Oh there is SO MUCH TO LOVE with this one, there's no wrong place to start...and that book love I mentioned? Yeah, it was BAD, but in a VERY GOOD way! I quite literally had to stop every few pages or so, and be like...no, you HAVE to listen to this, seriously...and then bend the person's ear about the mishaps that were occurring, or the outlandish thing Mr. Hargreaves did now (REALLY wanted to throttle that man!), or how Lord Gray was frolicking in the brook again with Trefor (*giggle*), or how clever Trefor really is with that wonderfully powerful nose of his (such a sweetheart!), or how Thea had worked herself up into a tizzy over her non-like of Lord Gray (protest too much and one simply MUST wonder...), or how her best friend who's up in years isn't afraid of making that proverbial leap, or...well, I think you get the picture. 😊

All in all, it was a delightful read from start to finish and a wonderful addition to what's already been a fantastic series. From the MORE than meet cute (*fans self*) to the delightfully scintillating flirt sessions that are still most appropriate for their times, the determined nature they both adopt during their truce to the seemingly fated breaking of those same vows in a most spectacular fashion, all whilst in the middle of an investigation that cannot even be muttered accidentally in the heat of any moment for the threat to King and country! Oh, it's much too delicious to not surrender a weekend or afternoon to...and while yes, it can be read as a standalone, do yourself the favor and READ THEM ALL. You'll thank me...promise.


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own ( )

Good addition to the series. In the previous two books, the men of the King's Elite worked to bring an end to the smuggling and spy ring that was funneling arms and money to France. They succeeded in stopping the gang's operations, but have yet to capture the ringleader, known only as "The Boss." Intelligence has narrowed it down to two people, one of whom is Viscount Gislingham. Gray and Lord Fennimore were sent to Suffolk to infiltrate Gislingham's social circle and find out if he is, in fact, their quarry. The investigation gets off to a rocky start when Gislingham's niece, Thea, happens on Gray swimming naked in a stream while playing with his dog, and the dog knocks her into the stream as well.

I really liked both Gray and Thea. Gray made appearances in the two previous books where he played significant roles. Now he is up for a significant promotion if he handles himself well during this operation. Gray is a charming and flirtatious, but also level-headed and compassionate. After a romantic disappointment and irresponsible reaction left him financially ruined a decade earlier, he spent the intervening years traveling the world on merchant ships. Older and wiser, he wishes he'd done things differently in the past but believes he's changed for the better. Brooding over the past and things that can't be changed isn't his style. Thea is red-haired and feisty, but she tries to keep that side of herself locked up tight. She blames "Impetuous Thea" for some bad decisions in her past, ones that have left her feeling guilty. She is very cautious around men, thanks to those who have been more interested in her inheritance than in her.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gray and Thea. The sparks flew from the moment they met, but both had reasons to resist. Thea, because of her distrust of charming scoundrels, and Gray, because of his reasons for being in Suffolk in the first place. He isn't very happy about having to play up his disreputable reputation as he is quite smitten by Thea and that reputation works against him. Admitting to themselves and each other that romantic involvement is not a good idea, they commit to friendship instead. I loved seeing them get to know each other, sharing the disappointments of their pasts and inevitably growing closer. This is especially a problem for Gray, who finds Thea invading his mind at inopportune moments, making him question his worth as a spy. He also suspects that his deception will not go over well when the truth is revealed. Thea finds it increasingly difficult to keep "Impetuous Thea" locked up as she gets to know Gray, especially when he is so understanding of her past. I liked how Gray encouraged her to embrace her true self and how Thea helped Gray open his heart again. There are the expected complications when the truth comes out, but some timely advice helps cut through the problems to the heart of the matter. The ending was terrific and perfectly "Impetuous Thea" and "disgraceful" Lord Gray.

The continuation of the search for "The Boss" was a page-turner. Both Gray and Lord Fennimore are prepared to do whatever necessary to advance their investigation, and Gray's time with Thea gives him the entry into the Viscount's world that he needs. As their efforts bring them closer to the truth, Gray finds himself questioning some of the things he discovers. There are some surprising twists leading up to the unmasking of "The Boss," one of which was a complete surprise and one I had begun to suspect. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, with the hero of the day turning out to be Trefor, the dog.

