Lord of Vice is a well-written and captivating historical fiction romance.

Maxwell Gideon was the founder of a successful gaming club, The Cloven Hoof. He was also known as the Lord of Vice. And, although, Max was not of noble birth, titled and non-titled gentleman, alike, sought entrance to his establishment. Max enjoyed turning away many of the esteemed nobility who had denied him access to their clubs.

Max wanted to expand the establishment, but to do so, he needed to own the deed to the Cloven Hoof. Unfortunately, his secret and silent partner was the one who held that precious document. Max has given several, more-than-fair offers to buy the business, through their liaison, Heath Grenville. But Max’s silent partner did not agree to any of them. Max wasn’t seeking the deed, to boost his ego; he had specific plans, that he wanted to implement. And to do that, he needed to own the business. He also wanted to prove to Polite Society, that they’d been wrong, about him and his family. 

Max didn’t know that the woman who intrigued him to the point of distraction was the secret partner who had been refusing his proposals. Bryony Grenville, the holder of the deed to The Cloven Hoof, was falling in love with Max Gideon. She was afraid, however, that once he found out who she was, their growing friendship, would die, and her heart would break. 

I loved the characters, Bryony and Max. They were both intelligent, opinionated, and kind. I found their witty banter humorous, and their relationship touching. If you enjoy regency romance, you’ll love, Lord of Vice.

Thank you, WebMotion Publishing and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

I am a big fan of Erica Ridley. I have read  quite a few of her books so i know what to expect. This one did not  disappoint. I was so happy to read a book with a leading lady like Bryony. She is unapologetically smart, successful, and unique. She is not like the leading ladies that typically appear in Regency novels . I liked her. Max, though, was pretty  similar to the leading   men who appear in such novels. He is strong, hard working, and the perfect  match for the  leading lady. I will be rereading this one in the future.

The sixth book in the Rogues to Riches series and It was a well-written book that kept my interest throughout I want the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it

Yes!! Another great book in series by Erica Ridley! She is an amazing storyteller! Love her books! Can not wait for her next book!

**Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book.**

This was a fun, quick read. The premise was a simple one, but the characters were nice and fleshed out (for the most part). Max and Bryony’s relationship had room to grow from them being covert business partners to romantically involved. I haven’t read the books that precede this, but seeing the couples in this one, I want to.

One complaint I had was that Bryony’s mother was kind of the villain here, but she didn’t get a lot of time to be the spoiled, overbearing mother that Bryony kept saying she was. I would have like to have see more of that (I’m a sucker for overbearing mamas getting their comeuppance in the end).

Lord of Vice, Maxwell Gideon is part owner of the Cloven Hoof gambling club and he wants to find out who his silent partner is to buy him out. Little does he know his silent partner is a women, a respectable woman Miss Bryony Grenville.  One night she decides to visit the club and what a night that changes both their lives forever. Bryony wants her freedom and refuse to let anyone dictate her life especially a silent partner.  I love Max and Bryony as they banter with each and Max finds a woman of willpower and brains to match his own.  He finds himself quite intrigued by her and you can just feel the sizzling chemistry that’s just palpable. This author doses an excellent job of bring these two characters out, as we watch them try to figure the each other out and fall in love along the way.  This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

I have to admit. I’m not big on the gaming hell book trend.  It’s old and overdone by many authors, and when the subject arises I cringe. This book involves the owner of just such a business, but it somehow isn’t the total focus , even though it is central to the plot. The H is the owner of a gambling hell, the h is a secret investor and landlord to the hell. As all gaming Hells are owned by big, dark haired, muscular men, I shouldn’t have to tell you that’s what he is.  The h is , of course, a Lady of some renown, a brilliant violinist, but also a genius with investments and mathematics.  Sneaking into the hell one night she is busted in his office, wearing britches!  Needless to say, they continue meeting, and though there can be no relationship betwixt them , one develops.  The story is pure fluff, but sometimes I need pure fluff. A straightforward Love story, with just the right amount of angst, but no major danger or stupid plot manipulations.  A story where two good people find love.

Great, smooth read. Nicely written and enjoyable.  The main characters are sufficiently developed. The story flows along in a realistic manner, and the temperaments of the characters and their lives' desires fit in nicely.   It is great the way other books in this series are briefly referenced. Definitely a novel worth reading more than once!

Book Title: Lord of Vice

Overall rating: 4/5

Heroine (Bryony): ⅘ I like her, she’s funny, smart, and just wants to be an equal to the man she marries. She’s the youngest daughter of a baron, and the only child yet to marry.

Hero (Max): ⅘ He is tall, dark, and handsome. To society he’s a devil that stalks in the shadows, but to those in need he’s got a heart of gold. He’s a self made business owner with a chip on his shoulder about not belonging with the aristocracy. It is the overwhelming self doubt through the book that earned him a star reduction.

