I have enjoyed the previous books in the School for Scoundrels series so it was no surprise that I loved this one t00. Simeon was so much more than I expected and Myrtle is my hero. It was enjoyable watching her become Simeon's also. This book was a satisfying blend of humor, heat and a bit of adventure.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one I did not. I like the premise and the FMC’s personality is excellent. The book felt disjointed though, almost like pages were missing. There were fun and funny moments but overall not great.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

What a fun story from Megan Frampton! The heroine in this book is neurodivergent. I don't know if the book is being marketed that way, the summary of the book gives us very little information on her but I wish I had known that prior to starting because I would have definitely dove right in very fast and very excited for it! Either way I loved Myrtle! She loves math and cake and pretty dresses but doesn't always understands the hypocritical ways of the ton, when she's someone who cannot lie and always says what she means.
On the flip side you have Simeon, who is a charming rogue and artist that due to his status as a bastard, does nothing BUT lie and charm his way through society so he won't be scrutinized for his birth.
I really loved the dynamic that pairing these two together created. They both really needed each other to grow. Myrtle needed someone to help guide her through the social aspects of the season and teach her how to fake it and Simeon needed someone who really believed in him and believed he could be more if he was honest with himself.
The protagonists were so lovable that I was really on this ride with them no matter what, and that's very lucky because I think the book's plot meandered a little. There were a lot of plots/tropes that kind of appeared and then disappeared again it felt like when the author didn't want to keep dealing with them. For example, in the beginning of the book, Simeon finds out he has a long lost young sibling and this is his motivation to take Myrtle's money in exchange for escorting her to London. Later in the book the long lost sibling shows up adds very little to the actual story (except for interrupting a spicy moment with her arrival) and then promptly leaves again saying "oh yeah and actually, my caretakers left me a huge inheritance and a house so I don't need your money" and that all just felt a little strange. Why was this plot of Simeon needing the money even introduced if it was going to be wrapped up with so little stakes? Idk, it felt strange. The entire book was riddled with little side plots like this that went nowhere.
But like I said, I really did LOVE the characters. I think character development is one of Frampton's biggest strengths. She's really set up the entire group of guys this series is centered around to be so distinct and likable and I am very excited for the next two stories because of that.

Cake and comfort = friendship and romance!

Myrtle Allen knew her own mind. She knew exactly what she did and didn’t want. She’s a highly competent and intelligent woman, with a superbly developed understanding of all things mathematical, who has so far refused 27 or maybe 33 marriage proposals.
She doesn’t want to marry a stupid man, or a man who is only interested in her wealth.
Her brother, Lord Richard Allen, the Viscount of Leybourne, controlled her fortune and he seemed to want to hand it over to any suitably dull prospect. Myrtle wants to use her fortune to help other women who’d been treated unfairly.
Now Richard has delivered an ultimatum. Find a suitable husband or else! “Do something!”
Simeon Jones, an artist, handsome and debonair, couldn’t hold on to his money. He gave it away to those in need. However he’s just received a letter that he’s now the guardian of his adoptive mother’s child who’s about to be thrown on the Parish. Simeon needs to make some money quickly in order to rescue his ward. That’s how come he’s taken a commission to paint a portrait of Regina, the Vicountess of Leybourne, Myrtle’s sister-in-law. That is, until all he’ll break’s loose! Simeon finds himself unfairly dismissed and wondering what to do next.
An opportunity for Myrtle to take Richard’s, “Do something” option?!
Myrtle manages to inveigle Simeon into taking her to London with him … and the rest is a charming and challenging story, with both awkward and humorous moments, until Love finds a Way!
An immensely enjoyable read!

An Avon & Harper Voyage ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was my second book by Megan Frampton. I gave the first one 3 stars and this one 3.5. It was enjoyable, but not memorable. I probably will not read more books by this author.

ARC Kindly provided by NetGalley though all thoughts are my own.

Unfortunately, I am just not gravitating towards this. The quirkiness of the heroine was cute at first but it just got to be too much. And then I was excited about their trip to London thinking they would actually go on an adventure but then the plot took a turn to setting up a debutante and it lost me. I love the writing but this one just didn't work for me.

Myrtle is the outspoken, awkward, mathematically-inclined sister of a viscount who wants to avoid marriage and start her own financial consulting agency. When the painter her brother hired is asked to leave a house party, Myrtle takes the opportunity to hitch a ride to London with him. Simeon is an illegitimate orphan who was adopted by an independent female painter and basically taught to prioritize his art above all else. However, the soft-hearted Simeon seems to give away his money to the needy at every turn and has none of it himself, causing him to take on portrait commissions he doesn’t like and to take Myrtle’s money to help her go to London. As these two spend more time together, it’s clear that they have an opposites-attract sort of chemistry. Somehow Myrtle gets caught by her brother and then forced to assist in her niece’s debut. But she has no social charm or graces, so she recruits her only friend in town, Simeon, to assist. They end up in a fake engagement to preserve everyone’s reputation, but still fall in love with each other, despite wanting so much to hold onto their independence.

I loved the storyline and I especially loved Myrtle. She is like a breath of fresh air, vibrant, speaks her own mind and is totally unaware of her own magnificence. I laughed throughout the entire story at Myrtle’s response to just about everything. Simeon and Myrtle are perfect together and they eventually have their own HEA. The story is very well written and entertaining. I enjoyed the story and highly recommend it as a great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

Simeon Jones and Lady Myrtle Allen tell everyone in the ton they’re engaged, so Simeon can help Myrtle get to London. After the season is over, they plan to end their fake engagement and go their separate ways. Neither expects to fall in love with each other.

Simeon is a veritable cinnamon roll hero - tough exterior with a warm gooey center - especially when it comes to giving money to orphans since he grew up one. Because of his soft side, Simeon is often lonely and Mrytle can relate as she experiences it herself, as she has no friends of her own.

This romance is on the shorter side, but it’s got enough plot & spice to keep readers interested.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. I just reviewed Her Adventures in Temptation by Megan Frampton. #HerAdventuresinTemptation #NetGalley

I really enjoyed Simeon and Myrtle and wanted to love their story but struggled to finish this one. I normally devour Megan Frampton’’s books so I’m not sure why this one was was different for me. Both characters felt shallow to me and too stuck within their persona even though they knew they were evolving. Myrtle was known as being too honest but couldn’t be when it mattered the most. 90% of the book is about the pretend relationship with just a few pages of the real thing. That’s not enough for me I’m finding. Others may love the build up to their coming together in complete honesty but the wait was too long for me.

I loved Simon and Myrtle's story. Simon was adopted by a woman who encouraged his artistic endeavors. Myrtle is more concerned with cake than with finding a husband. There is a road trip, a fake engagement that becomes real and a woman learning to create her business helping others. Very sweet historical romance.

Lady Myrtle does not want to marry. She wants to put her math skills to use and become a financial planner for women. When artist Simeon is kicked off her brother’s estate, she hitches a ride to London, unintentionally tying herself to Simeon. Once in London her brother insists Myrtle help her niece make her debut and to hide the scandal of her alone time with Simeon he forces them to fake an engagement. Of course the pair have been attracted to each other from the start so spending more time together is not a problem.

I don’t typically read blurbs for authors I like, like Megan, so it’s my fault for not knowing this would turn into a fake relationship romance. I was hoping the whole book would be like the wonderful beginning of the two traveling together from the brother’s estate to London, but alas. I loved how considerate Simeon was of Myrtle and that he got her a dog when she said she was lonely. The attraction between the two was consistent throughout the book, which did make their intimacy all the more meaningful. I did not remember Simeon from the previous (I know he was the tie to the other books in the series), so I do wish his nature was more present at the beginning of the book instead of just talked about. This is one of those historical romances, where neither character wanted to be married for essentially the whole book so I really wish they could have ended up together but not necessarily be married, but I know that goes against the rules of a historical romance. One final note, while the cover and the people on the cover are gorgeous, Myrtle is described multiple times in the book as curvy and at one point Simeon compares her to a Rubens painting, as a chubby girl, I really wish the cover reflected how Myrtle is described. I did enjoy the side characters and the book was a nice easy read. I am excited to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Her Lessons in Temptation may be one of my biggest disappointments this year. Granted, Megan Frampton has always been hit-or-miss, but I forgot how sometimes her books are so low-stakes, that’s what makes them frustrating.
And it sucks because the characters are the type I like, or even love. I loved that Simeon was defined as being “soft-hearted,” in spite of his rough upbringing…I’m so done with dukes with pots of money and/or rakes with chips on their shoulders in spite of their generally privileged existence (childhood trauma and past heartbreaks notwithstanding). I love that he spends beyond his means to help people, and that’s a great setup to start a book with.
And Myrtle was also pretty solid, although she felt a bit more predictable, given how common bluestockings focused on scholarly pursuits, but still longing for passion and adventure, have become ubiquitous. But I’m still a sucker for them every time, especially when she’s paired with a partner who genuinely respects her intellect, and in spite of any other qualms I have, that is the case here.
But in making these fairly inoffensive characters, it seems Frampton forgot to amp up the stakes to keep them together. I constantly questioned how they were still spending time together, not to mention how they’d even gotten thrown together to begin with, as it didn’t make sense. Not to mention the chemistry was largely nonexistent; the romantic encounters between them felt robotic, and when they’d talk about loving each other, but not being sure if they could tell the other, I wasn’t sure whether I was questioning the authenticity of the feelings at all, or wondering what was keeping them from telling the other, due to the aforementioned no-stakes situation.
While this wasn’t the worst thing I’ve read from Megan Frampton, I’m disappointed at the missed potential, especially with the male lead. But if you enjoy your historical romance with lower stakes, I do still recommend it, as there is potential, especially if you’re looking for a hero that’s somewhat outside the norm.

