Lady Marianne has been a wallflower since her disastrous debut, but because since she always had a friend, Claudia, along the wall, she never minded much. But when Claudia dies and leaves her a beautiful jewelry box, and a hidden list of things her friend wanted to do in her life, everything is turned on its head. Marianne begins to question what she knows about herself, her dreams and what could be possible for her future. It all inspires her to try to complete her dear friend’s bucket list. If only she could find someone more experienced to help her…

Sebastian, Earl of Ramsbury, has been best friends with Marianne’s brother for almost his entire life, and the two men have seen each other through it all. His friend’s edict never to turn his wicked ways on Marianne has always been easy to follow, she’s the only woman he’s ever considered a true friend and not a conquest. But when she starts acting strangely, asking for his help with the most unexpected and shocking things, he begins to see her in a different light…and want her in ways he never could have thought possible.

As Marianne grows closer to completing Claudia’s list, she also continues to spiral toward to a passion with Sebastian that neither of them could ever see coming. But will an old promise to a dear friend stop a growing connection before it can come to fruition? Or will the last item on Marianne’s bucket list be to fall head over heels in love with a wicked rake?

CW: Grief, death of child (described)