Reviews

Her Adventures in Temptation by Megan Frampton

melanierae's review against another edition

ok I didn’t dislike this but in a way it was over before it began because I initially misread the hero’s name as Simon and then was thrown off by Simeon every time

bbwolf59's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

andrea_author's review

5.0

In a rush to reach London, math genius Lady Myrtle teams up with scandalous but kind-hearted artist Simeon. They concoct a fake engagement, planning to end it after the season. Their scheme goes awry when the realize they’ve inconveniently fallen in love.

This steamy novel is hilarious, emotional, and smart. Lady Myrtle is a quirky and likeable heroine, and Simeon is devoted to her. I loved it!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

ashbats99's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

readingwithjessica_w's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Myrtle is an intelligent mathematician who likes cake, which unfortunately makes her too intelligent for the loads of suitors she has turned down for marriage proposals. Simeon is a painter and a bit of a rake that has just gotten entrapped in a situation at Myrtle’s brother’s house resulting in a quick exit. Hoping to escape to London where she can start her own business for women seeking accounting help, Myrtle attempts to escape with Simeon, scandal be damned. These two have to pretend to be married, share only one bed, and tempt each other with flirtatious banter as they head to London.

This book was so much fun. I laughed so much in the beginning at Myrtle’s straightforward nature and inability to hide her true opinions. “Do keep up,” became a repeat witticism between Myrtle and Simeon who dish out comedic banter for the whole first third of the novel. These two couldn’t be more opposite on paper, but as we find, their wants are so similar, and Simeon truly has the biggest heart! He gives all of his money away because he is always helping others, causing him to be ridiculously poor. Myrtle meanwhile has amassed a fortune because her mathematical prowess has helped her invest and grow her monies. When an improbable (for romance reasons) fake engagement throws them into each other’s arms, their feelings on what they want from life (to marry or not?) and from each other begin to change.

As part of their fake engagement Myrtle and Simeon decide to have a sexperiment over the duration of their time together and Megan Frampton knows how to bring the heat and intimacy. I loved seeing these two fall for each other; Simeon time and again says how much he loves Myrtle’s brain, and Myrtle first falls for his looks, but then falls for his heart. Being a loner is something they have in common and the way they quickly notice things about one another makes the second half of the book full of thoughtful gestures and kindheartedness. 

This is the third book in the School for Scoundrels series and I have been along for the ride since the first, loving each story of the Bastard Five. This can be read as a standalone or even out of order, but knowing some of the other “Bastards” made it much sweeter. Myrtle definitely takes the cake in this book (ok, pun fully intended) with her personality and frankness, but Simeon lets her—a perfect example of a strong man behind a strong woman. I received this copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

plottrysts's review

4.0

Megan Frampton writes reliably fun and sexy romances. Here, we've got a little riff on the "opposites attract" trope: Simeon is a painter who grew up in a foundling home. Because of his status in society - not a part of the upper class but dependent upon their approbation for his professional success - he has developed a social facade. Myrtle is an awkward mathematician who just cannot fit in with society, and doesn't much care to. When Simeon is kicked off of her brother's estate, she convinces him to take her along. We take a road trip to only-one-bed town with a side of "pretend to be married," but this isn't the main point of the book. No, instead, it turns into a fake engagement while they bang it out of their systems with a sexperiment!⁠
⁠
One of the things that we really like about Megan Frampton's books is how they take on complex family dynamics. Since her MO for books is frothy fun, these fraught families don't get too dark. But the way Myrtle and her brother and niece interact feels complicated and authentic: they love each other, but they don't understand each other. They hold each other back, but they come through with each other every now and then, too.⁠
⁠
OK, on to the final note: Frampton knows how to write some sexy sex (read Gentleman Seeks Bride if you need proof). This book includes two fake relationships and a sex experiment, and while it's not low on the chili-pepper scale, it's also not flaming hot. We still had a great time reading it. Frampton has a place on our dependably fun shelf!⁠

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one I did not. I like the premise and the FMC’s personality is excellent. The book felt disjointed though, almost like pages were missing. There were fun and funny moments but overall not great. 

