⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Lots of drama and mutual desire led to a sweet and endearing and hot happy ending.

Jenny Dove has spent her life training to become an opera singer, determined not to repeat her mother’s mistake of sacrificing her career for love. But when her younger sister needs her help, Jenny strikes a daring bargain. To save her sister’s future, she’ll marry a titled gentleman long enough to unlock both their inheritances, then return to Paris to live out her dream. Lord David Felding, heir to a dukedom and unapologetic rake, has no interest in finding a wife, until Jenny walks into his life with an audacious marriage proposal. She’ll give him one night in her bed in exchange for the protection of his name. It’s supposed to be a simple transaction—no emotions, no complications. But when their wedding night reveals unexpected passion and a startling connection, walking away is anything but easy. Instead of continuing his roguish life in London, David follows Jenny to Paris—and begins to court his own wife. As their sham marriage deepens into something real, Jenny glimpses the wounded man behind his charm and feels her carefully guarded heart begin to yield. But falling in love means a slow, irresistible unraveling of everything they thought they wanted… and trusting in something neither dared to hope for.

MY THOUGHTS

Jenny thought she had executed the perfect plan by marrying David to secure her sister’s inheritance and getting to go to Paris. But she had severely underestimated David’s fascination with her and her own attraction to him.

David’s clear obsession with his wife was just delightful. He was so adorable trying to reconcile these strange new feelings that completely derailed his usual suave modus operandi. Both of them yearned hard for things they believed were out of reach. The build-up to the wedding night was a combination of exquisite anticipation and anxiety. And it certainly lived up to my expectations.

The mutual lust was so “loud” that David’s love for Jenny kind of snuck up on him (and me). Jenny was obstinate and definitely got in her own way. It drove me crazy, but it also fit with her personality and hang-ups.

I can recommend this historical romance if you like a marriage of convenience where he falls first. Each book in this series stands well on its own, but I think the characters make more sense if you read the books in order.

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: May 26, 2026
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Book 3 of The Doves of New York