mercy and Raphael on a deeper level, because as I said their story had potential.
February 9, 2021
I'd planned to post updates as I read this but instead I gorged myself on its awesomeness without coming up for air. c'est la vie.
The banter. PEOPLE!! THE BANTER!!
I'll be back with a more coherent review after I get a decent night's sleep, but you should all run out and grab this right now.
Go get it.
The banter. PEOPLE!! THE BANTER!!
I'll be back with a more coherent review after I get a decent night's sleep, but you should all run out and grab this right now.
Go get it.
April 23, 2022
if i were to choose between women's rights and being able to spend one night with Raphael, i'm sorry ladies but we would all be in the kitchen by now 😔
May 21, 2022
➥ 5+ Stars *:･ﾟ✧
Let's talk about my favouite historical romance to date!! This book was such a delight. Kerrigan Byrne now owns me, I now dedicate terrible amounts of time trying to find and order her books because I must read more of this excellency. Can you believe that I have no complaints about this book? None, zero.
Kerrigan Byrne excels in so many aspects of this book. Right from the beginning, the love interests meet and the action begins. This was so refreshing and thus the book was gripping the whole way through. There were also short paragraphs and chapters. This book follows a murder mystery (which probably would've made more sense had I read this series in order), that wasn't completely mindblowing, but super fun and easy to follow, nevertheless! It is written in third person and has dual pov for each of the love interests. Raphael's (male) perspective was written very well and respectfully which is also (unfortunately) rare in the books I've read.
The writing was wonderful. Perfectly descriptive and beautiful but without extra waffling and nonsense. It was functional yet artistic.
One thing that I love about historical romance is all of the new vocabulary that I learn, and in this one I learned plenty. I'm going to put it in a spoiler tag because the list is quite long lmao:
The sexual tension? In this book? Genuinely, of the best I've ever read.
I will not shut up about Raphael. Not only is he a charmer, but he is also an obsessed hero and he adores our heroine to no end. And it's perfect.
I do realise that I haven't really explained what this book is about, and I don't think I will, lmao. But I will tell you, that this is how we meet Raphael:
Where can I get one, someone please kindly inform me 😔😔💗.
But wait, there is more:
Every interaction between the main characters is quotable and beyond swoony. I could put every moment that I loved, but I'd be here all day. This book is hot and dreamy af duh. There are two (great) sex scenes. The first one is the most romantic, heart-bursting one I've read, and the second one is raunchy in the best way.
I sure would. And sometime's they're just so cute, I can't handle it:
There was also a bit of side sapphic representation which was really lovely, since most side lgbtq rep tends to be m/m. Hopefully, this author writes a romance book for that character. I could be wrong but I believe it will be this one: Flirting with Disaster.
In conclusion, I love this book so fucking much. If you're new to historical romance, this is a great place to start. Kerrigan Byrne, ilysfm for writing this <3
He pressed his hand to her heart, the palm warm as he seemed to savor what he found there.
"I am not me. I am we. Us. That feels complete. My heart only seems to beat when you are near. I stand before you. No. I kneel at your feet."
He hit his knees, pressing his forehead to her fingers as if paying tribute to a goddess.
"I am a man stripped of pride and wit. Of everything that gave me power. This is what I offer you. A new start. I am asking -I'm begging- not for your forgiveness. Not for your mercy. But for you. Mercy. For you. Will you be mine? Will you let me call myself yours?"
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Let's talk about my favouite historical romance to date!! This book was such a delight. Kerrigan Byrne now owns me, I now dedicate terrible amounts of time trying to find and order her books because I must read more of this excellency. Can you believe that I have no complaints about this book? None, zero.
➥ Raphael (H)...holy smokes. When I tell you I love this man...that I'd do anything he asked me...I mean it in earnest. I've found that many historical romance heros are grumpy dicks that the heroine entertainingly deals with and cracks their shells (ahem, The Duchess Deal), but not this book. Raphael is a charming motherfucker right from the beginning and god, I love him. He's a gentleman in the streets but a freak in the sheets. Just my type 😔. But he's also horribly romantic and adoring? I think my heart fell out of my chest multiple times just because of the things he says.
“If we see each other again, Mercy Goode…” he warned in a voice made of sex and honey. “Be ready for me to taste the rest of you.”
➥ Mercy (h) was a pretty good fmc! I've read better (Emma from The Duchess Deal is my weakness), but her personality fit particularly well with Raphael's. She's intelligent and has a specific interest in murder mysteries which I thought was really cute! Oh and when she bitch-slapped Raphael, that was so hot 😔 me next <3
“Oh, she’d let justice take its course… Because justice, as everyone knew, was a woman.”
Kerrigan Byrne excels in so many aspects of this book. Right from the beginning, the love interests meet and the action begins. This was so refreshing and thus the book was gripping the whole way through. There were also short paragraphs and chapters. This book follows a murder mystery (which probably would've made more sense had I read this series in order), that wasn't completely mindblowing, but super fun and easy to follow, nevertheless! It is written in third person and has dual pov for each of the love interests. Raphael's (male) perspective was written very well and respectfully which is also (unfortunately) rare in the books I've read.
The writing was wonderful. Perfectly descriptive and beautiful but without extra waffling and nonsense. It was functional yet artistic.
The kiss did not douse the flames of fury within her, merely fed them, fanned them, sent the heat licking its way over her flesh until it landed deep in her womb. Her snarl of demand somehow escaped as a whimper of need. She was dimly aware of a sense of weightlessness and a rush of air before she found herself pinned on her back to a mattress.
One thing that I love about historical romance is all of the new vocabulary that I learn, and in this one I learned plenty. I'm going to put it in a spoiler tag because the list is quite long lmao:
The sexual tension? In this book? Genuinely, of the best I've ever read.
She glared at him as if she could bore through his middle with the blue fire in her eyes, "You kissed me, you impolite blackguard! Without my permission, I might add.”
“Ah, for that I would ask your forgiveness, Miss Goode…” His mouth softened and curled up at the memory. “If you had not kissed me back.”
I will not shut up about Raphael. Not only is he a charmer, but he is also an obsessed hero and he adores our heroine to no end. And it's perfect.
“All I want to be is worthy of her,” Raphael said.
I do realise that I haven't really explained what this book is about, and I don't think I will, lmao. But I will tell you, that this is how we meet Raphael:
All semblance of charm and leisure had been replaced by a body coiled with the tension of steel cables and grey eyes glinting with all the lethality of gunmetal. He was across the room in a blink, lunging like a viper. He struck. Struck again. Blood flew and bone crunched. Suddenly, Trout was no longer grasping her but crumpled in a moaning puddle at her feet.
When Jenkins reached for his cudgel, the interloper only had to whirl and point a long finger in his direction to cause the lawman anxious hesitation. "If you raise that weapon against me, mon ami, I swear in front of God - and this beautiful woman - that I will take it and deliver the most humiliating beating you've ever received."
...
He lifted his knuckles to brush against her still-smarting cheek, and she flinched away. Not because she feared him- But because she wasn't ready to find out what the sensation would do to her. When his very presence set her nerves alight with such volatile, visceral thrums of awareness, how could she bear the pressure of his skin?
He obviously misinterpreted her retreat as a muscle flexed in his jaw. "I will relieve him of the hand he struck you with, mademoiselle."
Where can I get one, someone please kindly inform me 😔😔💗.
