Series: School of Enlightenment, #2
Traits & Tropes: titled hero;
Publication Date: 10.19.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, Spring 1816
Heat Level: 10
Rating: 3/5
With her mother’s recent passing, Penelope Wood quickly sees the need to find a way to make more money to support herself and her stepfather and half-brother. When four retired courtesans in her hometown approach her with a short-term employment that could help her earn enough to realize her dream of opening a bakery, she’s eager to hear them out. This leads her to the School of Enlightenment and an auction in London to launch her career as a courtesan. There’s only one rule she absolutely must follow—she must not fall in love.
Lord Michael Slade is very focused on his duty to his family and puts them first in all things, though he does enjoy cooking in his spare time and has membership at a discreet club. Given the failing health of his father, the Earl of Mansfield, Michael understands his responsibility to marry and soon. But when he meets beautiful Penelope, he can’t bring himself to allow her to go to another man and decides to make her his mistress while he searches for a wife.
With the time remaining before he must bow to pressure and wed dwindling, Michael and Penelope must make the most of the little time they have together, even as it becomes increasingly obvious that the bond between them cannot be denied.
I’m a bit torn about this book, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because the mistress trope is just not for me. The writing was good, if a bit modern in some of the dialogues for the setting, and the characters were well drawn but some of this just didn’t work for me, while other parts did. First off, the initial meeting between Michael and Penelope did not reflect well on either of them and I wasn’t super crazy about it. I also wasn’t thrilled with his involvement in auctioning women. Though it’s all designed for their safety, it just still gave me a bit of the ick for some reason I couldn’t quite pinpoint. Michael also just frustrated me in general. He was very woe-is-me in his attitude about his perceived lack of choices when really he just needed to stand up to his parents about their hypocrisy. They were by all accounts very loving parents, and he had every reason to expect at least some level of understanding from them. I also wasn’t crazy about him coming to Penelope in anger, though he at least didn’t hurt her. For her part, Penelope’s whining about being bored was a bit annoying to me and her constant obsession over her role as mistress made it impossible to forget how unequal she and Michael were in this relationship. His active pursuit of a debutante whilst visiting Penelope after his outings with those prospective wives just felt a bit close to cheating for me somehow, though he didn’t do anything with those girls beyond dancing. He took a bit too long to follow his heart for my liking. Even with his mother’s blessing, he still hesitated, creating angst where it wasn’t needed and creating problems that weren’t really there.
Nonetheless, I still did like Michael and Penelope as a couple. The heat and connection between them were clear and leapt off the page in most of their scenes together. Much of the story came across as a humorous comedy where I’m not sure it was meant to be one, but it was entertaining. At times it did get bogged down and I skimmed very detailed descriptions of clothing and the like, but otherwise, this was a story that will be enjoyed by those who want to read a high-steam book with a hero who is completely gone for the heroine but doesn’t want to admit it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5328403268
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3577806555
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