Lady Henrietta is horrified when Viscount Tremberley, her brother’s best friend, learns of her indiscretion with a man who’s become obsessed with her. Trem offers to help keep the secret quiet. Working together, Trem and Henrietta discover their own forbidden desire. But Henrietta will only marry for love.

This well-written book focuses on the physical relationship between the main characters. I wish the content warnings had been included in the book description.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Such a good book. Definitely a quick read. This book kept my interest the whole time and opened up a new kind of time period for me to want to read about. Recommend!!

A delightful and passionate romance!

I enjoyed this best friend’s brother/sister romance. The attraction between Henrietta and Trem, the two protagonists, is evident from the beginning. I liked the idea that their relationship begins right away in the story and that we discover their personalities, as individuals and as a couple, throughout our reading. I loved Henrietta, the heroine, for her independence and curiosity. The relationship between these two main characters, full of twists and turns, is very intense and keeps us in suspense. One element, however, bothered me: Hartley, the antagonist, is a touch too caricatured.

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Trope: brother's best friend
Steam level: 4
Part of a series: yes, book 2

3.5 squeaked up, Just like in this author's last book (her debut) the writing style is solid and the steam is super steamy (if you're into "sweet and clean" this isn't the book for you). My main issue is that I didn't find either MC all that compelling--but maybe that's just me. Lately I've been into HR's with more nuanced. emotional characters, especially working class MC's, and these two were just a bit too "glossy upper-crust" for me. Henrietta is too headstrong for her own good, bordering on TSTL at times (and pretty anachronistic in her behavior/language to boot). Some of the humorous scenes work, but she really is the instigator of her own problems. Trem is fine, just missing that spark that really pulls me in and puts a MMC into "book boyfriend" territory for me.

There is a lot of interior monlogue-ing, as well, sometimes slowing down the pace. I do enjoy the "brother 's best friend" trope but was looking for something with a bit more meat story-wise.

Overall: you'll like this fine if you're into modernistic HR's with a lightweight plot and characters.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own.

Historical romances are my ultimate comfort genre and this was such an odd book. Lydia Lloyd must be sending in her application for the circus because the heroine was a total clown. She made poor decisions and I swear she was this close to applying that white grease paint. I really enjoy the author's infographics on her Instagram and her steam comes straight from the kettle, but I still can't fully commit to liking both protagonists. I had an issue with the hero in the previous installment and my main beef now lies with the current heroine. Henrietta was a buffoon whose foolish choices forced Tremberley to swoop in and save the day. Thankfully he was competent or she would have had to start packing her size 43 kid slippers and skedaddling right out of town.

Despite my utter disdain for the heroine, Tremberley helped redeem the story. He always held a torch for Henrietta and looked out for her when he could. It's the typical best friend's little sister archetype that I wished would happen to me. My own brother has some beefcakes for buds, just saying. They had major chemistry and it seemed from the beginning that they were meant to be. The hero definitely stepped up his game and was more motivated than the previous one. I was rooting for them, even though Henrietta needed to pull her head out of her designer-clad bottom. I can't help but refer to her antics as clownish, they were that asinine.

When the Viscount Wanted Me made me feel like I was under the big top and I was woefully underwhelmed by the heroine's childish behavior. She was a spoiled brat and dumped all her problems on the hero's doorstep. I haven't given up hope yet for this series. I'm a fan of the author's research and sensuality between the characters, but it hasn't culminated into a full package. I'm gonna keep holding on, no matter what. Although honestly this title could have been extended to When the Viscount Wanted Me...At The Circus.

dnf @ 36%


The writing style is perfectly fine, but the dramatic tension felt sorely lacking. We get ~30% into the book & the relationship is confirmed with very little emotional growth on either main character's part, which was frustrating because characters' emotional journeys are the thing that draw me to reading romance in the first place. Alas, this one didn't work for me, but since the writing is fine, others might have more success.