But wait, there is more:
His gaze affixed on the spot where her fingers explored her own cheek. Every twitch of discomfort she made seemed to turn his eyes a darker shade of grey, as if a storm gathered within them. "I will break every bone below that man's elbow for the pain he caused you." Shards of gravel paved a voice that had only just been smooth as silk.
Every interaction between the main characters is quotable and beyond swoony. I could put every moment that I loved, but I'd be here all day. This book is hot and dreamy af duh. There are two (great) sex scenes. The first one is the most romantic, heart-bursting one I've read, and the second one is raunchy in the best way.
"Would you let me fuck you, Mercy Goode?"
I sure would. And sometime's they're just so cute, I can't handle it:
"I was going to let you sleep." His voice rumbled into the air of her room with a foreign vibration, splashing against her nerves with all the threat of thunder in the great distance. A man had never entered this room, certainly not at night.
"I wasn't sleeping." She yawned against the back of her knuckles.
"Oh?" He drifted inside, shutting the window behind him. Locking them together. "Do you often snore whilst awake?"
"I don't snore," she protested.
A smile toyed with the corner of his mouth, though he didn't argue the point.
There was also a bit of side sapphic representation which was really lovely, since most side lgbtq rep tends to be m/m. Hopefully, this author writes a romance book for that character. I could be wrong but I believe it will be this one: Flirting with Disaster.
In conclusion, I love this book so fucking much. If you're new to historical romance, this is a great place to start. Kerrigan Byrne, ilysfm for writing this <3
She’d never offered him her heart. But he’d taken it all the same.
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
April 20, 2021
4.25 criminally steamy stars
Dancing with Danger is the 3rd book in the Goode Girls series, and while this story could technically be read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend reading the other books in this series for the optimal enjoyment of this story as both the H and h recur in those earlier installments.
Mercy Goode has always been admired for her golden hair and fine looks, but when she opens her mouth and expresses one of her many opinions, potential suitors tend to flee... which is fine with her as she most definitely does not need a man to feel complete as a woman. She is no simpering miss, and she would much rather attend a rousing discussion of the latest murder mystery book than a ball where she has to pretend to me someone she isn't. So when she discovers the dead body of a woman she was trying to help escape the danger she was in, Mercy promises the victim that she will find her murderer and make things right.
Raphael Sauvageau has spent most of his life trying to find a way out of the criminal enterprise he was born into. He is a smuggler, a killer, the leader of an empire that is as likely to follow his orders as to stab him in the back... and he wants out. He is convinced he has found a way to escape that will leave his brother Gabriel free to live the life their past would never allow him, and the cost may well be Raphael's own life. But he is more than willing to pay it to give the man that always looked out for him, to his own detriment, a chance to wipe the slate clean. In fact, Raphael has everything all planned: until Mercy Goode crosses his path and makes him second guess everything. She infuriates him by continually putting herself in the path of danger, but she intrigues him with her strength, determination, and spirit... all the things the men in her past have looked upon her with disdain are the very things Raphael is enthralled with.
Though Raphael is still resolute in his desire to give Gabriel the life he deserves, he cannot bring himself to leave this life without tasting heaven in the form of the beautiful and intelligent Mercy. Will she allow him a no-strings rendezvous to experience the pleasure she has heard of but has no desire to wed to experience? Can either of them keep their hearts from becoming tangled together? And even if they are somehow able to escape the danger closing in on them, is there any hope for a future between a criminal and a Goode girl?
What I liked:
--- The main characters were intriguing and fun to unravel
--- We got some more information about the mysterious Gabriel (& I cannot wait to read his story!)
--- Danger and mystery kept me flying through the pages to see what happened next
--- HOLY OFF THE CHARTS CHEMISTRY leading to some serious steamy goodness
What I didn't like as much:
--- Some of the story was a little rushed - it helped that they met at least once before this book, but that meeting was very brief, and there wasn't anything between that time and when this book started (about 6 or so months from the end of book 2); I felt like some more interaction along the timeline (maybe where they encountered each other a time or two even briefly between then and now would have made things seem a little more believable with how quickly they went from 0 to 60)
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read as both of the main characters were multi-dimensional (& combustible together). I am really looking forward to Gabriel and Felicity's story next!
Please note that I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Plot --- 4.25/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (general descriptions of the murdered woman at the beginning; a fight scene towards the end with some bloody moments and threats of violence; nothing of a domestic nature or possible triggers)
Language --- some
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
Dancing with Danger is the 3rd book in the Goode Girls series, and while this story could technically be read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend reading the other books in this series for the optimal enjoyment of this story as both the H and h recur in those earlier installments.
Mercy Goode has always been admired for her golden hair and fine looks, but when she opens her mouth and expresses one of her many opinions, potential suitors tend to flee... which is fine with her as she most definitely does not need a man to feel complete as a woman. She is no simpering miss, and she would much rather attend a rousing discussion of the latest murder mystery book than a ball where she has to pretend to me someone she isn't. So when she discovers the dead body of a woman she was trying to help escape the danger she was in, Mercy promises the victim that she will find her murderer and make things right.
Raphael Sauvageau has spent most of his life trying to find a way out of the criminal enterprise he was born into. He is a smuggler, a killer, the leader of an empire that is as likely to follow his orders as to stab him in the back... and he wants out. He is convinced he has found a way to escape that will leave his brother Gabriel free to live the life their past would never allow him, and the cost may well be Raphael's own life. But he is more than willing to pay it to give the man that always looked out for him, to his own detriment, a chance to wipe the slate clean. In fact, Raphael has everything all planned: until Mercy Goode crosses his path and makes him second guess everything. She infuriates him by continually putting herself in the path of danger, but she intrigues him with her strength, determination, and spirit... all the things the men in her past have looked upon her with disdain are the very things Raphael is enthralled with.
Though Raphael is still resolute in his desire to give Gabriel the life he deserves, he cannot bring himself to leave this life without tasting heaven in the form of the beautiful and intelligent Mercy. Will she allow him a no-strings rendezvous to experience the pleasure she has heard of but has no desire to wed to experience? Can either of them keep their hearts from becoming tangled together? And even if they are somehow able to escape the danger closing in on them, is there any hope for a future between a criminal and a Goode girl?
What I liked:
--- The main characters were intriguing and fun to unravel
--- We got some more information about the mysterious Gabriel (& I cannot wait to read his story!)
--- Danger and mystery kept me flying through the pages to see what happened next
--- HOLY OFF THE CHARTS CHEMISTRY leading to some serious steamy goodness
What I didn't like as much:
--- Some of the story was a little rushed - it helped that they met at least once before this book, but that meeting was very brief, and there wasn't anything between that time and when this book started (about 6 or so months from the end of book 2); I felt like some more interaction along the timeline (maybe where they encountered each other a time or two even briefly between then and now would have made things seem a little more believable with how quickly they went from 0 to 60)
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read as both of the main characters were multi-dimensional (& combustible together). I am really looking forward to Gabriel and Felicity's story next!
Please note that I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Plot --- 4.25/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic (general descriptions of the murdered woman at the beginning; a fight scene towards the end with some bloody moments and threats of violence; nothing of a domestic nature or possible triggers)
Language --- some
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
January 21, 2021
The perfect escape…
****4.5 Stars****
I’m not sure why, but Dancing With Danger is the first Goode Girls I’ve really loved. Reading A Dark and Stormy Knight didn’t really feel like #7 - Victorian Rebels, and at the time of reading, I didn’t know it was #1 - Goode Girls. Then, unfortunately, #2 - Courting Trouble was tainted by my biased views of Nora from the first book. It took way too long for me to forgive her nastiness towards Prudence (heroine from #1). Which brings me to #3 - Dancing With Danger. I absolutely LOVED Mercy.
