This book is 'okay' as a standalone. However it's definitely better read in order. Especially with books 1, 2, and 6. Carlton (the hero) is in many (all? I can't recall) of these books and it does build up his character. You'll get a much better view of the man and his past reading all of the others first.

When I read this series, I had no idea Carlton was going to have his own story. I think knowing that I would have paid a little more attention to him in the previous books haha! But I am so happy to see it. Carlton Morley is the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard and he's one of the most ruthless criminal hunters in London. His past is heartbreaking and tied to other past characters in the series (try to read the whole series!!!) Even with all of his lawful power, he finds something missing in his life. He's taken to prowling the shadows of London during the midnight hours, becoming a law unto himself.

Pru (Prudence. I just can't with that name :/) is walking on air – engaged to an earl. She has no idea what her fiance is truly like – and what her dowry will be used for. With her freedom running out, she decides she deserves one night of passion and goes to visit the Stags of St. James.

I felt like Pru is not what I was expecting. She is more of a naive, sweet, soft spoken, innocent heroine. I didn't dislike her. And I felt like she could be perfect for Carlton. Carlton has such a broken past that Pru could be the perfect balm for.

Now, if I were to compare this book to most other books I read, it would come out on top. The sex is so hot. The violence I love is there. The determination to protect the heroine with everything he has. But when I compare this to other Kerrigan Byrne, I find it lacking. I was...bored...through a lot of the middle of this novel. Pru didn't really have the spunky personality I was expecting after the beginning of the book. She didn't really change. She always came off as a damsel in distress to me. Carlton was a bit of a disappointment for me too. I liked him. But I didn't love him. He seemed to need too much mental assistance to come to the right conclusions on things. Assistance came in the form of previous characters from the series. It was nice to see everyone again but it made Carlton seem like he was a weaker hero than the others. I could clearly see them standing alone, knowing their minds – what they wanted and how to get it. I didn't find that with Carlton. When I picture him alone, he comes off as lost. He doesn't know how to handle Pru. I was a bit disappointed in him a couple of times with his interactions with her and trying to figure out how to handle her.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own regarding this story.