Her First Desire by Cathy Maxwell is the second book in A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women but was fine 
read as a stand-alone. It takes place in the small quaint village of Maidenshop with a battle of the sexes between the Matrons and the men of the Logical Men’s Society. The Garland tavern had been the meeting place for the Society for several generations, but the owner Andy MacMhuirich has passed away. Months go by and no family came to claim it so the Men’s Society felt like it should be theirs.
Ned Thurlowe was the town’s physician and held the position of chairman to the Men’s Society, which was for single men only. He was not sure if he should worry about the ownership of the tavern or inquire about buying it. His main concern was the upcoming lectures for the Society and his fiancé of two years demanding they set a date for the wedding. He had offered to marry Clarissa Taylor after the Matrons had persuaded him too, but he was in no hurry. He did not believe in love or emotions, but Gemma’s arrival turned his life upside down. She was intelligent, determined and for the first time ever he felt desire for a woman. He is doubtful of her claim on the tavern, but if it is true then she would ruin his plans for the lecture series.
Gemma Estep has come to realize men are not to be trusted. Her father left her dowry in the hands of her no-good husband, Paul, who died while fighting a duel over a married woman. He did not make any provisions for her, so her fortune was turned over to his brother, Lord Latimer. Gemma discovers a letter that Lord Latimer had kept from her that was informing her of her uncle’s death. Andy had previously written telling her “anything he had was hers” so she leaves London to claim his tavern as her own and to turn it into a tea garden. Only she arrives to discover the tavern had been destroyed by the Society men who had been using it. Ned might challenge her claim of ownership but the Matrons band together and take a stand behind Gemma. They welcomed her to town and helped her start her new life in Maidenshop.
I enjoyed the book even though there was a lot of man-hating that went on. The Matrons were feisty, cunning, and perceptive enough to stay one step in front of the men and their shenanigans. Gemma was courageous enough to take a stand and hold firm against the men’s challenges to her claim of ownership. I felt that Ned’s character was self-centered, chauvinist, and egotistical. His view of female’s intelligence slowly changes as he comes to know Gemma and he even stands up for them to the man who was to give the l lecture. I was really shocked by that scene. I was very disappointed by both main characters with their lack of respect towards Clarrisa when they cheated. Overall, the book was decent but the characters had a lot of flaws.
Book Info:
Publication: April 27, 2021 | Avon | A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women #2
She arrived in town, beautiful and bold and declaring that she’s inherited property that he has already claimed! As a member of the local Logical Men’s Society, Ned Thurlowe prides himself on thinking clearly and calmly at all times. And it’s clear that the meeting place of the society—a local tavern—is his even if the men have turned it to shambles.
But Ned’s claim is challenged by Gemma Estep, who’s announced she’s decided to turn it into some sort of respectable tea garden for the local ladies. Ned challenges Gemma, and in doing so, behaves most illogically, for though he wants to dismiss her, he also can’t help but desire her.
Gemma has had enough of men telling her what to do, and she’s vowed to make her own way in the world. And Ned Thurlowe is ruining her plans. Not only has he laid claim to her property, pitting them in a heated fight for its ownership, he’s also arousing in her feelings she’s never sensed before.
And although they argue, they quickly discover they have more in common than they’d each ever dreamed—could their disagreement be turning into desire?