I’m a big fan of stories where the beautiful heroine’s personality doesn’t match her looks. In this case, Mercy attracts a lot of attention from men because of her beauty but as soon as she opens her mouth, they go running. See, she has opinions, and what man wants to court a woman who is smarter than them? Mercy is extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and not afraid to investigate when someone she cares about, is murdered.
Raphael is a criminal, but it was impossible to hate him for it. We meet the man who does bad things because it’s expected of him. This man was born into a life of crime and the only escape from it is death. There was only one person Raphael loved, trusted and would do anything for, his brother, Gabriel. Just when Raphael and Gabriel made plans to alter their criminal paths, Mercy comes into his life and makes him question everything.
I found myself sucked in from the start and even with a few hiccups, I loved the journey Mercy and Raphael take us on. While this was a fantastic love story, it wasn’t the only reason why I loved it so much. I was also fascinated with the mysterious death and Mercy’s detecting abilities to help solve the crime. Familial love and support from Mercy and Raphael’s siblings was endearing and made me love the Goode girls even more. Mercy’s wit and Raphael’s charisma made these characters come alive, and I loved their interactions with each other. All of these things together made this story exciting, riveting, and yet comfortable. I easily relaxed into this one and escaped to another time and another place.
Mercy was my favourite of the two main characters. While I liked Raphael, he did come across as a wee bit of a martyr. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of heroes who take love for a little time … to protect the heroine from the life he leads. Seems selfish and egocentric to his wants and needs. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and even he realises it’s impossible to walk away from Mercy.
Even though I did hesitate to start reading Dancing With Danger, I’m pleased to say that it exceeded my expectations. While I enjoyed the first two Goode Girls, they didn't suck me in as well as this one did. Maybe it was the right time, the right place, and my accompanying coffee was at the right temperature, to help me enjoy this story so thoroughly. I can’t wait for Tempting Fate, the next in the Goode Girls series.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
****4.5 Stars****
I’m not sure why, but Dancing With Danger is the first Goode Girls I’ve really loved. Reading A Dark and Stormy Knight didn’t really feel like #7 - Victorian Rebels, and at the time of reading, I didn’t know it was #1 - Goode Girls. Then, unfortunately, #2 - Courting Trouble was tainted by my biased views of Nora from the first book. It took way too long for me to forgive her nastiness towards Prudence (heroine from #1). Which brings me to #3 - Dancing With Danger. I absolutely LOVED Mercy.
I’m a big fan of stories where the beautiful heroine’s personality doesn’t match her looks. In this case, Mercy attracts a lot of attention from men because of her beauty but as soon as she opens her mouth, they go running. See, she has opinions, and what man wants to court a woman who is smarter than them? Mercy is extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and not afraid to investigate when someone she cares about, is murdered.
Raphael is a criminal, but it was impossible to hate him for it. We meet the man who does bad things because it’s expected of him. This man was born into a life of crime and the only escape from it is death. There was only one person Raphael loved, trusted and would do anything for, his brother, Gabriel. Just when Raphael and Gabriel made plans to alter their criminal paths, Mercy comes into his life and makes him question everything.
I found myself sucked in from the start and even with a few hiccups, I loved the journey Mercy and Raphael take us on. While this was a fantastic love story, it wasn’t the only reason why I loved it so much. I was also fascinated with the mysterious death and Mercy’s detecting abilities to help solve the crime. Familial love and support from Mercy and Raphael’s siblings was endearing and made me love the Goode girls even more. Mercy’s wit and Raphael’s charisma made these characters come alive, and I loved their interactions with each other. All of these things together made this story exciting, riveting, and yet comfortable. I easily relaxed into this one and escaped to another time and another place.
Mercy was my favourite of the two main characters. While I liked Raphael, he did come across as a wee bit of a martyr. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of heroes who take love for a little time … to protect the heroine from the life he leads. Seems selfish and egocentric to his wants and needs. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and even he realises it’s impossible to walk away from Mercy.
Even though I did hesitate to start reading Dancing With Danger, I’m pleased to say that it exceeded my expectations. While I enjoyed the first two Goode Girls, they didn't suck me in as well as this one did. Maybe it was the right time, the right place, and my accompanying coffee was at the right temperature, to help me enjoy this story so thoroughly. I can’t wait for Tempting Fate, the next in the Goode Girls series.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.
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June 29, 2022The scale of my boredom: I (a very horny bitch by all standards) dnfed in the middle of a sex scene. Literally a sentence away from penetration.
February 11, 2021
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖 4 books
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 4 hearts
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 5 butterflies
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 4 broken hearts
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 5 fires
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 5 lightnings
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 4 peaches
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆🍆 3 eggplants
(These are all personal opinion of 1-5 except eggplants, which follows our eggplant chart)
This is book 3 of the Goode Girls series. It’s probably best to read in order, as Mercy and Raphael are both in the previous book, but if you are a reading rebel, you might be content just picking up this book. The series really does flow together well (starting with Victorian Rebels) and there’s multiple character appearances throughout.
Mercy is the mischievous twin. Her sister Felicity is the calm and sweet one. She is determined to solve the murder of an acquaintance and when the police show up, she is the one arrested along with Raphael Sauvageau.
Raphael is an ultimate bad boy. Leader of a viscous gang, he’s dabbled in all sorts of bad behavior. He has some things to see to regarding his business and his brother and Mercy keeps turning up directly in his way.
Give this book a try if you are in the mood for:
- Victorian time period (1881)
- Antihero - Dark and bad hero that is utterly smitten with our heroine. He’s a lord of a criminal underworld. He’s just this looming, protective presence and I love him so much.
- Tattooed hero
- Class difference – Mercy is the daughter of a Baron and Raphael is a criminal
- Masquerades – Raphael and Mercy both attend one later in the book and it leads to one of my favorite sex scenes ever. Ever!
- Marked as childless HEA, though unsure if it will happen in the future
- Moderate to heavy steam – it’s only 214 but you get multiple full scenes and kisses
- Think there’s a tiny age gap between them, the hero is 30 but I can’t find how old the heroine is (if anyone knows, let me know!) But I think she’s younger than Pru and she’s 27 or so? The hero comments on how she’s probably too young for him (but not in a teenager way, just that’s she’s young and innocent and he’s corrupted way)
- A shorter novel – coming in at 214 pages according to goodreads
- If you don’t usually read Kerrigan Byrne because she’s too dark, this might be one for you to try. The safety warnings are minimal – there is an off page murder of a side character and on page death of a villain but I can’t think of any other safety warnings that come into play in this book.
This is my kind of book. I could just write I f****** loved it in bigger and bigger font and be done. I love a hero like this. I just adored the whole book, from the very beginning. Choose any paragraph from this book and I loved it.
Raphael is quite intense. Focused on Mercy from their first meeting (which is the prior book, so read that!), he is so protective of her safety too and it just melted my heart. I adored every kiss, every touch between them. He’s arrogant but it’s deserved. Demanding yet caring. Sigh.
There’s a scene towards the end, where danger looms and Mercy realizes his plan and it leads to such an explosive intimate scene. It will stay with me forever. I love when a man loses control over his heroine and that’s what I felt here. Gahhh I love this book.
