Early Review of The Pirate and I (Devil's Duke, #2.5) by Katharine Ashe

Title: The Pirate and I: A Novella (Devil's Duke)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Devil's Duke
Format: Paperback; 192 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse (August 22, 2017)
ISBN-10: 006264176X
ISBN-13: 978-0062641762
Author's Website: http://katharineashe.com/
Notes:  I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Once upon a time a boy liked a girl and a girl liked a boy, but neither of them let their feelings be known. Then one day the boy disappeared and as days turned into months followed by years it was feared he'd met with foul play and had died. Now, years later, while on a trip to Scotland for a once-in-a-decade international event--the meeting of the Society of Perfumers. Esme Astell finds herself in the middle of a police chase. When asked which way the man being sought went, she makes a split second decision and lies. When the young scoundrel whom they were chasing thanks her with a kiss, she realizes it's Charles Brittle, the boy--now a man--she'd held a tendre for all those years ago. He's in trouble and needs her help.

This was a very fun and sweet novella that I wish had been longer. As is the fate of many a novella, things get resolved much too easily and quickly. I would have liked a little more conflict and the romance to have been drawn out a little longer, but what can an author do? There are page/time constraints on novellas.

Esme and Charles are an unconventional couple. She has aspirations of becoming a world-renowned master perfumer and Charlie? Well, let's just say his life took a bad turn and he's now trying to get himself out of the situation he finds himself in--beholden to a pirate. He'll need Esme's help to do it.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I loved watching these two come together and fall in love. I adored Charlie and admired Esme. By the end, I got the feeling there wasn't much this duo couldn't achieve. I laughed, I grinned, and shook my head a great deal while reading. This is a great story to indulge in if you're looking for something sweet, funny, and quick to read. On the Lisarenee Romance Reading Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I very much enjoyed this one.

Order of the Devil's Duke series: