Will they look to reach out beyond the time they allowed themselves to be together …

Emma was a character I did not like in her brother’s story, but by the end of his book, she had redeemed herself in my eyes.
So I was much curious to see her shred her skin of the spoiled brat she was to become a single mother bearer of many secrets.
Why I really would recommend to read the two first books, or at last the second to really understand the dynamic between the characters as they share an important part of the heroine’s story.

Emma has learned the hard way the cost of being too wild and free with her affections. Thus she had to grow faster than she should have needed if she would have been the perfect debutante. While she has to mature out of necessity, she is also surrounded by so many secrets and the guilt of what she had to do to rescue herself, she feels stifled by everything. In all, she is a walking mystery to any man who would take the time to look at her closer and beyond her appearance, if he can catch her as she has a tendency to flee.
Malachi had lived and breathed the sea for the last decade, this is his life and his new title won’t change a thing, so he thought.
Yet while he wants only to return to his ship and the sea, he longs also for the woman he once met for a memorable night and the one who poured her heart in the pages of the diary he found abandoned one day. This woman talks to his soul when the other to his body. So when he discover Lady Emma is the woman who left him unforgettable memories of a shared night, he refuses to let pass their chance of more time together until he has to leave again.
While he does not bear the weight of secrets like Emma’s, like her, he too in his own way has been running away from his past, from the hurt of being the spare, the unloved child, the one left behind.

I loved Calvin and Ophelia and here they are still their awesome self, funny, gentle and a fair ear to Emma’s plights, heartbreaks or nightmares.
This is the story of an awesome friendship between the many protagonists, they really feel like living and breathing beings, I wanted to be part of this close knitted group.

I first taught I would read it quickly as I am as usual behind my schedule, but it quickly appeared it would not be.
I wanted to savor the building of Emma and Mal’s relationship, how they rekindled their chemistry to explore it beyond the bedroom, to come to trust one another. But they make mistakes on the way, putting a dent in their much fragile new trust.
But their romance was not everything in this book, this is a tale of friendship, the one they create together but also the one linking all the characters from the previous books, then the sisterhood and the brotherhood, through the bonds the women and men waved between them, a connection stronger than blood and beyond family’s ties. They all would do anything for one another.

The epilogue is just perfect, the right conclusion for all the characters, all fulfilling their arc.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 hot

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I had a very hard time getting into this book. I'm sure it's partially my fault for not starting at the beginning of the series. Emma's inner monologue was distracting because it sounded very modern. As a single parent, Emma is a very modern character. The author, who had been a single parent herself, stated in the Acknowledgments that she had drawn heavily on her personal experiences. In my opinion, this might have been better explored in a general fiction story and not in a HR novel.
A definite highlight was Emma's journal entries. They were humorous and helped pull the story together. I also like the fact that Emma knew her way around the kitchen. The scenes with Emma and her son were also nice. I did not care for the off page one night stand and the romance never really took off for me.
Again, I would have liked this book better had it been a general fiction with a romantic element.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Um .... this was adorable? Look, I loved Ethan and Cal as heroes in their own tales but, whew... Malachi can get it. I also think it's remarkable how much Bethany Bennett made me love Emma because, after West End Earl, I very much hated her. That's pure talent on Bennett's part because I was invested in Emma pretty early on which surprised me.

I do think there was a *bit* much going on with the plot, but after the first two books I wasn't totally surprised since it all had to come to a head somewhere. Normally I wouldn't worry about if someone reads a series like the Misfits of Mayfair in order but yeah, for these in particular maybe read them in order? The underlying plots will all make way more sense if you do.

I also think the blurb was a tad misleading? Emma is in no way searching for a husband, in fact she doesn't think she'd ever want one again, and that's a major plot point going through this book and a main reason she and Malachi agree to keep things temporary. She wants to go back to her quiet life with her son, and Malachi wants to return to the sea. So, yeah, I was surprised to see that in the blurb.

The characters were fun, per usual because, duh, it's a Bethany Bennett novel, the banter was delightful (I snort-laughed out loud a few times) and although the miscommunication trope was thrown in, it was handled rapidly enough that I wasn't festering in my anger for too long. I do think one of the plot lines was a bit underwhelming after the build up (the mom, IYKYK) but aside from that, I thought everything else came together very well and it was fun being with all of these Mayfair characters again. And the goats. The goats were delightful. I would like one, please.

