I liked the setup of the book. I liked that Bram and Bluebell got to know each other before she was reinstated as the newly rediscovered granddaughter of the Earl, so without the pressures of society.

Bluebell was clever, educated, fierce, loyal and determined. Bram’s character was less great, in my opinion. He was offended and hurt by people lying to him, but he did the same to Bluebell. First he offered to accompany Bluebell to London in exchange for her sleeping with him, which of course angered her, and rightly so. Then he apologized - I was happy he redeemed himself a bit - but he just ‘apologized for show’ and went on to use tricks to seduce her anyway. And he kept on lying to her; about the carriage being stolen, and her horse. He even contemplated marrying her when he found out she was the granddaughter of an earl and might come into funds. He did help her but the lying and dishonesty, also about her virginity, was off putting to me. But other readers might not mind and will just enjoy the story.

The pace was good. The secondary characters Dicky and Clarissa were annoying but used as filling in the book and used as a backdrop to Bram’s life. I did like how the issue with Jeremy was resolved in the end. It also brought Bram and Bluebell closer together.

After 75% of the book the title finally comes into play: that Bram as a bastard isn’t suitable company to a lady of the ton. At this point you wonder why Maybelle/Bluebell might want to stick around in London, and not just leave together?! Maybelle/Bluebell and Bram do get their happily ever after albeit a bit sudden, but how? You’d have to read the book to find out. I would have liked an epilogue, though.

Content 411: there are several graphic sex scenes in the book, that could have been left out. I think the story would have been fine without it.

Thank you Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed it; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the story of this book… for the characters Bram and Bluebell I think they had to have the time and space to get to know each other and to really be able to see them fall in love with each other and you can only do that by taking the time to put them together to confront Bluebell’s Earl of a Grandfather. The spice was well timed through out and you can see how it deepens their feelings for each other and really makes them confront it.