Devils Covet Curves

by Jemma Frost

Renowned womanizer Drake Caster has a he's in love with his best friend's betrothed... well, as in love as a rake like he can be.

And the curvy wallflower choosing to read rather than dance at their engagement ball is brazen enough to tease Drake about it. Him! The man almost every woman in London craves in their beds.

Perhaps he should teach this bespectacled spinster a lesson...

Devils Covet Curves is a steamy historical romance that features a plus-sized bookworm with glasses, opposites attract, and a hero who falls first & hard!

Genres: Historical Romance, Novella, Historical, Romance, Forced Proximity

85 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2024

About the author

Jemma Frost grew up in the Midwest where she visited the library every day and read romance novels voraciously! Now, she lives in North Carolina with her cat, Spencer, and dreams of stories to be written!

Instagram: @authorjemmafrost

Facebook: Author Jemma Frost

Reviews

[Melissa Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short read. Took me a little less than an hour.
The chemistry between the two mains is great at first. I wish it lasted a little longer than it did. Once they get intimate, they get a little flat. They fall in love for some reason. We don't get to know why. We know they talk, about what, we never know but it was enough for them to catch feelings.
So if you want a quick one handed read with little drama and all spice. This is for you.

[BookishMya · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! I love a relationship like Wren & Drake. Banter for days, witty repartee and thick, delicious tension. A 30 yr old spinster, waiting on the sidelines for the perfect rake to reform because we all know they make the best husbands. Drake is simply delicious, the way All his attention is taken up by Wren. Their attraction is instant, even as they play it cool. I love Jemma Frost’s particular style. She writes a bad boy you can’t help but love and heroines who aren’t afraid to be themselves. I devoured this book in one sitting and would gladly go back for seconds. The perfect conclusion to a fabulous series that shows Men do love Curves!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book from this author.

This was a great story even though it was a bit short.

Drake is the most notorious rake in London and he is in love with best friend's betrothed however he thought no one knew how he felt until a wallflower who goes unnoticed by everyone catches his attention by calling him out. And then not only does he forget about his best friend's betrothed but he finds that he loves beautiful curvy wallflowers.

Wren is not only a wallflower but she's spinster firmly on the shelf until the most notorious rake offers to give her passion that she will never forget. But she finds that not only does he have a passionate side but a funny friendly side that she wants more of. And she wants to make him hers.

A curvy wallflower and a notorious rake find not only passion flying between them but love.. Sparks are instant between them.

I loved this book from the beginning to the end.

I received this book from the author as an arc in exchange for honest voluntary review and this is purely based upon my own personal opinion and that of no one else.

[Alexandra G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella wasn’t my thing.

I liked the characters, I liked the basic plot and the steam was delicious, but...

It’s very very short and I found the story in between the steam lacking. To me it felt flimsy, a poor way of knitting sexy scenes together. I like my smut with a little more meat, and this story had a lot of unfulfilled potential.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSprout for a copy of this novella, and this is my freely given opinion.

The blurb of this is a bit misleading; when I originally read the blurb, to me, it sounds like the book-reading wallflower *IS* the betrothed of the best friend that the rakish MMC is in love with. Nope, as I found out when I read the book, the betrothed is a slender, popular, beautiful deb engaged to the rake's best friend. The book-reading wallflower is a spinster wallflower who comes out of her shell long enough to boldly tease him and engage his interest. This sparks his interest a bit and he comes up with the great idea of engaging in an affair with the wallflower for the duration of the house party to distract him from his inconvenient love and attraction to the fiancee of his friend.

Short, spicy, cute, but I have some residual yucky feelings about the rakes rather atrocious and selfish reasons for using one woman to slake his lust and distract him from his inconvenient and unfortunate attraction to another.

He comes off a bit too selfishly rakish to evoke much liking or empathy from me. But this was a fun read with decent steam if one can overlook that bit of a flaw.

3.25 stars out of 5

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a two week house party, a rake and a curvy spinster agree to an affair to avert his attention to his friend's fiance. Caught unawares, his affair with the curvy spinster becomes his obsession. A good read when a curvy spinster reforms a rake. Very hot explicit sex.

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has to have my favorite interaction between characters. They were such a dynamic duo, I couldn't put it down. Great characters and great back-and-forth between them

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy, fun read. My only complaint is that it should have been longer! I would have enjoyed having the characters fleshed out a bit more and they were interesting enough to support a full length novel. Loving the Curves and Cravats series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil’s Covet Curves by Jemma Frost is a delightful addition to the Curves and Cravats series—a fast-paced novella packed with fun, passion, and one of the most unexpected pairings. Drake, a notorious rake, and Wren, a curvy wallflower often left unnoticed, make for an entertaining duo.

