Completely heart wrenching in its beauty. I love angst, but this story gripped my heart in an achingly beautiful way far beyond the simple pull of angst. The love between Mina & Simon is beyond everything. The sheer and utter hopelessness of their situation and the utter devastation of constantly being torn apart is enough to bring you to your knees. The emotions conveyed by Stacy Reid are palpable. Every emotion if felt to the depth of your soul, and your heart can’t help but break for these two star crossed lovers. The way Simon comes alive with Mina’s love is simply breathtaking. He is a force to be reconned with in the political sphere, but even more so in his devotion to this woman. I was moved beyond words at this remarkable story.

Stacy Reid has long been one of my favorite historical romance authors, particularly with her Sinful Wallflowers series, which will forever remain my favorite books written by her. I was excited to see a new book release coming from her, and of course, I joined a book tour for which the review is written. I will say that it was a bit slow-going in the beginning, and while the sexual chemistry was absolutely present, I didn't immediately feel connected to the characters. However, as the story progressed, I became much more invested in their relationship, and I absolutely loved seeing the character development for the hero. He went from being an emotionless earl who has no time for love, to a passionate man who wanted nothing more than to find a way to be with the woman he loved. There is a third act conflict in this book that was particularly irksome, especially as I had become so attached to the hero at this point, and it involved a secret the heroine kept from him. One that, honestly, would normally make me DNF a book. However, by the time it was revealed, I had gotten quite far along in the story, and I needed to see these two get their happily ever after. I knew Stacy Reid could deliver that, and while it was almost too neatly done for my preference, it was given to the reader as only a romance novel can promise.

Miss Mina Crawford blames herself for her family's struggles. In exile on her family's country estate, barely holding on due to lack of funds and no societal standing to help gain them more, she feels guilty and helpless. When her twin brother stupidly challenges an earl to a duel, she knows she can at least help there - disguise herself as her brother and use her expert fencing skills to best the earl, saving her brother from injury. And in doing so, she manages to secure herself employment...with the earl she had intended to deceive. Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, needs a secretary, someone to help him as he researches ways to support his efforts with a bill that would reform voting rights for all people. He has no interest in a romance with Mina, but as they spend more time together, he discovers new temptation that he has never before encountered. Nothing about his attraction to Mina is logical, but nevertheless he is helpless to resist her. But Mina is hiding a secret, and it means she can never marry him. No matter how much she may want to.

Ah, Mina was a brave soul, one I could easily see being friends with! She was so relatable and refreshing, bringing a unique perspective to the story. As a scandalous lady considered on the shelf, she never thought to have a marriage in her future, and so she was daring in ways that most women during that time period could not afford to be. I loved seeing her banter with Simon, and it slowly brought him out of his shell. Instead of seeing things in an emotionless, logical way, he gradually came to adopt the same passion for life that she had. His love for her was so passionate, enough to overcome the walls he had placed in his mind, keeping him from feeling so strongly for another person. He recognized that Mina was the perfect match for him, but he didn't know how to make her see that as well. At first, both were content to keep things as an affair, one with an end date, but it wasn't long before they realized that they couldn't stay apart. Once Mina's secret was revealed, it was even more devastating to see the struggle they put themselves through. Mina thinking she could never have the man she loved...and Simon determined to find a way for them to be together. It was a hard journey for them both, but by the end, I was amazed at the change in Simon, brought to him through Mina's love. Just goes to show that love can do some wondrous things, if only two people are inclined to allow it.

A matter of temptation was good! It immediately had Mulan vibes at the beginning of the book.

There was a huge section that got repeated by 50 pages or so and that made the flow seem a bit off and hard to get back into again. Not sure if it was just my version or what. It was strange how it was several chapters that was repeated. I feel like I'm missing something else from story with those pages.

Mina Crawford is a firecracker but lost her spark after a youthful mistake that left her ruined and hidden away. When she has to clean up a mess made by her brother, she finds just what she needs to fully ignite and shockingly, it is the stuffy Earl of Creswick, Simon Loughton,
These two are quite the pair and compliment each other well. Another sunny Stacy Reid!

