Stealing the Duke (The Scandal Sheet #2) by Jess Michaels

On the death of her father, the Earl of Martingale, Lady Marianne found he had been stealing items from the aristocracy. by doing the honourable thing and returning the items Marianne found herself in disgrace. Complicating matters, the cousin who inherited the estate is throwing Marianne and her young sister onto the street. Marianne thought things could not possibly worse she finds a locket hidden in her father’s desk. knowing she could not live with herself if she did not return it, she decides to steal into the rightful owners home and leave it without anyone knowing it had been stolen.

Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, is scared both inside and out. He has hidden away since the death of his sister, shunning society. when he catches a thief in his home with his sister’s necklace he rediscovers emotions he thought long since dead to him. taking advantage of Marianne’s dire situation, he concocts a plan that would benefit them both. Marianne will receive a home for her and her sister and he will get Marianne in his bed for a month. as the time nears its end can these two wounded individuals find a more permanent solution for their situation.

This novella is an enjoyable steamy read but it is not up to the author’s usual standards. The story was predictable and lacked the level of heat typically found in the author’s work. This was more of a tell the characters fell in love than showing it develop story. It suffered for its length which is a risk in novellas.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.