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Too Tempting to Touch
Ellen Drake has seen firsthand how dangerous scandal can be. Her family was torn apart by an unjust accusation ten years ago, and now, working as a paid companion, Ellen must keep her reputation above reproach. Catching her employer's betrothed in a sizzling tryst is bad enough; even worse that Ellen should find herself so infernally enthralled by the spectacle! Ellen intends to prevent Alex Marshall, Lord Stanton, from dallying with other women before his wedding day, but the rogue turns the tables--with an invitation to be his paramour. It's a proposition that is too outrageous, too indecent…and strangely irresistible. With a single touch, Alex opens the door to a secret world of sensual desire, a world Ellen is burning to explore…
Alex intends to be faithful once he's married, but in the meantime, London offers so many tempting bed partners. Giving the prim Miss Drake a taste of the excitement she clearly craves will be a delightful diversion, nothing more. But their secret dalliance unleashes the vengeance of someone who is plotting revenge, someone whose own erotic pursuits are twisted with madness. And the scandal that destroyed Ellen's family is about to come calling once again…
Alex intends to be faithful once he's married, but in the meantime, London offers so many tempting bed partners. Giving the prim Miss Drake a taste of the excitement she clearly craves will be a delightful diversion, nothing more. But their secret dalliance unleashes the vengeance of someone who is plotting revenge, someone whose own erotic pursuits are twisted with madness. And the scandal that destroyed Ellen's family is about to come calling once again…
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
About the author
Cheryl Holt
97 books400 followersCHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author who has published seventy novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is considered to be one of the masters of the romance genre. For many years, she was hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance”, and she’s also revered as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 31, 2008
What happens in London stays in London...
I didn't think too highly of the first book in this series, Too Hot to Handle, and as I've stated before, I'm not a big fan of regencies. But all the reviews of Too Tempting to Touch seemed to indicate that this book was much better than the first. I am in complete agreement! In fact, I've given Too Tempting to Touch 5 stars which means that, at least for me, it is a memorable book.
This is not just the story of Alex and Ellen. It's also the story of Alex and Rebecca. Of James and Rebecca. Of Nicholas and Suzette. Of Lydia and Nicholas. And cousin Lydia is a delightfully evil woman.
There is never a dull moment in this book. The plots are well-woven, the characters colorful. There are plenty of copies available on PBS... Go for it and enjoy!
I didn't think too highly of the first book in this series, Too Hot to Handle, and as I've stated before, I'm not a big fan of regencies. But all the reviews of Too Tempting to Touch seemed to indicate that this book was much better than the first. I am in complete agreement! In fact, I've given Too Tempting to Touch 5 stars which means that, at least for me, it is a memorable book.
This is not just the story of Alex and Ellen. It's also the story of Alex and Rebecca. Of James and Rebecca. Of Nicholas and Suzette. Of Lydia and Nicholas. And cousin Lydia is a delightfully evil woman.
There is never a dull moment in this book. The plots are well-woven, the characters colorful. There are plenty of copies available on PBS... Go for it and enjoy!
July 16, 2013
This author has earned a well-deserved place on my DNR list.
This book is well-written in terms of spelling and grammar but I've rarely seen a more miserable bunch of characters.* Even in books with numerous unpleasant characters, the hero reforms and/or the heroine learns the error of her ways. In this book she learns to tie the right knots for S&M.
I don't believe it's a spoiler to say that, in addition to sex for money and sex for revenge, and near rape, the main characters indulge in a little S&M, heterosexual incest (a female child seduces her father), homosexual incest (sisters) and even a character who couldn't get it up. Thank goodness there were no sheep in the book!
*OK, not counting any books in which the heroine kills her sex partners or books where characters eat each other.
This book is well-written in terms of spelling and grammar but I've rarely seen a more miserable bunch of characters.* Even in books with numerous unpleasant characters, the hero reforms and/or the heroine learns the error of her ways. In this book she learns to tie the right knots for S&M.
I don't believe it's a spoiler to say that, in addition to sex for money and sex for revenge, and near rape, the main characters indulge in a little S&M, heterosexual incest (a female child seduces her father), homosexual incest (sisters) and even a character who couldn't get it up. Thank goodness there were no sheep in the book!
