The Marquess and Marchioness of Egerton (Elliot and Merritt) have spent ten happy years together. Elliot understands Merritt perfectly and sees to her every need, helping her explore her sexuality to the point that they're perfectly in sync. But for her birthday, he's going to take a week to satisfy her greatest fantasy--being in bed with him and another man. And the other man isn't just anyone: it's Peter Reid, the playwright Merritt was in love with before her father separated them and forced her to marry Elliot. And Elliot? Just happens to be Peter's patron, having known for years--unbeknownst to Merritt or Peter--that the man was his wife's first love.

This was just... a lot. Yes, it's a quick read, and yes, there is a lot of sex--but I don't think Jess Michaels ever sacrificed character development. The sex is character development here. The plot is--are we a love triangle, or can we all love each other together?

The dynamics are fascinating. Peter and Merritt were separated before they could consummate their relationship, while Elliot and Merritt know each other's appetites perfectly. Peter and Merritt are in many ways better-suited for each other, both of them open and expressive both physically and verbally, while Elliot is more dominant and emotionally withholding, expressing his feelings through actions rather than words. And that's really... the conflict. Elliot is feeling a lot of things throughout this novel--jealousy, desire, loneliness. But he can't fucking say it. He hasn't even told Merritt he loves her in a decade of happy marriage.

It's compelling stuff, and I think it takes the book a lot deeper. This does have hot mmf sex scenes, yes... But it's also about the emotional complexities that can and do come with a triad, especially when the triad has the kind of complex history that Elliott, Merritt, and Peter do.

Quick Takes:
--The sex... is really hot. And varied. It's explorative! It's a part of how these three people express their love for each other. Just. A+.

--Elliot.... Look man, Peter and Merritt are great and I really enjoyed them, but Elliot is the emotional centerpiece of this book for me. A marquess who's clearly traumatized by his rigid (homophobic) upbringing and, even after he comes to terms with his bisexuality, does not! Know! How to tell both the man he's recently fallen for and the wife he's loved for years that he loves them! Ugh, my heart. He's also a bit aggressive, and that... works. A lot.

--The climax (ha ha ha) of the novel reminds me a lot of the big final gesture in Professor Marsten and the Wonder Women. If you've seen that movie, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't--trust me, that's a good thing.

--In fact, the entire, like VIBE of the conflict between the three is a lot like a gender-flipped version of that movie. Elliot is, more than coming to terms with his sexuality, coming to terms with not only sharing Merritt, but sharing her with someone who accesses a part of her that isn't really connected to him... and sharing her with someone he is also falling in love with, who accesses a part of him that Merritt can't really connect to. It's delicious.

--I do think the whole thing could've been a bit longer, largely because I love these characters and would like to see them explored more (especially Merritt and Peter) but this totally works at the length it is.

If you're looking for a menage historical romance that actually delves into some of the complexities that surround a triad relationship, this is the one for you. I'm excited to see what Jess Michaels does next with this concept.

Thanks to Jess Michaels and Netgalley for providing me this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

So, I’m seeing a lot of “this isn’t like the usual Jess Michaels books” and it’s not. And that’s FINE. We still have her wonderful, engaging writing, but with the MMF twist. I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I encourage you to TRY reading this before you discount it. The novella is good and you’re going to love the characters. And Jess’s writing is always engaging. Plus, as always, she gives you characters that you’ll like and want to know more about.

I am relatively new to romance, I’ve just been reading for a few years, but early on, I wandered upon some MMF books via Kate Pearce and Samantha Kane. These books ended up being favorites. So I was delighted to hear that Jess was moving into that genre for this series. I am a boring 50 year old woman who probably wouldn’t have searched out the MMF genre, but I am glad I found it. It’s a different kind of love triangle, with tensions that are unique to bisexual/polyamorous romance in a historical setting.