Oh my, Trem and Henrietta are hot hot hot! I liked Lydia Lloyd's debut, but I borderline loved "When the Viscount Wanted Me", Lloyd's second book and the second book in her series, "The Rake Chronicles". Henrietta is so much her own person and Trem's willingness to accept her as she is, past and all, is lovely. The book is sex positive, does a great job touching on issues of race and class, and there is no third act break-up. The meat of the book is lust tempered with true knowing of one another. John is still not my favorite character (he was the MMC in the previous book in the series) but I did understand why he eventually got so upset with Trem. I am definitely invested in these rakes now, and look forward to Leith and Montaigne's stories, even though I don't love Montaigne's apparent obsession with bedding servants given the power dynamic there. I do think Lloyd shows growth as a writer just in her first two books and I will definitely be watching for more.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

The spiciest book I have read outside of Sierra Simone!

I really enjoyed this book and Lydia Lloyd's writing, especially when it comes to Monty!
However, the book felt somewhat long, like some sections lagged and it felt like it took a while to get to the next point of the story. Also, the magazine side story felt unnecessary, the book could either do without it and be fine or make it more important. Otherwise it feels like a "purpose" for the sake of giving Harriett a purpose.

Ok now the spice.. WOW. I had to step away a few times to cool down. So many scenes, so well written, and they all served a purpose to the relationship. This book could have been all insta-lust, but Trem and Harriett had a true connection.

Please give us Monty next!

"When the Viscount Wanted Me" by Lydia Lloyd
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Cover Rating: 4.5/5
Story: 4/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥+ (kissing, mentioned scenes)
Ending: HEA w/ Epilogue
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Series or Stand Alone: You could read this as a stand-alone. However, I think a reader would get the most out of the story, having read the first title. Lloyd does do an amazing job providing enough backstory here if you didn't read the first book, though.
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England, 1819
Completely Smitten Viscount
Strong Willed Debutante
Brother's Best Friend
Forbidden Fruit
She's Mine Vibes
Reformed Rake
Road Trip
Hero Falls Hard
Scandal & Secrets
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The first book of this series hinted that Trem and Henrietta might be the couple for the second book of the series, and I was so pleased that this was true. I was hooked on the storyline from the very beginning as this story, like the last one, doesn't beat around the bush for the drama to begin. As I have mentioned before, Lloyd's writing style is detailed and complex, reminding me a bit of Victoria Alexander.

Overall, the pacing of this title is much improved from the first, in my opinion, but does slow a bit after the 60 or so percent mark. This slowdown allows for some complex relationship-building and personal growth for both Henrietta and Trem. Without these slower-paced scenes between the two, their lustful chemistry would not have blossomed into something more lasting, as it did by the end of the book. Throughout the story, there is this feeling that any number of things could go wrong, and I enjoyed the suspense. It's just a question of what/when all hell will break loose.

Lloyd also includes a variety of inclusive characters within this title, which is a breath of fresh air. I also enjoyed that the villain of this story isn't your basic, run-of-the-mill variety. She thought out of the box on how to create an extremely annoying, potentially loose cannon of a villain without resorting to simply making him portly, boring, lazy old man like many HRs have tended to do in the past.

As for steam, there is a lot! If you don't enjoy an abundance of explicit steam, this read isn't going to be for you. However, if you do enjoy a good romp with your romance plotline, you are not going to be disappointed. Steam starts early and is explicit. I liked that Lloyd doesn't shy away from using perfectly normal, medically correct terms for anatomy (she doesn't always use these types of terms but how often do you read v*lva in an HR? It was refreshing.) Not everything needs to be danced around or alluded to. Overall, steam scenes are unique and vary in length.
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Read as an ARC ebook provided by the publisher and Net Galley. Honest review left voluntarily.
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Content Warning: available by author after title page.

Lord Hugh Aldershot, Viscount of Tremberley, one of the Rank Rakes is trying to come to terms with his best friend now bringing married. The other two still there to lend a smile and find debauchery. Having no family himself, Trem is not sure what to do. His live of gossip was just not cutting it, until he overheard a young buck crying over a lady that won't give him the time of day, even after what they did.

