Mistress in the Making by Larissa Lyons ★★★★☆

Daniel Holbrook, the fourth Marquis of Tremayne is handsome and wealthy. He is also hampered by a speech impediment. His stammer led to ridicule and cruelty by his father. The emotional effects of the experience, still present in adulthood.

Dorothea (known as Thea) is an impoverished widow in such dire circumstances that the suggestion of becoming a man’s mistress is an acceptable option.

The two meet at a party held to facilitate such arrangements.

The book details their growing relationship. She struggles with his reticence in person but is delighted by Daniel’s wit and humour in letters.

Daniel will not reveal his stammer to her, afraid of being ridiculed. Corresponding is easier, but raises her expectations of further discourse.

Their growing attachment and understanding of each other is adorable, but is there a respectable future for a mistress and her Lord?

While this is described as a bundle or box set of the series, to be honest, it is one book. It should never have been published in three parts. Many reviews of the individual parts express dissatisfaction at the way the books do not stand alone. The cost of each part has also raised some comment. Mercenary motivation was suspected.
I wondered if people were being a little unfair, but the ending of book 2 Lusty letters and the beginning of book 3, deal with arriving at the Opera and walking in the door. Just about ok to move from one chapter to the next, but a whole new book?!
All this is regrettable as together the elements make an extremely enjoyable book.

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

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