Cover Image: The House of Pleasure

The House of Pleasure

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Member Reviews

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and heroine. Hannah and Duncan were well-written characters. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

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Jess Michaels is a good author to read. This book felt a bit short for me because of one aspect here. It was predictable.
Other than that: another good book on your reading list!

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I generally really like Jess Michaels books, but this one was a bit too straight forward with really no plot twists or intrigue after the initial surprise of who she was marrying. I wish the characters were more detailed and well rounded.

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I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The house of pleasure was a short novella that was really sweet. Usually I did like novellas because they feel incomplete and rushed. And while this story is insta-love, it was enjoyable. The characters were cute together and the end was satisfying.

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Short and lovely novella about the beautiful Hannah Blankenship, terrified that her uncaring father has bartered her off in marriage to a degenerate old man, she decides to ruin herself at the Donneville masquerade. Duncan Cavendish is trying to drown his sorrows at the masquerade himself. His older brother has asked him to settle down if he wants his inheritance.

Immediately attracted to each other, Hannah and Duncan spend the night together, and part ways, when Hannah discovers that her father has betrothed her to Duncan rather than the repulsive viscount, they agree to marry, to each get what they want, Duncan gets his inheritance and Hannah is free of her father.. what they don’t plan for is that they will fall for each other, and as they do, they are not sure how to tell the other.

The thing I enjoyed about this novella was the way the feeling and the relationship between the hero and heroine develops was handled.. I much prefer full length novels, but the way Jess Michaels managed to make the characters believable and interesting and explore their relationship was handled very well. Often in a novella, this is rushed, but it wasn’t here. I also liked the connections they had with their friends in Hannah’s case she had the support of Sophie and Rowan, and Duncan had his brother to confide in.

Recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads.

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Jess Michaels finishes off her Scandal Sheet series with this sexy novella. I really liked that chemistry between Duncan and Hannah. Their relationship moved quickly and felt real.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

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Jess Michaels has done it again. This woman write such amazing, strong and sexy books. These characters are feminist and modern despite that it’s set in a historical setting. Please read this final novella in the series.

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Unfortunately this one was too predictable for me, no thrill at all. Well written as always but too predictable.

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Another fabulous historical romance by Ms. Michaels. Excellent characters and a superb romance. I so enjoyed reading it.

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Ms Michaels is back on top form with the last in her novella series. the chemistry between the two main characters is electric. I devoured this in one sitting.  Ms Michael excels at combining erotica with a great plot and dashes of humour. to do this in a book that is only 79 pages long is the work of a master wordsmith. 

While several in this series is lacklustre this book is one you can't miss out on. I highly recommend you read this book. 

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Miss Hannah Blankenship’s awful father has finally done what he’s threatened to do for years: arrange a marriage for her. And she’s certain she knows the man he’s chosen, a disgusting viscount even older than he is! She only knows one way to end this horrible engagement and that is to get rid of the innocence that has been the bartering point. So she goes to a hell, looking for trouble.

Duncan Cavendish is at the hell trying to drink his own trouble away. As the second son of an earl, he has very little control over his future. His brother has demanded he settle down in order to inherit and now Duncan is stuck. But the alluring stranger who takes him to her bed helps him forget…and makes him want.

But when Hannah realized it is Duncan, himself, who is her intended, she is shocked. The two decide to marry so that Duncan may get his money and Hannah her freedom. But their searing attraction may lead to feelings neither prepared for. And leave them both wondering if their mutual insistence to stay at arm’s length is truly the best course of action.

This recently released, short and sexy novella from Jess Michaels gives us a Diamond who has been on the market to the highest bidder who decides to tempt fate and foil her father’s plans by attending a wicked masquerade and losing her virginity.

Little does Hannah and the accommodating gentleman realize that he is actually her betrothed.

What follows is a quick and steamy read with a surprisingly nice character arc for both MCs and a sweet HEA. A marriage of convenience that is very inconvenient for both their hearts, Michaels uses the limited word count economically and delivers the perfect amount of feels for a short read.

I finished this one in a few hours in one read session, and found myself captivated from start to finish. The intimate scenes are sexy, the historical elements understated but spot on, and the romance sweet and not too melodramatic or complicated. I love marriage of conveniences for the opportunity, in historical romance settings, for MCs to sort out their feelings and relationship while being confined within the bonds of marriage (especially when divorce was difficult). Those stakes being high are drives the romantic elements and when done well (like with this shortie) are so satisfying.

Sixth in a series, I am looking forward to going back and reading the others. Readers who have previously read the series will enjoy some cameos from past MCs.

★★★★★★
4.5 out of 6 Marriage of convenience turns steamy

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Another super hot and steamy book from one of the best historical romance authors of the decade. You just can't go wrong with a Jess Michaels book. A definite 4.5 stars.

