One Kiss to Desire

Ethan and Xenia smoked the pages from the very beginning.
Both are running from the past: Ethan emotionally & Xenia physically.
They are worlds apart but fit together well.
I liked the ghostly aspect and the mystery solving.
A wild love affair steaming up the pages.

A spinoff from the Blackwoods was always going to be amazing, but after reading it, I'm even more convinced and can't wait to read the full set. Ethan and Xenia's story has so many fantastic tropes, it's hard to know where to start. Hidden identities, class differences, recovering from mutual trauma, and a ghost??? Perfectly done, a fantastic couple, no notes.

Even better, you get more of the Blackwood family dynamics which was masterfully handled. Occasionally in romance series that are sequels to another book, the family will come across as just a little too perfect so that there is no question that the leads got their happily ever after, but if The Lady Who Came In From The Cold showed anything it was that Grace Callaway was intrigued by a flawed family that still loves each other and fights for each other. That remains true in the Blackwood Legacy, though I won't say the specifics because that would get into spoiler territory. Suffice to say, there's a lot going on between this family and I'm so excited that there will be four books to explore it all.

I can't wait to read what the other siblings get up to, especially James who you get a lot of hints about in this book but it's hard to say what his storyline will actually look like.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was super excited when I heard the Blackwoods would be getting their own series. I love Penny and Marcus from The Lady Who Came in From the Cold. Their children really take after their parents in looks and temperament.

Ethan Harrington has really suffered with an injury that no longer allows him to play the piano as aficionado, a damaged history with his ex-fiancée and strained relationship with his family he has every reason to be brooding in the run down village of Chuddums. He is in desperate need of staff to get his also run down home a new makeover. Here comes Xenia Loveday that is also running from her past and over exaggerated a bit on her resume to get a job as she was previous a salacious storyteller at a brothel.

Ethan is a Mr. Grumpy Pants and needs someone to cheer him up. Xenia dives right in to do what she can to keep her job though cooking is not her strong suit. I really love them together because Ethan just needed someone to believe in him, same with Xenia. She has been put down and abused by her mother for years and doesn’t feel worthy of love. They really needed each other and they pick each other up in kindness, care and passion.

Plot was great and didn’t think the ghost bit would creep me out like it did. I love how it played out. I love seeing James, Owen and Gigi who have very different personalities, along with their parent as well. I’m very much looking forward to Gigi’s story. She seems like a really fun and meddlesome character that is so up my alley.


*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Grappling with a life-changing injury, piano virtuoso Lord Ethan Harrington wants solitude. Chudleigh Bottoms, a quirky village in the middle of nowhere, seems like the place to find it. He hires a mousy housekeeper to manage his manor and leave him in peace. Fleeing from her past, Xenia Loveday needs money to secure her freedom. When she loses her job as a naughty storyteller, she finds work in the nearby village, a peculiar place that locals claim is cursed. She has no intention of setting down roots or getting involved with her grumpy and wickedly attractive employer.
The start of a new series & it’s featuring the children of the Blackwoods. It was an absolutely lovely romance with wonderful characters, lots of delicious tropes, sizzling chemistry. A very well written engrossing romance. The Blackwoods aren’t a perfect family & I’m now intrigued to read the other siblings’ stories
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

A salacious story teller, a moody broody musician and a ghost…

~ Xenia & Ethan ~
She’s a go-getter and a survivor, adorably dishonest, resourceful, creative, kind and caring but wary, and on the run from a gruesome and menacing past: her mother. To survive, she turned her talent for spinning tales into a naughty attraction at a brothel, and that’s where she meets him. But then the place burns down and she’s out on the street looking for a job with room and board...
He’s lost. A marquess’ second son, wounded body and soul, jilted by his fiance, his life’s passion ripped away by an accident and angry at the world. He’s stuck in the middle of nowhere in a rundown estate with a volatile temper and a ghost chasing away his staff. He needs something. Something real, someone like that story teller he cant’ forget... and then his older brother introduces his new housekeeper.

She wants him, he wants her, but they can never be... until a ghost, a village fair, bruised knuckles and one final naughty story decide otherwise!

