I loved the premise of this romance, Rake gets left with the baby between him and his mistress, finds heroine and hires her to be nanny to said baby. Oh AND, he's going to tell everyone they're married.

This was a very sweet read, with great characters, and I truly loved Clarissa. She was a wonderful heroine and her love for baby Dora was heartwarming.

I also loved the conflict added towards the end, it suited the story so well.

I would have liked a bit more tension and passion in the romance, but overall a very sweet read.

His Lessons on Love is the third (and I believe the last) book in Cathy Maxwell's delightful series A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women. I hate to see it end! I missed the first book, but the romance in each stands alone. The books are all related, but you won't be lost. This sparkling Regency romance was sweet with a bit of spice, with extremely engaging characters.

The Earl of Marsden, known to just about everyone as Mars, is living the life of a dissolute bachelor. He drinks most nights, changes mistresses and occasionally hits the opium pipe. Things change, however, when his ex-mistress Deb drops by to leave him something - a baby girl. More particularly, HIS baby girl! He won't farm his offspring out to someone else to raise, but what does he know about babies? He brings Dora (actually, her name is Menadora, but that's just cruel) to see the Matrons of Maidenshop; surely they could help. There he sees Clarissa Taylor, possibly Mars's biggest critic and a matron-in-training. She was abandoned herself when she was a child, and she seems to know what she's doing with the baby, so why not have Clarissa help him? She's always had to depend on others in the village and feels they pity her, so she decides to take up Mars on the offer to earn her own way. But then scandal comes a-courting, and Mars suggests they marry to avoid it. How can two people who mix like water and oil make a go of it?

This was a great opposites-attract romance. I absolutely adored Mars! All Mars wanted in life was revenge against Lord Dervil, the man his mother had an affair with and who killed his father in a duel. Well, his other want was to be left alone by the hateful mother he despised. What he wasn't expecting was to be faced with becoming a father to a daughter he didn't even know he had! He knew nothing about children, which was extremely apparent when he took Dora to the matrons to seek help, and they noticed he was carrying the baby bundled in a blanket upside down. When he held his daughter, however, he seemed to transform into another person...a good man. It took me a bit to warm up to Clarissa, who was very critical of Mars; she still held a grudge against him for laughing at her when she was a child. However, her behavior could be explained by her past, growing up without a mother and knowing nothing about her roots. The matrons convinced a friend of Mar's to marry her, but he fell in love with someone else, so she was left beholden to others to take of her. Taking care of Dora would give her funds to be independent, so she took his offer. They felt compelled to marry when they realized there would be a scandal surrounding Dora, and the child didn't deserve that. We watched their contentious relationship turn to friendship, then something more. A dark cloud still hung over them, however: Mars's determination to get revenge against Lord Dervil. I don't want to say more about the plot, lest I ruin it for you! Suffice it to say, it was satisfying. I must give props to this author for her portrayal of little Dora. I'm not a baby person, but I totally loved her. Her personality was brought delightfully to life! I'm going to miss the inhabitants of Maidenshop, but I'm looking forward to what Ms. Maxwell will come up with for us next!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

His Lessons on Love by, Cathy Maxwell. Oh I so loved this story. I enjoyed every bit of the book. The writer did a great job with enticing me with Mars and Clarissas love story. The single dad. The unemployed beauty.
They Chance meet, then the chaos soon begins that ends with a passionate love affair. Yes, this is what I loved about the book. The story was very entertaining and exciting. Mars and Clarissas flirtatious ways was funny, but at other times saucy. The battle between whit and will with Mars and his nemesis was entertaining indeed.
The story is an awesome page turner that is easy to read. Some of the wording I thought that the book could do without, such as the flamboyant words. Keeping the words simple helps the book move along easily for the reader and also keeps them drawn into the book. The romance was charming and sweet. The relationship between Mars and his daughter, Dora was worth reading in the story.

This had so much potential and sadly fell short for me. I didnt like how quickly they got married. I was hoping for some build up of enemies to lovers with the baby troupe. DNF at 42%.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off strong and kept me guessing in the first half of the story. I loved Clarissa who was kind and good and incredibly lost and definitely hurt from being abandoned as a child. Mars is an absolutely wonderful surprise in the beginning of the book but for most of the last half he is hard headed and I wanted to yell at him! Of course, he was also traumatized as a child so it is understandable. I loved the friendships he had, I wish there had been more of that because I thought it showed more of his humanity. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!!!

