Another wonderful romance from Anabelle Bryant. The final book in the Bastards of London series. Crispin and Amanda's story was the perfect ending for this series. As always, Ms. Bryant weaves a wonderfully romantic story for her readers. Highly recommend...the entire series!!

Waiting for this book, in particular, has been a lesson in patience. Return to the House of Sin, the fourth and final book in the Bastards of London series, is a prime example of Anabelle Bryant's expertise in bringing a lost cause back from the brink and making him into a hero. Crispin Daventry, Lord Hastings, made a hasty exit of London after the "love of his life" marries one of the Bastards, and loses a mound of money at the Underworld. He runs from everyone who loves him, even the sister who was his best friend.

Wasting his life away in over-excess and debauchery has taken its toll on Crispin, who has resolved, though not wholeheartedly, to return to London to exact revenge on the gaming hell, The Underworld and the proprietor who stole his love. Crsipin has gained a fortune in his time away from London and will use all at his disposal to regain his reputation. Traveling back to London from Italy on a ship along with his mischievous friend the Count of Este.

Lady Amanda Beasley, daughter of the earl of Huntindon was supposed to travel to France from Italy with her widowed father and her sister, but circumstances separate the family members, and Amanda ends up on the wrong ship headed to England while her family board their ship to France. Frantic and without help, Amanda stows away in the first open chamber she finds, which happens to be Crispin's. What a dilemma!

Crispin is trying so hard to turn over a new leaf, but Amanda is a tempting morsel. Between attempting to keep her presence a secret from everyone on the ship to keeping himself , Crispin becomes a steadfast friend to Amanda whilst keeping her hidden from the crew. He makes sure she has food and drink and even comforts her when she falls ill. Amanda has never had any type of relationship with a man, but she falls into complacency with Crispin's friendship. Dare she he ever hope for anything else? Crispin continually pushes back his emerging feeling for Amanda knowing she would make someone a perfect wife, just not him. He was far too heartbroken to accept any new possibilities of love.

Once the ship docks in English waters and Amanda and Crsipin go their separate ways, but the inevitable happens when Crispin and Amanda begin to see one another at ton events. Denying the undeniable is a task neither will win when feelings eventually tear down the walls that both Amanda and Crispin have erected around their hearts, and the journey to the point of no return is sublime.

Author, Anabelle Bryant has written a superb send off to the Bastards of London and everything is as it should be in the land surrounding the Underworld. Miss Bryant takes a character that readers had come to dislike through his actions in the past and wondrously redeem his to the point of his becoming a favorite hero in this tale. Amanda Beasley and he sensual innocence becomes the catalyst in this redemption, making RETURN TO THE HOUSE OF SIN one of my favorite books this year. I highly recommend this, and any expertly written book written by the ever talented, Anabelle Bryant.


~KIMBERLY~

Final book in the series and I am sad to see it go. Crispin was driven by his mistakes and trying to prove he was a rake. I loved his humanity, single-mindedness, and drive. When his true inner self showed through, I fell in love. Amanda was just as driven for different reasons, yet was still innocent in her actions, plans, and dreams. She had a clarity of vision that kept her honest, and her heart was big enough to forgive when needed. I enjoyed reading about this couple's journey to their HEA. I highly recommend this story as well as the entire series.

I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review. It is also a Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.

Return to the House of Sin by Anabelle Bryant is book Four in the "Bastards of London" series. This is the story of Crispin Daventry and Lady Amanda Beasley. I have read the previous book (LOVED THEM!) in this series but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Each time I read one of Ms Bryant's book I think this is my favorite one but then I read another one which takes its place. This book has everything you could want in a romance. The hurt hero looking to get his revenge while fighting to not love again...but then you meet a women who you can't resist. But you try to keep your walls up but each day you are with her she takes one down. The heroine is trying to prove that she is graceful and ladylike but keeps getting into one ungraceful situation after another. Then when her hero tries to help her he keeps telling her he isn't a good guy but she knows different. They each have been trying to be something they are not and fix what they think needs fixing within themselves. But then they learn what they have been trying to fix within themselves doesn't really need fixing when they are together.
I so loved Amanda and Crispin story....and the bonus was the secondary characters. They were great and I truly hope to see more of them soon!
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Return to the House of Sin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Anabelle Bryant
(Bastards of London, Book 4)

As a reader of this series, I patiently waited for the story behind Crispin Daventry, Lord Hastings. I must say unequivocally this story fulfilled my wait.

Crispin fled London a year ago. He never contacted any family or friends in his absence. He left because of a romantic notion he was in love and rejected and a gambling debt he could not pay back to the Underworld a gambling hell.

Spending his time he Italy staying with his friend, Count Este he honed his gambling skills planning on his return and revenge upon the Underworld.

It is on his journey back to London he meets Amanda Beasley. Amanda finds that she has boarded an incorrect ship heading for London when she should be on the ship with her father and sister headed for France. Amanda randomly select Crispin’s cabin to be a stowaway in. When Crispen discovers her he tries to protect her and not reveal she is a stowaway on the boat. Crispin find himself sharing quarters with his friend Count Este. He brings her secreted baskets of food and tries to fill in her lonely hours with conversation and playing cards. But it is during this conversation they both realize they were very attracted to each other. Amanda has manage to worm her way into his heart. As Crispin been realizes his attraction, he tries to stay away from her it is only certain moments where he weakens and they share a few kisses.

As the ship arrives in London, Crispin sees that she is returned to her home properly. He believes he will never see her again and he is torn by that but he also remembers he has sworn off any romantic relationships.When Amanda arrived home her Aunt Matilda hears her story and makes it her mission to put these two together.

Again Ms Bryant has written a beautiful romance with a bit of a mystery. The dialogue is just captivating. I enjoyed the fact that the hero put aside his revenge plan and realized love was more important. He knew he could not live without her.

I have enjoyed this series of romances. Ms Bryant excels in this genre. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.

I loved everything about this book and I definitely had a book hangover for not wanting to stop reading it and go to bed.
Lord Chrispin Daventry and Lady Amanda Beasley meet when Amanda stows away in his shiproom after mistakenly boarding the wrong ship.
Chrispin is heading home after his self imposed exile for a life changing and embarrassing lack of judgment one night at the Underground. While gone Chrispin has honed his ability with cards a regained his fortune all the while making plans for revenge. He will repair his duet and then break the Underground. He has built walls around his heart and protraies himself a scoundrel.
Amanda always seems to embarrass herself infront of the ton with her nack for stumbling or spilling things. Her family thinks it’s endearing but she so wants to be considered elegant and charming. Getting on the wrong ship just adds to her long list of mistakes then stowing away just adds to her mistakes.
When Chrispin finds Amanda in his room he decides to help her hide for their 21 day trip back to London. Amanda believes Chrispin is a good and kind man, Chrispin is sure to tell her his is not he’s strictly helping her because she reminds him of his sister. At least that’s what he tells himself. Days and nights spent together bring the two closer and wants and feelings that seem important may start to change and morph into something new and all consuming.
There’s laughter, tires and suspense. Chrispin and Amanda’s chemistry and personality’s are perfect and left me sighing throughout the book.
I highly recommend this series!
I loved everything about this book and I definitely had a book hangover for not wanting to stop reading it and go to bed.
Lord Chrispin Daventry and Lady Amanda Beasley meet when Amanda stows away in his shiproom after mistakenly boarding the wrong ship.
Chrispin is heading home after his self imposed exile for a life changing and embarrassing lack of judgment one night at the Underground. While gone Chrispin has honed his ability with cards a regained his fortune all the while making plans for revenge. He will repair his duet and then break the Underground. He has built walls around his heart and protraies himself a scoundrel.
Amanda always seems to embarrass herself infront of the ton with her nack for stumbling or spilling things. Her family thinks it’s endearing but she so wants to be considered elegant and charming. Getting on the wrong ship just adds to her long list of mistakes then stowing away just adds to her mistakes.
When Chrispin finds Amanda in his room he decides to help her hide for their 21 day trip back to London. Amanda believes Chrispin is a good and kind man, Chrispin is sure to tell her his is not he’s strictly helping her because she reminds him of his sister. At least that’s what he tells himself. Days and nights spent together bring the two closer and wants and feelings that seem important may start to change and morph into something new and all consuming.
There’s laughter, tires and suspense. Chrispin and Amanda’s chemistry and personality’s are perfect and left me sighing throughout the book.
I highly recommend this series!
I loved everything about this book and I definitely had a book hangover for not wanting to stop reading it and go to bed.
Lord Chrispin Daventry and Lady Amanda Beasley meet when Amanda stows away in his shiproom after mistakenly boarding the wrong ship.
Chrispin is heading home after his self imposed exile for a life changing and embarrassing lack of judgment one night at the Underground. While gone Chrispin has honed his ability with cards a regained his fortune all the while making plans for revenge. He will repair his duet and then break the Underground. He has built walls around his heart and protraies himself a scoundrel.
Amanda always seems to embarrass herself infront of the ton with her nack for stumbling or spilling things. Her family thinks it’s endearing but she so wants to be considered elegant and charming. Getting on the wrong ship just adds to her long list of mistakes then stowing away just adds to her mistakes.
When Chrispin finds Amanda in his room he decides to help her hide for their 21 day trip back to London. Amanda believes Chrispin is a good and kind man, Chrispin is sure to tell her his is not he’s strictly helping her because she reminds him of his sister. At least that’s what he tells himself. Days and nights spent together bring the two closer and wants and feelings that seem important may start to change and morph into something new and all consuming.
There’s laughter, tires and suspense. Chrispin and Amanda’s chemistry and personality’s are perfect and left me sighing throughout the book.
I highly recommend this series!
*Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team

When I read the 3rd book in this series, I thought I would be hard pressed to find another book with romantic scenes as beautifully done. Boy, was I wrong! I evidently completely underestimated Anabelle Bryant’s gift for writing romance. Her books are so beautifully written, I forget I’m reading mere words instead of experiencing one of the most emotional and exciting moments ever. The perfect balance of emotional and physical love scenes is so flawlessly written that sometimes I actually feel the need to cry out at the beauty I’ve just witnessed. I’d waited a long time for Crispin’s Return to the House of Sin. Crispin and Amanda’s story was definitely worth the wait.

