It took me a while to get into this story but I did enjoy it. Dare and Temperance have quite a number of things to work through. Dare has to come to terms to his position as marquess and his past. Temperance had a hard upbringing and she does love Dare but she doesn’t agree with what he has done. Temperance also has a secret that she hasn’t told Dare. Dare is determined to help others in need, luckily for him, Temperance is there to show him the bigger picture. There are some heartfelt moments and there is also a mystery as to who betrayed Dare. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

**Refreshing, Enjoyable, Engaging**

This is a really refreshing, enjoyable and engaging historical romance from Christi Caldwell.

From the beginning, when we first meet Dare, I was immediately transported to Regency London and into the world of another 'Lost Lord'. Dare is the 'Lost Lord' returned to his family after years missing to the poorest and criminal elements of London, to become the Marquess he was destined to be. Temperance is Dare's estranged and heartbroken wife who he seeks out with an unusual proposal.

This author really knows how to write three-dimensional, likeable and relatable characters that are charming, vulnerable and complex, and Dare and Temperance are really great characters. They have great chemistry, and a yearning for each other, while also having a relationship full of misunderstandings, doubts but also hope.

A beautifully written, and intricate story, with an ensemble of excellent characters. I would recommend this book to lovers of historical romances.

Although part of a series, this is a complete standalone story in dual pov, and you do not need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one.

A very deep emotional book. C&risti Caldwell knows how to write a book that effects you emotionally. I had tears in my eyes on at least 3 separate occasions.
This is a best friends to lovers to second chance at love story.
Temperance and Darius grew up in the rookeries as best friends who fall in love and marry. But Darius cannot give up his theiving ways. After suffering thru a very tragic experience while Darius was away chasing a job, Temperence leaves him.
Advance 5 years. It is discovered Darius is of the nobility. The story of how he ends up orphaned in the rookeries is so sad. But now he needs a wife to help produce an heir.
A second chance for the 2 of them.
I thought this book though a little dark was very well written. It had my attention from the start.
5 stars.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I like this book just enough to finish it. It's the first book I read from this author but I think it's not going to be the last one.
There are some scenes beautifully written, but some parts of the story were to slow for my taste. I like Temperance but not Dare. Both have a terrible past and they have suffered too much, but the way she lives with that pain is completely different that the choices he choose to take. There are a few interesting and sexy times, unfortunately not enough in my opinion.
The book is well written and there are really interesting side characters.

Oh Dare and Temperance, sigh. I loved this romance. Caldwell has created an untraditional regency series in the Lost Lords and this is a great addition. The examination of their place of privilege, after living a life in the poorest parts of London, is a continuing theme. Dare, however, was not stolen away in the same way. Instead as a young boy, he was thirsting for adventure. With a father who could not be bothered to parent, he was led down the wrong path by criminals. When he tried to go home, his father rebuffed him and convinced him he was unwanted, unloved, and should just stay away. It is heartbreaking and even though Dare has been living a criminal life, it was impossible not to be sympathetic. Temperance is the friend from his childhood in the Rookeries, and eventually his wife. They fall in love but life is hard and neither admits it and they separate. When Dare's grandparents come find him to return as a Marquess, he needs Temperance back in his life and back as his wife. Even after 5 years, all the feelings are still there.

From there, we see a lot about family, a lot about privilege, a lot about people who put others first. There are the aristocratic grandparents, who epitomize the English stiff upper lip but really are full of love. There is Dare's sister, Lady Kinsley, who clearly has a story and we need it! There's Temperance's brother and his love interest. An interesting butler. Plenty of bad guys. All in all, it's great world building. Every side character contributes to illustrate the good in the main characters, the challenges they face, and how they make the right choices. Pacing is good and I finished this in a day.

There are a lot of memories floating in Dare's head and rather than big long flashback scenes, the memories come in fragments to Dare and fragments in the text. I think it's an effective technique, it helped put me in Dare's head and understand where he was both in the past and in the current situation. Temperance also has memories, but fewer of hers are detailed with these kinds of fragments. Instead, she tends to have current present reactions. It is also effective. Both techniques do contribute to knowing how each character is dealing with their past. Dare, not so much, he pushes the thoughts away. Temperance, with a spine of steel, tips her chin up and tries to keep going.

While both characters need to figure out how to love each other and be together, they also have to figure out how to be giving of themselves, how to do for others, while not destroying their own happiness. We don't often have two characters that are both actually good people. The redemption arc isn't a reformed rake (ok, he's a reformed thief), but instead learning to provide in ways that aren't destructive for Dare, and how to admit that you are deserving, too, for Temperance.

Caldwell fans will enjoy this. Historical romance readers looking for a non-traditional take, should give this one a read. Anyone looking for an excuse to say "but that didn't happen" is probably not the audience, but I wish they'd step out and give it a try. This is all romance.

