The book was a slow burn because there are a few filler areas that felt unnecessary. But if you like regency romance with a bit of smut then it's a nice light read.

She's led a tricky life...

Georgiana is the illegitimate daughter of a duke, kept hidden away.
She is having a debut, but at 26, she has no intention to wed (with good reason).
She does, however, need a financial benefactor for Monica House. A place for ladies such as herself.

John is all bluster and has his world shifted when his ward, Flora runs away.
He is wealthy and all bluster. He does improve remarkably in the second half, as does Georgiana when we get the full picture of her backstory.
I did like that she willingly took two lovers. But how she got on that path was entirely her father's fault and her music teacher's.
Good read.

Georgiana Bailey is in search of a a wealthy benefactor to fund her charity home and John Tyrold is just the man she is after. However, John is not willing to engage in her charity until he finds that he must seek Georgiana’s assistance to find his young ward, Flora. Flora has run away to supposedly marry, and Georgiana might have an idea of where to begin his search. So, they both agree to help each other but soon find that their feelings begin to complicate matters.
Whilst the first chapter held my interest, I soon found that it the following chapters were slow and repetitive. The picture painted of John was not one that engaged me, and Georgiana’s guilt did not help me warm to the story. However, it did pick up midway through the book and I found myself enjoying the storyline.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A lovely, light read, full of Regency tropes of tall, deliciously lipsmacking aristocrats making young ladies tremble with desire. Don't look for groundbreaking literary fiction, but do look for something to go to bed with and enjoy the steamy bits...

Georgiana Bailey is the illegitimate daughter of the Duke of Amesbury and opera star Anna Marinetti, but her mother died not long after her birth and her father had just married, so Georgiana was raised at Monica House, a home for women in need and their children. For years Georgiana’s father kept her a secret from society and his family, but now that his duchess has learned of her, she insists on treating Georgiana as family, going as far as launching Georgiana into society. Though she agrees to playing the part of a debutante, at 26 Georgiana has no intention of finding a husband. No, her goal is to find sponsors for her precious Monica House. When she meets John Tyrold – rumored to be the richest man in England and dubbed King Midas – she believes she has hit the donor jackpot, but John is used to people wanting his money and quickly shoots her down. Georgiana accepts that John won the first round, but refuses to concede the war. And when he comes to her for help, she agrees, but makes it clear that her help will come at a hefty price. As they begin to work together, Georgiana realizes that John is not the man she thought he was and knows that she can never be the woman he wants. But things aren’t always as what they seem and hearts change.

John Tyrold has no use for society, since it seems all anyone wants from him is money or advice on money. And after suffering a devasting heartbreak years ago, he has no desire to find a wife, therefore, no reason to associate with the ton. So when he is neatly corralled in the park by the very lovely Georgiana Bailey, he is secretly intrigued, even as he refuses to donate to her charity. But when his ward, Flora disappears from school and none of the men he has hired can find her, he realizes that Georgiana is his best bet to find her. He thinks he has Georgiana figured out and is surprised when he realizes he was wrong. The more time spent with her, the more he wants her. But it appears that Georgiana’s heart is locked away, will he be able to find Flora and win Georgiana’s love? Or is he doomed to lose them both?

I have mixed feelings about this book, the first half was long, repetitive and started to get boring, but then around the halfway mark things perked up and I started to really become invested in the story. I liked both Georgiana and John and I was rooting for their HEA, but the story was not without its flaws. There is a cringeworthy connection between John and someone near and dear to Georgiana that was just ICK and, in my opinion, completely unnecessary to the story. Then there was Georgiana’s excessive guilt and refusal to accept happiness, I understood it, but it felt like it dragged on for much too long. Overall, it was a touching story filled with emotion, loss, secrets, warm love scenes, a bit of heartache, healing, acceptance and finally HEA. This is the third book in the series and there are characters in common, but this book could easily be read as a standalone title without any problem. While this book wasn’t a grand slam for me, I liked it and would recommend it to other historical romance lovers. However, I would strongly suggest reading the content warning before reading the book as there are several triggers including off-page rape, and child loss that might upset some readers.

3, maybe 3.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I was completely swallowed up in their world. I was able to follow their emotions as everything was happening, so that certainly allowed me to connect on a more deeper level with them as well. I just loved their story.

This was a great read. Full of heart ache and pain and loss, yet woven into this is hope and Georgiana trying to make amends for her start in life through good deeds. John needs help and through this we see the softening of his character and his brusque kindness show. The underlying mystery and hunt for Johns daughter goes on and builds up the tension alongside the more day to day fundraising that needs to go on. A perfect balance of emotion, suspense and love.