So you know I loved the first in Jess Michaels’ new MMF trilogy, Their Marchioness. But man, Their Duchess is straight FIRE.

As I said in my review of the first book, if you are a fan of very spicy romance novels, I really encourage you to open your mind and try an MMF book. I never thought I would be interested in them, but wandered onto some Kate Pearce and Samantha Kane books, and got hooked. It’s just an added factor that brings new drama, and complications, and excitement to a novel. These break through the usual tropes and deliver a sparkling new experience.

Okay, so Their Duchess. We got a snippet of it in the previous book that had me salivating. I thought I was ready. I WAS NOT. That first line made me shout out loud. Jess Michaels lassoed me in from the VERY FIRST LINE. Anna, the Duchess of Sedgewick, was trapped in a miserable marriage. Now she’s a widow, but down on her luck since her profligate husband left her in dire straits. It’s just her and a very loyal servant, Oliver, making a journey to throw herself on the mercy of the horrible new Duke. But they get caught in a storm, conveniently at the home of the hottest man ever, artist Ezra Pembroke (even that name excited me), who could be Anna’s savior, and possibly Oliver’s as well.

Anyway, you fall into a beguiling tale of class conflict, personal demons, and forbidden passion and you will eat it up until the last page. It is STEAMY. Jess Michaels has warned folks, so when I see reviews saying “there was so much sex,” I really just have to roll my eyes. Jess Michaels books always have sex. It’s like finding out that water is wet and being surprised, haha.

But roll with it and enjoy yourself with this quick read. It's not DEEP, but it is SATISFYING. Sit back, pour a beverage, and open your mind, and I promise you’ll love it. Easy 4-1/2 stars and I cannot wait till the next, Their Countess, comes out.

Anna the Duchess of Sedgewick now a widow is heading to beg the new duke for financial assistance, when a storm strands her & her loyal driver, Oliver with a reclusive painter, Ezra. Ezra is n artist of erotic paintings & offers to pay them to pose for a portrait.
The second book in this steamy, sensual trilogy, it’s easily read on its own. It’s only just over one hundred pages but boy does the author know how to give characters depth! I loved the chemistry between the trio especially Oliver & Anna. I think Oliver was my favourite he was the giver as he thought he wasn’t good enough & only a servant, I loved how the other two convinced him to take. A well written engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A change in circumstance...

A storm changes Anna's journey so that she has to stop and take shelter. Her driver, Oliver cares for his duchess, Anna. Anna is a widow and as such, a new world has opened up to her. One in which she can explore her desires. Oliver iis only to happy to explore those desires with her. But wait! Ezra is a painter who lures them into being his muses for a special painting. Very soon they are all exploringn their desires.
Thrupple. I'm enjoying this series that push the conventions and still proved for emotional growth and plenty of exploration.

This story is packed full of emotions and sexy times and I loved that it has a dynamic that is widely done yet is done very well.. Oliver, Anna, and Ezra's POV are expertly done with very unique voices that drive the story and the sex well.
Overall this is another amazing book by Jess Michaels

This series is light-hearted with MMF dynamics. It is very well written and I really liked this story (as I did the first book). In the first book there was one standout character and in this one it is Oliver. Servant, in love with Anna and that darn sentient “I am not worthy” are all working against him or so he thinks. The passion…the passion.

This is another scorching-hot novella in Jess Michael's Theirs menage series. This time we follow Anna shortly after the end of her loveless marriage with the death of her husband, the Duke of Sedgewick. Anna and her loyal driver Oliver find themselves in the middle of a storm late at night on their way to see the new Duke, knowing that it will likely force Anna and Oliver apart. When the storm conditions become too dangerous, they fortunately find themselves at the home of reclusive erotic painter Ezra, who is generous in inviting them in to stay through the storm. Oliver and Anna have an intense connection between them, having shared an anonymous encounter in a dark hall of a masquerade years ago, and that longing and desire sparks Ezra's latent muse into action. So Ezra offers to pay Oliver and Anna to pose for his erotic paintings together!

I loved exploring Oliver's character as a protector of Anna even as a servant to her (I do love a good class-gap romance!), and how they truly cared and trusted each other even before the main events of the books. Much like in Their Marchioness, Oliver was the character with the most room for growth and therefore held most of my interest. I also enjoyed that this story tackled some new issues - it was definitely a new exploration which kept it feeling fresh coming off the previous story.

I felt that Their Duchess didn't flow quite as well as Their Marchioness. The style felt a little choppier and a little more "tell" than "show" in the beginning, but as soon as things were moving and we got the sense of Oliver's protective, jealous nature and Ezra's and Anna's desires, it felt like everything came together just fine. Pun not intended. ;)

That said, this is a wonderful addition to Jess Michael's MMF historical novella series, and perfect for readers who want a quick but emotional and spicy historical menage!

