I liked that this book went back to the wagers aspect of some of the earlier books in the series and added a twist to it. I also really liked that Mrs. Dove-Lyon was given a little more to do than just be a matchmaker - it's always fun to see her getting out and about. The wager/experiment was interesting and made perfect sense given Nathaniel's past. I would have liked to have gotten to know more about Louise's family, she talks about her mother and sister but we don't really get to see much of them. And I wasn't even sure she had a father until he showed up at the wedding at the end. I loved following Nathaniel and Louise's journey primarily because they got to connect on more than a physical level and actually got to know one another and to learn how well they worked as a team. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the part involving the reappearance of Nathaniel's first "love". Rather than do what often is done and have Louise give up or think the worst of Nathaniel she actually kept an open mind and sought to learn more about what was going on - and when the time came she stood up to the woman. I'm sure in the real world it never would have been accepted for a future duke to marry a seamstress, but I don't read romance to know what would happen in the real world. This is a new author for me and I'll definitely be keeping a look out for more of her work!

Nathaniel, Marquis of St. John, learned the hard way that playing by the rules doesn't always guarantee a happy ending. Jilted by a woman chosen for him by his father, Nathaniel swore off marriage and embraced the life of a steadfast bachelor. Louise Hartfield is a talented seamstress with a disdain for the ton's rigid expectations. Trapped by her mother's antiquated insistence that as the elder daughter she must wed before her younger sister, Louise scoffs at the idea of conforming to such a preposterous rule. When Nathaniel has the idea that if there was somewhere where people could meet without knowing their backgrounds & statins in life they could make friends. So Nathaniel & his friends bet on whether love can transcend class & they turn to Mrs Bessie Dove-Lyon, whose Lyon’s Den hosts their daring experiment.
Another well written novella in the connected series. I really liked both Nathaniel & Louise who met in different settings, their connection was immediate & I loved the chemistry between them. There was some drama with Nathaniel’s look alike cousin & the reappearance of Nathaniel’s former betrothed. An easy to read book which I enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Se lee muy rápido, no hay drama entre los protagonistas y desde el incio sabes que tendrá un hea.


Louise y Nathaniel tienen que vivir bajo las costumbres de la sociedad, ella al ser la mayor tiene que casarse antes que su hermana y él tiene que casarse con alguien de su mismo estatus.

Nahaniel quiere demostrar que la gente puede ser amigos o enamorarse sin importar sus posiciones sociales y para eso hace un experimento invitando invitando a hombres y mujeres, los cuales deben utilizar máscaras, deberán realizar ciertas actividades, platicaran, al final se quitaran las mascaras y verán si quieren seguir viéndose. En el experimento él conoce a Louise y termina enamorándose de ella, pero ella tiene miedo de que al final no la acepte por se una simple costurera. ¿Nathaniel realmente aceptara su amor por alguien que la sociedad probablemente no aceptara como su esposa? ¿La aparición de la ex prometida cambiara sus sentimientos por Louise?


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

Thank you NetGalley. Nathaniel has an idea that if people would meeting not knowing their background they could be friends and meet on the same level. Since he is related to Bessie he thought she might help him. At the same time she has the seamstress working on some clothes and staying at the Lyon's Den. They are masked and enjoy each other's company very much. They find there are so pros and cons with the experiment.

This was a quick but enticing read, but you wouldn’t notice from all it has to offer. I enjoyed it very much and hope to read more from the author of this engaging book..