Miss Camellia Grenville and Lord Wainwright aka Michael, were the perfect example of when you should not judge a book by its cover.

Michael was great because he admits to being a bad boy and earning his name "Lord of Pleasure" but sometimes he just wanted to be Micheal...a guy who didn't want all of the attention and wanted to be taken seriously.

Camellia was a great character because she was such a good girl. She did what everyone wanted her to do until...she decided to get a little wild.

The real question... is can a bad boy reform for a good girl or will the good girl show the bad boy she can be just as naughty? Read and find out!

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book.

Like the characters and story flow. Entertaining read with lots of banter between characters. Interesting to read journies characters make in a well done story. Would recommend.

Phenomenal story telling and romance by Erica Ridley!

I am an avid romance reader and yet I somehow had never read a book by Ms. Ridley. I'm so happy I have! She has certainly garnered another much deserved fan. Her writing is sophisticated, detailed and well constructed.

Our heroine Camellia, is considered a spinster at six and twenty and has resigned herself to an arranged marriage with perfectly mature and suitable, Mr. Bost, a man she has never met and lives a several weeks travel away in Northumberland. A consummate wall flower, and bound by duty to uphold her reputation to protect her younger sisters prospects, Camellia is used to following the status quo and above all being a dutiful daughter. She abides her mother's arranged marriage, just as every year, like a music box, she performs at her family's musicale all the while, little of Mayfair know the real her. Camellia's young and vivacious sister, Bryony, offers to gift her an invitation she received to an exclusive masquerade ball, where the ton can let loose and not feel obligated by 19th century decorum.

With refined manners and a devastatingly handsome appearance, Michael Rutland, the Earl of Wainwright, has always been willing to press the seams of the confines of societal expectations in private and is ever the gentleman in public. The combination causes him to be dubbed the Lord of Pleasure in the caricatures of the daily papers. Eligible ladies at the seasons balls, swoon in his presence, leaving him misunderstood publicly, and his history of affairs with widows and unhappy wives leave him with a bad reputation. The gossip mill is in overdrive, and the lines become blurred with his real dalliances and the fodder created by the papers. Lord Wainwright is desperate for balance, between his public persona of being the perfect wealthy, handsome and charming bachelor and the debauched rake the caricatures make him out to be. With his friends, he makes a bet to stay out of the papers for 40 days and to campaign to refine his public image once and for all.

Lord Wainwright remaining vice is the weekly masquerade balls, where he can truly be himself unhindered by propriety. Camellia reluctantly attends hoping to finally feel free of the confines of being the oldest sister, held to a standard higher than her siblings, to ensure the character of her family is not tarnished. When Camellia is propositioned by a reveler moments into entering the ball, Lord Wainwright steps in and ushers her to safety. Camellia, shocked he expects nothing in return, and Lord Wainwright further surprised she is in no need of ravishing. They simply talk and get to know one another, promising to meet weekly at the Masquerade for the next four weeks before the bans are raised for Camellia's impending marriage to the perfectly acceptable Ms. Bost.

I cannot say enough how much I loved this book. I typically do not like heros who are promiscuous and have a bad reputation, the whole a man needs to be tamed scenario doesn't always do it for me. Lord Wainwright is simply misunderstood and one who wishes to not feel confined by the exceptions of the peerage every waking hour.

The story from start to finish was gripping, I couldn't put it down and read it in about 2 days. The story arc was marvelous, believable and as a modern day reader, it was refreshing to connect to. I was simply stunned to finish the book and realize, in the entirety of it, there was only one sex scene, and I actually was not disappointed by that. Above all Ms. Ridley knows how to convey intimacy, and boy did she, the mental and physical intimacy shared between Camellia and Lord Wainwright is electric.

My only qualm about the book, and it is minor, is the ending did feel a bit rushed. I simply wanted more! <spoiler> I wanted more time after they finally were official together. I would have loved a bit about their wedding and honeymoon. There is a proposal, and bam, next chapter, day after the wedding. They were happy, the end. There is really no explanation of resolution with her public persona, family and other issues. They anticipate what will occur based on their decisions and we are left to assume, this is what happened. Grated there is an epilogue two years later to testify to this. </spoiler>

Beyond wanting a slightly tidier ending. I really enjoyed this book. I often find I have to relax and let go that in some romances and expect a few jumps in plot lines and believability. This was wholly believable...it was REAL. It was sensation, exciting and nuanced. I loved the characters, even supporting ones. I highly recommend this book!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A really good read where appearance isn't everything, and sometimes what's expected of you isn't what's best! But how do you break out of society's expectations and beliefs?

A sweet tale in the Rogues to Riches series. Cam and Wainwright are well-suited for each other. Theirs is a captivating and sometimes heartbreaking story that unfolds into a great and passionate love.

