ABOUT THE BOOK

Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford is desperate. Having been ruined in the eyes of society years ago for one foolish, starry-eyed mistake, she spends her days secreted away at her family’s crumbling estate, helping her brother manage the land but not able to truly live life the way she’s always dreamed. When her brother admits to just how dire their finances have gotten, she takes it upon herself to procure employment…but the only one who will even consider the scandalous idea of a female secretary is the brilliant, ruthless, and infuriating Earl of Creswick.

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 with breathtaking nerve, fiery red hair, and a sense of humor to match.

Now temptation—disguised as a lovely, clever-mouthed devil—lives and works under Simon’s very roof. And Mina finally feels as though she’s truly living life to her wildest dreams. But even the most incendiary of kisses can’t incinerate Mina’s past…or the shocking secret that could ruin them both.

MY REVIEW

I love Stacy Reid’s romances because they don’t have all the drama and boring, angsty misunderstandings. They have mature couples who share how they feel with no bullshit. I discovered Reid a couple of years ago with the Sinful Wallflowers series and I couldn’t wait to read this single title set in the Victorian era with a feisty woman who is carefree, clever, and too pretty and a compelling and indifferent gentleman with a penetrating gaze.

He was far more interesting than she had expected.

Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” Crawford is my hero. She’s bold, flirtatious, intelligent and bests an Earl at a duel while dressed as a man (her twin brother to be exact). And, she gets a job out of it as secretary to said Earl which is unknown at the time. Mina unwittingly captivates the brooding Earl with her fearlessness and her smile. So much so that one of their deals is that she does not smile in his presence. How adorable is that? However, her reputation was ruined years ago when she eloped with a fencing master and she has a secret that no man would take her as a wife. So when the attraction grows, she doesn’t hesitate to suggest an affair.

In all my years, a lady has never tempted me,” he murmured.

Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, is intrigued by his new secretary. Simon is an exceptionally gifted young man who has made a name for himself as a brilliant politician who supports reform for the less fortunate. He is not one to covet relationships, but after he saved her life, she launched them into a passionate alliance where they will risk anything to be together. Watching Mina tease and flirt with the formidable Simon is lovely to watch as his priorities change and his uncharacteristic romantic side shows through. Every time he says she’s fired to keep her safe, she shoots back that she shall go when she’s ready.

I love, love, love the grump/sunshine trope as the woman blows the man’s mind and Mina certainly does it to Simon. This book is so swoony and romantic as the lovers risk everything for love. Pick up this book, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to Ms. Reid for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (aloud). She has a warrior way “Never give up on dreams!” When she’s not writing, Stacy spends a copious amount of time binge-watching series like The Walking Dead, Homeland, Altered Carbon, watching Japanese Anime and playing video games with her love. She also has a weakness for ice cream and will have it as her main course.

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