Do You Want to Start a Scandal audiobook

okay so i have very little of value to sayand by that i mean i only want to have a brief commentary on the use of nippage in this book (nippage, nipplization, whatever). i get that boob play is probably easiest in the regency era cause covered ankles and whatnot. but not every sex scene needs to start with the hero playing old school DJ on this chick's mammaries. i am regretting my decision to read all of tessa dare's backlist in fairly rapid succession bc this is a recurring issue. not just a lot of nip play in one book, which might be understandable ya know cause everyone has their preferences. but i find it a little hard to believe that every regency era lady in a tessa dare book is like come here big fella, turn on these headlights and yet... that's what we get.i really should shut the fuck up. but i think this level of repetition could also be greater generalized to the recycled archetypes and plot lines. that however is a story for another time. xoxo, hope u liked the innuendo

Ok, this was such a cute little mystery/romance. And, best of all, it stars the brother of the hero from Say Yes to the Marquess! Remember him? Piers,the fiancee that got jilted because he spent 8 years wandering around the world as an ambassador for England? Only not really, because he was actually a freakin SECRET AGENT!So, you know, he was really out there doing all that cool spy stuff.... Anyway. He's at this house party to snoop around and make sure the man throwing the party is trustworthy. Charlotte is there because her mother is a schemer who will stop at nothing to see her daughter married well. In fact, her efforts have already earned Charlotte reputation as a desperate fortune hunter. But, this time, Charlotte is determined to nip her mother's plans in the bud by warning the Marquess of Granville, so he can avoid falling prey to her plans.Because he obviously needs help avoiding traps... Unfortunately, she picks a bad time to sneak in on him. Not only is he getting ready to rifle through the owner's documents, but after she explains about her mother, they have to hide behind the curtain because someone is about to find them alone in the room. Which Charlotte knows her mother would use to force Granville to marry her.But, it turns out that "someone" is a very amorous couple looking for a little alone time, as well. Well...yes and no.They don't get caught by the lovers, but they do get caught by a little boy who heard the lovers. Poor kid was convinced that someone was trying to kill a woman, and raised the entire house to bust open the door and save her.It didn't exactly look good for Piers & Charlotte.Aaaaaand....now they're engaged. Ok. All of that happens in the first few pages, and the rest of the book is about Charlotte trying to solve the mystery of who the two lovebirds were, so that she can force them to come forward and admit it was them in the room. You know, to save herself from having to enter into marriage with a man who doesn't love her.Even if he does have some redeeming qualities... But.What happens if he discovers that he does love her?

3.75 starsI can’t believe I almost skipped this one!! The synopsis didn’t sound as good and interesting as the previous ones, so I was just going to skip reading it. Surprisingly, it ended up being my favorite in the series??? It was so good and so enjoyable to read!!Maybe because of all the espionage and the mystery hunting element which I really enjoyed. It was so predictable, but yet so fun. Or maybe because of the characters who I absolutely adored. Charlotte was such a charming quirky character who I immediately liked. I loved how observant, smart, and driven she was. Charlotte was just so amazing! I really loved those two and their banter and how Charlotte kept on testing Piers. Overall this was cute, fun, and so enjoyable to read!!