“But I will be too distracted by my obsession with your lips to be of much use, unless you yield to me.”
He stepped closer, watching the war play out on her face, and spoke to tip the scales in his favor. “If you are to never take a husband, at least let me give you the knowledge of what to expect from a lover. Though I pity the man who next attempts to follow me.”
The sheer arrogance in his claim should have turned her off him instantly.
And yet, he said this with an odd sort of darkness. Like he pitied her next lover because he was already considering doing him violence.
“Let me have you tonight.” His whisper sizzled through her.
This is the epitome of what I adore in a romance hero.
Locations of kisses and sex
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖 4 books
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 4 hearts
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 5 butterflies
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 4 broken hearts
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 5 fires
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 5 lightnings
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 4 peaches
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆🍆 3 eggplants
(These are all personal opinion of 1-5 except eggplants, which follows our eggplant chart)
This is book 3 of the Goode Girls series. It’s probably best to read in order, as Mercy and Raphael are both in the previous book, but if you are a reading rebel, you might be content just picking up this book. The series really does flow together well (starting with Victorian Rebels) and there’s multiple character appearances throughout.
Mercy is the mischievous twin. Her sister Felicity is the calm and sweet one. She is determined to solve the murder of an acquaintance and when the police show up, she is the one arrested along with Raphael Sauvageau.
Raphael is an ultimate bad boy. Leader of a viscous gang, he’s dabbled in all sorts of bad behavior. He has some things to see to regarding his business and his brother and Mercy keeps turning up directly in his way.
Give this book a try if you are in the mood for:
- Victorian time period (1881)
- Antihero - Dark and bad hero that is utterly smitten with our heroine. He’s a lord of a criminal underworld. He’s just this looming, protective presence and I love him so much.
- Tattooed hero
- Class difference – Mercy is the daughter of a Baron and Raphael is a criminal
- Masquerades – Raphael and Mercy both attend one later in the book and it leads to one of my favorite sex scenes ever. Ever!
- Marked as childless HEA, though unsure if it will happen in the future
- Moderate to heavy steam – it’s only 214 but you get multiple full scenes and kisses
- Think there’s a tiny age gap between them, the hero is 30 but I can’t find how old the heroine is (if anyone knows, let me know!) But I think she’s younger than Pru and she’s 27 or so? The hero comments on how she’s probably too young for him (but not in a teenager way, just that’s she’s young and innocent and he’s corrupted way)
- A shorter novel – coming in at 214 pages according to goodreads
- If you don’t usually read Kerrigan Byrne because she’s too dark, this might be one for you to try. The safety warnings are minimal – there is an off page murder of a side character and on page death of a villain but I can’t think of any other safety warnings that come into play in this book.
This is my kind of book. I could just write I f****** loved it in bigger and bigger font and be done. I love a hero like this. I just adored the whole book, from the very beginning. Choose any paragraph from this book and I loved it.
Raphael is quite intense. Focused on Mercy from their first meeting (which is the prior book, so read that!), he is so protective of her safety too and it just melted my heart. I adored every kiss, every touch between them. He’s arrogant but it’s deserved. Demanding yet caring. Sigh.
There’s a scene towards the end, where danger looms and Mercy realizes his plan and it leads to such an explosive intimate scene. It will stay with me forever. I love when a man loses control over his heroine and that’s what I felt here. Gahhh I love this book.
“But I will be too distracted by my obsession with your lips to be of much use, unless you yield to me.”
He stepped closer, watching the war play out on her face, and spoke to tip the scales in his favor. “If you are to never take a husband, at least let me give you the knowledge of what to expect from a lover. Though I pity the man who next attempts to follow me.”
The sheer arrogance in his claim should have turned her off him instantly.
And yet, he said this with an odd sort of darkness. Like he pitied her next lover because he was already considering doing him violence.
“Let me have you tonight.” His whisper sizzled through her.
This is the epitome of what I adore in a romance hero.
Locations of kisses and sex
March 25, 2021
I completely forgot this book was coming until I got a notification that my preorder is available on my Kindle to read ;) I mean, somewhere in my mind I knew it was gonna happen, mostly because I am very eagerly awaiting for the next installment in this series, but the details were murky in my mind… naturally, when it landed on my Kindle, I immediately dropped everything else I’ve been reading to devour this one in a few hours :) it was definitely too short, the relationship between Mercy and Raphael would benefit from a bit slower build up, but the banter between them was pure gold :) because the story wasn’t very long, the pacing felt a bit off as well… we have the romance between our main couple, little teasers about the next couple (I’m gonna die before I get my hands on that one in may) as well as the big mystery to solve and most of the time I feel like we couldn’t really take our time and appreciate certain scenes and moments, or even pause long enough to analyze them, because we were moving forward immediately… and yet… I cannot give this book less than five stars… I just can’t :) Kerrigan Byrne is one of my all time favourite authors, and her writing style just works for me every single time… so even though I do have my “complaints”, if you can even call it that, more like general musings ;) I still loved reading this book and would recommend it to you guys :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
March 6, 2021
4.5 stars ✨
I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something so appealing about a bad boy, an anti-hero...a black soul that may seem unredeemable to others, but when touched by the right woman, a transformation begins. When I finished Courting Trouble I was hoping we’d get Raphael Sauvageau’s story. This story was delicious because it reminded me of The Business of Blood (cleaner version). Mercy Goode is a real go getter waiting for no man, but all about getting things done. Little did she know that all it would take for her is the right man to make her pause. These two were “silk and sand.” Their chemistry, their passion and intense awareness of each other made this story gold. It is Kerrigan’s writing that gets me every time!
“The kiss did not douse the flames of fury within her, merely fed them, fanned them, sent the heat licking its way over her flesh until it landed deep inside her womb.”
“He gripped her dress, holding it like the reins of a horse as he drove deep and hard, bucking her forward with the force of his thrusts. He held her captive as he undid her completely.”
That girl can write. Period! I felt these scenes in my bones and needed a cold shower afterwards. I can’t wait for Tempting Fate to see what becomes of Mercy’s twin sister, Felicity.
I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something so appealing about a bad boy, an anti-hero...a black soul that may seem unredeemable to others, but when touched by the right woman, a transformation begins. When I finished Courting Trouble I was hoping we’d get Raphael Sauvageau’s story. This story was delicious because it reminded me of The Business of Blood (cleaner version). Mercy Goode is a real go getter waiting for no man, but all about getting things done. Little did she know that all it would take for her is the right man to make her pause. These two were “silk and sand.” Their chemistry, their passion and intense awareness of each other made this story gold. It is Kerrigan’s writing that gets me every time!
“The kiss did not douse the flames of fury within her, merely fed them, fanned them, sent the heat licking its way over her flesh until it landed deep inside her womb.”
“He gripped her dress, holding it like the reins of a horse as he drove deep and hard, bucking her forward with the force of his thrusts. He held her captive as he undid her completely.”
That girl can write. Period! I felt these scenes in my bones and needed a cold shower afterwards. I can’t wait for Tempting Fate to see what becomes of Mercy’s twin sister, Felicity.
November 27, 2021
"Flirturi periculoase" este o poveste de dragoste plină de pasiune și pericol, ce-ți taie răsuflarea.
Îi are în centru pe Mercy, fiica baronului Goode, și pe Raphael, un contrabandist fără scrupule, conducătorul unei bune părți din lumea interlopă a Londrei.
