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jackiehorne's review
4.0
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
3 for Michaels' "A Lady's Gift for Seduction"
4.5 for Essex's "A Lady's Gift for Scandal"
I requested this anthology of two interrelated Christmas Regency novellas because I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Essex. I hadn't read any Jess Michaels' books before.
The collection opens with Michaels' story, "A Lady's Gift for Seduction." The opening scene features the heroines of both novella at a December party in 1814, where twenty-two-year-old Lady Evangeline suggests to Miss Thomasina (Tamsin) Lesley (Essex's heroine) that getting herself "lightly ruined" by a male wallflower will allow her to work on her biography of Bess of Hardwicke than marry any of the silly men being thrown at her by her marriage-minded mother. For some unstated reason, though, Evangeline decides to pursue the scheme for herself, too, at least in part, thinking that her neighbor Henry Killham will make for the perfect "biddable groom," "one who would thwart her own father's potential interference and give her a lasting independence that few ladies of her sphere ever enjoyed." I'm not quite sure why Evangeline doesn't just ask Henry to marry her, rather than try to seduce him; he's held a torch for her for ages (as we are told in the scenes written from his POV), and she feels jealousy when Miss Lesley initially thinks of Henry as a candidate for her own ruination. But this seems like one of those stories we're supposed to laugh at, rather than laugh with, the heroine, which aren't my favorite. I also didn't understand why Henry's father, or Evangeline's, would be so upset about Henry's scientific pursuits; it wasn't a shocking thing at the time for an aristocrat to pursue scientific discoveries, or to publish same; it would not be "dragging the family name in the mud of trade."
The story becomes less silly, and more interesting, once Evangeline finally does confide in Henry, and the two decide to marry. Afterwards, both are feeling a bit at sea—Henry, because he has to promise (falsely) to give up his scientific endeavors in order to gain permission to wed from Evangeline's father, and Evangeline, who is afraid of Henry's kindness, afraid of giving up any sort of control, afraid of loss. I didn't at all care for the self-sacrificing nature of the resolution of the black moment; even though the other partner rejects said self-sacrifice, it still seems necessary that the sacrifice be offered, in order for the reconciliation to happen...
"A Lady's Gift for Scandal" by Elizabeth Essex is far more intelligent, and far more delightful, than the earlier novella. (And far more elegantly written too: "She was a counterfeit diamond at best, a determined bluestocking being made to masquerade as a marriageable ninny in search of an equally marriageable ninny of a man."). The "male wallflower" whom Evangeline suggests that Tamsin request to help her with her "light ruination" is Colonel Simon Cathcart, or "Simple Simon," a man who has returned from the war mentally damaged. Or so Simon would have society believe. For a man weary of "honing his instincts while curbing his impulses," which had "left him tangled in such knots that he no longer trusted himself," Simon far prefers to have everyone think him addlepated than to continually ask him about the glory of his war experiences. But of late, Simon's role of "everyone's favorite idiot" is growing a bit tiresome, and Miss Lesley's surprising proposal promises the kind of fun that he hasn't allowed himself to have in a long, long time.
What's so wonderful here isn't just the amusing premise; it's the way that Tamsin and Simon interact, especially the sheer pleasure and joy Simon takes in Tamsin as a person:
"For some reason he could not name, he liked her. He liked the bossy bundle of deliciousness who couldn't see past her own nose, but assumed all the world beyond her gaze should be as she saw it. There was something hopeful about that assumption. Something reassuring. And reassuringly human. She wanted to be the heroine of her own story. In short, just his type."
Tamsin's competence and dry humor gradually leads Simon to reveal bits of himself while still wearing the guise of Simple Simon, while his "light ruination," all under her direction, piques Tamsin's interest far more than she initially thought it would. And while their "fake ruination" plans do lead to some kissing, their relationship is based as much on their discovery of shared intellectual interests as it is on physical attraction. The previous story talked about the protagonists relating to one another as equals, but here we actually see two people interacting as equals, and appreciating both their similarities and their differences.
I've rarely read such a delightful take on the "fake engagement" trope.