CW for loss of a child, child abuse, negative gossip

Undressed with the Marquess by Christi Caldwell
Lords of London #3

Dark rather depressing second chance romance that does see the main couple together but for some reason I did not feel the happiness that I had hoped to feel for the couple. I am not sure if it is the covid-19 pandemic wanting me to have bluebirds and happiness or something else but I came away feeling sorry for the couple rather than elated for them though both were better off at the end of the story than they were when the book began.

Both Dare and Temperance had more years of hard work and difficulty in their lives living in the rookeries and even outside of them. They had dreams that were thwarted. They lost more than they gained. Both helped others as they could. And yet neither one ever seemed to be the one on the receiving end of goodness for themselves…or if/when it happened, they didn’t seem to realize, grasp, and enjoy it. I guess I felt sorry for them even though they grew apart then managed to grow close by the end of the story and wished that all their dreams could have come true.

As a conclusion to the series it might have been nice for the three kidnapped men to have met or shown up in an epilogue together though whether that was a possibility is an unknown.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

2.5 stars

Dare Grey and Temperance swift’s story is all about second chances. A second chance at love and life.

Dare ran away from his life of privilege and over the years became a sort of Robin Hood of the rookeries. He met Temperance who became his close friend and married her for a brief period before she left him. He continued on, but to escape his fate at the gallows, Dare chooses to go back to his rightful place as the Marquess. And now he needs to bring back his wife to take her place at his side.

The story starts with Dare at the gallows and being given a choice by his grandfather. It moves on to how he goes back home and has to adjust to his new life. It is only when his grandfather mentions marriage he reveals that he is already married. Temperance has created a new life for herself as a seamstress but overnight she finds that she is now a Marchioness. Their past is slowly revealed and the story shows how they find love again.

Christi Caldwell has been a favourite of mine for years but this was a miss for me. While the plot was interesting and it started out compelling, the story was not able to keep my attention and I couldn’t really feel or get engaged with the lead pair.

He's a thief, a marquess, and a Robin Hood, all in one...

This is really Dare Grey's book. In reality, he's the lost lord, Darius, a married marquess. who is saved from the gallows by his maternal grandfather, a duke. With this saving comes all kinds of strings wrapped up in a fortune if he sees his sister (a vile girl) wed or he produces an heir (he's already wed).

Temperance is a seamstress who left Dare years ago because of his thieving and his hero complex to save the Rookeries.

I found I connected to Dare more, he really goes on an emotional journey. He's crafty and sharp and always looks out for his best interests, but the interest of the poor., even if it takes a con.
Of course, there's drama and secrets, but I found this to be the strongest and most compelling book of this series.
Recommend.

Dare- was about to be hung ,found out he was a marquess. (he robs from rich and gives to the poor.)
Temperance- currently working as a seamstress, had a terrible childhood and life.
This is an intriguing and heart wrenching story that is well written with charismatic characters. This couple had to deal with a bit of everything kidnapping, parental abuse, physical and mental abuse, miscarriage, separation, treachery, almost hanging, imprisonment and eventually love.
Their story does have a good conclusion but no real HEA. It needs an epilogue or another chapter to validate a their HEA/relationship and future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heartbreaking yet beautiful romance

Wow! That opening scene was HARD to read, yet in hindsight it did an excellent job of setting up Dare's character, his priorities, and his selflessness. Still, whew, was I ever glad to see things change for the better!

The author doesn't let us like Darius very much at first, not until we oh-so-gradually get all his backstory and understand why he's so closed off and haunted by his past. Temperance, on the other hand, is an exquisitely honest wide-open book, a woman of strength and compassion who is perhaps the only one who sees Dare for who he really is deep inside.

This story works as a second-chance romance, as Dare has to admit he's already married and gain Temperance's cooperation in order to pursue the opportunity he simply can't pass up. I was impressed with the complexity of the storyline and plot, the many layers developed for each character, and the attention to detail that left no thread unaddressed.

I absolutely loved every second I was lost in this fascinating tale. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

3.5 stars

Undressed with the Marquess is the story of Darius "Dare" Grey, the "Robin Hood of the Rookeries" in London. Dare steals from the rich to help the poor and is too consumed with running from the demons of his past to commit to his marriage of Temperance Swift.

Temperance Swift is a young woman from the Rookeries how has survived terrible abuse at the hands of those who should love and protect her. She finds Dare her savior as a young woman and marries him to survive. Unfortunately neither of them can outrun their pasts to save their future.

I am a fan of Christi Caldwell and this is not my first book by her. I enjoyed the storyline. I know others thought it was very dark and depressing, and while it was at times, I really enjoyed how different that made it from most Historical Romance novels. I do however agree with other readers that it got a little monotonous with the flashbacks and the dual stories at times. Sometimes it felt like I was reading the same chapter over again. I also agree that the ending was extremely abrupt and I wish it would've had a little more behind it, rather than cutting off so quickly.

Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my review and honest opinions

Undressed with the Marquis
Christi Caldwell certainly knows how to tug the heartstrings with this powerful dark story exploring hardships and uncertainty for those who live in East London. Temperance breaks my heart and Dare what a hero robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
There story together is absolutely incredible filled with passion and sadness ultimately triumphant in this beautiful love story.
Thank you for the opportunity to ARC this wonderful book

The final lost lord has been found, and none too soon! Dare Grey was moments away from dangling from a noose! Our last lord is an unrepentant thief who steal from the rich to give to the poor, a Regency Robin hood!

Returned to the life he left, he is now the Marquess, and as such, he must see to the succession and find a husband for the sister he never knew… in order to receive the funds his grandfather, the duke promised upon his return. Once he succeeds at one of these, he will have his funds and can go back to East London and continue helping it’s people.

Dare decides the easiest way to start this process is to get his long abandoned wife and bring her home as his Marchioness. Temperance Swift does not easily go along with this plan, but after a deal is struck, she attempts to help Dare achieve at least one of his goals… find a husband for his sister. She refuses to entangle her heart with him again.

Dare and Temperance were such caring characters that looked to help other before themselves. This characteristic left them both with their own hurts and flaws that coloured their actions. His lost lord was different from the past ones, since he left home as a boy and was not welcomed home. He then was sold to MacDiggory like the others. Having spent many years in his aristocratic life, he had an easy transition, but failed to see how it would be much more difficult for his wife who was East London born and raised.

I enjoyed watching our little Robin Hood find a way to transition his life but still continue his purpose. As well, the evolution of the lovers second chance and a new perspective of their own ideal HEA drove this story home.

I have really enjoyed the Lost Lords series, the only thing I would have changes would be to have more of a connection between the lost lords and some cameos.

Trigger Warning:
- Physical abuse causing the loss of a new born baby.

Undressed with the Marquess by Christi Caldwell is available today, November 17th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#UndressedwiththeMarquess #ChristiCaldwell #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Dare disappeared to the rookeries when he was a child. Now his grandfather, the duke, has asked that he take his rightful place in society to see that his sister gets settled. Dare left that life behind and doesn't want to return, but when he is offered a large sum of money to see it through he decides to take his grandfather up on the offer. He knows that he can help so many people with that kind on money.

Temperance married Dare to save herself from her father. But when Dare continued his life of thieving, they parted ways. Now he is asking for her help in securing the money that he needs. She just has to help him get his sister married and learn to fit in amongst the ton.

Dare broke Temperance's heart once, so she is determined not to get too close to him while they are together. But that is easier said than done. Will she get out of this without a broken heart, or will they get a second chance at their HEA?

I absolutely adored Dare and Temperance's story!! My heart was just breaking for both of them throughout the story. Both of them had gone through so much, separate and together that it was so nice to see them get their HEA. This was a great addition to the Lost Lords of London series!

This is the final book in the fabulous Christi Caldwells Lost Lords of London series. This has been a more gritty dark series this last one more so. The subjects written about are real and at time hard to read, but it’s important that these topics are highlighted and talked about. Dare, our hero is the best thief in all of London, he does not steal for personal gain but to help the less fortunate. Temperance, our heroine has lived a difficult life, Dare saved her years ago but left to take on another job five years ago which left her exposed. Now Dare is being thrust back into polite society a world he never thought to return but his life is saved by his family now he has a choice to make. Seeing no other way out he persuades Temperance to join him. Old hurts and secrets are exposed causing them to question what they should do in the future. Ultimately their love for each other wins out and they get their HEA. For those who don’t take romance novels seriously should read these amazing books. Life is hard especially this year so it’s good to escape into books written by a fabulous author. I can’t recommend this book enough. It can be read as a stand alone, though once you read this you will want to read the others.

One thing that you can always count on with a Christi Caldwell book is that the characters are real with real problems and real flaws. This third installment in the Lost Lords of London series is no different. Undressed with the Marquess introduces us to Dare and Temperance who both have emotional scarring that will pull at your heart strings while ready this book. This storyline offers a friends to lovers to estrangement and back to lovers again. As always Caldwell's books are well written and loaded with details that put you right there with the characters through joy, sorrow, angst, etc. I gave this book four stars instead of my usual five stars for this author because of the ending. The book is so full of detail and has a great storyline that when it ended so abruptly with unfinished business, conversations that needed to be had such as with the Duke and Duchess, etc. that I felt a little cheated from the characters HEA. Of course, I always want more time with any of Caldwell's characters, and Temperance and Dare do get a HEA, but I felt this story would have benefited with a few more chapters or even an epilogue to let us see a few years in the future and have some closure. All in all, I recommend this series and this book. Just be aware that unlike most of Caldwell's books, you might feel a little incomplete after this one. I do very much hope to see Temperance and Dare in a future Caldwell series, and I am already counting down the days until her next book is released. Happy Reading!

Dare Grey has led a life, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Yet his last theft, which he believes to have been a set-up, finds him facing the gallows. When his grandparents arrive at the last moment, Dare finds himself faced with two choices, accept his heritage as a Marquess and grandson of a Duke or hang for his crimes. So Dare does as expected but when the condition that he marry to sire an hire, little do they know that Dare is already married to Temperance Swift. Having left their marriage, unable to face hearing that Dare has met a tragic end, Temperance has found work as a seamstress. So when Dare makes her an offer, Temperance agrees so as to help her brother. Yet the more time that Temperance and Dare spend together, the more uncertain that she is that their blossoming romance can withstand the secret that she holds.
With the first scene showing Dare Grey facing the gallows, the hood thrown over his head, I was wondering how anyone could save him. So it was, that this book had many issues with plausibility and at times, the tone with dark. I must admit that even being a fan of Christi Caldwell, I didn’t always find this an easy read with Temperance’s past at times, almost overwhelming. I do thing that in it all, the character of Dare brought a bit more light to the story. Overlooking the repetition of past conversations, I thought the relationship between the pair to be full of emotion, making for an interesting read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this dark side of London - yes, it was depressing in parts, but it was life on the streets in the rough part of London & life isn't all sunshine & lollipops! Dare, (Lord Darius Grey) disappeared from his life of privilege when he was ten & grew to be a man in the East End of London. Temperance Swift grew up with a vicious father who beat her & she escaped him when Dare offered her protection - he married her, not a real marriage but it kept her safe. She left him as he would never quit stealing from the rich to give to the poor & she needed to make a life for herself, but she has never quit loving Dare, even after being gone five years. The Duke & Duchess finally find their grandson, Dare, & bribed him back into society to see his sister settled in marriage - a sister he has never met. Now he also needs a wife & he finds Temperance & offers her money to help succeed in the Duke's stipulations to him giving Dare a lot of money. Temperance agrees to help & the road to their HEA is filled with a long list of emotions - anger, concern, happiness, love, passion, sympathy, sadness but I smiled when I read the last page.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.

Undressed with the Marquess by Christi Caldwell is the third book in The Lost Lords of London series. In each book, somehow a member of the upper class was kidnapped and raised not knowing about his true heritage. In this case the Dare took off for adventures thinking it was a lark, only to be disinherited by his father. Dare ended up growing up in the stews and worked as a thief who stole from the rich to give money to the poor. He married Temperance Swift to save her from a brutal life. Now found as a Lord and needing a wife, Dare and Temperance have to figure out what they are doing and how they move forward.

I have liked what I have read in this series so far. This particular novel was not my favorite of this series, but I had to find out what happened at the end. The storyline was good and the characters were interesting. Undressed with the Marquess by Christi Caldwell was an interesting read.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Undressed with the Marquess is the third of Christi Caldwell’s Lost Lords of London, and while it is set in her larger “world” that her multiple interconnected series are set in, it can more or less be read as a standalone, with only a few passing references to other CaldWorld characters.

The characters remain the strength of the series, and I at least found them more compelling than those of book one of this series (although not as much so as book two). I was very much invested in Dare and Temperance’s relationship, being brought together by the tragic circumstances of their respective families and bonding over that. And they are very much good people who have dealt with dark things, and while it is a bit hard to believe at times that they might be able to acclimate to life in the nobility after what they’ve faced, I still wanted to believe they would.

I also respected that there wasn’t an attempt to dress up their ending neatly as some comparable titles try to do, ending with marriage and babies and bliss. The ending is abrupt and anticlimactic, and that did bother me, but I’m glad that Caldwell tried to balance a sense of optimism with the idea that their ending is not one of full closure. And not “fixing” Temperance with a miracle pregnancy when she says she’s barren is also something I respect.

However, I did sometimes wonder if the book was a bit too dark and a bit overly dramatic, hampering believable growth of the characters. I can understand some of the distance due to what has ensued, but Temperance being so guarded with her secrets, especially when their backstory consisted of them really leaning on each other for support, did get a bit infuriating, and she also didn’t want to reach out to him and find out what he needed, leading to her berating him and having an impact on his own self-worth.

Given my mixed reception to this series, I’m super bummed to have not loved this one in particular. However, I know Christi Caldwell has a devoted reader base who loves her style more consistently, and I think this will please them, and will also appeal to anyone else who loves a dark and angsty historical romance.