Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline:

I don't know what made me pick up this book. It's nothing I usually would read. Maybe all the publicity around Britney's conservatorship battle...

I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting. This was a light and frivolous way to pass the time. I didn't love it. The way it was written was a bit chunky and choppy in places and it would jump around in time so I had no idea where we were chronologically.

There was a lot of 'build up' sentences left at the end of each chapter, and there was a lot of chapter breaks....things like if we only knew what was going to happen, etc. We don't need the build up, we know the disaster that happened.

I don't have a strong faith anymore, but I was raised Catholic. Depending on your faith this will probably it different for you, but it drove me nuts. Everything good seemed to be because of God's grace. And she mentioned numerous times she dislikes Britney's 'recording' voice and one of her biggest dreams is for her daughter (and all her children) to come back to their faith and have Britney sing with her....other voice. But there's a lot of bad and I guess that's God's doing too? There was a lot of God talk...a lot.

I was NOT expecting much from this book because I wasn't a fan of the first in the series, but I just adored it. Road trip romance? Yes please! Forced proximity? I love it! Hero and heroine both flawed, yet perfect for each other? Woohoo!

Helena is the oldest of the 3 Laverick sisters (The first book of the series is about the middle sister). She has a limp from a damaged leg, which you find out why in the author's notes at the end of the story. She has loved once in the past and was badly hurt emotionally. Her self esteem suffers and she doesn't believe anyone can find her with her leg worthy or attractive.

The hero Daniel has made much of himself despite his infamous father's reputation. Financial independence has been gained and in a respectful way. He has always been open about his past, but finds himself wanting a better history to present to Helena.

Helena's youngest sister is eloping, to a fortune hunting scoundrel no less. She enlists in Daniel's help to recover her and her reputation before damage is done. They gallivant around the country trying to find her while other factors come into play.

The first book isn't necessary to read this one. Griff and Rosalind are in this story briefly, but nothing that would need the background. However, Daniel and Helena are both in the first story, as well as some interactions between them that have started their relationship...or animosity haha.

While not truly an enemies to lovers story, they do start out rather argumentative. However Helena softens soon into the story, which I liked as it left more for relationship growth. I loved how Daniel showed her how wonderful she was and gave her confidence. I loved the sex, and enjoyed Helena getting to explore her naughty side. She was the girl that carried around her proper etiquette book so to see her come into her own relationship as an equal partner was great to see.

This book just fell a little short of 5 stars for me. It just wasn't quite as good to me as her other 5 star books I have read, but still a great story that I highly recommend. I didn't even mind the perspective jumping to Juliet and even another side character, and that usually bothers me. I'm really excited for Juliet's story, I'm going to get that one from the library next.

(This story takes place in October 1815)

Content warnings for possible consent issues

Spoiler

Heroine is drunk during their first sexual encounter (oral for her), she initiates

Locations of kisses/sex

Spoiler

Pg 102 (27%) – kiss
Pg 155 (41%) – kisses, breast play, and oral for her (orgasm)
Pg 239 (64%) - barn sex in a bed of hay (missionary, virginity loss, orgasms for both)
Pg 325 (94%) - heroine on top while hero is leg shackled to the bed
375 total pages

This is the 3rd book of the Swanlea spinster series. I HIGHLY recommend you read at least book 2 in the series before reading this one. First of all, because it's enjoyable, and second of all you will get to experience everything that sets up the plot for this book. Juliet and “Morgan” also share a kiss in that book and man nothing makes me madder than reading a book as a standalone and realizing I've missed stuff like that.

Sebastian has his peace disturbed when Juliet and her family (Rosalind and Griff from book 1), come to demand some type of satisfaction from Morgan Pryce, who kidnapped Juliet 2 years prior. The rumor mill has been silent about her ordeal until just recently. To save her from ruination, they need to find more information and protect her reputation.

I'm feeling conflicted about this book. First of all, I really didn't like Griff that much from the first story and he is in it A LOT. I found him annoying in book 1. Why is he back to torture me? I thought I was done with him. If you read the first book and loved him, or haven't read the first book, this probably won't affect you AT ALL. I am envious. Sometimes it's nice to see previous characters. This one I could have done without. Just shoo, Griff, geez.

Secondly, much of the book has its plot steeped in deception. I just don't like it. It makes me so uncomfortable. You just know it's going to come out. You know it's not going to be good. I don't like being worried throughout the book waiting for the confrontation. However, I will say it was resolved in a way I liked, and much faster than I was anticipating. That is something that saved it a bit for me.

