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The Legacy Series #1
The Price of Innocence
The Price of Innocence was recently re-released through Holland Legacy Publishing, updating the cover and interior. The book is historical fiction, with romantic elements, set in 1878 Paris and London. The book is the first in a series of three entitled the Legacy Series.
It is the tender story of Suzette Camille Rousseau, a young woman in late 19th century Paris, who makes a difficult journey from innocence to maturity. After losing a sheltered life with her father, Suzette is thrown into the harsh reality of poverty, struggling as a homeless woman on the streets of Paris. In order to survive, she faces difficult choices that offer little hope of redemption.
Her journey takes her from the charities of St. Vincent de Paul, to a local laundry house where she toils endlessly in filth and squalor. To her surprise, one of her customers is the Chabanais, the most famous brothel in France that only caters to aristocrats. Like a fly drawn to a spider's web, the mistress of the brothel entices Suzette into a world of opulence, comfort, and beauty, but there is a price to pay -- her innocence. Succumbing to a life of prostitution, she meets a handsome English Lord who saves her from the unthinkable.
It is the tender story of Suzette Camille Rousseau, a young woman in late 19th century Paris, who makes a difficult journey from innocence to maturity. After losing a sheltered life with her father, Suzette is thrown into the harsh reality of poverty, struggling as a homeless woman on the streets of Paris. In order to survive, she faces difficult choices that offer little hope of redemption.
Her journey takes her from the charities of St. Vincent de Paul, to a local laundry house where she toils endlessly in filth and squalor. To her surprise, one of her customers is the Chabanais, the most famous brothel in France that only caters to aristocrats. Like a fly drawn to a spider's web, the mistress of the brothel entices Suzette into a world of opulence, comfort, and beauty, but there is a price to pay -- her innocence. Succumbing to a life of prostitution, she meets a handsome English Lord who saves her from the unthinkable.
236 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2009
250 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Hopkins
32 books99 followersAward Winning Author of Historical Romance, Historical Family Sagas, Gothic Romance, and Historical Fiction. Books available in eBook, Print, and Audio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 31, 2011
It took me awhile to get to this book, the author did a "self promo" (wich I hate) on a thread that I started over at Amazon asking for themes where the h is so down on her luck she has nothing left to sell but herself. Yes, this book fits what I was asking for and that's the only reason I was tempted....then when it was a freebie I went ahead and clicked the button.......and let it sit on my tbr. lol I finally decided that it was time to give it a shot.
*****************************SPOILERS************************************************************
Suzette (h) at 18 has just lost her father, he died in his sleep on night. Now left alone (her mother died when she was very young) with no one but her neighbors to help her, she doesn't know what to do next. With the help of her nieghbors, she goes through her father's papers, one thing leads to another and she finds out that her father was in major debt. Everything had to be sold including the apartment that she lived in, her neighbors were able to take her in but only for a week or so because they were moving out of town.
When her week is up she sets off walking with only enough of her belongings in a small suitcase and she heads for The Daughters of Charity, a church that would provide temporary housing for homeless women. When her time there was almost up she was able to find work at a washhouse, part of that job was washing and delivering clean sheets to The Chabanais, a brothel. After a series of events she ends up blackmailed into working there. She spends a few days being pampered ( she was a mess after being homeless and 18 hours a day of heavy work )and readied for her first evening of work.
Robert, Lord Holland (H) was in Paris for his usual play time. He lived in England and was always the proper and dutifull son when he was home, but in Paris, he would let loose and just do what he could never do at home. One of those things was to visit his favorite brothel ,The Chanbanais. When the Mistress of The Chanbanais asked a special request for him, to break in the new girl, he jumped at the chance. He paid for 3 nights (that's all the time he had left before he had to return home)to spend with the little virgin and he planned to make the most of it. However upon meeting Suzette, he new she was freightend and he somehow got the feeling that she wasn't really there on her own accord. When he fails to take her virginity , the Mistress finds out and hatches a horrible plan to teach Suzette a lesson. On the 3 night of their time together the Mistress had hired an overwieght letchers man to take her virginity just before her time to meet Lord Holland. As this man is attempting to rape her, she fights back and holds the man off just until Lord Holland arrives. He saves her, beats the guy to a pulp and wiskes her out of the brothel. Now he has no other choice but to offer to take her to England with him and to provid for her.