All in all, I enjoyed this last of the Mayfairs from Bethany Bennett and cannot wait to see what she throws at us with her next book.

PS I will be thinking about that office desk scene behind closed doors at the party probably forever. UGH so good.

PPS I am still so mad they changed the style of the covers!! They were matching so beautifully and now this (still beautiful but very different) cover was thrown in and I'm sad. REVERT BACK, DAMMIT.


[I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review]

I love two things: when a plan comes together and a delightful wrap up of a series of novels….oh, and Jonathan Bailey’s butt…so three things. Anthony Bridgerton’s rear end aside, I can say that I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the final book in the Misfits of Mayfair series, Dukes Do It Better by Bethany Bennett. I was not disappointed by this latest offering in the least. This book had it all for me: plucky and determined heroine, suave and sexy hero throwing some major piratical vibes, and a very open and forward thinking family dynamic unusual to the times.

A Little Bit of Plot


Enchanting widow, Lady Emma Hardwick, has returned to London to regain her place in the tonne, make new friends, and possibly enjoy some bed sport with a handsome navy captain along the way. A second chance encounter with the seamen-cum-newly minted (I literally couldn’t NOT do it) Duke of Trenton, Malachi Harlow, sparks the memory of one night of pleasure in need of repeating. Both assent to a no-strings liaison until Mal’s return to captaincy; unfortunately, both Mal and Emma find the time spent out of bed together just as enticing as their calescent unions between the sheets. While both Emma and Mal shoulder their own share of secrets, can they find trust and honesty in each other’s arms?

The Compliment Sandwich
The Top Bun (The Pro)
A Very Natural Relationship Progression

While my favorite trope is still when the hero #fallsfirstfallshard I’m equally enchanted with a relationship that builds at a natural pace. The hero and heroine both give each other the space to examine their feelings in a relaxed manner. Both parties are aware that they have hefty responsibilities towards others which would be impacted by any entanglements.

“Every promise, every hope, every touch, bound them together in the antithesis of a no-strings affair. And it was glorious”.

But because this is a romance novel, both parties catch feelings and luckily, at first, we don’t have contrived reasons as to why they can’t be together. Of course, again, because it’s a romance novel, we have a miscommunication which leads to the 2nd act breakup and I’m loving every angsty minute of it.

Is this thinking toxic?

Do you think Talk Space would sponsor our podcast?

Asking for a friend..

The Meat (The Con)

From jumpstreet, Emma waxes poetic about this gloriously hedonistic sexy night she spent with a sea captain. It was hot, multiple orgasms were had, neither regions were devoured and….ITS ALL OFF SCREEN.

Wut.

Bethany, girl, that’s cold. Daaaaaaaamn cold. Like that middle school sleep over when someone put your bra in the freezer cold. By the way, what the hell was the point of that anyway? So they’d have an icy and ultimately soggy bra? Cool. Teenagers are dumb.

Anywho - what I mean to say is, if this encounter is almost transformational in both Emma and Mal’s life, we the reader need to see it. While we do become invested in this couple, I think some of the impact upon their second meeting is lessened without this emotional and monumental (to them) occurrence.

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
An Open Minded Family Dynamic

I think to be able to elucidate the full effect of this very unorthodox (for the time) family dynamic, you must read the first and second books in the series. I don’t want to spoil the ending of the second novel by describing too much, but, needless to say Emma, her brother Calvin, and her sister in law Phee do not conform to convention. Emma is exceptionally open and honest with her brother regarding her relationships (past and present) and he accepts her proclivities with an unabashed air of nonchalance.

“You’re comfortable about me talking of killing a man, but not sleeping with one, brother mine?”
Cal shrugged into his banyan and cinched the tie closed. “The difference here is that I’ve already disposed of the body of one man in question. Frankly, the pirate is a behemoth and would be an absolute beast to get rid of.” Cal gave Phee a short and sweet buss loaded with affection. “Phee, my love, I leave you to talk about boys without my judgmental presence. I’ll return with coffee shortly.”

