A Matter of Temptation

Steamy and intense, Simon and Mina bring all the heat! When the "meet cute" is swords at dawn, you know you're in for a wild ride! I absolutely loved every moment of this deliciously steamy, politically charming, and effortlessly romantic story. Simon is as buttoned-up as an earl can be and tries to keep a controlled, academic approach to everything, but he soon discovers that his feelings are beyond control. "You tempted something to awake inside me, and I came alive for you, Mina. I love you beyond thoughts of scandal and consequences.” Mina certainly brings scandal and consequences to the table. Her secret is huge - but she's never dishonest about it. By necessity, she keeps her cards close to her chest, and never allows Simon to think there's anything more that she can offer. But dreams have a mind of their own, and boy, do these two find the courage to dream! There's an exquisite underlying story of social justice and reform, and how they each do what they can to support each other and work to make life better for all. Simon is a man under tremendous pressure from all sides, juggling his political alliances, family loyalties, death threats, and the enchanting Miss Crawford all while trying to figure out why his heart has chosen now, of all times, to thaw and start directing his thoughts. Mina is just a girl trying to play the hand she was dealt. That she never resorts to being conniving or manipulative is a credit to her character, and I adored her confidence and sense of self right from the start. I loved how the author even worked in a secondary romance that, while briefly discussed, really cemented the changes for Mina and her family. The HEA was sublime, though the dowager's approval was far too little, far too late. The resolution of the main conflict might have seemed a bit too convenient, but I loved it anyway. These are characters that I'll long remember, and the book is already on my to-be-reread list. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a Victorian romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

When I'm looking for a historical romance to satisfy my needs, this author always comes through for me. A Matter of Temptation checked all my boxes while adding a few new ones.This was a fast paced read that kept me engaged from the first page. Most of the story is relatively low angst but there is a point when the drama escalates and I couldn't imagine how this couple were going to end. I was more than satisfied with the ending, especially with the epilogue that was pure romance.

Mina was a strong, fierce heroine and Simon was a man with hidden depths; watching him discover he can feel emotions and own them was amazing. Simon was determined once he fell for Mina to move mountains and not take no for an answer when making her his. Simon may not have been interested in intimacy before Mina, but as a scholar and he proves that a little research can go a long way. The steam in this story was sizzling hot and the chemistry between these two was off the charts. The inclusion