Hero: Justin Talbot, Earl of Baybary.
Heroine: Victoria “Ria” Reed
Grade: 4.75 out of 5
Lesson #1: Every man loves a mystery.
A scandalous siren called “Ria” has electrified the ton. Every gentleman in London desires her; every woman envies her. And they are all desperate to know the secrets of the tantalizing, seductively beautiful courtesan. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary. He knows all about Ria. He learned every inch of her tender skin, every taste of her luscious lips . . . on their wedding night.
Lesson #2: No man can make you lose control . . . unless you let him.
Though theirs was an arranged marrige, still Victoria surrendered to passion and gave herself to Justin completely. When he left her alone the next morning, she swore she would never again let him into her bed. Now, though she has other reasons for returning to the city, she enjoys tormenting Justin, letting him see the way other men lust for her. But keeping herself from him is such exquisite torture . . . and forgiveness will lead to an ecstasy unbelievably divine.
What a fanfrickintastic book!
I have been waiting anxiously for this book to come out and I’m so glad that I was finally able to get my grubby paws on it and read it. I read it in record time. Holly and Daphne can attest to the emotions that Jenna Petersen brought out in me. When I first started this book, I was so pissed off at the hero for doing the heroine dirty.
You see, this book revolves around the one thing we, romance readers detest in our heroes. Cheating. None of us likes for our heroes to cheat but in this book, the hero did in fact cheat. Several times. After reading about this in the beginning of the book, I couldn’t stand it and I didn’t think that I could finish reading the book because of that but I pushed forward and was rewarded with a fantastically written story about a married couple finding their way back to each other after secrets tear them apart.
I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
It was a refreshing story and I really, really enjoyed it. I loved that Victoria was mad at Justin for his infidelities and I really enjoyed that she didn’t let him into her heart easily. I enjoyed that Justin came around slowly to falling in love with Victoria and didn’t rush into his feelings. I enjoyed Caleb and Marah. I enjoyed Shaw and seriously, I just enjoyed everything in this book.
It takes a great writer to make me love a hero after cheating on the heroine and Jenna Petersen did a fantastic job of sucking me in with this story and making me forgive Justin for his shortcomings. She had me pissed to high heaven, she had me sighing with delight and she had me laughing up a storm. All these emotions makes for an entertaining and quite an engaging read.
What are you waiting for? Go on and get this book and see if JP does a great job making YOU forgive Justin…she totally did for me so now it’s your turn.
Go forth and get this book and read it, it’s good, I promise!
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Rowena, you gave a much higher grade than I would. But Peterson can sure write some sexy as all get out sex. Justin is an ass IMO. I wanted to see him kiss Victoria’s slipper and beg and for her to smack him around a bit.
I am dirty that way. 😛
I think you’re just easy, babe.
😛
Ooo you make me want to read this now. Love your review.
See that was me too but by the end of the book, I had forgiven Justin. It was funny to because I didn’t want to like Justin when I first started the book, even at the end of the book but I couldn’t help myself. =)
I gave it a 4.75 because I got really into this book, I liked it, I hated it and then I liked it and then I loved it and at the end, I was all tired from all the emotions so you know it had to be good to suck me dry of my emotions! LOL.
Great! I’m so glad to hear it’s good. I need to read it. *TBR pile creaks ominously*
Ohhhh, I wish you had posted this sooner. I already went to the bookstore this week *pout*
Ah well, I can take another trip tomorrow.
I love your review. I HAVE to read this book now.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rowena! I knew I was taking a chance with Justin, but I figured I had to be true to the man he was BEFORE he found Victoria again. And the consensus so far seems to be that readers are liking him despite themselves, so phew! 🙂
JennaP
Reading this one right now, and loving it.
Rowena-
Read your review – got & read the book in 2 days (I’m trying to slow down and stretch the good times out)
Really good and easy read. Got hot sex – that’s always a good start.
I actually have no problem liking Justin from the start, it was the end when he made me a tad impatient. I didn’t fault Justin for his infidelity because the I get his pov. But giving him that, I did not think he had any right to get all huffy and puffy about her “secret/betrayal” – if you could call it that. He certainly didn’t stick around or care enough to ask and offer no trust/confidance for her to betray. I’ll allow him his pain and regret but that it:)
mph
Holly,
Oh, I already know I’m easy.
Chantal,
It’s going to be interesting to see if JP can get everyone to love Justin because of his infidelities but I really can’t wait to see what you think of the book. I enjoyed it, seriously.
Izzy,
You need to read this one, I want to see what you think as well. Read it then we’ll discuss, kay?
Ciara,
It is, definitely.
Jenna,
I DID enjoy it..you had me pissed to high heaven throughout the whole of the first part of the book, but you did a great job getting me to forgive Justin. I ended up loving him almost as much as Victoria did. =) Kudos, JP, kudos! =)
Farrah,
Oh I’m so glad to see that someone else is loving the book, what part are you at? haha.
I got it now and it is sitting in my TBR pile 🙂
Rowena, I’m hoping to finish it tonight. I’m turning the television off tonight (and for the rest of the week) so I can just read!