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Wickedly Wed #2
The Best Marquess
A proud spectacle-wearing bluestocking, Lady Pippa Nash is quite content to remain a spinster. No ton suitor measures up to the swoonworthy heroes in the romance novels she reads, so why bother marrying? But when her scheming grandmother arranges an unwanted betrothal, there’s only one person who can help thwart the plot—her oldest and dearest friend, Lord Finlay Knighton.
Son and heir of a cruel marquess, Finn’s rebellions are his secret pleasure toy business…and his steadfast yet unrequited love for Pippa. However, when his father unexpectedly cuts off his allowance, Finn reluctantly agrees to a plan as wild as any romance novel: to save his business, he’ll pretend to be her fiancé for the Season.
Yet their mutually beneficial bargain goes awry when they are forced to wed and Finn inherits the marquessate. While marriage brings sizzling passion and tender intimacy to their friendship; overwhelming duty, vicious gossips, bitter foes, and family secrets threaten to destroy it at every turn. Can two romance readers find their real life happily ever after, or will society tear them apart forever?
Please note this 87,000 word full length book contains explicit language and frequent sexual content.
CW: death of toxic parent, brief violence.
Son and heir of a cruel marquess, Finn’s rebellions are his secret pleasure toy business…and his steadfast yet unrequited love for Pippa. However, when his father unexpectedly cuts off his allowance, Finn reluctantly agrees to a plan as wild as any romance novel: to save his business, he’ll pretend to be her fiancé for the Season.
Yet their mutually beneficial bargain goes awry when they are forced to wed and Finn inherits the marquessate. While marriage brings sizzling passion and tender intimacy to their friendship; overwhelming duty, vicious gossips, bitter foes, and family secrets threaten to destroy it at every turn. Can two romance readers find their real life happily ever after, or will society tear them apart forever?
Please note this 87,000 word full length book contains explicit language and frequent sexual content.
CW: death of toxic parent, brief violence.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2021
182 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Davidson
38 books730 followersUSA Today bestselling author Nicola Davidson worked for many years in media and government communications, but hasn't looked back since she decided writing erotic historical romance was infinitely more fun. When not chained to a computer, she can be found ambling along one of New Zealand’s beautiful beaches, cheering on the All Blacks rugby team, history geeking on the internet, or daydreaming. If this includes dessert—even better!
Her books have appeared in USA Today, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly.
Keep up with Nicola’s news on Twitter (@NicolaMDavidson) Facebook (Nicola Davidson – Author) Instagram (nicoladauthor) or her website www.nicola-davidson.com
Her books have appeared in USA Today, NPR, and Entertainment Weekly.
Keep up with Nicola’s news on Twitter (@NicolaMDavidson) Facebook (Nicola Davidson – Author) Instagram (nicoladauthor) or her website www.nicola-davidson.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 3, 2021
3 Stars
Plot
The hero Finlay and the heroine Pippa are best friends for a decade and change, they fake an engagement to save her from an unwanted betrothal arranged by her bitch of a scheming grandmother (whom we met and hated in Book 1 - Duke in Darkness) and because the hero has been cut off by his father and needs the money to run his secret pleasure toys business, also because the poor Finlay has been in love with Pippa for ages!
What I liked
The prose is well written, Ms Davidson can bring a multi-faceted approach to her writing with witty conversations, descriptions of relationships, great supporting characters - good & bad. Plus we get a visit from Gabriel & Lillian so I was happy!
The most intriguing thing about this book was Xavier, I have no idea what he is doing or involved in or up to and I would love to find out!
What I disliked
The plot is pretty straightforward with some twists, but calling them twists is pushing it.
A lot is going on in this book - There is the unrequited love, bosom friendship, pleasure toys business, overbearing parent & grandparent, love for romance novels, society matrons being "friendly" with the hero, an illegitimate half-sister (her lover too) & her kid, outraged "proper" people/ ton members bashing & campaigning against sexual excess, a big misunderstanding, death of a toxic parent, inheriting the Marquessate & it's transition pressure and in true Nicola Davidson fashion - Steam! But unfortunately, it fails to tie together seamlessly, felt like we were holding on by a thread. So there can be such a thing as too much of everything, even in romance novels!
It was a fun-ish read but fell short of the standard that 'Duke in Darkness' had set.