Suzette accepts his help and offers her body as payment to him, he paid for it anyway and he did save her and she feels it's the only way she can pay him back. Not really wanting her to "pay him back" this way, he tried to refuse but he couldn't resist for long and they ended up making love for the first time that night. When they arrive in England he sets her up in a nice cottage on the outskirts of town. He visits her when he can, and as time goes by she falls in love with him. She's just waiting for Robert to ask her to marry her.
Upon arriving home Robert finds out that his father is dieing and he doesn't have much time left. His father tells him that it's time that he marry and that they've (his mother and father) have found the perfect woman for him and have already started the arraingment witht the girls parents. Being the dutifull son, he never questions what his father has told him and he agrees right away to marry this girl. He knows that Suzette could never be more than his mistress and he plans to keep her as his misstress forever. Without ever telling Suzette, he marries this girl. At the same time a long lost fiance of Suzettes comes into the picture, Phillipe. He still loves her no matter what she has done to survive and plans to win her back. When he shows her the announcement of Lord Hollands wedding his plan works and she leaves Robert and marries Phillipe.....without ever telling Robert that she's pregnant with his child. Phillipe knows and plans to raise the child as his own. When the child is born they name him Robert and that's where the story ends. There is no HEA, at least not in this book. There is a blurb at the end that book 2 is coming soon and it picks up 5 years later when Robert, Lord Holland runs into Phillipe and young Robert.
When this book started off I thought it might have been a 5*, but some where along the way, I think about the time she left the brothel, the dialoge between the H/h became stilted and sub-par so I deducted a *. Then when I started to wonder who was really the H in the story, Robert or Phillipe and there was no HEA at the end of the book, I deducted another *. I'm also not sure that I want to read another book to find out the answer to both of those questions. =/
*****************************SPOILERS************************************************************
Suzette (h) at 18 has just lost her father, he died in his sleep on night. Now left alone (her mother died when she was very young) with no one but her neighbors to help her, she doesn't know what to do next. With the help of her nieghbors, she goes through her father's papers, one thing leads to another and she finds out that her father was in major debt. Everything had to be sold including the apartment that she lived in, her neighbors were able to take her in but only for a week or so because they were moving out of town.
When her week is up she sets off walking with only enough of her belongings in a small suitcase and she heads for The Daughters of Charity, a church that would provide temporary housing for homeless women. When her time there was almost up she was able to find work at a washhouse, part of that job was washing and delivering clean sheets to The Chabanais, a brothel. After a series of events she ends up blackmailed into working there. She spends a few days being pampered ( she was a mess after being homeless and 18 hours a day of heavy work )and readied for her first evening of work.
Robert, Lord Holland (H) was in Paris for his usual play time. He lived in England and was always the proper and dutifull son when he was home, but in Paris, he would let loose and just do what he could never do at home. One of those things was to visit his favorite brothel ,The Chanbanais. When the Mistress of The Chanbanais asked a special request for him, to break in the new girl, he jumped at the chance. He paid for 3 nights (that's all the time he had left before he had to return home)to spend with the little virgin and he planned to make the most of it. However upon meeting Suzette, he new she was freightend and he somehow got the feeling that she wasn't really there on her own accord. When he fails to take her virginity , the Mistress finds out and hatches a horrible plan to teach Suzette a lesson. On the 3 night of their time together the Mistress had hired an overwieght letchers man to take her virginity just before her time to meet Lord Holland. As this man is attempting to rape her, she fights back and holds the man off just until Lord Holland arrives. He saves her, beats the guy to a pulp and wiskes her out of the brothel. Now he has no other choice but to offer to take her to England with him and to provid for her.
Suzette accepts his help and offers her body as payment to him, he paid for it anyway and he did save her and she feels it's the only way she can pay him back. Not really wanting her to "pay him back" this way, he tried to refuse but he couldn't resist for long and they ended up making love for the first time that night. When they arrive in England he sets her up in a nice cottage on the outskirts of town. He visits her when he can, and as time goes by she falls in love with him. She's just waiting for Robert to ask her to marry her.
