Book Review: Angel in Scarlet by Lavinia Kent

angel in scarletI received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewer: Andrea

The Summary:

From the author of Mastering the Marquess comes another blazingly provocative Regency romance! Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but in this clash of wills, lust is a feast for the senses.

After her dreams of wedding bells are dashed by a man she thought had serious intentions, Miss Angela Ripon must be satisfied. She plans to make him burn for her, and then to reject him as he rejected her. There’s only one woman who can teach Angela that sort of seduction: Madame Rouge—or Ruby, to the men who frequent her house of pleasure. The infamous madam agrees to help, but only after warning Angela that her target has very specific tastes. To trap her prey, she must shed every last inhibition.

Matthew Harkness, Earl of Colton, doesn’t mean to hurt the young admirers who flock to him. He simply isn’t interested in women who are too timid for his dark desires. He judged Angela to be like the others—tender, sweet, and innocent. So how to explain the change that has come over her? Matthew aches to teach Angela all he knows of earthly pleasures. But even as she offers the control he craves, perhaps this angelic beauty has a lesson or two to teach him.

Angel in Scarlet is intended for mature audiences. This ebook includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

The Review:

Angel was an interesting look into the clutter of a woman’s brain. Come on, ladies, be honest. We have brains like a bargain basement flea market on half-off day. We easily jump from thinking our toenail polish to whose turn is it to take out the trash with speeds Superman couldn’t achieve on his best day. Angela’s brain is both interesting and funny. Her thoughts made me shake my head and actually consider how convoluted the female mind is.  She had a real personality that I enjoyed. Colton was a somewhat flat to me. He had little to no background story, and I didn’t particularly like him.

The writing was fantastic and the pacing was mostly good. I did get a bit tired of the relentless questioning in the minds of both Colton and Angela. They seemed to internally rehash the same issues of trust, which is probably a fault I have with many romance novels.

I wasn’t prepared for this novel. It’s my own fault; the caveat is right there, but I didn’t read it carefully. It is VERY mature. Imagine Fifty Shades with cravats and petticoats. There is definitely a reason it is called a Bound and Determined novel. So beware. If that makes you uncomfortable, this one isn’t for you.

4 Stars