The Hero
Finlay was a lovable character, sweet, caring, solicitous, dedicated and industrious. Very rare to find a dashing, pretend rake in touch with his softer side. The way he navigates his challenges throughout the book was fun to read. He loves Pippa, takes care of his half-sister & niece, manages his business well, deals with his father patiently all the while being the favourite of the society matrons. A golden boy indeed. My concern? How does a virgin get to be so amazing in bed, still eludes me and all from reading scandalous novels? Yeah, okay I'll believe that, only in HR novels!!!
The Heroine
Pippa is a no-nonsense, practical, romance novel reading bluestocking, who does not want to get married to the Duke of Devonshire (Real Duchy btw) for whatever reason. I am ambivalent about Pippa, for some reason I just found it difficult to warm up to her. There was nothing wrong with the character per se but for someone as smart as her, she sure had a few deductive reasoning problems like - she reads so many of those romance novels that Fin smuggles for her and struggles with whether she loves Fin or not conceptually, she is also quick to believe the worst of Fin without verbal crosschecking (insert big misunderstanding trope here), also her super-practical approach to exploring all things physical felt a smidge unromantic to me. Somehow the practical to passionate/ emotional was a bridge too far in my opinion.
My Recommendation
Don't expect the moon and you shall not be disappointed. Read it if you have an OCD w.r.t reading every book in the series go ahead, but I will consider this a placeholder until I get Xavier's book!
Plot
The hero Finlay and the heroine Pippa are best friends for a decade and change, they fake an engagement to save her from an unwanted betrothal arranged by her bitch of a scheming grandmother (whom we met and hated in Book 1 - Duke in Darkness) and because the hero has been cut off by his father and needs the money to run his secret pleasure toys business, also because the poor Finlay has been in love with Pippa for ages!
What I liked
The prose is well written, Ms Davidson can bring a multi-faceted approach to her writing with witty conversations, descriptions of relationships, great supporting characters - good & bad. Plus we get a visit from Gabriel & Lillian so I was happy!
The most intriguing thing about this book was Xavier, I have no idea what he is doing or involved in or up to and I would love to find out!
What I disliked
The plot is pretty straightforward with some twists, but calling them twists is pushing it.
A lot is going on in this book - There is the unrequited love, bosom friendship, pleasure toys business, overbearing parent & grandparent, love for romance novels, society matrons being "friendly" with the hero, an illegitimate half-sister (her lover too) & her kid, outraged "proper" people/ ton members bashing & campaigning against sexual excess, a big misunderstanding, death of a toxic parent, inheriting the Marquessate & it's transition pressure and in true Nicola Davidson fashion - Steam! But unfortunately, it fails to tie together seamlessly, felt like we were holding on by a thread. So there can be such a thing as too much of everything, even in romance novels!
It was a fun-ish read but fell short of the standard that 'Duke in Darkness' had set.
The Hero
Finlay was a lovable character, sweet, caring, solicitous, dedicated and industrious. Very rare to find a dashing, pretend rake in touch with his softer side. The way he navigates his challenges throughout the book was fun to read. He loves Pippa, takes care of his half-sister & niece, manages his business well, deals with his father patiently all the while being the favourite of the society matrons. A golden boy indeed. My concern? How does a virgin get to be so amazing in bed, still eludes me and all from reading scandalous novels? Yeah, okay I'll believe that, only in HR novels!!!
The Heroine
Pippa is a no-nonsense, practical, romance novel reading bluestocking, who does not want to get married to the Duke of Devonshire (Real Duchy btw) for whatever reason. I am ambivalent about Pippa, for some reason I just found it difficult to warm up to her. There was nothing wrong with the character per se but for someone as smart as her, she sure had a few deductive reasoning problems like - she reads so many of those romance novels that Fin smuggles for her and struggles with whether she loves Fin or not conceptually, she is also quick to believe the worst of Fin without verbal crosschecking (insert big misunderstanding trope here), also her super-practical approach to exploring all things physical felt a smidge unromantic to me. Somehow the practical to passionate/ emotional was a bridge too far in my opinion.
My Recommendation
Don't expect the moon and you shall not be disappointed. Read it if you have an OCD w.r.t reading every book in the series go ahead, but I will consider this a placeholder until I get Xavier's book!
September 20, 2021
Review to come...