*4.5 stars* I adored, ADORED, Do You Want to Start a Scandal by one of my all-time favorite historical romance authors, Tessa Dare. It was EXACTLY what I needed. It's been SO long since I've read a paperback, but it was worth having to read in my kitchen instead of my bed at 2 am just to have this book on my shelf forever. I'm a big fan of funny, and Tessa Dare always knows how to write these romances that combine hot and sweet with just incredibly witty humor. I actually laughed out loud a number of times. I missed the Spindle Cove series so dearly, and I didn't realize quite how much until I read this one. Do You Want to Start a Scandal is classic Tessa Dare, and oh-so-good. You won't want to miss this one. goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog

Charlotte Highwood does not want to get married. She wants to travel. Unfortunately her mother wants to see her married to a wealthy important man. Marquess Piers Brandon aka Lord Granville is an excellent candidate according to her mother, so Charlotte will try to warn him to stay away from her. A misunderstanding will result in the engagement of Charlotte and Piers.Piers does not mind. He thinks that she is perfect for the heirs that he needs. He does not believe in love anyway. When he gets the heirs, she can do whatever she wants with her life.“I would like to fall in love.”He paused, considering. “I suppose that might be open to negotiation. After you’ve given me an heir, of course, and only if you can promise to be discreet.” She was incredulous. “You’ve mistaken me, my lord. I would like to fall in love with the man I marry. And what’s more, I would like to be loved by him in return. Don’t you want the same when you wed?” “Quite honestly, no. I don’t.”Charlotte is furious. She wants freedom. She is still too young. Of course she realises that older men have a certain appeal. It is just Lord Granville is the wrong man.In her youth, she’d longed for a steady, male presence in her life. An older brother, an uncle . . . even a cousin would do. Just a man who could sweep into the room, with wisdom and command and only her best interests at heart, and say— Go upstairs and rest, Charlotte. I’ll take care of everything.“Go upstairs and rest, Charlotte.” Lord Granville rose and crossed the room. “I’ll take care of everything.”No, no, no.That was the wrong man.Oh I loved the way these two are falling in love and are changing the way they see their lives.What to make of this man? He was proper. He was passionate. He had the public demeanor of an iceberg, but he kissed her as if she were his oasis in a vast, arid desert. What are you doing to me? he’d whispered. Charlotte had no idea.But whatever it was, he was doing it back.What Charlotte does not know is that lord Granville is not just a simple Marquess. He has many secrets. Special missions. Lethal skills. A hidden second life.Well, I did not particularly liked Piers when we met him in “Say Yes to the Marquess”. He has left poor Clio alone for so many years to complete his spy missions and she was devoured alive by the ruthless busybodies. In this book he is somehow redeemed and he even becomes (dare to say) kind of charming.Charlotte is an excellent female character. Strong willed, funny, clever, sweet, determined, lovable, ready to fight with a love for mysteries. She will be perfect for cold hearted agent Piers.There are also some cameo appearances by certain characters from “Say Yes to the Marquess” which I enjoyed. It is nice to know what nice things the future brings to the characters of my favourite books.

5 “Oliveview” Stars!!!!This book is a combination of James Bond and the game of Clue, and I enjoyed every second of it. It’s witty. It’s sexy. It’s everything “Tessa Dare.” When I think of Tessa Dare, this is the perfect amount of all that she is, wrapped up in one book. Can you tell that I love her? She unsettled him; he anchored her. Together, they could be more than they were apart. This book is…..ONE…..GIANT……SWOON. And if you don’t like this book, then you can suck my aubergine (see below for definition of “aubergine” or you can just read this book!). Ps. Just kidding. If you don’t like this book, that’s fine. Everyone can have their own opinion….please don’t hate me for saying suck my aubergine. The Aubergine…aka Eggplant!!! Tessa, you put an eggplant in this book! Hilarious!!!!!!Ok, let’s actually talk about the book.Granville. Piers Granville…. is a spy for the Crown. He is on a mission as a guest of the house, but when Charlotte corners him to “save him” from herself, and they are caught in a misunderstood compromising situation, they have no other choice but to pursue marriage. Piers pursues Charlotte relentlessly, but I love that Charlotte doesn’t give in at first. She is determined to prove that they are too different, and she is also determined to keep her independence. I love that Charlotte knows exactly who she is and what she wants. "Those walls, as you called them…They’re part of me now, and they are iron strong.” He lifted a hand to her face, skimming his thumb over her lower lip. “Even if I wished to, I wouldn’t know how to dismantle them.”