This author is a favorite of mine, and this is one of her best books! I really enjoyed this story. The main characters, Mina, the disgraced daughter (and now sister) of a Viscount, and Simon, Earl of Creswick, are attracted to each other from the beginning and the story isn't so much them getting together, but instead, how they get through the roadblocks keeping them apart. It was well written and I was rooting for the characters all the way! Mina is a strong, brave, independent woman, and Simon is a former child genius who is used to working with order and logic, so falling in love is a new thing for him, and it takes him by surprise. I couldn't put this book down!

A Matter of Temptation is the start of a new Victorian era historical romance series by Stacy Reid and I had such a fun time devouring this read. I was hooked from the start, the heroine and hero meet when she sneakily takes the place of her twin brother (clad in gentleman’s clothes and a wig) in a duel against the hero!

Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” and her twin brother Anthony, Viscount Crawford, have been living in dire straits for the past years. Anthony is desperate for funds. With 2 outstanding loans, he is turned down for a 3rd loan since the bank has no faith in his future prospects, both in him marrying an heiress or switching from farming to manufacturing. When tempted to cheat at cards one night, Anthony finds himself facing a duel the next morning with Simon Loughton, Earl of Creswick. Mina knows she’s better at fencing and sneaks away to take the place of her brother and meets Simon. After winning the fencing duel, Simon offers Mina a job working with him because he’s so impressed…once he realizes she’s a woman, his offer remains on the table and she even negotiates with him for better pay and to be compensated for occupational hazard (in the chance he might feel tempted to ravish her)! To say I loved Mina as a heroine would be an understatement, she was so smart and just a delight.

While working as Simon’s secretary, Mina gets an up close look at how passionate he is about politics and the social reform he is working towards. “It was up to men like him to use their considerable influence to help better the world. Simon believed in that duty above all else.” Simon is a very blunt, direct, and unapologetic hero who comes off as cold and starchy. He has never experienced such feelings as he does when Mina shows up in his life and I loved seeing him fall for her so strongly. Mina is actually the one who tries to keep him at bay. Due to her recklessness when she was younger, she is seen as ruined in the eyes of society and really sees no prospects for her future until Simon shows her all she could have and work towards.

This read was just a delight and I breezed through it. Simon had a lot of swoony, hot hero moments: I loved seeing him come after Mina in the pouring rain, he assists a tenant family also stuck in the rain and even goes back out into the storm to rescue their family dog. After an incident out with him on the job puts her life at risk, Mina decides she wants to experience all the things she almost lost out on and Simon helps tick the items off her list: eating ice cream for the first time, going to the beach, lots and lots of kissing. Simon is very studious, he even grabs 4 books worth of reading materials to ensure when he and Mina get together that she is thoroughly satisfied. 🔥 We get to see a lot of Simon and Mina working together and I loved their intellectual conversations and talks around the politics of the time. The Married Women’s Property Act of 1870 and the Reform Bill are focused on a lot and I liked how this played into the story.

Thank you to the publisher (Entangled Publishing) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. A Matter of Temptation has a pub date of June 28, 2022.

Tw: mention of past abuse.
Mina and Simon had a nice love story, The beginning of the book was interesting! I love the set up to how they first meet. I also enjoyed seeing a member of the ton so interested in politics. I also love a hero that is beside himself in love with a heroine. The twist was interesting too. I just thought she slept with guy, I didn’t expect her to be married.

I’m not sure how to best explain it, but Simon’s personality came off robotic to me. Sometimes he came off as too rational, if you get what I’m saying. I could be wrong, but I interpreted it as a sign of neurodivergence, which is great to see in historical romance. And I liked how Mina vibes with his personality. I also liked how they grew as people individually, with the support of each other. That is always lovely to see.

** This review contains content warnings at the very end **

This is a sensual, page-turning romance packed with lots of wit, clever banter, steamy scenes, and just enough suspense and drama.
I loved the fencing, chess-playing, bold, courageous, loyal heroine who can't keep from smiling as the cold, but good-to-the-core Duke starts to thaw and can't identify the feeling he's feeling because he's never been in love. So yeah, this is definitely a Sunshine and Grump trope romance with some Forbidden Love trope mixed in as well.
If you love reading about a couple getting it on in a carriage, and a library, and ... well, this is also the book for you. It's filled with passion.

There are two other reasons I liked this book so much:
Both scenes in which the heroine is in disguise are simply magical and put big smiles on my face. The other reason are the many instances the hero fights for social reform, for voting reforms, and equality.

Stacy Reid's books continue to deliver and entertain and melt my heart. I can't wait what else she's got in store next.