3 for Michaels' "A Lady's Gift for Seduction"
4.5 for Essex's "A Lady's Gift for Scandal"
I requested this anthology of two interrelated Christmas Regency novellas because I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Essex. I hadn't read any Jess Michaels' books before.
The collection opens with Michaels' story, "A Lady's Gift for Seduction." The opening scene features the heroines of both novella at a December party in 1814, where twenty-two-year-old Lady Evangeline suggests to Miss Thomasina (Tamsin) Lesley (Essex's heroine) that getting herself "lightly ruined" by a male wallflower will allow her to work on her biography of Bess of Hardwicke than marry any of the silly men being thrown at her by her marriage-minded mother. For some unstated reason, though, Evangeline decides to pursue the scheme for herself, too, at least in part, thinking that her neighbor Henry Killham will make for the perfect "biddable groom," "one who would thwart her own father's potential interference and give her a lasting independence that few ladies of her sphere ever enjoyed." I'm not quite sure why Evangeline doesn't just ask Henry to marry her, rather than try to seduce him; he's held a torch for her for ages (as we are told in the scenes written from his POV), and she feels jealousy when Miss Lesley initially thinks of Henry as a candidate for her own ruination. But this seems like one of those stories we're supposed to laugh at, rather than laugh with, the heroine, which aren't my favorite. I also didn't understand why Henry's father, or Evangeline's, would be so upset about Henry's scientific pursuits; it wasn't a shocking thing at the time for an aristocrat to pursue scientific discoveries, or to publish same; it would not be "dragging the family name in the mud of trade."
The story becomes less silly, and more interesting, once Evangeline finally does confide in Henry, and the two decide to marry. Afterwards, both are feeling a bit at sea—Henry, because he has to promise (falsely) to give up his scientific endeavors in order to gain permission to wed from Evangeline's father, and Evangeline, who is afraid of Henry's kindness, afraid of giving up any sort of control, afraid of loss. I didn't at all care for the self-sacrificing nature of the resolution of the black moment; even though the other partner rejects said self-sacrifice, it still seems necessary that the sacrifice be offered, in order for the reconciliation to happen...
"A Lady's Gift for Scandal" by Elizabeth Essex is far more intelligent, and far more delightful, than the earlier novella. (And far more elegantly written too: "She was a counterfeit diamond at best, a determined bluestocking being made to masquerade as a marriageable ninny in search of an equally marriageable ninny of a man."). The "male wallflower" whom Evangeline suggests that Tamsin request to help her with her "light ruination" is Colonel Simon Cathcart, or "Simple Simon," a man who has returned from the war mentally damaged. Or so Simon would have society believe. For a man weary of "honing his instincts while curbing his impulses," which had "left him tangled in such knots that he no longer trusted himself," Simon far prefers to have everyone think him addlepated than to continually ask him about the glory of his war experiences. But of late, Simon's role of "everyone's favorite idiot" is growing a bit tiresome, and Miss Lesley's surprising proposal promises the kind of fun that he hasn't allowed himself to have in a long, long time.
What's so wonderful here isn't just the amusing premise; it's the way that Tamsin and Simon interact, especially the sheer pleasure and joy Simon takes in Tamsin as a person:
"For some reason he could not name, he liked her. He liked the bossy bundle of deliciousness who couldn't see past her own nose, but assumed all the world beyond her gaze should be as she saw it. There was something hopeful about that assumption. Something reassuring. And reassuringly human. She wanted to be the heroine of her own story. In short, just his type."
Tamsin's competence and dry humor gradually leads Simon to reveal bits of himself while still wearing the guise of Simple Simon, while his "light ruination," all under her direction, piques Tamsin's interest far more than she initially thought it would. And while their "fake ruination" plans do lead to some kissing, their relationship is based as much on their discovery of shared intellectual interests as it is on physical attraction. The previous story talked about the protagonists relating to one another as equals, but here we actually see two people interacting as equals, and appreciating both their similarities and their differences.