“I know,” she said quietly. “I know.” She wreathed her arms around his neck. “That’s why you need me. I’m going to burn them to the ground.” My Piers: ”There is nothing untoward in Lord Granville’s mind. He has the most toward mind I’ve ever encountered.” My Charlotte: No matter how she tried, Charlotte Highwood was unable to be anyone other than herself. Charlotte is…….absolutely hilarious. And so endearing. She is described as “innocent, not ignorant,” and that is perfect because she isn’t worldly like Piers, but she has a natural inclination of reading people and solving mysteries. She pursues this mystery and finds hints here and there throughout the book. I’m usually not a big fan of mystery novels, but there was less mystery and more romance, so it was perfect for me. ”If I let myself come anywhere near you” – he caught her wrists and lifted them, pinning her arms to the wall – “I’d have your skirts tossed up to your ears and my cock buried inside you before the rest of them looked up from their tea.” Tessa Dare is easily in my top 5 favorite historical romance authors. Whenever I read Tessa Dare, I just know there will be swooning, and giggling and sexy times. She has the whole package when it comes to historical romance. Her books and stories are always so much fun! I have loved every Tessa Dare book that I have read so far (I’ve read 4 of her books). I got an ARC of this book…..but I’m going to be buying the paperback to have on my shelf FOREVER!!!This is the 5th book in the series. It is a standalone, so you don't have to read the first 4 to read this one. I only read one other book in this series before I read this one. Here are the first 4:1. 2. (my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)3. 4. ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest reviewFind me on

Review at Of Pens and Pages.Do You Want to Start a Scandal is a fun historical romance read filled with intrigue, espionage, and so much sexual tension between a mysterious Marquess and a quirky woman on the brink of ruin.Charlotte Highwood's plan to warn Piers Brandon, Lord Granville of her scheming mama's matchmaking goes wrong when they accidentally witness a scandalous tryst in the library and is accused of being the couple in said tryst. The odds are against them—Charlotte and Piers were alone in the library of Sir Vernon Parkhurst's home, no chaperone in sight, and they have no idea who the mystery lovers are. Now, Piers has to take responsibility and ask for her hand in marriage. It seems like Charlotte's mama has gotten her way after all. But Charlotte isn't so keen to be tied down to a man who has no affection for her, especially a man who isn't open to the idea of falling in love. If she can't find the mystery lovers, then maybe she'll just try to convince Piers that love isn't so bad after all.Piers has a mission he has to do that involves the man of the house, and no one can know he's doing it. The situation with Charlotte isn't the most ideal—what with laying low and all—but it's not too bad. Charlotte is intriguing, beautiful, and too entertaining for her own good. But she wants love, and he's not sure he could give that. Now, not only does he have to worry about Sir Vernon, there might be a threat to Charlotte's life as well.This book is hard to put down, constantly keeping me on my toes as Piers and Charlotte try to find out the things they need to discover. Piers has a mission he has to fulfill, and Charlotte needs to find out who the mystery lovers are. There's also that mystery that someone might be after Charlotte. There are clues throughout the story and false trails that leave me even more intrigued. I had my guesses— some right, some wrong—and it was just so enjoyable to read it.The sexual tension between Piers and Charlotte is on point, and they're so good together! We have Piers, a man full of self-control and a sense of duty, and Charlotte, a woman who craves adventure and has great deduction skills. Their banter pretty much served as their foreplay, and whoo boy, are they hot. What's your plan, Agent Brandon?" she wishpered. "Do you mean to kiss me so long and so hard that I'll forget your name?""No." His hand slid to the back of her head, tangling in her hair—so tightly she gasped. "I mean to kiss you so long and so hard that you'll forget yours." They had their arguments, which I mostly side with Piers because honestly while Charlotte has great deduction skills, she still has a naivety to her that she refuses to acknowledge. I mean, a person should start to get suspicious when it looks like someone's trying to kill her, right? Not Charlotte. But it was interesting to see them both grow, learn from their mistakes, and let go of past fears. There are a few guest appearances from beloved characters from both the Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series, so that was great, too.There are a lot of twists and turns in this story, even more great banter, and some pretty steamy sexy times to keep a reader satisfied. If you want a bit of mystery mixed in with your romance, you'll enjoy Do You Want to Start a Scandal. Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Tessa Dare just knows how to write a good, fun historical romance. I can gobble up her books and know I'll be entertained the entire time. From the start of this book, I really loved Charlotte's character and how she really isn't like your typical historical romance heroine. First, her mom wants her to be ruined so that she can marry the man who ruins her. Then, she's so determined NOT to marry and she's just so witty and intelligent. I loved how observant she is and how she really tests Piers. And I can't forget to mention that Piers is a SPY! I really loved how he was a spy and kind of had to use Charlotte but his feelings were blurring between fake and real. There's really not much more I can share about this book without spoiling anything. I loved the banter between Charlotte and Piers and how they frustrated each other but they couldn't stay away. I flew through this audiobook and loved every single book in the Castles Ever After series. These historicals are so easy to read and give me romances to swoon over!