After a year in Italy, Crispin Daventry, Lord Hastings, was not the proper, straight-laced man he’d been in London. A year ago, he had suffered an unbearable debt in an embarrassing debacle and had fled the Underworld gaming hell and London with a broken heart and empty pockets. He’d left no explanation for his family and had not contacted them in the time he’d been gone. Venice had been the ideal place for deflecting his heartache. Thanks to his friend, Antonio Ferrismo, Count Este, he had replaced his unrest with beautiful women, liquor, and senseless abandon. But now, Italy was becoming tedious. The time for redemption had come. Crispin was ready to sail home to London, pay back his debts to the Underworld, repair his reputation, and get revenge on the establishment that had been his greatest foe and his biggest embarrassment.
Lady Amanda Beasley, daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon, had been traveling through Italy with her father and sister. She was eager to return home to London and prove her elegance and self-reliance. While her sister was known for her unmatched grace and delicate composure, Amanda was known for her propensity for mishaps. After a series of graceless episodes- spills, heels caught on rugs, etc- she was viewed as a walking accident. Amanda was ready to return and alter everyone’s opinion of her. Unfortunately, due to the mad crush of travelers at the port, Amanda became separated from her family and mistakenly boarded the wrong ship. With no ticket and no money, she panicked and hid in the first available room she could find. Crispin Daventry’s room. That one small choice would have immense consequences.
When Crispin discovered Amanda hiding in his cabin, he assumed she was a stowaway. A ship was a dangerous place for a woman alone. If discovered, she’d be ruined. He felt an unexplainable protectiveness for her so perhaps it was some long lost resurrected sense of duty that made him offer his cabin. He had no choice but to let her hide out there while he shared quarters with the Count.
And so that’s how the three week trip began, with Crispin displaced from his quarters, Amanda claiming his bed and dependent on him for food, survival, and distraction. Soon they fell into a comfortable, casual company. Playing cards, sharing conversation. A friendship. When Amanda was seasick or bored, Crispin’s voice consoled her and his presence comforted her. Crispin didn’t like the feelings he was starting to have for Amanda. He wanted no part of love or affection. No woman would hurt him again. Somehow, Amanda had managed to get under his skin and he meant to get her out, so he tried to stay away. But the more he strove to ignore her, the more she filled his thoughts. He couldn’t help it. He looked forward to seeing her, hearing her voice. He tried to appear a rogue but Amanda saw right through him. She refused to see the jaded insensitivity he’d worked to achieve. So to prove he was no gentleman, he kissed her. A kiss that was demanding and devastating, leaving them dizzy and wanting to surrender to the sensations. Though affected greatly, Crispin was “determined not to fall down the well of emotion he’d worked so hard to purge”. He had a score to settle. He didn’t need affection and the responsibility of caring for Amanda when his most important goal was almost in reach.
The adventure doesn’t end on the ship. Once they return to London, thanks to Amanda’s adorable Aunt Matilda, Crispin’s and Amanda’s paths cross repeatedly. The feelings that began on the ship only intensify and each kiss and embrace brings them closer. And Crispin finds himself facing a choice. What matters more to him? Revenge on the Underworld or the love of Amanda?

Another amazing addition to a phenomenal series. Crispin was even more wonderful than I dreamed he would be. And Amanda stole my heart immediately. Both were so intent on being someone they weren’t all because of how they felt society would see them. Crispin had spent a year of his life planning and preparing for settling a score. Amanda spent her days practicing clever conversation, dance steps, and facial expressions to prove to the ton that she had elegance and poise. But when they found each other, they realized they’d changed their minds about those things they’d thought had meaning. It only mattered what they saw in each other and in themselves. They were absolutely perfect for each other and their insecurities of how they were perceived made them that much more believable and endearing. I loved the evolution of their romance. So many moments just melted my heart. Sneaking Amanda above deck, playing cards, their stolen moment in the theater alcove. They were enchanting.
I fell in love with so many secondary characters too. Of course, I’ve always loved Sophie and was so excited to see her reunited with her brother. I’m anxious to see her find love. I loved the relationship between Amanda and her sister, Raelyn. Their support of each other and the laughs they shared were so sweet to read. I’d love to see Raelyn’s story. Perhaps with Count Este? He was a real charmer and such a good friend to Crispin. And of course, I have to have more of Aunt Matilda. What a pistol! I can’t wait to find out about her new project!
This entire series has been captivating and each story makes me anxious for the next. The romance is beyond swoon worthy and there is quite a bit of suspense there toward the end. If you want a passionate romance woven with rich detail and a touch of suspense, you’ll be delighted with Return to the House of Sin. This series is the epitome of what romance is all about. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.