Plot: ⅗ Everything could have been solved sooner if Max could just get out of his own head

Personal Review: Overall, this was a fun and easy read. I loved the characters, even with their flaws. Sometimes because of their flaws. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a strong female lead and broken hero that has to learn to live and love.
The overall plot goes as follows; Bryony owns the land and a stake in Max’s club The Cloven Hoof under a assumed name as women at the time couldn’t do things outright like that. Max wants to own his club outright and tries to throw more and more money at Bryony to try to get her to sell out. Bryony worries she doesn’t have all the facts and breaks into Max’s office at the club to see why he would fight so hard to get the deed and only ends up running into Max. Both feel attraction but neither is going to deal with their feelings just then. Bryony keeps showing up at the club after close and helps Max with business decisions as she proves herself very knowledgeable and Max isn’t one to discriminate on the basis of gender. They fall for eachother, the truth of Bryony owning the land comes out, love wins out but Max believes he can’t have her and tries very had to stamp down his feelings. Bryony is persistent though, when she sees something she wants, she goes after it. 
Bryony is an independent businessman who happened to be born the daughter of a Baron. I liked that her brother enables her to conduct such business ventures by acting as a go between, it was nice that her siblings at least support her ventures. Bryony is booksmart, she can do math easily in her head, enjoys learning new subjects, and figure out problems to be solved with the business she’s involved in. Overall, she is very likable and though I wouldn’t want to be subjected to her cooking, she seems like the type of person I would be happy to spend time with. 
Max who has worked his way up from being a dock worker to owning his own club has a bit of a chip on his shoulder because now he was rich and connected  enough to walk in some circles of the aristocracy, but he would rather sit in his club and lament on his opinion that he will never be good enough for them. I understand it but it was odd, he had the son of a Baron inviting him to his home, the daughter of a Baron interested in him, a Duke extending open invitations to him for his parties. There were clearly people ready to reach down (as Max sees it) and help in into society. For a guy that spends much of the book waffling on if he and Bryony would stand a chance, he sure is quick to turn down the offers to attend of society functions. Though, he does eventually make it to a couple of events he initially turned down.

This book was very very good.  The characters were well developed. The settings well envisioned. Overall a great book.  I look forward to reading more from this author

Publisher's Description:

Appearances can be deceiving…

Vice merchant Maxwell Gideon is wickedly handsome, sinfully arrogant, and devilishly ruthless. Rumor has it, his gaming hell has the power to steal souls and grant miracles. Truth is, Max only owns half of The Cloven Hoof. He’d buy out his silent partner if he knew the man’s identity. But it’s hard to focus on business matters when a fallen angel tumbles right into one’s lap…

Miss Bryony Grenville has a well-earned reputation as an unrepentant hoyden. But even the gossipiest of the pinch-faced matrons ruling High Society could never imagine the daughter of a baron secretly financing the ton’s most infamous gambling parlor. Its maddening, sexy proprietor doesn’t suspect a thing… and two can play at temptation!

My Thoughts:


I loved this newest release in Erica Ridley's Rogues to Riches Series.

Bryony is quite the character. She is unrepentant of her slightly mannish ways. Is it not just like this daughter of a baron to secretly finance an infamous gambling parlor a fact that even it's owner is unaware of.

Maxwell Gordon is determined to buy out his secret co-owner of the Cloven Hoof. He has no idea who it is. When he discovers the identity of this person he is surprised to find a woman behind the mask.

Will their clash of wills be the end of what could be a magical relationship or will they come together to create something more?

I gave this newest book in this series 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. The heat between this hero and heroine is palpable and makes for some very sensuous and heated exchanges.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

J received a free ARC version of the book in exchange for a honest review. All critiques and opinions are my own.

As the blub says, Max owns a gambling hell and Bryony is his silent partner (unkown to him).  She wants to know more about the business and eventually they meet face to face in an unorthodox way.

I wasn't expecting to love the book as much as I did.  I love a rogue as much as the next women but Max is ingenious (and extremely hot). From the first books description of him, I didn't think I would like him as much or he would be more on an anti-hero (I love that type  of romance book as well but he's still a hero, albiet a little unorthodox). Bryony is the impitamy of a modern women in a historical time. She loves math, intellectual challenges and craves independence. She doesn't want a husband that wants her for her dowery because her mother managed to trap him for her. She really wants to be independently wealthy or at least have the freedom to choose her own future.  She and Max feel perfect for each other. They think alike in so many ways.   

The book is part of a series and should be read in order as it has many characters that appear from previous books. Max, himself, was a well known charcter in in previous books. In order to get the full character development the previous books should be read first.

