Dangerous To Love

In *Dangerous To Love*, spirited scholar Lucy Drysdale arrives in London with dreams of intellectual pursuits, but her primary duty is to chaperone the tender Lady Valerie through her first social season. Their plans are upended when they are drawn into the orbit of Ivan Thornton, the Earl of Westcott—London's most notorious rakehell. A "gypsy Earl" who gained his title unexpectedly, Ivan is consumed by bitterness from the cruelties he suffered as a boy, now seeking revenge by systematically breaking the hearts of young society women. For Ivan, Lucy and Valerie seem like easy prey, but his game of deceit takes an unexpected turn when Lucy's passionate touch ignites a desire that sears his soul. As Lucy endeavors to protect Valerie from the charismatic Earl, she finds her own heart dangerously vulnerable to the man she should despise. *Dangerous To Love* stands out in Rexanne Becnel's repertoire as a prime example of her mastery of the tormented hero and the intelligent, resilient heroine. Ivan Thornton embodies the quintessential Becnel rake—dark, brooding, and driven by past trauma, while Lucy is the perfect foil: sharp-witted and compassionate, yet fiercely protective. The novel masterfully explores themes of revenge, redemption, and the surprising power of love to heal deep wounds. Becnel expertly builds the tension between Lucy and Ivan, crafting a passionate and emotionally charged romance where the lines between protector and prey, hate and desire, dangerously blur. It's a testament to Becnel's ability to deliver a captivating enemies-to-lovers narrative with high emotional stakes, making it a compelling choice for any "Best of" list.