Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is a fun and flirty “marriage of convenience” trope regency romance set in England in 1817. It’s a quick and easy read that I read in one sitting. The characters pop off the page and the banter between the two actually made me laugh out loud at certain points. I haven’t read the two previous books, but that didn’t deter me from enjoying this one. The supporting characters rounded out the story well, so I definitely plan to go back and read To Have and to Hoax and To Love and To Loathe.

Lady Emily Turner has been a debutante for six seasons. She should have already been married, but has been forced to endure the presence of an odious suiter that owns the gambling house that holds her father’s enormous gambling debts. Lord Julian Belfry, the second son of a marquess, has scandalized society as an actor and owner of a theater—the kind of establishment where men take their mistresses, but not their wives. They both have reasons to escape their current predicament. Emily wants away from her suiter, Julian needs a respectable lady to refurbish his reputation.

This was such a cute book. The writer is very adept at writing flirty banter between the couple which had me laughing and smiling. Emily and Julian’s friends were so fun to read and they had a great time teasing the couple, but you could tell they were true friendships with lots of love for each other. If you’re looking for a fun, sweet HEA, I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Atria Books. All opinions are my own.