Calvin also makes it a point to befriend Mal very early on in the relationship, even knowing he may be a temporary mainstay. The group is very relaxed with one another while straddling the line of the social norms of the time. I know we often deride historical romances when they affix modern contrivances or standards to that of the past, but at some point, are we not just rehashing the same plot over and over again? I find it refreshing to flip the script and discover heroines in similar and relatable situations to myself. Who doesn’t want to imagine getting busy with a sexy Hook from Once Upon a Tiime? Or enjoy a warm bed and spicy whiskey with a Richard Madden-esque Scot in front of a roaring fire? No one. That’s who.

While I am whole-heartedly recommending this book, I would suggest that you read them in order. Some major plot points span the length of the trilogy and you’d be a bit in the dark without a knowledge of all three. Plus, it’s just more sexy forward thinking awesome people going to the bone zone. Come on, who would say no to that? No one. That’s who.

Dukes Do It Better is the third & final book in Bethany Bennett's 'Misfits of Mayfair' series and WOO BOY does she end it with a bang!

This was admittedly my first by this author, and while I typically don't like to read out of order, not only does this book standalone well, but it totally hooks you on the previous characters & couples and makes you want to read them immediately. I imagine the experience is even better if you know all about them beforehand too! All that to say - you don't *NEED* to read the first two to love this one.
Emma Hardwick is a single mother, living on the coast. Captain Malachi Harlow is a member of the Royal Navy. A chance encounter brings them together for a steamy evening together, and after they part ways, both expect to never really see the other again. Until Emma heads back to London for the season, and Captain Harlow, now the reluctant Duke of Trenton, forced by his scheming mother, returns as well.

Their chemistry absolutely sizzles on the page - When an agreement to enjoy one another without any strings or commitments just FAILS (because hello?!) they both work to find out what the other means to them in the long term. Emma's charisma, confidence, efficiency, and humor make her irresistible. I think it's safe to say Mal has those same qualities too. A nefarious blackmailing plan threatens to ruin their time together, the stability and well being of their family and friends, so the group has to work together against the person trying to bring down everything they've all built. Add in some adventure and honestly the perfect ending to this group of lovable misfits. A total win for me!

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted a hot sea captain romance for my beach vacation and Bethany Bennett delivered! Malachi and Emma were so hot for each other! I loved it. This was the third book in the series and I loved seeing how Emma grew as a character. She wasn’t very likable in West End Earl, but hearing her perspective and internal dialogue you see how she’s grown as a person and she becomes such a real and lovable heroine. Mal, is just so damn hot, and so sweet it makes your heart melt. He is reluctant to be the Duke after the death of his perfect older brother and is dead set on getting back to his ship Athena and out to sea but his meddling mother and his fathers book of dangerous secrets are preventing that from happening.

Plot synopsis:
Mal and Emma meet in the Small coastal town of Olread Cove and have one passionate night together. Mal finds a journal written by a mysterious woman outside his treasure cave and reads it while at Sea and pretty much falls in love with her. Mal and Emma still dream of each other so imagine their surprise when they bump into each other in London at the park! She’s in town to see her family, he’s the new Duke of Trenton. He rescues her from an unpleasant meeting from the cad Lord Roxbury, her baby daddy who refused to marry her. Emma and Mal cannot deny their attraction and begin an affair. They work their way into each others hearts and fall in love but are they keeping too many secrets? Someone is trying to blackmail Mal and Emma’s families, who are they? To whom does the mystery journal belong? Will both characters own up to their flaws, secrets and past mistakes and love each other despite them? Pick up or pre-order a copy of Dukes Do it Better to find out.

I adore all of the dialogue in her writing. Bennett writes historical romance for a modern generation. Her voice is one that will hook new readers to the genre. I also loved the secondary romance in this story between Simon and Adelaide. Great read, can’t wait for more from this author!

DUKES DO IT BETTER by Bethany Bennett might be my favorite of the Misfits of Mayfair trilogy (Releases on May 24, 2022).

First each chapter starts with journal entries from Emma’s missing journal. So epistolary element has me hooked. Next, we find out that the first journal entry is actually to a fantasy lover. Turns out that Malachi, most recently a captain in the Royal Navy, but now the Duke, has found Emma’s journal.