Once again Cathy Maxwell gives us another masterpiece!!! Not only is this book filled with classic Maxwell angst, but it's funny, witty, and passionate!!! Add in a spinster who is determined not to be what everyone assumes she should be (my favorite kind of spinster!) And an Earl who is given a baby-yep that's right this book has a semi-secret baby trope in it!! This is a must-read for any romance reader who needs something little to shake things up a little!!

The Earl of Marsden got a life changing surprise just as Miss Clarissa Taylor’s life led her back to Maidenshop in “His Lessons on Love” by Cathy Maxwell, third book of the Logical Man’s Guide for Dangerous Women series. Mars has no clue what to do with his surprise and how to handle it. Clarissa smashed some fingers and she is no longer a paid companion. What do you do when you need help?? You seek the town matrons. The solution to an overwhelmed Mars and an unemployed Clarissa, obviously, is for Mars to hire her and Mrs. Warbler. However, his new employees quickly became his family when his estranged mother shows up. The ruse will either be a disaster, miraculously turn into love, or a blend of both!

I have been waiting for this book since book one. The hostility between Clarissa and Mars was palpable and entertaining since then. I expected both to end up together, however, I did not expect how they did and I loved it! One of my favorite parts about fake relationships are the rules/terms that changes after trying not to find each other desirable. Plus, Mars finally has a purpose in life that Clarissa said he needed in book two, well, multiple purposes.

Later, finding out the secrets the matrons felt regarding the two main characters and Clarissa’s parentage was sweet and bitter sweet, respectively. If you like to cry when reading, make sure you have tissue close by.

The Logical Man’s Society evolved and the Three Bucks’ plans were amazing. I want to live in Maidenshop!

If you go wild for enemies to lovers, fake relationships, duels, questionable parentage, and found family then this book is for you! Maxwell packs so much in her books yet it flows so well that I was usually speechless after each book of this series. She is a must read in general!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon, and Harper Voyager US for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

His Lessons on Love
A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women Novel
by Cathy Maxwell

I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by the author. If you are new to her as well my first impressions were to be reminded of Tessa Dares Spindle cove series. Our primary location is a smaller tight knit village community. Our primary women are intelligent, witty and relatable. Our hero is an adorable man child who comes into circumstances that require and inspire him to grow up and fulfill his potential. The transformative power of love with a makeover of his character and her wardrobe is always entertaining to me.

This story hooked me from the first page and I finished in less than 24 hours losing some sleep and requiring the use of text to speech. I couldn’t put it down. Point of view alternates between hero and heroine which I always love getting the inner thoughts and turmoil and begrudging admiration and attraction that develops in enemies to lovers stories. They’re not really enemies; they just irritate one another in a way reminiscent of The Hating Game.

However, their lives are each beset with major drama in the first two chapters that draws them together and they learn to trust and rely on one another and the stakes only ratchet up from there. There are so many sweet moments. There are laugh out loud moments. There is the mystery of who her parents are and the high drama of not one but two duels.

Trigger warnings - parent death and disengaged/uncaring parent/abandonment.

While this is steamy and open door it’s not overwhelmingly so. So if that’s not your cup of tea this is more of a plot heavy romance and I believe you could skim a few parts and still enjoy it.

Now I’m off to go research Ms Maxwells backlist. 5/5 for me.

Overall, a very fun and enjoyable read! Mars and Clarissa are so sweet together, along with little Dora of course. An inventive and interesting forced marriage, enemies-to-lovers story with unique twists and turns throughout. I look forward to the next book in the series!

The Earl of Marsden, Mars to those who know him, has spent the last ten years of his life rather at loose ends and bent on revenge. When a former mistress presents him with a baby girl she claims is his daughter, Mars is completely willing to accept this new responsibility, but he has no idea how to care for a baby.

Desperate, Mars turns to the matrons of his village for help, despite his general disdain for their meddling ways. What he gets is Clarissa Taylor, an orphaned spinster who has become the village’s special project and who has always been especially critical of him. But she knows her way around babies and Mars needs help, so he quickly installs her as nurse to his daughter.

Clarissa is sick of being an object of pity in the village and doesn’t want to be beholden to anyone anymore. If that means tolerating Mars to earn the generous wage he’s willing to pay, so be it. Everything seems to be going to plan until a potential scandal emerges and she finds herself set to marry the man she despises above all others. Of course, hate and love are two sides of the same coin and the chemistry between Clarissa and Mars means they’re both going to be learning that lesson very quickly.