I sincerely thank the publisher Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for letting me enjoy this romance ahead of its publication date.


** Content Warning ** #cw
Physical abuse (briefly described on page but crucial to story line), lying (by omission)/ deceiving

Oh, we got a starchy one💃 Stacy Reid’s A Matter of Temptation is a Victorian boss/secretary, met-his-match, bucket list assistance, just swoony romance.

He’s a political genius earl, who feels nothing. And she’s a disgraced poor spinster who takes her brother’s place to duel him. And wins! So he’s like “Hey, worthy opponent, I need a secretary, you need the money, how ‘bout it? But, no smiling allowed.”

Mina is just over and done with hiding away after scandal and is ready for her “What have I got to lose?” phase. She’s brilliant and daring, toe to toe with our hero at every turn, and I loved how she’s like “I’ll earn my keep but also very open to being spoiled with fashion finery, work expenses and all”. And she’s pretty quickly a goner for Lord Creswick.

Cannot blame her: Championing for social reform is hot, but also he weathers the rain to save a puppy and brings you ice cream (yep). And much like that sweet delicacy, this icy aristocrat just melts for her “annoying” lovelyness and all the feelings mess she brings. And speaking of melting, yes, Ms. Reid done good with the steamy moments. In from the rain carriage ride “It’s never been like this with anyone else” moment?🥵 He even does his reading research on ways to make it good for her, I mean, damn. It’s the logical, tight-lipped ones for me. He’s so in awe of how she makes him feel:

“It is rather interesting I missed your presence for the day. I have never endured this concept of missing another before.”
“Welcome to humanity, my lord.”

But he’s a rising political star with lots of good to do, and she’s marred with scandal and has a secret. I love a hero freak-out and the grovel, but here with our analytical, driven non-idiot, it made sense that he’d be steadfast and champion her just as much as his social causes. It’s our girl that has to shed her shame, and go from flighty to self-sacrificing to brave enough to fight together.

“I will be the shelter for the storm over our heads, Mina, you need not fear what I might lose. What I know I cannot lose is you.”

And, thank her breeches, five years later epilogue💁‍♀️ Loved it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for providing an ARC to review.

Miss Mina Crawford made an impulsive decision in her youth and was ruined in society's eyes. Living in the countryside with her brother, Mina lives a simple, if boring, life. A chance encounter has her finding employment with the Earl of Creswick as a female secretary.

This story started with a bang and I became quickly invested. Sadly, my interest wained as our leads became romantically involved. The romantic push and pull that I enjoy weren't there. Specifically during the middle of the book. I became interested again in the final chapters and A Matter of Temptation had a strong ending.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, I really loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mina Crawford is the sister of a Viscount who is in desperate need of money. When he foolishly challenges the Earl of Creswick to a duel, Mina takes his place… and you can probably guess what happens.

Mina and Creswick’s story hooked me right away. I loved the characters and their chemistry, and the story moved right along. Highly recommended!

Stacy Reid is always an automatic buy for me. Her books have the crazy plot of an old school romance with modern spice. The women of course are always respected and the level of consent plus spice is the perfect combination. Once again Reid has written another historical fiction that is so different than anything else on the market.

Mina's twin brother has just goofed and challenged a lord to a duel with sabers. Mina knows this will only end in the death of her beloved brother. So what is she to do? Well drug him of course, dress up like a man then challenge the Earl of Creswick herself. She didn't expect the handsome Earl to find out that she was a woman and then offer her a job.

Okay I loved this, more than I should have. It was more external hurdles than internal angst which is my favorite for historical romances. Also if you love a man that's for women's rights in a historical, Reid has you covered. The Earl is amazing as the main protagonist and Mina is sweet and fiery. If you are in Bridgerton slump read immediately.

Miss Mina Crawford was barely existing. A failed elopement in Scotland six years prior and the impoverished Viscounty her twin brother is in charge of leave her with not much of a life to live. All of that changes when she fences in a duel in her brother’s place with the cold and contained Earl of Creswick.

Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, thinks nothing of the duel since he is an excellent swordsman. When he is bested by a female parading as her brother, his whole world is set on fire. Through an interesting conversation, he offers Mina the position as his secretary where she goes above and beyond what any of her male counterparts have done in the past. More than a few strong emotions rise to the surface for both Simon and Mina, incredibly unfamiliar for the Earl and the young Miss.