I've rarely read such a delightful take on the "fake engagement" trope.
hollybg's review
4.0
I am not usually a lover of anthologies (I feel like too many short stories in one go tend to dilute each other in my brain) but I am lover of all thins Christmas. So when I saw this book had two historical romances, both set at Christmas time and both about romances involving masculine wallflowers, I was all Sign Me Up!
Book One A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels
I loved the scheming mind of Lady Evangeline and her bespectacled Scientist hero, Henry who was just so very lovely. The chemistry between them was palpable and the sex scenes were both delicious and many. The external conflict threatening their union was both large enough to be a genuine worry and small enough to be dealt with realistically within the shorter book. Lady Evangeline is also struggling throughout with her own need for control in all things and this added a nice amount of internal conflict. Great solid historical romance that hit all the right notes needed for a good story to the point I couldn't even tell it was a novella.
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Both of these stories are set over the same few weeks in the run up to Christmas so I was little worried going into book 2 I'd be annoyed or bored at having to re-read the same few encounters between the two heroines from the other side. I should not have worried, Tamsin and Simon's story is 100% their own but just as enjoyable. I was a little uncomfortable at first with Simon's faked 'simpleton act', finding all the 'What Hos' and 'Jolly Goods' a bit much. But seeing Tamsin grows so fond of them helped immensely. There were fewer sex scenes in this story compared to the first but it lost none of steaminess for it.
Together these are a lovely pair of sweet historical romances featuring bright, determined women and the male wallflowers who are delighted by them. A perfect treat to get you in the festive mood.
Book One A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels
I loved the scheming mind of Lady Evangeline and her bespectacled Scientist hero, Henry who was just so very lovely. The chemistry between them was palpable and the sex scenes were both delicious and many. The external conflict threatening their union was both large enough to be a genuine worry and small enough to be dealt with realistically within the shorter book. Lady Evangeline is also struggling throughout with her own need for control in all things and this added a nice amount of internal conflict. Great solid historical romance that hit all the right notes needed for a good story to the point I couldn't even tell it was a novella.
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Both of these stories are set over the same few weeks in the run up to Christmas so I was little worried going into book 2 I'd be annoyed or bored at having to re-read the same few encounters between the two heroines from the other side. I should not have worried, Tamsin and Simon's story is 100% their own but just as enjoyable. I was a little uncomfortable at first with Simon's faked 'simpleton act', finding all the 'What Hos' and 'Jolly Goods' a bit much. But seeing Tamsin grows so fond of them helped immensely. There were fewer sex scenes in this story compared to the first but it lost none of steaminess for it.
Together these are a lovely pair of sweet historical romances featuring bright, determined women and the male wallflowers who are delighted by them. A perfect treat to get you in the festive mood.
windsinger's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ctsquirrel's review
3.0
A Lady’s Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels
3.5/5 stars, Okay friends to lovers with chemistry that surprises both of them. (3/5 with bonus for virgin hero)
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
2.5/5 stars, Tamsin irritated me. She wants to be "slightly ruined" so she can live independently like her (probably lesbian) aunt, but cannot explain what that means or has any idea how she'll support herself. She ropes in "Simple" Simon to help with the "slight ruin." I struggled to finish, but I was intrigued by Simon, a war hero that pretends to be slow to avoid mention of his experience in the war.
3.5/5 stars, Okay friends to lovers with chemistry that surprises both of them. (3/5 with bonus for virgin hero)
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
2.5/5 stars, Tamsin irritated me. She wants to be "slightly ruined" so she can live independently like her (probably lesbian) aunt, but cannot explain what that means or has any idea how she'll support herself. She ropes in "Simple" Simon to help with the "slight ruin." I struggled to finish, but I was intrigued by Simon, a war hero that pretends to be slow to avoid mention of his experience in the war.
taisie22's review
3.0
This is a nice duet of Regency Christmas novellas. The twist is that in this case, we have two diamonds who are attracted to men wallflowers, both for different reasons. The plots are a bit contrived and I liked the second one, A Lady's Gift for Scandal, more. Maybe these stories would have been better if they were full novels, but they're still an okay read.
rjordan19's review
5.0
A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels
I loved this short story!! Our hero, Henry, is wallflower. He has spectacles. He has a hobby that everyone in his family and social sphere seem to disapprove of. The heroine, Evangeline, has a take charge, be in control personality. She thinks she can manage the hero when she realizes she can use a relationship with him, but she quickly finds herself out of her depth. Really really enjoyed this story. It had enough conflict, tension, in depth character development to make me happy. And the steam! Definitely will be checking out more Jess Michaels. I believe this was my first story by her. My only complaint was the heroine was not easy to love and annoyed me a bit, especially towards the end. But it was nice seeing the more stereotypical roles reversed in the relationship.