Kindle Limited Time Deal: 29Nov19 Amazon $1.994 Fluff Filled StarsTessa Dare is one of my go-tos for a story that is going to be fun, light and thoroughly entertaining. I start her books and before I know it I’m done. This is no exception. There is always something exceptionally cute about the story she is telling and there are usually quite a few laughs along the way. This was no exception.If you have read any of the Spindle cove novels then you will remember Minerva and Diana’s mother who is quite set on getting her daughters married off and is willing to employ some devious methods to do it. Charlotte is the next on her list to marry off and so she feels compelled to warn the poor man of her mother’s plot. We’re both here in this house as guests for the next fortnight. My mother will do everything she can to encourage a connection. That means you and I must plan to avoid each other.” She smiled, attempting levity. “It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a titled man in possession of a fortune should steer far clear of me.” He didn’t laugh. Or even smile. “That last bit . . . It was a joke, my lord. There’s a line from a novel—” “Pride and Prejudice. Yes, I’ve read it.” But it seems that as Charlotte tries to dissuade any interest that Piers Brandon might have in her he becomes more taken with her. She is nothing like the other women he has met in his life and her brand of honesty calls to him since his life is one that is full of nothing but secrets. Plus she is adorable to tease. “No matter what my mother implies, I don’t share her hopes. We’d be a terrible match. I’m far too young for you.”“So you’ve made clear.”“You’re the model of propriety.”“And you’re . . . here. Alone.”“Exactly. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and yours is clearly—”“Kept in the usual place.” Charlotte was going to guess, buried somewhere in the Arctic Circle.“The point is, my lord, we have nothing in common. We’d be little more than two strangers inhabiting one house.”“I’m a marquess. I have five houses.”“But you know what I mean,” she said. “It would be disaster, through and through.”“An existence marked by tedium and punctuated by misery.”“Undoubtedly.”“We’d be forced to base our entire relationship on sexual congress.”“Er . . . what?”“I’m speaking of bedsport, Miss Highwood. That much, at least, would be tolerable.” I really enjoy Tessa Dare’s writing style and the banter and situational comedy between characters. There is almost always a few laugh out loud moments for me and this book had a few. I will definitely never look at a peach or an aubergine (I had to look it up it is like a eggplant purple cucumber again. Just imagine the worst mother daughter talk about “marital duties” and multiply it by five lols. She came to a bargain with herself. If Mama was going to subject her to this, Mama was going to pay for it. And there was only one way to exact revenge for this farce of a lesson. To take it seriously. She lifted her head and composed her expression into one of solemn, wide-eyed innocence. Reaching forward, she laid a single finger on the aubergine. “Is this the actual size?” “Not every gentleman’s is quite that size. Some are smaller. Some may, in fact, be larger.” “But most are not quite so purple, I hope.” She picked up the two items and pushed them against one another, frowning with confusion. “How does the aubergine fit inside the peach? This was one of the funniest scenes I’ve read in a long time and much needed.There isn’t a ton going on plot wise. Piers is trying to investigate the lord they are staying with for a possible position and keeps getting distracted by Charlotte. She is trying to figure out who had a trist on the desk in the study while they were hiding and having a fantastic time trying to be a sleuth. She is actually pretty good at it and ferreted out some of Piers’s secrets too.Like most of Tessa Dares books it is just a good time. I wouldn’t say it was more memorable than a lot of Historical Romance I’ve read but if all you are looking for is just a light regency romance then it is perfect.

