Jess Michaels has done it again and this time with a m/m historical romance. In a time where the laws forbid love between men. They had to hid their feelings from everyone, never having a chance at real love and a sense of togetherness and a forever. Griffin Merrick has always known he was of a different thought and tried desperately to change until the day his sister Letty and soon to be brother in law almost died because of his foolish behavior. Aaron Condit hurt Letty years ago when she was married to her first husband Nolan by hiding the fact the he and Nolan were lovers. Being the loving person Letty is she forgave him and they are now the best of friends. Now Griffin and Aaron are forced to spend time together at Letty's house party. They've danced around each other for years, seeing the other at private clubs and brothals but never talking to one another. Wanting each other from afar has been one of the most painful parts of their relationship but neither will take the chance of hurting Letty again. Until the day they have a passion filled encounter and they realize what they can have together, if only there wasn't so much at stake.

Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: Erotica/LGBTQIA

Summary: A small celebration calls together friends and family alike in a weekend of fun, food and festivities. Along with the family invited, there is a friend name Aaron Condit who has a long term attachment to the family that ends up being way more personal than what meets the surface. Siblings Griffin and Letty Merrick must come to terms with the past and face personal identities to acknowledge and accept each other’s happiness.
Characters: It is hard for me to give much input on this book due to it only being 78 pages, but I will highlight what I enjoyed. Aaron was obviously conflicted in his feelings for Griffin and his guilt and loyalty to Letty. His character is strong, for what time was given to him and I actually enjoy him more than the other characters. Griffin, although stated that he was, came off with a more juvenile voice and perspective. Letty was fantastic, loving and amazing. She was able to forgive Aaron’s indiscretions early on in her life, accept his “lifestyle” and then loving welcome his brother into his journey of coming out.
Like stated above, this was a very short book, I would almost even call it a novella. It did not let me down on the hot and steamy though! It had a great balance of erotica and love but for me, I need a LOT more background. I love story and world building and wanted so much more time with all of the characters. Yes, I did get some conflict, but I wanted more. I guess that just makes me needy. I will 100% read another book by the author Jess Michaels!

Publisher's Description:
It's been over a decade since Aaron Condit's lover, Viscount Noah Seagate died. While he has had temporary diversions, he hasn't had a real relationship since. But now he's been invited to the home of his best friend, Leticia Blackwood and he'll be faced with deep temptation in the form of her brother, Griffin Merrick.

Griffin has seen Aaron at certain clubs for a long time and he cannot deny that he wants the handsome solicitor. But secrets from far in the past and a desire not to hurt someone they both love stand between them. Time spent alone leads to a passionate affair, but only time will tell if they can overcome all that keeps them apart. And if they're willing to risk losing everything in order to find love.

My Thoughts:

I was unsure about this title due to the nature of the story but I did find it to be a compelling read.
Everyone deserves to find love including those that in the time period portrayed broke laws to find it.
I found it to my liking that this story was novella length. Some stories need a full length novel but this is not one of them.
The main characters have been acquainted for some time therefore their story is an offshoot of the main series.

I gave this title 3.75 of 5 stars for characterization and storyline and 4 of 5 flames for heat.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title.

It's been over a decade since Aaron Condit's lover, Viscount Noah Seagate died. While he has had temporary diversions, he hasn't had a real relationship since. But now he's been invited to the home of his best friend, Leticia Blackwood and he'll be faced with deep temptation in the form of her brother, Griffin Merrick. Letty was married to Noah so came to know about her husband Noah’s & Aaron’s affair. Griffin & Aaron have seen each other at certain clubs over time and are strongly attracted to each other but a desire not to hurt Letty whom they both love stand between them.

A lovely novella that I read in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down. I was so glad that Aaron & Griffin had their story & a good conclusion to the Woodley series. This could be read alone but for those of us who love series & loved the Woodleys then it’s a must read. The story is well paced & even though it’s short the characters are well portrayed. I wish it had been longer.

This short read is an MM Regency Coda to an existing MF Romance series the Wicked Woodleys. It can be read as a stand alone (because that's what I did) and although you are aware that there is a bit of history there that you're missing out on, it doesn't make a difference to the story. In fact, after reading the reviews of the previous book in which one of our heroes appears in not a very good light, it might make a difference in how you view the two together.

Besides all that, this is a very quick read in which our two heroes Griffin and Aaron are both invited to the same house party by Griffin's sister Letty. They have been skirting around each other at various dens of sin where their unnatural tastes (ie homosexuality) is catered for, so they are very aware of each other's proclivities when they meet up.