Upon arriving home Robert finds out that his father is dieing and he doesn't have much time left. His father tells him that it's time that he marry and that they've (his mother and father) have found the perfect woman for him and have already started the arraingment witht the girls parents. Being the dutifull son, he never questions what his father has told him and he agrees right away to marry this girl. He knows that Suzette could never be more than his mistress and he plans to keep her as his misstress forever. Without ever telling Suzette, he marries this girl. At the same time a long lost fiance of Suzettes comes into the picture, Phillipe. He still loves her no matter what she has done to survive and plans to win her back. When he shows her the announcement of Lord Hollands wedding his plan works and she leaves Robert and marries Phillipe.....without ever telling Robert that she's pregnant with his child. Phillipe knows and plans to raise the child as his own. When the child is born they name him Robert and that's where the story ends. There is no HEA, at least not in this book. There is a blurb at the end that book 2 is coming soon and it picks up 5 years later when Robert, Lord Holland runs into Phillipe and young Robert.
When this book started off I thought it might have been a 5*, but some where along the way, I think about the time she left the brothel, the dialoge between the H/h became stilted and sub-par so I deducted a *. Then when I started to wonder who was really the H in the story, Robert or Phillipe and there was no HEA at the end of the book, I deducted another *. I'm also not sure that I want to read another book to find out the answer to both of those questions. =/
September 8, 2012
This book was not what I expected. Left destitute in Paris by her father's death, Suzette is forced to wirk in a laundry doing backbreaking work until the Madame of a brothel spies her delivering their laundry. She entices her into working for her, but Suzette manages to keep her virginity by barganing with the rather decent English Lord who was picked to be her first. What ensues is different than expected and the ending is surprising. I really liked this book. Recommended.
March 26, 2012
This is the story of an innocent young girl who loses her father and immediately plunges into poverty. Ruthlessly maneuvered into prostitution, she is saved by an Englishman who whisks her away and hides her in a country cottage and makes her his mistress.
This book went in unexpected directions and I found myself quite upset by book's end, but then I realized this was a set up for the books to come in this series. I believe Robert and Suzette's story is far from over. I was repeatedly disappointed with the character's actions throughout the book simply because I didn't quite understand why they were behaving the way they were. I am sure that more characterization will be flushed out in coming books, but for this book, it took awhile for me to even like Suzette. However, by the end of the book I can see that she is becoming a stronger, less naive young woman.
Robert, on the other hand, is not a favorite of mine and no where near what I envision as a hero. I didn't believe that he truly loved Suzette, though by the end of the book it appears as though he may be getting the idea of what it really might mean to love someone. He has a long way to go as well.
I did appreciate the interesting peeks into the business of prostitution in the late 19th Century and the research and facts that went into the writing of this book. Not too bad of a story. However, I'm not going to run out to find the second book in the series.
This book went in unexpected directions and I found myself quite upset by book's end, but then I realized this was a set up for the books to come in this series. I believe Robert and Suzette's story is far from over. I was repeatedly disappointed with the character's actions throughout the book simply because I didn't quite understand why they were behaving the way they were. I am sure that more characterization will be flushed out in coming books, but for this book, it took awhile for me to even like Suzette. However, by the end of the book I can see that she is becoming a stronger, less naive young woman.
Robert, on the other hand, is not a favorite of mine and no where near what I envision as a hero. I didn't believe that he truly loved Suzette, though by the end of the book it appears as though he may be getting the idea of what it really might mean to love someone. He has a long way to go as well.
I did appreciate the interesting peeks into the business of prostitution in the late 19th Century and the research and facts that went into the writing of this book. Not too bad of a story. However, I'm not going to run out to find the second book in the series.
February 19, 2012
This was something I wasn't expecting. From the prologue I was expecting a lot of raunchy chapters, but that wasn't the case at all. It was fabulous. Read the entire thing in one day, and I'm already half way through book 2!! This is a series you just don't want to put down!!
Fabulous writing Vicki Hopkins!!!
Fabulous writing Vicki Hopkins!!!
