This was pure Regency indulgence in the most delicious way. The chemistry between Carenza and Julian was scorching. Their dynamic struck that perfect balance of tension, tenderness, and teasing, with a heat that felt earned rather than excessive. Moreover, I adored how the story celebrated female agency without ever losing the charm and sparkle of a Regency romance. The friendships, the scandalous setup, the sharp dialogue; it all came together in a way that felt bold and fiercely enjoyable. If this is just the start of the series, I already cannot wait for more.

Spice and Steam.

There's plenty of it in this read by this author.

Carenza and Julian are former childhood neighbors prior to falling into bed with one another. Found Carenza's confidence in what she wants and how to secure it refreshing. This is not the run of the mill Regency romance of an shy, retiring widow but rather one forged by the persona she donned with her former husband. As for Julian, his antagonistic relationship with his mother and his wealth were more understood than his rakish ways. (don't think really saw the latter)

There were quite a number of subplots that made story needless distracting (the sheer amount of villains, for example if you include the bff betrayal, are about 1/2 a dozen too many).

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Kensington Publishing | Kensington , via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#OnlyRakesNeedApply #NetGalley

I am a big fan of Kate Pearce and was thrilled to read an advance copy of this book. This is, as usual, an easy read. Kate Pearce is amazing at writing spicy moments, which feel just right for the mood of the story.

I really enjoyed seeing Carenza’s character develop from the person, who has been cowed by her difficult marriage and abusive husband and open herself up to the possibility that she is “enough” and deserving of love with Julian. Julian is following similar trajectory in a sense, having always felt unexplained contempt from his own mother throughout his life. He adjusted his outward persona to fit with the image of the man, who is not bothered by much, but really he feels deeply for his friends and loved ones. It is a wonderful story of two imperfect people falling imperfectly in love.

This is also a series starter and included vivid, descriptive references to supporting characters, who I imagine will become subjects of the upcoming novels. I can’t wait to read more about Maude, Allegra and Olivia, as well as about Aragon and Ms Cartwright.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this wonderful advance copy read.

Very spicy Regency Romance book!!! I was shocked that some very modern terms were used! Love that part! Reminded me of a Knights Tale movie where more modern music was used. In the beginning it was hard to keep the women straight for some reason for me. I love the friendship between the four women though. So Carenza puts an ad in the paper requesting a lover/rake. They spent the rest of the book trying to cover up who placed the ad.

Having read and enjoyed other books by Kate Pearce, I’m sad to say that I was disappointed by this one. While the plot elements were interesting and flowed well, it was the way the characters were written that fell flat. There was a lack of introspection and interactions lacked depth and transitions. Often, characters acted and said things that were in direct opposition to how they had been originally presented, with no explanation regarding the change of view or personality. There was little to no build-up to the spicier moments which made the actions perfunctory and emotionless, lacking real passion. I would suggest an interested reader try her Millcastle series for better stories.

Lady Carenza doesn't miss her late spouse but she wants her dalliances..... She places an ad in the newspaper and the ton wagers who the temptress is. Julian is appalled to discover that his friend is the lady who placed the ad...

Love the fun and the banter.... Enjoy Lady Carenza's sass and spunk. Julian is a nice guy and I love his caring for his friends... A spicy rom-com. Love the steam. Also appreciate the feminist msg.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Let me tell you thus novel does a wonderful job of speaking out against double standards when it comes to the lifestyles of men and women. I for one was very impressed with this story and thought it was lovely. I had been wanting to read this book since it was first listed so I was happy when I was approved for it a couple of days ago.
Anyways out story is set in Regency England and our main focus is on a young lady named Carenza who is a widow looking for a lover which is quite scandalous for the time period. However Carenza has always felt like an outsider in society so she doesn't let it bothet her. Her friend Julian is more than happy to step into the role of lover.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

An entertaining, steamy read.

Lady Carenza is a widow searching for a lover—and Julian, her good friend, is more than willing to step into that role.

This was my first historical romance in quite some time, and it reminded me why I usually steer clear of the genre. The double standards are maddening: men can spend their days gambling and frequenting brothels, even while married, yet if a woman dares to express the slightest displeasure, society deems her "ill-bred."
How infuriating is that?

Carenza: Her mother, an opera singer, never fit society’s mold. As a result, Carenza has always strived to be perfect—to protect her fragile reputation. Her secret search for a lover is the very kind of scandal that could destroy everything she’s worked for.

Julian: The quintessential charming rake with hidden depths. Outwardly, he’s flamboyant and unserious, but as the story unfolds, more layers are revealed. I especially appreciated how protective he was of Carenza—he consistently made an effort to shield her from ruin.

My one complaint is something I almost feel guilty admitting, because I knew what I was signing up for. The book follows the classic "friends with benefits to lovers" trope—which, of course, means it’s going to be steamy. Still, I wasn’t prepared for one of those scenes to hit me in the face so early on!

All in all, this was a fun, passionate read with a surprisingly emotional core. If you're in the mood for a spicy friends-to-lovers story with historical flair, this one might just hit the spot.