Ms. Stuart and anti-heroes are synonymous so you can expect the same thing here. If you like [b:The Villain Duology|43785485|The Villain Duology|Victoria Vale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548801866l/43785485._SX50_.jpg|68119461], most probably you like this one too. It has the same trope - hero (or anti-hero) wants revenge on the brother by using the innocent sister. This book is tamer, though. I do think the reason for wanting revenge is stronger in The Villain Duology. Lucien just seemed a bit unhinged.

Spoiler

Lucien's sister committed suicide after Miranda's brother, Benedict called off their engagement. He did that because he found her to be mentally un-stabled. So, Lucien knew his sister was mentally un-stabled but he still decided to take out his revenge against Benedict through Miranda. He actually hired someone to ruin her (kidnapped and I supposed to rape her (it depends on how one view things) and decided to ruin her again by doing it himself because it didn't pan out the way he wanted. So, pretty dark stuff.

This was an entertaining read.

I liked this better than all the other Rohan books but I don't think this series stands out at all. I am so sick of all the heroines (even the side female characters) putting themselves down. Calling themselves ugly or boring or plain. I hate that they tell the heroes this. It comes off as pathetic. I prefer my heroines to be a bit more confident than that.

4 1/2 stars

This book was probably one of the most crazy of the 3 'House of Rohan' books I've read. There was a lot of crazy revenge schemes and an over the top hero. I sort of expected that though with the series, and in a completely insane way, it was fun to read. It was especially very good and keeping me guessing what's going to happen with the crazy couple. The only real complaint I found was the ending. It was like I wanted more of a conflict between the couple and especially when the heroine's brothers came to the rescue. And also it seemed like it was rushed. But as a whole I still found it enjoyable to read, crazy and all.

Whatever! When I originally read this I gave it 3 stars, that usually means I would read it again. So I did and I cannot believe I didn't leave myself some notes to keep me from feeling this way. Did I not think the ending was complete s**t this first time? Because it was, and I'm mad that the stupid heroine just forgave him FOR EVERYTHING without so much as an I'm sorry. This was not some little trivial drama she forgave, I figured I would at least get one chapter of groveling cause that's what it would have taken to make me feel like he in anyway deserved forgiveness. But no it doesn't even come up till this last little but of the book she finds out hits with an oar asks him if he loves her and shebam worst ending EVER. Well prob not the worst but I just wanted to convey just how much I hated this ending.

All I kept saying, aloud, while reading this book was, “damn.” And then, “DAAAAMN!” Lucien is one of the most sublime villains ever. Miranda rocked. Together they burned. And played a great game of dark, psychological cat and mouse. I loved it. And then the story took a turn right onto a dark, disturbing street called Mind Fuckery Road. And I was saying more than damn.

I’m a huge fan of Anne Stuart’s dark historicals but this is the book that made me realize just how brilliant a storyteller she is. I finished the book just before I fell asleep last night. I dreamed about it, and woke up thinking about it. Damn.

“Your insanity knows no bounds.”
“Only when it comes to you.”

I have a gripe with this book... she forgave him in the end too quickly... Now I dont like angst just for the sake of angst but she should have made him grovel a bit (though he isnt the grovelling type, I know) But I just wanted to kick his ass a bit more. Having said that... another very enjoyable read in this series.

Miranda and Lucien make a good couple. They play a game they both change the rules to regularly and keep the other guessing.

Lucien is bad but we still manage to love him, flaws and everything. Miranda is outspoken and very stubborn and tries to make the best of a difficult situation. They have chemistry and understandably, they can't resist one another.

The other couple in this story suit each other very much, too.

All in all an enjoyable read!

Previous book reviews:
✦ Reckless (The House of Rohan, #2)
✦ Ruthless (The House of Rohan, #1)
✦ The Wicked House of Rohan (The House of Rohan, #0.5)

I really wanted to love Lucien, I love dark heroes, and I did love him at times, but mostly he was just so stupid. He was determined to ruin Miranda as revenge for what happened to his sister. He seduced her and drove her towards complete ruination, and it become like a game of chicken. Neither Lucien or Miranda would call it off, even though neither of them wanted to continued, neither of them wanted to be the first to claim defeat. It was horrible. I really cant believe what he almost let happen to her. And I really cant believe that Miranda didn't call a stop to it sooner. It was frustrating. I did love the characters really, I just found the story kind of stupid.

As usual, there was a secondary romance and it was adorable! I always love the secondary romances in Anne Stuart novels, and in this one I actually preferred it over Lucien and Miranda. Jacob and Jane were adorable! But I wish this book had more of a conclusion or an epilogue.