Stephanie Laurens: All About Passion

Fate has made Gyles Rawlings a man determined to control his destiny. He has decided to wed a well-bred lady who will dutifully bear him sons, yet turn a blind eye while he takes his pleasure elsewhere. By all good accounts, Francesca will fit his bill. As for the “elsewhere,” he’s recently encountered a beautiful, brazen siren who will make a fine mistress, one with a fiery nature to match his own.

But at the altar, Gyles discovers his bride is the bold enchantress who has inspired his deepest fantasies. Finding passion and love in the same woman has long been a secret fear. But as his world is rocked on its axis, Gyles becomes obsessed with one thing he’d thought he would never want…his wife’s heart

This starts with a bit of a mistaken identity element which I found interesting (admittedly a fan of the trope), which then evolves into will they/won’t they fall in love. Its set up like a marriage of convenience, but pretty obvious from jump that its anything but.

The H/h both have very healthy sexual appetites, and although most of the intimacy takes place after the vows (there is some serious make out action leading up to), it seemed like a bit more than the typical mass market Regency. Some of the scenes are also long, so if you like lots of flowery descriptions of intimate stuff, this is the book for you. I felt pretty meh! about it (it was a bit too wordy to be hawt), but I nonetheless thought the interaction was entertaining…if not inspiring.

I learned recently, through a discussion on Twitter and subsequent research, that virgin heroine subculture is a thing. So, for those of you into that, yes this heroine is a virgin (although more of the earthy/sensual type that immediately experiences pleasure than the awkward/painful/realistic type). The hero is alpha, and has some hang ups related to love based on his father’s death…even in spite of a wonderful mother, aunt and uncle. Huh. I didn’t think he was the super jerky variety of alpha, but he definitely is a formerly rakish man’s man. I didn’t love him, but I liked him well enough.

The heroine has been raised in Italy for most of her life by wonderful, loving parents and knows that love is the ultimate sustaining life force. And is determined to make it happen with her DH, even though she married him knowing he was looking only for a marriage of convenience. She is smart, creative…definitely a powerful heroine who harnesses the power of her beauty for good. I also like that she is gentle with her man, and doesn’t bash him over the head with his obvious screw ups.

There is a minor villainous side plot that I found too familiar to be interesting, mysterious or surprising. I also don’t love the gothic bats in the belfry characterization (something that actually sounded diagnosable would’ve been nice), but luckily I was able to skim read those parts so it didn’t bother me overmuch.

The story takes place outside of London, so mostly estate based scenes with lots of horse riding and garden walking. This isn’t really an immersion in the era type of book, it really is more character driven, so the Regency isn’t super focal or critical to the plot. However, Laurens captures enough the elements of the era to make its historical setting seem effortless rather than in your face.

There were some promising secondary characters that didn’t fully blossom, but overall I thought the book was an entertaining read filled with good romantic elements, interesting characters, and steamy scenes.

I likely won’t reread, but I do recommend for readers, particularly if you like any of Lauren’s Cynster’s series.

5 Stars 4.25 out of 6 Enjoyable mass market Regency with familiar plot and H/h