Notorious Pleasures: Number 2 in series (Maiden Lane, #2)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Their lives were perfect . . . until they met each other.

Lady Hero Batten is perfect, well-mannered and beautiful with an impeccable pedigree. After years of waiting for a gentleman to sweep her off her feet, she has decided to do her duty and settle for a proper society marriage to Thomas Remmington, the Marquess of Mandeville. True, the marquis is a trifle dull and lacks a sense of humour, but he is handsome and rich.

Griffin Remmington, Lord Greyson, the Marquess' younger brother, is not at all perfect. In fact, some have called him the most notorious rake in London. When Griffin meets Hero he thinks that she is much too intelligent for society, let alone his brother. Their duel of words soon sparks a fire in them both, despite the fact that Hero's marriage to Thomas is drawing ever nearer. . .

• ISBN10: 0748121145
• ISBN13: 9780748121144
• Publish Date: 3 February 2011 (first published 25 January 2011)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Edition: Digital original
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Notorious Pleasures wasn’t as dark and sexy as the first book, but I still enjoyed it. This time we’re following Lady Hero who has been groomed to be the perfect lady and wife since birth. She’s set to marry a marquis and fulfill her familial duty, but then she meets her fiance’s brother. Griffin is not at all like Hero’s fiance, but that’s what draws her to him. He ignites something in her that she should be ashamed of, but can’t bring herself to be. She wants him, and he wants her, but there are a few things standing in their way.

Yes, Notorious Pleasures involves cheating. I just thought I’d throw that out there, since I know a lot of readers don’t like cheating in their Romance. I don’t mind it, as long as it’s done in a way that doesn’t try to excuse the behavior. Cheating is cheating. This one does kind of straddle the line though. Hero and Griffin start their relationship behind his brother’s back, but Mandeville isn’t exactly who he’s believed to be. I don’t think his behavior was 100% meant to make Hero cheating on him okay, but it did feel like that in places. I’m still a bit unsure about how it was handled, although I think his reaction at the end is realistic.

I did really like how Hero takes responsibility for her actions though. She knows what she’s doing is wrong and intends to fix it. However, it does take her awhile to stop trying to please everyone around her. She’s been raised to be obedient and proper, but that’s not who she is! Break free! She has her moments, but the back and forth was a bit frustrating, especially when Griffin could have taken care of all of it anyway.

I did like Notorious Pleasures a lot. Hero and Griffin have a lot of chemistry. I also liked continuing to get to know the residents of Maiden Lane. Silence has another subplot in this one to set up for her book, which I’m looking forward to quite a bit.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Ing Cruz]

My Synopsis:
Lady Hero Batten is a proper lady of the realm. She has always known her duty and has always followed the rules of society. She lost her parent's at a young age and has been raised by her older brother the Duke of Wakefield and her cousin Bathilda. Her brother the Duke has arranged for Hero to marry his friend the Thomas Reading the Marquess of Mandeville. Thomas is stogy and straitlaced pillar of society. He and his brother Lord Griffin Reading do not get a long. Hero meets her future brother in law, Griffin the night of her engagement to Thomas. The meeting has left a bad impression of Griffin on Hero since she discovered him and a married lady fornicating.

Griffin is home for the first time in three years. He has avoided his brother and family after the death of Thomas's first wife. Griffin is the rake and irresponsible brother according to society. He'll debauch any lady and supposedly seduced his brothers deceased wife. Griffin has been reckless and avoids any emotional complications. He doesn't do love or caring. When he first meets Hero he's surprised by her. He gives her a nickname and calls her "Lady Perfect". He finds himself drawn to her despite his warnings to himself to stay away.

After finding Lady Perfect aka Hero somewhere she should not be Griffin can't help but rescue her from herself and the dangers of her surrounding. They strike a bargain to keep her secret jaunts between the two of them and in return he'll accompany her. Griffin has his own little secret activities and enemies that he doesn't want society to know about. Dislike and misunderstanding turns into an unexpected love.

My Thoughts:
Elizabeth Hoyt has become an auto buy author for me since her debut romance The Raven Prince. She continues to amaze and captivate me with her writing. I love Hero and Griffin as a couple. Each scene with them was a page turner. From the opening where Hero finds Griffin with another woman to the last pages of the book I was emotionally invested. Griffin was so naughty. I love naughty misunderstood heroes. I especially love how he and Hero first meet each other. It certainly set the tone and I knew I was along for a great ride. Hero with her perfection and Griffin with his imperfections made them absolutely perfect for each other.

If you've read Elizabeth's book before then you are aware of her love scenes. I have to say she writes some of the best and steamiest sexing ever that's a non-erotica book. She took this book to the next level. My gosh the scene in the carriage to the wall scene loving was ummm...worthy of a standing ovation. I have to confess I've re-read those scenes several times already. The secondary storyline involving Thomas and a not so respectable lady kept the book moving on nicely. We meet more characters that are potential leading characters in this series. I for one can't wait for the next book. The heroine is name Silence and the hero is the disreputable river pirate "Charming" Mickey O'Connor.

This is the second book in the Maiden Lane series. The books don't have to be read in order at all. Elizabeth does a great job of keeping the books easy to follow without reading them in order. If you are looking for a sexy historical with a great storyline then pick this book up.