A big disappointment. The plot was very tired. The hero is part owner of a gambling den. The heroine is a bluestocking who knows nothing about sex, and wants the hero to teach her. Even though she's engaged to marry another guy. Stop me if you've heard this setup before. I don't mind a plot device that's been used a lot, if it's in the hands of an author who gives it an original twist, or has some especially engaging characters. Unfortunately, this book contained every cliché; we're supposed to know the heroine is brilliant because she wears glasses and knows a lot of scientific facts. Actually, I can't believe the dumb things she did, totally TSTL, and the hero was not much better. He was very poor at communicating, not only with the heroine but with his sister, who he was trying to help out, but he kept it all a big secret, so she thought he was a bad guy. There was no good reason for it that I could see, and the book ended with her(the sister's) problems left hanging.
There was one long bedroom scene near the end of the book, prior to that the H & h literally didn't touch each other. I didn't really feel the sexual tension between them either. I slogged through to the end of the book, but I can't say it was worth it.
MacLean has been an enjoyable read for me in the past, and I'll probably try her next book, but this one struck out, in my opinion.

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Yes, although I admit that there was a bit of a cliche in the plot, I did enjoy this book by Sarah MacLean. This is my first book that I've read by her, and I like that there was some humor in her writing, and some sensual tension that kept the book from getting stale. I don't see how "spectacles" have to make a person a bluestocking, and some of the bone references got old. There were some frustrating bits to the book- for example, the reader never gets to see how Cross' relationship with his family is resolved, and some of the actions that drag the book along- hero could have made better decisions that would have made more sense. But overall, a solid read, intrigued to read more from this author

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Pippa is a scientist and she is engaged to Lord Castleton. Castleton who will let her run his estate and study what she wants. Castleton who isn't very smart and doesn't have personality on the page (he is kind and not a rogue). She wants to know things, so she approaches Cross. Cross, one of the 4 partners of The Fallen Angel, the premier club in London has his own trauma. He was the 2nd son and lived like the 2nd son. When his brother is killed in a carriage accident, his family blames him. Cross is born.
This was so much better than the first book (Penelope and Bourne; Pippa is Penelope's sister). I really loved Pippa and Cross. I enjoyed their interactions and how they "got" each other. I also liked that Castleton got his HEA too (even though he wasn't really a flushed out character, but was nice (and liked dogs!).

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Loved this book. Great fun strong minded characters with lots of tension,sizzle and sparks. The storyline has lots of little twists and turns that come out at the right moment. Enjoy having previous characters come and go and keep you wondering how they are doing now. LOL
This has been a very enjoyable series so far.

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