Who knew that historical romance could be hot? The book is like an incredible mash-up of Downtown Abbey, Erotica, and Thriller. This book surpassed all my expectations.
Synopsis
Treading the Boards, Book 2
Marguerite Ceniza dies on the London stage each night, but her own life has barely begun. The ingénue is on the prowl for a lover, but while she burns with desire for Sophie, a confession could ruin their decade-long friendship. In the meantime there are always men vying to be her patron, and square-jawed, broad-shouldered James Glover can’t help but catch her eye.
Sophie Armand has been a lady’s maid for too long, and she’s sick of keeping secrets. Her hidden scripts and the story of her birth are only the beginning. Her nights are haunted by desperate thoughts of the beguiling Marguerite, and of James, the handsome tradesman who whispers promises of forever into her ear.
James has the kind of problem a lot of men would kill for—two women, both beautiful, both sensual, and both willing. Sophie wants marriage, while Marguerite’s only in it for fun, and choosing between them isn’t easy.
What’s the worst that could happen if he secretly courts them both?
Their romantic triangle is complicated in the most delicious way, until a shadowy figure from Marguerite’s past threatens to destroy the budding relationship—and their lives.
Warning: Contains a lady’s maid with secret desires, a corset-maker who knows his way around a woman’s body, and an actress who never has to fake it. Rated for adult audiences only.
Review
Unlike most historical romance that are prim and proper as society expected people to behave at the time, this book is about raw desire and behaving well outside the accepted rules. Behaving outside the norm, makes their choices very risky because the repercussions of discovery could be tragic. This certainly heightened the emotional intrigue.
Let’s talk fashion. The men and women of the time wore a lot of clothes. While this could serve as an impediment, the author turns the cumbersome attire into an incredible excuse for extended foreplay.
Despite women having limited power at the time, the way that Meg and Sarah take control over James is phenomenal. All men should be made to beg in such a manner.
I also appreciated the overall acknowledgement and struggle for female empowerment. Women were not really afforded any opportunities but needed to finagle their way through life to claim some power for themselves.
to Tess Bowery!
to Stacey Brandon and Karen Bell!
to 
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