Tropes: house party; age gap; MMC is a military man; MFC is a writer of spicy books; MC's team up to solve a mystery
Steam level: 3-4 (brief, mild spanking)
Book one of this series.

3.5 stars rounded up. I liked this author as soon as I started reading the Dainty Devils books, and the basic ingredients are present in this start to a new series; it's a steamy, spunky, generally clever romp, with plenty of humorous banter. The execution just isn't quite as strong as expected.

Clara is (ostensibly) the most tame member of the Spinster society, a group of women who have formed clandestinely to protect women in the Ton who could be vulnerable to men with nefarious intentions. Clara's pristine reputation has helped her when she has needed to operate within Society without being noticed, but now she has has volunteered to attend a risque house party in order to locate one of the Spinsters and other missing women. The premise is slightly different, and you know you'll just have to turn your brain off and go along for the ride. Still, the opening chapters left me a bit disconcerted, as I was expecting more of a tie-in with characters from the author's recent Dainty Devils series. There are some references to a previous Cinderella series that I didn't read, and the beginning in particular is rather overwhelming with quite a few characters coming and going.

Anyway, the idea of Clara being not exactly what she appears works for the most part, and her growing relationship with Bram, a sea captain, is cute. Clara has been attracted to Bram for a while but believes he doesn't see her in a romantic light. For his part, Bram views himself as too rough for Clara; he is not of her social class and didn't have her genteel upbringing. They have good chemistry. How Clara is able to maintain a pristine reputation throughout the house party with Bram constantly by her side is something I had to gloss over; it would have been slightly more realistic if she could have introduced him as a cousin who was tasked with chaperoning her. Also, more insight into Bram's thoughts from the beginning might have drawn me into their romantic relationship sooner.

What required too much suspension of disbelief for me: the idea that Clara is the Nightingale, the author of sexually explicit books that have taken the Ton by storm, when she's not sexually active and has never been anywhere even slightly lascivious outside of the house party. At one point a character points out that the Nightingale has written scenes that aren't even physically possible, and while this is meant to be humorous, I can't see how jaded members of the Ton would have ever taken such books seriously. I also thought the blackmail plot was unnecessary, as it didn't add much to the storyline and the culprit's logic didn't make sense.

The main mystery is wrapped up satisfactorily and the final chapter is sweet, although there is no epilogue.

Overall, I liked this but it just didn't engage me as much as the last two Dainty Devils books did.

First time reading this author. It was cute and I really liked the premise of the Spinster Society. I felt that I should have known the characters (maybe they were in previous books) which left me a little bit lost but I could still follow the story. Both characters were very likeable, especially Bram. The writing did not flow smoothly for me but maybe it was just me. The mystery did take me on a journey which I liked.

Clara is considered a quiet spinster at the ripe old age of 29 but inside she is wild and free spirited where no one can truly see her.
But Captain Bram who guards her ferociously knows and desires the real Clara.
As they journey on an adventure seeking answers, they are destined to unlock their feelings.
Action packed with a few twists and emotionally satisfying.
Terrific start to a new series.

When Clara volunteers to go on a dangerous mission to save one of her fellow infamous “Spinsters”, Bram decides to follow her in case anything goes wrong. What could go wrong when a prim and proper lady shows up at a bacchanal house party? As they grow closer, Clara must give up her insecurities to accept the love she deserves. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.