Books › The Devil's Waltz
The Devil's Waltz
First published 2006 · 384 pages
A delicious battle of wits where a cynical rogue and a fiercely protective spinster accidentally fall for each other.
What it feels like
Reading this historical romance feels like watching a perfectly choreographed fencing match where the combatants slowly realize they would rather be dancing. The atmosphere is spirited and crackling with tension, driven by the sharp, witty banter between a desperate, charming rogue and a practical, fiercely protective heroine. The prose is elegant yet brisk, keeping the pages turning as their initial animosity melts into reluctant admiration and, ultimately, swoony romance. It is a classic enemies-to-lovers tale that delights in the tropes of the genre while grounding its characters in genuine emotional vulnerability. Readers who love the arch dialogue of Julia Quinn or the reformed rakes of Loretta Chase will devour this playful, deeply satisfying battle of wits.
- Mood
- spirited
- crackling
- lighthearted
- swoony
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- arch
- romantic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- enemies to lovers · battle of wits · redemption of a rake · protective loyalty · financial desperation
- The writing
- Elegant and sharp, characterized by clever dialogue and classic historical romantic tension.
- The arc
- Moves from prickly suspicion and defensive sparring to reluctant admiration and passionate surrender.
- Who it's for
- Fans of classic historical romance who love a battle of wits between a cynical rogue and a fiercely protective, practical heroine.
Content notes
- financial ruin
- deception
About the book
When you dance with the devil, you hold hands with temptation... Christian Montcalm was a practical man, if a destitutescoundrel, but his plan to bed and wed the delectable Miss Hetty Chipple would take care of that sticky wicket. However, there was a most intriguing obstacle to his success. Annelise Kempton desired nothing more than to come between this despicable rogue and the fortune (and virtue) of her young charge. Certainly, Annelise understood the desperation that comes from hard times, but Montcalm would fail-she would personally see to it. All that stands in her way is a man whose rakish charm could tempt a saint to sin, or consign a confirmed spinster to sleepless nights of longing... to give the devil his due.
Description from Open Library.
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