I have been looking forward to this redemption story since Mars was first introduced as a character. For that reason, I was just a little bit disappointed that much of his actual behavioral changes occurred very quickly and/or off page. That said, he underwent so much growth of character in his emotionality and thought processes that it still felt like a strong redemption story. I struggled to like Clarissa much of the time just because she was so sanctimonious and judgmental, even if she was often right about Mars and his wrongheadedness, she had also grossly misjudged him on a lot of things and held a grudge against him for childhood behaviors. The hate to love sort of chemistry Mars and Clarissa had was undeniable, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more steam between them after such a slow burn. Thankfully, Clarissa did also show a good amount of character development as she came to the realization that she wasn’t always right and that she had been quite judgmental and sought to improve that behavior. Once she abandoned her self-righteousness, stopped thinking that everyone was trying to play games with her, and recognized that Mars was actually a good man in need of some care and guidance, things improved. All in all, I appreciated the character development we got here and, though I would’ve liked to see Mars’ mother put in her place one good time, I enjoyed this redemption story and I think it may be the strongest of the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed reading the latest book by one of my favorite authors. Ms Maxwell writes suburb historical romance that leaves the reader wanting more. The characters were real with thoughts and feelings of their own. Even though this is in a series, it can be read as a stand alone.
The Earl of Marsden who is called Mars by his friends finds trouble comes in different sizes. His ex-mistress showers him with his offspring who is crimping her life. The little baby has caused the woman her sanity and well, it's Mars turn now. (Off to the wild blue goes the woman and good riddance I say). Now a man who knows nothing of babes goes for help to the village spinster by the name of Clarissa Taylor.
Clarissa was once a foundling and she know how it feels to be the odd one out. She will help for a price and Mars knows that he will beholden to this woman. Clarissa would benefit and become self sufficient. But when a scandal is immanent, she finds herself going to the one man who can help her out. Marriage is the only way, but will these two people figure it's a long and lasting love?
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

Cathy Maxwell hits another solid home run for me with her newest release His Lessons on Love. This book is the third in her series The Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women and it releases January 25th, 2022. I have not read the first two books in the series, however this book can be read as a standalone. I will be going back and reading the others! A quick thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a historical romance with a baby present right out of the gate, but baby Dora is such a sweet, happy presence throughout the book. I love how Maxwell describes her facial expressions and her temperament, it added a lovely depth to the story. The conflict between our characters is a bit enemies to lovers, but it flows pretty naturally. It was a lovely romance overall.

Both our hero and heroine, Mars and Clarissa, are instantly lovable from the get-go. Their relationship builds slowly and sweetly, and I came to love Mars even more as the book went on. There are some gentle twists and turns and the plot unfolds quickly, making it a quick and engaging read. I did take issue with the general treatment of Dora’s biological mother by Maxwell – I personally do not enjoy when authors use such black and white “bad” behavior when describing a character, and wish there was some more nuance or respect shown for this character. However overall, the side cast was lovely and a nice addition to the story. Overall, totally enjoyed and will continue to read whatever Cathy Maxwell writes!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. What follows is my honest review.

His Lessons on Love is a solid historical romance with no significant issues, but no real standout qualities either. This is the third book in the A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, I think you might miss out on some key interactions between the hero and heroine that help establish them as “enemies,” since they move quickly from enemies to lovers in the novel. Still, I didn’t read the prior two books in the series and didn’t feel lost except for a moment in the epilogue that refers a scene that must’ve taken place in a prior book (based on summaries, I think book two in the series).

My biggest issue with this book is that I feel the relationship between the characters progresses too quickly. Again, this might be because I haven’t read the prior books in the series and missed important interactions between the protagonists. But for a book that is meant to be enemies (or frenemies) to lovers, I felt this book pivoted away from enemies so early on in the story that it missed out on an opportunity for more interesting character development.

Still, I enjoyed the story and stayed up until 2 AM to finish it. I may not think this book has high re-readability, but I’d still recommend it for historical romance readers looking for more enemies-to-lovers stories and for fans of reformed rakes. Also, if you are looking for romances with doting fathers, this is definitely the book for you. One of Mars’s best qualities is his love for his daughter.

4 stars (release day 1/25/22)

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a cute, fun historical fiction romance set in 1815 England. The Earl of Marsdan (Mars) has lived a life of irresponsibility, doing things his own way without a care as to what others think of him. That is, until his last mistress drops off a baby girl -his baby girl - and leaves. Immediately smitten with the child and determined to protect her at all costs, he seeks help from the town matrons.

