I did not read book 1 of this series and this can be read alone. It seems books 1 and 2 happen during the same time. Reading this book made me want to read book 1 for sure!

So Anne Shelley is one of 3 triplets. Such an anomaly and never seen as her own true self, instead always seen as part of a set. She is engaged to the Earl of Harcourt but feels nothing for him. She knows she is being doomed to a lackluster life with someone she can never love. Instead, she chooses adventure and scandal and runs away with an exciting man. But nothing is as she thinks it will be when she finds herself taken instead to an island with his cousin and left there.

Rook wants nothing to do with his cousins games anymore. Hence the island, away from everyone. But he gets roped in once again and now is taking care of some pampered society miss until his cousin's return.

You should give this book a try if you like
-forced proximity
-road trip romance
-class differences (heroine is active in society, hero is a prostitutes son that grew up on the streets)
-steamy romance (I think there's at least 3 scenes)

I found this book a pleasant read. I liked the premise, it was a little different from what I usually read. I can't say I loved the heroine, Anne. She was okay but she bothered me a bit. The hero, Rook, I liked. I usually just adore those street heroes that come from nothing. The thing with this book that left me wanting was I felt the character development was a little sparse. Its there, they weren't completely 2 dimensional, but I felt like more time was spent in the bedroom and sexual feelings than other feelings between the couple. I wanted to know them both a little more, more of their backgrounds and feelings. This novel is on the sex focused side with multiple scenes (definitely not erotica, just more than average) and I rather wished more of the beginning time on the island was spent getting to know each other deeper. Still, a fun read and my first full length Jess Michaels. I would definitely try her again.

The end kind of dissolved into pure villain chaos, which I don't love. If you love a bit of a mystery and some stressful situations for the hero and heroine than you will like the ending more than me. It also sets up the next book, which left me curious about it. I am wondering how Rook and Anne really work out their happily ever after, so will hopefully see that in book 3 at some point.

I give 3.5 rounded to 4

Thank you netgalley for the ARC, these opinions are completely my own.