Jonathan Parrish, the Earl of Melrose, is the darling of the ton and everyone expects him to offer for the belle of the Season, Lady Christine, but when he encounters a mysterious lady in the library his life changes. He was so drunk that he neglected to get the lady's name or to remember anything at all about her except her kiss was seared into his heart. Emmeline Templeton only went to the library to retrieve a book, but when Melrose appears suddenly and kisses her, he stirs her passion like no other. The Templeton name is already tainted with scandal and Emmeline doesn't want to bring another scandal down on her family name, but she can't stopped thinking about the Earl of Melrose.

This is a sweet novella about the consequences of being the subject of the ton gossip and how one slight indiscretion can change the direction of your life. All it takes is one mean girl, namely Lady Christine who is bent on ruining the Templeton sisters once again. Emmeline was an intriguing character who at first did not own up to the fact that she was the lady in the library. When the vicious gossip lands on her sister Juliet, she must give up any dream of having the earl for her own. She's so honorable, but what she doesn't realize is that Melrose was just as enamored with her as she was with him and he's not about to let her run away. The author does a good job fleshing out the secondary characters as well. Can't wait to read book 2 to find out if Juliet captures Lord Cross's heart.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a botanist spinster in any book at all, and Emmeline Templeton is no exception. She's fascinated with roses and content to stay at home cultivating her father's rose garden and ignoring the gossip in London that taints her family.

But she accompanies her sister to London, ostensibly to help improve their fortunes by giving her sister a change to meet a rich and titled bridegroom. After a steamy interlude with Lord Melrose in a library though, she may be responsible for bringing more scandal to her family name.

In the meantime, the tonne and Lord Melrose, speculate on who the enticing lady was. Lord Melrose is especially keen to meet her, bowled over by their brief passionate encounter.

It's all very thrilling and romantic and swoony. My only complaint is that it was over too quickly and now I have to wait for the next Templeton sisters book. I hate waiting!!!

Loved this book and cannot wait to read more in the series. All of the charm that I have come to expect for Anna Bradley’s books.

A lady hidden in the shadows…
It’s never been easy to be one of the five Templeton sisters, but for quiet Emmeline, the silver lining surrounding the dark cloud of her family’s disgrace is a life of comfortable obscurity. But when her sisters accept an outrageous wager that takes the family to London for a season, an unexpected kiss with a handsome earl thrusts shy Emmeline into the middle of a shocking public scandal.

A dazzling earl with the ton at his feet…
Jonathan Parrish, the Earl of Melrose never meant to kiss Emmeline Templeton. It was an innocent case of mistaken identity, a stolen embrace meant for one of his vivacious admirers. Emmeline Templeton is perfectly wrong for him, and he’s never before spared the shy wallflower a single glance, but after a single kiss the memory of her warm curves are imprinted forever on Jonathan’s fingertips, and he can’t forget the sweet taste of her lips against his.

Anna Bradley writes terrific historical romance. :) Loved her since her first romance series (the Sutherlands) and this one is just as wonderful. I love Emmeline especially. Jonathan is the perfect guy for her even though it may not look like it on paper. I love their chemistry and how well they are together. Finished it in one day.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Emmeline Templeton doesn't care for ton gossip, and has spent the years since her mother's scandal hiding at her father's country estate trying to cultivate the elusive scent her father created before he passed. She takes a wager to go to London in the hopes of finding the elusive rose needed for her perfume, but instead of the rose she finds Lord Melrose. Jonathan and Emmaline have a chance encounter in a darkened library that leads to both finding their lives instantly changed.

I'm an Anna Bradley stan, we all know that. I absolutely love all her books, but I'm glad she is going back to her romance roots. While I enjoyed her last series, I'm always waiting for another book of hers to touch me like A Wicked Way to Win an Earl did, and I think that could happen in this series. This was a short and sweet read full of romance. Emmaline and Jonathan were a great match for each other, and I loved their push and pull with each other. SO many sweet moments and wonderful lines. Lots of highlighted lines in my Kindle because Anna is such a wonderful storyteller. I know this is going to be a series, and I'm already itching for Cross and Juliet. I'll be over here impatiently waiting for it.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Miss Emmeline Templeton and her sisters live in comfortable obscurity after a scandal rocked their family, but a wager with a family friend brings her to London for the season. Jonathan Parrish, Earl of Melrose, is trying to avoid a betrothal that the ton expects is forthcoming. When he sneaks off for a rendezvous with widow, he never expects that an innocent case of mistaken identity would land him and his "Lady in Lavender" on the tip of every gossip's tongue!

This is the first book in the Games Earls Play series and it has a bit of a Cinderella spin with Melrose searching for his mystery kissing partner. Emmeline thinks she is perfectly wrong for him, and hopes to keep her identity under wraps. But as the gossip and rumors continue to grow, Melrose and Emmeline find themselves more and more attracted to each other. This story was short and sweet...just lacking some heat! It was well told and perfectly paced. I can't wait for Juliet's story next!

Tropes: Bluestocking, Mistaken Identity, Compromised

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #NotJustAnyEarl #NetGalley