Două personaje complet diferite, pe care nu reușești să le vezi participând la aceleași evenimente. Asta până când sunt arestați împreună, deoarece Mercy a atacat un detectiv din West End iar Raphael este conducătorul Bestiilor, o grupare sângeroasă din cartierele limitrofe.
Cu toate impedimentele și diferențele sociale dintre ei, cei doi tineri se trezesc atrași unul de celălalt, cu o pasiune ce amenință să le dea peste cap nu doar planurile, ci și viața.
Astfel, pasiunea lor ia amploare, realizând mult prea târziu că sentimentele unuia pentru celălalt îi poate răni atunci când propriile lor planuri vor fi duse la bun sfârșit.
Lupte sângeroase, emoții puternice și o iubire care se dovedește capabilă să înfrunte orice pentru a ieși învingătoare.
Mercy și Raphael reușesc să se salveze unul pe celălalt din ghearele vieții care i-a prins în capcana circumstanțelor.
O lectură deosebită!
April 20, 2021
5 "I'm asking for everything" Stars!
This book was everything I was looking for and hoping it would be. It was fast paced with just the right amount of heat. Both main characters were fantastic. Raphael was as tempting as The Devil and I lurved him. But Mercy was the star of this show for me. I seriously have a girl crush! She was smart and sassy and snarky and fearless. Dark Angel Raphael and his Mercy.
Swoon. 🥰
Kerrigan Byrne has never disappointed me. I am so looking forward to Tempting Fate Felicity's and Gabriel's book just may break my heart though. But I can't wait for the pain. Happy reading!
This book was everything I was looking for and hoping it would be. It was fast paced with just the right amount of heat. Both main characters were fantastic. Raphael was as tempting as The Devil and I lurved him. But Mercy was the star of this show for me. I seriously have a girl crush! She was smart and sassy and snarky and fearless. Dark Angel Raphael and his Mercy.
Swoon. 🥰
Kerrigan Byrne has never disappointed me. I am so looking forward to Tempting Fate Felicity's and Gabriel's book just may break my heart though. But I can't wait for the pain. Happy reading!
November 16, 2021
A goode addition to the series!
^^^ Did you catch that cheesiness?! ^^^
Dancing With Danger is the third book in the Goode series.
This book is about the love relationship of Mercy Goode and Raphael Sauvageau.
Mercy and Raphael meet in the second book and sparks flew.
Raphael and Gabriel, his brother are smugglers and dangerous men. They are in charge of one of the most dangerous gangs in London and also France, called The Fauves.
Raphael wants to leave this life behind but isn’t quite sure how to go about it, or if he can save his brother. Gabriel, the oldest brother of The Fauves is the muscle and brute force for this gang. And Raphael is the face, brains and charm.
They both want to escape but in order to do so, they will have to die.
Dancing With Danger is another good historical romance wrote by Kerrigan Byrne.
The romance happened a bit too fast in my opinion but when you’ve only got days to live, I can see that would speed things up a bit! Viva la Vida!
I would start at the beginning of the series since there are overlapping characters and plots.
Excited to check out the love relationship between Gabriel & Felicity in the 4th book in the series!
^^^ Did you catch that cheesiness?! ^^^
Dancing With Danger is the third book in the Goode series.
This book is about the love relationship of Mercy Goode and Raphael Sauvageau.
Mercy and Raphael meet in the second book and sparks flew.
Raphael and Gabriel, his brother are smugglers and dangerous men. They are in charge of one of the most dangerous gangs in London and also France, called The Fauves.
Raphael wants to leave this life behind but isn’t quite sure how to go about it, or if he can save his brother. Gabriel, the oldest brother of The Fauves is the muscle and brute force for this gang. And Raphael is the face, brains and charm.
They both want to escape but in order to do so, they will have to die.
Dancing With Danger is another good historical romance wrote by Kerrigan Byrne.
The romance happened a bit too fast in my opinion but when you’ve only got days to live, I can see that would speed things up a bit! Viva la Vida!
I would start at the beginning of the series since there are overlapping characters and plots.
Excited to check out the love relationship between Gabriel & Felicity in the 4th book in the series!
December 3, 2022
Great writing but this book was too short.
I really liked Mercy and Raphael had potential to be a great hero, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to learn much about him. I read a few lines here and there about how he was a man with a tortured past and fought his own demons, but I didn’t feel it and I think that’s because his backstory wasn’t explored in depth. I would have connected more with his character had there been more information regarding his past. Since I didn’t get a lot of deets, I didn’t fall in love with this story like the others in this series.
I will say, I am very excited to read Gabriel and Felicity’s story. I am very much a fan of both Gabriel and Felicity and I am hoping their story is as beautiful as I am imagining it to be!
I really liked Mercy and Raphael had potential to be a great hero, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to learn much about him. I read a few lines here and there about how he was a man with a tortured past and fought his own demons, but I didn’t feel it and I think that’s because his backstory wasn’t explored in depth. I would have connected more with his character had there been more information regarding his past. Since I didn’t get a lot of deets, I didn’t fall in love with this story like the others in this series.
I will say, I am very excited to read Gabriel and Felicity’s story. I am very much a fan of both Gabriel and Felicity and I am hoping their story is as beautiful as I am imagining it to be!
February 14, 2021
I was looking forward to this book after the ending of the last one, when Mercy and Felicity are confronted by the dashing underground criminals, brothers Raphael and Gabriel. It's set in 1881 London and all the characters are pretty modern in flavour - re attitudes and speech. Mercy is headstrong, confident and runs all over the town taking charge and investigating and I can't see that happening in 1881. This is the way of most modern historical romances though, so I must live with it, as it's an entertaining, fictional adventure after all.
The background plot is very simple and it has been embellished with lots of creative writing that expand many scenes to flesh out the story. I'm not a great fan of this style of writing as it tends to draw me out of scenes and it did do this in some instances, which was unfortunate. The book was pretty short and Mercy and Raphael only meet a handful of times and that includes the main bedroom scene. They were instantly smitten after their first encounter months ago. To me, this book was rushed and if it could have been expanded upon, it would have been way better. There's lots of action and romance packed into this small space and I enjoyed the last few chapters.
It's very well written, has fun banter and I liked the H/h. You could feel their HEA love connection. I would recommend that readers should start at the beginning of this series to understand all the characters. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion. 😍💘
The background plot is very simple and it has been embellished with lots of creative writing that expand many scenes to flesh out the story. I'm not a great fan of this style of writing as it tends to draw me out of scenes and it did do this in some instances, which was unfortunate. The book was pretty short and Mercy and Raphael only meet a handful of times and that includes the main bedroom scene. They were instantly smitten after their first encounter months ago. To me, this book was rushed and if it could have been expanded upon, it would have been way better. There's lots of action and romance packed into this small space and I enjoyed the last few chapters.
It's very well written, has fun banter and I liked the H/h. You could feel their HEA love connection. I would recommend that readers should start at the beginning of this series to understand all the characters. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion. 😍💘
February 5, 2021
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Dancing With Danger is book 3 in the Goode Girls series. It can mostly be read as a standalone because the author summarizes the key relationships and events from the previous books in the series.
Mercy Goode is the daughter of a Baron, but her interest lies in solving mysteries. Raphael Sauvageau is the leader of a notorious gang called Les Fauves. This unlikely couple met for the first time at the end of Courting Trouble. And now they meet again at a crime scene where someone they both knew was murdered.