My only issue with the book was how easy the happily ever after came.  It felt like there should have been more angst.  What do I know though? The book is a Cinderella style historical romance. And even though I felt the ending came too easy, I still loved the book.

Lord of Vice by Erica Ridley has it all! A strong heroine, an intriguing hero, lots of supporting characters with interesting stories of their own, romance, growth and a great story! Highly recommend Lord of Vice for its unique storyline and focus on class.

Erica Ridley is an awesome writer. Once you start reading one of her books you just can not stop reading. She is one of my all time favorite writers!

I simply can not say enough times how much I love this book!!  Lord of Vice is the story of Miss Bryony Grenville the last unmarried Grenville sibling, and her parents are determined that she will be wed this season.  She is a brilliant woman who has a secret that would shock the entire ton were they to ever to find out.  She is the silent partner of Maxwell Gideon, the owner and ruler of The Cloven Hoof, the most popular gambling parlor in London.  Max has no idea that his partner is this beautiful, spunky, smart woman, but after she steals her way into his club and his life, he simple cant help but let her into his heart as well.  I would definitely recommend this book it was a great read, and I cant wait to see what Erica Ridley will bring us next.

Book 6  in the Rogues to Riches series. - Lord of Vice by Erica Ridley is the story of Maxwell Gideon and Bryony Grenville. The intriguing Bryony has a sharp mind for numbers and investments. She has to disguise her persona for the same as she is a woman.
Max, known as Lord of Vice owns the gaming hell The Cloven Hoof with his silent partner from whom he is trying to buy out the ownership. The book is all about how Bryony and Max finds love for each other and also opens up new and interesting events for the society.
A very good read.

This has been such a fun book to read. It was hard to put it down. I love the characters and the journey to HEA.

Maxwell Gideon has risen from poverty to run The Cloven Hoof, a gaming hell that he controls who can have a membership.  He has a silent partner that he wants to buy out but refuses to meet with him.

Byrony Grenville is the youngest daughter of a Baron.  Her mother's goal is for Byrony to be married by the end of the season.  Byrony a secret.  She has used her skills to invest in the ton's most infamous gambling parlor.  When Gideon wants to buy her out, she makes a secret visit to The Cloven Hoof to see if her investment is sound.  An unexpected meeting leads to temptation.  Can two people from opposite sides of society find true love?

I did not want to put this book down once I started reading.  I loved the characters.  Byrony was a smart heroine that met her match in Max.  I liked how Byrony didn't care about Max's background but fell in love with the strong man that is Max.  I hope Max's sister gets her own HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the author.  Thank you!

I look forward to books with heart, a quality that settles over me as I read.  I want to connect with characters and find something in them that makes me care.  I found that in Erica Ridley's most recent Rogues to Riches series, LORD OF VICE.  Oh, boy, did I find that!

The Regency era in England was a lavish and exciting time -- but only for a select group, collectively referred to as "the ton." Others were simply managing to find their way by existing on the edges of the excitement and frivolity, working for their livings, and taking pride in their own efforts. When characters from each strata come together, there are sure to be some marked differences of opinion. That's exactly where we find Miss Bryony Grenville and Max Gideon when they meet at The Cloven Hoof, Max's gambling club. Max's interest in his club is for obvious reasons, but it turns out the Bryony has good reason for her interest, too. Unbeknown to Max, Bryony owns the building and the land the club sits on, negotiating with Max through her brother, Heath (LORD OF SECRETS).

Bryony is wonderful! She's a strong and independent-minded woman in an era when embroidery is considered a necessary life skill for a female. Bryony disagrees.  Vehemently. Instead, she's fascinated by business and investments, only occasionally acquiescing to her mother's demands that she play her Stradivarius violin in programs attended by a few chosen, elite individuals.

Max, too, is strong and independent-minded. He has sacrificed a great deal to finally reach his goals. He needs no one to succeed; he has done it all himself. He'd be satisfied if it weren't for his stubborn sister insisting on continuing to work as a seamstress, or his pesky landlord who will not sell him the building he is currently renting for his club.

Dressed in men's clothing, Bryony sneaks into the club after hours to take a look around (she has a key because, of course, she owns the building) and, unfortunately, is discovered by Max. From an inauspicious first meeting, they grow to understand what motivates the other and find that, perhaps, they are not that different. 

I loved both characters and, yes — respected them. They each had such impressive talents, but also a depth of character that was gradually revealed. THE LORD OF VICE definitely had that quality of heart that makes a book so appealing and I enjoyed every word of it.

Ms. Ridley is fantastic. I was hooked and felt connected to the characters within the first few pages. 
Her characters have so much depth that makes the reader feel engaged and engrossed in the story. I love Regency  stories with strong female characters that challenge social expectations of that time.