Parts of the book are like a ride - we’ve got multiple blackmail schemes going on, one of them being more successful than the other. There’s an inadvertent eviction. You’ve got an over protective brother, some miscommunication, one scene gave me some paranormal feels. Also, baking. Lots of baking. Emma bakes when she is stressed. There’s also deconstructed sandwiches - there’s a picnic scene that had me swooning. Plus a secondary romance - I wish we had more scenes with Simon and Adelaide. For those that have read the first two books, we to see Ethan and Lottie, and Cal and Phee.

To distill it to the tropes, because that might be best:

- Single mom to a 5 year old
- Second Chance
- Sex deal
- Finding a blackmailer

Content Notes: mentions of stolen/looted art, complicated family dynamics, blackmail, death of parent (off page, prior to book start), death of sibling (off page, prior to book start)

If you’re looking for a dashing pirate duke who has hidden treasure and dreams of a beauty whose journal he reads incessantly, this is the book for you.
Regency reads are still a fairly new genre for me, but I’m liking them so far. Emma has tried to shed her former persona while living life to the fullest with her son. Mal with his longish hair and tattoos swooshes in and lights up her light.
I liked the exchanges between Emma and Mal and how Mal treats Alton. Although they had difficult childhood, neither allows their past to dictate their futures.
Dukes Do It Better is a testament to finding that special person that makes your heart flutter and your knees go weak.

Dukes Do It Better
Book 3 in the Misfits of Mayfair Series
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

******SPOILERS******

Okay this is going to be a very different review from what I have written recently. I read up to 25% (according to my Kindle) and I just couldn't continue. I jumped to the last few chapters to see how it ended.
Let me say that I LOVED the previous two books in the series. I gave them 5 stars each, but this one, sadly, did not work for me. It's not a bad story. It's just I feel like I missed part of the story at the beginning because the two leads have met and had a one night stand...but this is not told in a prologue. We find out what happened because months later they meet again and realize that they still yearning for each other.
When the two leads reunite it's all smooth and he even proposes that he wants her in his bed again that same day.

I don''t know...I think I would of liked to have seen them fall for each other. I did like that he fell for her via her journal that he found on the beach. This journal is what kept him entertained on his last voyage. He didn't know that it belonged to her until later.

Lady Emma Hardwick is a single mother who brings her son back to London to visit her brother's family. Captain Malachi Harlow unexpectedly becomes the Duke of Trenton, and with that, his command of his ship is gone. As he tries to regain his post, he is pleased to reunite with Emma.

I especially loved the journal entries that started each chapter. They were so well coordinated with the chapter content, and they added a depth to Emma and Malachi's relationship. I also loved both characters. They had such depth and strong backstories.

Every time I read a new book from Bethany Bennett, I think that this is what regency romance should be. Her stories are so unique and original and bring really contemporary concerns into the historical genre. This is the third in the Misfits of Mayfair series. I recommend reading in order, as we get insight into the previous stories and there are parts of this one that make more sense if you already know what's happened previously.

Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy. These opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

Awwwwwwwww a new book of Bethany Bennett's Misfits of Mayfair Series?
YES PLEASE!
Dukes Do It Better is the 3rd book of her fabulous series and OH SOOOOOO GOOD!

Malachi is captain of the Athena - one would say he's a pirate. Tall, dark and kinda mysterious. But after the death of his brother he has to come back to London to be the next Duke of Trenton.
Back I town he meets HER again - Lady Emma Hardwick. THE special woman he met before... one time... when both dealt with this kind of attraction... for each other.
As a single mother Lady Emma just wants to live her life... could it be with the Duke of Trenton or not?

OOOH MY GOODNESS!!!
MALACHI. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!
I instantly had a certain picture of him in my mind and woooooow! He totally stole my heart!! 😍😍😍
I looooved the banter with Emma! AWWWWWW! WHAT A CHEMISTRY!!
Both are such great characters! I loved them right from the beginning and felt with them along their story!
OMG and did I tell you about their chemistry??? LOL!
I can't stop swooning about it because it was SO PALPABLE! SERIOUSLY! I could feel the sizzling while they met at a ball and so on. Daaaaamn!!!
And I can't stop smiling now because I ABSOLUTELY ADORED them all! It was also sooo cool to meet all the other characters from book 1 and 2 again!
Now excuse me while I'm packing my bags to travel back in time!
Dukes Do It Better has the PERFECT COMBINATION of so much HUMOUR! (talking about Lady Agatha in the museum. LOOOL) and ROMANCE and INTENSE FEELINGS and MYSTERY and DRAMA and HOT GUYS and CUTE KIDS and CUTE BABY GOATS and AWWWW!
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I hope there will be more books in this series!

