When a Rogue Meets His Match

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

Narrated by: Ashford McNab

Return to New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt's signature drama and intrigue, where two enemies will discover if their marriage of convenience can survive -- 'til death do they part.
Ambitious, sly, and lethally intelligent, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the gutter. For the last ten years, he's acted as the Duke of Windemere's fixer, performing the duke's dirty work without question. Now Gideon's ready to quit the duke's service and work solely for himself. But Windermere tempts Gideon with an irresistible offer: one last task for Messalina Greycourt's hand in marriage.
Witty, vivacious Messalina Greycourt has her pick of suitors, so when her uncle demands Messalina marry Mr. Hawthorne, she is appalled. But Gideon offers her a devil's bargain of his own: protection and freedom in exchange for a true marriage. Messalina feigns agreement and plots to escape their deal. Only the more time she spends with Gideon, the more her fierce, loyal husband arouses her affections. But will Gideon's final deed for Windemere destroy the love growing between them?

Critic reviews

"Hoyt...marries her irresistibly witty writing style with an intrigue-steeped plot that is generously spiced with lively banter and lush sensuality."—Booklist on Not the Duke's Darling

"Hoyt's writing is almost too good to be true."—Lisa Kleypas

"Historical romance fans will be gratified by the way Hoyt highlights social issues, focusing on Gideon and Messalina's struggle against poverty and 18th-century gender roles. Credible characters, steamy romance, and heart-pounding action set this romance apart."—Publishers Weekly

"Duke of Desire is a beautifully written tale of revenge and reconciliation, despair, and hope, loathing, and love. A most fitting end to a spectacular series."—Heroes & Heartbreakers

"4 1/2 Stars! Top Pick! A thrilling end [to] this addictive series!"—RT Book Reviews on Duke of Desire

"4 1/2 Stars! Top Pick! Always unique, wonderfully romantic and highly sensual, Hoyt's stories take readers' breath away."—RT Book Reviews on Duke of Pleasure

"4 1/2 Stars! Top Pick! Hoyt delivers a unique read on many levels: a love story, a tale of redemption and a plot teeming with emotional depth that takes readers' breaths away. Kudos to a master storyteller!"—RT Book Reviews on Duke of Sin

"4 1/2 Stars! Top Pick! It is a story that takes your breath away and leaves you uplifted. Hoyt does it again!"—RT Book Reviews on Sweetest Scoundrel

"[T]his superbly executed historical romance is proof positive that this RITA Award-nominated author continues to write with undiminished force and flair. When it comes to incorporating a generous measure of dangerous intrigue and lush sensuality into a truly swoonworthy love story, Hoyt is unrivaled."—Booklist on Dearest Rogue

"4 1/2 Stars! Hoyt takes an unlikely pair of characters and, through the magic of her storytelling, turns them into the perfect couple... [A] read to remember."—RT Book Reviews on Dearest Rogue

"Hoyt's exquisitely nuanced characters, vividly detailed setting, and seemingly effortless and elegant writing provide the splendid material from which she fashions yet another ravishingly romantic love story."—Booklist on Darling Beast

"Richly drawn characters fill the pages of this emotionally charged mix of mystery and romance."—Publishers Weekly on Duke of Midnight

"Hoyt's writing is imbued with great depth of emotion."—Publishers Weekly on Lord of Darkness

"An expert blend of scintillating romance and mystery... The romance between the beautiful and quick-witted Isabel and the masked champion of the downtrodden propels this novel to the top of its genre."—Publishers Weekly on Thief of Shadows

Full of Passion

Extremely intriguing, exciting and full of passion. I loved it! I would highly recommend it!

Narrator?

Good story and I really liked the characters. The narrator’s male voice, however, sounded robotic. This totally ruined the book for me. The robot voice made it impossible to understand the hero’s change from brute to prince.

It's Wonderful

This book is everything I love about Elizabeth Hoyt. I admit that I didn't like the first book in this series, but this book more than made up for it. It's my second favorite (The Duke of Sin is unbeatable by any author, even the woman who wrote it.) I wept like a child at the end. Yes, blubbering, box of tissues tears.

I really love Rosalyn Landor's narration

I am new to the romance novel scene and recently discovered Elizabeth Hoyt's work. So far everything she has written pleases me. I didn't give this novel 5 stars because of my bias for "Charming" Mickey O'Connor from the 3rd Maiden Lane book "Scandalous Desires". I love that man he is the OG (original gangsta)
And that lovely Irish accent is so seductive Rosalyn's narration makes me sigh with pleasure.
This book has many of the the same themes including how the poor were penalized for crimes due to poverty eg stealing for food. Which is what we continue to do in our society. But it's not all gloom and doom there are fun historical facts like the Illuminated Psalter...who knew? this prompted a wikipedia diversion which is a fairly common occurrence for me. And of course there is the HEA across some major class lines
Overall loved this book and look forward to the next in the series

Excellent Read

Some angst which I detest; but, lots of twists and turns interspersed with plenty of humour. I don’t understand the female mind and it shows as several times I found myself wondering “why doesn’t she understand “. Almost enough risqueness for me.

Much better than first book

The characters were well rounded, even secondary ones. There were fewer loose ends, though the mystery of the murdered sister is still unsolved.

The romance took the center even though the secondary plot of attempted murders was well explored.

I am interested in discovering what the Greycourt secret is. But the books in this series are several years apart.

Intrigue and a Puppy

Gideon Hawthorne has raised himself from the gutters of St. Giles. He is ambitious, cunning, and ruthless in his quest to better his life. Messalina Greycourt is the daughter, and now the niece of a Duke. She is bright, outgoing, intelligent, and independent. Marriage between these two opposites proves to be an interesting journey.

This is an action-packed story with a dark, brooding hero and a smart, independent heroine. There are painful memories, secrets, and murder plots. Falling in love will not be easy for Gideon and Messalina. Lucretia is a sassy little thing. Gideon’s men, as tough as they are, are like family. Sam and Daisy the puppy are sweet. The intrigue is tense, and romance develops slowly. Together it makes this one you can’t put down. Ashford McNab's narration is great. She is one of my favorites. Good read. I recommend it.

Love always wins.

what a great story. Love does conquer all things. I thought the two main characters kept this reader up til 2:30 in the morning. They fought thru to reach a true love match.

Even better than the first book!

Gideon’s comes off as an uncaring rogue at first, but as the story reveals he’s anything but. His past broke my heart! He’s longed for Messilina, watching her from afar, wanting her out of the clutches of her villainous uncle. He’s a horrid man! Don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, unfortunately.
Gideon takes on a Devil’s bargain to marry her.

I do love the forced marriage troupe. Messilina and Gideon are enemies-to-lovers because of it, well on Messilina’s side, anyhow, but oh! When the lovers part begins it’s deliciously hot!

Other reasons to love this story: Lucretia’s and her sweet obsession! Cute little seven-year-old Sam. His relationship with Messillina and her puppy, a male dog named Daisy by the youngster!

I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt for quite some time, so I was thrilled when she came out with a new series. I enjoyed this installment even more than the first book, and I don’t think it’s necessary to read the books in order. When a Rogue Meets His Match works quite well as a standalone.

I’m hoping the next book centers on Elspeth, Freya’s younger sister and kind of clueless bookworm! Well, not clueless, just a little unaware of the world. I think it could be a lot of fun pairing her with someone like Julian Greycourt, he’s so jaded.

Ashford McNab did a fabulous job with the narration, both male and female voices. I listened at 1.5x.

Book and story great not so narration

Ashford McNab is a good narrator....except with macho men. The story was creative and entertaining as were the characters. Both needed a narrator who could add zing to the characters.