Ready to step in and get more juicy information, until her name was said. Baron of Drent, was warning his friend to quiet down and sleep of his drunkenness, Earl of Hartley just got louder and whinnier.

Lady Henrietta Breminster, sister to John Duke or Edington, feels like a fraud but wants to have her life her was. So together with her friend, Miss Cassandra Seymour, they want to run Mr Redmond's publication of The Lady’s Magazine. She is not sure if Hardly will leave her be after what happened and her refusal to marry him. Her friends had warned her he was very enamoured of her but she didn't believe it, they were just friends.

Now she has to contend with hiding this information from her brother when Trem shows up with Hartley and Drent. Trem tells her he will help, after her pleading.

What to do when you now see that the little girl you watched grow up is a lovely, kind-hearted, intelligent young lady that you want to do unspeakable things to?! What do you do when the one friend of your brother's now sees you?! How do you stop a deranged young man from spilling the beans about what they did?

Join the world of the Rank Rakes as another embroiled mess is unravelled. Will the friendship last! Does these two make it? Or does she give in to Hartley? Join as someone invited to the party. Race across England, visit with friends old and new. Catch up on all the gossip.

Ahh! Lydia Lloyd is definitely one of my new favorite historical authors. I LOVED 'When the Duke Wanted Me' and knew that book two in this series would deliver. The love scenes are plentiful and hot!

I loved Henrietta! What a great heroine. It was refreshing to see such a curious, sex-positive heroine in a historical. I am coming to associate Lloyd's heroines as the key figures in her work, much like Sarah MacLean. Sure, the heroes are great. But the heroines are the stars of the show. .

This was such a fantastic brother's best friend historical. I can't wait for Lloyd's next book. She's definitely an auto-buy author for me now. Side note: go follow Lloyd on Instagram. Such a great follow and resource for finding trop-specific historicals.

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

"Her reputation is at risk. He vows to help…but soon finds resisting her the greatest challenge of all.

When Lord Hugh Aldershot, the Viscount of Tremberley, overhears the drunken Earl of Hartley claiming to have bedded Lady Henrietta Breminster, his best friend's little sister, he is livid. He drags the passed-out earl to Breminster House to face punishment for his blathering, only to find himself face-to-face with Lady Henrietta in a sexy night dress and little else.

When Lady Henrietta Breminster sees the Viscount of Tremberley dragging the unconscious Earl of Hartley to her doorstep, she panics. Not only was she indiscreet with the earl, but she has long nursed a flaming tendre for her brother's best friend. Now she must ask Tremberley to help her keep her biggest mistake from the gossips of the ton.

Drawn closer by their efforts to subdue the jealous earl, Trem and Henrietta soon discover their own forbidden attraction. But even as Henrietta discovers true passion with Trem, she knows she could never marry for anything less than love."

Oh, I think love is definitely on the table.