Okay, so let’s get into Their Marchioness (no spoilers here; you’ll find all this info on the NetGalley or Amazon pages, or Jess’s site). So here we’ve got Elliot (the Marquess of Egerton); his wife, Merritt (the Marchioness of the title); and her first love, Peter. It’s her 30th birthday and, after 10 years, Elliot wants to give his wife a special present—Peter. See, E and M had an arranged marriage, and they get along great in the bedroom, have several kids, and seem really happy. But he’s learned about Peter and wants to gift his wife a week with her “one true love.” So they all get together (and it’s hot, really, really hot). Sure, Merritt is down for the MFM aspect, but what about the guys? They’re clearly interested, but will be take the leap? And is this going to be a one-week fantasy deal or more?

There are a few instances when I had to suspend disbelief—for instance, I should think it would take a little more convincing for Merritt to agree—but it’s fiction, so I am not going to hold it to strict believability standards (I mean, I read about dragons and wizards and berserkers, so I’m not going to count anything against the fact that she caved in to getting down with her first love . . . and her hot husband). My only real issue (and it’s not even an actual issue) with the book is the length. I think it could have been a full-length novel, as the backstory is interesting and could definitely have been fleshed out more. Now, believe me, Jess does an amazing job of giving us the backstory, and provides enough information for us to follow along and get a feeling for what happened 10 and 20 years previously, but I honestly would have liked a few chapters on Merritt and Peter as kids growing up together, the budding first love, and the class issues that sent him away. In addition, I’d like to see more about Merritt and Elliot’s marriage in those 10 years—they’re very different people who have learned to get along extremely well, and I’d like to explore that. More than anything, I would have liked to learn more about Elliot and Peter’s patronage arrangement. Clearly, they’ve both been interested in each other for years; in fact, Peter’s watched him and Merritt from afar. Apparently there are fireworks whenever he and Elliot are in a room together. And they work together. That tension would have been a fun read. That being said, as I said, Jess is great about providing information, so it’s there. It’s just not handled in depth. But I think it would have sated those reviewers who felt the book was just sex. I could tell there was more, so the sex felt natural to me. But I can see how others might have wanted more exploration of the past and current desires/interactions/conflicts.

I think it’s going to be a great series, and the teaser chapter for Their Duchess (the second in the series) definitely got me excited. Easy 4¼ star read with a steam rating through the roof. I hope these characters pop up in subsequent series!

Errrrrr... this one was not my cup of tea. Very racy... very limited plot... quite daft. I feel like I might have read some Jess Michaels before but this one just didn't appeal to me at all. I think there are probably less risky ways of addressing a lack of communication in one's marriage than this...

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being married for ten years, the Marquess and Marchioness of Egerton are quite the power couple. They are more than happy in their relationship, and in the bedroom, but Merritt has never quite forgotten her first love, Peter Reid. Elliot has always known about his wife's first love, and has kept a close eye on him, even acting as his patron in recent years. For Merritt's 30th birthday, Elliot hatches a plan: a week alone in a country cottage, where they can explore each other as much as they want, and with Peter invited to take part. But will Merritt appreciate it, and what will Elliot think when he starts to develop feelings for Peter.

I know this would be a hot and spicy book, but it took me aback at times. Their Marchioness is full of sex and romance, and the way in which the feelings of the three were woven into their actions, and their very beings was great. I loved that Elliot was able to explore his sexuality, and his feelings which he had had repressed from childhood. He understood that love was not a bad thing, and openly showing it was a plus. A great, and quick read!

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This wasn't what I was expecting with this book even after reading the blurb. Elliot love Merritt and so for their 10 year anniversary he brings Peter, Merritt first love, to a secluded cottage with them.
There is very little plot in between the many sex scenes between the three.
Jess Michaels has been a go to for me but I think I will skip the rest of the series.

Elliot loves his wife of ten years. He has a hard time saying the words, so he decides to show Merritt by arranging a weeklong tryst with her, himself, and her first love Peter. Can their marriage survive? I received an ARC from NetGalley and The Passionate Pen LLC for my honest review.