I can't say I was a huge fan of the premise, it's a dastardly thing to do. It's one thing if he is just an ass, but because some told him to seduce her. Not cool man. But for some reason it did work.

Serena wants to live a bit before maybe becoming a royal duchess. The Hymen race as the papers have dubbed it is on. She knew what she wanted to she was sure to get it. I liked her spirit.

Jonah is meant to seduce her cos he is being blackmailed. I was a bit torn between poor guy and don't do it! But since this is a romance it was obvious that he would fall in love with her and when he did seduce her it was cos those ants in his pants told him to.

These two lead each other on a merry dance. But all the time there is that darkness in the background, he must ruin her or be ruined himself.

A fun and passionate romance. ( )

Fun book to read. Serena is one of several young women in line to become the wife of one of the royal princes. While she's not excited about the idea she knows her duty to the family and will do so if necessary. However, she's got a bucket list of things she wants to do before she's trapped in marriage, if she can manage it without getting caught. She starts out by disguising herself as a man and sneaking into Boodles gentlemen's club, but is discovered by Jonah. Rather than give her away, he helps her escape before she is unmasked.

Jonah has been watching her for several days. He is being blackmailed into stopping any chance she has of becoming a royal bride. He initially thinks she's like all the other debutantes, but soon realizes that she is smart and adventurous. He finds himself being talked into helping her with her list.

I loved Serena and Jonah together. They have great chemistry that builds as the book goes on. They also have some great conversations that show just how well suited they are for each other. Serena is willing to do what her father wants, but she also wants to live a little before she does. Her initial meeting with Jonah shows her that she can trust him with her secrets. I loved seeing her surprise him with her list and what she wants help with. Jonah is conflicted. He knows what he has to do in order to prevent scandal from ruining his family. But he is fascinated by Serena and her zest for life. He wants to help her with her list, any of which would ruin her if found out, but finds himself wanting to protect her from scandal, not cause it.

As the two of them spend time together they get closer. The love is a relatively slow growing one. Serena sees an honorable man who seems to be haunted by something that isn't letting him be happy. She also finds herself thinking about him far more than is wise for someone in her position. Her feelings for Jonah are growing and the idea of a royal marriage is losing its appeal by the day. I loved seeing her get Jonah to open up to her and how much she wanted to relieve his pain. Jonah's work for the government has worn him out. He's not so sure anymore that everything he did was for the better and it is eating at his soul. As he gets to know Serena he starts to care for her and doesn't want to cause her harm. I loved the way he did everything he could to help her with her list (and then some!) without risking her reputation. His love for her really shows in the way he wants her to make her decision without any pressure from him.

This also concludes the ongoing mystery through all three books. We finally learn the story behind the battle that has created the problem for the three heroes. The bad guy is unmasked and stopped through a very interesting twist in the plot. The final confrontation was very good and I liked the way it turned out, especially Serena's part and what she said. ( )

These two ladies can write a book, that's for sure. I loved this third and final book in the Royal Rouges trilogy. Serena was a great character and I loved her list of adventures that she felt she needed to have before she was locked in the royal cage. Jonah was an interesting man, one that tried so hard not to care, but let a slip of a girl get under his skin. I enjoyed going on Serena's adventures with them both and thought they made a great match. Looking forward to more books by these two authors.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. ( )

BETWEEN A RAKE AND A HARD PLACE by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe is another exciting Regency Historical Romance. #3 and the final in the "Regency Rakes"/ "The Royal Rakes" trilogy. What a finale! Sir Jonah Sharp is in for a rough ride with Lady Serena Osbourne, for she is like on ther debutant he knows. Filled with plenty of adventure, action, passion, danger, a wicked wager, wickedness and romance. You do not want to miss the final in this brilliant trilogy by two very talented authors, Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe. The characters are memorable, engaging, witty with danger, spunk, and dripping with passion and sensuality. What a thrill ride! Loved it! Forbidden pleasure and danger may just get them both killed. Fast paced and again action packed. I can hardly wait to see what these two authors have in store for their readers next! Bring it on!! Well done!!! Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )

Hidden pleasures and duty collide!

In this third and final of the Regency Rakes series set in 1817, we meet the last officer, Sir Jonah Sharp, being blackmailed by Fortescue Alcock over the crushing English defeat at the Battle of Maubeuge, just prior to Waterloo. Jonah's brother officers, Lord Nathaniel Colton and Lord Rhys Warrington, having staved off the threat of ruin by the despicable Alcock, are helping Jonah clear his name of the intrigue and treachery that has been whispered at, but unproven. Jonah must prove his innocence or tarnish a young woman's reputation to avoid his family's name being dishonoured by the scandal.
This time we watch the road Jonah travels as he tries to avoid manipulation by the leech Alcock. Fortescue's grand plan is to bring ruin to another of the contender's for the Royal Bride. For his services Alcock has promised evidence of treachery, or at least evidence of the truth about the doings at Maubeuge.
The trio has learned that a man who can assist is at Portsmouth. Unfortunately Lady Serena, the bride contender, unwittingly takes a hand in obscuring their search.
Based on the true search for a royal bride to secure the English throne for one of the unmarried sons of King George III, vulgarly referred to by the press at the time as 'Hymen Race Terrific.'
Jonah, Lord Nathaniel Colton and Lord Rhys Warrington worked during the war effort at the instigation of an organization called the Triad. They were assassins for their country.
His work has wrung Jonah out. He hides a damaged soul, having been called on to take lives as he has. Serena lightens his way.
Lady Serena Osbourne is an unusual young woman. She has a list of things she wants to do before she makes the political marriage of a lifetime. A marriage she sees as her duty and an opportunity to guide a future leader of the nation.
A list 'of hidden pleasures' that she wants to fulfill before country and duty intervene.
Item 1: Wear men's clothing in public
Item 2: Gain admittance to an exclusively male club
Item 3 etc. etc.
Jonah rescues Serena from a potentially scandalous situation when she attempts the first two items on her list. Fortunately for Jonah's mission their relationship looks set to develop in a rather more interesting way than either of them conceived.

A NetGalley ARC ( )