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The Notorious Briarwoods #5
The Spinster's Absolutely Sinful Adventure
Lady Winifred has resigned herself to a life as a spinster. But when her family decides that she must now retire to the country and spend the rest of her days as a nursemaid to her great aunt, Winifred knows she needs at least one adventure in her life. There’s plenty of time to live quietly without making a fuss. When it comes to a once in her lifetime experience, who better to seek out than the legendary Lord Ajax? However, when she gets to know him, she cannot deny the way her heart yearns for enduring excitement and maybe a romance that lasts for all time.
Lord Ajax Briarwood is surrounded by people getting married. It’s quite shocking and seems to be catching! So, Lady Winifred’s suggestion to escape for a bit of pleasure seems just the thing. A master at embracing life, he’s happy to give her exactly what she desires. Yet, every kiss with Winifred makes him question everything he’s ever wanted. And as he sees the woman behind the spinster, Ajax might have other ideas about their future.
Lord Ajax Briarwood is surrounded by people getting married. It’s quite shocking and seems to be catching! So, Lady Winifred’s suggestion to escape for a bit of pleasure seems just the thing. A master at embracing life, he’s happy to give her exactly what she desires. Yet, every kiss with Winifred makes him question everything he’s ever wanted. And as he sees the woman behind the spinster, Ajax might have other ideas about their future.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2024
388 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 21, 2025
This is my 73rd book by Eva Devon. I read one of her books in 2016 then didn't pick her up again until 2018 and I have been reading her ever since. She is one I consider a favorite author. I do have to say though, that before book 4, this series has not been a favorite but these last two books have been really good.
It seems as this series goes along, each book gets better and better. I really liked this story and I liked Win and Ajax. I liked their personalities and how they viewed life. Ajax especially with how he saw life, so refreshing. It seemed to be a really quick read even at 174 pgs but was still good. I do have to say her family was so frustrating and her older brother was an ass when he first met Ajax. UGH, they made me so frustrated. I wanted to scream at my book. Anyway, overall a good read. 😊
It seems as this series goes along, each book gets better and better. I really liked this story and I liked Win and Ajax. I liked their personalities and how they viewed life. Ajax especially with how he saw life, so refreshing. It seemed to be a really quick read even at 174 pgs but was still good. I do have to say her family was so frustrating and her older brother was an ass when he first met Ajax. UGH, they made me so frustrated. I wanted to scream at my book. Anyway, overall a good read. 😊
November 6, 2024
My rating for The Spinster's Absolutely Sinful Adventure, by Eva Devon: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
This was the 5th book in the Notorious Briarwoods series. These books can be read standalone, but I believe they would be more enjoyable if read in order -- as they are each about the romance of one of the Briarwood siblings.
I liked that the Briarwood family was so different than most noble families of the time. They didn't care what others thought of them, and didn't bother to try and meet society's ridiculous expectations. I also really liked that the family stuck together, cared deeply about each other, and did their best to help each other achieve happiness.
I liked Winifred, but thought she should have stood up to her mother more. I get that her mother had always made her feel unloveable, which gave Winifred a severe inferiority complex -- but it was wrong of her mother to treat her that way.
Ajax was likable, and I loved that he would do anything for the people he loved. He realized almost immediately that Winifred was special, and was the woman for him. I loved that he helped her realize she was good just the way she was, and that she didn't need to meet her mother's ridiculous (and unfair) expectations.
I liked that Ajax's family tried to help Winifred and her family, and helped her mother understand that she had been wrong to treat Winifred as if she was not good enough.
This book did have sex scenes, but they were fairly tame. Sometimes it is nice to read more romantic, less explicit sex scenes.
I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This was the 5th book in the Notorious Briarwoods series. These books can be read standalone, but I believe they would be more enjoyable if read in order -- as they are each about the romance of one of the Briarwood siblings.
I liked that the Briarwood family was so different than most noble families of the time. They didn't care what others thought of them, and didn't bother to try and meet society's ridiculous expectations. I also really liked that the family stuck together, cared deeply about each other, and did their best to help each other achieve happiness.
I liked Winifred, but thought she should have stood up to her mother more. I get that her mother had always made her feel unloveable, which gave Winifred a severe inferiority complex -- but it was wrong of her mother to treat her that way.
Ajax was likable, and I loved that he would do anything for the people he loved. He realized almost immediately that Winifred was special, and was the woman for him. I loved that he helped her realize she was good just the way she was, and that she didn't need to meet her mother's ridiculous (and unfair) expectations.
I liked that Ajax's family tried to help Winifred and her family, and helped her mother understand that she had been wrong to treat Winifred as if she was not good enough.
This book did have sex scenes, but they were fairly tame. Sometimes it is nice to read more romantic, less explicit sex scenes.
I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
October 6, 2024
Lady Winifred aka Win and Lord Ajax Briarwood might never have met until she approached him! Win loves Shakespeare and wants one last adventure before she sent to the country to be a companion to her old deaf great aunt!
She is a spinster and an embarrassment to her mother as she is blunt and often speaks without thinking!
Ajax finds her fascinating as she pulls no punches and is not careful in speech at all!
She wants adventure but not the carnal kind and he finds this very intriguing!
But of course his mother sees his interest at a ball and Sylvia must meddle a little!
Win deaconess herself that she is worthy, fascinating and even brilliant that yes her mother was indeed wrong! It was awful some of the very harsh words her brother and parent had to say about her!
Win suffers from low self esteem but there is no greater boost when a Briarwood family gets involved! Ajax is fascinated by Win and knows she’s not going anywhere but can he convince her and her family thst he is sincere?
They have belittled her for so long! Ajax has never had to be a Champion but he is certainly up to the task! Bravo
She is a spinster and an embarrassment to her mother as she is blunt and often speaks without thinking!
Ajax finds her fascinating as she pulls no punches and is not careful in speech at all!
She wants adventure but not the carnal kind and he finds this very intriguing!
But of course his mother sees his interest at a ball and Sylvia must meddle a little!
Win deaconess herself that she is worthy, fascinating and even brilliant that yes her mother was indeed wrong! It was awful some of the very harsh words her brother and parent had to say about her!
Win suffers from low self esteem but there is no greater boost when a Briarwood family gets involved! Ajax is fascinated by Win and knows she’s not going anywhere but can he convince her and her family thst he is sincere?
They have belittled her for so long! Ajax has never had to be a Champion but he is certainly up to the task! Bravo
September 20, 2024
This is the fifth book in the Notorious Briarwood series but can be read as a standalone.
Lady Winifred, who is definitely on the shelf, has always been different and interested in anything Shakespeare. When her mother tells her that she is sending her to spend her life with a maiden aunt as a caregiver and companion, she wants one adventure in her life.
She enlists the help of Lord Ajax Briarwood to take her on a trip to see all things Shakespeare.
He sees more than a quiet, unassuming woman in Winifred, and as they get to know one another, they both start to question their lives.
I loved the interaction between the two and how Ajax brought Winifred out of her shell.
There were a lot of interesting, sometimes funny secondary characters from his family.
This is a fun, highly entertaining story. I can't wait for what the next Briarwood book will bring.
Lady Winifred, who is definitely on the shelf, has always been different and interested in anything Shakespeare. When her mother tells her that she is sending her to spend her life with a maiden aunt as a caregiver and companion, she wants one adventure in her life.
She enlists the help of Lord Ajax Briarwood to take her on a trip to see all things Shakespeare.
He sees more than a quiet, unassuming woman in Winifred, and as they get to know one another, they both start to question their lives.
I loved the interaction between the two and how Ajax brought Winifred out of her shell.
There were a lot of interesting, sometimes funny secondary characters from his family.
This is a fun, highly entertaining story. I can't wait for what the next Briarwood book will bring.
February 3, 2026
This was a bit meh for me despite the title. Our FMC, Winifred, is a spinster about to be shipped off to the country, and she yearns for one true adventure, so she recruits our MMC, Ajax. Ajax is a rake, well known for his love of women and Shakespeare. Adventures ensue, with Winifred dressing as a boy.
I liked Winifred and her straightforward manner. Also her enjoyment of breeches. I liked how much Ajax liked Winifred, and how supportive his family is of his finding love.
Part of the problem here is expectations - with this title, I was expecting and wanting a sexy romp. That is not this. There's a bit of spice, but it's middling. The opportunity for lots of fun getting-to-know-you moments during the adventure part of the book is not fully taken advantage of, which is a shame because if the connection between the two was built up more, I'd buy in more. There's also quite a bit of family drama, which takes too much of the book in relation to the romance.
Perfectly fine, but not what I'd hoped to read.
I liked Winifred and her straightforward manner. Also her enjoyment of breeches. I liked how much Ajax liked Winifred, and how supportive his family is of his finding love.
Part of the problem here is expectations - with this title, I was expecting and wanting a sexy romp. That is not this. There's a bit of spice, but it's middling. The opportunity for lots of fun getting-to-know-you moments during the adventure part of the book is not fully taken advantage of, which is a shame because if the connection between the two was built up more, I'd buy in more. There's also quite a bit of family drama, which takes too much of the book in relation to the romance.
Perfectly fine, but not what I'd hoped to read.
November 16, 2024
Lady Winifreds mother has decided her daughter is not only a wallflower and a spinster, but also a failure and a risk to her younger daughters happiness so she plans for Winifred to go live with a great aunt as a companion. But Winifred, does wish for a family of her own, she just reads everything she can and has opinions, something not allowed in society. So she decided to have an adventure and visit Shakespeare country before retiring to be a nurse/companion. So she invites Lord Ajax, younger brother to the Duke of Briarwood to travel with her as she travel a dressed as a boy.
But Her older brother find a them quite by accident and drags Winifred home in disgrace.
Another good instalment in this series.
But Her older brother find a them quite by accident and drags Winifred home in disgrace.
Another good instalment in this series.
September 30, 2024
Adventure can lead to love……
Another great story about the Briarwoods. Ajax and Winifred were destined to be together. Ajax and his family showed her what it meant to be loved after a long time of being told that she was too odd for anyone to love her. When everything was going well, they had a hiccup when Win’s brother happened upon them. Luckily, the Briarwoods are a force to be reckoned with so they made sure that they got their HEA. I was glad that we didn’t just excuse the behavior of Win’s mother and brother. It gave the ending a more realistic feel. I can’t wait to read about more of the Briarwood family.
Another great story about the Briarwoods. Ajax and Winifred were destined to be together. Ajax and his family showed her what it meant to be loved after a long time of being told that she was too odd for anyone to love her. When everything was going well, they had a hiccup when Win’s brother happened upon them. Luckily, the Briarwoods are a force to be reckoned with so they made sure that they got their HEA. I was glad that we didn’t just excuse the behavior of Win’s mother and brother. It gave the ending a more realistic feel. I can’t wait to read about more of the Briarwood family.
October 5, 2024
What a great story of love
Winifred had always been an odd girl, which turned into odd wallflower, and into an odd spinster. Her family had decided that Winifred was dragging the family down. This forced her to fear her future and she decided on an adventure and chose Ajax one of the Broadwoods to be her guide. This kicked off a friendship that would lead to more. This authors great and she draws the readers in to her books and world with her characters. Enjoy!
Winifred had always been an odd girl, which turned into odd wallflower, and into an odd spinster. Her family had decided that Winifred was dragging the family down. This forced her to fear her future and she decided on an adventure and chose Ajax one of the Broadwoods to be her guide. This kicked off a friendship that would lead to more. This authors great and she draws the readers in to her books and world with her characters. Enjoy!
October 7, 2024
wonderful!
Another Briarwod finds his match! Or rather she found him. This s a magical story of becoming the woman she was meant to be. A bit of clandestine adventure before Win is shuttled off to spend the rest of her life caring for an aged aunt. Ajax immediately knows she is the one. As she morphs into her true self, they fall in love. Her transformation is beautiful. His family is wonderful. I’ve loved every love match with several more to come!
Another Briarwod finds his match! Or rather she found him. This s a magical story of becoming the woman she was meant to be. A bit of clandestine adventure before Win is shuttled off to spend the rest of her life caring for an aged aunt. Ajax immediately knows she is the one. As she morphs into her true self, they fall in love. Her transformation is beautiful. His family is wonderful. I’ve loved every love match with several more to come!
January 2, 2025
A great read
I enjoyed reading about Ajax and Winifred, how they met to how they fell in love. She was miserable and wanted a bit of fun before she got sent away so she met with Ajax and told him her idea and that he would be the perfect person to help her. When he met with her he knew that she would become his wife he just had to figure out a way to convince her. In the end it was a very HEA. I highly recommend this book! ❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍
I enjoyed reading about Ajax and Winifred, how they met to how they fell in love. She was miserable and wanted a bit of fun before she got sent away so she met with Ajax and told him her idea and that he would be the perfect person to help her. When he met with her he knew that she would become his wife he just had to figure out a way to convince her. In the end it was a very HEA. I highly recommend this book! ❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍
November 3, 2024
Wonderful Story
Enjoyable historical romance. The Briarwoods are quite a family! English aristocrats who blend a devil may care attitude with intellectual curiosity and a zest for life. Love of Shakespeare, music, art and books, also parties and celebration. When you're done, you'll want t o be a Briarwood, too.
Highly recommend.
Enjoyable historical romance. The Briarwoods are quite a family! English aristocrats who blend a devil may care attitude with intellectual curiosity and a zest for life. Love of Shakespeare, music, art and books, also parties and celebration. When you're done, you'll want t o be a Briarwood, too.
Highly recommend.
May 30, 2025
The spinster’s absolutely sinful adventures
This story brought my protective mama bear out due to the treatment of a daughter who was a little different from the norm of society and the ton of London which was to me boring masked people.there was humor,sassy banter and people who finally unearthed their moxie😱❣️💃🏻😻
This story brought my protective mama bear out due to the treatment of a daughter who was a little different from the norm of society and the ton of London which was to me boring masked people.there was humor,sassy banter and people who finally unearthed their moxie😱❣️💃🏻😻
August 24, 2025
Another Win!
And her name is Win. Winifred, that is. This book has a bit more spice, methinks, but is another wonderful tale! I've read them in order and will continue to do so! In fact, I'm buying the next one as soon as I stop giving this one a 5 star review as I have the whole series! Cheerio!
And her name is Win. Winifred, that is. This book has a bit more spice, methinks, but is another wonderful tale! I've read them in order and will continue to do so! In fact, I'm buying the next one as soon as I stop giving this one a 5 star review as I have the whole series! Cheerio!
December 6, 2025
The only reason I finished this is because it was 174 pages. The only good thing this story could be used for is a drinking game. Take a shot whenever someone says, “thus”. You’ll probably be plastered by the third chapter. Alternatively, you could also use “Shakespeare” and die of alcohol poisoning before the first chapter is over.
September 28, 2024
Each Briarwood story is different and as good as the previous.
Every book has had insightful paragraphs that I screen shot for later reference. And that is paired with another excellent story.
Every book has had insightful paragraphs that I screen shot for later reference. And that is paired with another excellent story.
September 28, 2024
A beautiful romance, heart-warming and inciteful. I love Winifred and Ajax and their journey of adventure and finding love and themselves in the process. They have an instant connection that is genuine and getting to know each other is just the beginning for a wonderful future ahead.
October 2, 2024
Another One Bites The Dust
The Notorious Briarwood’s wasn’t someone that on the shelf Lady Winfred would be associated with. Ajax was completely different and loved Winfred and as usual his family came to the rescue. I love the way the family came together and took care of their own.
The Notorious Briarwood’s wasn’t someone that on the shelf Lady Winfred would be associated with. Ajax was completely different and loved Winfred and as usual his family came to the rescue. I love the way the family came together and took care of their own.
October 7, 2024
Excellent.
Such a sweet story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, the main couple were exceedingly likeable from the offset and we got a nice balance of interactions from most of the Briarwood family.
This novel fits in well as a continuation of a lovely series.
Such a sweet story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, the main couple were exceedingly likeable from the offset and we got a nice balance of interactions from most of the Briarwood family.
This novel fits in well as a continuation of a lovely series.
February 16, 2025
Love Eva Devon
Finally a series of regency romances without death, kidnappings, or madness. Yes there are threats of that but most families do that still today.
I can't tell you how often I wished someone would kidnap my eldest brother growing up
Finally a series of regency romances without death, kidnappings, or madness. Yes there are threats of that but most families do that still today.
I can't tell you how often I wished someone would kidnap my eldest brother growing up
April 27, 2025
Marvelous!
A beautiful love story! Sometimes it's so easy for a love story to be overdone, but not this one. Is very well written, has excellent pacing, and very engaging characters. Yes, Marvelous!
A beautiful love story! Sometimes it's so easy for a love story to be overdone, but not this one. Is very well written, has excellent pacing, and very engaging characters. Yes, Marvelous!
July 19, 2025
I want to be a briarwood!
I don't know what I'll do when there won't be anymore Briarwood stories. Each has its own wonderful twist. And I'm just going to say it, this series/family is better than Bridgerton series/ family. I know some won't agree, but I love these books.
I don't know what I'll do when there won't be anymore Briarwood stories. Each has its own wonderful twist. And I'm just going to say it, this series/family is better than Bridgerton series/ family. I know some won't agree, but I love these books.
August 1, 2025
3.25-3.5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ✨
Ebook/ kindle unlimited
I enjoy this series. For short/ quick yet fun reads. This was not one of my favorites in the series. I didn’t feel any connection between the characters or for the characters.
Ebook/ kindle unlimited
I enjoy this series. For short/ quick yet fun reads. This was not one of my favorites in the series. I didn’t feel any connection between the characters or for the characters.
November 21, 2025
Sweet and limited
It was a sweet book, but this felt rushed, the characters didn't get a chance to develop. If not for the spice in some of the chapters I would have though a 16 year old wrote it.
It was a sweet book, but this felt rushed, the characters didn't get a chance to develop. If not for the spice in some of the chapters I would have though a 16 year old wrote it.
December 27, 2025
Winifred wants an adventure before she gets sent off to Surrey to be her great aunt's companion. She asks Ajax Briarwood to escort her and disguises herself as a boy. In the Briarwood tradition, Ajax recognizes her as his destined Bride, and everything follows from there.
January 21, 2026
Good read from Eva Devon. I lie this series. I like these characters best, so far, along with the plot. It's truly dreadful how women were treated, and I like the fact that Devon has tweaked that fact somewhat. Looking forward to reading the next installment.
September 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book is absolutely wonderful
October 16, 2024
Who doesn't love the Briarwoods! this one was good
November 2, 2024
Innovative
This book was an adventure in its innovative story. I simply loved the plot of Win and Ajax. Also I enjoyed the thought of manifesting hope and positivity to achieve your best life.
This book was an adventure in its innovative story. I simply loved the plot of Win and Ajax. Also I enjoyed the thought of manifesting hope and positivity to achieve your best life.
November 27, 2024
Love
I just love this series. Everything Eva Devon writes are winners. Now on to book six. Is there going to be a book seven??
💥😍📚💥😍📚💥😍📚
I just love this series. Everything Eva Devon writes are winners. Now on to book six. Is there going to be a book seven??
💥😍📚💥😍📚💥😍📚
December 20, 2024
Loved this book! It was such a fun and enjoyable read. The story and characters kept me hooked, and I can’t wait to dive into the next one. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews