The Love of a Libertine
Series: The Duke's By-Blows #1
Author: Jess Michaels
Published May 19th 2020 by The Passionate Pen LLC

Goodreads Synopsis
When Morgan Banfield wakes up in Newgate after a night of debauchery, the last thing he wants to see is his estranged brother. But in exchange for his help, Morgan must agree to take on responsibility and try to get his life together by taking on the job of Man of Affairs for a friend.

The last thing Lizzie Margolis wants is some rogue coming onto her brother's staff. She's had enough of rakes after being ruined by one years before. But the more she gets to know Morgan, the more drawn to him she becomes. The more she begins to question what is in her own heart and how to manage her growing desire.

But as the two begin to navigate a future, Morgan's rears its ugly head. If they fight for what they could have, will they win? Or will all that stands between them become an insurmountable wall?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

The Love of a Libertine is the first book in a new series by Jess Michaels, focusing on Morgan Banfield, the half sibling of Robert, Duke of Roseford. He's found himself in some difficulty, and is spiralling, and his brother wants to help. Robert's close friend, Hugh, Duke of Brighthollow, is looking for a Man of Affairs, and Morgan would be perfect for the job. When he arrives at the estate, Morgan meets Hugh's sister, Lizzie, and the sparks instantly fly. Lizzie has had her fair share of problems too. When she was 16, she was wooed by someone who claimed to love her, and want to marry her, and after a failed elopement, it was revealed that he only cared about sleeping with her, and getting her dowry. Since then, she's been even more anxious in company, and Morgan, what with his reputation, is definitely someone who she shouldn't want to be around. However, when he helps her fulfil her late mother's wishes to redesign the gardens, she can't help falling for him, and it seems to be reciprocated. But, his background comes calling, and it might just be the end of them, before they've even started.

This book was an impulse request on NetGalley, and I'm so glad I did. I haven't read any of Jess' other books, but know that some of the characters in this book (Hugh, Robert and Ewan) all have their own books in the 1797 Club series. I'm honestly not surprised she has so many books, that are well loved on GR, because I loved this book, and couldn't put it down until I was finished, because I was hooked from the first page, and needed to see if Lizzie and Morgan had a future. Both of the main characters - and the secondary cast - were fantastic, and perfect for this book. I loved Lizzie, and could really understand how she felt throughout the story, feeling used and ruined at the start, and later starting to come into her own, and realise that what happened wasn't her fault, and she deserves to be loved - and that Morgan loved her. Morgan was similar too, in that his character development was so real, and utterly believable. Because of his father and the way he was brought up as one of many bastard's, he never thought he was good enough for anything, and the fallout with his childhood friend a year ago sent him into free fall. Though Robert was a bit harsh and aloof with him, you knew he cared, and it was his wish that being given a purpose in life would help him through his demons, and Lizzie being there was an added bonus to prove he deserved love. Jess' characters were amazing, her plot fantastic, and I definitely will be on the look out for more books by this author in future!

May 3, 2020

Rating
4 Stars