Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

All Lainey Kline wants to do is have one passionate night with her best friends brother Damian McKnight, and when she finds out he attends the prestigious, Carmina Masquerade Ball, she makes sure she's there, albeit in disguise. But when she gets her wicked way, she soon realises that one night is not enough. She wants more! And who can blame her? Damian is gorgeous, sexy businessman, but would he want her if he knew she was his little sister's best friend?

Damian has had his heart broken before and is dealing with a few hidden personal issues, so he's not looking for love, just one night stands. He also wants revenge for what his ex-wife did to him. By the time he realises what's going on, he's in too deep emotionally to let Lainey go.

Stefanie London has a great writing style, which keeps this book lively and interesting. In many ways this 'mystery girl' story is a little like a retelling of Cinderella and adds to the storyline, of which does include a lot of sex and is definitely not for kids. This is an intense, emotional fast-paced, provocative read - just what I'd expect from Mills and Boons' Dare range.

WOW... The story was hot and easy to follow. The way Lainey went after Damian was brave and shows the length a woman will go to hook herself a man when she knows the end game is not guaranteed. I love reading this book and will definitely recommend it.

Amazing new story! Steamy and sexy but also fun with great characters and the perfect leading man. I loved that it was set in Australia, it gives the story something a little extra on a cold spring evening in London

Lainey Kline has one goal before she leaves Melbourne forever: transform into a sexy siren, sneak into the season’s most glamorous masquerade ball, and seduce Damian McKnight. Only there's a teeny little problem—one deliciously hot night isn't nearly enough. Now Lainey wants more. But while getting naked is one thing, taking off their masks is quite another… If you like your romances hot and sexy, then this is the series for you. This is the second DARE book I have read, and I am gradually softening my feelings about them. This book isn't quite as raunchy as the first one I read, but hot enough to curl your toes. Worth reading and quite a good storyline too.

Masquerade balls evoke images of mystery, romance and secrets, 'Unmasked' encompasses all of these elements in a contemporary setting.
Lainey is leaving Melbourne and her friends for a fantastic career opportunity, but is she taking the next step in her future life or running? Her teenage crush on her best friend's older brother grows into love, but he doesn't see her that way? Damien has a failed marriage and hidden self-esteem issues, at odds with his successful career. Damien's attraction for Lainey is inconvenient and something he is not going to explore despite her provocation.
The chance to act out her greatest fantasy before he leaves is something Lainey must do, and so she gatecrashes an 'A'List, charity ball that the object of her desire is attending. The love scenes are sensual and explicit, but in keeping with the 'Dare'genre and mirrored by the emotional intensity of the hidden feelings, Lainey and Damien have for the other.  There is a lovely 'Cinderella' like twist after Lainey's night at the ball.  Passion, romance and steamy moments make this an enjoyable, fast-paced, sexy read.
I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

4.5 stars.

Unmasked isn’t the first I’ve read from Stefanie London, but so far it’s the best and with no scrimping on the sizzle, she brings us a seductive Cinderella-esque romp between a quirky lady and her BFF’s brooding brother.

“...tonight, she was going to bring her longest-held fantasy to life.”

Having sworn off relationships following his divorce, Damian McKnight is a one-night only type of guy, but when a beautiful and mysterious flame-haired woman spills her drink down him at a masquerade party, he’s clueless to the fact that the woman making no secret of her desire is his little sister’s best friend, Lainey Kline.

“Tonight is all about the mystery, don’t you think? Strangers without faces.”

I’m not saying anything on what happens beyond the this couple’s steamy masked tryst, but what I will say is they were fabulous together, I devoured in one sitting and Stefanie London does a superb job in bringing that allure which comes with two strangers getting up-close and very personal together, whilst at the same time keeping it real as there’s the small but fairly important fact that Lainey and Damian have actually known each other for years.

“He was her Prince Charming, her Mr. Darcy, the Harry to her Sally. The Danny to her Sandra Dee. The only guy who’d ever truly known her.”

Deliciously sexy yet at the same time charmingly sweet, Unmasked kicks off the Melbourne After Dark series nicely, and I for one am hoping we get to catch up with these characters again—I’d love to see Imogen’s slightly covert shenanigans elaborated on in the future.

“Here’s to masked strangers and wayward wine glasses”

Hairdresser Lainey Kline has always been slightly in love with her best friend’s brother, Damien McKnight, and dreams about making fantasy a reality just once before she leaves Melbourne for a new job in London.
Finding that Damien is invited to the prestigious Carmina Masquerade Ball, and on hearing that her friend Imogen plans to sneak in to the event to spy on her sister’s wayward fiancee, Lainey decides to transform her appearance and sneak into the event incognito as well. After all, dying her hair red and wearing a mask covering most of her face, she can try her luck with Damien without him knowing who she really is. Unintentionally spilling red wine onto Damien’s shirt, sparks fly between the two and some passionate antics are soon taking place before the night is out without Damien realising who his mystery partner is. Unfortunately for both, a brief interlude was never going to be enough, and when Damien eventually finds out Lainey’s identity, he goes against his better judgement and acts on instinct.
In Lainey and Damien, Stefanie London has created two vibrant, likeable characters who deserve a chance of happiness. Damien’s trust issues resulting from his divorce and his desire for revenge against his former boss who had an affair with Damien’s wife, drives him to continually question his desire for Lainey, even though it turns out Lainey’s lust for him wasn’t entirely one sided after all. The chemistry between the two is believable, instant and never forced, even when Damien doesn’t recognise Lainey at the ball. Indeed, when Damien discovers who his mystery woman is, his hesitation to potentially ruin a friendship is believable, and the two leads make an engaging couple who spark off each other, and believe the lust will pass over without lasting effect.
As this is the Dare series, the sex scenes are somewhat explicit and adventurous without being forced in to the plot to fulfil the ‘sexy, passionate, bold’ brief. The strong writing means you care about the characters enough to believe that they could have a future together, if only Damien can get over what happened with his ex-wife and former boss.
The masquerade is a fun idea that adds a bit of intrigue in the build up to the first encounter, and the various references to fairy tales add a touch of magic to the event. Indeed, by the time Lainey’s deception is uncovered, Damien is in far too deep, and try as he might, he can’t deny his longing for Lainey any longer, especially when he discovers her impending move to London.
Easy going, romantic, funny, and at times serious and somewhat emotional, ‘Unmasked’ is an enjoyable, escapist read with two excellent lead characters.
This is the first book by Stefanie London I have read, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Lainey is about to move from Australia to London - before she goes she wants one thing. A fling with her best friends brother. A masked ball seems an opportunity to seduce him without him knowing it is her. But after one night she wants more, but what will happen when he finds out who she really is?