Title: Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love #1)I enjoyed reading "Seducing the Marquess". It was a light, easy, and funny read. Devon and Eugenia were such a sweet couple. No over the top drama, or gut-wrenching situations, just a fun read.
Author: Callie Hutton
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 214, Kindle Edition
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Release Date: October 17th 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Vashti
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.
Lady Eugenia wants her very proper husband to fall in love with her. But her much changed and undeniably wicked behavior might inadvertently drive her confused husband to ponder the unthinkable—his perfect Lady has taken a lover. But the only man Eugenia only wants is her husband. The book can bring sizzling desire to the marriage or it might cause an explosion.
The seduction in thus case, however, comes after the marriage, not before, and unlike the description says, Eugenia's behavior is not really wicked, it is just out of the norm for her.
Devon goals upon seeking a wife were simple. He could count on her to always do the right thing, could handle every issue that came up in his household without troubling him, and was both gracious and beautiful. No hint of scandal has ever been, nor would ever become, associated with her name. Devon had wanted Eugenia since he first laid eyes on her, even though she had been dubbed by the ton "The Ice Queen". However, after 5 months of marriage where everything had been perfect, he was now experiencing a sense of restlessness, wishing they had more to say to each other.
Eugenia, heaven forbid, actually fell in love with Devon even before they were wed. Not good "ton" of course, but after 5 months of marriage, she wants a husband who will love her. She doesn't want a traditional "Society" marriage. She wants a marriage of mutual love, and wants Devon out of the bed of his mistress and in hers every night. And now that his mistress, Margaret, was killed in a carriage accident, Eugenia was ready to make sure he never went to another mistress again. And so the story goes.
Both Devin and Eugenia are brought up by very strict, opinionated parents. Devon's father heartily drilled into him over and over since his youth, "That a wife is a special person with tender sensibilities. You must not upset her by treating her like a light skirt. Protect your wife, show her the proper respect and slake your lust on a mistress" and so Devon only visits his wife's bed 3 times a week, just in an attempt to get her pregnant, and always in the dark, devoid of desire and passion.
Eugenia on the other hand, was taught by her mother that on your wedding night to lie still, think of redecorating, or new gowns, and soon it will be all over. Your husband will be pleased and you have done your duty. A lady never shows emotion.
Now Eugenia armed with the book she accidentally fell upon in the library, "Secrets of the Bedchamber" feels she now has a plan and holds in her hand a book that would show her the mysteries of desire and passion that she always assumed kept her husband visiting his mistress.
The story that follows is one that is filled with mass confusion, primarily on the part of Devon, and misunderstanding on the part of Eugenia. There are several funny scenes and the dialogue between Devon and Eugenia is really sweet. Both are completely misguided in their opinions of one another, but I love the interaction and play between them. This book could make a great romantic comedy. However...There was a lot of unnecessary repetition, that got boring pretty quick. Reading about Devon's upbringing and his father's beliefs on how a husband is to treat his wife was fine the first 2 times. 15 is really Overkill! I felt like maybe the author was just trying to fill up the pages by adding more words. Devon's misunderstanding and how he treats his wife, in my opinion. was a little mean at times, and I really can not fathom any man walking out on a half naked, in your lap, ready, and more than willing women! Especially after he himself is all fired up and ready to go. I'm sorry I just don't know any man that has that kind of strength against his own wife!
Overall I enjoyed the story. Unlike the cover, and even the title would suggest, there is not a lot of heavy bedroom romps that you see in this novel. It really is a sweet novel, about two people who genuinely love each other but have just been brought up under such rules and strictures of the day that they are both having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that neither of them no longer want to conform to society. They want to have their own happily ever after, on their own terms in their marriage. Don't miss this one. This is a sweet, but not sappy, quick read, one that I think most will enjoy.
