Strange Bedfellows was pitched as “Bridgerton but make it gay” and that was so perfectly accurate. I really fell in love with Ashley and Henry, and the jewel thief plot added delicious tension. The Regency setting and cast of side characters added a lot of charm to the book. I’m so glad I got an early peek at this story!!

“You really don’t mind? Most people are horrified by the thought of men being together. They think it is a sin.”
“How can loving someone be a sin?”

★★★★½

I've kind of been in a reading slump for the past couple of weeks, but Strange Bedfellows dragged me out of it. I don't know if it was the cover or the Regency setup, but something about this book just pulled me in. I was fully invested from the opening pages, and the only reason I didn't finish it in one sitting is because I started it late at night.

I loved the historical setting and the characters. Ashley Montagu is a wonderful main character with an interesting backstory—and of course there's the whole jewel thief thing. And Henry is his perfect counterpart. The chemistry was there from the beginning. Although the book is spicy, it's also very sweet. I had no trouble believing their romance, I just really enjoyed reading about them. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop.

The central conflict—Henry falling for the very thief he's sworn to catch—was not as prominent in the first half as I'd thought, but it definitely became more important. I'm usually not fond of third-act conflicts in romance, but here it was necessary and made sense. I understood both of their positions, which made the resolution all the more satisfying.

This was an absolutely delightful read. Fun, romantic, spicy. This book reminded me that I love historical romances, and that I actually enjoy reading. Ashley and Henry have my heart. Will definitely read more from the author!

★ Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing the ARC!

Normally, Regency-era romance isn’t really my thing, but the plot caught my attention, so I decided to give it a chance. And I am **SO glad I did.**

This book follows Henry and Ashley through the Season, which is supposedly meant for finding a wife… except they end up finding each other instead. 🥹

I am a sucker for a good slow burn, and these two had me **kicking my feet and giggling like an idiot.** 😂 The tension, banter, and chemistry were SO good, and I was completely invested in watching them figure out what was happening between them.

And the spice…

Well, in the words of Mr. Henry Cavendish:

**“Good Lord.”** 🔥

Honestly, that pretty much sums it up.

I went into this expecting to like it and ended up absolutely devouring it. Henry and Ashley completely won me over, and this was such a fun surprise from a genre I don’t normally reach for.

If you love a slow burn with plenty of tension and **four-pepper-worthy spice**, add this one to your TBR. 😉

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️**

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book! It will be available October 13, 2026.