A very enjoyable romance with two lovable characters, I only wish we had gotten a bit more depth from both of them!

Simeon and Myrtle share a lot in common. Both are relentless in pursuit of their passions -- art for him, mathematics for her. They have worked hard for their professional goals at the sake of all else, especially marriage.

But when they have to spend more time with one another in a fake engagement in order to properly launch Myrtle's niece in her first season, they fall in love for real and neither knows how to adapt to that change in plan.

The relationship between these two was so tender and wholesome, and their love for one another was so apparent (to everyone but each other, apparently). It was evident how well-suited they were for one another during their interactions, I only wish we had gotten a little more backstory/depth on both of their characters to really make this plot soar.

This is the first book in the series which sets the bar for the others to top. As a first in series it usually sets up the rest and is good but this one far out shines. I will only give you the basics as I want you to have just as much joy as I did.

The "bastard five" are all orphans that got adopted from the same orphanage which is where they became fast friends. Each overcame the stigma and thrive in what makes then unique. Each contributing in there own way to support the others as best friends do.


Simeon Jones was adopted by an artist to help him develop his talent. His mother would always stress to him "make sure you always put your art first" . This was easy as he just want to paint great art. He lived modestly so he could help others less fortunate than him. To this end he sometimes to commissions for portraits to have funds.

This led him to take a commission from Lord Richard Allen, Viscount Leybourne, to do his wife's portrait, Regina Allen. Regina has a tendency to proposition men when she has drank to much. Most accept her advances, however, Simeon did not.

To avoid further scandal, he agrees to leave and not do the portrait. This was just as Richard was telling his sister, Miss Myrtle Allen, she has to marry or do something when Regina screamed.

Now Miss Myrtle Allen is a mathematician, solving financial issues to help others was what she wants to do but only for women to achieve their own independence. As husband's rule the world and can spend all they want leaving the women destitute.

So what happens when on an impulse she cons Simeon into giving her a lift to London to start her business, only to find when she gets there her brother drove with only stops to change horses ahead of her. She makes a deal that she will help her niece Allah navigate the season since Regina broke her leg, if he will allow her independence.

The twists and turns of a too honest person who says exactly what they are thinking to whom they are speaking? Will Simeon help her? Does Milan have a good season? Does Richard relent to her choices?

Join the romps thru ballrooms, studio poses, to find your dream, but what if it all changes? Can you adapt and pivot like Myrtle? Such a fun, laughable romantic comedy this is. I found Myrtle to be so ahead of her time that I could actually visualise this happening. The creativity of the characters, details of what is going on, and witty dialogue bring this story to vivid life.

Myrtle decides she is going to be the one to determine her future. Accomplished in mathematics she plans to go to London and go into business giving financial advice to women. She bums a ride to London with rakish painter Simeon who is kicked out of her brother’s country estate party. Once in London they have to pretend they are engaged to avoid further scandal. Though both want to be independent to pursue their careers, they quickly learn they make a good team. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

This is a nice addition to the series. I liked that we got to see what some of the other orphans are up to, although I would have liked more of them.
I thought Simeon was a great guy, I wished we got to see more of him giving his money away to all the kids and puppies since that's why he's broke, but I enjoyed all of the page time he got, and I loved how much he loved Myrtle and her brain.
Myrtle was a little too mathematically inclined, and analytical for me to really connect with. I did love how she was determined to do what she wanted, and how she wanted to both make sure Simeon's reputation wasn't hurt by a certain something that happens in the beginning and how much she loves her niece and will do the horrible thing of facing the Ton for her.

While this one didn't totally work for me, I love Megan Frampton's writing and look forward to reading more books by her.

3.5 stars

This was another fun addition to the series. I kind of wish we would get more interaction between our 5 orphan guys since they are the basis for the series. Myrtle was so smart, it was almost distracting. And having Simeon, an orphaned bastard who's a painter, guide her through society because she's a little awkward isn't really believable. Aside from those things, their love story was sweet and enjoyable.

This was fine but ultimately I was left a little bit wanting - I wanted just a little more depth from both of the characters, but particularly Simeon. I liked both characters separately and together but felt like we just didn't get enough of Simeon's backgroud. For example, we're told that he is poor because he has a soft heart and saves animals etc but we don't actually see a ton of evidence of that.

I did like their relationship even though it did escalate rather quickly - honestly the whole book itself is fairly short which maybe is a reason that I felt like it didn't quite have the depth I desired. I did love that Simeon gifts Myrtle a dog as a companion when she says she has no friends in London. And I loved how Simeon was so turned on by Myrtle's brain!

3.5 stars rounded up - this was alright but ultimately will be somewhat forgettable for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have been loving this series and this one did not disappoint. It was sweet, it had me giggling and smiling. I highly recommend reading the whole series, but honestly this one might be my favorite. Frampton is such a fresh & bright voice in historical romance.