December 15, 2011
The writer had me hooked, I didnt want to stop reading. Now that said, I do not like the way it ended though I've learned there is to be a 2nd and 3rd too I believe. I dont know that I will read the sequels.
March 24, 2017
This was a title I picked up for free from my daily BookBub email, I don’t understand how a book that makes so little logical sense can be so fun to read!
The storyline makes very little sense, our hero being replaced by another at the very end – following a series of very unlikely event where a young down-on-her-luck woman is rescued from a brothel for being simply too good to work there, apparently unlike every other woman currently working there.
It’s a bit of a slap in the face for women’s lib, really – all of the women who are not our heroine are pretty awful. Even the nuns who give her charity when she finds herself destitute aren’t so great, kicking her back out on the street to give her bed to someone else – otherwise it’s a series of cruel madams, prostitutes and housekeepers.
The characters are one dimensional and everything they seem to do is selfish, but if you take the story at face value and don’t think about it too hard – it’s surprisingly compelling. This really is a testament to Hopkins’ ability to spin a good yarn.
The romantic element bounces between predictable, surprising and downright unlikely.
I don’t see myself pursuing the rest of this series.
The storyline makes very little sense, our hero being replaced by another at the very end – following a series of very unlikely event where a young down-on-her-luck woman is rescued from a brothel for being simply too good to work there, apparently unlike every other woman currently working there.
It’s a bit of a slap in the face for women’s lib, really – all of the women who are not our heroine are pretty awful. Even the nuns who give her charity when she finds herself destitute aren’t so great, kicking her back out on the street to give her bed to someone else – otherwise it’s a series of cruel madams, prostitutes and housekeepers.
The characters are one dimensional and everything they seem to do is selfish, but if you take the story at face value and don’t think about it too hard – it’s surprisingly compelling. This really is a testament to Hopkins’ ability to spin a good yarn.
The romantic element bounces between predictable, surprising and downright unlikely.
I don’t see myself pursuing the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2017
I gave this book so many chances, and read all the way through to the boring ending, but the characters were simply awful. Suzette is a simpering, naive, weak child of a character, who never shows any backbone, except to snipe at people she sees as "judging her". She manages to alienate every character besides Robert and Philippe, and I fail to see why either of them is so crazy about her. Robert decides after meeting her twice, while she sits there silent and shaking, that he is going to save her and then brings her back to England with him, all the while she is just soo grateful that she has a man taking care of her. And what on earth happened to her finding a job when he settled her in back in England? She just gave up and settled into being pampered with gowns and jewels from "her man" who she claims to be in love with. UGH. Then Philippe comes back in the picture and for whatever reason still loves her and is willing to forgive the fact that she says she is in love with another man purely because he takes care of her.
I didn't see any character development from any of the characters, especially the high and mighty Suzette. How are you supposed to root for the main character, when she is someone who decides to hate her housekeeper one day after meeting her because the woman makes an insinuation that she's a mistress, which she IS. And then even after she FINALLY figures out she IS a mistress, she continues to be horrible to the woman, and eventually fires her in a fit of unjustified rage. Like seriously, how do you base an entire character around the words "innocent" and "beautiful" and then make her naive, stupid, snippy, pathetic, and allow her zero strength or personal growth? Robert is equally lame - refusing to go after anything that will make him happy, playing 2 women at the same time and whining to himself about his "awful", restrictive life. He also for whatever reason thinks the boring Suzette hung the moon (although he isn't actually in love with her, he just wants to feel good about himself for rescuing her and oh she's good at sex).
Seriously, if anyone has made it through this review and is at all rolling their eyes or bored by the sound of these 2D characters, do yourself a favor and don't read this book.
I didn't see any character development from any of the characters, especially the high and mighty Suzette. How are you supposed to root for the main character, when she is someone who decides to hate her housekeeper one day after meeting her because the woman makes an insinuation that she's a mistress, which she IS. And then even after she FINALLY figures out she IS a mistress, she continues to be horrible to the woman, and eventually fires her in a fit of unjustified rage. Like seriously, how do you base an entire character around the words "innocent" and "beautiful" and then make her naive, stupid, snippy, pathetic, and allow her zero strength or personal growth? Robert is equally lame - refusing to go after anything that will make him happy, playing 2 women at the same time and whining to himself about his "awful", restrictive life. He also for whatever reason thinks the boring Suzette hung the moon (although he isn't actually in love with her, he just wants to feel good about himself for rescuing her and oh she's good at sex).
