Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Business and pleasure is a mix no gentleman should consider.
Lord Grayson Holloway goes after what he wants—be it in the law office on his clients’ behalf or in the bedchamber. His new position as partner puts him closer to achieving his goal of becoming the most successful solicitor in London. There’s just one problem—his new secretary. Broad of shoulder yet mild of manner, Edward tempts Gray like no other. Yet the young man barely notices him.
Edward Fenton tries to be a good secretary, but being in Lord Grayson’s hard, commanding presence rouses Edward’s most forbidden desires. Wicked, naughty desires no gentleman should consider giving in to, let alone with his new employer.
Gray is more than willing to mix business with pleasure. But convincing Edward to take a chance on a future with him? That might be the most challenging case Gray has ever taken on.
Our introduction to Mr. Fenton is through Lord Grayson’s eyes, and it would play an important role later in the story. We get an account of Mr. Fenton’s whereabouts, the other man with him, his physical description and the type of man Lord Grayson thinks Mr. Fenton is looking for as a partner.
We get to see then, Mr. Fenton’s competency and his physical response to Lord Grayson’s proximity. Gray is trying to measure Edward’s attraction to have a better idea of his secretary’s wants. And from there, he devised a plan to gain Edward’s attention.
As we learned more from Edward, we get to see a very different man than the one described by Lord Grayson. As well as eroneous assumptions by Edward about the Lord. After a subtle test by Gray, their relationship turns physical, and Edward’s wicked desires are fulfilled.
They have about four days together before everything goes wrong due to lack of communication. Both men believe they are justified in their actions and made decisions that affect the new relationship blossoming between them.
Thanks to a first step taken by Lord Grayson, they are able to understand each other better and what they need from each other. The story ends with an epilogue and the exchange of I love yous.
Convincing the Secretary is the third book in the London Legal Series. I hadn’t read the first two books in the series, but it’s not necessary to enjoy this particular installment. Unless, you want additional background information about some of the characters mentioned in the story– including Edward.
The first part of the story reflects the musings of both MC about each other. We get to know the basics, as well as the insecurities they had. Certainly, they don’t believe to be good enough for the other. And we see all this during their interactions at work.
The physical chemistry between the characters is palpable since the beginning of the story. I just had trouble believing in how openly Lord Grayson asked Edward about his inclinations. Even if they were both being bold, the question felt out of place with the story and the soft spoken man Gray seems to think of Edward to be.
The novella was easy to follow and entertaining. The sex and kink scenes up to par, without excessive wording and endless orgasms. The two characters acted according to their stations even when most of the story kept them isolated from other most of the time.
Overall, a good read. Just not enough to make me want to read the previous books.
Designed by Kim Killion, the cover follows the previous two books– a bare torso over the night skyline of London. Perhaps more contemporary than historical, but goes with the rest of the series.
Sale Links: Samhain | Amazon | ARe
Book Details:
ebook, 138 pages
Published: March 8, 2016, by Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1619222523 (ISBN13: 9781619222526)
Edition Language: English
Series: London Legal
Book #1: Convincing Arthur
Book #2: Convincing Leopold
Book #3: Convincing the Secretary
Filed under: Book Reviews, Books, eBooks, Historical, LGBTQ Book Reviews, M/M Book Reviews, M/M Fiction, M/M Romance Tagged: A Lila Review: Convincing the Secretary (London Legal #3) by Ava March, author Ava March, Convincing the Secretary (London Legal #3) by Ava March, gay fiction, London Legal Series by Ava March, m/m historical romance