What the Hart Wants
Series: Headstrong Harts #1
Author: Emily Royal
Published September 29th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc

Goodreads Synopsis
Five lessons in pleasure. One lesson in love.

Fraser MacGregor, thirteenth Duke Molineux, seizes the opportunity to use the title he unexpectedly inherited, to further his whisky business. He leaves his Highland home and heads for London where he’s accosted by a feisty lass, who smashes a vase over his head.

Delilah Hart should be relishing her first London season. But she’d rather be a writer than a bland society wife. Her secret occupation of writing anonymous, inflammatory articles about the notorious Molineux family, is the first step to realizing her dream.

But when the new duke makes her an offer she can’t refuse—to learn about her cause for social justice in exchange for five lessons in the art of pleasure—she begins to question her beliefs and desires. Before long, Delilah realizes that her heart, as well as her career, is at stake.
Goodreads

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

What the Hart Wants follows Delilah Hart during her first season, though she has no intention of following her rich brother's orders, and marrying someone titled just for the prestige. She is all about equality, feminism, and very much against the horrific and notorious Molineux family. So when she comes across the newest Duke, Fraser MacGregor, and is instantly attracted, she is completely angry. Fraser, for his part, never expected to inherit the title, and the feisty little terrier her meets in his rundown London home takes his breath away. He wants to get close to Lilah, and show her what pleasure just is, while also furthering his family's whiskey making business, and becoming solvent. The letters being penned by the mysterious Mr Smith, though, may just cause problems for the both of them.

As soon as I saw this book advertised on NetGalley, I requested it, because both the cover and synopsis immediately drew me in. I enjoyed the romance between Lilah and Fraser, and especially the moments between the two up in the Highlands at Fraser's family estate. They were both really good characters, with fleshed out back stories, and I'm definitely intrigued by the other Hart siblings we have either met, or remained off page. The other love interests, Jennifer and Thomas, were slimy and written in a way that made it obvious they were in it for the money or title, or both, and there was nothing redeemable about them across the board. All in all, a quick read, and solid foundation for a new series.

Dates Read:
September 12, 2020

Rating
3 Stars