This book was hard for me to rate. The plot interested me so I thought I would give it a whirl but historical romances aren’t my thing. I’ve read a few and while I do enjoy the story for the plot, it isn’t for me in the end which is why I have a hard time rating them. I don’t read enough of them to know if it’s my personal preference or it’s just lacking. I thoroughly enjoyed the blackmail plot. I didn’t enjoy Clarence’s POV, didn’t really see why we needed his perspective. I also didn’t care how one moment it felt like it was from Luke’s, then Daniel’s, then someone else’s. I thought the author was creative in the way the HEA came about but I felt dissatisfied, just a bit. If historical, protocol, regency type books are to your liking, I think you will enjoy this one.

I was taken aback by the very first scene with Daniel and Clarence. I probably should have looked for trigger warnings. The rest of the book had the same kind of dark romance? Non romance vibes? Either way, I wasn't delighted, you can say.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the old fashioned feel of the language but ultimately this book didn't work for me. A big part of the plot is various blackmail notes going back and forth creating misunderstandings. But apparently the author forgot that handwriting exists and most of the misunderstandings don't make sense since the notes were all written by different people, who would have had different handwriting. Also, the extreme age difference in all the couples (Daniel/Luke,

Spoiler

Bridget/Sophia, Clarence/George

) feels icky. Daniel keeps rhapsodizing about Luke's innocence and sweetness so it's hard believing their relationship is going to last once he gets a bit older. Add in some unnecessarily long scenes with characters I don't care about (Luke's parents, Clarence's parents) that I skimmed and two really off-putting sex scenes, and this just wasn't the book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Broadbound Publishing for sending this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Blackmailer’s Delight follows Daniel Thornton as he leaves his relationship with Clarence. After moving to his Uncle’s estate to care for him, he meets Luke Morley. As Daniel enters this new relationship, conflict transpires as he receives a blackmail letter asking that he marry one of Luke's sisters. All signs lead to Luke, and confusion ensues.

This book’s strength is certainly in its prose. It is unique in that the language is similar to that of a period classic—think Pride and Prejudice—rather than a modern retelling of historical events, which I loved. It's witty and lighthearted and won't leave you heartbroken by the end. I felt that the pacing of the novel worked well given its length. I think it would be a great choice for anyone who appreciates a classic romance novel but would like more diversity regarding romantic relationships. I also appreciated the history lesson regarding 'The Revolt of the Housewives,' an event that takes place during the time of this novel.

I admit I had a tough time getting into this book at first, but once I was a ways along, it was much easier to get immersed in the plot. A few of the characters felt flat at times but I felt that this didn’t detract too much from the work as a whole, especially considering that the novel itself is meant to be more lighthearted. I would have loved to see a deeper, more intimate connection between Daniel and Luke apart from an attraction for physical features.

I recommend Blackmailer’s Delight to fans of A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue who are looking for a tale with similar feelings but less modern language.