In Compromising Situations, Emma Wildes brings us Andrew Carlton, rake of the first order and Christa Hatton, a charming, somewhat naïve debutante. Someone mysteriously arranges them to be locked in a wine cellar overnight, placing them both in an unacceptable position. To almost everyone's surprise, Andrew steps up to the plate with little or no protest and marries Christa.

Fortunately for him, his instincts pay off and Christa emerges from her virginal state a sensual woman, eager to give and receive pleasure. She tempts and satisfies him like no other, not to mention that he genuinely likes his bride; she in turn finds herself in love with her new husband. However, the road is not smooth because whoever set them up in the first place is not done disturbing their lives. The culprit is up to no good again, this time trying to drive them apart as opposed to throwing them together.

I truly enjoyed getting to know Andrew. He is the kind of to-die-for bad boy who has set hearts thumping forever: sinfully handsome, sinfully good in bed…and yet with that redeemable heart women are always hoping to find lurking just below the surface! Of course it takes just the right woman to bring out such a trait. Ms. Wildes allows the reader the vicarious thrill of watching Christa achieve that status in a believable manner. In addition, she was able to breathe life into several secondary characters to a rather extraordinary degree, considering the short length of this story. Apparently, this is the second of two in The Reformed Rakes series by this author, and I am willing to bet the first, entitled The Letter, is just as charming. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, yet satisfying romp between the sheets set in the Regency era. Five Hearts & a Recommended Read!

Reviewed by: Lynn