This is the third installment to Eva Leigh's Union of the Rakes series. It's fine as a stand alone novel. Most of the book is focused on just the couple, though there are appearances and mentionings of the other characters in the series. She usually has a little bit of a teaser regarding the next couple in her books.

This series is a loose take on the breakfast club movie, that I never watched, so I guess I'm missing out here hahaha. I have seen in other reviews there's plenty of 80's references, that also go over my head, but others might really love finding these.

This book wasn't at all what I was thinking it was going to be going in. Lady Farris has been widowed for 3 years and out of mourning for 10 months. Beatrice is ready to experience life, and by that I mean attend her first orgy at a house party. First time I think I've ever read an orgy mentioned in HR haha.

Duncan McCameron is a rule follower. Rigid and a bit set in his ways, he really just wants love. He thought he had it years ago, but was badly hurt and just aches for marriage to someone he can spend the rest of his life with. He's watched 2 of his friends in the union of rakes find their happily ever afters and he's starting to feel the sting of loneliness all the more.

Duncan's friend, the Duke of Rotherby, is asking him to escort his friend to her country gathering. He agrees and they are soon on a road trip adventure that includes non stop adventure and plenty of sexy bits.

Give this book a try if you are in the mood for:
-Very light vulgar language – uses the f word (31 times), and a few other terms that aren't 'standard' for HR
-Story takes place in 1817 London and traveling to a country estate
-Road trip romance – this book is almost exclusively road trip fun. They are only in one place for any length of time in the very beginning and very end and neither takes up too much page time.
-An “older” heroine – she has silver lining her hair and is 46
-Older woman/reverse age gap – heroine is 46 and hero is 34
-Strong feminist themes – this hero doesn't have a problem with asking for help from the heroine, there's discussions on woman's rights, sexual independence of women and their choice of partners
-Lifting up diversity in the world – acknowledging inn keepers ethnic heritage, embracing LGBTQIA couples and individuals, discussing income coming from slavery and changing it for the better
-Zero consent issues – consent plays a role in Leigh's couple's interactions and is either specifically asked or heavily implied
-The HEA isn't quite what you'd expect, but embraces the fact that the standard romance marriage and a baby in the epilogue isn't always what happiness is about
-Soldiers – the hero is a Major and talks a bit about his experience
-Experienced heroine – she's a widow and has 3 grown children. She is ready to enjoy her sexual freedom, since marriage wasn't the best experience for her
-STEAMY – multiple kisses and scenes. See end of review for amounts found in book under spoiler warning.

I think so many will adore this book, and I strongly encourage everyone to try it. She's a fresh voice in the sea of romance that will hit so many desired boxes wanted in romance now. However, for me personally, there's been something about her heroes in this series that just doesn't do it for me. I can love a beta hero, but they really aren't my “thing”. And while Duncan definitely isn't beta in the bedroom, it's just the overall feel of the relationship that wasn't my favorite. I haven't loved any of these heroes. The heroines too, are just okay to me. They don't strike me as people I would want to be friends with, and that does affect how much I love my heroines. Neither of them annoy me though. They just don't reach the next level of loving and caring about the characters for me.

This book is extremely steamy with multiple, well developed scenes. But I found myself liking the sex, but not exactly caring about it. Much of it just felt like sex to me without that added emotion that I crave.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. These thoughts and opinions regarding this story are my own.

Locations/amounts of kisses and sex scenes in the book

Spoiler

Self pleasuring (uncompleted) for heroine 31%
First kiss 42%
Dual oral 48%
Full scene 57%
Dual oral 73%
Full scene 80%
Brief full scene 85%