Engaging the Enemy by Rachel Rowan. ★★★★☆

I adored Rachel Rowan’s Entitled Love series of novellas, so I was eager to read her novel, set in the same world.

Ms Rowan doesn’t disappoint!

The aristocratic Blackton and Banberry-Thompson families have had a centuries-long friendship, living on adjoining estates.

The current generation spent summers together, ranging over the woods and fields.

Last year, that friendship ended.

Hugo Blackton, Viscount, playboy and disappointment to his father, the Earl, attended the engagement party of Cassandra Banberry-Thompson.
His behaviour resulted in the breaking of Cassandra’s engagement (much to her relief) and the breaking of Amy Banberry-Thompson’s heart.

Amy had been in love with Hugo for years. However, she was under no illusions that he would pay any attention to her. Until he did.

At the party, he whispered words of admiration in her ear and kissed her soundly. Amy was elated, until she heard Hugo’s cronies sniggering. He had done it for a bet!

A year later.
The Earl is fed up with Hugo’s dissolute lifestyle. So he withdraws Hugo’s allowance and requires him to run the family estate.

Hugo needs money and discovers an inheritance, that can be his, but only if he marries a Banberry-Thompson daughter.

The story continues as Hugo works to make amends to Amy, by helping her save her crumbling but beautiful manor house.

The slow development of the romance is delightful, but you are always aware of the looming cloud approaching.

For Hugo never summoned up the courage to admit the inheritance scheme and you know that one day, Amy will find out!

Very enjoyable and pleasingly steamy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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