His at Night

In Victorian England, Lord Vere leads a double life as both a secret agent and a society fool. During an undercover mission at a suspect's estate, he encounters the suspect's niece Elissande Edgerton, who views Vere's arrival as an opportunity to escape her uncle's control. Lord Vere maintains his facade of incompetence while gathering evidence against Elissande's uncle. His mission becomes complicated when Elissande, seeking freedom for herself and her aunt, pursues marriage with Vere's brother as an escape route. The situation takes an unexpected turn when circumstances force Lord Vere and Elissande into marriage. They must navigate their new relationship while dealing with threats from her uncle and the consequences of their mutual deceptions. This Victorian romance explores themes of identity, survival, and the masks people wear to protect themselves. The story examines how deception, even when born of necessity, affects trust and intimacy in relationships.

Readers appreciate the chemistry between the main characters and Thomas's crisp writing style. Many note the unique premise and plot structure that differs from standard historical romance formulas. The emotionally complex characters and their psychological development receive frequent mentions in positive reviews. Common praise points: - Strong dialogue and banter - Balance of angst and humor - Period-appropriate details - Non-villainous antagonist Common criticism: - Slow pace in the middle sections - Some find the hero's deception problematic - Resolution feels rushed - Side characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.89/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) Reader quote: "The writing is beautiful and the characterization deep, but the pacing drags in parts" - Goodreads reviewer Several readers compare it favorably to Thomas's other works, though not considering it her strongest novel.

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🌟 Sherry Thomas learned English as a second language at age 13, yet became a bestselling English-language romance novelist. 🌟 Victorian surveillance agents, like Lord Vere's character, were real and often posed as society figures to gather intelligence about potential threats to the crown. 🌟 The novel's themes of deception and hidden identities mirror popular Victorian literature trends, particularly the sensation novels of Wilkie Collins. 🌟 His at Night won the 2010 RITA Award for Best Historical Romance, one of the highest honors in romance fiction. 🌟 The author drew inspiration from Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda, a classic Victorian adventure novel featuring similar themes of deception and dual identities.