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, First Love, Fake Relationship
Steam Rating: 5
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, First Love, Fake Relationship
Steam Rating: 5
March 21, 2025
This story is ridiculous. The hero has been in love with the heroine ever since they were kids. Everyone knows it but the heroine, she thinks they are just best friends. The hero is a virgin, but he creates and sells sex toys. The heroine is also a virgin but all she does all day long is read erotic books. They pretend to be betrothed so that her domineering grandmother don't marry her off to someone that she doesn't like. The very next day they go to the park and rub on each other and give each other orgasms. I quit reading at chapter 7 because at that point I had enough of the ridiculousness.
November 13, 2025
Pippa has a problem. She thought she would go through life a happy spinster, reading her romance books, but her Bad Grandmother is plotting her engagement to a Duke. Her best friend Finn has a problem. He's crazy in love with Pippa and has been for the past 16 years (since they were children). Time for a fake engagement that OOPS turns into a marriage when Finn's Bad Dad makes a deathbed demand.
IDK, it was a great premise, but the execution just felt a little off. Pippa (and to a lesser extent) Finn have developed a way of communicating that is very jokey and roleplaying (not in a fun way, more like make a request, pretend it's a court order way). These supposed best friends are terrible communicators and quick to assume the worst of each other (he pulls out on their wedding night because they never talked about the timing of kids, she is all, "unless...he didn't think she would be a good mother?") Plus there's the whole loved her forever thing, which even her unobservant father notices, and her sister and husband from Duke in Darkness know all about. Yet even after they are married they never talk about.
Then there's the small detail of him having a super reputation as a rake, and being a virgin, which for whatever reason he doesn't talk to her about until well in, certainly not before they consummate, even though she's expressed concern about him sleeping around, and he keeps thinking "When was the right time to tell her the truth?" Maybe sooner rather than later to stave off the numerous misunderstandings and hurts my dude?
This book is SUPER sex-positive and evangelizes for romance novels. These two virgins certainly have a lot of theoretical knowledge they can't wait to put in play, and a real affinity for dirty talk. There's a LOT of other side plots, he owns a business, the transition from the relative freedom of heir to the titleholder, and what that means, they need to battle morality crusaders, her sister is making her scandal for book three, her brother is up to Something Mysterious (but there isn't a book four, so what was it??). I felt like there was just too much going on, and telling rather than showing of character traits in general, and a lack of communication that didn't jibe with their close friendship of 2/3 of their lives.
I really loved the first book in this series (and in fact reread it and upped it to five stars before reading this), and was commensurately disappointed in this one.
IDK, it was a great premise, but the execution just felt a little off. Pippa (and to a lesser extent) Finn have developed a way of communicating that is very jokey and roleplaying (not in a fun way, more like make a request, pretend it's a court order way). These supposed best friends are terrible communicators and quick to assume the worst of each other (he pulls out on their wedding night because they never talked about the timing of kids, she is all, "unless...he didn't think she would be a good mother?") Plus there's the whole loved her forever thing, which even her unobservant father notices, and her sister and husband from Duke in Darkness know all about. Yet even after they are married they never talk about.
Then there's the small detail of him having a super reputation as a rake, and being a virgin, which for whatever reason he doesn't talk to her about until well in, certainly not before they consummate, even though she's expressed concern about him sleeping around, and he keeps thinking "When was the right time to tell her the truth?" Maybe sooner rather than later to stave off the numerous misunderstandings and hurts my dude?
This book is SUPER sex-positive and evangelizes for romance novels. These two virgins certainly have a lot of theoretical knowledge they can't wait to put in play, and a real affinity for dirty talk. There's a LOT of other side plots, he owns a business, the transition from the relative freedom of heir to the titleholder, and what that means, they need to battle morality crusaders, her sister is making her scandal for book three, her brother is up to Something Mysterious (but there isn't a book four, so what was it??). I felt like there was just too much going on, and telling rather than showing of character traits in general, and a lack of communication that didn't jibe with their close friendship of 2/3 of their lives.
I really loved the first book in this series (and in fact reread it and upped it to five stars before reading this), and was commensurately disappointed in this one.
August 5, 2021
I love Nicola Davidson and I think this is her best series to date. It's simply fab. If you want historical erotic romance, look no further.
