Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love, #1)

by Callie Hutton

• ISBN10: 1633757846
• ISBN13: 9781633757844
• Publish Date: 17 October 2016 (first published 1 October 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Entangled: Scandalous
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lindsey Gray]

Reigning Regency Romance Regent, Callie Hutton, writes another scintillating tale to woo readers everywhere!

As a fan of Hutton’s Marriage Mart Mayhem series, I was looking forward to sinking into a new series written by her. I was not disappointed by the story of Devon and Eugenia.

Usually a great romance starts with the meeting, but not for this more than proper couple. Both raised to believe marriage was a business arrangement, Devon assumed the woman nicknamed The Ice Queen was the perfect lady for him. She was, until things changed.

Eugenia fell in love with her husband from the onset, yet her prim and proper upbringing told her such feelings didn’t belong in a ton marriage. She followed the “script” until she found an eyeopening book while browsing one day. The young Marchioness took all the information she could from within the pages and went to work on her husband.

I wondered how in the world Hutton would spin this story of a couple already married. It surprised me how many obstacles were thrown in the way of Eugenia’s efforts. As the story progressed, I began to see how sad it must be to have a “ton” marriage. The antiquated idea of passion in the bedroom was only for a man’s mistress was ridiculous. For some reason, even after seeing and experiencing his wife’s passion, Devon couldn’t give up the idea.

The development of Eugenia and Devon, separately and as a couple, was bumpy at times. Eventually, they were able to take their blinders off and see things for what they were. Hutton’s humor shined throughout the pages and granted me more than a few laughs. I shed enough tears as well. My son went and retrieved several tissues for me more than once knowing how emotional I can get while reading.

I can say with no hesitation, I loved every moment reading this novel. This will be one I will enjoy over and over again. With so many strong secondary characters, I can see a rich and bright future for the Lords and Ladies in Love series. I can’t wait to devour another Callie Hutton novel soon!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Heather]

"Richard, Marquess of Devon is satisfied with his ton marriage. His wife of five months, Lady Eugenia Devon, thought she was, too, until she found the book. Their marriage is one of respect and affection, with no messy entanglements such as love. Devon’s upbringing impressed upon him that gentlemen slake their baser needs on a mistress, not their gently bred wives. However, once married, he was no longer comfortable bedding a woman other Eugenia. When she stumbles onto a naughty book, she begins a campaign to change the rules."



This book started with an interesting twist.  Instead of being all about the courtship like most Regency romances, this story starts after the couple has been married for five months.  Eugenia hears the news that her husband's mistress has died in an accident and decides to take this opportunity to convince him to not find another one.  At the same time she comes across a sex manual in a book store.  (Let's just set aside the unlikeliness of a sex manual in a Regency bookstore in a place where a lady could come across it, ok?)

Up until now their physical relationship has consisted of scheduled three nights a week sex mostly clothed in the dark in order to produce an heir.  She was told by her mother that she should just lie still and think about redecorating and it would be over soon.  He was told that you do you duty with your wife and keep a mistress on the side for any of your desires other than procreation.  All this advice has resulted in some people with some very mixed up ideas and hang ups about sex.

Eugenia's attempt to spice up their marriage does not go well.  Her husband is horrified.  He starts to avoid her.  No more scheduled times.  Now she has to try to seduce him to get him back.  He is convinced that she has taken a lover because of her new found knowledge.  It is all an object lesson about why people should talk to each other when they are married instead of making assumptions.

I did enjoy this twist on a historical romance.  This book would be good for Regency fans who don't mind a little bit of explicit sexual talk and activity.

 

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

 This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story