Drake Caster, renowned womanizer and lover of all things forbidden, finds himself in quite the pickle: he’s smitten with his best friend’s betrothed. Well, “smitten” in the way a rake like Drake can be. When Wren catches on to his not-so-subtle gazes at the soon-to-be-engaged lady, she gives him a warning—if she’s noticed, so will his best friend. But instead of backing off, Drake proposes an intriguing solution: he’ll focus all his attention on her during the party, showing her the passion she’s been missing. Talk about bold!

Wren Preston, a witty, book-loving spinster with short hair, spectacles, and a penchant for speaking her mind, agrees. After all, what does she have to lose? As the party goes on, though, Wren begins to realize that falling for Drake might just be the one thing she wasn’t prepared for.

The chemistry between them is sizzling, but it’s the banter that truly shines. Drake turns out to be far more than just a rake—he’s clever, funny, and surprisingly endearing. Their conversations were just as enjoyable as their more… heated moments. Watching Drake try to shake off his rakish ways for a future with “his little bird” was an amusing, and heartwarming, twist.

From start to finish, I adored this story! The connection between Drake and Wren was quick, but beautifully written, proving once again that love can sneak up on the most unlikely of pairs. Who knew a notorious rake and a wallflower could be the perfect match? Jemma Frost did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, making their journey both romantic and fun to read. She skillfully balanced humor, passion, and genuine emotion in way that made me love this story.

In short: if you’re looking for a novella where a rake gets reformed, a wallflower gets the spotlight, and romance is served with a side of humor, this story is for you. Plus, it’s proof that sometimes the best way to keep a rake from straying is to give him a reason to stay.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Debbie Steed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novella was a fun, quick read. It packed a lot into a short story but didn’t feel rushed at all. It’s part of the Curves and Cravats series. It’s an opposites attract and rake/wallflower plot.

It is set at a house party thrown by Elijah Farrow, the best friend of Drake Caster, the Viscount of Stone. Drake is renowned rake who possibly thinks he’s in love or at least lust with Elijah’s soon to be betrothed, Miss Philomena Sharpe. He doesn’t know how he’s going to survive the house party without losing his best friend if he was to seduce Philomena. While covertly watching Elijah and Philomena, an unusual young woman surprises him.

Miss Wren Preston is a thirty year old, sassy, short haired, curvy, long on the shelf wallflower, who wears spectacles, is completely unfashionable and reads lots of books. She has been watching Drake herself. She tells him he’ll be in trouble if he keeps watching the couple and Drake knows it too. He comes up with the idea that might be beneficial to both Drake and Wren. Drake will leave the house party with his friendship with Elijah intact and Wren will have a world of discovery at her disposal.

This was such a fun and steamy read. I wish it was longer but the story was complete without feeling rushed. The characters were interesting and humorous. It is a well written short story.

A received a copy of this book from Bookfunnel. I’m voluntarily leaving this review.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was so such a fun read. I love when a spinster who has given up on love or has never had any male attention finally get some. During the regency period the ton had very strong feelings of what women should act like. Wren Preston doesn’t meet any of them. She is a large boned, curvy lady with a mind of her own. She is also a bluestocking, smart and well read! She is outspoken and has short curly hair oh my. She is at a house party for friends of her parents who couldn’t make it. Drake Caster, Viscount Stone is well known by the ton as rake. He comes from a family of rakes and sandal. He is in trouble as this house party is for the betrothing of his best friend to the darling of the ton this season, young Philomena. He finds he is coveting his best friend's lady! She takes him to task for it. He is shocked she is reading at a ball and also that she caught him. He offers her a deal if she will help him so he doesn’t loss his friend he will show her what she has been missing. Oh my! For a short story it has so much emotion, feelings sexy banter and so much more. Be sure and have a cool drink close by! I really enjoy this series of steamy short stories. They are great for a quick break. This one is special as Wren is a very special lady. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it. Don’t miss this series or this book if you like endearing rakes and wonderful ladies.

[Lena Wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a story line

This could have been a really good book, but it skipped over the storyline and was basically just a lot of sex scenes. I'm not a prude, I love romance books with those scenes in them. But this was not romantic at all.