*OK, not counting any books in which the heroine kills her sex partners or books where characters eat each other.
November 5, 2012
1.5 stars
I rarely gave a books 1-2 stars. And I must admit I almost didn't finished this one.
The story was awful though the writing quite good. The book full of dysfunctional characters with questionable morality. I gave 0.5 stars because somehow the author gave us enjoyable EPI.
I rarely gave a books 1-2 stars. And I must admit I almost didn't finished this one.
The story was awful though the writing quite good. The book full of dysfunctional characters with questionable morality. I gave 0.5 stars because somehow the author gave us enjoyable EPI.
Want to Read
January 11, 2021
Slightly disjointed Regency romance
3 stars
Ellen Drake is all alone in the world after a scandal years ago tore her family apart. Working as a paid companion, she tries hard to be proper at all times. When she catches her employer's fiancé engaging in a tryst she is scandalised and vows that she will ensure he will stay celibate until his wedding day.
Alex Marshall, Lord Stanton, is irked and intrigued by the companion who has taken it upon herself to keep him out of mischief and he can't help but find her irresistible. So he proposes a bargain - he won't dally until his wedding - with anyone else but her!
Despite being a fan of Cheryl Holt, I wasn't overly enamoured with this novel and it certainly wasn't one of her best.
I liked both Ellen and Alex as characters - Alex being the arrogant, sexy lord and Ellen being the downtrodden, lovely hired help. They did have good chemistry together but I didn't find the story as erotic as some of Cheryl Holt's previous books.
The main problem that I had was that there were just too many characters. We spent so much time reading about each different character that by the time you get back to Alex and Ellen, you wonder how much you've missed! I also found some of the characters were completely pointless and distracted from the main story even more. There were also a lot of modern Americanisms throughout the book which gets a bit tiresome and jars you away from the story as you read.
Overall, it's not a terrible book and I really did enjoy the ending, but unless you're a fan of Cheryl Holt's I probably wouldn't recommend this book to you. Readable but only 3 stars.
August 11, 2019
I think this is one of those rare times I've had to give a historical romance 2 stars. I couldn't get into the characters, and by the end, didn't care if they got together or not.
March 27, 2020
A very good read especially if like me you are a huge fan of regency romances.
February 5, 2022
I was on a emotional roller coaster reading this book but it was worth it. 10/10 would recommend
Spoilers
Nicholas Marshall stole the damn ring But is punishment was so satisfying.
Spoilers
Nicholas Marshall stole the damn ring But is punishment was so satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
4,5 stars.
February 28, 2012
I like Cheryl Holts writing in the sense that she draws the reader in to the story with tiltilatig details. And she is very insistant that all bad boys are really good boys underneath- for the right woman. However, I have recently read several of her books in a row and find that she tends to be formulaic, and therefor predictable. It doesn't matter if its the governess, the young ward, the impoverished Lady, or the old maid stepdaughter -she will be debauched. While He tryS to reject her for his rougish crimes 'to protect her' (really himself) and she will save him with love while he saves her from poverty and or danger.
June 15, 2008
This is probably the best Cheryl Holt I've read so far (not saying much there, but it is). The characters were slightly more interesting, but as always, the plot and climax were flat as a pancake. Her books follow such a strict pattern and have a lot of the same elements. Some of the recurring type characters (the villian, the hussy, the insane jealous guy) are getting more and more kinky. Its kind of strange. I think to make the books different she just made some of her typical characters more twisted.
August 21, 2008
Actually I think this is one of Cheryl Holt's worst. It's very short, and seems like a skeleton of a novel instead of a completed one. I do agree with a previous reviewer, her plot is very repetitive with little variation.
May 11, 2008
Great
March 7, 2010
it was asi asi - I don't think I would read it again, but I wasn't mad that I read it.
January 3, 2015
Can't believe I read this at the age of 15 lol
January 12, 2011
Wow amazing book. th story was phenomenal
Can't wait to read more of her books.
Can't wait to read more of her books.
could-not-finish
October 2, 2017First chapters were alright and then BOOM, it goes over a cliff. Read some other reviews and I am so glad I did not get to the other chapters.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews