shazzat

Note: Do not bother reading either this review or the novel itself if you are likely to be offended by graphic sexual content, including but not limited to: light bdsm, m/m couplings and f/f couplings. If your tastes are somewhat more vanilla, this book is perhaps not for you. Now, I'd just like to say I am so glad I've had the opportunity to read this! I have never ever given 5 stars to an erotic novel, I reserve such ratings for books that I deem to have more 'substance'. This usually means that there are at least two well-developed and interesting characters, that the plot is good and rounded off well (if it is a stand-alone novel), that it exceeds my expectations and gives me something that I never saw coming... well, erotica or not, this is exactly what this book gave me. It must be noted that this is so very much more than just sex (though there's plenty of that), the best comparison I can make is to Pretty Woman - you know, the movie with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere - this is basically a 19th century version of that story in many ways. Which is not even slightly a complaint, I love that film. The two are very similar, this is the story about a 'harlot' (Jessie - which, incidentally, is one of my favourite songs) who is charged with witchcraft and sentenced to death. She is then rescued by a wealthy man (Gregor) who wishes to use her to seduce his enemy and infiltrate his enemy's estate. Gregor's attempts to tutor Jessie in the art of seducing his enemy become more than just your ordinary lessons; desire quickly flares between the two of them and this leads to more serious emotions arising. The two begin to have a mutual understanding of one another and note the strange similarities to be found between this wealthy man and this prostitute. To mention Pretty Woman once more, that film has the line that best describes how the relationship flourishes and how the two leading characters discover how alike they are: "You and I are such similar creatures, Vivian, we both screw people for money". It's a highly appropriate line for this novel also, she's a prostitute and he admits to being a thief and what some might call a blackguard. I simply adored both characters too. Gregor is a wealthy man-of-the-world who seeks revenge on the man who tore his family apart. Jessie is a harlot and a witch (yes, it wasn't a false accusation) who is hindered rather than helped by her powers in a world where numerous innocent women were burned at the stake. He's dark and very sexy, I was surprised just how much I liked him after hearing his critical assessment of Jessie upon meeting her and her "delectable arse". And Jessie was a fantastically fiery heroine who knew what she wanted without apologies; the two of them were practically combustible together. This book works as a fantastic love story (from someone who doesn't much care for love stories) as well as an erotic novel. The book transcends so many genres: erotica, romance, historical fiction and fantasy. And each one of those is created well. I loved the historical setting, I seem to be developing an obsession with books set in 18th/19th century Scotland and England thanks to the large amount of historical fiction I've been wading through lately. This novel is an amazing accomplishment. I read erotica because it's hot and I generally ignore the story as a rule, but the incredible way the author wove the characters' backstories into the central plot had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know the truth about what happened before and where the plot will take us next. So, so very highly recommended!

2023-07-01 19:57