This was my brilliant introduction to Grace Callaway and this tale was everything I wanted it to be! Fast-paced, action-packed, humorous, thrilling, exciting, wickedly scrumptious, clever banter and just great fun with big feelings - pain, fear, lust, love, anger, forgiveness and so much heart - real emotional struggle, real danger, colourful folklore and locals, and an excellent grand finale!
Both MCs instantly got under my skin! They get off on the wrong foot, but once that spark’s ignited, they didn’t dawdle around. This book is the grab-a-fan oh-my on-fire kind of scrumptious, yet she remains a virgin till near the end. It’s so good and so delicious! I loved it!
And I love it even more because there’s also growth and depth; these MCs are complex, multi-layered, tormented and completely fascinating. Add an enthralling ghost plot and you have a page-turner I devoured in one straight sitting; I could not put it down!
An exquisite read I highly recommend!

I really liked this book not liked i mean I LOVED this book, it was everything i wanted in a story when i first applied for it i thought it was just a bout a man who needed a housekeeper to work for him at his estate, but there was so much going on that I just loved it, also the rumors about the estate being haunted by a ghost was just perfect and one of my favorite plot lines in books lol.

I think our main character named Xenia had a difficult past her mother wasn’t that nice to her, she was working as a working girl/prostitute also was afraid to tell people what she did so she made up some other past jobs that she was a book keeper to get the job as a housekeeper. I Think her relationship between her and the owner of the home Ethan was a little cold at first but he started to really have feelings for her even though he was grumpy and brooding half the time but he had his reasons and some things he tried to hide from her. When he gave her the job she lied about her age and some things about her because she thought nobody would like her for who she was, also there is a curse in the house and she kept asking him about the ghost and he kept saying he didn’t believe in ghosts. He gave her the job and told her not to go to the room at the end of the hall she would not like what she sees and she ends up being nosy and still going to check it out and he gets mad and flips out at her but then apologizes after in the middle of the story, they end up both falling in love, He tells her about his past, I think the love scenes are very spicy and the book was just very very good. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this book as a arc I was very happy to read it!

That was a fun read. There is ghost story, an arch criminal and a spicy romance. The romance between Ethan and Xania starts before they even know who the other is. Ethan is struggling to come to terms with an injury that changed his life and Xenia is trying to hide from her past. I liked that the Blackwoods are in the story, you don't need to have read their book but it probably helps to understand their immediate acceptance of Xenia. Can't wait for the rest of the series.

Injured and seeking solitude, Lord Ethan hires Xenia, a seemingly meek housekeeper, to manage his manor. But beneath her prim exterior burns a passionate spirit that ignites his desires. As they work together to break a curse, their attraction deepens, but Xenia’s secrets threaten to shatter their newfound happiness. Will their love survive the flames of their past?

Xenia is an amazing character, and I love how the bond between her and Ethan develops. The romance is fun, while the suspense storyline is tense and dangerous. It’s an entertaining read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

One Kiss to Desire is for the readers who love stories about kindred spirits.

Ethan and Xenia are truly perfect for one another. Both are dealing with big changes in their lives and find solace in each other's company. They both needed someone to believe in them and I found their relationship to be a beautiful one. This felt like a mix between the fairytales Cinderella & Beauty and the Beast which I completely loved.

I thought the plot was engaging and kept me interested, especially the ghost part. I loved the small, quirky town and the house too.

The romance was truly romantic and beautiful to read. I absolutely loved Ethan and Xenia. The steam here was tasteful and fit with the characters' personalities. I never felt the steamy scenes were out of place.

A truly wonderful romance with a mix of mystery. Would recommend!

This was a big time 5 star read for me. Ethan and Xenia have a wonderful story with plenty of intrigue and drama, but there is an overall feeling of happiness as well. And did I mention that it’s sooo hot as well? Great story.

