Jess Michaels: House of Pleasure

Miss Hannah Blankenship’s awful father has finally done what he’s threatened to do for years: arrange a marriage for her. And she’s certain she knows the man he’s chosen, a disgusting viscount even older than he is! She only knows one way to end this horrible engagement and that is to get rid of the innocence that has been the bartering point. So she goes to a hell, looking for trouble.

Duncan Cavendish is at the hell trying to drink his own trouble away. As the second son of an earl, he has very little control over his future. His brother has demanded he settle down in order to inherit and now Duncan is stuck. But the alluring stranger who takes him to her bed helps him forget…and makes him want.

But when Hannah realized it is Duncan, himself, who is her intended, she is shocked. The two decide to marry so that Duncan may get his money and Hannah her freedom. But their searing attraction may lead to feelings neither prepared for. And leave them both wondering if their mutual insistence to stay at arm’s length is truly the best course of action.

This recently released, short and sexy novella from Jess Michaels gives us a Diamond who has been on the market to the highest bidder who decides to tempt fate and foil her father’s plans by attending a wicked masquerade and losing her virginity.

Little does Hannah and the accommodating gentleman realize that he is actually her betrothed.

What follows is a quick and steamy read with a surprisingly nice character arc for both MCs and a sweet HEA. A marriage of convenience that is very inconvenient for both their hearts, Michaels uses the limited word count economically and delivers the perfect amount of feels for a short read.

I finished this one in a few hours in one read session, and found myself captivated from start to finish. The intimate scenes are sexy, the historical elements understated but spot on, and the romance sweet and not too melodramatic or complicated. I love marriage of conveniences for the opportunity, in historical romance settings, for MCs to sort out their feelings and relationship while being confined within the bonds of marriage (especially when divorce was difficult). Those stakes being high are drives the romantic elements and when done well (like with this shortie) are so satisfying.

Sixth in a series, I am looking forward to going back and reading the others. Readers who have previously read the series will enjoy some cameos from past MCs.