Wren intrigues him when they meet at a house party and the very next morning he offers to "ruin her in the best way" if she will distract him from his friends betrothed that he is supposedly in love with. And by distracting him he basically means her becoming his mistress during the party. Instead of being offended or at least asking what she gets out of this arrangement she just jumps into bed with him and does anything he wants. He didn't even have to seduce her either. He literally just treated her like a whore and she went along with it. There wasn't any scenes of him needing to be saved from ruining his friendship. (And honestly I don't know why she'd care. She wasn't friends or related to his friend or the betrothed) It was just chapter after chapter of him seeking Wren out and doing whatever he wanted with her. It would have been a little more believable if she had been a widow. But a bookish wallflower doesn't just suddenly jump into bed ith a known rake she just met for no reason and be okay with being treated like that.

I'm actually really disappointed because this book had potential and could have been a really good story if it had just delved into the plot it started with.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viscount Stone, the infamous rake with no shortage of willing ladies, is used to living his life on his own terms, so why does he covet the woman about to be engaged to his best friend. And who does this opinionated chit think she is, calling out his indiscretions? But from the moment Drake meets Wren, a woman he would have once dismissed, he’s drawn to her unique spirit. As a woman considered past her prime, Wren felt she could say whatever she wanted and her verbal sparring with Drake gave her an unexpected thrill. Her bold wit and unapologetic honesty spark a delicious tension between them, a dance of words that’s both sharp and exhilarating. When Drake proposes an unexpected arrangement, Wren faces an invitation to experience the freedom and passion she never thought she'd know. I adored watching her come alive in his eyes, her intelligence and charm setting her apart from the beauties he usually bedded. Together, they break all the rules as Wren’s sharp mind and clever quips keep Drake enchanted and on his toes. This story has everything a Regency romance lover could want: a notorious rogue at risk of losing his heart, a bookish spinster who values wit over waltzes, and a spicy connection that will make you believe it’s never too late for a happily-ever-after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delicious story! Wren is a thirty year old spinster wallflower who was attending a house party in lieu of her parents. Drake was a notorious rake attending the same house party which was thrown by his best friend whose intention was to announce his betrothal to Miss Sharpe on the party’s last night. Unfortunately, Drake was fascinated by his friend’s fiance. While sitting on the sidelines reading a book, Wren caught Drake staring at Miss Sharpe so intently that she commented on it, which led to an entertaining conversation between them. The next day Drake made a deal with Wren. She would keep him from ruining his friendship with Farrow and he would ruin her in the best of ways. And so the scene is set for clandestine encounters and steamy nights. Drake worships her body and teaches her to worship his. They share intimate moments, have interesting conversations, and enjoy each other’s wit and charm. Of course the story would not be complete without a little jealousy and heartache…..but in the end, reformed rakes do make the best husbands. This is quick, hot and entertaining!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marion Löw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Steamy, Witty Quick Read

An enjoyable quick read with opposites attract, curvy heroine, reformed rake and house party tropes and brimming with witty banter, dirty talk and sizzling hot love scenes. The characters are endearing and the chemistry between them sizzles from the start.

Drake Caster, Viscount Stone is a notorious rake and secretly infatuated with his friend‘s fiancée.
At the house party in honour of the bride-to-be, Drake is caught by Miss Wren Preston ogling his friend’s betrothed who promptly makes fun of him.
Wren is a spinster, wallflower and bluestocking and comes from a family known for its eccentricity. She is normally shy and introverted , but somehow she is tempted to tease Drake.
Drake decides to teach the cheeky, curvy Wren a lesson and at the same time distract himself from his crush: he offers to show Wren carnal pleasure for the duration of the house party. But in the end, it's him who gets a lesson in love...

If you like quick to read historical romance novellas with dominant rakes and sassy spinsters, you will certainly enjoy this book!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Imromanticallyinvolved · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short, quick read is the final book in the Curves and Cravats Series that seems to have a book for everyone.

This story follows Wren, a 30 year old bluestocking firmly on the shelf and Drake, London's most notorious Rake. I really liked the start of this story with their banter and teasing sparking interest that neither would have suspected. Things heat up pretty quickly when Drake proposes they "entertain" each other at a house party for the next two weeks providing him a distraction and Wren an experience to think back on the rest of her life as she never expects to marry.

This story had so much potential but fell a little flat for me. I needed more pages that showed the connection they both said they had when they talked or weren't in bed together. Unfortunately, readers don't witness these talks or moments making it hard to engage with their story. The sex scenes are explicit, but short, and lack passion. They felt a little transactional.

With this being said, I would try another story by this author with a longer page count because there were things I did like about their writing and did sense potential.

