Author: Kelly Bowen

Publisher: Forever

Rating: 4.5 stars

Buy Links: Amazon

Type: Novel in Series

Provided by Publisher

Blurb: Their love was always in the cards.
He should have thrown her out. But when club owner Alexander Lavoie catches a mysterious blonde counting cards at his vingt-et-un table, he’s more intrigued than angry. He has to see more of this beauty-in his club, in his office, in his bed. But first he’ll have to devise a proposition she can’t turn down.

Gossip said he was an assassin. Common sense told her to stay away. But Angelique Archer was desperate, and Lavoie’s club offered a surefire way to make quick money-until she got caught. Instead of throwing her out though, the devil offers her a deal: come work for him. Refusing him means facing starvation, but with a man so sinfully handsome and fiercely protective, keeping things professional might prove impossible . . .

Review: If you’ve the other books in this series, you’ll be familiar with some of the characters in this story. However, if this is your first, you’ll be fine because it works well as a standalone. I really enjoyed the character’s plot arcs and witty dialogue and I think anyone who enjoys historical romance will too!

Angelique Archer had found herself going more and more outside the lines respectable young women were supposed to stay within. The situation was desperate for her family, though, which meant she didn’t really care. She’d given up on ever having her own happily ever after, but she was determined to take care of her family-friendly even her wastrel brother who was quickly losing what little fortune remained in the family coffers.

How could she stop him?

Alexander Lavoie had noticed the beautiful young woman so strikingly out of place in his gaming establishment. She wasn’t there to socialize with the drunken gamblers or to sample any of the luxurious foods, liquor or exotic sweets. She was there on business, especially at the vingt-et-un tables. His curiosity was getting the best of him, so he set out to investigate both who she was and why she was there.

I’ve read tropes like this before and have always enjoyed them. Kelly Bowen is wonderfully descriptive about both the characters and the story they’re living. For Alex, helping this intriguing woman out was important. For Angelique, keeping her identity a secret was a must. When these two collide, sparks fly.

They say lucky at cards, unlucky at love. Will this hold true in this tempting story of a desperate debutante and an unscrupulous club owner with an outrageous reputation?

I bet you’ll love this story. I certainly did! Thanks