May 24, 2024
A slow burn porno.....like you got 2 virgins going from nothing to anal, both the hero and the heroine. Smh. It was so historically inaccurate. Wasn't steamy just blunt and boring. Just because you use dirty phrases and have them do freaky things doesn't equal steam. It felt like I was reading a list of instructions. Boring. I skipped so much😪there was a whole sex toy shop plot, but it was stupid and unbelievable. It was just like put this in 2023, and I would believe every word but don't make it historical. Show some respect for the genre. And the nerds who know more about European history and culture than they do about their own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2022
3.5 stars. Tune into the Blushing Bluestocking Society live show tomorrow, December 10th, for mine and Lisa’s full thoughts! More info can be found on my IG @rachelreadsandsings
July 8, 2021
Incredible, hilarious, steamy friends to lovers story. Lord Finlay Knighton is a man who has been pretending all his life - to being a rake, to not being a business owner and to not being in love with his best friend, Pippa. Lady Pippa Nash is a strong, romance novel loving woman trapped in a life she doesn't want by her overbearing grandmother. Couldn't stop laughing at the banter between these two and the secondary characters were great too. Be warned this is definitely a steamy story that includes sex toys. This book was a monthly read for my book club, and so pleased I have found this author, and will be going back to read more of her stories.
June 28, 2021
A lovely, sexy little regency with some extra spice. Friends to lovers, fake engagement, and some very horny and well read virgins. The central relationship is a delight, despite some pretty awful familial antagonists.
If anything I would have liked a little more with the secondary characters: Abby’s relationship with her friend (😉), how on earth Finn got into the sex toy business, and whatever the heck Xavier is up to.
If anything I would have liked a little more with the secondary characters: Abby’s relationship with her friend (😉), how on earth Finn got into the sex toy business, and whatever the heck Xavier is up to.
October 7, 2021
Enjoyable story. Lovely storyline and loved the characters too. 4☆
April 13, 2025
This was poorly written and didn’t make much sense, but at least it was quite fun!
September 10, 2025
I love best friends to lovers but this book reads like the author wrote with her hands down her pants the whole time. The plot is incidental to how many times the FMC can say "pussy, cock, nipples, clitoris, ass" (because she's a bluestocking educated by pornographic novels she shares with her best friend MMC). The MMC lives to worship her and help her get her rocks off.
There is nothing in this that indicates this is a historical romance other than the plot. Not the characters, not their behaviour, their dialogue (two ladies talk to him about dildos and domming their husbands during a chance encounter in the street!!), not the social strictures that govern gender interactions, nothing. It's a histrom for no other reason than so Pippa and Finn have a pretext for a pretend betrothal and emergency marriage. It's like characters from the 21st century who've been accidentally transplanted into Regency.
The MMC Finlay is a really great guy, the sort of progressive feminist you can barely find even in the 21st century, but still his best friend of sixteen years categorically refuses to believe he hasn't bedded half of London because "that's just how men are". He's actually a virgin, but he knows better than to tell Pippa that. Pippa thinks the worst of him at every turn, and when he finally nearly confesses his feelings she dismisses them because "he couldn't possibly have been in love with her for so long and still be a rake". She even believes her horrible manipulative grandmother they've been trying to foil throughout the whole book when she tells her that he's hiding a mistress and illegitimate daughter and stalks him and comes to further wrong conclusions, but it never occurs to her to just ask him. Finn just accepts that his wife and best friend will never believe a word out of his mouth if he swears it on a stack of Bibles. I hate this woman so much dear God. She seems to see Finn as little more than a sex toy who's also her ticket out of her toxic family.
The set up for the misunderstanding where Pippa thinks Finn's half-sister and niece are his mistress and illegimate daughter is so contrived and predictable. There's no reason why his sister wouldn't have allowed him to reveal their existence to Pippa, and it's out of character for Finn to continue hiding it from her once they married. And of course, Pippa should have known her own best friend better than to believe that he's that big of a scumbucket, but Finn doesn't think so. He's not even hurt by it. So you just spend the whole book bracing for the looming fallout of this secret while being annoyed af about it.
Look, I love and need sex scenes in my romance, but the sex with these two wasn't sexy and sensual but just baldly pornographic. I don't mind porn, but it's not what I read romance novels for, unlike these two, who seem to read the trashiest romances just to discuss the porn. The protracted sex scenes are so tedious and annoyingly ribald that I just DNF'd with less than a 100 pages to go. I just couldn't give less of a shit about any of these people anymore. Which is sad because I really liked the previous book in the series. Just infuriating all around.
There is nothing in this that indicates this is a historical romance other than the plot. Not the characters, not their behaviour, their dialogue (two ladies talk to him about dildos and domming their husbands during a chance encounter in the street!!), not the social strictures that govern gender interactions, nothing. It's a histrom for no other reason than so Pippa and Finn have a pretext for a pretend betrothal and emergency marriage. It's like characters from the 21st century who've been accidentally transplanted into Regency.
