This is a series that should be read in order. There is a series long mystery going on that really picks up in this book. If you don't care about the series mystery, or only plan on reading this book then it's probably okay as a stand alone....there's characters from previous stories in this one and the mystery isn't super overwhelming or confusing.

This book takes place in 1809. Some in London and some at Grey's (Thorn's half brother) estate.

Olivia is a chemist. She's not interested in having a season and finding a husband. But when an innocent drink spilled on Thorn leads to her ruined reputation, she's facing a decision she wasn't ready for.

Give this book a try if you're looking for
-enemies to lovers – after their initial encounter, they dislike each other. Olivia thinks Thorn is a scoundrel rogue with zero principles and Thorn thinks Olivia is a scheming liar.
-second chance – these two share a kiss and are compromised and reunite 9 years later.
-working women/bluestocking heroine – while not a stable job, Olivia is a chemist and works to have her studies published
-murder/mystery – it really picks up in this book with the series long murder suspicions
-moderate steam – 2 full scenes with one being decently explicit, multiple short fondling scenes, and 2 kisses.


This has been my favorite book of the series so far I think. The mystery for the series (someone has murdered people close to Grey (book 1), Gwen (book 2), and Thorn's (this book) mother) starts really picking up in this book. I would say most of the plot points revolve around this. Grey has some suspicion about his father being poisoned so Olivia is asked to test his organs for arsenic. This is what brings Thorn and Olivia back together after 9 years apart. I liked that the heroine was a chemist, it was a bit different. I liked the talk about the plays written, those were some of my favorite scenes.

Yet, I just don't seem to be into this series. This book was a decent way to pass the time, it didn't make me angry, but it also didn't inspire any strong feelings either. It was a bit of instalust with the early kiss and the second kiss was pretty early too. I found Thorn as a hero quite similar to a large number of other Jeffries heroes. He just didn't stand out to me. I didn't feel a strong tension between the characters or fully get their pull to each other. And while I'm usually bored or annoyed with mystery plots, I didn't find that here. But I also wasn't super into it. I did think the whole beginning reaction by Thorn was over dramatic and ridiculous. The whole *hand to forehead* I can never love or trust because I was wronged! He took way too far. And I also hated how Olivia seemed to just forgive him and puckered up for his kisses. It just didn’t make SENSE. It didn’t seem like logical behavior. So that’s part of why stars were lowered.

Possible spoilers – including the kisses and sex scenes and what percentages they are found.

Spoiler

First kiss – 5%
Second kiss – 19%
Light fondling – 36%
Mutual fondling – 44%
First full sex scene – 61%
Second full sex scene – 90%

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts an opinions are my own.