Now, I've read plenty of hot erotica over the years, but I've never come across anything like this in historical romance. Marriage training, indeed!
Gabriel wants Vivian, who's not quite out of the schoolroom yet, and decides to sponsor her further education (you know, the secret type that caters to his sexual proclivities--yeah, that one) with the understanding they'll marry upon her graduation. Every evening Vivian undergoes erotic training at this special school, as each lesson tests her endurance and introduces her to desire, passion, lust. It's explicit and stimulating and barely gives you a chance to catch your breath as the sexual tension builds to breaking point by the wedding day.
There's a lot of yearning between the two as they play society's niceties during the day. However, it's torture for Gabriel especially to wait months before she's ready and to not anticipate the marriage bed. Vivian is thrust in the maelstrom as she attempts to sort her conflicting feelings. For me, their romance works.
My one hiccup is the ending, which is too abrupt. I had to remember that the goal was a successful training leading to the wedding and not necessarily what happens beyond.
Sure, there will always be that argument of whether BDSM is sexual kink or moral depravity. Wherever you stand, this is foremost romantic fantasy, one I'm not likely to ever forget! 4 stars.
Gabriel wants Vivian, who's not quite out of the schoolroom yet, and decides to sponsor her further education (you know, the secret type that caters to his sexual proclivities--yeah, that one) with the understanding they'll marry upon her graduation. Every evening Vivian undergoes erotic training at this special school, as each lesson tests her endurance and introduces her to desire, passion, lust. It's explicit and stimulating and barely gives you a chance to catch your breath as the sexual tension builds to breaking point by the wedding day.
There's a lot of yearning between the two as they play society's niceties during the day. However, it's torture for Gabriel especially to wait months before she's ready and to not anticipate the marriage bed. Vivian is thrust in the maelstrom as she attempts to sort her conflicting feelings. For me, their romance works.
My one hiccup is the ending, which is too abrupt. I had to remember that the goal was a successful training leading to the wedding and not necessarily what happens beyond.
Sure, there will always be that argument of whether BDSM is sexual kink or moral depravity. Wherever you stand, this is foremost romantic fantasy, one I'm not likely to ever forget! 4 stars.
