The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

The Raven Prince (Princes Trilogy, #1)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

There comes a time in a woman's life when she must do the unthinkable - and find employment. For the widowed Anna Wren, that means taking a job as female secretary for the Earl of Swartingham. Secretaries are always male - never female - as Anna well knows but the real downfall of her career is the realisation that she is falling in love with Edward de Raaf - the Earl. But when she realises that he is going to visit a brothel in London to take care of his 'manly' desires, Anna sees red - and decides to take advantage of the opportunity to also take care of her 'womanly' desires - with the Earl as her unknowing lover. But the Earl has another reason for going to London. He is formalising his betrothal and trying (with little success) to forget about a secretary that has no right being female. Unhandsome, he knows that no woman wants him. Except for the mysterious lady with whom he spent two unforgettable nights at Aphrodite's Grotto, the most scandalous brothel in London. But when Anna's plan is revealed, a bit of blackmail is thrown into the mix, a proposal is rejected and even the Earl himself will be unprepared for the intrigues that ensnare them.

Reviewed by Stephanie on

5 of 5 stars

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This review was originally posted on Once Upon a Chapter



Anna Wren has been widowed for 6 years. Funds have steadily been getting lower and lower. Circumstances have gotten to the point where Anna must take a position or run the risk of not being able to provide for her small home. Anna cares for her mother-in-law and a young girl they took in when she had no where to go. Anna and Mother Wren are training Fanny for a house servant position but the young girl isn't ready to make it in the working world yet. Anna goes to town to find a position.

Edward de Raff has, after nearly two decades, decided to return to his family home. The manor holds fond memories of his childhood, that is until his last memories of the manor. Edward de Raff, Earl of Swartingham, is the sole survivor of the small pox that swept his house during childhood. He has decided to return to his home, marry and fill the halls with the laughter of children once again. This may prove more difficult than it sounds. Finding someone to marry an earl should be quite simple. Edward has a scarred face from his childhood illness and a temper to go with it. His second secretary has been mysteriously called away in the night and won't be returning for the position. Edward tells his steward to find him a replacement by end of day to start the next day.

Happily Edward's steward and Anna collide on a street corner. Before the steward quite knows what happened, Anna has the position as the Earl of Swartingham's secretary.  The story that follows is the stuff fairy tales are made of.

*Sigh* The Raven Prince swept me up and took me to a place far far away. It has all the properties of a great historical: a hero who most think arrogant but he needs reassurance, a heroine who is afraid she isn't lovable because of her "flaws", a wonderful setting and fantastic secondary characters. The best part about this book is watching two people fight a losing battle. Their love of each other is going to surmount any obstacles they put up and it is heart-warming to watch those obstacles fall. This was my first Elizabeth Hoyt novel and it certainly won't be my last. If you have yet to read Elizabeth Hoyt, I can't suggest enough that you do!

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  • 5 July, 2014: Reviewed