The Duchess (4.5 stars) was much better suited to me as a reader than Jess Michael’s previous offering, The Marchioness (still a good read at 4 stars). The reason being was that there was less angst and jealousy. They were all learning to explore each other at the same time so in some ways it was a more open dynamic than the Marchioness. I like protective and devoted characters like Oliver, they are balm to my soul. I also liked that Anna somewhat sweetly took the lead guiding Oliver (who is a little submissive) to explore his connection with Ezra. There seemed to be a real depth of feeling between Anna and Oliver, and the elements of overcoming class consciousness (Oliver is a servant) that make this sword crossing MMF book memorable.

I received a free copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The first novella in this series was amazing, and this one only gets better. While I am enjoying the romance novella as a format more and more (its a great way to get to the *good stuff* fast), writing one with solid character development, backstory and plot can be a challenge. Jess Michaels accomplishes this so well! These characters have real chemistry, backstories that inform behavior without being overly tragic/tropey and reach a resolution that makes sense. While the set-up exists only to fuel the playing out of the fantasy (it is exactly as advertised!) the story still feels authentic and not trite. The spice is fantastic, Michaels has really found a niche in her MMF romances, and I can not wait to read the next story in this series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved “Their Marchioness” by Jess Michaels and was so happy to receive an ARC of the second book in the series.

The opening scene between Oliver and Anna was all it took for me to know I was going to love this story as well. Anna was at an underground sex club with her husband, standing alone in a darkened hallway while her husband banged his mistress. Oliver, who had driven them there, was masked and standing in the same shadowy hallway. The way Oliver got down on his knees and unselfishly pleasured her, all the while desperately yearning for more, was incredibly hot and stole my breath.

“He dipped his head, the edges of their masks tapped and then his lips found hers. She was shocked at how he moaned when their mouths brushed, like he’d been waiting a lifetime for this moment. But she couldn’t process that because he quickly swept her away. […] His thumbs stroked against her ribcage, his hands drew down to her hips as he slowly went to his knees before her. She couldn’t breathe as she realized in that heated moment what he was about to do. He lifted her skirt, the cool air in the dark hallway hitting her calves, her knees as he shoved the silky fabric away.”

Anna is a recently widowed Duchess, still carrying emotional pain from her marriage to a cold, selfish, mean-spirited Duke. Oliver is her servant, but also so much more. He has loved her deeply for many years, always there to offer emotional support and encouragement and friendship. Now she’s widowed and penniless, but Oliver cannot leave her as the other servants have done.

Oliver absolutely ached for Anna, both physically and emotionally, and the author beautifully portrayed his anguish at loving someone he knew he could never have. My heart broke for him.

While Anna needed and depended upon Oliver, she also loved him deeply, but it took the two of them coming together with another man for her to truly admit to herself the depth of her feelings.

Oliver is driving Anna’s carriage, bringing her to an awful fate that is initially just alluded to with a sense of dread. They get caught in an ice storm, and come upon an isolated country manor, where the owner welcomes them to stay until the storm passes. And here we meet Ezra, a handsome artist of erotic portraits, who has removed himself from society, lonely and trying to heal from a lost love and a bitter family estrangement.

Ezra is wildly attracted to both Anna and Oliver, and immediately senses their feelings and deep, unspoken desire for one another, and offers to paint an erotic portrait of them. For the first time in what seems like forever, he is inspired to paint. He was the catalyst that freed Anna and Oliver from all of the emotional constraints that had kept them from fully expressing their love and desire.

What follows is mind-blowingly erotic as Anna and Oliver agree, and proceed to give in to their desire for one another while Ezra watches, and sketches, and burns to join them.

“But I want all of you now, Oliver. In the light, without masks. I want to see your pleasure. I want to take it like you took mine that night. I want all of that, and I don’t care about the cost any more.

Oliver glanced at Ezra from the corner of his eye, and found him sitting in the chair close by, pencil in a white-knuckled grip. He was sketching them already, but when he lifted his pale blue gaze, his desire was evident. Oliver and Anna had an audience, and he was part of this now. Not something Oliver ever would have guessed would arouse him just as her touch did. And so he surrendered to it.”

As much as I yearned to share my bed with these two beautiful men, what I really long for is to be loved the way Oliver loves Anna. Every piece of his heart, soul and body speak my love language.

This was ultimately a story of three lonely, wounded souls who fit together physically and emotionally like pieces of a puzzle. The perfect portrayal of what I would want an MMF relationship to be. Jess Michaels’ gift for weaving longing, yearning, love and deep emotional connection into and around the lust and smokin hot sex is what elevates a story like this from dime-a-dozen sexy into true erotica and I am one happy reader. Can’t wait for the next in the series!