Fast-paced and entertaining, this novel took me by surprise as Mina takes control of her twin brother's error of judgment and fights his battle for him. Simon, the Earl of Creswick cannot believe that he has been bested by a mere slip of a girl until he recalls that her late father had the highest admiration for her. The obvious solution to all their problems is to employ her as his secretary, although it would appear that Simon had bitten off more than he could chew in negotiating with her. For a while, things go really well, provided Mina doesn't smile. When his dear Grandmother starts to interfere in his life, things get complicated and unexpected issues arise, bringing discomfort and secrets to light. Refusing to sit back and allow the one woman who challenges him to slip through his fingers, Simon sets out to discover the truth, bringing a really good conclusion to this novel. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely LOVE this book. The story is really sweet and romantic. Full of emotional moments.
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 the Earl of Creswick offers her employment as his secretary, she accepts the offer from the brilliant, ruthless, and infuriating man.
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.
This book spoke to me. It was beautiful and engaging. It´s full of aghast and deeply emotional moments. Mina is a wonderful character. She is strong, resilient and brilliant. It’s impossible for Simon not to fall in love with her. He, on the other hand, is a marvelous man. He fights for the rights of lower classes and women. I loved that he is stiff and cold and so full of himself that it’s insufferable, but you adore him nevertheless. He loves Mina so much and makes every one of her dreams come true, that it’s inevitable to sigh reading this book.
The dialogs between them are smart and witty and there are really great steamy moments.
I adore that he SEES her. And when the time comes, he is prepared to give up everything for her. I highly recommend this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

✨Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC of this fantastic book!✨

How do I know when I really enjoy a book? When I’m still thinking about it days after finishing it!

I’m still not over how incredibly sweet and sexy Simon and Mina were. There was just something about them.

We start off meeting Mina, who is going through a difficult time. Her and her brother are struggling financially and have had to let all but two of their servants go and they need an influx of money to pay all their debts. Mina’s brother has a plan to marry an heiress, but before he goes, he ends up having to fight in a duel.

Mina sneaks off to take his place against his challenger and ends up meeting Simon, Earl of Creswick, who sees through her disguise. Simon is impressed with Mina and decides to hire her as his secretary, since her and her brother need income. Mina takes the job and sparks fly!

To be honest, my summary isn’t at all doing this wonderful book justice. It had just the right amount of angst and longing and tension and humor. It was just balanced so well. It also really kept me engaged.

Simon’s walls were a mile high in the beginning and it was beautiful slowly watching Mina tear them down and work her way into his heart.

Can we also just talk about the heartmelting gestures Simon does?!?!!! Mina decides she hasn’t really lived and she makes a list of things (experiences and food) that she wants to try. When she tells Simon this, he immediately sets out to check off every item on her list. He gets her the exact chocolate she wanted to try and HE BRINGS HER ICE CREAM!!! I was a puddle on the floor. 🥺🥺🥺

Sweet and steamy are the perfect words to describe this book. Also, enjoyable? Memorable? Perfection? Is that enough adjectives?!? 😂🤣

To sum up, what are you doing still reading this review when you could be reading the book?

Go on.

Shoo!

I thought that this was a great read and a rock-solid start for this new series. This couple delivers some mega feels and plenty of emotions as their captivating story unfolds. Mina and Simon were so incredibly easy to love and root for, and love and root for them I did. HARD! If you are looking for a romance that can handily tug on your heartstrings while it, has you simply basking in the swoon, you need look no further because this book is exactly what you are looking for!!

I loved Mina and Simon. These are to strong, smart, talented, loving, and loyal characters. These two are easy to fall in love with and cheer on as they find their HEA. Both characters are well defined and built characters, which I love. Reid did an awesome job of giving us insights into the hero’s thought process and how he dealt with falling in love for the first time. Mina is a gutsy heroine who does what she must to protect those she loves, even if it’s killing her inside. It was fun to watch her inner child come out and in turn how she brought that side out in Simon even a little. The story is easy to read and follow.

