In this book, the main characters are facing obstacles in their lives when they met each other. The hero wants to repay his older sibling by being respectable in everything with his life. The heroine is a pawnshop owner that wants to make her younger sibling have a comfortable life free from their parents' reputation in their Jewish community. When the heroine saved the hero, consecutive meetings brought them closer together. Yet the couple must face all the obstacles that are in their lives before they could have a happy ending with each other.

This is my second book in the ONCE UPON THE EAST END series. This entertaining read brought the Jewish culture to the forefront in historical England. It also has an endearing romance between strong yet unique characters that deserves their happily-ever-after. There was also a good set of secondary characters surrounding the main couple, including the couple from the first book in this series. There were also times that the story needed a bit more details in certain areas of the book for better transition, but they weren't that detrimental to the reading enjoyment. Overall, a solid addition to this particular Felicia Grossman series.

** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. ** ( )

Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman
Once Upon the East End series #2. Historical romance, own voice, Jewish. Can be read as a stand-alone. One character from the prior book is a minor secondary character in this story.
Solomon Weiss feels he owes a debt and support to his older brother Frederick. After all, Frederick was only a teen himself when he was forced to care for Solomon. Now they are both adults, Frederick is an influential man and intends to marry soon. He’s asked Solomon to be on his best behavior and focus on the bank work and perhaps do an errand or two for him. Of course Solomon will do whatever his brother asks.
One night, Solomon is cornered by a couple of rough men in an unsafe neighborhood and Hannah Moses comes to his rescue. She runs a pawnshop and deals with small, mostly legal items like button and ribbons. Sol has seen her slip a small amount of money to one man that she refused to buy anything from just so he could get a bowl of soup. Sol is charmed and attracted to Hannah and the feeling is mutual. But she’s not at all what Frederick has in mind for Solomon.

Not your average historical romance. Hannah is poor and takes jobs that may not be exactly legal. She doesn’t see herself as worthy of love and she’s past the age of impressionable. Solomon is drawn to Hannah and can’t seem to stay away. He isn’t willing to leave his yarmulke or prayers behind, nor can he leave Hannah behind even though a pawn shop isn’t considered acceptable by his brother.
Adventurous and steamy. Solomon is way nicer to his brother than he needed to be.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. ( )