The secondary characters are terrific, especially Lady Harriet and Lord Cedric Fennimore. Harriet is a widow who is determined to live life to the fullest. She is incorrigible in her actions and delights in encouraging Thea to loosen up. in previous books, Lord Fennimore has been shown as a gruff, mission-oriented man who doesn't put up with any shenanigans. It was fun to see Gray play up to their supposed "cousins" relationship whenever possible. It was especially enjoyable to see Cedric get caught in Harriet's wiles, exposing a very different side to him. ( )

Well that's a first meeting that's not easy to top. He goes for a swim in a pond and she happens on him with her widowed friend. He's spying on her Uncle and really shouldn't be seducing her, but she's very tempting and I enjoyed the read. There were some interesting twists but I did guess the identity of The Boss, though there were a few red herrings thrown in that made me second guess my choice.

A fun read with characters I enjoyed spending time with. ( )

The first thing I said when I finished The Disgraceful Lord Gray was,"This book made me so happy!"

The Disgraceful Lord Gray could have been titled It All Started With a Wet Dog.

Thea and Gray meet and sparks fly. Thea is a lovely character with all my favorite vices. She loves to read, loves animals and creative friends. Thea is sometimes impulsive and says what she is actually thinking and is afraid that this impulsiveness is a bad thing. She blames her impulsiveness for several tragedies that have happened in her past. She also dislikes fortune hunters and is very suspicious of peoples motivations in courting her.

Enter the ever so suspicious Gray and his love-able dog Trefor. Gray is a charming, handsome, loyal and funny. Trefor is charming, handsome, loyal and funny. How can Thea resist this pair?

I just loved this book. Many surprises, wonderful side characters and an interesting mystery woven into the story. The Disgraceful Lord Gray is an excellent addition to Virginia Heath's series The Kings Elite.

I highly recommend this whole series, as each book is a real treat. All the books standalone but are even better together. Bring on Lord Hadleigh's book.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Funny,Happily Ever After,Page-turner,Romantic,Unpredictable, Witty,Wonderful characters ( )

The Disgraceful Lord Gray (The King’s Elite Book 3) by Virginia Heath was entertaining historical romance with a blend of intrigue, mystery and a dash of humor.

Miss Theodora Cranford is a twenty-three year old heiress who lives with her uncle and his wife. She has her guard up around would be suitors because most men want her for her money. Lord Graham Chadwick a.k.a. Gray is a member of the King’s Elite who is on the hunt for a smuggling ring. This quest brings him to Thea’s home because he suspects her uncle is the ring leader. Gray has had a rough past, ten years ago he was betrayed by his father, his brother and his first love and as a result he gambled away his inheritance. This is something he has never fully gotten over. Since then he has had affairs with ladies but never taken any seriously. Now working as a spy he is hoping to get a promotion if he takes down the smuggling ring.

Thea and Gray are trying instantly attracted to each other although they try to fight it. Neither trusts anyone enough to allow themselves to get too close. As Gray tries to find the smuggling ringleader, he can’t help fall for Thea and vice versa. The two make a truce to become friends, but they secretly want more. Gray is part of the King’s Elite and he is torn between his work and his feelings for Thea. He is on a mission but is definitely side tracked by her.

Everything about this novel was entertaining and there wasn’t a dull moment. I liked that Thea’s best friend Harriet is 30 years older than her and a flirty widow who wants Thea to loosen up. The mystery aspect was good and I didn’t guess who the head of the smuggling ring was but it made sense when I found out.

The book has romance, drama, some humor and a little spy mystery and Gray has an adorable dog, what more could you want? The Disgraceful Lord Gray (The King’s Elite Book 3) is book 3 in The King’s Elite series but works perfectly fine as a stand alone. Fantastic storytelling by Virginia Heath and this was my first time reading this author but hopefully not my last. I read the last page with a smile on my face. Finally, great book cover also.
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Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free review copy of The Disgraceful Lord Gray from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for my honest thoughts.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/the-disgraceful-lord-gray-the-kings... ( )