Title: Lord Difficult (Maitland's Rogues Book 3)
Author: Eileen Putman
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Regency matchmaker Emmaline Stanhope faces her greatest test in Robert Tavish — an intimidating beast of a man who refuses to comply with even basic requirements for a prospective husband. He won’t dance. He won’t learn manners. He won’t even try to please a woman.Oh, but then he saves her life. Whisks her off to Scotland. Reveals dark secrets. Can he reconcile with his past—and the passions he ruthlessly denies? Could she be the Beauty to tame this Beast?
Book 3 in the Maitland's Rogues series of Regency historical romances about daring rogues who worked clandestinely for England during the Napoleonic Wars. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love--until it ensnares them.
My Review:
I absolutely loved this book!
At first glance, the cover might lead you to believe Lord Difficult is a hot and steamy bodice ripper, but I must tell you, this is not that kind of book. In fact, I think a more classic design, something reminiscent of Jane Austen’s works, would better suit its tone. This is a book about love, not sex—and it’s all the better for it.
From the first page to the last, Lord Difficult captivated me. The writing is intelligent, and the characters are well fleshed out. Emmaline Stanhope, the Regency-era matchmaker at the heart of the story, is fabulous. She’s strong, clever, and knows exactly how to hold her own, even when faced with Robert Tavish—an intimidating man who seems to defy every convention of polite society.
The dialogue between Emmaline and Robert is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Their back-and-forth is witty and sharp but never feels forced or contrived. Their chemistry builds slowly, creating an emotional connection that’s far more satisfying than anything rushed or overtly sensual. It’s the kind of romance that allows you to savor every moment, every exchange, and truly invest in their growing relationship.
Robert himself is swoonworthy in his own way. Beneath his gruff exterior, he has layers that unfold beautifully as the story progresses, revealing a depth of emotion that makes him impossible not to root for. The way his backstory is woven into the narrative is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, adding dimension to his character and making the reader care about him more and more with each passing chapter.
But it’s not just Robert and Emmaline who shine. The entire cast of characters is engaging, and each contributes to the development of the story. Her Aunt Heloise is a character so wonderful, you just know if this ever became a movie, they’d have to cast an A-list actress to play her because she would steal every scene—in the best possible way. Heloise’s wit, charm, and presence add so much to the story, and she’s an absolute joy to read.
In short, Lord Difficult is an enchanting Regency romance with the perfect balance of humor, wit, and heart. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, well-written love story with strong characters and an intelligent plot, look no further. This book is a gem, and I highly recommend it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
I'm a Regency buff. That's the period in England between 1811 and 1820, when Mad George was on the throne (George III, of "Hamilton" fame). His illnesses led to the Prince of Wales being named Regent to act in his stead. It’s a fascinating time, when social strictures aimed at privileging the social elite stood in sharp contrast with advances in science, technology and trade that threatened to make those aristocrats irrelevant.
I love research—a legacy of my journalism days. My Regency historical romances have inspired research trips to England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and other countries.
My Maitland’s Rogues series features daring men working clandestinely for England during the Napoleonic Wars. Hardened and deadly, they have no use for love—until it ensnares them.
Social Media Links:
Author website: https://eileenputman.com
Reviewed by: Lana