I received an early copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Slwd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wren and Drake

If you want a luscious, steamy, romantic, sexy indulgence then look no further. The novella, “Devils Covet Curves” written by Jemma Frost, ist part of the Curves and Cravats series that hits all of these wonderfully entertaining notes. The novella introduces spinster wallflower Wren Preston reading Chaucer at a ball. She is curvy, she wears glasses, she sports an uncommon short hairdo and she dares to tease known rake and womanizer, Drake Caster, (aka Viscount Stone). A proposition later and they are off to the races bedding and talking and getting to know one another. Ms. Frost gives the reader all we need to know to understand these two very different people. We get to witness their passion and their romance and enjoy every moment along the way. A very well written novella. This is the first story I have read written by Jemma Frost and I shall definitely seek out more. Can be read in one sitting. Very explicit. Definitely recommended for lovers of the genre.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Mary Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devils Covet Curves is an absolute delight. It’s a confection of a romance. This isn’t a complicated story—a rake decides to give a wallflower memorable experiences over a two-week country-house visit—but it’s executed so well.

Frost knows what she’s doing here. And the best thing is that her heroine may not be experienced—at 30, she’s a wallflower of long standing—but she’s smart, witty, and utterly willing to sass her hero. I loved Wren for her spirit, which was both willing to grab experience with both hands and yet also reluctant at moments. And Drake is that classic hero trope, the rake who thinks he’ll never form a lasting relationship and doesn’t realize he’s already fallen into the abyss of love.

There was a nice twist here in that Wren’s purpose is to hide Drake’s attraction to his good friend’s intended—and that indeed plays out at first. But it quickly becomes clear that these two are mad for one another. There are some elements of disbelief—these two can escape for their many steamy scenes during a small country house party and never get caught? Really? But overall, this is a fine conclusion to the Curves & Cravats series.

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devils Covet Curves is a standalone historical erotic romance by Jemma Frost, set in Regency era England. It is also part of the multiauthor series, Curves and Cravats.

The set up is pretty simply, a thirty year old spinster, Wren Preston. She is a bit of bluestocking, very direct in her words and, to put it nicely, her curves are about to attract a rake her way. Drake Caster, Viscount Stone, is a rake and he has an inappropriate attraction while attending the house party celebrating his good friend's engagement. Wren Preston is unexpected in so many ways, and a delightful distraction. Drake seems like a bit of shallow fellow to start with, but there are definitely depths to his character that we discover along with Wren.

This is a fun instalove, that has plenty of steamy scenes between Wren and Drake. These are two deeply passionate characters, both in and out of the bedroom and they were a pure delight to get acquainted with.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drake Caster, Viscount Stone is a known rake who is attending a house party for his best friend Elijah Farrow. Drake believes he is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend Miss Sharpe, but knows he cannot cross the line with her. Miss Wren Preston is attending the house party for her parents. She knows she is a wallflower and spinster, but content with her life.

When Wren catches Drake watching Miss Sharpe she points out that nothing good will come of it. Drake decides he needs a distraction so his friendship will stay intact and Wren is exactly the distraction he needs. He will show her everything she is missing and she will help keep him distracted during the house party. Let the fun begin!!

Drake and Wren’s story was fun, entertaining and had lots of steam!! I really liked the witty sassy banter between them and how they instantly connected!! I highly recommend this really fun book!!

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author whips up a sizzling and fun escapade that's sure to make you giggle and fan yourself. The story whirls around the infamous devil, Drake Castor, Viscount Stone, who's caught in quite the pickle at a house party. His best friend is about to tie announce his betrothal to Miss Sharp, the very lady Drake's been pining for in secret. Distracting himself from his crush, Drake throws a saucy challenge at the unsuspecting, innocent wallflower, Miss Wren Preston.

Wren, a voluptuous bibliophile who'd rather cozy up with a good book than hobnob at high-society gatherings, is taken aback yet tempted by Drake's audacious offer. Their journey through this risqué pact sets off fireworks, and Drake is surprisingly smitten by Wren's brains and banter. Their rapport crackles with wit and sizzle. The author's pen delivers laughs and sincerity in spades, making "Devils Covet Curves" the go-to novella for a swift, delightful, and fiery read.

[Nina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of the curves and cravats series is here and I am going to miss it. What beautiful stories and what a fantastic last novella.
I love the starting point of the story.
Drake is a rake and fancied his best friend betrothed. Wren is a spinster who likes to read during balls.
They get to know each other at a house party and make a deal. She distracts Drake from the other woman and he shows Wren some amusement.
I loved the story of these two, my only objection is: it‘s too short. I really would love to read more about the growing of their relationship and it feels a little but rushed.
But apart from that, the story has everything. It’s very steamy, very sexy, I adore Wrens wit and I really, really love jealous men and Drakes jealousy is so sweet.
This was my first Jemma Frost book, but definitely not my last.
This whole series brought so much new authors to me, I really appreciate that!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts: I really, really liked this novella, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick read and wants more plus-size-friendly books that highlight that in their reading.