A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
As much as I enjoyed the first story of this duet, I think this one is my favorite. Tamsin thinks she can get what she wants out of life if she can just be 'lightly ruined'. She strikes a friendship with Evangeline and gets introduced to simple Simon. I adored Simon. I thought his character was just so different. If you love a man who lets the woman lead the way and is a true gentleman about consent, I think you will like this story as well. He's so much a gentleman. I loved watching them fall in love. It was so accidental and perfect. I did feel the heroine took it a little far with her poor mother at the end. I actually felt really bad for her mom in this story with the way she acted. Tamsin came off as rather self absorbed.
Overall I was extremely impressed with these two short stories. I will definitely be checking out more by these authors, as this was my first taste of both.
4.5 stars rounded to 5
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved this short story!! Our hero, Henry, is wallflower. He has spectacles. He has a hobby that everyone in his family and social sphere seem to disapprove of. The heroine, Evangeline, has a take charge, be in control personality. She thinks she can manage the hero when she realizes she can use a relationship with him, but she quickly finds herself out of her depth. Really really enjoyed this story. It had enough conflict, tension, in depth character development to make me happy. And the steam! Definitely will be checking out more Jess Michaels. I believe this was my first story by her. My only complaint was the heroine was not easy to love and annoyed me a bit, especially towards the end. But it was nice seeing the more stereotypical roles reversed in the relationship.
A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
As much as I enjoyed the first story of this duet, I think this one is my favorite. Tamsin thinks she can get what she wants out of life if she can just be 'lightly ruined'. She strikes a friendship with Evangeline and gets introduced to simple Simon. I adored Simon. I thought his character was just so different. If you love a man who lets the woman lead the way and is a true gentleman about consent, I think you will like this story as well. He's so much a gentleman. I loved watching them fall in love. It was so accidental and perfect. I did feel the heroine took it a little far with her poor mother at the end. I actually felt really bad for her mom in this story with the way she acted. Tamsin came off as rather self absorbed.
Overall I was extremely impressed with these two short stories. I will definitely be checking out more by these authors, as this was my first taste of both.
4.5 stars rounded to 5
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
ssejig's review
3.0
A Lady's Gift for Seductionby Jess Michaels
The daughter of a duke, Lady Evangeline could marry anyone. And her father really wants her to marry someone who can strengthen the family connections. But not more than Henry Killam's social-climbing father. So when Lady Evangeline sets her sights on Henry, the third son of a viscount, Henry's father is at first excited, but then super pissed because Henry has published an astrology paper and that smacks of.... working.
I didn't really connect to either Evangeline nor Henry in this story and I was annoyed by all of the machinations. It was fine but not great.
Three stars
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Tamsin Lesley doesn't want to get married. She just wants to live as a bluestocking and to do that she has to be ruined. Or fake ruined. Because there's no reason to be really ruined. When she runs into Lady Evangeline at a ball, that august young woman suggests Simon Cathcart as the perfect man to be her "ruiner."
Simon went to war and came back different. He just wants a simple life so he pretends to be stupid. No one in his family nor his superiors (he worked for Wellington, for goodness' sake) has told anyone any different so everyone assumes that he's incredibly stupid and ignores him. He's only in town to escort his aunt to various affairs. So when Tamsin suggests a fake ruination, it seems like a good plan to him.
This is a good premise but I wish there had been more to it. I think it would have been better in a longer form but felt unfinished here.
