Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

[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.