The Hunter
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4.5 • 115 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
They're rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards-dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster...
A scandalous proposal.
Christopher Argent lives in the shadows as the empire's most elite assassin. Emotion is something he tossed away years ago, making him one of the most clear-eyed, cold-hearted, wealthiest, and therefore untouchable men in London. But when his latest target turns out to be London's own darling, Millicent LeCour, Christopher's whole world is turned upside down. Overwhelmed by her stunning combination of seduction and innocence, Christopher cannot complete the mission. She has made him feel again. Now, he will do anything to save her life, so that he can claim her as his own...
A perilous passion...
When Millie learns what Christopher was hired to do, she is torn between the fear in her heart and the fire in her soul. Putting herself in this notorious hunter's arms may be her only path to safety-even if doing so could be the deadliest mistake she's ever made. But how can she resist him? As the heat between her and Christopher burns out of control, danger lurks in the shadows. Is their desire worth the risk? Only the enemy knows what fate has in store...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Byrne follows The Highwayman with a powerful and dramatic second Victorian Rebels romantic thriller. Christopher Argent was born in Newgate; he spent his childhood behind bars and his adulthood as London's most feared assassin. He believes he has no emotions and doesn't care about anything, but when he has to kill actress Millie LeCour, he can't face the thought of destroying her spirit and joy. So he strikes a bargain: protection for her and her son, Jakub, in exchange for one tempestuous night in his bed. Millie is terrified of the coldhearted killer, but she wants to know who wants her dead. Soon she falls in love with the giant who treats Jakub gently and who hide flashes of heat behind his icy mask. Millie wants to save Argent from loneliness, but Argent has to walk a tortured journey of self-discovery before he can accept her love. Their affair was forged out of desperation, but if Argent can shake off the shackles of his past, they can have a happy ending that would rival the best theater. Previous protagonists Farah and Dorian Blackwell have enjoyable cameos in this deeply satisfying story of passion and mutual rescue.
Customer Reviews
Descriptive, detailed and engaging,
Christopher Argent was born in Newgate Prison, horrific any way you look at it, but witnessing the death of his mother and the subsequent struggle to survive until he is free isn’t the best way to raise an honest and functional human being. Cold, calculating and a doctorate in street survival, Christopher is a character that easily could have gone dark. Fortunately, Byrne pulls Christopher from the abyss by presenting his story in a way that builds empathy and understanding for the man he has become.
Millie LeCour is an actress, lauded by men and women. While her profession isn’t particularly ‘respectable’, she doesn’t indulge in the scandalous behaviors that have befallen her peers. She’s got one goal: raising her dead friend’s son to be a successful man, and she goes to great lengths just to keep him safe and happy. But she does have a secret, one that spells danger for her and the young boy. A girl born in Whitechapel, she’s not ‘society approved’, but she’s worked hard to improve her life and grab opportunities. But, the secret will haunt her….
Given the contract to end Millie’s life, thus ensuring the secret will never surface, Christopher has his first moments of doubt when he tries to complete his task. An unusual moment for him, he’s rarely bothered and doesn’t allow attachments. But somehow, the attraction he has for Millie opens the story and the two work to find answers and threats on their way to love.
Descriptive, detailed and engaging, Byrne uses the interactions and history of the two characters to find common ground and familiarity. Christopher’s story is dark and often brutal, but for a few breaks, Millie’s wouldn’t be far behind. With suspense, murders, some dark and brutal descriptions and a quick moment to see a relationship / friendship develop between Millie’s son Jakub and Christopher, the story is a wonderful second installment.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Too much internal monologue
Had to DNF this one. Scarred man, inside out. Rejects love but wants it….aka pretty similar to the first book. But the internal dialogue and musings were endless and boring. I found myself heavily skimming.
Lovely *****
Lovely story. Romantic and heart wrenching. The son was adorable. The hero damaged with a heartbreakingly beautiful soul. The heroine perfectly strong and vulnerable at the same time.