The MMC Finlay is a really great guy, the sort of progressive feminist you can barely find even in the 21st century, but still his best friend of sixteen years categorically refuses to believe he hasn't bedded half of London because "that's just how men are". He's actually a virgin, but he knows better than to tell Pippa that. Pippa thinks the worst of him at every turn, and when he finally nearly confesses his feelings she dismisses them because "he couldn't possibly have been in love with her for so long and still be a rake". She even believes her horrible manipulative grandmother they've been trying to foil throughout the whole book when she tells her that he's hiding a mistress and illegitimate daughter and stalks him and comes to further wrong conclusions, but it never occurs to her to just ask him. Finn just accepts that his wife and best friend will never believe a word out of his mouth if he swears it on a stack of Bibles. I hate this woman so much dear God. She seems to see Finn as little more than a sex toy who's also her ticket out of her toxic family.
The set up for the misunderstanding where Pippa thinks Finn's half-sister and niece are his mistress and illegimate daughter is so contrived and predictable. There's no reason why his sister wouldn't have allowed him to reveal their existence to Pippa, and it's out of character for Finn to continue hiding it from her once they married. And of course, Pippa should have known her own best friend better than to believe that he's that big of a scumbucket, but Finn doesn't think so. He's not even hurt by it. So you just spend the whole book bracing for the looming fallout of this secret while being annoyed af about it.
Look, I love and need sex scenes in my romance, but the sex with these two wasn't sexy and sensual but just baldly pornographic. I don't mind porn, but it's not what I read romance novels for, unlike these two, who seem to read the trashiest romances just to discuss the porn. The protracted sex scenes are so tedious and annoyingly ribald that I just DNF'd with less than a 100 pages to go. I just couldn't give less of a shit about any of these people anymore. Which is sad because I really liked the previous book in the series. Just infuriating all around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2023
I liked it but….
This was a fun story of best friends turned to lovers. Fin was my favorite character. I loved his charm and gentleness. He wasn’t an angry or domineering type at all. He was loyal and looked after Pippa always. It was so endearing that he was the one to “fall first.”
Pippa was a rebellious but strong girl - driven to be so by her dragon of a grandmother. She was loyal and courageous. I did find her a bit dense when it came to her relationship with Fin, which I found a little silly.
As for the issues I had, I felt this book felt a bit more modern in language. While I’m sure there were risqué paraphernalia floating around in the ton, I found the prominence of it seemed hard to believe. I guess I felt it the general material would be better for a modern day. I also had a hard time believing in Fin’s occupation and proclivities judging by his status prior to engaging Pippa. I liked how his role played out, but I had to suspend disbelief. While not crucial to the story, I also felt that we’d find out more on the villain. There seemed to be hints that people would have more to hide, but then we didn’t really find out anything. Not a biggie, but would have felt more closure.
Overall, it was a cute story of childhood friends. I was happy to see them together!
This was a fun story of best friends turned to lovers. Fin was my favorite character. I loved his charm and gentleness. He wasn’t an angry or domineering type at all. He was loyal and looked after Pippa always. It was so endearing that he was the one to “fall first.”
Pippa was a rebellious but strong girl - driven to be so by her dragon of a grandmother. She was loyal and courageous. I did find her a bit dense when it came to her relationship with Fin, which I found a little silly.
As for the issues I had, I felt this book felt a bit more modern in language. While I’m sure there were risqué paraphernalia floating around in the ton, I found the prominence of it seemed hard to believe. I guess I felt it the general material would be better for a modern day. I also had a hard time believing in Fin’s occupation and proclivities judging by his status prior to engaging Pippa. I liked how his role played out, but I had to suspend disbelief. While not crucial to the story, I also felt that we’d find out more on the villain. There seemed to be hints that people would have more to hide, but then we didn’t really find out anything. Not a biggie, but would have felt more closure.
Overall, it was a cute story of childhood friends. I was happy to see them together!
December 6, 2021
The Best Marquess is the second book in the Wickedly Wed series. Set in London, 1816. This is an explicitly written historical romance. Very bold, and fun.