Spice Level: 2.5/5

Summary: Their rather mutually beneficial agreement begins at the house party in Northumberland, England in 1824, as a distraction for both Drake and Wren, as Drake has feelings for his best friend's betrothed and needs something to take his mind off the fact that he will never have Philomena Sharpe. For Wren, the agreement is to distract her from reading through the parties’ events because she is a completely on-the-shelf spinster. But when both realize that love may be on the horizon will everything fall apart, or will their love grow stronger?

Tropes: Historical romance, Forced Proximity, Strangers to Lovers, Later in Life, Spinster, Wallflower, Rake, Plus Size FMC, Pining, Jealous MMC, Breeding K!nk.

[Daffodil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book so much!!! Wren and Drake are perfect for each other and their flirtation is so hotttt🔥! My favourite part was during their picnic where Drake's flirtation is on another level!! The way that he thought that Wren will provide a distraction and finally fall in love with her in a second is so cuteee! The only thing that I think could be better is to show the depth of their relationship. I know it is novella and the insta love trope is the main in the story. However, I think that this story will be perfect if more depth is emphasised on their relationship that is not just based on steamy scenes. Overall, I love it and looking forward to another book like this in the future from Jemma!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmel Zumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drake Caster the infamous rake is in love with his best friend’s betrothed. He ogles her at a ball and is caught out by Wren Preston a thirty year old curvy wallflower.
She calls it as she sees it and he is unrepentant of his inappropriate obsession. So in between their banter he decides that if he is to stay away from the newly betrothed Miss Sharpe he will focus on the enticing charms of the book reading eccentric Wren. She will provide the distraction he needs and finally experience the passion she seeks.
So begins their hot affair. Get your fans ready! Rake in control or out of control? Read and find out how the tables turn and these two opposites get to their HEA. A gem to be sure!

[Margaret Watkins]

Drake, a renowned rake, wants what he cannot have. In this steamy romance, Drake is confronted by a wallflower who would rather read Chaucer in a ballroom than participate in dancing. He is intrigued as Wren stands up to him and makes him see the error of his ways. He makes a deal with her and sets out to teach Wren a few things, but as the attraction between them escalates, Drake begins to realize that he is truly trapped and does not know how to deal with his unknown feelings, making him stop to think about his future. The novel is a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion, although there definitely needs to be an age restriction on this novella. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Awesomeslawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and super spicey read!

This novella was short and hot…I finished it easily in one sitting. Our MMC is a rake who is fighting feelings for his best friend’s fiancée. Our MFC is a curvaceous wallflower who calls him out for his inappropriate lusting. Together, they strike a bargain…she’ll distract him from messing up his friendship by pursuing his bff’s gal and he will give her the physical pleasure she never thought she would experience as a spinster. Now…the agreement is a bit ridiculous…because the truth of the matter is that these two are smitten with each other but just don’t realize it! What follows is some wonderfully sexy, steamy fun! My only complaint is that I wish it was longer because I was enjoying it so much!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re all at a house party where Drake is besotted with his best friend’s fiancee, but then finds a distraction in the wallflower Wren. They decide to help each other have fun during the party and keep Drake away from revealing his feelings about his friend’s fiancee. And of course, a physical affair ensues, followed by actual feelings. Drake is surprised to find that he’s drawn to both the physical relationship and conversational relationship he has with Wren and that he hardly thinks of the other woman at all when he’s with Wren. She’s glad to experience passion for the first and seemingly last time, while doing her best to protect her heart. Quick and steamy read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Curves & Cravats historical romance series.

I felt that I had some things in common with Wren (I'm a plus size bookworm too), and I thought she was awesome, definitely the kind of female character that I can relate to and enjoy reading about. Drake was a very sexy character as well.

This was a fun read that brought a little smile to my face. If you enjoy historical romance with some steam, this is a short but satisfying read.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catherine A · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like spicy, this is a hot one… A chance encounter at a ball to mark the beginning of a house party, introduces Drake to his “little bird” Wren. Finding himself in need of a diversion, Drake suggests an alliance to Wren. Then what starts as an alliance for the duration of the two week house party soon changes into something neither wants to live without.

It’s always nice to read about a smart, curvy, female lead character who captures the heart of not only the leading man, but also the reader. I don’t think I could ever be as gutsy as Wren, but I did thoroughly enjoy her story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.