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The Club
It is London's most secretive gentlemen's club - a place where no well-bred lady would dare to be seen. But Lady Jane Beaumont has no choice. Her friend Delphiniahas vanished, and Jane must enter into a dangerous charade to find her. Now, within the gilded walls of this erotic lair, Jane awaits the lover she has procured for the evening. But the man who enters her bedchamber is no stranger. He is Delphinia's brother and London's most notorious rake - a man on a rescue mission of his own. Christian is intrigued by the innocent beauty who clearly does not belong in the notorious brothel. And as the two seek out the damning secrets of the club...as Christian initiates Jane into the ways of true sensual pleasure, she knows she has entered the most dangerous place of all - where the price of temptation could be her heart...Rouge Romance - your first stop for romance books
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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381 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Page
54 books431 followersSharon Page is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous novels of historical and erotic romance. She is a two-time, consecutive winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award, winner of the Golden Quill and the Colorado Award of Excellence, and a multiple finalist for the Daphne Du Maurier Award. She has twice received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and is a four-time finalist.
Married with two children, Sharon Page holds an industrial design degree and has worked for many years for a structural engineering firm. When not writing, she enjoys reading with her children, downhill skiing, and mountain biking. Writing romance has long been her dream and she is thrilled to share her stories.
Married with two children, Sharon Page holds an industrial design degree and has worked for many years for a structural engineering firm. When not writing, she enjoys reading with her children, downhill skiing, and mountain biking. Writing romance has long been her dream and she is thrilled to share her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 3, 2009
Rating: 3.5 / 5
I can't say why, but this book never really completely engaged me. I never really connected with the characters or the story or had a need to keep reading when I had other things to do. I liked it enough; it was an interesting, unique tale, but something - and I don't really know what - kept me from really getting into this book.
The Club is author Sharon Page's first mass market paperback release (her previous were all trade paperbacks). Set in regency England, it's about a widow, Jane, who is desperately searching for her best friend Del, who has disappeared. Her search leads her to an exclusive sex club, where she knows Del's ruthless husband forced her to go. Once there, she runs into Del's brother, Christian. Christian had been gone from England for many years, after dueling with and killing his lover's husband. But after receiving a letter from his sister pleading for help, he returns to England.
Year's before, the two had shared a teasing, tormenting "friendship" but now that they are partnering together to find Del, passions erupt. As they learn more about the twisted circumstances of Del's disappearance, their feelings grow. Both, however, see marriage as something they can't have. At the same time, neither wants to give the other up. First, though, they must solve the mystery endangering both their lives.
This is the fourth book I've read by Sharon Page, and when I first heard about this one, I thought it would be comparable to the other three (the Hamilton Sisters series) in that it would be an erotic historical romance. So I was surprised when I went to buy it and saw that it was an MMP from Dell (and that they labeled it romance when it should have been labeled a historical romance). Which made me wonder what type of story it would be, how erotic. You don't generally find erotic stories first published in MMP format.
This story ended up being much darker than I thought it would be. The name, and the synopsis, kinda leads you to think the H/H will get involved in a sex club, exploring the sensual side of life. But in reality, The Club (the sex club, not the book) is a rather sinister place for the most part. Jane's best friend, and Christian's sister Del, is forced to go their by her tyrannical husband, and forced to engage in group sex. And other very nasty things discovered throughout the story give the club a bad reputation. The H/H never actually get involved with the sex-capades, just view them a couple times.
Adding to the darkness of the story is the fact that both Jane's and Del's husbands were abusive bastards. They have a lot of emotional scars because of what was done to them. So the story isn't a light one. But it is pretty unique. I haven't read a regency historical that delved into the darker side of life before (at least not that I remember).
Sexually, the book straddles the line between erotic and non-erotic. The sex is more graphic than your typical romance, but compared to a true-blue erotic romance, or even just one of Page's past books, it's much tamer. The sex is pretty basic stuff, too. There's some voyeurism of more risque stuff, but between the H/H, things stay mostly vanilla. Which I admit disappointed me some. There was a great opportunity for sexual exploration, but it never materialized.
The romance was pretty sweet, though. Jane and Christian were very caring and protective of each other.
...and yet, there was just something that didn't engage me about this story. And I honestly don't know what it was. Perhaps it was because I was expecting something more erotic, more exploratory. Or maybe it was just something about the story itself. I just don't know.
