The mastery Reid had building these characters and the tension! Phew! ( )

I f**king loved this.
I am not into polyamory at all but I wouldn't hesitate to be in a throuple with Maryann and Nicholas - two stellar characters.
The sex scenes were great but it was all the flirtation and foreplay that was amazing (that hand on the mouth scene...)
This is definitely going to be one of those books I pull out when I want a shot of seratonin.

book channel: https://www.youtube.com/@starkissedstories ( )

4.5 stars - really enjoying this Sinful Wallflowers series. There is a great story to this instalment, though it was slightly too long. But I loved the chemistry between Maryann and Nicholas. Looking forward to the next book. ( )

Oh. My. Goodness.
I loved this book SO MUCH, it's simply ridiculous!

Maryann was the perfect leading lady to see yourself in. The knowledge she held in a time when women were simply to look pretty and keep their opinions to themselves would astound the noblest of men. The talent she possessed with a rapier was surprising, but grand. The depth with which she felt, her ability to truly sense the person beneath the persona, her desire to bend for nothing in a marriage beyond true love, and her determination to put an end to plans to marry her off for something less...all were not desirable qualities then to most...except the right one.

Nicholas had a very carefully cultivated persona, not simply for acceptance in the ton because his title alone and being born a male did that on its own. No, his reasons were entirely more self serving and yet in the vein of justice that once revealed can not be ignored. He needed that cover to exact the revenge he sought for one that could no longer fight their own battles. He needed to stay focused in order to lurk in the shadows undetected, flit behind the scenes to uncover truths well hidden, and reach his ultimate goal despite the passage of time...but then came Maryann.

The heart wants what it wants...even if it's too stubborn to admit it, too involved in other business to take care of it, or too driven by darker plans to call it quits and accept the gift being given. It all comes to a delightful head with an explosive ending you won't expect and a twist that will have your heart in pieces, but rest assured...the Marquess always gets his man (or woman) in the end.


**eARC received for review; opinions are my own

This was so engaging, I am delighted. I was charmed by their developing relationship and really like them as a couple. I would read a dozen like this, easy. I usually don't care for 'revenge' as a plot device, but they made a compelling case for it here, and I was absolutely caught up in their tale. Most of the drama comes from outside circumstances, so it's not just two people getting in their own way over and over. Thank goodness. And events generally made sense and were buyable as well. Also nice steam. I'm really looking forward to reading the next in the series. ( )