Clarissa is an orphan and has been pitied by the village her whole life. She's determined not to be beholden to anyone anymore, but thus far her efforts to be independent have failed. So when the arrogant, intolerable Earl of Marsdan offers her a job as a nurse to his infant daughter, she reluctantly agrees. But when a crisis occurs she suddenly finds herself married to the Earl, and stepmother to his daughter. But before Clarissa says "I do", she has conditions, and one of them includes no intimacy. But the couple soon discovers that is easier said than done, and despite neither of them having any experience in loving someone, or being loved, true feelings begin to stir.

I really enjoyed this book. It's book three in a series, but you can read it as a stand alone. I haven't read the first two books but didn't feel like I missed out on anything because of it. There was enough information in the book to let me know what happened to put things in context. I liked Clarissa and Mars. The characters were well developed and had great chemistry. They grew during the story and their relationship slowly developed into a deep connection. The supporting characters added depth to the story that even I could appreciate despite not reading the other books. There is a little spice in this book, and a lot of warm fuzzy feelings. I highly recommend you read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.

The Earl of Marsden (better known as Mars, which is one of the more delightful romance novel names I’ve seen as of late) has an issue with women. Mainly in that he only has use of them as mistresses, and otherwise can’t be bothered. This comes back to bite him when his former mistress dumps their baby daughter off at his place. With no use for Menadora (which he quickly shortens to Dora, but again, delightful names here) she is off to entertain her newest lover, and Mars is now a single father.

With all the best intentions of raising his child, he quickly runs into old nemesis in need of a job, Clarissa Taylor. Although she dislikes Mars, Clarissa needs the money, and as a former foundling herself has a soft spot for Dora. No sooner has she agreed to work in Mars’s home and help raise the infant, however, than Mars has a better idea. Let’s get married! Married for the baby! Chastely married, with no intentions of the marriage becoming anything else!

This one is really, really cute. I do not normally like children, in books or otherwise, but Dora is a super cute book baby, and Mars’s attempts to be a good father endeared him to me pretty quickly. He’s one of those flop heroes–handsome, a bit oversexed (though he could have been…. more so…) and kind of useless, but charming in that sense. Clarissa’s initial spars with him were super fun, and I honestly could’ve used more of them–it did feel like she fell a bit too hard a bit too quickly, though who among us has not become dickmatized by a handsome, rich earl with a cute baby?

There’s actually a good bit of plot going on here. You have the baby plot, which leads into the marriage of convenience plot, and the mystery of Clarissa’s backstory, and Mars’s issues with his mother, and Mars’s issues with the guy who was boning his mother, and… I’m not really complaining. A lot of the recent historical romance release I’ve read have been a bit lacking in terms of plot, and you really can’t fault Maxwell there.

I think the issue we eventually ran into was something of an Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sheffield situation. The guy had valid emotional trauma, which got in the way of him loving–and I support that. I love a man who doesn’t know how to love. The issue is that the heroine really doesn’t have much of a problem. She doesn’t put up a big fight, she doesn’t have a lot of her own baggage. She’s just kind of like “okay, I will try to Fix You ™”. And I know that a lot of people enjoy that trope, and they will enjoy it here, I just feel like Maxwell could have made Clarissa. bit more of a pain in the ass to match how much of a pain Mars was being for her.

Overall, however, it’s a fun (and funny!) romp that I would recommend if you’re in the mood for something light, a little sexy, and full of soapiness.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for a review.

This is such a charming and delightful romance. Cathy Maxwell's writing has a comforting ease to it that is soft and easily accessible. This romance is well paced and a perfect addition to the A Logical Men's Guide to Dangerous Women. Maxwell has been teasing this couple from the start and their romance was really beautiful. This is definitely my favorite in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, having the background of the other two novels in this series helps to give their romance and their friendships more gravity.

Mars, is an earl, and over the last few novels we have seen him as a drunk lush with no goals or path in life, of course there are much deeper elements to his character that are waiting to boil over. At the start of this novel his is presented with a daughter who he was unaware of, but a past mistress. This is the catalyst that begins Mars journey to change. Mars wanting to provide his daughter with love and comfort hires Clarissa, and orphan who has been pitied and adopted by the village they live in from her birth. Clarissa has always felt a little on the outside, not knowing her past she has felt lost in what her future should be. But from the moment that Clarissa meets Mars' daughter Dora, her heart is claimed and she will do anything to protect and love this sweet baby.