Duke in Darkness: 5- stars; Gabriel & Lilian
The Best Marquess: 4+ stars: Finlay & Pippa
A proud spectacle-wearing bluestocking, Lady Pippa Nash is quite content to remain a spinster. No ton suitor measures up to the swoon-worthy heroes in the romance novels she reads, so why bother marrying? When her scheming grandmother arranges an unwanted betrothal, there’s only one person who can help thwart the plot. Pippa is a practical and forthright, no-nonsense Heroine.
Lord Finlay Knighton is Pippa’s oldest and dearest friend. Son and heir of a cruel marquess, Finn’s rebellion is his secret pleasure toy business, and his steadfast and unrequited love for Pippa. Finn is a compelling Hero. He’s sensitive and gentle, yet forceful and protective. He gives his whole heart.
Finn & Pippa have an extraordinary friendship which evolves, and they fall into erotic play with each other. Their connection is pure, spirited, and caring. I enjoy their banter during foreplay.
I recommend this book. I highly recommend this series.
Duke in Darkness: 5- stars; Gabriel & Lilian
The Best Marquess: 4+ stars: Finlay & Pippa
A proud spectacle-wearing bluestocking, Lady Pippa Nash is quite content to remain a spinster. No ton suitor measures up to the swoon-worthy heroes in the romance novels she reads, so why bother marrying? When her scheming grandmother arranges an unwanted betrothal, there’s only one person who can help thwart the plot. Pippa is a practical and forthright, no-nonsense Heroine.
Lord Finlay Knighton is Pippa’s oldest and dearest friend. Son and heir of a cruel marquess, Finn’s rebellion is his secret pleasure toy business, and his steadfast and unrequited love for Pippa. Finn is a compelling Hero. He’s sensitive and gentle, yet forceful and protective. He gives his whole heart.
Finn & Pippa have an extraordinary friendship which evolves, and they fall into erotic play with each other. Their connection is pure, spirited, and caring. I enjoy their banter during foreplay.
I recommend this book. I highly recommend this series.
September 9, 2025
9🔥 and they are very steamy. Don’t read this if you have issues with traffic use of sex toys.
The book is a love story to romance novels and how they can “educate” people to the joys of non vanilla sex. Both the both Pippa and Fin are virgins, although Finn lets people think he is a “rake”. But he’s loved Pippa ever since the day he met her at Gunther’s Ice Cream shop when they were young. For 16 years they have been best friends, and now through a fake betrothal he might just get a chance to show her how much he loves her. Pippa has had a difficult childhood because of her grandmother (the villain in this series) but having Finn to always fall back on has made in bearable.
He treats her like an adult and never holds back on the wicked romance books he seems to always find for her to read. When the fake betrothal actually becomes a real marriage both of them get to finally act on all the reading they have done over the years and this is were we’re get many, many 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was a fun sexual romp and a bit more lighthearted than book 1.
The book is a love story to romance novels and how they can “educate” people to the joys of non vanilla sex. Both the both Pippa and Fin are virgins, although Finn lets people think he is a “rake”. But he’s loved Pippa ever since the day he met her at Gunther’s Ice Cream shop when they were young. For 16 years they have been best friends, and now through a fake betrothal he might just get a chance to show her how much he loves her. Pippa has had a difficult childhood because of her grandmother (the villain in this series) but having Finn to always fall back on has made in bearable.
He treats her like an adult and never holds back on the wicked romance books he seems to always find for her to read. When the fake betrothal actually becomes a real marriage both of them get to finally act on all the reading they have done over the years and this is were we’re get many, many 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This was a fun sexual romp and a bit more lighthearted than book 1.
April 5, 2022
It took me a bit to get into this but towards the end it waa giving me those happy romantic feels.
I liked that both the H and h are virgins. Hardly ever see when the man is and never when both are. He's been in love with her since they were children and are best friends. They both are readers if steamy romance novels. She thinks he has bedded all these women in the ton but really they see him as one of the girls for a lack of better words.
This has the "let's pretend to be betrothed so we don't really have to get betrothed" trope which I love in my regencey romance novels.
I wish maybe they were a bit more coy when speaking about explicit matters giving the time period. However I did like they could easily talk of intimate matters and what they enjoyed. Shows that they really trusted each other.
Their story has it's end but sets up the next one rather nicely and looking forward to reading the next sister's story.
I liked that both the H and h are virgins. Hardly ever see when the man is and never when both are. He's been in love with her since they were children and are best friends. They both are readers if steamy romance novels. She thinks he has bedded all these women in the ton but really they see him as one of the girls for a lack of better words.
This has the "let's pretend to be betrothed so we don't really have to get betrothed" trope which I love in my regencey romance novels.
I wish maybe they were a bit more coy when speaking about explicit matters giving the time period. However I did like they could easily talk of intimate matters and what they enjoyed. Shows that they really trusted each other.
Their story has it's end but sets up the next one rather nicely and looking forward to reading the next sister's story.
August 9, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I loved everything about this friends to lovers story. It’s a fun read and Pippa and Finlay are delightful , the story is entertaining and absorbing to the very end, the baddies are horrid, the goodies are supportive. There is humour, emotion, heat and, it has to be said, it was an eye opening education learning about the products provided by Bliss! Finlay has to be one of the all time finest Heros - he is adorable and is most definitely ‘The Best Marquess’. He is loving and loyal - I liked that he was kind and sensitive to others’ feelings, not only to Pippa but to his sister and niece and to Gabriel and Georgiana too, and that he was so caring and protective of Pippa. Pippa was a little power house, practical, passionate, clever and so in tune with Finlay. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and all the characters are well drawn. I’m very much looking forward to Georgiana’s story next.
I loved everything about this friends to lovers story. It’s a fun read and Pippa and Finlay are delightful , the story is entertaining and absorbing to the very end, the baddies are horrid, the goodies are supportive. There is humour, emotion, heat and, it has to be said, it was an eye opening education learning about the products provided by Bliss! Finlay has to be one of the all time finest Heros - he is adorable and is most definitely ‘The Best Marquess’. He is loving and loyal - I liked that he was kind and sensitive to others’ feelings, not only to Pippa but to his sister and niece and to Gabriel and Georgiana too, and that he was so caring and protective of Pippa. Pippa was a little power house, practical, passionate, clever and so in tune with Finlay. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and all the characters are well drawn. I’m very much looking forward to Georgiana’s story next.
April 6, 2023
This would have been a fast read had I not been so peeved by some of the things I can't stand in modern histroms that existed in this book. The main hero is a renowned regency fuckboi aristocrat (but is actually a closeted virgin) and a pleasure club owner whose expertise in women's pleasure comes from reading romance novels and designing pleasure toys for women. Had to refrain from eyerolling most of the time because his characterisation is so bizarre to me. Was also hoping this would be equally as good as Book 1, but alas. It's a friends to lovers, fake relationship, secret pining and forced marriages kinda book if that's the kind of thing you're into.
March 7, 2024
4.5🌶️
He has a mean evil dad.
She has a dead mom, a weak dad, and a dragon grandmother. They are BFF since she was 5 and him 7/8.
She reads novels. He does too. He has started a sex toy company.
Her grandmother is plotting her marriage. His dad is revoking his allowance. They start fake betrothal. She gives him the money he needs, and he rescues her from the potential groom her grandmother was setting up.
His dad gets ill, and they end up marrying at his bedside. Dad dies the next day.
Misunderstanding - he has a half sister his dad never acknowledged. He supports her. Grandmother tells her it's his mistress & child.
They work it out. His secret about the company also gets out.
He has a mean evil dad.
She has a dead mom, a weak dad, and a dragon grandmother. They are BFF since she was 5 and him 7/8.
She reads novels. He does too. He has started a sex toy company.
Her grandmother is plotting her marriage. His dad is revoking his allowance. They start fake betrothal. She gives him the money he needs, and he rescues her from the potential groom her grandmother was setting up.
His dad gets ill, and they end up marrying at his bedside. Dad dies the next day.
Misunderstanding - he has a half sister his dad never acknowledged. He supports her. Grandmother tells her it's his mistress & child.
They work it out. His secret about the company also gets out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2025
It was cute. Love me a bespectacled heroine with kinks. Love me sex shop owner lord.
Drinking game idea: Take a shot every time you read "romance novel," every time they mention how a situation was very unlike a novel, every time they mention that Xavier might be a spy, every time Georgina's actions are problematic.
There was just a lot of repetition of terms and concepts that it got really boring, really fast.
The BIG MISUNDERSTANDING™ was VERY annoying. I get it though? There needed to be some conflict? But I think my biggest issue about this was that it felt like she kept throwing obstacle after obstacle just to make the book longer?
I think I just wanted more spice and less plot.
Drinking game idea: Take a shot every time you read "romance novel," every time they mention how a situation was very unlike a novel, every time they mention that Xavier might be a spy, every time Georgina's actions are problematic.
There was just a lot of repetition of terms and concepts that it got really boring, really fast.
The BIG MISUNDERSTANDING™ was VERY annoying. I get it though? There needed to be some conflict? But I think my biggest issue about this was that it felt like she kept throwing obstacle after obstacle just to make the book longer?
I think I just wanted more spice and less plot.
November 5, 2021
3.5? Pippa very much would like to remain a spinster, but her manipulative grandmother has set her up and it looks like marriage is inevitable--enter Finlay, her long time best friend who has been nursing a crush for years. This was overall pretty lowstakes and enjoyable. Pippa and Finlay were a fun pair, opposites in a lot of ways, and watching them support each other was really great. There were a few times she let her grandmother's manipulations get to her head, but it all worked out eventually. Also Finlay's sex toy business was a fun addition.
March 3, 2022
This very steamy historical romance had elements of humour and suspense and two quirky but appealing protagonists, Lady Pippa Nash and Lord Finlay Knighton. I especially liked the long unrequited love that Finn held for Pippa who only saw him as a friend. Can things change when they enter a fake engagement to thwart the plans of Pippa’s grandmother? I loved the relationship that developed between these two strong characters. If you love unconventional story lines or businesses and don’t mind steamier depictions of love than many historical romances, then don’t miss this book.
November 28, 2021
The long-pining hero is to die for, and the heroine is enchanting. Their mutual exchanges of feeling about relatives who are driving them nuts is totally relatable. While the sex toys as a business is a bit farfetched, it works wonderfully for the sensual tale Davidson spins. If you want high-heat romance combined with great characters and a truly fun story about two people who have to admit they're adults now, you can't do any better than The Best Marquess.
April 27, 2025
Hmmm something about this just didn't land for me quite as wonderfully as the first in the series. I think there was a bit too much going on that it felt a bit chaotic and distracting from the romance. I also think Pippa sure was not very emotionally intuitive for someone so open minded. So, her confusion and overreactions to things about Finn's life didn't really suit the character type we were given for her.
June 1, 2023
Pretty good
I wasn't as thrilled with this one as the first. Not really a fan of him and she didn't really come across as likeable in the beginning either. Rather unbelievable to have an heir starting a business let alone sex toys. Romance books would have been more believable. Nice ending and lead into the next story.
I wasn't as thrilled with this one as the first. Not really a fan of him and she didn't really come across as likeable in the beginning either. Rather unbelievable to have an heir starting a business let alone sex toys. Romance books would have been more believable. Nice ending and lead into the next story.
June 24, 2023
This was a fun read by Nicola Davidson. It was a pretty low-angst, and the miscommunication I was so worried about hardly even materialized because the main characters (who were also best friends) actually spoke to one another. This was an enjoyable story, and I’m looking forward to more in this series.
July 23, 2025
Some have dull families, some do not
This novel was a bit more into the scandalous than expected, but really tied into modern times. There will always be those who judge, whether they truly believe in what they are against or not. This is the second book in the series and I look forward to the the manhunt in the next.
This novel was a bit more into the scandalous than expected, but really tied into modern times. There will always be those who judge, whether they truly believe in what they are against or not. This is the second book in the series and I look forward to the the manhunt in the next.
June 25, 2021
Friends Make Best Lovers
Really enjoyed Pippa and Finn’s story. For Finn to save his business and Pippa to not be thrown into a loveless marriage the two best friends best her manipulating grandmother with a fake betrothal. Sexy, hot story.
Really enjoyed Pippa and Finn’s story. For Finn to save his business and Pippa to not be thrown into a loveless marriage the two best friends best her manipulating grandmother with a fake betrothal. Sexy, hot story.
December 1, 2021
Wonderful!
This is a fun, spicy story about two absolutely delightful characters who defy all odds as they slowly become more confident of their love for each other and are able to verbally acknowledge it.
This author can write and keep you happily entertained and she certainly doesn't hold back!
This is a fun, spicy story about two absolutely delightful characters who defy all odds as they slowly become more confident of their love for each other and are able to verbally acknowledge it.
This author can write and keep you happily entertained and she certainly doesn't hold back!
December 30, 2021
a fun read
I really enjoyed Pippa and Finn. The characters were well developed which made this book enjoyable to read. Both in this series are fun reads. Now what happens with Gigi?
I really enjoyed Pippa and Finn. The characters were well developed which made this book enjoyable to read. Both in this series are fun reads. Now what happens with Gigi?
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