The Viscount doesn't intend to marry, but he can't resist spicing up spinster Amelia's life

So we're all clear I would happily read a longer novel of Amelia managing everyone's lives. She is my new heroine.



There was something so very...charming about how Amelia would constantly startle her brother with her almost preternatural ability to think through all possible problems. Just as there was something equally charming about Justin's bafflement over how Amelia could just sweep in and everyone was bending to her will. I fully believe if Amelia had been on the battlefield she would have ended the conflict before the enemy even thought to raise their weapons. She was frightfully competent.

Though even more then that it was her poise and assurance that she knew what was best because she cared about the details. She knew to have a glass of port and biscuits on a tray sent when her brother "suddenly" came to talk because the possibility was there. She knew Justin would possibly make her wait (or not be at home at all really) when she arrived because the possibility was there. In the end though every road led back to her getting what she wanted.

I would have liked to see more of Justin - see how exactly his 12 hours of work then 12 hours of play exactly worked. It didn't occur to me until after I was done reading, but when did he SLEEP exactly? Did he consider that part of the "play" hours and thus calculated it that way? How long did he sleep and could he then in good conscience say he spent 12 hours at play if he slept away half of them?

Is he secretly a robot?

As this is the precursor to a larger series (The Dukes of War, who are referenced by that name by Amelia to her brother and Justin's obvious annoyance) I can only HOPE to see more of them in the next books. I think it will be delightful to watch as the two combine their strengths (of managing people and time so efficiently) to terrorize their friends and family. Or just to see how thrilled Amelia remains once she has kids. I don't think I've ever read of a heroine who is anticipating having children solely so she'd have a new obstacle to manage!

I've read Ridley before (I greatly enjoyed her rather more gothic books TOO WICKED TO KISS and TOO SINFUL TO DENY) so I knew going in I would enjoy her writing style. I was pleased by the humor as well, though I have to wonder if the next books in the series will have as much (unlike the Dukes of War, Justin did not go to war and thus doesn't seem to have the same demons they do).

All in all this was a delightful quick read that I wish was longer, but am content to just imagine all the hijinks these two are getting up to in the name of order and amusement. ( )

A fun, sweet romance perfect for the holiday season. It's a quick read, but a good way to spend an afternoon (or two if you don't have much time to read). Benedict and Amelia are just too perfect for each other. I loved both of them, they're great characters, and the way Amelia just takes charge of things had me smiling. Highly recommend if you're a fan of cute Regency romances! ( )

This is a short story and a standalone prequel to Erica's series of The Dukes of War.

Amelia Penbroke is a woman totally in control of her life and that of her brother and his household. She hears that the Lord Sheffield is intent on cancelling the 75th (the 75th!) Christmas Eve ball, for the minor excuse that the traditional place for the ball has been burnt down. She musters all her organisational skills to ensure that the dance goes ahead - for no better reason that it's her last chance to secure a husband from the right kind of stock.

Lord Sheffield tries to split his time equally between business and pleasure, to the point he has a bit of a reputation for hitting the scandal sheets. However, he is soon confronted with the unmovable force of Amelia Pembroke, whose energy and organisational capabilities are second to none.

Benedict is soon bowled over with Amelia, who in turn realises that sometimes not being in control and able to predict everything is perhaps rather enjoyable and exciting. Within a week, the two of them are in love, and it only takes the Christmas Eve party for them to admit to each other what they really feel.

Most of the story is spent with Amelia pretending that Benedict actually has a choice in what happens that Christmas. in return, Benedict throws in some unexpected curve balls for Amelia (such as the need to kiss her) that shakes her already secure position in life.

As a novella, this is a short story, and the secondary characters were sparse and lightly written (dont know if they appear in other stories). As such, the story is a decent enough standalone story for an otherwise busy time of year.

Dnf'd

No adult sex scenes means I will NOT read it!

Didn't know there was no adult steam before I started it, but one of my GR friends in the group that had it as a BR let me know before I got to far.

Thank you Midniteillusion!

So I got about 15% and dnf'd.

Hope everyone else enjoys it. But it is Not my ☕ Cup of Tea!