Loved it, classic Hoyt ❤️👍👍😊

This was such a great, long anticipated book for ALF, who we met... I don't know... maybe 5 or so maiden lane books ago? It's pretty hard for me to imagine a hero good enough for our Alf, the spy/urchin/Jane of the Urban 18th Century St. Giles Jungle. And honestly it took me a little while to warm to Kyle. While important to the plot, I felt there was too much about Kyle's late wife and all that angst and not enough relationship development between Alf and Kyle though this quickly changed and was so well done later in the book (the last 3/4 probably). The action is SOOOO good, Hoyt has never disappointed in the action arena imo. And I love that Alf is right there in it, truly any man's equal and probably now my favorite heroine of Hoyt's (yeah Silence might have to take a second place now!). Eventually I came to love Kyle and even Iris (I'm dying for her story now, damn you Hoyt and your teasers!).
*** Beware audio listeners: the loooong list of numbers will feel like death but do not despair - it does come to an end!

I have alway adored listening to Ms Ashford McNab; her storytelling abilities always make me smile and accent reminiscent of Kiera Knightly telling me bedtime stories.

So YES! Worth a credit! The Ghost of St Giles Returns!!!

6 people found this helpful

Adventurous

Where does Duke of Pleasure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, so I'd say somewhere in the middle.

What did you like best about this story?

The adventures of the notorious Ghost of St. Giles, who is also the information broker, Alf. The Ghost of St. Giles is a self appointed protector of children and the vulnerable that live in the Stews; the most dangerous district in London. Her skill with swords and knives are undefeatable and no-one can catch her when she nimbly takes to the rooftops, leaping from one roof to another.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Ghost of St. Giles goes to the rescue of handsome Hugh Fitzroy, the Duke of Kyle when he is set upon by a gang of footpads. Leaping into the fray with a sword in each hand the Ghost of St. Giles goes to work evening the odds. Standing back to back the petite swords-woman and ex-soldier emerged from the alley victorious.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was near tears a few times.

Any additional comments?

The story was unrealistic, but it is fiction. I enjoyed it. I would have enjoyed it better if the sex scenes were not so long and explicit.

5 people found this helpful

Wow-This could be the best in series!

Any additional comments?

Elizabeth Hoyt has done it again!

Story: Usually, I find that long series can get tiresome, but not this one! In the 11th book in the series EH manages to bring back the Ghost, and she is wonderful!

It has been a while since I read the earlier books, but this could be my favorite in the series. I love the development of Alf and her struggles, the dialogues with the children etc. EH delivers Intelligent writing-this is an engaging story, with complex characters that have interesting relationships with their family, friends, and with each other. Good action, and as always, some humor too.

Performance: excellent, great acting, Ashford M. Is the voice of this series.

Story: 5 stars for this genre, really entertaining and intelligent!
Relationship/heat: 5 stars interesting characters, interesting development of the relationship and loving sizzle as well.
Performance: 5 stars, excellent!

Overall: 5 stars, excellent listen for this genre, worth a credit, and I look forward to book 12!

4 people found this helpful

Great "actual" Maiden Lane story.

I really enjoyed this story. It was great to have the Ghost of St. Giles back. Made for a real Maiden Lane installment. The last 5 books were more stand alone stories.

Loved Alf, she was so funny. Right Guv??? LOL. It would have been fun to find out about who her parents were or at least her father, although the epilogue did kind of give you some clue. A novella about here would be fantastic! Hello EH give us an Alf novella.

Loved Hugh too. He was awesome too. Sexy, rich, handsome and a spy. Hugh and Alf had some great chemistry together. It felt real and genuine. There is some hot and steamy sex scenes too. Nicely written sex scenes.

The story line and plot was great and flowed very well.

As for the narration, it was great I love that Ashford McNab narrated all of the books in thise series. She does such a great job. The men sound like men and the women sound nice too. the accent and the way Alf spoke was fantastic. Loved it.

3 people found this helpful

Maiden Lane Masterpiece

Where does Duke of Pleasure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

By far, one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to! I think the combination of the story and the talents of Ashford McNab made this a true masterpiece and an instant classic for romance lovers.

What other book might you compare Duke of Pleasure to and why?

