4.5 stars. ( )

Reviewed by: Patti
Book provided by: Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Helene Cosgrove first struck me as spoiled and bratty. She was in love with someone else and then was forced to marry Lord Redding who had a reputation of a wicked rake. As the story progressed and I learned more about her my view of her slowly started to change. Helene did not let go of the feelings she had for her original love easily. She made no secret that she did not want to perform her wifely duties which certainly did not sit well with a man who up until then had women bragging that they were in his bed. Luckily Redding had some pretty creative ways to try to persuade her to change her mind.

Edward Chase, Lord Redding was a character that was very difficult for me to like or dislike. He would do something mean or rude and then turn around and do something kind or selfless. I could never quite pin him down. As frustrating as that was, it also kept me reading on well past the time when I should have put the book down, I was hooked. He also was very sexy and that helped too. His ability to seduce Helene was fascinating.

I have to say there were some very memorable and arousing scenes. I really appreciated some of the plot twists because they were a different than books I’ve read previously. The characters really did grow and change throughout the story, reacting and struggling as they dealt with each other and the challenges they came up against. I appreciate flaws in human behavior and I don’t expect people to change instantly. I have read many romances and this one is one I will remember for quite some time. ( )