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When Hannah knows her father is finally going to "sell" her to a man older than him in marriage, she takes matters into her own hands. She decides to "ruin herself" so that the man would not want her.
She goes to a masqued house of pleasure and ends up with the man who sees her as she walks in the door. Bold? Yes. Was she a little scared? Yes, but determined. Little did she know that man that ruined her was the actual one her father had signed an agreement with!
Fate you say? Oh but so much more. Duncan was being forced by his older titled brother to marry or he would cut off his allowance. When he finds out Hannah is the lady he was with the night before, he could not believe it!
A sexy, sigh worthy, romantic story of two people who come together in the most unusual manner but are really perfect for each other.. Jess Michaels always brings her characters alive and makes you invested in their lives. Really enjoyed this story!!

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Hot, steamy romance from one of my favorite historical romance authors. Duncan is desperate for a wife to avoid being cut off by his brother so he agrees to marry Hannah. Hannah thinks her betrothed is someone else, so she sneaks off to a masquerade to seduce someone...that turns out to be Duncan.

Great novella and quick, hot read. I wasn't a big fan of Duncan's brother, but I did enjoy the main characters.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

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The House of Pleasure by Jess Michaels is book 6 in The Scandal Sheets Series. This is the story of Duncan Cavendish and Hannah Blankenship. I haven't yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book.
Hannah's father has is making plans for her to marry and of course she is not happy about who she thinks is going to be her husband. So she takes action in loosing her innocence to make the marriage from going forward. So she thinks to go to Donville Masquerade where she can meet someone to help her out. Duncan is the second son who doesn't have control of his future because his family wants him to marry to settle down his lifestyle.
Enjoyed reading this quick hot story on how they came to be.

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Miss Hannah Blankenship's awful father has finally found her a husband as he’s threatened to do. Hannah just knows it the lecherous man her father has been talking to. She takes things into her own hands and goes a pleasure house to a masked ball. She’ll lose her virginity on her terms. Duncan Cavendish is out for a night of pleasure trying to forget his brother has demanded he settle down in order to inherit. Duncan spots Hannah as soon as she walks in and is definitely drawn to her. The two the night together to find out the next day Duncan is her intended. Duncan needs respectability to get his inheritance and Hannah wants to wed to get out from under her father’s thumb. I loved this novella it had a few twist and turns to keep it interesting and the romance was great as they both grew to love one another. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

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I just loved this story! The characters were very engaging. Hannah has a very manipulative father and I enjoyed that she was willing to do whatever she could to thwart his plans. Duncan was also trying to secure his inheritance by a marriage of convenience. I enjoyed how their relationship developed but Duncan was wary of love due to his parent’s experience. This is a novella so it can be read in a few hours but what an enjoyable and satisfying read it is. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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One of the best book in the series, in my opinion, to close this journey. This book has sassy heroine, stubborn hero and lots and lots of steam. It's a marriage of convenience that turns out to be very beneficial to both our Heroes. It was a pleasure to read this series. It worth a while to read the other books if you haven't yet.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC on my own voluption. Thanks the publisher via Netgalley.

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A love story that began from the Scandal Sheet, turned scandalous between the sheets!!
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Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kindle Unlimited: No
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/House-Pleasure-Scandal-Sheet-Book-ebook/dp/B07KFL2DVL
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The House of Pleasure begins as a marriage of convenience and then morphs into much more! Duncan, the rake, and spare needs to settle down his wicked ways in order to get his inheritance. Hannah needs to free herself from a father that only sees her as a commodity that can better his station. Both need something and an arrangement is made.
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Even though this is a short read, it still hit the mark 🎯. Duncan’s growth was the most noticeable and he was my main MC over Hannah. There is a little drama, lots of steam 🔥🔥🔥🔥, and wonderful characters that make you want more! That is my biggest complaint..,I wanted more!
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I can honestly say I have enjoyed every Jess Michaels book I have read, and this book was no different. If you want a short, spicy 🌶 historical romance...this is your book. Actually, this is your series! Definitely recommend and look forward to her next book. Grab yourself a drink 🥃 (I chose Four Roses Single Barrel), a warm blanket and your kindle and enjoy!!!
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#TheHouseOfPleasure #NetGalley #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #historicalromance #romancereads #steamyread

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Hanna doesn’t want to marry the man she thinks her father has chosen for her; she decides to ruin herself. Duncan is trying to drink his problems away and is now betrothed but at least he will get his inheritance. He meets a beautiful masked stranger and sparks fly between them. Little did they know they were already betrothed to each other. They decide to go through with the wedding for the purpose of his inheritance and her freedom. However, will they want more in the end? Fast-paced read with loads of drama and steam. I loved the characters and the story drew me in from beginning to end. I loved it.

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