4.3 stars What are you doing to me? He'd whispered.Charlotte had no idea. But whatever it was, he was doing it back. Spoiler Alert: I like wallflowers and broody dudes. :) So, of course I liked this one. The way our hero was bamboozled by the heroine gets me every time. I would have liked to feel a bit closer to Piers, for some reason his background felt a bit underdeveloped, rushed or not delved into enough. Charlotte was so open, honest, and willing to get her man; I quite delighted in her. I would have liked her relationship with Delia to be focused, shown more to further develop her character. "What if I told you I know the risks, and I'm willing to take my chances?""It wouldn't change a thing. Those walls, as you call them…They're part of me now, and they are iron strong." He lifted a hand to her face, skimming his thumb over her lower lip. "Even if I wished to, I wouldn't know how to dismantle them.""I know," she said quietly. "I know." She wreathed her arms around his neck. "That's why you need me. I'm going to burn them to the ground." These two were spine tingling at times and plain fun to read about. The setting stayed stagnant as they were at a house party which kind of made their developing relationship feel less rounded out but their chemistry helped patch over some of the overall missing elements of the story. This was fun, romantic, and heavier fluff at times, a Regency to delightfully pass the time.romance

On Kindle sale for USD 1.99 Nov 16th 2019**(Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Spinster/Wallflower, Fake Relationship, Unstarched (hero)Another solid Tessa Dare book with two very likeable characters. ** - He prided himself on control. Restraint. Careful management of both internal emotions and outward reactions. Lives had depended on it, and Piers had never let them down. And then along came Miss Charlotte Highwood. Announcing her own entrance into his life with the most absurd of declarations. I’m here to save you. **Quick plot: While trying to do the opposite, Charlotte accidentally forces the secretive Piers Brandon (Lord Granville) saying yes to marry, when they are discovered alone together at a house party. Piers has his own reasons for being there and seizes the seemingly convenient betrothal to Charlotte to cover his presence. But a betrothal to Charlotte is not as convenient as it seems to be, when simply being around her does all kinds to Piers' carefully erected walls. - “I wear my heart on my sleeve, and yours is clearly—” “Kept in the usual place.” Charlotte was going to guess, buried somewhere in the Arctic Circle.- “You think I’ll be settling by wedding you.” “Everyone will think it.” “You,” he said, “are the most unsettling creature I have ever met in my life. I have not felt settled since the moment we met.” Charlotte smiled to herself. “I shall take that as a point of pride.” - What to make of this man? He was proper. He was passionate. He had the public demeanor of an iceberg, but he kissed her as if she were his oasis in a vast, arid desert. What are you doing to me? he’d whispered. Charlotte had no idea. But whatever it was, he was doing it back.- “Don’t think I missed your purpose with all that neck sniffing and wrist stroking. Trying to break my concentration.” “It seems only fair,” he replied evenly. “You broke mine first.”- Whenever he was near her, his own powers of discernment and dissembling went promptly to hell. He blurted out old family secrets. He let her stroke his hair. He dragged her behind window seat curtains and held her close.- Those walls, as you call them . . . They’re part of me now, and they are iron strong.” He lifted a hand to her face, skimming his thumb over her lower lip. “Even if I wished to, I wouldn’t know how to dismantle them.” “I know,” she said quietly. “I know.” She wreathed her arms around his neck. “That’s why you need me. I’m going to burn them to the ground.” *****- His arms and legs wrapped around her. His heartbeat thumped against hers. “I chose you, Charlotte. And I’m not looking back.” 4 stars

4.5 stars. This was lovely!***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa DareBook Five of the Spindle Cove series/Book Four of the Castles Ever After seriesPublisher: AvonPublication Date: September 27, 2016Rating: 4 starsSource: eARC from Edelweiss***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***Summary (from Goodreads):On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.•Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?•Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?