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. 

fringebookreviews's review against another edition

3.5

✨If you ask me if I love him, I’d lie✨

~Vague Spoilers Below~

This was a super sweet addition to the School for Scoundrels series! Myrtle and Simeon understood each other so deeply, and it was extremely endearing watching them fall in love. Both main characters were extremely likable and rather lonely, which is a great combination if I do say so myself. 

I will say, there was a rather gloomy cloud hanging over everything since they were both adamant on not getting married—and once they both changed their minds, they didn’t tell each other and it was obvious how the third act would play out from a mile away…

So while it wasn’t the most exciting romance I’ve read recently, I was still blown away by the quiet way they loved each other. Simeon got her a dog to be her companion because she only had one friend (Simeon); he could always count on Myrtle to be honest in his world of pretty words and white lies. 

They really belonged together which is honestly the most important qualification in a romance, so I couldn’t be too miffed when the plot got a bit drawn out at the end. I would’ve liked a bit more of his half sister and watching them bond as siblings/her guardian, but it was a fun little plot line as it was. 

I’ll definitely be back for book four and Fenton’s tragic woes. I’d recommend reading the series in order—maybe I’m biased because book one is my favorite—but you could totally read this as a standalone!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*There were a few spicy scenes, but I think their hobbies could’ve played more of a role. I just really want some nude painting! (This has been influenced by me reading a few artist romances recently with NO nude painting of the other MC! Gah!) Weaving math into it a bit more could’ve been fun as well. But Frampton writes a good sex scene, so this is just musing more than anything.


Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

cakt1991's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own. 

Her Lessons in Temptation may be one of my biggest disappointments this year. Granted, Megan Frampton has always been hit-or-miss, but I forgot how sometimes her books are so low-stakes, that’s what makes them frustrating. 

And it sucks because the characters are the type I like, or even love. I loved that Simeon was defined as being “soft-hearted,” in spite of his rough upbringing…I’m so done with dukes with pots of money and/or rakes with chips on their shoulders in spite of their generally privileged existence (childhood trauma and past heartbreaks notwithstanding). I love that he spends beyond his means to help people, and that’s a great setup to start a book with. 

And Myrtle was also pretty solid, although she felt a bit more predictable, given how common bluestockings focused on scholarly pursuits, but still longing for passion and adventure, have become ubiquitous. But I’m still a sucker for them every time, especially when she’s paired with a partner who genuinely respects her intellect, and in spite of any other qualms I have, that is the case here. 

But in making these fairly inoffensive characters, it seems Frampton forgot to amp up the stakes to keep them together. I constantly questioned how they were still spending time together, not to mention how they’d even gotten thrown together to begin with, as it didn’t make sense. Not to mention the chemistry was largely nonexistent; the romantic encounters between them felt robotic, and when they’d talk about loving each other, but not being sure if they could tell the other, I wasn’t sure whether I was questioning the authenticity of the feelings at all, or wondering what was keeping them from telling the other, due to the aforementioned no-stakes situation. 

While this wasn’t the worst thing I’ve read from Megan Frampton, I’m disappointed at the missed potential, especially with the male lead. But if you enjoy your historical romance with lower stakes, I do still recommend it, as there is potential, especially if you’re looking for a hero that’s somewhat outside the norm. 

 

readbyme89's review

4.0

Simon is a poor artist who needs to make money quickly for a sister he is now responsible for. Myrtle, sick of saying no to suitors not up to her standards wants Simon to take her to London. She’ll pay him to. And a long the way a fake engagement and real feelings bloom.

This is a fun if not predictable new book in Megan Frampton’s latest series. The characters are different than typical HR’s but I didn’t like them any less. I had a good time reading this.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.