I was really excited to read Mercy and Raphael's story ever since their meet cute in Courting Trouble. Unfortunately, I did not love their story as much as I had expected to. There was way too much packed in such a short book. First of all, we have a murder mystery to solve. Then, we have Raphael and his brother Gabriel who are planning something big in regards to their gang. On top of all that, we have a central romance between Mercy and Raphael.
Everything in the romance department is rushed. The entire relationship is rushed and feels very insta-lovey. I think this mostly has to do with the pacing and the length of the story. Even the ending was rushed, cheesy, and ridiculously dramatic. The short length of Courting Trouble didn't bother me too much because it was a second chance romance, so it had a solid foundation. However, Dancing With Danger could have used more space for a deeper and richer relationship development.
I did enjoy Mercy and Raphael as characters for the most part. Mercy can be very rash and Raphael can be very set in his ways. But they pack a LOT of heat together 🔥 I'm also VERY interested in Felicity and Gabriel as a couple. The idea of these two together is simply delicious. Plus, there's a certain plot thread that I think will unravel in their story, which I'm excited for!
P.S. There are some pretty great Morley scenes in this book!!
Dancing With Danger is book 3 in the Goode Girls series. It can mostly be read as a standalone because the author summarizes the key relationships and events from the previous books in the series.
Mercy Goode is the daughter of a Baron, but her interest lies in solving mysteries. Raphael Sauvageau is the leader of a notorious gang called Les Fauves. This unlikely couple met for the first time at the end of Courting Trouble. And now they meet again at a crime scene where someone they both knew was murdered.
I was really excited to read Mercy and Raphael's story ever since their meet cute in Courting Trouble. Unfortunately, I did not love their story as much as I had expected to. There was way too much packed in such a short book. First of all, we have a murder mystery to solve. Then, we have Raphael and his brother Gabriel who are planning something big in regards to their gang. On top of all that, we have a central romance between Mercy and Raphael.
Everything in the romance department is rushed. The entire relationship is rushed and feels very insta-lovey. I think this mostly has to do with the pacing and the length of the story. Even the ending was rushed, cheesy, and ridiculously dramatic. The short length of Courting Trouble didn't bother me too much because it was a second chance romance, so it had a solid foundation. However, Dancing With Danger could have used more space for a deeper and richer relationship development.
I did enjoy Mercy and Raphael as characters for the most part. Mercy can be very rash and Raphael can be very set in his ways. But they pack a LOT of heat together 🔥 I'm also VERY interested in Felicity and Gabriel as a couple. The idea of these two together is simply delicious. Plus, there's a certain plot thread that I think will unravel in their story, which I'm excited for!
P.S. There are some pretty great Morley scenes in this book!!
September 1, 2023
I thought this could have been better. They both seemed like good characters and the story was rushed. I think the two chapters of steam was not needed in this story. When chapters, could have been used in telling more about there story.
December 18, 2022
I really really enjoyed this!! The ending was so sweet and I love how it all played out 🥹 there wasn’t really a breakup and god their chemistry!! This is what I wanted from the last book (but it was covered up with the angstiest type of angst). I’m so excited for the next book good lord
February 24, 2021
Book 3 of the Goode sisters. Blue stocking, clever, witty Mercy catches the eye of Raphael, a gang leader. I loved how Mercy was full of sass and called it how she saw it. Great opening scene showcasing Mercy’s strength and intelligence. Mercy and Raphael have met before briefly in book 2, but it still was instant attraction. I’m not usually a fan of insta- love, however this was done very well. Their banter was fun and the writing really conveyed the fondness Raphael had for Mercy. Usually Byrne’s stories give more background early on, this time the reveal was later. I have to say I prefer it earlier, so I can get a better understanding of the character. Overall, I really enjoyed it, but I’m anxiously awaiting Gabriel’s story. I couldn’t stop thinking the whole time about his chance for love.
February 15, 2021
lovely
February 5, 2021
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I don't know about you, but when I get an ARC of a Kerrigan Byrne, I drop everything and dive in. I have been loving this series and I was so ready to see what the deal was with the next Goode Sister. This family has some amazing connections by this point and I was intrigued for this one to begin with a murder mystery.
This time we get to know Mercy a bit more when she discovers the body of an abused women she was helping to get away from her husband. The prime suspect is the dashing smuggler Rapheal, who happens to be hiding at the murder scene. When they happen to get arrested together and he leaves her behind in the prison wagon, she is even more determined to learn more about him.
He has secrets upon secrets he is hiding and he is willing to share a few with her for a night of passion. But she knows she can't catch feelings because he won't be sticking around for long. Even when the sparks between are like nothing they have ever felt.
What I liked about this:
I liked seeing some of my favorite characters.
I liked the murder mystery aspect.
As always, this book is steamy and fun right from the jump.
Things I didn't like:
As always this could have used a few more chapters, especially with al the story packed into it.
This was an instalove story, more so than other by this author I have read before and it gave me a bit of whiplash.
All in all, it was a great story and it was a fun way to spend my night. A great addition to the series and it got me excited for the next couple in the series!!
4/5 stars for me.
I don't know about you, but when I get an ARC of a Kerrigan Byrne, I drop everything and dive in. I have been loving this series and I was so ready to see what the deal was with the next Goode Sister. This family has some amazing connections by this point and I was intrigued for this one to begin with a murder mystery.
This time we get to know Mercy a bit more when she discovers the body of an abused women she was helping to get away from her husband. The prime suspect is the dashing smuggler Rapheal, who happens to be hiding at the murder scene. When they happen to get arrested together and he leaves her behind in the prison wagon, she is even more determined to learn more about him.
He has secrets upon secrets he is hiding and he is willing to share a few with her for a night of passion. But she knows she can't catch feelings because he won't be sticking around for long. Even when the sparks between are like nothing they have ever felt.
What I liked about this:
I liked seeing some of my favorite characters.
I liked the murder mystery aspect.
As always, this book is steamy and fun right from the jump.
Things I didn't like:
As always this could have used a few more chapters, especially with al the story packed into it.
This was an instalove story, more so than other by this author I have read before and it gave me a bit of whiplash.
All in all, it was a great story and it was a fun way to spend my night. A great addition to the series and it got me excited for the next couple in the series!!
4/5 stars for me.
October 6, 2022
Mercy was certainly dancing with danger! I loved her mischievousness and her forthright speaking, and I really liked her as a woman of the Victorian era. Oh, and Raphael, wow. Best one in the series so far, for me! 4☆
January 18, 2021
Miss Mercy Goode, wannabe sleuth, gets arrested at a murder scene with Raphael Sauvageau, dangerous smuggler. Sparks fly as she tries to solve an aquaintence's murder and Raphael plans to avenge it.
This is book three in the Goode Girls series. It is best to read the stories in order, as one leads right into another. Previous heroes, Morely and Conleith, play a role.
Byrne writes fantatic, intriguing characters! Raphael is a seemingly irredeemable criminal and Mercy is an unconventional baron's daughter with brains and no artifice. They are like magnets, drawn together. I gave it four stars instead of five because there were a few parts where the characters were very "in their heads" with their thoughts and emotions, and I just wanted the pacing to pick up a bit. Overall, I thought the HEA was very satisfying, and I'm looking forward to Felicity's and Gabriel's story next!
Tropes: Anti-Hero, Class Difference
Eggplant rating: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Booksprout
This is book three in the Goode Girls series. It is best to read the stories in order, as one leads right into another. Previous heroes, Morely and Conleith, play a role.
Byrne writes fantatic, intriguing characters! Raphael is a seemingly irredeemable criminal and Mercy is an unconventional baron's daughter with brains and no artifice. They are like magnets, drawn together. I gave it four stars instead of five because there were a few parts where the characters were very "in their heads" with their thoughts and emotions, and I just wanted the pacing to pick up a bit. Overall, I thought the HEA was very satisfying, and I'm looking forward to Felicity's and Gabriel's story next!
Tropes: Anti-Hero, Class Difference
Eggplant rating: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Booksprout
February 19, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
I loved it. Mercy is a feisty, smart, determined woman and Raphael is a handsome, ruthless, criminal. These two should have nothing in common and they don't. Opposites from totally different worlds collide and stick. It is a theme for a lot of Kerrigan Byrne books and it is fascinating how she makes it work.
Mercy Goode, daughter of a baron and Felicity's identical twin, has a knack for getting into trouble. She imagines herself as a sleuth of a detective, like her fictional hero, Detective Eddard Sharpe. When she finds the body of a woman she was going to help disappear, she immediately begins to analyze the scene, much to the dismay of the police, which causes her to end up arrested along with Raphael Sauvageau, a known criminal. Mercy knows he isn't the killer, but she doesn't know who is and she won't stop until she does and that puts her in danger.
Raphael Sauvageau, criminal gang leader of the Favre's, has never had a reaction to a woman like the one he has to Mercy. In his line of work he just can't afford this type of attraction, it could get him killed. He also has plans that definitely do not include falling for the beautiful, smart, infuriating Mercy, but some things just can't be helped. Their kisses and their mutual passion could very well set the criminal underworld on fire.
I loved it. Mercy is a feisty, smart, determined woman and Raphael is a handsome, ruthless, criminal. These two should have nothing in common and they don't. Opposites from totally different worlds collide and stick. It is a theme for a lot of Kerrigan Byrne books and it is fascinating how she makes it work.
Mercy Goode, daughter of a baron and Felicity's identical twin, has a knack for getting into trouble. She imagines herself as a sleuth of a detective, like her fictional hero, Detective Eddard Sharpe. When she finds the body of a woman she was going to help disappear, she immediately begins to analyze the scene, much to the dismay of the police, which causes her to end up arrested along with Raphael Sauvageau, a known criminal. Mercy knows he isn't the killer, but she doesn't know who is and she won't stop until she does and that puts her in danger.
Raphael Sauvageau, criminal gang leader of the Favre's, has never had a reaction to a woman like the one he has to Mercy. In his line of work he just can't afford this type of attraction, it could get him killed. He also has plans that definitely do not include falling for the beautiful, smart, infuriating Mercy, but some things just can't be helped. Their kisses and their mutual passion could very well set the criminal underworld on fire.
June 18, 2023
This one was a little meeeeh. It has too many criminal investigations to keep up with, which ultimately culminated in the easiest possible ending. I would have loved to read more about the background of the characters and their adventures! Also, the ending could be a little less messy. For example, I didn't even quite understand what happened to the duchess' relative??
The epilogue didn't add anything new either. I also felt that this book was too focused on Gabriel, who is the star of the next book. His 'relationship' with Felicity makes us wonder, no doubt, but this book is not about them...
So I liked the characters minimally, but I think they and, truly, the story could have been better developed. I also liked their spicy scene; it's a long one but ok.
The epilogue didn't add anything new either. I also felt that this book was too focused on Gabriel, who is the star of the next book. His 'relationship' with Felicity makes us wonder, no doubt, but this book is not about them...
So I liked the characters minimally, but I think they and, truly, the story could have been better developed. I also liked their spicy scene; it's a long one but ok.
February 17, 2021
4.5 ⭐️😭😍
“I don’t want to leave this world if you’re a part of it. Because you’re a part of me, whether you love me back or not.”
February 23, 2021
Gritty, but so well written. I loved Mercy. Such a tough but sweet soul.
Raphael is so intriguing and sexy. So alpha.
Mercy is quite the sleuth. Her brother in law warns her to leave the detective work to him.
Raphael has a lot of secrets. This is a shorter novel, but has a lot of action.
I almost thought Raphael had no way out of his underworld crime- boss lifestyle. He's very dedicated to his brother, who has it even worse.
Mercy is one of my favorite KB heroines. I hope that I read more of her and Raphael in future books.
I read this, but want to listen to the audio too.
Raphael is so intriguing and sexy. So alpha.
Mercy is quite the sleuth. Her brother in law warns her to leave the detective work to him.
Raphael has a lot of secrets. This is a shorter novel, but has a lot of action.
I almost thought Raphael had no way out of his underworld crime- boss lifestyle. He's very dedicated to his brother, who has it even worse.
Mercy is one of my favorite KB heroines. I hope that I read more of her and Raphael in future books.
I read this, but want to listen to the audio too.
October 23, 2022
Mercy Goode strides boldly through life and is no stranger to the occasional tight scrape but getting herself arrested at a murder scene with notorious gangster Raphael Sauvageau is a bit much even for her. She’s initially suspicious of the ruthless smuggler but there is clear evidence he’s not responsible for this particular murder at least.
Raphael is in the middle of putting in motion an elaborate plan to extract himself and his brother from the dangerous life they lead, though it is likely to result in his own death. He can’t afford a distraction, but Mercy continues to pop up in his path, infuriatingly playing the role of would-be detective. The more galling she is, the more charmed he is, and the chemistry between them is so strong they can barely keep their hands off each other any time they’re together. Raphael knows he has no future and yet Mercy makes him feel alive for the first time in his recent memory and she may just be the key to his redemption.
This was a lovely, fast-paced story with an antihero I could really get behind. Raphael just wanted out of a life of darkness he never chose for himself, but he was willing to lose all for his brother. I found that so endearing and revelatory, especially paired with his protectiveness of Mercy, that Raphael had to be a hit for me as a hero. Mercy had to grow on me more, mostly due to her rather caustic personality and tendency to be argumentative just for the sake of contrariness, rather than with any real goal in mind. Her modern feminist views were a bit heavy-handed and overly repeated, but they did fit in with the Victorian age’s leaps toward progress. Her fire was perfect for Raphael and their chemistry and sexual tension was sizzling, yet their steamy scenes managed to be very sweet (the hand holding especially.) I loved that Raphael wasn’t really a bad guy, but just trying to survive the only way he knew how in a position he’d been forced into. I also loved that he accepted Mercy for who she was and in fact loved her for the traits that others found off-putting.
I do wish we’d had time for a little more relationship development and communication between Mercy and Raphael, but this was a short book and their instant connection, especially the way it changed everything for Raphael, was still lovely and worked here with the drama and gravity of the book’s events. I really enjoyed the scene with Carlton Morley late in the book and would’ve loved to see more of his interactions with Raphael just as a tie into them both finding redemption after dark pasts. More affection and affirmation from Mercy during this scene would’ve also been welcome given how Raphael laid his soul bare for her. Either way, I still loved that scene.
