If you haven't read the first book "Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid", it's okay, this one stands on its own, BUT I think you should for the simple reason that you'll understand the family dynamic so much better. The author has created such an interesting and fun family that it truly feels like I could hang out with them, even the Duke, whose story I'm looking forward to.

Now, let me tell you why I liked this book even more then the first: The sensuality of this one is OFF the charts! That's the first thing I noticed upon finishing it and I was so happy about it.

Lady Elizabeth Kellington is the one and only sister in this family and her brothers adore her, as long as she stays out of politics! This bluestocking could never do that, and this is where our heroine encounters a world of trouble, not just with her family in particular, but with society in general. After a copy of her `Toward the Enlightenment of England: A Treatise for the Reformation of Property Rights, the Right of Women in Marriage and Universal Suffrage' (wow, that was a mouthful) is published under her REAL name, Lizzie is surprised to find herself on the outs with most of the society and even with the group that she founded. She is stunned by their reaction and what's worse, all the gentlemen that might have been her suitors, now are shunning her, and the ones that would not suit (rakes, gamblers and reprobates) are knocking on her door, thinking her a fair game.

Marcus Redmond, Marquess of Riverton is Duke of Lynwood's best friend and a man who has loved Lizzie a long time. Not that he would ever admit to it. Loving and fantasizing about ones best friend's sister is not what one does, but there it is. He just can't help think her a Goddess, albeit one with some radical ideas.

In order for these two to come together, Lizzie and Marcus needed to recognize and accept the feelings both had for each other. Their mutual respect was the starting point to this romance and the slow realization on Lizzie's part, that a man almost ten years her senior could want her, and for that matter that she might be falling in love with him, was oh so fun to watch!

All the characters, secondary included, are genuine and dialogue full of wit. The plot is not rushed and gives the reader ample time to truly see why these two should be together. I've now come to expect Ms. Driscoll to put forth a three-dimensional and fast paced story (and let's not forget HOT) that will keep me entertained from the first to the last chapter, and she doesn't disappoint! She's introduced a character of Tara in this story and I'm glad she gave her just the right amount of space to hook us into the next installment and Arthur's story.

( )

If you haven't read the first book "Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid", it's okay, this one stands on its own, BUT I think you should for the simple reason that you'll understand the family dynamic so much better. The author has created such an interesting and fun family that it truly feels like I could hang out with them, even the Duke, whose story I'm looking forward to.

Now, let me tell you why I liked this book even more then the first: The sensuality of this one is OFF the charts! That's the first thing I noticed upon finishing it and I was so happy about it.

Lady Elizabeth Kellington is the one and only sister in this family and her brothers adore her, as long as she stays out of politics! This bluestocking could never do that, and this is where our heroine encounters a world of trouble, not just with her family in particular, but with society in general. After a copy of her `Toward the Enlightenment of England: A Treatise for the Reformation of Property Rights, the Right of Women in Marriage and Universal Suffrage' (wow, that was a mouthful) is published under her REAL name, Lizzie is surprised to find herself on the outs with most of the society and even with the group that she founded. She is stunned by their reaction and what's worse, all the gentlemen that might have been her suitors, now are shunning her, and the ones that would not suit (rakes, gamblers and reprobates) are knocking on her door, thinking her a fair game.

Marcus Redmond, Marquess of Riverton is Duke of Lynwood's best friend and a man who has loved Lizzie a long time. Not that he would ever admit to it. Loving and fantasizing about ones best friend's sister is not what one does, but there it is. He just can't help think her a Goddess, albeit one with some radical ideas.

In order for these two to come together, Lizzie and Marcus needed to recognize and accept the feelings both had for each other. Their mutual respect was the starting point to this romance and the slow realization on Lizzie's part, that a man almost ten years her senior could want her, and for that matter that she might be falling in love with him, was oh so fun to watch!

All the characters, secondary included, are genuine and dialogue full of wit. The plot is not rushed and gives the reader ample time to truly see why these two should be together. I've now come to expect Ms. Driscoll to put forth a three-dimensional and fast paced story (and let's not forget HOT) that will keep me entertained from the first to the last chapter, and she doesn't disappoint! She's introduced a character of Tara in this story and I'm glad she gave her just the right amount of space to hook us into the next installment and Arthur's story. ( )