Seriously, if anyone has made it through this review and is at all rolling their eyes or bored by the sound of these 2D characters, do yourself a favor and don't read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2011
Although this book has some plot to it,it was mainly based around the steamier side of life and emphasized the particularly two-facedness of the practitioners of the Victorian ideals of life and sex, the societical worthlessness of those who just didn't, for one reason or another, and the unfairness of life. At least that seemed the sum up of the too-strong emphasis. It's not badly written, but, for me, there was really nothing much to write about. Disappointing.
November 11, 2012
How refreshing to find a book that is honest and factual! This is a real life tale - like it would have been. I consider it to be very well written. Many reviewers have complained that it isn't a romance. Well I think that it is - only it isn't the fairytale kind. The characters are refreshingly real as are their feelings and actions. Not every romance has a happy ending.
Well done to the author! I look forward to reading more from you.
Well done to the author! I look forward to reading more from you.
May 13, 2012
I really disliked this book. It seemed very third person and I never felt a real connection to the characters. Suzette seems very naive to the point of infuriating. It really took a lot to get through this book. I felt there was more details given to the surroundings and environment then to the actual feelings and thoughts of the characters.
December 24, 2016
Not my cup of tea
I pride myself on finishing a book, no matter what. But I just could not finish the Price of Innocence. It was just poorly written. The vocabulary was elementary and at times used dull, modern phrases. I think what bothered me the most was the dialogue. Everything the characters said was dull, and stilted, with a basic vocabulary.
I pride myself on finishing a book, no matter what. But I just could not finish the Price of Innocence. It was just poorly written. The vocabulary was elementary and at times used dull, modern phrases. I think what bothered me the most was the dialogue. Everything the characters said was dull, and stilted, with a basic vocabulary.
July 8, 2010
I picked up Vicki Hopkin's "The Price of Innocence" Saturday afternoon and read off and on until bedtime...at which time I got back up and read more until the wee hours of the morning. I could not put it down! I HAD to know what happened next...
May 8, 2012
Amazing ending. This book was a breakaway from standard romance formula and moves more along the line of an epic. It's a bit wordy, but the ending is worth it. If your looking for something with more bite to the characters and story then this is the book for you.
May 14, 2012
I Loved this book so much that I purchased the Second book in this series after finishing it. I am now waiting impatiently for the third book.
May 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, I downloaded it for my Kindle just out of curiosity and was pleasantly surprised, i quickly fell in love with Suzette! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
December 27, 2016
This book is Recommended by me, with a 4.5 star rating!
Read
May 31, 2011Poorly edited.
October 29, 2021
I’ll give it 1.5 stars
It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read, but it comes close. It’s just poorly written with characters that lack any depth. Also, it’s not really a romance novel, I guess? The two main characters don’t even meet each other until chapter 12! And Suzette doesn’t seem to know how to do anything except cry. I was sympathetic at first, but then I was over it. Get a grip, girl!
Lastly, how on earth does an author who claims to research the era and culture not know the basics of how titles work? Lady Jacqueline Spencer, a single young lady, was consistently referred to as “Lady Spencer.” Ugh. That would be her mother. She should be “Lady Jacqueline.” I was so annoyed.
The book ended on a cliff hanger, but I guess I’ll never know what happens since I have no interest in reading any further books in the series.
It’s not the worst book I’ve ever read, but it comes close. It’s just poorly written with characters that lack any depth. Also, it’s not really a romance novel, I guess? The two main characters don’t even meet each other until chapter 12! And Suzette doesn’t seem to know how to do anything except cry. I was sympathetic at first, but then I was over it. Get a grip, girl!
Lastly, how on earth does an author who claims to research the era and culture not know the basics of how titles work? Lady Jacqueline Spencer, a single young lady, was consistently referred to as “Lady Spencer.” Ugh. That would be her mother. She should be “Lady Jacqueline.” I was so annoyed.
The book ended on a cliff hanger, but I guess I’ll never know what happens since I have no interest in reading any further books in the series.
February 9, 2018
loved the story, quite heartfelt wjen you are along with the main characters journey through her tragedy. Losing a loves one, suffering through horrible work conditions and being manipulated into prostotution. She was is a strong person. But, I wish she knew that about herself. Her graditiude towards hers hero was understandable. Bit, I wish he handled the marriage and misstress parts bwtter with honesty. She deserved that much. Happy her old fiance found her and took her home to have their unorthodox family.
August 18, 2017
Definitely not one of my favorites
All I can say is annoying and obvious plot and women characters that were pathetic and always a victim. Even after I thought there was going to be someone who restores Suzette to her station in life she gives her virtue to a man without questions and makes herself a fallen woman.
Yes, at the end everything works out but all I could think of were the movies, "Tess, and French lieutenant woman." Both tragic but still a better story.
All I can say is annoying and obvious plot and women characters that were pathetic and always a victim. Even after I thought there was going to be someone who restores Suzette to her station in life she gives her virtue to a man without questions and makes herself a fallen woman.
Yes, at the end everything works out but all I could think of were the movies, "Tess, and French lieutenant woman." Both tragic but still a better story.
July 3, 2018
To do what Suzette had to do to survive
Her father died in his sleep. She had no finances the courts sell everything to clear debts. Her father is buried in the paupers grave. She is homeless then going to a shelter which she has to leave. She works as a laundress and delivers and pickup linen from a brothel. What will happen when she meets Lord Robert as one of her clients. How much is to buy you innocence. Does come with a cost or maybe be a mistress
Her father died in his sleep. She had no finances the courts sell everything to clear debts. Her father is buried in the paupers grave. She is homeless then going to a shelter which she has to leave. She works as a laundress and delivers and pickup linen from a brothel. What will happen when she meets Lord Robert as one of her clients. How much is to buy you innocence. Does come with a cost or maybe be a mistress
April 6, 2020
Very good .
I chose this rating because, although the story is predictable, I liked it, and can't wait to read the next 3 books in the series. It is helping to distract me from the fact that we are all on stay at home orders during the Civic 19 pandemic. Reading has always been a safe way to escape from reality and keeps me from going crazy. I would recommend this series to others because from the first page, the main character and her story grabbed my attention.
I chose this rating because, although the story is predictable, I liked it, and can't wait to read the next 3 books in the series. It is helping to distract me from the fact that we are all on stay at home orders during the Civic 19 pandemic. Reading has always been a safe way to escape from reality and keeps me from going crazy. I would recommend this series to others because from the first page, the main character and her story grabbed my attention.
December 3, 2024
I enjoyed the start of the book, and right up until the last scene of the brothel. After that..the story fell flat for me. You knew the ending before even getting there, the letter keeps its contents hidden but is referred to numerous times, her innocence felt like anything but which again wrecked the story. She was a terrible character to read about and I didn't connect to any of the characters after the brothel even losing the connections to those I had started to enjoy. Won't be continuing
May 2, 2018
This was one of the worst romance novels I ever read. I was constantly disappointed with the plot, the characters, the dialogue, and the setting. while I don't like to criticize a writer's first efforts overmuch I strongly suggest Ms. Hopkins find a qualified editor who can keep the story and the characters on a somewhat believable course before foisting another book on the unsuspecting public.
November 14, 2016
Very depressing book, which had no ending, forcing you to buy future books. Needless to say, I won't be doing that!
November 13, 2017
awesome book
December 31, 2017
Beginning of a saga that looks to span generations. I did not care for the story.
August 8, 2018
Really Good Story
I thought this would be a run of the mill love story. Boy was I wrong. You just have to read it....I’m buying book 2. I can’t wait!
I thought this would be a run of the mill love story. Boy was I wrong. You just have to read it....I’m buying book 2. I can’t wait!
March 1, 2022
0.25/5 🌟
August 4, 2025
I've never wanted to throw my kindle more than I have when reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews