Eva Leigh's deliciously sexy Wicked Quills of London series continues as a Lady's secret career writing erotic fiction is jeopardized by real-life romance ...In society circles she's known as the Watching Wallflower-shy, quiet, and certainly never scandalous. Yet beneath Lady Sarah Frampton's demure facade hides the mind of The Lady of Dubious Quality, author of the most titillating erotic fiction the ton has ever seen. Sarah knows discovery would lead to her ruin, but marriage-to a vicar, no less-could help protect her from slander. An especially tempting option when the clergyman in question is the handsome, intriguing Jeremy Cleland. Tasked with unmasking London's most scandalous author by his powerful family, Jeremy has no idea that his beautiful, innocent bride is the very woman he seeks to destroy. His mission must remain a secret, even from the new wife who stirs his deepest longings. Yet when the truth comes to light, Sarah and Jeremy's newfound love will be tested. Will Sarah's secret identity tear them apart or will the temptations of his wallflower wife prove too wicked to resist?
Sarah is deemed a wallflower, but what society doesn't know is that she writes erotic novels in her spare time. Jeremy is a vicar tasked with uncovering the author of said salacious novels, and unbeknownst to each other, they fall in love despite their opposing goals.
I really liked the idea of a female main character that isn't of the timid virginal sort - although Sarah's experience is purely hypothetical, she knows what she would like to try. The book definitely delivered in this regard and gets quite spicy sometimes.
On the other hand, the story was surprisingly shallow for the length. While there is familial conflict, it's not given much space to reach a resolution. Beyond the core conflict, the characterizations felt rather thin. Despite apparently being a man of learning, Jeremy never refers to any philosophers or theories he finds interesting. The story didn't quite grab me, and it took me surprisingly long to finish.
--- Content warnings: slut shaming, abandonment by family. Contains explicit sex scenes.
