Inclined to Scandal by Zoe Mullins
Released July 10, 2018

A misfit in proper society, Lady Georgiana will risk her future for a night of pleasure with Captain Wrath.

Lady Georgiana Knolls is a misfit in proper society, only there because her brother insists she have a Season and learn what it means to be ‘a lady’. The rules and etiquette forced upon unmarried women of her class are stifling and she breaks them more often and more publicly than is wise.

After years at sea, Captain Wrath is ready to resume the mantle of the Earl of Rathbridge. His first good deed? To save his best friend’s sister from blackmail by offering her the protection of his name…as her fiancé. The faux betrothal turns real when he realizes she is the same beauty who’s been sharing his bed since his return.

Georgiana Knolls doesn’t fit  into the cookie cutter ton boxes and she breaks the mold. Labeled a misfit” there is obviously only one way to save her season and the family reputation- and that is an arranged marriage. This novel immediately drew me in. I am all about outcast heroines who turn propriety on it’s head and finds love via their own virtues and avenues.  Faux betrothal trope is an especially fun read because undoubtedly the road to HEA is filled with staunch denial, burgeoning adoration, saucy banter and the undeniable and swoony love declaration where it’s all WE KNEW IT ALL ALONG YOU CRAZY FOOLS. *Heart Eyes*

Rath was a famed rake and and Georgie sensible to a fault. Much too sensible to actually begin to believe in their farce and fall in love. Obviously. (obviously NOT! *romance giggles*)

Not only is Georgie in need of protection of her reputation, she is in actual danger as well! A blackmailer has her in their cross hairs and will stop at nothing to ruin her and possibly more! *Bites fists* The action and suspense was  palatable and the danger apparent.  I was quite concerned for our girl Georgie! Lucky for her, Rath’s protection came along with their engagement. If only she could see that it also came along with his respect and love! This was a very fun read, I quite like mysterious and ominous twists in my historical romance and Inclined to Scandal has intrigue and sultry romance in spades. In a word, this novel was smokey!

Kindle
Grade: A

Dirty Like Dylan by Jaine Diamond
Released: July 10, 2018
Photographer Amber Malone sucks at love. She’s been dumped, duped and dated more a-holes than any girl should ever have to.

Then she meets rock star Dylan Cope, drummer for the mega-successful rock band Dirty; gorgeous, charming and all-around nice guy. For once, the stars seem to be aligning in Amber’s favor.

There’s only one problem. Dylan’s rock star best friend, Ashley Player, is not a nice guy. He’s broken, bitter, protective of Dylan—and wants Amber gone.

It’s almost enough to send her packing… But when Amber and her camera inadvertently catch Ash kissing Dylan, she finds herself sucked head-over-heels into a world of secrets, lust and heartache… and a three-way relationship that will change everything she thought she knew about love.

Janie Diamond is back with the 4th installment of her Dirty series and it’s her most filthy fun offering to date! Which means, I sopped it up like a gravy drenched biscuit! In a word. Yum!  Grumpy, scowly BFF jealous of his friend’s new love interest.  Rock-star romance. Hero with the heart of gold caught in the middle. Amazing heroine, just trying to make her way in the world, not looking to fall in love but tumbles anyway- YES please. All of it! Gimmie!

Amber, Ashley and Dylan ignited on the page, on every page.  Dylan was reserved, very laid back and the calm to Ashley’s fire storm, hot headiness, while Amber was the linchpin, the unexpected wild card that would bridge them all together and spark so much growth and the most feeltastic of feels.  She’s been through it all and isn’t on the market for more heart break, her strength and kindness was very endearing and I rooted for her from the onset.  She and Dylan clicked and fit- almost seamlessly- were it not for onnnnne rough edge, Ashley who was an insistent thorn in her side. I immediately recognized the pain that churned in Ashley and his fear of losing his one true anchor, Dylan.  Dirty like Dylan is very, verra, sexy but beyond the heat, there is an incredible amount of heart in their tale.  It also isn’t as m/m as one may think and though there is  three-way action, it isn’t much Ash on Dylan for curious readers. I believe the author wanted to focus on their close friendship and not just go full gratuitous and salacious for salaciousness sake.

You could read this as a stand alone and it would be an adequate introduction to the Dirty world, but the series is so good, I can’t help but suggest checking out books 1-3 as well, or at least getting your feet wet with A Dirty Wedding Night.

Grade: A
Kindle