Althea Hartley has lost her spark. As the youngest daughter of an eccentric family, playwrighting is in her blood. But two failed Seasons have left her disenchanted. In desperate need of inspiration, she takes matters into her own hands by creating a tale of a dashing highwayman. What could possibly go wrong?
But her stories prove to be a little too true for the actual highwayman living beneath the tons’ nose.
Jasper Trueblood, Viscount St. James, needs to put an end to the bewitching Miss Hartley’s incriminating tales. Society can never suspect that he isn’t the clumsy oaf he pretends to be. Or that, under the cover of darkness, he greets scoundrels and lightens their purses. Not too much. Just enough to keep those closest to him safe from his menacing uncle.
Then sparks fly when this unlikely pair meets one perfect night. And while she is eager to unmask him, he is determined to stay hidden. But there’s no denying the chemistry that neither of them are able to resist…
The only thing for certain is that Thea needs to guard her heart before the highwayman steals it.
Release Date: Jul 1, 2025
Series: Liar’s Club
Book: 3
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Price: $6.99
A heroine who’s lost her inspiration, a hero in disguise, and a series of unfortunate accidents… it doesn’t get better than this.
The finale in Lorret’s Liar’s Club series is a perfect ending for the youngest of the Hartley sisters, Althea. Althea is the writer, and we last met her when she was still squirreling around with pockets in her dresses and jotting down notes for a play whenever she had a chance. Except that at the start of this book, Althea has lost her spark. She’s got no more joy in the well to write her stories and is desperately searching for a new muse. Add in that she’s given up on the possibility of love and adventure, determined to have one last season and try to find a husband. She’ll settle because it’s safe. At least until a highwayman comes along…
The highwayman is none other than a Viscount, Jasper Trueblood. Hiding his true intelligence and personality, Jasper has been masquerading as a highwayman, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor like Robin Hood. Though his purpose is to bring those to punishment who support his dastardly, evil uncle. When Althea meets Jasper, she becomes inspired and soon the highwayman isn’t just a piece of a written word, but a tale Althea spins at balls. Of course, Jasper can’t let that stand, not if he wants to protect himself and those he cares about. Each step he takes towards Althea only results in a clumsy mishap, which has him interacting far more with Althea than he wants – an absolutely delicious disaster.
There is so much more than what this poor recap includes. There are fights, escapes, midnight trysts, kidnapping, and a Hartley play on the London stage. This one was near perfection. The only part that held me up was that I felt the villain got off too easily in this story. The ending was wrapped up in a way that left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied. I longed to see a little more punishment and redemption for the hero. Although it was still a great wrap-up to the series.
Overall, Lorret is a great author to pick up while waiting for a future Tessa Dare book. The blend of humor, action, romance, and twists on tales that would usually be a bit dry is this author’s bread and butter. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
~ Landra
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