Miss Emily Price is in desperate need of funds. With her family estate mortgaged and her young brother not yet of age, it falls to her to save her family from financial ruin. What is a lady with no title or connections to do? Auction her virginity at one of London’s most notorious brothels. 

Heir to a baronetcy, James Hughes has always been caught between two worlds. His fortune and education help him pass for a member of the ton but his career as an engineer and his family ties stop him from actually becoming one. Quiet and serious-minded, he knows he needs to marry into the peerage for his sake, as well as, his family’s. But when he finds himself by chance at an auction in London’s infamous Scarlet Salon he throws his ambitions to the wind to bed the lovely Miss Price. 

It doesn’t take long for Emily to lose her heart to her dry-humored, generous benefactor. But when their affair goes public in one of the most scandalous newspapers in town, Emily must decide if she must cast her feelings aside and leave James to pursue his societal ambitions, and James must decide if family and duty are worth giving up the chance of love. 

Scandal, manipulation and ambition hinder the lovers’ path to happiness. Only they can decide if love is worth fighting for.

Miss Emily Price is a well-bred girl, but with no means or connections and a family left in debt by her stepfather, she decides to sell the only valuable thing she has to the highest bidder in order to secure her mother’s and younger brother’s welfare.  That’s how she ends auctioning her virginity with the assistance of the Madam of a notorious brothel.

Mr. James Hughes might be the heir to a baronetcy, but he’s also an engineer and likes working on his projects and taking care of his businesses.  His wealth makes him a sought after bachelor and well received in all the events of the ton, but despite his lack of interest in securing a bride, his mother is hoping for him to make a good match and marry a titled and well connected lady.

As James agrees to attend the auction with his friend the Earl of Norwich, he doesn’t expect to be instantly attracted to the star of the night.

This book was a fast read and entertaining at best.  I enjoyed the interaction of the characters and some aspects of the development, but I found myself distracted by the parallel stories happening at the same time.

Though I liked some things about it, I don’t feel this is an accurate historical romance and, in the end, it didn’t really work out for me.

2.5 Book Corner Stars

*ARC Review*