From Netgalley in exchange for a review

Third in the Dukes of War series by Ridley, which started with The Vicount's Christmas Temptation.

We find Jane on the way to the opera with Grace and her new husband Oliver, who we met in The Earl's Defiant Wallflower. Jane is dreading the upcoming social event, as she knows she will be introduced to the same people as before, only for them to have forgotten her from the last time, and knowing they will forget her almost before they've parted company - a trait she calls "Janenesia".

Sitting in one of the boxes, the small company are joined by Captain Grey, who is still suffering the after effects of the war with Bonaparte, and his guilt of what he did during that time. Jane has always been attracted to Xavier, and believes he is like all the others - forgetting her as soon as he can. Where Jane feels she is instantly forgettable, Xavier feels he is always being watched and lauded as a war hero, something he believes he isnt.

The following morning and Xavier is on his way to his cottage in Chelmsford to wait out the rest of the Season, as he is no fit company. Jane's brother Isaac has to go away on business for a few weeks, and so he leaves the house and his dreaded cat Egui in the care of Jane.

Jane, knowing at 24 she is destined to stay on the shelf and never knowing what sex is really like, decides to follow Xavier to Chelmsford, unfortunately with Egui in tow (as all the servants refuse to look after it). Most of the remaining story has Jane and Xavier in his cottage alone, trapped by impassable snow drifts. Xavier is shocked at Jane's suggestion and does all he can to resist. The few days together makes them realise they dont really know each other, having made assumptions and built up ideals about the other, which are slowly broken down.

The book finishes with a silly but satisfying ending in the theatre two weeks after the show at the beginning of the book.

The lethal cat Egui proves to be a suitable distraction at the right times, and brings on a slight farcical tone to the story (and allows for Jane to show off her unique embroidery skills). I think this is the strongest book in the series to date, possibly because I am now hitting my stride with them or simply because Xavier and Jane are having deeper, more meaningful conversations with no real outside distractions. However, it's still a light, occasionally flirtatious romance set in a period governed by rules.

Always a fan of Erica’s. While this is not one of the Gothic romances she started out with, she does an excellent job with this one sending a spinster off to “live” life just once before she gives up on ever having the chance. She chooses a war hero, a friend of a friend, but the man in question is already fighting a moral dilemma. Adding one more to his laundry list of behavior unbecoming a gentleman might throw him over the edge of sanity, a precipice he’s wobbled on before.

I enjoyed this book right up until the grand gesture at the end, which was a little OTT for me, but all in all I really enjoyed the story. ( )

Girl is waaaaaaaay too confident for a plump spinster. I'll give this an extra star for the brief moments of insecurity, but I am not really a fan of girl-chases-guy romances, and especially not when the hero repeatedly rebuffs her. Yet she is so convinced she's perfect for him and that they should be together? How is this brazen seductress even the same character as the awkward, invisible girl from the beginning of the story?? ( )

(LibraryThing Legacy Member Giveaway 2015)

This is a spinster's second-chance story that doesn't really find its seduction - at least for me. Sweet in places and stilted in others. As part of a bigger and longer series, I was a little left out and haven't gone back to read any of the other stories at all. You don't necessarily have to read the first two but I think it sort of helps to set up how the author is writing.

I think for fans of Julia Quinn [Bridgerton] and perhaps Eloisa James, this might be right up your alley for a cozy historical.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.** ( )

I enjoyed this Regency romance.While I received this free as part of the Exclusive Jewels Vol 3, I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 4.5* rating. This is not for the under 18 readers.The hero is a war bitter man and a heroine with a longtime crush on him. After much foolishness on the heroine's part, which were very brazen of her, and the antics of the demon cat, there was lots to keep turning the pages for. ( )