I wasn’t fond of Simon’s grandmother and the things she did in the story. Her attitude change was abrupt and not clearly explained. I wanted more of Anthony’s story, give that he was such a huge player in why Mina and Simon met. There was also a note that Simon received before the duel that led me to believe that there would be a mystery in the story, but it really never became anything in the story and I was left wondering why it was included at all. It didn’t serve any story purpose and felt like a false subplot that I was looking forward to exploring but never got.

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

I love reading books written by intelligent women. This is my first whole book by Stacy Reid and it won't be my last! I found her from her excellent novella in the Big Duke Energy Anthology. This story moved me. It made me root for the hero and heroine so hard. I love stories with bold, smart women taking their life into their own hands. I also love guardian protectors and they both ended up in that role; Mina in protecting her brother Anthony and later Simon, and Simon finally getting on the stick and protecting Mina from her past. There is so much to love in this story!

Wilhelmina Crawford, 24 and a twin, her brother is Anthony Viscount Crawford. Their father believed in educating both men and women. Their education included fencing. Their father died shortly after Mina told him about her disaster elopement with her fencing master, Leonard Peretti at seventeen. Because of her scandal she's been living in the country with her brother as they try to keep the estate from bankruptcy. When Anthony comes home saying he is to fight a duel in the morning, their cook drugs him to sleep. Mina takes his place dressed as a man as she's the better fencer. She meets the Earl of Creswick and bests him.

Simon Loughton, Earl Creswick is a genius graduating from college at sixteen. He has dedicated his life to reform in Parliament being a champion for the working man That is his life to the exclusion of everything. He lost his parents in childhood and was taken in by his grandmother. Genius' find they are lacking in some area and he's lacking in the social graces. His grandmother has taken on looking for a wife for him. He sees through Mina's disguise after the duel and finds himself intrigued. He offers her the job he was going to offer her brother, to be his secretary. Women were not employed in that capacity! Mina decides to take a chance to help their finances and give herself something to feed her hungry mind. And so starts the relationship that changes both of them from the inside out.

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

Dreaming of Impossible Things

Stacy Reid explores the boundaries between intellect and love with a steamy romance. Miss Wilhelmina Crawford (Mina) has been ruined by a failed elopement, and with no fortune she has little hope for marriage. When her twin brother initiates a duel he cannot win, Mina takes a chance at changing both their futures.

Whether by bravery or desperation Mina entangles herself with the well know politician Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick. Simon is cold, intelligent, and blunt. His passion is centered on enacting social change for education, and workers’ rights. All his self-control is challenged by Mina’s mischievous smiles, and adventurous spirit. Mina is clever and brazen, and she is not afraid of Simon.

Stacy Reid creates charming characters that complement and challenge each other. Mina takes control of her life in a very admirable manner. She actively defies her miserable situation, and actively works for change. While Simon is content with his well-ordered life, he finds Mina charming and alluring. They both share a passion for political change, and their companionship becomes more than professional relatively fast. Together they bravely try new experiences, and a pleasurable life. Where love is a commitment stronger than reason and control.

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.

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.

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.

I enjoyed reading Mina and Simon’s amazing story in A Matter of Temptation by Stacy Reid. From the start I couldn’t put this book down. The heroine and hero meet when she cunningly takes the place of her twin brother, clad in gentleman’s clothes and her hair hidden, in a duel against the hero. Miss Wilhelmina “Mina” and her twin brother Anthony, Viscount Crawford, have been living in terrible conditions for the past few years. Anthony is desperate for funds. With two outstanding loans, he is turned down for a third loan since the bank has no faith in his future prospects, both in him marrying an heiress or switching from farming to manufacturing. When he attempted to cheat at cards one night, Anthony finds himself facing a duel the next morning with Simon Loughton, Earl of Creswick. Mina knows she’s better at fencing than her brother so she sneaks away to take his place, and meets Simon. After winning the fencing duel, Simon offers “Anthony” a job working with him as he’s quite impressed. However, when he realizes his opponent was a woman, he again offers her the job. Being quite sharp and needing the money, she negotiates an even better deal with him for more pay and to be compensated for occupational hazard; in the chance he might feel tempted to ravish her.

