Ensnared by Innocence

Lady Francine, orphaned daughter of a Duke, is being pressured to marry by her unpleasant Aunt Prudence.

Francine is just a few weeks from her majority and has no wish to marry. Her fortune means marriage is unnecessary and she wants her independence.

When Aunt Prudence starts introducing thoroughly unpleasant suitors and neglecting her duty as a chaperone, Francine knows she must find a way out.

She asks Lord Blakely, a notorious rake, to pretend to be her betrothed. He takes some convincing but money and the offer of a sexual liaison, seal the deal.

Blakely is plagued by burdens of responsibility and a frightening secret.

What starts out as a business arrangement, flares to a steamy education in debauchery.

The book details their growing relationship, set against a background of wicked relatives and savage murders in London.

For the most part, the steamy sections are well done. There is a ménage à trois which I found uncomfortable reading, particularly when I didn't know how far the author was going with it.

Overall, an enjoyable read, with plenty of breadcrumbs left to tempt you on to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.