Society’s most exclusive invitation…
Welcome to the Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, and intriguing ladies and gentlemen find scandal, redemption, and second chances.
Every three years, like clockwork, Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford loses his heart. Alas, he promised his father he wouldn’t marry until the age of thirty so that he’d be certain in his choice. When his best friend’s sister needs him to pose as a potential suitor to garner attention on the Marriage Mart, he’s the perfect candidate—if only he hadn’t kissed her in secret.
Lady Cassandra Westbrook can’t forget the incident between her and Wexford, and she’s having a devil of a time focusing on finding a husband. The fact that her father intimidates every gentleman has made her quest intolerable, and her two brothers who could help are proving completely worthless. But if she doesn’t settle on someone, her father will arrange an “acceptable” marriage by the end of the Season.
Finally, Cassandra has a chance at courtship, but, frustratingly, it’s not with the impulsive and irresistible Irishman her father detests and she desires. However, when Ruark sees the woman he passionately wants—despite his better judgment—swept into the arms of another man, the prospect of losing her becomes intolerable.
Review:
Cassandra and Ruark’s story–I’ve been waiting for it since the closet incident! 😉
Illicit kissing in cupboards aside (though the are lovely kisses…), Cas and Ruark’s story is a brother’s best friend which develops into a friends to lovers story, and it’s delightful. Ruark does his best to mess things up with a ridiculous promise he made his dying father (though it did succeed in making him not jump into marriage too early when he truly was too young to know his mind, at least, his father really shouldn’t have made him make that promise at such a young and impressionable age because OMG did it mess with his mind) but fortunately he still manages to get over himself in time to find his HEA with Cassandra. Cassandra for her part is just as lovely a heroine as I’d hoped, standing up for what she wants against her father, brothers, and even Ruark. I can’t wait to see them being happy ever after in future books!
Speaking of future books, Ms Burke throws us a heck of a curve ball near the end of this one–if you can finish this book and NOT be salivating to get to Prudence’s, then I just don’t know if we can be friends.
Kidding. Or maybe not. Write fast, Ms Burke!
Rating: 4 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.