Publishing date: Feb 7, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This was my first read by Jess Michaels and what a lovely novella this was. I had seen someone read the first in this series and giving praise about it, so when I stumbled upon this on netgalley I knew I had to request this. And I am so glad I did.

This is exactly what you think it is when you read the blurb. It doesn’t pretend to be otherwise and it’s very very steamy. What I loved most about it though is that I was actually invested in all the characters and in the plot! Even in this short novella it had everything and it was a well rounded story. The length was perfect and all the things you’re curious about while reading are addressed.

Read this if you like
- steamy novellas
- Mmf relationships
- An actual plot with your steam

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing a copy for review.

Loved the story. It is well written, has a great storyline and is very entertaining. The relationship between the three of them (Oliver, Ezra and Anna) is well developed and highly erotic. Its a great story that captured my attention at the beginning and kept it until the very end. This is definitely a story worth reading and one that I would highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

🌹 MMF
🌹 Class Difference
🌹 Artist Hero

Anna, the Duchess of Sedgewick was trapped in a cold, loveless marriage. Now a widow and in dire financial straits, Anna along with her trusted driver Oliver are journeying to the new Duke's estate to plead for financial assistance.

Along their travels, the weather takes a turn and with no where else to go, they take shelter with scandalous painter, Ezra. He makes them an offer they can't refuse - he'll pay them handsomely ... if they pose together for one of his erotic paintings.

Although Anna and Oliver have always cared deeply for each other, neither of them have acted upon their feelings. Ezra has been without creative inspiration for a while, until Anna and Oliver showed up to his manor. Soon, desire sizzles between all three of them and their painting sessions turn into much more.🔥🔥

This was a very sensual and captivating novella and the chemistry between these three was amazing! Although this book was very spicy, it still had great emotional depth. I enjoyed how these characters found love and a safe space together.

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

After her husband died, Anna, Duchess of Sedgewick, knows her life is about to change. The new duke is out to humiliate her, and she only has her trusted driver, Oliver, left. Journeying to beg for assistance, knowing it'll probably lead to her disgrace, Anna and Oliver seek refuge with the handsome Ezra when a storm blows in. Though Anna and Oliver have always cared for each other, neither dares to act upon their feelings, but with Ezra, they are drawn to one another, and decide it's worth the risk. And when Ezra decides he wants to join in, who are they to say no.

I know this would be steamy, but I was surprised by the depth of feeling within the main characters. It was obvious that Anna and Oliver's feelings were bound to come out, and when they had the chance to 'pose' for erotic artwork, it was a no brainer. Rather than being wholly about the sex, there were deep feelings there, and Ezra's introduction didn't change it at all. This one was a little quicker than the first, I thought, but I felt like the pairings worked better here.

I enjoyed this second MMF book by Jess Michaels. Anna was vulnerable yet strong and sexy. Both Oliver and Ezra were wonderful as well. They were able to protect Anna and accomplish their goals both relationship wise as well as career wise.

For when you're vibing with... Menage romance (crossed swords included), interclass romance, a Lady Chatterley vibe perhaps, artist heroes, and lots of fucking on the page.

After her husband dies, duchess Anna is on the road with her loyal manservant Oliver. With nowhere else to go, they take shelter with scandalous painter Ezra, who gives them an offer they can't refuse--he'll give them both enough for them to get on their feet, if they pose together for one of his erotic portraits. Oliver and Anna have long suppressed their feelings for each other, and they're both intrigued by Ezra. But what starts out as a win-win gets more complicated as physical attraction gives way to actual feelings for all three.

This was a hot, intriguing menage romance, the second installment in Jess Michaels's Theirs series--and even if it didn't quite live up to Their Marchioness, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It dipped into different waters than the first book, with a different set of challenges. I'm impressed by her ability to try different things with the same basic "concept".

Quick Takes:
--If you're into interclass drama, this is the book for you. Anna and Oliver's central conflict is "even if Anna doesn't give a fuck about being a duchess anymore, Oliver sure does feel unworthy of her". It would get tired, except for the fact that both Ezra and Anna confront this in Oliver head on, and his desire to put her first (and above) goes far enough to affect his sex life. Which I found super interesting.

--This one does, I will say, feel more like a central love story between two people, with the addition of a third that just happens to fit in with them really well. Compared, that is, to the first book, in which all three partners had some kind of preexisting history with each other, and all seemed to be equally in love with each other. For sure, I could see Ezra falling in love with Anna and Oliver at a future date, and I felt they could fall for him too, but I did kinda miss the feeling that this was a solid, equal triad that I got from the first book. That could totally be a preference thing, though, and I get why it might be hard to authentically sell Ezra's connection to Anna and Oliver as having the significance of their connection to each other in the span of this book.

