A Waltz into Wickedness

· Courting Ruin Book 5 · Brook Ridge Press
6 reviews
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269
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About this ebook

Lady Eleanore Wingate has survived five fruitless Seasons, too many pitying smiles, and more awkward waltzes than any lady deserves. At four-and-twenty, she is tired of being overlooked, advised, and gently corrected into the sort of woman London might finally choose.

When her mother insists she must do more to secure a husband, Eleanore turns to her oldest friend, Thomas Thornton, Lord Pavington, for help. Thomas has always seen the woman beneath her careful composure. Teaching her how to hold a room, accept admiration, and stop making herself easy to leave should be harmless. Practical. Respectable.

It is anything but.

With every lesson, Eleanore grows bolder, brighter, and impossible for other men to ignore. And Thomas soon discovers the painful truth: he did not teach her to be wanted so he could watch another man win her. But wanting Eleanore in secret is one thing. Claiming her in the open may cost them both the safety of the friendship they have always trusted.

When one moonlit kiss turns every lesson into a scandalous confession, Eleanore must decide whether admiration is enough—or whether she is brave enough to demand the love that truly sees her. And Thomas must risk propriety, pride, and every careful rule he has ever lived by to prove he will no longer love her from a distance.

Friends to Lovers • Lessons in Courtship • Wallflower Awakening • Heartfelt Slow Burn • Regency Romance

Lady Eleanore Wingate has survived five fruitless Seasons, too many pitying smiles, and more awkward waltzes than any lady deserves. At four-and-twenty, she is tired of being overlooked, advised, and gently corrected into the sort of woman London might finally choose. When her mother insists she ...

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Ratings and reviews

6 reviews
Marie Bourgery
October 5, 2026
Eleanor asks her friend Thomas for lessons in how to capture a gentleman’s attention because is in her fifth season. For too long she has made herself smaller and accommodating. The lessons make her more confident and draw them closer but when they kiss he tells her it was a mistake and breaks her heart. A persistent suitor is close to offering for her. Will Thomas find the courage to admit his feelings before he loses Eleanor to another?
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Rhonda Gothier
October 23, 2026
Enjoy reading a historical novel and the authors interpretation of what happens during that time between the characters with conversation and with what is going on at that time. The women went to many different dance parties to try to find a husband it was an interesting way of courting. When that doesn't work and she calls on a friend to help but doesn't realize that he has feelings for her underneath. Good read. Voluntarily review book from Booksprout.
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Williams Family
October 9, 2026
This is a delightful friends-to-lovers Regency romance filled with heart, longing, and slow-burn chemistry. Watching Eleanore step into her confidence while Thomas realizes he's hopelessly in love with the woman he's helping attract other suitors is utterly captivating. Sweet, emotional, and packed with all the best tropes: ✨ Friends to Lovers ✨ Wallflower Awakening ✨ Courtship Lessons ✨ Secret Pining ✨ Jealous Hero ✨ Slow Burn Romance
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About the author

Amanda Mariel, an accomplished wordsmith, holds dual master's degrees in liberal arts and education, specializing in the captivating realms of history and literature. Beyond her academic pursuits, she embraces the joyful chaos of motherhood, tending to both her cherished teenagers and her trio of adored fur babies. Among them, a noble Bernese Mountain Dog named Blaze, and two cats of distinct character, Ezra and Puff, share their home.

A USA Today Bestselling Author, Amanda Mariel conjures vivid tapestries of eras long past, drawing inspiration from the languid cadence of days gone by. With pen poised and imagination unfurled, she traverses the annals of time, weaving tales that illuminate historical landscapes with finesse and flair. Her creative spirit finds respite in reading, traversing new horizons through travel, and capturing moments through the lenses of both her camera and artistic endeavors. Yet, it is in the embrace of family that she finds her truest sanctuary.

Amidst the prose and parchment, Amanda Mariel etches a profound connection, bridging eras, hearts, and minds, creating a legacy that resonates through the corridors of time.

Amanda Mariel, an accomplished wordsmith, holds dual master's degrees in liberal arts and education, specializing in the captivating realms of history and literature. Beyond her academic pursuits, she embraces the joyful chaos of motherhood, tending to both her cherished teenagers and her trio of...

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