Thank you so much to Bethany Bennett and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this ARC via NetGalley.

This is my honest review in my own words.

This was such an entertaining story filled with secrets and scandal and of course romance. Malachi and Emma make an interesting and unlikely couple. They have loads of chemistry and a lovely attraction emerges and a journey to love that was enticing and well crafted.

This book was WONDERFUL, and I loved it so much! I adored book 1 in this series (the author's debut), and I didn't love book 2 as much, but this one was magic!!

Lady Emma Hardwick has a lot of secrets, and only one of them involves her son Alton's paternity. She used to be a young, selfish debutante, without any idea of how the real world worked. Then, she got pregnant, and the father of her child turned her away. She invented a story, with the help of her sister-in-law, Phee, and moved to the coast to have her baby away from society. She's stayed there for the last 6 years, and she's happy with the little home she's built. She and her son go to London for her nephew's birthday party, and she gets talked into staying for the season. She isn't sure it's the right decision, and then she's shocked to run into the ship captain she spent one night with in her coastal village, months ago.

Captain Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton, is stuck on land when he longs to be at sea. His mother used his late father's state secrets to force the Navy to return him home, in the wake of his brother's death. He's now the heir, and he couldn't be less happy about it. He's trying to figure out how to get back to his ship, when he sees Emma, and can't believe his luck. He's thought of her many times while he was away, and he would love to renew their delicious acquaintance as soon as possible. But, will a few more weeks with her ever be enough?

Mal and Emma had a wildly strong connection and I loved each of their interactions. They were so clearly hot for each other, but really enjoyed talking, and getting to know each other more deeply too. He also had a sweet connection with her son, from their first meeting in the park, and it was so lovely. They were clearly made for each other, and seeing their bond strengthen with each interaction was so satisfying.

Seeing all the characters from the prior books is always fun, and I enjoyed the addition of a new/old friend of Emma's, Adelaide & Mal's best friend Simon too. I love the friendships and strong bonds between all of them. I adore a found family dynamic, and there was a lot of that here to enjoy. There was a side plot with someone out for revenge against our friend group, and while some of that went the way I expected, there were some surprises too, which was great.

This book really completed the series in a perfect way, and it was so enjoyable. I can't wait to see what this author does next, because I love her voice, and her stories are fantastic! I highly recommend this series!

Dukes Do It Better is the third book in the Misfits of Mayfair book and each book just keeps getting better and better. I loved getting to see everyone from the previous books and the relationship between Malachi and Emma was just fantastic and then adding little Alton into the mix was just perfection. I will probably continuously scream from the rooftops how amazing this book and this series are.

Emma was considered the belle of the ball during her debut season but ended up with a bit of a scandal that to cover-up resulted in her moving to a coastal town where she lives as a widow. Five years later she is returning to London with her son to visit her family. She never expected to run into the man who ignited something in her last October and the new Duke of Trenton never expected to find something that might make him happier than the sea did. They just have to figure out what dangers might lurk around them when they start getting threatening messages.

I loved that even while exploring a physical relationship with each other, there was a friendship developing between Malachi and Emma which was just has important. All the friendships throughout this story were great to see and be built upon.

The story and characters were well developed, Alton never felt like just a plot device and the relationship he developed with Malachi was so fun to watch. The character development for Emma and Malachi was also great. I loved that Emma was consistently making a point to be more open and honest with her brother and Phee.

All around a great story that I would recommend to anyone who likes historical romance as well as the following:

✔️ Single Parent
✔️ One Nightstand
✔️ Mystery/Suspense
✔️ Dual POV

This was my first book by Bethany Bennet, so I didn’t read the other books in this series. I should though because I think it will help me with some of the supporting characters.

This book features Emma and Malachi. I loved that Malachi had found Emma’s journal and was something that was a comfort to him without even knowing its author. Before this book, it sounds like they had a steamy one night stand. But that’s either completely off page or in another book?