•Perhaps the butler did it.All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit … and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?What I Liked:This book was LOVELY. I can't think of a better word to describe it. This is Tessa Dare at her best - with a funny, charming, sexy, heartwarming story. Charlotte is a kind yet busybody-type, and Piers is a seemingly cold yet haunted and brooding type, and the pair make for a bickering, opposing, passionate couple. I loved this story!At the Parkhurst ball, Charlotte Highwood goes to find Lord Granville. Her mother is determined to see Charlotte marry this marquess, but Charlotte wants to let him know that she has no intentions of doing so. Unfortunately, while Piers and Charlotte are talking, another couple comes in. Piers and Charlotte hide, but the couple have sex, making a lot of noise. They leave, and while Charlotte and Piers look to leave too, they are "discovered". Piers does the honorable thing in offering for Charlotte. But Charlotte thinks that finding out who the mysterious lovers were will set everything to rights, making it possible for her and Piers not to marry. But she slowly discovers that this seemingly cold, proper lord is quite charming, sexy, and has excellent instincts and skills. Charlotte wants to marry for love, and she's falling in love with Piers. But does Piers love her back?Tessa Dare sure knows how to create, craft, and develop characters. This sounds so basic, but Dare really has a talent for this. I've read many of her books, and I've found that all of her characters are so lifelike, and very likable. Often times I have issues with heroines in historical romance novels, but I didn't have any problems with Charlotte.Charlotte is adorable and kind, a bit of a busybody but in a well-meaning way. She's perceptive in her own way, and she definitely means well in everything she does. The problem is, much of what she does (and means well, in doing), ends badly. Getting caught with Piers, unchaperoned? The opposite of what she'd intended. Marrying him? Not part of the plan. She wants to love the man she marries, and vice versa. Charlotte doesn't stand up to her overbearing mother, but she is rebellious at times. I like that Charlotte is a mix of sweet and feisty. I like that she fits the bill of a twenty-one-year-old of this time period, and yet she is somewhat independent and strong-minded too.Piers. Oh Piers. This review could be entirely about Piers and I bet I'd convince all of you reading this review to read the book, just because of Piers alone. We meet Piers in Say Yes to the Marquess, in which Clio, his intended, marries his brother Rafe. You'd think Piers would hold this against Rafe and have a grudge about Rafe taking his bride, but Piers is very supportive of the pair. Piers and Clio's would-be marriage was arranged for quite some time, and neither had any inclination toward each other.Piers seems proper and almost cold, perfect polite with sparsely changing facial expressions and excellent perception. He's clever and extremely intelligent, but he has difficult with emotions. Piers had an awful childhood, one that Rafe does not remember or know (Rafe is several years younger). my heart broke for Piers over and over. The poor man knows to do his duty as a marquess, and wants others to be well and taken care of, but he has no notion of love and doesn't want to feel romantic love for anyone, nor does he want anyone to feel that love for him.Piers, guys. The man is SO swoony. He may seem proper, but he is a live flame underneath his magnificent cravats and waistcoats. He wants Charlotte badly from the start, but also wants to do right by her. He protects her, as well as her reputation and her family, without fail. He takes care of Charlotte, and even though they are secretly engaged, he lets her be. Piers is a barely restrained alpha male, controlled and leashed, but he is also very charming and kind and sweet. He reminds me of Lord Darcy in Lady Bridget's Diary, except perhaps swoonier? Piers is, well, *sigh*.The romance is so sweet, and steamy, and mostly sweet. I loved seeing the pair interact. Most of the time they are gently bickering, in which Charlotte is bothering Piers, and Piers is faintly amused. Piers then teases Charlotte, Charlotte is shocked, etc. There are lots of passionate kisses, and then sweet words, and basically I was sighing and hugging this book for the entire duration of the story.The little mystery isn't as big of a part of the series as I expected, which I was totally fine with. Don't get me wrong, it's an important part, but I like that Piers and Charlotte's relationship was a little more important. Charlotte and Piers (mostly Charlotte) do the investigating and find out who the mysterious lovers are... it's quite the twist!Did I mention the humor of this book yet? All of Tessa Dare's books are quite funny, and this novel is no exception. I love the humor! Some of scenes were downright hilarious. Something cool about this book - it's part of