A typical Grace Callaway novel. Hot and steamy with, intrigue, mystery combined with the most unlikeliest of couples and One Kiss to desire is what I have been waiting for in a historical romance for a long time. Xenia Loveday is hiding out in a brothel as she is on the run from her past and Lord Ethan Harrington is living in his worn down manor while sulking over being jilted by his betrothed with one of his best friends. When Xenia applies for a job as his housekeeper, a series of incidents bring them into close contact and they each are aware of the attraction. Though they try to fight it, the attraction is too strong but neither is willing to commit. Ethan because of his past relationship failure and other insecurities and Xenia has feelings of unworthiness because of her past and disparity in their social standing. The author has hit a homerun with this novel, the first in the series and I can't wait for the next installment.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great start to the new series that is a spinoff of Marcus and Penny‘s story from the book „The Lady Who Came in from the Cold“ („Hearts of Enquiry“ series) and tells the stories of their children! This installment is about their middle son Ethan who has lost his zest for life after a tragic accident in which he lost is ability to play the piano.
The engaging and fast paced plot has grumpy-sunshine, secret and hidden identity, scarred hero and class disparity tropes and is full of emotion, lots of very steamy love scenes, more dirty talk, humorous banter and LOL moments, danger, action and a ghost/curse mystery that makes the story even more enjoyable. I loved the characters and the sizzling hot chemistry between them. Ethan is a scarred, brooding and protective alpha hero and Xenia is strong, brave, smart and imaginative who brings back joy to his life. Her work as erotic storyteller was fascinating and reminded me a bit of a Victorian sex hotline.
I also enjoyed to meet the other members of the Blackwood family (again), their bond and their dynamic was great and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Xenia Loveday has been on the run for years from her dangerous and criminal mother and her gang, who have so far eliminated all the people who tried to help her. She works anonymously as the erotic storyteller Sister Sirena in a brothel until it burns down and she has to look for a new position and a place to stay at short notice. When she is offered a job as a housekeeper in a haunted estate, she immediately accepts, even though she has no experience, true to the motto “Fake it until you make it”.
Since his career and great passion as a piano virtuoso was irreparably destroyed by an unfortunate incident with his younger brother Owen and his fiancée left him for his friend, Lord Ethan Harrington has withdrawn from society and his family. Bitter, angry and consumed by self-pity, he has retreated to his newly acquired, dilapidated country estate, which is said to be haunted by a ghost and cursed. As a result, he cannot find any staff. When his older brother brings him a new housekeeper, he hires her immediately, even though he soon realizes that she is underqualified.
The two soon feel attracted to each other and Xenia realises that Ethan was one of her customers in the brothel, the only one with whom she really felt something. Ethan also feels calmer and less angry in Xenia's presence. But their budding liaison is overshadowed by Xenia's lies, her dark past, mysterious incidents, superstitious villagers and their class difference...

Overall, a very spicy and enjoyable story that I am happy to recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Loved the storyline, depth for the characters and storyline, the intrigue, and the steaminess of it all.
This is my first by Grace Callaway and I now intend to read my way through her entire catalogue.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me the opportunity to read this story ahead of publication date.

This was my first book in the Blackwood Legacy series, so it sounds like I have to go back and read the others. This steamy historical romance features a wounded lord and his disguised housekeeper, packed with humor, heat, and heart. Lord Ethan Harrington, a once-gifted pianist now grappling with an injury, seeks solitude in the quirky village of Chudleigh Bottoms. He hires Xenia Loveday, a resourceful woman running from a troubled past, to manage his home. Their initially tense relationship evolves into a passionate connection as they work together to break a curse that binds them. However, Xenia's hidden secrets threaten their growing love.
The story intertwines themes of hidden identities, class differences, and the healing power of love amidst mutual trauma. The dynamics of the Blackwood family are skillfully explored, showcasing their imperfections and deep bond.

Ethan and Xenia's chemistry is captivating; both characters experience personal growth and healing throughout their journey. Their connection is built on mutual support and understanding, making their romance all the more poignant. The inclusion of supernatural elements and local folklore adds an intriguing layer to the plot. The supporting characters, including siblings and a mischievous ghost, enrich the narrative, hinting at future stories. This book is a bit spicy. Xenia is a storyteller and she specializes in naughty stories in a brothel. She is a virgin, so she does not offer “other services.” Her stress about being found out really comes out in the story. Makes you sit on the edge of your seat.
This story is fast-paced, filled with humor, emotional depth, and a delightful mix of tension and romance. Grace Callaway's writing is engaging, making this book a fun and spicy read. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy complex characters and a well-crafted love story that leaves you eager for more!

An absolutely lovely enemies to lovers story. It was full of drama, excitement, adventure, mystery,a lot of delightful tropes with heartwarming, and emotional issues that entertain. I enjoyed the wonderful characters and their lovely and passionate romance with such delicious chemistry. I highly recommend reading!