The Lord Of Lost Causes

Written by Kate Pearce

Narrated by Jessica Bright

Struggling to support her family after her husband’s death, Caroline Harding attracts the attention of the ruthless Captain Francis Grafton who offers her a devil’s bargain to pay back her debts to him. Outwitting her enigmatic employer and unwillingly gaining his approval significantly changes her life for the better, but can she win his loyalty and his heart when he appears to care for nothing but profit?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094414669

Kate Pearce

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kate Pearce was born in England in the middle of a large family of girls and quickly found that her imagination was far more interesting than real life. After acquiring a degree in history and barely escaping from the British Civil Service alive, she moved to California and then to Hawaii with her kids and her husband and set about reinventing herself as a romance writer. She is known for both her unconventional heroes and her joy at subverting romance clichés. In her spare time she self publishes science fiction erotic romance, historical romance, and whatever else she can imagine. You can find Kate on katepearce.com.

Reviews for The Lord Of Lost Causes

[Tifa ? · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m glad I gave this book a chance despite the reviews. It was a great story with compelling characters. I like how the main female character overcame her shame regarding her circumstances and sensuality. I enjoyed the male lead’s raw vulnerability about his past. Contrary to how their relationship begins, there is nothing non-consensual about their arrangement. However if you’re sensitive about sexual harassment or reluctance I’d skip this one.

[Sam Ashish · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I Found this book to be a little sad and disturbing, although it all works out for Caroline in the end, shes hads so much to put up with between her mother and the captain great that it all worked out well for her in the end.

[Sylph Hensen · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I just was not a fan of this one. I found the hero to be more of a lost cause in ways that I just was never able to get past. I still like the authors general writing style but this book is not her best in my opinion.

[Sue Bastian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Disturbing and surprising. A twist toward the end reconciles the screeching dysfunction to some extent… Steamy encounters and a strong heroine who will do whatever it takes to provide for her family; an anti-hero whom we just can’t loathe, a well researched story of an uneasy era combine in this satisfying tale.

[Noemi Gonzalez Oliva · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

So basically he rapes her and this is supposed to be romantic? Really? I find it awful. But….he lets her have a bath. This is really really horrible. Someone wrote…there is no rape. Wtf? Rape is rape. Where is the consent. Not finished reading yet but I know they will be together. How can you condone this?

[Ginny · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the way the writer unfolded the story ...as old as time... of course with twist and turns. keeping me hanging on to every word. Just wish that script was better at letting you know. it's a series and what book in series you are listening to and the next is available... I hate waiting on the next book lolol

[Andrea Welch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's unfortunate that it is 2023 and people do not know what the definition of rape is. There is NO rape in this book. There was awkward, reluctant, consensual sex, which there was in most cases back then, even in marriage. But it was consensual sex.

[Juliet Appiah-nyanta · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I feel right into the world and the characters lives.
Oh and the steamy bits...wooohooo, nearly burned my irises off!

[Gretchen Schweers · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The main character says he isn’t a rapist but he is definitely a rapist. It seems like the author is going to try and make him sympathetic somehow, but he is so disgusting that I’m angry that the female main character is being written to fall for him while being repeatedly raped. If you have any history of sexual assault I would pass on this one.

[Kelsie Coronado · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Gross. Yes rape/prostitution is historically accurate, but why turn it into a weird twisted love story?

[angelaperkinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Contrary to other reviews, there is no rape in this book. There is reluctance but it is consensual. The first sexual encounter is cold and unfeeling and awkward but it is NOT rape.

[Larissa da Silva Manara · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The " hero" Thakes advanted and rapes the heroine. Thais is not a Love story, it is a story about how Men pray on woman in neeed of help.

[amy · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This was so bad it does not deserve a review. I am so sick of crap like this coming up in my selections and nothing else. I do not consider this romance!

[mama rebelle · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reading the reviews of this book I was worried because of the claim it contained rape. It does not. It contains a transactional sex scene. There is consent. That said, I did not think the scene was necessary. It did not need to be so graphic.

I have enjoyed Kate Pierce as a short story author as part of anthologies, but I find this series lacking. She is skilled at setting the scene and has good historical context but these characters lack reality and depth. They are not strong women. Caroline could easily have found a job that paid better, a governess perhaps and sent money to her parasitic sisters and mother. Her mother is particularly awful. I would have loved to fall in love with them all, but sadly I just wanted it to end, and found myself skipping forward to the end.

[Kim Huinker · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Content warning: rape

Story of a woman down on her luck, rape to repay debts.

[Kate · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

He rapes her in chapter 4 :(

I really feel like there should be a content warning for rape in a romance novel, ESPECIALLY when it's the male lead doing the raping?

I thought it was a lead up to him refusing to sleep with her until she wanted him, but nope.

[Mary Makler · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Bummer of a book. The re-hashing of the same theme. And, like usual, the man's personality changes and becomes a puppy dog. I don't think that is very creative. Sexual situations were sparse and not descriptive enough for me.

[veronica needa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lovely partner novel to the one I read earlier. Somewhat racy in sexual explicitness....
Well read!

[Nicole Feingold · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Too much rape and the end the tenderness is not really described
Great story and writting

[Elizabeth · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Male protagonist is a total jerk, and nothing is less romantic that ongoing threats of rape.

[M L McConnell · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This “hero” was revolting. He basically blackmails the “heroine” into his bed. She is desperate and he completely takes advantage of her. He is rude, arrogant...in short a bully. I couldn’t get past the 4th chapter.

[Dian · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I felt very uncomfortable reading this book it's like watching a porn movie with all the crude lanuagaes a sex scenes this story should not be in romance is too x-rate not reading this writer again

[Mickie Daniels · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was Nothing like the first two of the series. Disappointing.

[Samantha Holz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Parts of it were difficult to reconcile but I find I really appreciate Kate Pearce's writing.

[Patricia Casserly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant story, great plot, great insight to the era and lives these people lived