Sebastian's character is fairly arrogant and pushy. He's aggressive when it comes to physical side of things. He's not rapey, he's just...more forceful and excited to kiss the heroine? Honestly it usually doesn't bother me at all, but tied in with the deception at the beginning of this book it did put a damper on those scenes for me. Sebastian has the promise of a deep character I would become attached to, but somehow I just didn't. I didn't get all wrapped in with his drama of his early life and how it formed him. It just fell a bit flat for me with that, sadly. Doesn't mean it will for everyone. Maybe I needed more time in his head with his emotions instead of his plotting? I'm not sure.

Juliet was pretty enjoyable. She's grown up a lot from the other books, especially the first book where she was a naive ninny who cried over everything. That was a refreshing change. She's very take charge. I liked her trying to manage her situation and play with Sebastian to get him to where she wanted. He is an even match for her. I do feel like they are meant for each other, after all of this.

Something I loved about this book was how open and excited the hero was to marry the heroine. He decides early on that is what he wants in life and I really loved that. There's so many romance novels where the hero is never going to marry, or can't marry and its such a problem through the whole book. So that was rather refreshing. He has seen the bad side of love, however so he's not as open with saying that word until it counts ;)

I also loved how steamy this book felt. There's so many kissing scenes and more. I will say this book didn't quite hit on the feels department for me, so they didn't feel as powerful as they would have otherwise. Not going to lie though I enjoyed it. Multiple kisses, one time for her pleasure, more than 1 full sex scene, plus at least 1 glossed over.

So overall I'm feeling maybe 3.5 stars? I usually round up. But I don't know if I liked it enough to round to 4.

(This book takes place in 1818)

Locations of kisses/sex

Spoiler

Pg 56 (15%) – kiss
Pg 119 (32%) – kiss
Pg 170 (45%) – kisses and fingering orgasm for her
Pg 216 (58%) – hand job for him, fingering orgasm for her, then missionary virginity loss for heroine
Pg 329 (88%) – kisses and oral for her in a carriage (orgasm), and then carriage sex, her on top (orgasms for both)
374 Total pages

This is the first book of the Swanlea Spinster series. The Earl of Swanlea has 3 daughters that he desperately wants to see settled securely before he passes. He also has regrets he plans trying to right. He sends a letter to Griff Knighton trying to get him to marry one of his daughters.

Griff, our hero, has a plan during the visit that will give him more freedom to do what he wants and be able to get to know everyone under a different guise.

I thought this book was just okay. Unfortunatley I just could NOT get into the hero. He was okay. I didn't hate him. But I didn't care about him. In fact he was a bit annoying. He had no problem lying and saying cruel things. He kept coming across like he couldn't control his sexual urges, which is usually not a negative for me! Yet with him, it just felt different. Like he didn't care he couldn't control himself. There wasn't an internal struggle of trying to stop himself that I love. He used it almost as a manipulation tactic. I think I read in another review that he used it to shut the heroine up and it always worked and I find that I totally agree with that. So because of that, the tension didn't build for me as it might have otherwise. The scenes that were there, though, I felt were really good. Descriptive and sexy, yet because of everything else it didn't reach what it should have to me.

I overall liked the heroine. I think she was spunky and really just determined to protect her family the best she could. But she also let the hero kiss her into submission repeatedly and definitely didn't make him grovel as much as I wanted.

This definitely has an enemies to lovers trope feel. They argue and are trying to win against each other with everything. Fight, kiss, fight more, kiss more. I just wasn't feeling it. However, I was left extremely curious about the sisters. My library has this whole series so I have already ordered book 2.

(This book is 1815 time period)

Content warnings:

Spoiler

A touch of unfaithfulness - heroine has a chaste kiss with her betrothed, who is not the hero, to instigate him
Antiziganism - heroine catches the hero in her father's study and makes assumptions about him and the word 'gypsy' is used

Location of kisses/sex scenes

Spoiler

Pg 100 - kiss
Pg 164 - fingering orgasm for her
Pg 218 - kiss
Pg 237 - chaste kiss with her betrothed, who is not the hero
Pg 245 - kisses, oral for her on a swing (no orgasm), missionary virginity loss on a blanket outside
Pg 304 - kisses, oral on a settee for her (orgasm), she offers a blowjob but he says NO and then her on top on the settee (orgasms for both)
Pg 367 - kiss (brief)
Total pages 373

I loved the way Clara was introduced - descended from a long line of reformers and rogues. Her fathers side was Quakers and Wiggs. Her mother’s side was scoundrels, gamblers and debauchers. She’s a mixture of staunch morals and undiscovered passion.

When her Uncle passes, he leaves her 10,000 pounds. She runs the Stanbourne Home for the Reformation of Pickpockets and is eager to put the money to use fixing up the place.

