Bluestockings and Captains Oh My

Blurb:

Captain Xavier Grey's body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war.  His friends try to help him find peace.  He knows he doesn't deserve it.  Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed ...

Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man.  Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey.  She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress.  She could quote classical Greek by the age of four.  How hard can it be to learn the language of love?

Review:

This is the second (or rather the third) book in the series.  Yet again, can be read as a standalone novel but is a much better read if you have managed to read the other novels first.

I found this particular much more entertaining than the previous one.  This novel is written with great intelligence and the characters have a fantastic wit and humour about them.  The characters are believable and really life-like; and this reader can certainly identify with both.

Without giving too much away, I loved the truth or dare banter in the drawing room.  And the inevitable love scene was delicious.

There was also a brief pause and angst as they realised how much they loved each other and could not live without them.  The proposal was rather unique and brought an out loud ‘awwwwwwww’ from this reader.  Although there is not marriage mentioned here there is an engagement which would inevitably lead to a HEA.  Hopefully the wedding will be featured in a later book.

The story line is not new and follows the formula used for the previous two books but there are elements that make this story vibrant and alive.  One particularly wonderful aspect of the book was the antics of the cat Egui.  These were hilarious as were the results of the repairs Jane had to perform on the Captain’s under shirts.  This reader hopes that Egui will see a welcome return in the later books in the series.

This reader hopes to be offered the opportunity to read the later stories in this series.

Full Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.

I rated this 5 stars on netgalley and 'I really liked it' on Goodreads (4 stars).