One might not think reading the day to day life of an Earl and his secretary would be interesting, but Stacy Reid takes us on a thrilling journey of love, passion, and respect. The way she writes the new array of feelings Simon experiences is phenomenal. I could understand each difficult step he went through to determine his why he was feeling the way he was and the conclusions he ultimately deduced. Mina goes through just as much upheaval as Simon did. Reid wrote a powerful portrayal of a woman experiencing life for the first time. Through more than a few twists and turns that brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my lips, I found a book worthy of five stars. I urge all historical romance fans to devour the first in Reid’s new series as soon as it becomes available. You have my promise you will enjoy every word.

I received A Matter of Temptation for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A splendid read!! 4 out of 5 stars!!

After reading A Scoundrel of Her Own (simply FABULOUS -- please do yourself a favour if you have not read it yet), I couldn't wait to read another book by Stacy Reid. While I found that "A Matter of Temptation" did not have as much of that ***omg this is so hot how is this hero so hot*** factor as "A Scoundrel of Her Own" (we all love the sexy slightly grumpy Devlin teddy bear who takes baths with his dog) or "My Darling Duke", this one was still very enjoyable and was absolutely a solid 4 stars.

I adored the broodiness of Simon and the confidence of Mina! Their chemistry... chef's kiss! And a hero who leaves the carriage only to come back soaking wet after saving a child's dog......... too sweet and sexy for words.

The steamy times were absolutely delicious and how I love a hero who does an arrogant and teasing "hmm?" to the heroine when he knows EXACTLY what he's doing to her... thank you for that Simon, you broody sexy dork <3

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC!! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stacy Reid has done it again. I have read all of her books, so I was excited when I was approved to read A Matter of Temptation. The book starts out with Mina's brother challenging the Earl of Creswick to a duel, but Mina ends up going in his place and comes out with a job offer. Mina starts to fall in love with Earl, the Earl, but has a secret that could destroy everything.

I always enjoy Reid’s take on regency romance, she usually comes at it from a different angle and includes characters on the fringe and shunned from society. Mina was shunned due to a mistake she had made years earlier, and had hidden herself away. Simon is a man who can’t be bothered with women out in society who act like delicate flowers, he wants someone who is smart, can best him at things like chess and fencing, and an hold his attention. He was very closed off to Mina at first, even tasking his grandmother with finding a wife for him like he was picking what he wanted for dinner. I loved the character progression where you could see Mina and Simon fall in love. For the time period, they were a bit unconventional, but it worked for him. The banter between the two was great and I always love any book where the man celebrates a strong and smart woman. (As it should be.) I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series!

**I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

Stacy Reid is an auto buy/read author and she continues to wow me. This might be a new favorite of hers and I have read nearly twenty. You can really see how these two match up intellectually and understand how they would grow to love each other. I cannot wait for people to get their hands on this!

I will happily read anything by Stacy Reid at this point, her romance novels are always perfectly crafted with the right amount of love, chemistry, and plot to make every novel a treat.

A Matter of Temptation follows Mina, who after a disastrous elopement has been living with her brother in their estate, but have fallen on severely hard times with neither of them able to pay for their upkeep without selling off family items. When her brother cheats at cards and then accuses the most respected peer in the realm, Simon, of being the one who is cheating, Mina decides to duel Simon in her brother's place. It is not long before Simon has sussed out her true identity and offered her a job as his secretary.

What I love most about this book is that it is filled with trope-y goodness, but the tropes are just a starting off point for some of the best beats of the story. While Mina disguises herself as a man for the duel, she is quickly discovered to be a woman and works as a secretary as herself, instead of as her brother. It is also impossible not to love Simon, who is both swoon worthy and a bit of a nerd, in the best way. One of the best moments of the novel is after the two kiss, Simon decides to get a bunch of novels to teach him how to be the most pleasing lover.

Mina and Simon have a great connection, both physically and intellectually, and the novel really allows you to see the reason why their intellectual pursuits align and why they enjoy simply being with each other. That's the best part of the book: the knowledge that these two truly are perfect for each other.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, needs help if he wants to finally pass the reform bill he’s been championing for years and secure the vote for England’s most vulnerable constituents. Too bad help comes in the form of a woman, Mina, with breathtaking nerve, fiery red hair, and a sense of humor to match.

Like all Stacy Reid books, this is a spicy romance with terrific characters. I really like Mina and Simon together. They are terrific together. Fun, sassy banter... heated chemistry.... The minor characters are interesting too. Another wonderful historical romance. :)

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Mina, sister to an impoverished young Viscount has been quietly living in the country away from the ton, after a very ill advised choice in her first Season. When an equally ill advised choice of her brother results in a duel, she meets Simon, a rather cold, politically heavy hitting Earl.

I enjoyed this book. I found the characters believable and endearing and it was quite wry and funny in places.