I liked that Emma is extremely confident in her sexuality and I think this is one of the first historicals I’ve read with the mention and use of sex toys. She and Malachi have good chemistry.

I got a little lost with the blackmail plot + the letters and the court martial situation. But overall, I did like this story and the journal entries.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for access to this arc.

I'm sorry but I wasn't aware when I requested it that this is the third book in a series. It kinda sorta stands alone but even after 75 pages I realize that this isn't the place to start as there are a lot of previous characters and interactions that I feel lost trying to figure out.

There are also a lot of anachronisms including the mention of Faberge eggs as well as some things that just strike me as incorrect though I might be wrong about officers in the Royal Navy not wearing queues any longer or men and women casually dining together for lunch in a public restaurant eating sandwiches.

I adore the heroine's journal entries and am actually thrilled that she owns her sexuality but the rest isn't working well for me. I might return to it at some point but for now I am laying it aside.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: attempted sexual assault recounted, parental abandonment (past), death of a loved one, grief, violence, blackmail

This is the third book in the series but can be read entirely as a standalone

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f historical romance
-single parent
-this is just a hookup
-second chance elements
-a pirated tattoo who is definitely not looking to settle down
-yearning
-a wooden dildo named Roger

I think this may have been my favorite book in the series. I loved the use of Emma's diary entries. How you can have so much in your life, and still be lonely, looking for someone to share it with. How something feels like its missing. Even though Emma had been through the ringer before, I loved how she still hoped/dreamed for love and a partnership in her life. Was just such a good mom, wo would do anything for her friends.

And Malachi who has been yearning for Emma since their one night together. Who wants to be that partner she's been dreaming about, even if he doesn't realize it at first. All about consent and making her feel good. That mutual masturbation scene was firrreee. These two were such an evenly made match, with just the right amount of conflict. I loved how the arc from the other two books ran into this one. Just a great and solid end to the series.

Steam: 3.5

Lady Emma Hardwick left her London season in disgrace and has been living as a widow at the seaside. When she returns to London she comes face to face with Captain Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton and her one night stand. Emma and Malachi renew their relationship, but soon threats and suspicion threaten to tear them apart. Will Emma finally find her happily ever after?

What a fun book! I loved Emma and Malachi’s chemistry and appreciated that it was low angst. There is one particular scene with all the men at a cemetery that had me laughing for pages. I highly recommend this book if you love love.

*thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the ARC

This is my second book in the Series, and I enjoyed it very much. Emma has worked very hard to redeem herself and become a woman she can be proud of. Her relationship with her family is amazing I really enjoyed the connection and acceptance between Emma and Calvin. Mal is a special character and a fantastic Hero. The connection between them is hot and sweet and the angst managed not to overwhelm the story, and it might have, and the story ended leaving me happy and satisfied. 4 stars

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lordy goodness I think this is my favorite book in the series. This is the third in the Misfits of Mayfair by Bethany Bennett. I would encourage you to read them in order as the other two couples feature heavily as friends and family in this plot. In this book Lady Emma Hardwick lives near the sea as a widow with her young son Alton. She spends one magical night, with a ship captain, which incredibly is OFF page. She months later is staying with her brother and his family in London when she meets up with the Captain again. He is Malachi Harlow, the new Duke of Trenton.

He is a second son and had no plans to become the Duke and wants dearly to return to the sea but the admiralty is stalling. Sparks fly instantly with Emma. This is one of the few stories where a character uses her right as a widow to discretely start a relationship with Mal. But her family and friends are aware and supportive. So there are hot sexy times. My favorite times are when the two of them are together talking either in bed, picnicking with friends and even as she bakes a pie. The two are like a warm blanket snuggling and getting familiar with each other.

The downside is there several other plots a foot in the story that don’t work as well for me. There is a black mail scheme, Mal’s relationship with his mother, issues with Alton’s father, potential court marshal etc. A whole lot that could have been narrowed down. I genuinely didn’t care about the Mal’s father issues and him leaving something meaningful to Mal because it was buried under so many other plot lines. I didn’t realize it was important for his character to so much attention at the end. I was happy to have the interaction with the other couples as I’ve read the other books in the series and love the epilogue with them all together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.