FINAL DECISION: One of my favorites in this series. I loved how Hannah and Duncan both are dreading their marriage and end up finding something special together. The book is short, but with the quick setup, the story ends up working. For such a sexy book, the romance is pretty sweet.

THE STORY: Hannah Blankenship is desperate as her father has done what he has long threatened — made a contract to marry her off to a loathsome man. Deciding to subvert her father’s wishes, Hannah goes to the Donville Masquerade to find a man to rid her of her virginity. Hannah meets a compelling stranger and she accomplishes her goal. The next day, however, she is shocked to find out that Duncan Cavendish is the man she has been engaged to — and he also happens to be the stranger she met the night before.

OPINION: This was a sexy and sweet romance. It is a novella so the story is more condensed, but this one worked for me. I really enjoyed the connection between Hannah and Duncan and how they navigate their relationship.

Hannah is a strong woman who is going to take control of her own life. The story is well written and fast-paced which makes this a good quick read. This book has several tropes which I especially like — finding a stranger to get rid of pesky virginity and then that guy is not a stranger, marriage of convenience with a bargain (these two agree to sexual relationship without feelings) that goes wrong, and a marriage in trouble (as the bargain backfires on both of them).

This was an easy and enjoyable read.

WORTH MENTIONING: I loved the integration of characters from previous books who are important here including Sophie and Rowan, and, of course, Marcus.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE HOUSE OF PLEASURE is the sixth and final novella in the Scandal Sheets series. The story is a standalone but there are appearances from characters from other novellas in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.