While working as Simon’s secretary, Mina witnesses how passionate Simon is about politics and the social reform he is working towards. Simon is a very blunt, direct, and unapologetic hero who comes off as cold and starchy. He has never experienced such feelings as he does when Mina shows up in his life and falls deeply for her. Mina has a secret; being reckless when she was younger, she is seen as ruined in the eyes of society. She knows there is no possibility for a future with Simon until he shows her all she could have and work towards.

Mina was a strong, fierce heroine and Simon was a man with hidden depths; watching him discover he can feel emotions and own them was amazing. Simon was determined once he fell for Mina to move mountains and not take no for an answer when making her his. Simon may not have been interested in intimacy before Mina, but as a scholar and he proves that a little research can go a long way. The steam in this story was sizzling hot and the chemistry between these two was off the charts. The inclusion of timely politics along with the intellectual conversations and discussions about politics between Simon and Mina added so much to the story. The Married Women’s Property Act of 1870 and the Reform Bill are focused on a lot and I liked how this played into the story.

Ms. Reid wrote an emotional, love story that should not be missed. She provided a tale rich with emotions, sizzling chemistry, secrets, wonderful dialogue, and engaging characters giving Simon and Mina a chance to have a forever love. I highly recommend A Matter of Temptation to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I had so much fun reading this one. I don't think there's a Stacy Reid book that I ended up not liking 🤔 She's one of my recent fave HR authors that I've discovered in the last few years. I'd been reading a string of fantasy romance books back to back, and this one was a nice treat to break that up 😆 ⁣
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In this book, we have Mina Crawford, who ends up disguising herself as her twin brother to duel with the Earl of Creswick - Simon. She bests him but he quickly discovers that she's a woman - and admires her for it. ⁣
There's nothing too sinister, he just wanted to correct Mina's brother and teach him a few things. While Mina and her brother, Anthony have quite a few problems - debt and many other things - they have each other's backs too. And Simon, who's admired(and hated) by many in the political field, ends up hiring Mina as a secretary while he works to bring about certain social reforms.⁣
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Mina and Simon were a great pair and I loved how their relationship slowly developed! She made a mistake a few years back and is now 'ruined' according to society, but that doesn't stop her from doing the things that she wants to do now. And though Simon is focused and strait-laced, he's not an unfeeling robot. He's such a softie inside 😂 I love watching these two discover things about each other that they didn't show to everyone else easily! There's a lot of witty banter between that made me smile(though Mina wasn't allowed to 🤣). I don't think I need to say much about the steam, it was amazing as always! There's also a little bit of angst due to Mina's secret and Simon's work, but it was handled well. I just don't know what happened to those threats against Simon? It just faded to the background in the latter half.⁣
Anyway, this was a lovely historical romance with a swoon-worthy relationship that you'd definitely enjoy reading!

This was a truly delightful book. The hero, Simon, Earl of Cheswick, is a brilliant reformer who keeps his feelings in check. When he is challenged to a duel by Anthony Crawford a young Viscount who was cheating at cards, Simon accepts just to teach him a lesson. Lucky for Anthony, his twin sister Wilhelmina (Mina) is an expert fencer. She dresses like a man and sneaks out to go in her brother's place. When she wins the duel, the Earl recognizes that he was bested by a woman and offers her a job as his secretary
He is attracted to her brain as well as her beauty. Rather than flirting, they enjoy interesting conversations and she is almost as well educated as he is. Both are interested in reforming the system to help the working poor.. While he must marry, she is not a viable candidate yet the attraction cannot be stopped.
While he is willing to give up everything for her she refuses to let him ruin his reputation and career knowing that the country needs him more that she does.
It is wonderful to see a story where a woman's mind is as attractive to a man as her body. When the Happily Ever After comes is it definitely worth the wait.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Wow what a beautiful story and for me Mina Crawford and Simon the Earl of Creswick was just wonderful and amazing from the start. They were endgame no matter what problems laid ahead of them.
Stacy Reid is such a wonderful author and she almost always manages to draw you into her stories and characters in a beautiful way and this was definitely no miss. I loved every second of the story and the romance.