Morgan sells nautical goods to sailers from his shop in Spitalfields since he is on half pay as a Captain. Really, he’s doing some serious work catching a criminal making a face like he is a fence in the area.

The two meet on the street and the story takes on a very loose enemies to lovers trope. I mean, how excited can a woman who runs a pickpocket school be that a supposed thief has set up shop right next door? But this didn’t have the things that have been annoying me about enemies to lovers lately. It was well done. Some arguing, some push and pull, some slight dislike until they fall in together.

I will say Morgan has the classic issues of a hero from back in the day. Or found pretty commonly with Sabrina Jeffries work. Family issues have given him the inability to hope for his future, he has a hard time forgiving and processing things from his past and it affects his ability to have a relationship.

I did think the book had a fairly early first kiss, but it worked pretty good. That usually bothers me too because I feel like the tension is broken too soon. But it was fine.

There is a bit of a mystery/action plot that keeps the story going. It doesn’t take over the book or anything, I felt like their romance was definitely front and center.

I do think this was my favorite of the series so far. This is book 4. While Morgan is discussed in book 2, and appears briefly in book 3, I wouldn’t say you had to read those to get more from this book. This can totally be read as a stand-alone.

So overall a pleasant read. I didn’t get strong feelings from it, or spent every minute devouring it, but still good.

Locations of kisses/sex scenes

Spoiler

Pg 61 (16%) - kiss
Pg 167 (45%) - kisses and fingering orgasm for her
Pg 242 (65%) - kisses, oral for her (orgasm), missionary virginity loss for her (both orgasm)
Pg 328 (88%) - kisses, fingering, then her on top sex on a stone bench in an arbor
Total pages - 374

This is the final book of the Swanlea Spinster series. This book is fine to be read as a standalone. The characters Clara and Morgan make an appearance (they are from Dance of Seduction, book 4), but you won't be lost or anything without reading that book. I also think Juliet (from After the Abduction, book 3) is briefly mentioned.

Abigail and Spencer have a brief time together in America. He is there with his brother and getting to know Abigail's father's business. They part with fond memories of each other, so why wouldn't Abigail believe his letters from England courting her and asking to marry by proxy? However, when she travels an ocean to be with him, she finds he knows nothing of the marriage. And worse, Spencer's brother is now missing and he must be the culprit in all of this craziness.

Spencer goes along with this pretend marriage, due to gossip, scandal and everyone who witnessed Abigail's arrival. He must hide any and all feelings he has for her and make it a fake marriage until he finds his brother and can legally end this marriage.

Spencer. Oh Spencer. Someone pointed out once how so many of Jeffries' heroes just CAN'T MARRY for whatever reason. And he is the same. He must never marry. Is the reason worth it? Perhaps more than other reasons, but is it ever a good enough reason??? haha. Spencer can be such a jerk. He says and does some despicable things. I actually feel quite bad for Abigail in all of this. But, there's something about him. I guess I like the jerks sometimes, because I did like him. You have to wait a long time for him to get his life together though.

Abigail is half Seneca (native American). Her mother was daughter of a chief. She has a darker coloring and has heard slurs against her growing up. She is worried about fitting into English society. I felt bad for her in this story. She has no reason to think Spencer would lie to her and now is an ocean away from everything she has known and it's built on a falsehood. She tries to make the best of everything.

This book has a bit of angst and a lot of push and pull – I want you! No, we cannot be married. But I love you! Let's kiss. No, go away! Definitely frustrating, yet I did like this book. It was sexy and emotional, not the best Sabrina Jeffries I have read, but many of her good qualities.

I give 4 stars.

This is my 15th Sabrina Jeffries! And still soooo many more to go hahaha.

I finished a series! In order! I know, fall over in shock. This series had 2 3-star books and 3 4-star books for me. I'm not sure of my favorite. Probably A Notorious Love because I really liked Helena and her limp and how she found her confidence with Daniel. Did you read this series? Anyone want to share their ratings/favorite?
A Dangerous Love - 3 stars
A Notorious Love - 4 stars
After the Abduction - 3 stars
Dance of Seduction - 4 stars
Married to the Viscount - 4 stars

(This book takes place in 1822)

Locations of kisses/sex scenes

Spoiler

Pg 69 (18%) - kiss
Pg 94 (25%) - kiss
Pg 153 (41%) - kisses, fingering orgasm for her and hand job orgasm for him
Pg 223 (59%) - kisses and oral for her that he purposefully ends right before her orgasm to be cruel and put her in her place
Pg 288 (76%)- kisses, fingering for her, missionary virginity loss for heroine (both orgasm)
Pg 317 - (84%) kisses, fingering for her, food play, her on top (both orgasm)
Total pages 376

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline:

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline:

Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: