I checked this book out of the library because it was written by Eloisa James. Finding out that it was her first book was an unexpected bonus. I love first novels because they feel like the author poured their heart and soul into them. Later books might be more polished, but also often fall into the trap of becoming too formulaic. Potent Pleasures is smart, funny, sad, sexy and incredibly romantic. There is a tragic misunderstanding between the hero and heroine that continuously complicates their relationship. And, it's a big one. Charlotte is the well-bred daughter of a duke who makes a very impetuous mistake as a teenager. A friend talks her into attending a most improper social event called the Hooker's Ball. While there she drinks some spiked lemonade and literally falls into the arms of a handsome stranger. Charlotte loses her innocence in a moonlit garden. Flash forward a few years. Charlotte has decided that she can never marry since she is a ruined woman. Then she crosses paths with Alex and her life changes again. This is the man she gave herself to. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember her. In his defense, it was a masked ball and a dark garden and her hair was completely disguised with powder. I finished this book at 3:00 this morning. Need I say more?