⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. An unconventional governess and a control-freak gambling hell owner clash spectacularly in this race against time to find the mastermind of a reprehensible scheme.

When Frankie’s impulsive younger sister goes missing, Frankie has no idea where to begin the search to find her. But when she discovers hasty marriages materializing between “troublemaking” women and men who don’t deserve them—she knows her sister is somehow involved. The only thread connecting the groomsmen is a membership to Rockford’s, an exclusive gambling hell owned by the devilish Jasper Jones. And it just so happens that Jasper has recently become the guardian of a sullen fifteen-year-old.

Jasper suspects his new governess has an ulterior motive for being in his household, but he can hardly find the time to uncover it when his life is in a constant uproar. First, Frankie teaches his niece how to count cards and then she tries to break into his study. When he finally learns Frankie’s true reason for being there, he agrees to help the brilliant mathematician find her missing sister, even if it means giving her a fake dowry and watching men trip over themselves in her presence. As he and Frankie work together to dismantle a nefarious scheme, Jasper realizes that for the first time in his life, he’s gambled his heart—and possibly lost it.

MY THOUGHTS

Jasper was discombobulated by Frankie right from the start and it was fun seeing his carefully constructed world unravel in her presence. They warily danced around each other and their mutual attraction and this led to very heated looks and pointed banter.

Cecilia was precocious and surprisingly manipulative and made for an unpredictable but amusing character. I loved the interactions between her and Frankie.

This very clever but convoluted plot flowed really well at a steady pace and I was very invested in every step. I can highly recommend this book if you like an action-packed, steamy historical romance. Each book in this series stands well on its own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: February 4, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: Book 2 of Secret Society of Governess Spies
Other books in the series: Never Blow a Kiss