I think it most compares to an earlier book in the Maiden Lane series, Thief of Shadows. But honestly, it's such a unique story that's it's hard to compare. Alf had been a growing presence throughout the series, so by the time we finally got around to her story, it felt like an apex. Perhaps that's what made it so good; her other protagonists tended to be introduced much quicker so we didn't feel as intimately connected like we did with Alf.

What about Ashford McNab’s performance did you like?

What didn't I like? Her narration is such perfection it's hard to describe without getting all fangirl. Ashford McNab knows how to delve into the minds of each character and deliver his or her feelings with understated honesty. She performs with such sensuality that we have no choice but to believe that the words she's saying are the character's truth.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Some ghosts are meant to be seen.

Any additional comments?

There are a few things I wish I could have changed about the story. For one, I kept waiting for Alf's real name to be brought up somewhere... I mean, I highly doubt that she was born with that name. Secondly, it felt like an abrupt ending. I wish we could have learned a little more about Alf's struggle to accept a life outside of the streets of St. Giles and perhaps her reticence to give up her life as the ghost. Third, I wish the closing chapter and epilogue hadn't been so blatant about the next book in the series. Calm down, editors... I'm gonna read it. Let's wrap up the current story we're on before we start trying to sell the next one, shall we?

3 people found this helpful

Love. Love. Love.

The only problem with this book is that it had to end. Alf's story and HEA was all I could have hoped for. Gotta love her solution to getting away from a chase. :-)

3 people found this helpful

The end of EH for me..

So, here goes: I loved this book BUT I will not be reading anymore of EH’s books in the future. I’ve read 11 of her books but she’s felt the need to change her writing when it comes to sex. I just brought up her book, Dearest Rogue, on my iPad and did a search, and at no time did she use the word pu**y, c*nt or c*nny in it, as she did in this book. I know a lot of you like those words in their reading material but I find them disgusting and find nothing romantic about either word, and since EH never wrote that way before, stick a fork in me. And, maybe, I’m forgetting but I don’t remember any other Maiden Lane books with men in white wigs. Or there could have been and they just weren’t mentioned more than once. Anyway, I for one HATE those horrible wigs on men AND I hate that goofy white powder women used on their faces (another two reasons to stop reading EH.)

That said, this was a seriously exciting book. It was about Lords of Chaos and Hugh’s assignment from the King’s secretary, Shrugg, is to find out who they are and to stop them. And with Alf’s, Riley’s, Jenkin’s and Talbot’s help he does just that, but not without some grief mixed in first.

I especially liked Alf. She was such a wonderful character. She was so tough and sassy and I loved the way she talked to Hugh. LOL..

There was definitely sex in this book, long and drawn and with descriptions like this: “ his cock slipped from her lips and come and spit dribbled down her chin. She felt him put a handkerchief to her mouth. She spit into it and wiped he mouth.” Really? This is not what I’m used to from EH. That’s not romantic, IMO.

The F-bomb was used 4 times.

As to the narration: AM is a good narrator but, as I’ve said before, “there’s certain times you really have to WHISPER in a book” and AM just doesn’t.” If you’re in a CROWDED ballroom and 3 of you are talking about breaking into the home’s library you really cannot be talking in a regular tone of voice. It’s so silly when you’re listening to the book. Also, Hugh’s men were with him in the army and were all described as big men but AM gave Riley the most horrible high-pitched voice that it sounded silly coming from a man.

9 people found this helpful

Twist on Cinderella Story

excellent performance! A fun Twist on the classic Cinderella Story a must-read fun and funny as well as romantic! I love this story from start to finish I hope you enjoy it as well.

2 people found this helpful

I LOVE Elizabeth Hoyt but this one ended a bit goofy

I was really getting into this story until the duke discovered the identity of our heroine. It was downhill after that. The story became silly and too unbelievable. A duke marrying someone of her class whom also has a super strong cockney accent? The first love scene was just not something I felt fit into the story either especially for a girl who has had zero experience with men. Another point against this book is that the love did not get built properly . So overall a 3 is more than fair.

4 people found this helpful

Ghost of St Giles is back!

I enjoy this series and look forward to each new episode. So glad to see the Ghost return.

I recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys historical romances with intrigue.

1 person found this helpful