Mina is a character who knows that no matter what she is ruined by the ton, they have no money and the brother is all that she has left. If she looses her brother she has nothing and no one left to care for so she does everything to keep them both safe. But when her brother comes home one night after a night of gambling and has managed to insult the Earl of Creswick into a duel she knows what she has to do and the adventure and romance starts.

I truly loved Mina because she was so resilient and made no excuse for who she was. You just had to take her for who she was or leave her alone. And I could understand why Simon, The Earl of Creswick was so enamored by her and her efforts to keep her brother safe. She is also very stubborn and knows that she can never marry because of the level of ruined she is no matter how bad Simon wants her for his wife.
Simon is just everything a beautiful being. Even though he is a total grump and nothing captures his interest until Mina comes along. He fights for the underdogs in society, the workers, the poor people and women. And he doesn’t give up until he sees results. That is how he fights for Mina too. He never gives up on her or them as endgame. I love him so much.

I actually have nothing bad to say about this book. All the drama and conflicts was resolved in the right ways and the HEA was beautiful.
So I can definitely recommend this book.

I got this arc from Entangled publishing and Netgalley. This is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.

I love books with strong h’s and this one was no exception! Mina fought a duel, in her brother’s stead, against the Earl of Cheswick. And she won! These scenarios where Mina is shown as a strong and capable woman, yet also not afraid to show softer emotions, were a great twinning to the political fights that were fought in Parliament over social justice and reform for both the working class and women in Victorian England. And that Simon was one of the main players for this fight was satisfying. I loved how Mina and Simon’s relationship developed especially since Simon fully supported Mina’s desire to live her life out from under society’s strict rule and expectation on women. The slow burn was delicious, their banter was hilarious, and the sexy times were potent. I was a little shocked on how Mina was so wanton given that she was a virgin and in fact had not even known self-pleasure. But Simon approved! I wasn’t quite sure how Mina’s secret was going to be resolved, but it was in a satisfactory manner. I loved the epilogue. I am putting this author on my auto-click list!

I am always a fan of Stacy Reid's romances, and this was no exception. My favorite part might be how the two main characters meet at the beginning of the story, as it sets the stage for the relationship that develops between Mina and the Earl of Creswick, and holds all the emotion that I've come to expect as well as the development of mutual respect that I found refreshing with a dash of humor. One thing I found that was more unique to this book was the discussion of the political climate of the times, which gave it a more somber tone for me then other books by Stacy Reid, but the inclusion of these historical facts fit well with the manner and personalities of the lead characters and gave depth to their lives. This is a wonderful book that I encourage readers to enjoy!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by the publisher for my voluntary and honest review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was clever, sexy and held my interest. I wanted to find out what would happen. I enjoyed this book and would read other books by this author.

When Miss Wilhelmina "Mina" Crawford finds herself working as a secretary for
Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick, she will need to fight the temptation that he poses. Mina is desperate to help her brother restore the family finances whilst Simon needs help if he is to finally pass the reform bill he's been championing for years and secure the vote for England's most vulnerable constituents. Yet the more time they spend together, the easier it is to give in to temptation.
Mina is a strong woman who throws everything into all that she does, which makes her such an interesting character. Simon may seem quite aloof to others but with Mina, he can be himself and I loved seeing him do all that he could to be with Mina, despite her past. The intensity and heartbreak outlined in this book makes for another great read from Stacey Reid.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.