First time trying this author. Definitely one I will try again. Though there were things about this book that I didn't like, there was a lot I loved. Some paragraphs just made me sigh and were utterly poetic. Others had me so annoyed. I can easily see this author having a 5 star from my own picky self though with the right book. I have seen reviews of this book being erotica and I don't think that's true at all. She's a bit more adventurous with her sexual scenes (not BDSM) and there was a scene or two more than the usual book, but it wasn't the main point of the story. So if you like them steamy, give this author a try. She does have other books listed specifically as erotica (The Lass Initiated the Laird is one. It's a novella, 3.5 in Explosive Highlander series.)

Otilia is our heroine and she has been orphaned and raised by her aunt and uncle, The Earl of Thornton. After her uncle's passing, the new Earl of Thornton returns and she wants nothing to do with him. She knew him 8 years ago, made a fool of herself, and never wants to see him again. She craves her independence and plans on getting it my securing a position as a governess or companion.
Edmund is basically an arrogant, jealous lord that's kind of a jerk in the beginning. Probably why I liked him, because I love that stuff. He was in love in the past but was hurt and holds a grudge against all women for being title seekers. He can't control his reactions to Otilia though and they soon find themselves in a number of inappropriate situations. I love his jealousy and lack of control. He isn't forceful or lacking consent or anything, she is a very willing participant :) It's just any time he sees the heroine with another man he gets angry. When he comes across her alone he can't control his hands. He's very possessive.
You should give this book a try if

- You like steamy novels
- You like enemies to lovers
- You like a book all about the romance and relationship. No one's being murdered. There's no ghost. There's no mystery. I love that!
- You like the class difference trope (heroine is orphaned bastard and the hero is is an Earl)

I give this book 3.5 stars rounded to 4. I wanted to feel Edmund's pain about his past experience that jaded him so much. But all you get is a brief paragraph a few times in the book with hardly any details. The details you are given are laughable. Like you will not feel his pain was deserved, you'll think he's a big wimpy ninny for reacting the way he did. As this leads to the main point of conflict in the book – he can't love because he's been so wronged – that really bothered me. I think if the author had given a more heartbreaking reason, or give more details, maybe like a prologue with the experience and shown the pain in his head I would have been more sympathetic. But very excited to try another by her.

Also very minor and random complaint but I didn't like that his voice was described as syrupy. It was also described as honey which was fine. I think I have a negative association with a voice described as syrup. Like I've usually read it used in a negative way. Too sweet or insincere comes to mind. Which makes no sense when I am fine with the word honey and when you think of honey and syrup they are so similar...lol Totally just me. But it was such a unique way to describe the hero's voice so I noticed it every time it was mentioned