Publication Date: April 18, 2017
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewer: Andrea
The Summary:
An innocent young woman flirts with scandal and becomes the mistress of her own forbidden desires in this stimulating Regency romance from the author of Mastering the Marquess.
Lady Cynthia Westhope can’t believe the shocking rumor is true. Her childhood friend, the daughter of a duke no less, has become the madam of London’s most exclusive and notorious brothel. Though she’s known as “Sin,” Cynthia is scandalized—and surprisingly curious. Just picturing the whips, the chains, the uncontrollable urges men gratify behind closed doors sends a jolt of electricity through her body. Still, Sin can’t imagine taking part in such games—until she’s snatched off the street during a raging storm and swept away to a remote cottage.
When James Winters encounters the comely virgin, he assumes she’s one of Madame Blanche’s fresh new beauties, especially after Sin pulses in ecstasy as he ravishes her. Then he discovers that she’s Lord Westhope’s virgin daughter . . . or was. Now they will both be compromised, unless James devises a plan to save Sin from disgrace. Before long, they’re entangled in a web of tempting propositions, family secrets, and sensual intrigue—and bound together so tightly that James never wants to let go.
The Review:
This is the second Bound and Determined novel that I have read, and true to form, it is both traditional and not. The plot was a little tired. Girl gets trapped with boy in a secluded locale. Boy feels honor-bound to marry girl, girl resists, until they both realize they can’t live without each other. The typical historical romance storyline, but where these novels differ the ordinary is in their handling of mature content. This series will make you wonder what all those starched, stiff Victorians were really doing behind closed doors.
The more interesting story to me was that of James’s sister, Jasmine, a fallen woman from a good family who ends up with a baby and a brothel. That’s really the story I wanted to hear. Cynthia and James were both a little too goodie, goodie for me, too perfect. I like my protagonists to have more angst–just a touch. It was a quick read but lacked a real storyline for me. It was just okay, nothing new.
A little disappointed with this one.
3 stars