When Lord Hugh Aldershot, the Viscount of Tremberly, heard the name Lady Henrietta Breminster come from the mouth of a terribly drunk Earl of Hartley he’s intrigued. When Hartley claims to have bedded Lady Henrietta, who is also his best friends little sister, he’s livid. He resolves to handle the situation by dragging the Earl directly over to Breminster house. He isn’t expecting Lady Henrietta dressed in barely anything, let alone prepared for all of the truths he has to face.
Lady Henrietta sees the Viscount of Tremberly at her house with the passed out Earl. Naturally she panics. Henrietta has long harbored a flame for her brothers best friend. Now she must ask for his help to keep her mistake with the Earl a secret. Trying to keep the Earl in line they soon realize they need to deal with their forbidden attraction.
This book is every bit as good as the popular Bridgerton series… but make it FILTHIER! It surpasses all expectations. it’s difficult to find a historical romance that has the perfect balance of regency properness you find in classic historical romance and filthy smut of more contemporary reads. Neither concept overwhelmed the other allowing for the reader to feel like they are still immersed in the time period but I think the more modern aspect makes things more relatable. This book is completely character driven each decision that one makes it cohesively makes another one react. Even if something seems to come from left field the author connects the dots between these events and it all makes sense. This is a dual POV so while one characters does something the author switches POV without a hitch.
The sex scenes are pretty great and creative for the setting that rounds put the characters relationship. I love that while the cover makes this book look like a regular romance not unlike the cartoon covers and the inside is dirtier then expected.
Lord Tremberly is a very dreamy character. He’s salacious, brave, and determined. At first he seems dense and there is a pitiful attempt at resisting Henrietta. While this is an age gap one of his reasons is not that but Henrietta is his best friends sister. Many choices made by Trem is in reaction to what Henrietta has done. I kind of love this because he is chasing her for all the right reasons. I think it also subtly highlights the change in Trem from rake acting like a child to a man who is ready for a relationship but it would be with someone that could have tendencies to do things that seem more childlike. An example would be something like just being impulsive and acting on those impulses. Trem is a self-aware character and I think having his POV really enhanced this book.
Lady Henrietta is impulsive like Trem but while we actually see her impulses Trems we just get an account of his actions which highlights his growth. With Henrietta being the younger character I love that Trem is understanding of her actions. She is a younger character but I love that she doesn’t waver from her decisions and there’s this strong feminist link that is present throughout.
I LOVED this book and I will be not only buying others in this series but happily getting my own physical copy!

I enjoyed Lydia Lloyd’s debut, but this second book is even better. I’m a sucker for a good brother’s best friend story, and Lloyd uses that here. I found the love story to be super steamy and incredibly satisfying. I can’t wait for more from this author!

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This was another triumph for Ms Lloyd. This novel was romantic, swoony and had very well written Spice. I really appreciate the care and knowledge Ms. Lloyd places in her works. She is so talented, and this sophomore work shines.

I should have realized when the author's note says it is steamy, they are not kidding! MANY open door scenes, and I felt their actual interest in one another as people could have been better developed, but it did make me interested in trying the other books in this series.

I loved this book! 4⭐️ and 4🌶️

Not only was it steamy and had a good plot but most importantly it was different than other historical romances as it discussed female sexuality and the tabooness of it back in the day.
Henrietta is such a confident character who knows what she wants and then goes for it instead of letting herself be held back by society’s rules and regulations.
And Trem is also such a progressive and understanding man for his time, because even though he is shocked/angry at first after finding out Henrietta had sex out of wedlock, he 100% accepts her sexuality and her reasoning of „it did because I wanted to“. And Henrietta also was not threatened by Trems playboy history at all.
The chemistry between the two was on from the beginning and never fizzled out. And guys: No 3rd act breakup!!!

One Part I did have a love-hate relationship with was John which makes the book 4 instead of 5 stars. I LOVED that he immediately accepted and was even happy about his best friend and sister being a thing (which is unheard of in the brothers best friend trope) but I HATED the switch up after Henrietta left to go see Mary. I don’t get how he suddenly hated the relationship between them and then how he went of on stream blaming him and saying horrible things without ever really apologizing afterwards.

But all in all this is SUCH a good book and I am so excited to hopefully read about Montagne and Leith!

Trem and Henrietta, I absolutely loved these characters. The book moves quickly and they get together very quickly and it genuinely left me in suspense of what the rest of the book was going to entail. I shouldn't have worried at all because what happens afterward is action packed, emotional, and a story that really delves into family and friendship and how those bonds are tried and tested. I don't want to give too much of the plot specifics away but what I dearly loved about this book was how much Lloyd filled out the world with characters that undoubtedly existed in.

I love a best friend’s brother/sister trope, and this was no exception. This is a super spicy read, so if you don’t like that idea, don’t read this book.

The characters could have been developed more and there were a few plot points that were left unexplored, which was a shame.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest opinions.

Too much inner dialogue in the beginning. I love the best friend’s sister trope. Wanted to like this one more. Just a bit melodramatic for my taste.