Erica Ridley is easily one of my favorite historical romance authors.
Again she was able to transport me back in time, her descriptive writing is amazing. I can't wait to see what she writes next!

I enjoyed this book, looking forward to read more books from this author.

Lord of Pleasure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️written by Erica Ridley
(Rogues to Riches #2)

Michael Rutland, Earl of Wainwright, is faced with his notorious reputation. The gossip paper has a caricature of him daily his good looks and suave manners have both single and married women dropping at his feet. All his actions are out of proportion to his actual deeds. He just cannot overcome this demonizing by the papers.

His best friends cast a wager with him to stay out of the daily papers for forty days. He takes them up on this bet as a way to reassess his life.

Camelia Grenville is the eldest of the three Grenville girls. At 26 she is all but on the shelf. She has always but the good girl the mouse never refusing her sisters and family and to her demise her own
desires have never been fulfilled. Camelia possesses a beautiful operatic voice and holds a longing to be on stage.

Camelia is presented with a ticket and opportunity to attend a scandalous masquerade event. She snatches this moment to finally rebel and see the other sides of life. It is at this masquerade she meets unbeknownst to her the rake Lord Wainwright both being in disguise.

The two immediately share moments together revealing their inner selves to each other. Both have never shared their secret emotions before with anyone. They continue to meet weekly for this masquerade event and the attraction deepens beyond what either expected.

The encounters are just magical and Cinderella like. Ms Ridley works her storytelling abilities in this simply touching romance. Will they be able to overcome their personal fears to make the leap of love. You must read this book to see.
Joann Maggio for Book Obsessed Chicks

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The banter and characters were developed enough to be plausible and they all seemed to flow well together.

Another great read from Erica Ridley. I loved this sweet, romantic tale. The banter between the couple was humorous and I loved how the sparks flew when they bumped into one another other during the day. This was a lovely, feel good regency romance. Highly recommended.

Erica Ridley has done it again! This story pulls you right in. The story and characters compel you to read until the very last page! Highly recommend.

I love the first chapter that enlightens the reader to Lord Wainwright 's character. I found it highly amusing, his discomfort at all the caricatures of him and his ummm... activities. It was the perfect beginning to this distinct book which also introduces his friends, Lord Hawkridge and Gideon and sets up the premise to this story where Michael wagers to change his image in 40 days.

Camellia has my complete compassion regarding her feelings towards her fathers decision on her future life and husband. How she reacts to the news and what she does next makes this a very eventful story.

For secondary characters her sister Dahlia is very forward for her time and she adds the needed spark to this story by forcing Camellia out to the masquerade ball because their sister Bryony can't go. Don't you just love those sisters who push you into trouble? For your own good or so they say. Now Bryony really is the wild one in my opinion and I can't wait to see more books to this series with both of these sisters.

I have decided I want to go to a mask ball just like the one Camellia did because the author did such a great job of keeping it exciting and intriguing for the reader. How she unfolds the story between Camellia and Michael Rutland, Earl of Wainwright is priceless.

I recommend this book to readers who are looking for an out of the ordinary read.

This was my first book from this author Erica Ridley.
Upon starting I realised this was part of a series and so I was a little worried starting on book 2. However, even though the characters are linked, it seemed so far only superficial as I couldn't even tell which ones were from the first book.

The main characters in this are is Duke Wainwright (Michael) and Camellia.
To be honest, I feel like the whole masquerade ball, secret identity etc has been done a thousand times in historical romances and so I wasn't excited about it.
However, there were differences to this one and overall I think the author did a really good job of keeping you interested. The characters weren't the most excited IMO but overall they worked well together and you find yourself rooting for them. Quite frankly, I wanted Camellia to grow a backbone and thankfully she does in the end.

I found myself more intrigued with the characters of Michael's two friends and I look forward to seeing if they get a book of their own.

Very good writing with a lot of potential for the future books.
I will definitely read more :)

What a fantastic romp of a book! I LOVED Miss Grenville!
The perfect older sister, always trustworthy and never doing anything wrong, decidedly enjoying the most inappropriate masquerade party imaginable.

Camellia Grenville's parents have decided he will marry. The man has not even approached her. She does not know him, except by her mother's description. Her world is about to change forever. She will be far from her family and friends and any life she as known. I think he is desperate to feel anything but the sadness and the loss she feels at the idea of this arranged marriage.

Lord Wainright a.k.a. The Lord of Pleasure has taken a wager on. He will end his dissolute ways. He must stay true to the wager for 40 days.
He never imagines he will meet someone like Lady X. She allows him to be himself and in turn, she is open with him about herself. Everything is shared,
except their names!

All dreams must end though and this one does as well. In Dramatic fashion!
I really liked both characters, Camillia for what she wanted and who she was and Michael, Lord Wainright for the man no one ever saw.