The sex in this is hot, the wavering annoying, the denouement satisfying. For a short story it fit a lot in but there is the obvious deficiencies of not enough back story, which I think it was relying on the previous books to supply, and the feeling that these two perhaps deserved a novel of their own rather than such a short piece.

Still, this was an enjoyable story and well written enough that it might make me go against my preferences and check out the rest of the series.

*ARC was provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for review*

A nice addition to The Wicked Woodleys. I think the conveyance of how hard it must have been to live in a time when a relationship between men was not only reviled but also illegal is wonderfully portrayed. Aaron’s reluctance is perfectly understandable but also a bit sad in that he is willing to live without love. On the other hand, his reluctance is also a testament of his love and respect for Letty. Griffin is pretty much the same as we left him nine years ago, a bit impulsive but matured enough to also realize he wants something more. Yes, their romance is fairly quick but is it not that way sometimes. I am glad Aaron and Griffin found happiness and love.

To be honest in my review, Jess Michaels is on my top ten list of historical romance authors. I was thrilled to see that she had a new story out regardless if it was in the form of a novella. When I found out it was also a continuation of my beloved Woodley series I was ecstatic. I will say I was hesitant with her taking on a M/M romance for the first time but I should have known she would not only meet, but exceed my expectations. To have Aaron Condit back from Letty and Jack's love story was icing on the cake!

A house party brings Letty's brother, Griffin Merrick, into close proximity to the object of his secret desire, Aaron Condit. It doesn't take long for a spark to turn to a flame between the two but they both have fears and worries that hold them back from love. Letty is as perfect as she was in her story, Seduced (Wicked Woodley #5), and plays a pivotal role in breaking down the barriers Aaron and Griffin have built up that keep them from finding happiness.

While this is a stand alone book, if you follow it after the Wicked Woolsey series it reads like a novel rather than a novella. I am clearly impressed and look forward to any new storylines this author takes on.

Short and sweet. I am a little bit familiar with the notorious families in this series so I should not be surprised a possible scandal is brewing for Aaron and Griffin. See Aaron's ex-lover was Griffin's sister, Letty's late husband. Once I found about this I was ready for a scandalous read. I truly felt the passion and connection Aaron and Griffin have. They are living in a world where their happiness can never be publicly recognized and it in fact illegal which is so sad. Their relationship may be quite different from the "norm" but that doesn't mean they should have to hide, but unfortunately during this time they do. However, they will still be together no matter what. There may have been resistance but that is futile when it comes to love.

I kept thinking that I need to go back and read through this series definitely starting with Letty's story because I'm sure it will be wicked fun.

I love Regency romance, especially when it's rough and dirty around the edges. This book didn't disappoint in that regard. Griffin and Aaron come together with unrestrained passion cultivated by years of smoldering desire. But Aaron feels guilty for wanting Griffin, who's the brother of his good friend Letty.

Letty and Aaron have a history. Aaron was Letty's late husband's best friend. And his lover. Aaron is still mourning Noah's death and regrets that he couldn't give up Noah, not even after Noah married Letty.

The blurb states that Fascinated "can be read as a standalone story," and for the most part that's true, but I do think readers of this series will get more out of the story. I felt like I was missing integral character development and the background on Letty and her current husband Jack (both of whom are very present in this story).

Indeed, without Letty's well-meaning interference, Aaron and Griffin would have parted ways. Even though I liked Letty, I wish Aaron had found the courage to go after Griffin, who wanted something lasting and true, without feeling like he needed her permission. After all, Letty's been blissfully married to Jack for years; she long ago forgave Aaron, who couldn't forgive himself.

If I read M/F romance, I would be interested in reading the Wicked Woodleys series. I enjoyed Jess Michaels' writing style, and the sexy times did not disappoint. I'm considering buying this series for my mother, who loves regency as much as I do.

Aaron and Griffin were great characters who were left with the promise of a HEA. I just wish this book had been longer so I could have gotten to know them better. I also hope Ms. Michaels writes more M/M in the future. If she wrote an M/M series, I'd be first in line to read it.

I loved it.

This was a nice continuation of the Woodley series.
Both Aaron and Griffin are cautious of a relationship, since it could hurt Griffin's family if the world ever found out. Aaron is a little too cautious though and almost ruins a good thing.
This is a quick read that flows smoothly from beginning to end.