TWO series! The Spindle Cove series (book five) and the Castles Ever After series (book four). I've read books from both series (all four of the Castles Ever After books, and three of the Spindle Cove books), and I've really enjoyed all of the books I've read. Charlotte is specifically part of the Spindle Cove series, and Piers is specifically part of the Castles Ever After series, and here we are, joining the two. I love how Dare did this! It was tricky when labeling the series at the top of my review, but you'll notice that I put both in there.Anyway! I'm quite pleased with this book. I haven't read a Tessa Dare book that I didn't love, and that is saying something. I love historical romance novels, and Tessa Dare is an auto-buy/auto-read author for me, every time. She's definitely a favorite historical romance author of mine! What I Did Not Like:I know I'm not giving this book five stars, but it's not because there was anything specific that was wrong with the book. I wish, in the end, that Charlotte was the one to give chase, but at the same time, they both gave chase, in the end. Both erred and both corrected (though it was more effort on Piers' part). But that wouldn't be cause for me to drop the rating. I loved this book, just not as much as I loved other Dare books. Would I Recommend It:I highly recommend this novel! If you love the Spindle Cove series, or the Castles Ever After series, or historical romance in general, this is definitely one NOT to miss. I rarely say that about historical romance novels, so get on that! Tessa Dare's books are unmatched in their humor, wit, and sexy times. (Seriously, her books are on the more steamy side of historical romance, usually!)Rating:4.5 stars. I hesitate to round down, but at the moment, I'm not feeling a 5-star rating! I'm stingy with those, but who knows, I may change my mind (this is rare). I absolutely adored this book. While I'm sad to see both series end, I'm excited for the new series that Dare is writing!

Finished this book in one day and I have highlighted way too many favorite quotes. I guess that is what happens when it has been way too long since Tessa released a new book. I hope and pray and pray and fervently pray we get more where all this..this wonderful, splendid magic is coming from. THIS COUPLE IS MY SHIP. THIS STORY IS MY SHIP. TESSA IS MY SHIP.I am going to keep it simple, I mean - this is an overall feel-good, light, (super) sexy, funny, witty book from my fave author. But bias aside, this is perfect pick-me-upper if you plan to get whisked away to the era of HR for one fine-unadulterated-sunny day (and when I say sunny, it's because the couple is hot!!) Ahhhhhh I cannot put into words but overall I loved it. Recommended for? Anyone who loves a light-hearted HR romance + the steam!Favorite lines: “I haven’t forgotten your identity,” she whispered, still teasing her fingers through his hair. “Nor mine.” He swallowed hard. His hands settled on her hips. “You’re Piers Brandon, the Marquess of Granville, diplomat and secret agent in the Crown’s service.” She ran a fingertip down the noble slope of his nose. “And I’m Char—” “You will be Lady Charlotte Brandon, the Marchioness of Granville, diplomat’s wife and mother of my heir.” AND THIS ONE BECAUSE OHMYGOD PIERS!! “I took you.” He reached for her, drawing her close and sending a wave of soapy water to the floor. “I took you, because I wanted you.” “In your bed.” “In my life.” She swallowed hard. Credits to ownerOver and out, I'm going to tweet Tessa lots of love!--This is not a drill, we have a cover!!!You all know what's better than a cover right? RIGHT?? A STEPBACK!!You know what's better than stepback right? RIGHTT??!! A SYNOPSIS Y'ALL! On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.•Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?•Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?•Perhaps the butler did it.All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit … and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love? -Edit at 3/10 -OMG! Finally, a new Spindle cove book - again, this time - it's a book and not a novella *(not that I don't like novellas, bring me anything as long as it's from Tessa Dare and I'd gladly accept)* We get Charlotte's story here! I believe she is the youngest spinster in Spindle Cove and we all meet her at the novella, Lord Dashwood Missed Out and the premise built was pretty exciting so really, I am way too ecstatic for words! And and and -- I can't believe we're returning to this small town and we get to meet all the old characters - like Colin and Griff and Kate and ugh Lord Dashwood!!! How can you not panic? Tell me?Am I too excited?Am I too enthusiastic about this?Do I love Tessa Dare for giving us this new book?DO I LOVE TESSA JUST BECAUSE?