Volatile!

A Duke of One's Own by Emma Orchard    

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I knew within a few pages I was going to lourve this. Deftly woven Emma Orchard!

An unusual heroine who’s feisty, gives into her passions, and beloved by her family even as they support her through her many mishaps. Lady Georgina Pendlebury craved a little more excitement so she’d gone to what she thought would be slightly outre masquerade dressed as a young man with her new friend, the dashing widow Mrs. Caroline Aubrey. (The action in the Prologue reminded me of some of Heyer’s works but with a great deal more explicitness taking place. You know, aging rake meets feisty innocent.)

Although this time Georgina mishaps spectacularly with the infamous Silver Duke, whom she meets under somewhat spurious circumstances. (And this mishap, unknown to her, looked like coming back to 

bite.)What Emma had entered was a scandalously luxurious house where orgies were taking place everywhere! 

It’s here Georgina becomes somewhat involved with an older masked man with streaks of silver in his hair.

Neither knew who the other was. Of course they’re reunited just as spectacularly, although this time with family in tow.

The Duke is looking for a wife to beget heirs. Georgina is not looking for a husband without love.

As it turns out the Duke and the now, altogether knowing virgin Georgina, are by circumstances obliged to marry, but will they get their HEA, or are they doomed to a life of lust?

Must say, the tension levels of the story propelled it into a really enjoyable, steamy read, with a side dish of angst and duplicity.

A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.