One reluctant heir
If anyone else had asked for his help publishing a naughty novel, Ash would have had the sense to say no. But he’s never been able to deny Verity Plum. Now he has his hands full illustrating a book and trying his damnedest not to fall in love with his best friend. The last thing he needs is to discover he’s a duke’s lost heir. Without a family or a proper education, he’s had to fight for his place in the world, and the idea of it—and Verity—being taken away from him chills him to the bone.
One radical bookseller
All Verity wants is to keep her brother out of prison, her business afloat, and her hands off Ash. Lately it seems she’s not getting anything she wants. She knows from bitter experience that she isn’t cut out for romance, but the more time she spends with Ash, the more she wonders if maybe she’s been wrong about herself. One disaster waiting to happen Ash has a month before his identity is exposed, and he plans to spend it with Verity.
As they explore their long-buried passion, it becomes harder for Ash to face the music. Can Verity accept who Ash must become or will he turn away the only woman he’s ever loved?
Content Warning: off page domestic violence, off page neglect of child, epileptic seizure
In the realm of the sibling’s best friend trope, this second in the Regency Imposters series worked fine as a standalone. Tackling seditious publications, unconventional women, and pornographic books, I found this novel to be delightful, relevant and interesting. Sebastian clearly does the homework necessary to give the real flavour of the Regency outside the Upper Orders balls and parlors.
Verity is bi-sexual but that has very little impact on the love story or plot…so it served as nice representation without making it a plot point. She is also in charge, creative, and focused on being successful. Verity is definitely no shrinking violet wallflower. And her upbringing is respectable. However, she is a working woman…so this isn’t the kind of Duke story that features fan snapping and punch drinking.
Ash was orphaned at a young age and was apprenticed to a print maker for most of his life. However, his master has gone abroad to live out his remaining years and try to nurse his ailments. He is besties with the Plums and also has been keeping a long standing torch for Verity. A bit Beta, Ash is thoughtful, long suffering, smart and caring (as well as handsome, fit, and not without some money). Hubba hubba.
Ash also suffers from epilepsy. So while there is one minor seizure description in the book, what may be more stressful for some readers is the discussion of how epileptics were often sent to asylums in the 19th century.
If I can sidebar rant about a pet peeve, the book’s title is not representative of the story at all. Ash is not in disguise. He finds out quite accidentally that he may be a dying Duke’s heir. And its not a welcome surprise. So if you are hoping the book is going to involve an undercover Duke…spoiler alert, its not. I get authors/editors/publishers want a catchy, punny, funny title. But I do wish they would actually work harder at aligning title with content.
This was an easy, fun book to read with a lot of interesting details that gave me those moments of pause and excited my imagination to think more about working Regency people. Its not a light, fluffy read…but neither is it dreary or melodramatic. I thought the balance was perfect and I will definitely look for more Sebastian’s to read.
The sex is steamy but not too graphic, and the tension was great. I also thought the romance was terrific with the perfect notes of conflict for how to deal when life interrupts.
I would recommend for historical romance or Regency Readers looking for something with a little substance about characters outside the ton.
4.75 out of 6 Friends to lovers with a trial and some porn publishing
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Some discussions public execution, politics, and pornography | |
| Intimacy | |
| Several scenes. Steamy but not overly graphic | |
| Violence | |
| Memories of assault, evidence of domestic violence | |
| Overall |  |
|---|---|
| Not for kisses only readers or readers who are looking for light | |