The story just works so well. Great plot and flow. I could not put it down! I love Erica's style of writing. Details are rich and descriptive without breaking the flow of the story. The banter between the characters is aways fun.

Once again another great book by Erica Ridley. I cannot wait to read about the other Greenville sisters. I do not understand why Camila did not recognize Lord Wainwright voice in public or have any hint he was Lord X.

ENTHRALLING PASSIONATE HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Erica Ridley has earned a place on my favorite treasure list. She will be placed on my auto buy read and reread keeper shelf. Lord of Pleasure, Rogues to Riches series book two, is well written and transfixes from the first page through to the last. This complete romance filled with steamy passion, secrets, mystery, masquerades, tenderness, strength, and trust. Excellently written and filled with sexy chemistry, witty funny dialogue, this one will keep you glued until you finish reading.

Miss Caramellia Grenville, a “good girl” usually only opens her mouth when singing at her family’s musicales. Wanting something different, one of her sister’s gives her a ticked to a scandalous masquerade ball. She is swept away and off her feet by a masked man. She knows the man, and he is one she has sworn to hate, but because of the mask is unaware of his true identity. They spend much of the next four weeks together and manage to keep their identity from each other.
Lord Wainwright, irresistibly arrogant, unapologetically sensuous infamous rake, always gets his way. He accepts a wager from friends that he can turn his image from rakish to respectable in only forty days. He does not, however, plan to fall for an anonymous masked lover, or that her identity would destroy them both.

So, grab a nice comfortable place to sit back and open the book to page one. Plan on being there through to the last page. Deserving to be a one sitting read, I very highly recommend this book and author to anyone who loves reading historical romance. I will purchase the rest of the series as well as anxiously await and mark my calendar for each new release.

This book was FANTASTIC. Can't wait to read more from this author

This was a likeabke quick read! Although the theme and plot weren't new concepts, I found myself giggling and enjoying the various scenes. Michael's character was very likable as he seems like a genuinely nice person who was trying to rise above the common gossip and speculation of his character. Camellia, although sweet, it was slightly disappointing that she was the wallflower who found a strange man at a party and suddenly found her womanhood. It would have been nice if she came out of her shell on her own and fostered a friendship with Michael that lead to deeper emotions!

Michael Rutland, Lord Wainwright wearies of the erroneous reports and daily cartoons in the press that have him as a rake, all too willing to dispoil young virgins. It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy female company – he certainly does – but he has dalliences with older, more experienced women, usually widows, who have little reputation left to protect. Fed up with the cartoons being collected, even by his apparent best friends in his favourite pub, he enters a wager that that he could keep his “hands” clean for forty days. He is determined to win that wager, no matter how boring it will be.

Camellia has spent her life doing what she believes is right in order to protect her reputation, even if it means having no fun, in the hope of landing a decent marriage. It’s meant that as the eldest of three daughters, her days happily spent on the shelf may be coming to an abrupt and not pleasant end. In order to open the doors to getting her two younger sisters married off, her father has struck a deal for her marriage to an older gentleman she barely knows who has little to interest or excite her. Her parents see her as the quiet mousey one, unlikely to cause a stir, so even as she protests about the match, she is ignored and dismissed.

When an opportunity arises to attend a naughty masquerade ball, incognito, Camellia jumps at the chance. As the balls are masked, this is the only opportunity that Michael can have some enjoyment, whilst keeping his name out of the scandal papers. Here Camellia meets Lord X – in reality Michael – and both find that the masks and the rules of the ball allow them to be themselves, with no questions asked.

Outside of the balls, Michael and Camellia keep running into each other, especially since the Grenville soirees are one of the few that Michael can attend without causing scandal. Unfortunately Camellia detests Michael (or at least what appears in the press and the rumour mill) and makes sure she lets her feelings known. Michael feels aggrieved at finding someone who doesnt fall at his feet, but begins to realise that his reputation is not completely undeserved.

A rather intimate moment at one of the balls is destroyed by a rather unfortunate and inopportune identification but which gives Cameilla the resolve to stand up for what she wants, and call off the unwanted betrothal. Finally the pair make up and come together as per all good romances.

Not having read the first in the series is not a hinderance, though I get the impression it’s slightly spicier that this one. The main characters get to flirt and show their true selves, whilst feeling constrained by the reputation that their outside personas have generated. Both get the chance to change and show their true selves. There’s only one, slightly sexy scene, so nothing too scandulous! As with many series like this, the book concentrates on the two primary characters with the seconday characters being almost one dimensional – the Grenville sisters are perhaps the most rounded, but are still missing for much of the book, and the brother isnt even named! This is to allow for other books in the series to expand on these other characters.

In Summary: fun, light book; flirtatious in all the right parts; tension between the main characters as necessary, with personal growth on both sides.

Another great read from Erica Ridley in her pleasure series. Watching the hero change and grow is wonderful.