I’m excited for how this series is shaping up and I’m hoping for more coverage of Morley’s handling of these gang wars and loving the gritty Victorian setting. Gabriel was a heart-wrenching character and I’m looking forward to getting his full story and super excited for Byrne to write another inexperienced hero.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Raphael is in the middle of putting in motion an elaborate plan to extract himself and his brother from the dangerous life they lead, though it is likely to result in his own death. He can’t afford a distraction, but Mercy continues to pop up in his path, infuriatingly playing the role of would-be detective. The more galling she is, the more charmed he is, and the chemistry between them is so strong they can barely keep their hands off each other any time they’re together. Raphael knows he has no future and yet Mercy makes him feel alive for the first time in his recent memory and she may just be the key to his redemption.
This was a lovely, fast-paced story with an antihero I could really get behind. Raphael just wanted out of a life of darkness he never chose for himself, but he was willing to lose all for his brother. I found that so endearing and revelatory, especially paired with his protectiveness of Mercy, that Raphael had to be a hit for me as a hero. Mercy had to grow on me more, mostly due to her rather caustic personality and tendency to be argumentative just for the sake of contrariness, rather than with any real goal in mind. Her modern feminist views were a bit heavy-handed and overly repeated, but they did fit in with the Victorian age’s leaps toward progress. Her fire was perfect for Raphael and their chemistry and sexual tension was sizzling, yet their steamy scenes managed to be very sweet (the hand holding especially.) I loved that Raphael wasn’t really a bad guy, but just trying to survive the only way he knew how in a position he’d been forced into. I also loved that he accepted Mercy for who she was and in fact loved her for the traits that others found off-putting.
I do wish we’d had time for a little more relationship development and communication between Mercy and Raphael, but this was a short book and their instant connection, especially the way it changed everything for Raphael, was still lovely and worked here with the drama and gravity of the book’s events. I really enjoyed the scene with Carlton Morley late in the book and would’ve loved to see more of his interactions with Raphael just as a tie into them both finding redemption after dark pasts. More affection and affirmation from Mercy during this scene would’ve also been welcome given how Raphael laid his soul bare for her. Either way, I still loved that scene.
I’m excited for how this series is shaping up and I’m hoping for more coverage of Morley’s handling of these gang wars and loving the gritty Victorian setting. Gabriel was a heart-wrenching character and I’m looking forward to getting his full story and super excited for Byrne to write another inexperienced hero.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
April 24, 2021
Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of this author. I've loved almost everything of hers I have read.
But I've got to tell you, this felt like it was written by someone else.
The bones of the book were on brand. Tortured anti-hero, an unlikely match in the heroine. Walking along London's underbelly with one foot in the criminal underworld and one in world of lords and ladies. The way it all played out, though... kind of disappointing.
My biggest issue was in how underdeveloped this romance was. It was one of those obsession at first sight things and I never felt these two falling in love. Yes, Raphael is sexy and mysterious. And Mercy is beautiful, smart, and forthright. But at times she felt almost like a caricature. The things she would say didn't sound like things a real person would say. Him either, if I am being honest. The most interesting thing about either one of them was their devotion to their siblings.
And I can get with the idea that they would be attracted to each other enough to jump into bed right away, but the way Raphael was "in love" with her? There was nothing to support it. There was no build. The conflict was flimsy and really something outside of the relationship.
It wasn't even just the romance that moved fast... the entire book did. And I found that I didn't care very much. Not about who killed Mathilde (the anemic mystery.) Not about Raphael's plan (because, duh, it was never coming to fruition.) Not about the main characters.
Now, Raphael's brother? A totally different story. I am very much down for reading about him. But I would like to ask plaintively for return to the kind of writing I know this author is capable of. Some of the language here had me downright rolling my eyes. Which truly pains me to say. Because the last thing I read from this author, I loved.
Not this one.
But I've got to tell you, this felt like it was written by someone else.
The bones of the book were on brand. Tortured anti-hero, an unlikely match in the heroine. Walking along London's underbelly with one foot in the criminal underworld and one in world of lords and ladies. The way it all played out, though... kind of disappointing.
My biggest issue was in how underdeveloped this romance was. It was one of those obsession at first sight things and I never felt these two falling in love. Yes, Raphael is sexy and mysterious. And Mercy is beautiful, smart, and forthright. But at times she felt almost like a caricature. The things she would say didn't sound like things a real person would say. Him either, if I am being honest. The most interesting thing about either one of them was their devotion to their siblings.
And I can get with the idea that they would be attracted to each other enough to jump into bed right away, but the way Raphael was "in love" with her? There was nothing to support it. There was no build. The conflict was flimsy and really something outside of the relationship.
It wasn't even just the romance that moved fast... the entire book did. And I found that I didn't care very much. Not about who killed Mathilde (the anemic mystery.) Not about Raphael's plan (because, duh, it was never coming to fruition.) Not about the main characters.
Now, Raphael's brother? A totally different story. I am very much down for reading about him. But I would like to ask plaintively for return to the kind of writing I know this author is capable of. Some of the language here had me downright rolling my eyes. Which truly pains me to say. Because the last thing I read from this author, I loved.
Not this one.
February 5, 2021
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Well, Kerrigan does it again. I am telling you that I am starting to like this series more than the Victorian Rebels, gasp I know, although I will always have a crazy love for The Hunter and The Highlander. These books are shorter, but they really pack a punch. She fits so much story in it. It amazes me. I just want to live in the world that she has created.
Mercy Goode, amateur female detective and all around mischief maker, gets arrested at a murder scene for assaulting a police officer, and criminal Raphael Sauvageau gets taken in with her. His brother Gabriel frees him, but leaves Mercy behind. She begins to follow him in the hopes of learning about the murder of a friend, but they end up on the path to love together.
I honestly can't rave enough about this book. It's so fun and sexy. I mean Raphael could melt the pants off of anyone. He is this notorious bad boy who you expect to have no heart, but Mercy almost feels like a salvation to him at moments. You truly feel like he needs her, wants her, is consumed by his feelings for her. No one can write chemistry like this, but Kerrigan. It's literally off the charts. He is such a multi-dimensional character, and while I feel that Mercy is a great character, this guy is the show stealer in this book. He has this insane love for his brother, and every action he takes is in the best interest of the one person he loves the most in this world. He has all these layers, and he is like a gift you are unwrapping as the story goes on.
I whole-heartedly recommend buying this book and reading it. This book has everything. It is everything I want in historical romance. Plus, she makes you want the next book so badly. I can not wait for Gabriel and Felicity's story.
Mercy Goode, amateur female detective and all around mischief maker, gets arrested at a murder scene for assaulting a police officer, and criminal Raphael Sauvageau gets taken in with her. His brother Gabriel frees him, but leaves Mercy behind. She begins to follow him in the hopes of learning about the murder of a friend, but they end up on the path to love together.
I honestly can't rave enough about this book. It's so fun and sexy. I mean Raphael could melt the pants off of anyone. He is this notorious bad boy who you expect to have no heart, but Mercy almost feels like a salvation to him at moments. You truly feel like he needs her, wants her, is consumed by his feelings for her. No one can write chemistry like this, but Kerrigan. It's literally off the charts. He is such a multi-dimensional character, and while I feel that Mercy is a great character, this guy is the show stealer in this book. He has this insane love for his brother, and every action he takes is in the best interest of the one person he loves the most in this world. He has all these layers, and he is like a gift you are unwrapping as the story goes on.
I whole-heartedly recommend buying this book and reading it. This book has everything. It is everything I want in historical romance. Plus, she makes you want the next book so badly. I can not wait for Gabriel and Felicity's story.
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