Series: Hazards of Dukes, #4
Traits & Tropes: jilted heroine; matchmaking; lessons; brother's best friend; friends to lovers
Publication Date: 11.30.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England
Heat Level: 9
Rating: 3/5
Thomas Sharpe comes from a good family but since his father made a bad investment, they are now nearly penniless. Lacking in training to do much more than lead the idle life of a gentleman, Thomas must trade on his good looks and charm to find an heiress to marry so he can support his parents and sister.
Since her fiancé jilted her two years ago, Lady Jane Capel has been living with her half-brother Percy, and has been labeled a scandal. Given her rather colorful reputation, Jane has little to lose and sets about living the life she wants and voicing her opinions, but she is eager to experience things that are normally forbidden to ladies of her social standing.
Thomas and Jane come to an agreement that he will show her new things and teach her a bit about real intimacy between men and women and she’ll help him find a suitable wife. He’s determined not to truly corrupt his best friend’s sister, nor fall in love with her, but as Jane and Thomas spend more time together, they both come to realize that the heart wants what the heart wants, even when it shouldn’t.
I was charmed by Thomas and Jane as they got to know each other and I appreciated that they were open and honest, without playing games with one another. Similarly, I was happy to see that this story didn’t rely on the miscommunication trope to create conflict. Rather, the conflict here was obvious: Thomas needed to marry for money; Jane had none. Unfortunately, this point was hammered home excessively, especially in Thomas’ very frequent inner monologues, as was their mutual need to avoid falling in love with one another. I got it the first time and I certainly didn’t need umpteen reminders which sadly became repetitive very quickly and began to feel a bit like idle filler. Although, I will say that the near-constant reminders of how Thomas had no choice in his future did make it incredibly satisfying when he finally realized that he did indeed have a choice if he was brave and unconventional about it, which I thought was very in keeping with the book’s theme of pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box. I especially loved the relationship Jane shared with her brother, Percy; I thought the supposed reconciliation she experienced with her parents was a bit random and less than satisfactory, especially since there was never much follow-up, and it didn’t seem to do much to advance the story. Beyond these few weaknesses in the storyline, I loved Thomas giving Jane lessons on intimacy, and the steam was fabulous. I was also charmed by the fact that Jane taught Thomas just as much about himself and the truly valuable things in life as he taught her about scandalous activities. I enjoyed their dynamic with Percy and his encouragement of their relationship and overall, I think this was a cute book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3886845357
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3271945160
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