Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
The Wicked Confessions of Lady Cecelia Stanton by Viveka Portman Published by Harlequin Enterprises Australia on 1 December 2013
Genres: Adult, Erotica, Historical Romance
Pages: 54
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
When faced with a rakish, lusty husband, what is a proper English wife to do but educate herself in the art of bedplay?
“Marriages are strange things, none stranger perhaps than this betwixt me and my lord husband.”
Lady Cecelia is married to the dashing and philandering Lord William Stanton, a situation that would distress even the most composed and refined gently-born lady. However, Cecelia has a secret balm to her dissatisfaction: her maid, Bess Miller.
Cecelia’s inexperience and William’s insatiable appetites fuel her desire to learn, and Bess is a willing teacher. Then, when Cecelia blossoms into pregnancy and can no longer accommodate William’s needs, he distances himself, and Bess becomes her only solace and comfort — and the channel for her most intimate desires. As Cecelia struggles to understand her own feelings, gossip begins to spread. William starts asking questions, and wicked confessions must be made..
*I received a free ARC of The Wicked Confessions of Lady Cecelia Stanton from Harlequin Enterprises Australia via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
The Wicked Confessions of Lady Cecelia Stanton is a deliciously scandalous tale, and it was even more so because it is set in regency England! This hot little number shows that both the lady and the lord have a knack for finding sexual pleasure where they can. Of course, Cecelia starts out as the perfect newly-wed virgin, and she actually thinks her new husband broke her the first time they had sex. And even if that makes me mean, I have to admit it did make me smile a little. The good thing for Cecelia, though, is that her maid is none other than the girl who was the kitchen help at her parents’ house, and Bess is nice enough to teach Cecelia how to get pleasure from the sexual act.
Both funny and hot, The Wicked Confessions.. is also very refreshing, because it is rare (at least I haven’t read any before) to read about a lesbian relationship in a historical romance. And the was it shows both the friendship and the love between Bess and Cecelia is very well done. And while their relationship is scandalous because of the nature of it, there is another thing to take into consideration as well – during these times, it was just not done to have relationships beneath or above their social station. And so, that is another thing I found refreshing and new in this story.
There isn’t really much character development, nor plot outside of the obvious one in The Wicked Confessions… but because the author dared going outside of the usual tropes, I can’t say I actually cared about that at all! The tender caresses between the two women, and the more active and hard interactions between William and Cecelia were both well written! And there is a very interesting twist towards the end…
William’s gaze upon me was crudely hungry. I could verily see the wicked thoughts cross his mind behind his sparkling eyes. Shameless, that is what he was.
I confess here and now, I took pleasure in Bess and she took pleasure in me. But our love was not exclusive and we both knew this. If truth be told, I was also under no illusion that she also had male admirers and lovers.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
What IS a wife to do indeed. 😛 I have been trying to find fun historical romances to read lately and this sounded intriguing, but your mixed reaction has me doubtful. I’m very curious about this twist you speak of, though!
Hope you had a lovely holiday season, Lexxie!
Oh, Wendy, you shold try The Duke’s Men series by Sabrina Jeffries! It’s awesome! So is the Spindle Cove series by Tessa Dare. Both have strong women, and is a little bit anachronistic – but great.
Oh my, Lexxie! This sounds like it definitely broke the mold! I will absolutely be adding this one to my TBR…even if I have to climb precariously stacked pile! 😉
While reading your review, a couple of books I really enjoyed came to mind, so I thought I’d mention them in case you’ve not read them. One is Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. It’s set in Victorian England. The other is Any Wicked Thing by Margaret Rowe. It’s an erotic historical romance set in Regency England.
Lexxie, one of the best things about 2013, for me, has been getting to know you! I love the fact that we read and enjoy so many of the same books…and I adore getting to chat about them. I’ve also enjoyed finding that we have so much more in common as well. 🙂 One of these days, one of us will make it to the other, and we’ll be able to chat in person…over some good food and drinks! 😉 I look forward to that day!
I hope 2014 brings you and your family health and much happiness, as well, my dear friend. And I’m excited to continue our chats about books and life and everything in between! Cheers to a fabulous 2014!
**BIG HUGS**
Oh yes, definitely different, and that’s always fun, right? I love reading HR, but I’m enjoying those that don’t fit the tropes exactly more thant the ‘normal’ ones these days.
*HUGS* Brandee, it’s the same for me, getting to know you is definitely one of the highlights of 2013, and yes, one day we’ll chat in person over good food and drinks.
Thank you for stopping by, I look forward to many, mans more book-chats online until we can also do it for real.
Awesome Review Lex! I enjoy books that are unique and the author does something totally different! This story sounds intriguing!
It is intriguing, and I agree, it’s always nice to read books that are a tiny bit ‘outside’ of the norms for the genre.
Thanks for stopping by Lindy, and Happy 2014 to you!
This sounds like a fascinating read. This is a very different type of regency romance than I am used to reading.
This is different from all the HR novels I have read, too, Pamela 😀
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It’s been a long ass time since I read straight up regency w/o a supernatural in the mix. I saw this one regency erotic romance in NetGalley and I hope I get approved. I need to revisit this genre, I miss the flavor of historicals.
YAY, I hope you’ll enjoy it, Braine! And I have some other recs too, if you’re interested in more 🙂 I don’t think I’ve read any HR with a supernatural twist, maybe you can give me some recs, too?
Thanks for stopping by 🙂