I found this novel to really be a beautiful exploration and growth between two people. Mars has been trapped in the past and consumed with vengeance, and it order to get out of his spiral he needs something to fight for. When Mars is confronted with a baby who needs him to provide, he quietly steps up to the task and finds ways to establish a welcome, safe and loving environment for his daughter, something that he did not have in his youth. Clarissa is also at a cross roads in her life, she has recently had a failed engagement and now she is returning but to the village after a failed job as a lady's companion. I love that Mars' daughter becomes the motivation that both Clarissa and Mars need to learn. and establish what comes next in their lives.

Mars and Clarissa move swiftly from a working relationship to a marriage of convenience. And as their relationship changes and grows we really see a new side of Mars and get to understand him and his relationship to Clarissa on a much deeper level. I love that both Mars and Clarissa love Dora with such and unconditional strength. I love that their love for Dora helps them to open themselves up to understanding the other. And I love that they learn to love and respect each other for who they are and do this with their own free will. While Dora might have opened their minds and hearts, they both learn to love and trust the other on their own. Clarissa and Mars have a really sweet romance and I found it to have a really lovely level of sensuality, the steam level is moderate which is exactly what I would expect from this novel and it is beautifully done and shows the reader the trust and respect that these two have established.

I definitely recommend this novel, it is a perfect addition (and I believe) end to this small town romance series. Maxwell creates wonderful characters who we have grown to love throughout the books, the setting is absolutely charming and this much anticipated romance is exactly what I could hope for.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

Lawrence “Mars” Eddington, the Earl of Marsden is the last bachelor of the Three Bucks and the only remaining member of the Logical Men’s Society, which is just fine by him. In his experience, women can’t be trusted, and loving them only leads to pain. A fact that still haunts him when he recalls this father’s love for this wife and the duel that ended his life when he was shot by one of her lovers. Mars still hungers for revenge against Lord Dervil, the man who killed his father, and swears that one day he will get justice. But when a former mistress invades his home and leaves him with a baby – his baby – his plans for vengeance will have to be shelved for the time being.

But his plans are not the only ones that met with an unexpected twist, Miss Clarissa Taylor is also back in Maidenshop after she was terminated from the companion's job the matrons found for her. She has no idea what she is going to do, but as luck would have it – Mars needs a nursemaid and the matrons decide that Clarissa is the perfect person for the job. This would be the perfect solution if Clarissa and Mars didn’t dislike each other – but with no other options, Clarissa accepts. But what begins as a job, turns into a lifetime commitment when his mother appears and Mars claims they are married and the baby is theirs. And once his mother explains her reason for visiting, Mars sees a way to care for his child and get his revenge – he just needs to convince Clarissa to actually marry him.

This was a great addition to the series and after the sacrifices Clarissa made in the previous book, I was thrilled that she was getting a chance at HEA. This book is well-written, nicely-paced, and surprised me more than once. It is filled with witty banter, leads that have both suffered and have much more in common than either wants to admit, an adorable baby, surprise revelations, steamyish love scenes, cameos from previous characters, duels, more surprises, and finally a HEA that was just perfect for this story. This is the third book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title, but all three books are great, so for the best experience, do yourself a favor and read the books in order. I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend not only this title but the entire series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Searching for a regency enemies to lovers with an amazing story and wonderful characters? Then look no further. This book was a joy to read and the couple at the heart of it is just brilliant to meet. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read romance.

An Earl bent on Revenge is Shown that Life is Much Better When Focusing on Love.

His Lessons on Love by Cathy Maxwell is the third book in the “A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women” and although I have not read any other books in the series, I was able to enjoy this book.

This story features an Earl who is floundering through his life, he is really good at being bad and enjoys drinking, gambling, many women, and he is obsessed with revenge. Then one day he gets a huge wake-up call and his savior is a woman who he doesn’t get along with, a woman who doesn’t want to jump in bed with him, and the very woman who will make him realize it’s ok to love.

These two start out as enemies and quickly move into a fake relationship which then transitions to a marriage of convenience. They move very quickly through these stages so there isn’t a lot of wooing, romance, chemistry, or feelings—I actually would have liked their “courtship” to have been explored more, I believe the characters would have had more time for growth.

Overall it’s a good story, easy to read, smooth plot, fun characters—it just lacked a little passion & emotion ~ 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 3 Flames 🔥🔥🔥

Lawrence Grant Talmadge Edington (Mars), the Earl of Marsden finds himself with a child that is his from his former mistress. He needs someone on to help him take care of the baby he won't abanded her like her mother has. Clarissa Taylor, when she was baby was dropped off at the preacher and wife's, lived in the village. The earl know of Clarissa and knew she need a job he need help taking care of his daughter. They decided to have a marriage of convenience. They find out that the Earl's enemy who killed his father is Glarissa's father. This is a great book.