Let me tell you thus novel does a wonderful job of speaking out against double standards when it comes to the lifestyles of men and women. I for one was very impressed with this story and thought it was lovely. I had been wanting to read this book since it was first listed so I was happy when I was approved for it a couple of days ago.
Anyways out story is set in Regency England and our main focus is on a young lady named Carenza who is a widow looking for a lover which is quite scandalous for the time period. However Carenza has always felt like an outsider in society so she doesn't let it bothet her. Her friend Julian is more than happy to step into the role of lover.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

An entertaining, steamy read.

Lady Carenza is a widow searching for a lover—and Julian, her good friend, is more than willing to step into that role.

This was my first historical romance in quite some time, and it reminded me why I usually steer clear of the genre. The double standards are maddening: men can spend their days gambling and frequenting brothels, even while married, yet if a woman dares to express the slightest displeasure, society deems her "ill-bred."
How infuriating is that?

Carenza: Her mother, an opera singer, never fit society’s mold. As a result, Carenza has always strived to be perfect—to protect her fragile reputation. Her secret search for a lover is the very kind of scandal that could destroy everything she’s worked for.

Julian: The quintessential charming rake with hidden depths. Outwardly, he’s flamboyant and unserious, but as the story unfolds, more layers are revealed. I especially appreciated how protective he was of Carenza—he consistently made an effort to shield her from ruin.

My one complaint is something I almost feel guilty admitting, because I knew what I was signing up for. The book follows the classic "friends with benefits to lovers" trope—which, of course, means it’s going to be steamy. Still, I wasn’t prepared for one of those scenes to hit me in the face so early on!

All in all, this was a fun, passionate read with a surprisingly emotional core. If you're in the mood for a spicy friends-to-lovers story with historical flair, this one might just hit the spot.