Three stars
The daughter of a duke, Lady Evangeline could marry anyone. And her father really wants her to marry someone who can strengthen the family connections. But not more than Henry Killam's social-climbing father. So when Lady Evangeline sets her sights on Henry, the third son of a viscount, Henry's father is at first excited, but then super pissed because Henry has published an astrology paper and that smacks of.... working.
I didn't really connect to either Evangeline nor Henry in this story and I was annoyed by all of the machinations. It was fine but not great.
Three stars
A Lady’s Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex
Tamsin Lesley doesn't want to get married. She just wants to live as a bluestocking and to do that she has to be ruined. Or fake ruined. Because there's no reason to be really ruined. When she runs into Lady Evangeline at a ball, that august young woman suggests Simon Cathcart as the perfect man to be her "ruiner."
Simon went to war and came back different. He just wants a simple life so he pretends to be stupid. No one in his family nor his superiors (he worked for Wellington, for goodness' sake) has told anyone any different so everyone assumes that he's incredibly stupid and ignores him. He's only in town to escort his aunt to various affairs. So when Tamsin suggests a fake ruination, it seems like a good plan to him.
This is a good premise but I wish there had been more to it. I think it would have been better in a longer form but felt unfinished here.
Three stars
jillmlong's review
4.0
What is not to like? Betrothed by Christmas delivers two thoroughly enjoyable Christmas stories that get you in the mood for the holidays and romance!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
romancelibrary's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know it's way too early to read holiday romances, but I couldn't resist this anthology because I love Jess Michaels's books and I knew her novella would be a winner because she's tweeted about it before. Reading this anthology also gave me the chance to read Elizabeth Essex for the very first time. So this was a win-win for me. This anthology's theme is based on the pairing of wallflower heroes with popular belles of the ball, a pairing I wish was more popular in romance novels. Both novellas take place at the same time as the heroines become friends early on. Both romances are also based on the friends to lovers trope.
A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels (4.5 stars)
This was a wonderful friends to lovers romance, with a dash of unrequited love and pining hero. Lady Evangeline and Henry Killam know each other through their fathers and they've had an easy friendship for years. Henry was always attracted to Evangeline, but the latter never realized that she was also attracted to him until now. Evangeline knows that her dad plans to marry her off, but she's terrified of being married off to a man who will control every aspect of her life. So she decides to find herself a biddable groom, that is to say, a masculine wallflower. And who better than her dear friend Henry, the reasonable and easygoing scholar? She plans on seducing him, but little does she know that she's the one who will ultimately be seduced and wooed by scholarly Henry.
Henry and Evangeline's love story was short, steamy, and sweet. Henry was my kind of beta hero. He was utterly perfect and just so darn sweet. I also liked that the conflict was simple and not overly complicated. It was really well executed and not blown to proportions. It fit the length and tone of the story and ultimately led to a very satisfactory HEA.
A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex (4.5 stars)
This was my first Elizabeth Essex book and omg where has she been my entire life?? A Lady's Gift for Scandal was an utterly delightful friends to lovers romance between a belle of the ball who only wants to be a bluestocking and a veteran who just wants to be left alone. Simon Cathcart accompanies his aunt to parties...only to retire to the library and take a nap until his aunt is ready to leave. Imagine his surprise when he is awoken by Tamsin Lesley who proposes that he lightly ruins her so that she doesn't have to get married.
This novella completely took me by surprise, mostly because of Simon. He was such a unique hero! He kind of reminded me of Gideon from Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake. It was hilarious how Tamsin and Simon's plans for light ruination always had the most unexpected consequences. I had such a blast reading their shenanigans. The only thing that I wasn't a fan of was the climax because I think Tamsin's actions came across as a little selfish and uncaring, but I loved everything else. I cannot wait to read more books by Elizabeth Essex!!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know it's way too early to read holiday romances, but I couldn't resist this anthology because I love Jess Michaels's books and I knew her novella would be a winner because she's tweeted about it before. Reading this anthology also gave me the chance to read Elizabeth Essex for the very first time. So this was a win-win for me. This anthology's theme is based on the pairing of wallflower heroes with popular belles of the ball, a pairing I wish was more popular in romance novels. Both novellas take place at the same time as the heroines become friends early on. Both romances are also based on the friends to lovers trope.