--I really enjoyed the total lack of struggle both Oliver and Ezra had with being bisexual. Ezra isn't titled, but he is a blue-blooded, louche sort of artist. Oliver is solidly working class and a servant. Both of them are bi, neither of them is bothered about it. While I appreciated the struggle with sexuality that one character in Their Marchioness, it was smart to not repeat that in this book.

--While Oliver coming to terms with his feelings for Anna and Ezra and his place in their world is a big part of the book, I would say this one is significantly less dramatic than Their Marchioness, and that in itself was kind of nice. This story runs on vibes in a lot of ways. In that sense, it's a really soothing and easy read, and I'd totally recommend it as a palate cleanser. It's not without angst, but it also isn't heavy.

The Sex Stuff:
Their Duchess is a quick and dirty read--I'm leaning towards it being an erotic romance based on the amount of sex in the book and its interconnection with the plot, though I'm not 100% sure. You get a little bit of everything--plenty of P in V sex, DP, all the oral and digital stuff you could possibly want (including a two-on-one BJ, huzzah!) and the ol' "mmf sandwich" maneuver, which we love to see. It's hot, it's well done, I was happy. The way that Oliver's sexual expression tied back to his self perception was one of my favorite things in the book.

If you're not open to the idea of triads and polyamory... this one won't be for you. The point of the book is three people falling in love with each other. However, if you're looking for a kind of cozy book with just bit of angst and a cute throuple, this is up your alley. And conversely, if you're ready for something a bit angstier, check out Their Marchioness. With either book, you'll have a good time.

Thank you to Netgalley and Jess Michaels for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It begins as a rather sad tale of Anna, a duchess who cannot have children, and is miserable in her marriage because of her husband, the duke’s, many affairs. He conveniently dies and Anna is going to be at the mercy of the new duke, her husband’s uncle. The story gets much better when Anna and her driver, Oliver, who has been in love with her forever, must stay with a reclusive painter (Ezra). All 3 are attracted to each other and the tale becomes sensual and captivating. Read it to find out if they can resolve all their trust issues and pain of the past.

I love this author, this short (but riveting) story, and the series. The characters have depth and I enjoyed the way they cared about each other.

I received a free copy of the book in advance and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Their Duchess is the second book in the Theirs series by Jess Michaels.

If you're looking for something that could set your bed, couch, or chair on fire, you've found it. Jess Michaels knows how to bring the scorching to the book.

This is a story of finding your safe place and accepting who you are. She's trying to escape from a terrible fate, and luck is finally on her side when stranded due to a storm. He's hiding from society and doing what he loves. Lastly, he feels like he can not break free from his circumstances to be with the one he loves.

This was a very cute, very spicy historical MMF! After the Duchess of Sedgewick is widowed, she and her driver, Oliver, have to leave her home. In the midst of a terrible storm, they take refuge at Ezra's home. Ezra is an erotic painter and can see the connection between Oliver and the Duchess...and feels a pull to both of them as well. When he suggests that the two of them pose for him for payment, they find themselves unable to resist.

The whole novella is really just spicy scene to spicy scene, but it was exactly what my brain wanted in the moment so I really enjoyed!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

If you're looking for an MMF historical romance that doesn't pretend to be anything other than a setup (and execution) of a fantasy, you've come to the right place. Anna is a widowed duchess who was in a loveless and passionless marriage with her husband. In the past, she shared a steamy "anonymous" encounter with her coachman, Oliver. (No, there was no cheating - it was at a sex club she frequented with her husband, and both were aware and consented to the other possibly, uhhh, cavorting with other people.)

Now that he's gone, Anna is without funds and traveling to her new residence with Oliver when bad weather forces them to take refuge at Ezra's manor. Ezra makes his living by painting erotic scenes, and when he realizes that Oliver and Anna might be amenable to posing for him, he's quick to suggest it. And when Anna realizes that Ezra is into it, she takes the reins by ordering Oliver to "kiss him."

The plot proceeds apace (and by "plot," we mean "they sleep together in many permutations all over the manor") and it's pretty hot. The resolution of the triad love story was just unexpected enough that it kept our interest and made the book feel as fresh as 140 pages of erotic paintings (and more) can.

As an FYI, the sex does not lean kinky other than the fact that there are 3 participants (including voyeurism). Definitely recommended for those readers who read "Their Duchess" and think, "hmmmm, I wonder who 'they' are..."

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Anna and Oliver are fleeing town after her funds have run out. They are on their way to meet her late husband's family when the roads are too bad to continue. They finally see a house in the distance and stop there for the night. A one night stay turns into much longer. Things heat way up with the owner of the house, Ezra. Spicy read. Can't wait for the next!!