A Lady's Gift for Seduction by Jess Michaels (4.5 stars)
This was a wonderful friends to lovers romance, with a dash of unrequited love and pining hero. Lady Evangeline and Henry Killam know each other through their fathers and they've had an easy friendship for years. Henry was always attracted to Evangeline, but the latter never realized that she was also attracted to him until now. Evangeline knows that her dad plans to marry her off, but she's terrified of being married off to a man who will control every aspect of her life. So she decides to find herself a biddable groom, that is to say, a masculine wallflower. And who better than her dear friend Henry, the reasonable and easygoing scholar? She plans on seducing him, but little does she know that she's the one who will ultimately be seduced and wooed by scholarly Henry.
Henry and Evangeline's love story was short, steamy, and sweet. Henry was my kind of beta hero. He was utterly perfect and just so darn sweet. I also liked that the conflict was simple and not overly complicated. It was really well executed and not blown to proportions. It fit the length and tone of the story and ultimately led to a very satisfactory HEA.
A Lady's Gift for Scandal by Elizabeth Essex (4.5 stars)
This was my first Elizabeth Essex book and omg where has she been my entire life?? A Lady's Gift for Scandal was an utterly delightful friends to lovers romance between a belle of the ball who only wants to be a bluestocking and a veteran who just wants to be left alone. Simon Cathcart accompanies his aunt to parties...only to retire to the library and take a nap until his aunt is ready to leave. Imagine his surprise when he is awoken by Tamsin Lesley who proposes that he lightly ruins her so that she doesn't have to get married.
This novella completely took me by surprise, mostly because of Simon. He was such a unique hero! He kind of reminded me of Gideon from Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake. It was hilarious how Tamsin and Simon's plans for light ruination always had the most unexpected consequences. I had such a blast reading their shenanigans. The only thing that I wasn't a fan of was the climax because I think Tamsin's actions came across as a little selfish and uncaring, but I loved everything else. I cannot wait to read more books by Elizabeth Essex!!
dianed's review
5.0
Betrothed by Christmas is a interesting take on the problems of women who must wed by their choice or their families. Jess Michaels and Elizabeth Essex do an interesting take on the usual story. Their two heroines are independent bluestockings who do not wish to be saddled with overbearing husbands who will control their actions. So, they decide to do what a man in the same situation would do - they look for male "wallflowers" who would not be adverse to a marriage for money or for ruining a miss to keep her unmarried.
Jess Micahels story has a rich heiress who decides that her friend would be the perfect biddable husband, His father is threatening to cut him off for his astronomy publishing. What starts as a plan for a marriage of conveneniece toruns out to be an actual love match. My one complaint about this story is that there is a bit of a spoiler for the second story.
In Elizabeth Essex's story the miss isn't up for marriage, she just wants to be slightly ruined. Just enough for her mother to give up on her hopes of a marriage. Her selected man is known as Simple Simon - a war hero who can alway be found napping on a couch when he escorts his aunt to a ball. No matter how many times, they try to get caught her mother refuses to fall for it. As the two struggle for ruin, it turns out that Simon isn't as simple as he lets on to be and what starts as a silly plan, turns into a love match.
I received an advnaced copy of this book.
Jess Micahels story has a rich heiress who decides that her friend would be the perfect biddable husband, His father is threatening to cut him off for his astronomy publishing. What starts as a plan for a marriage of conveneniece toruns out to be an actual love match. My one complaint about this story is that there is a bit of a spoiler for the second story.
In Elizabeth Essex's story the miss isn't up for marriage, she just wants to be slightly ruined. Just enough for her mother to give up on her hopes of a marriage. Her selected man is known as Simple Simon - a war hero who can alway be found napping on a couch when he escorts his aunt to a ball. No matter how many times, they try to get caught her mother refuses to fall for it. As the two struggle for ruin, it turns out that Simon isn't as simple as he lets on to be and what starts as a silly plan, turns into a love match.
I received an advnaced copy of this book.