So in the end, this was an okay-good book. It tells a unique, well-written tale. There's some pretty hot sex, and I liked the characters. For me, it was missing a little something, but I think it's a book that a lot of people will like. I wouldn't suggest picking this one up for its erotic content though (as some of her previous readers might do) because it's not all that erotic. But if you like a steamy, historical romance that's a bit darker than normal, then you might like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: mildly explicit sex, oral sex, a little ass-play, mildly descriptive voyeurism of various sexual acts at a sex club, talk of domestic abuse, and mentions of rape and murder
I can't say why, but this book never really completely engaged me. I never really connected with the characters or the story or had a need to keep reading when I had other things to do. I liked it enough; it was an interesting, unique tale, but something - and I don't really know what - kept me from really getting into this book.
The Club is author Sharon Page's first mass market paperback release (her previous were all trade paperbacks). Set in regency England, it's about a widow, Jane, who is desperately searching for her best friend Del, who has disappeared. Her search leads her to an exclusive sex club, where she knows Del's ruthless husband forced her to go. Once there, she runs into Del's brother, Christian. Christian had been gone from England for many years, after dueling with and killing his lover's husband. But after receiving a letter from his sister pleading for help, he returns to England.
Year's before, the two had shared a teasing, tormenting "friendship" but now that they are partnering together to find Del, passions erupt. As they learn more about the twisted circumstances of Del's disappearance, their feelings grow. Both, however, see marriage as something they can't have. At the same time, neither wants to give the other up. First, though, they must solve the mystery endangering both their lives.
This is the fourth book I've read by Sharon Page, and when I first heard about this one, I thought it would be comparable to the other three (the Hamilton Sisters series) in that it would be an erotic historical romance. So I was surprised when I went to buy it and saw that it was an MMP from Dell (and that they labeled it romance when it should have been labeled a historical romance). Which made me wonder what type of story it would be, how erotic. You don't generally find erotic stories first published in MMP format.
This story ended up being much darker than I thought it would be. The name, and the synopsis, kinda leads you to think the H/H will get involved in a sex club, exploring the sensual side of life. But in reality, The Club (the sex club, not the book) is a rather sinister place for the most part. Jane's best friend, and Christian's sister Del, is forced to go their by her tyrannical husband, and forced to engage in group sex. And other very nasty things discovered throughout the story give the club a bad reputation. The H/H never actually get involved with the sex-capades, just view them a couple times.
Adding to the darkness of the story is the fact that both Jane's and Del's husbands were abusive bastards. They have a lot of emotional scars because of what was done to them. So the story isn't a light one. But it is pretty unique. I haven't read a regency historical that delved into the darker side of life before (at least not that I remember).
Sexually, the book straddles the line between erotic and non-erotic. The sex is more graphic than your typical romance, but compared to a true-blue erotic romance, or even just one of Page's past books, it's much tamer. The sex is pretty basic stuff, too. There's some voyeurism of more risque stuff, but between the H/H, things stay mostly vanilla. Which I admit disappointed me some. There was a great opportunity for sexual exploration, but it never materialized.
The romance was pretty sweet, though. Jane and Christian were very caring and protective of each other.
...and yet, there was just something that didn't engage me about this story. And I honestly don't know what it was. Perhaps it was because I was expecting something more erotic, more exploratory. Or maybe it was just something about the story itself. I just don't know.
So in the end, this was an okay-good book. It tells a unique, well-written tale. There's some pretty hot sex, and I liked the characters. For me, it was missing a little something, but I think it's a book that a lot of people will like. I wouldn't suggest picking this one up for its erotic content though (as some of her previous readers might do) because it's not all that erotic. But if you like a steamy, historical romance that's a bit darker than normal, then you might like this one.
WARNING, this book contains: mildly explicit sex, oral sex, a little ass-play, mildly descriptive voyeurism of various sexual acts at a sex club, talk of domestic abuse, and mentions of rape and murder
May 29, 2009
This book is a mess. It’s a tiresome, long and just plain blah read. Such a letdown being that it’s been touted as Page’s foray into mainstream historical romance but with a bit extra spice. Spice aplenty there is, but it’s shoved in all over the place and just doesn’t seem to fit with the characters. One of those sex for the sake of sex novels at times that you often find in erotica.
What really bothered me about this story are the sub-stories, there are too many of them and they just keep on coming which explains why the book is 408 pages. It really needs more focus. It meanders from one thing to the next which I found irritating. There isn’t enough development between the h/h either but all of a sudden they love each other. Very left field here. There’s also too much focus on the suspense aspect of the book. People who are dead are suddenly alive, mysterious events keep happening, evil men abound etc etc . Too much. Some of the sex is totally out of place with the characters. One that comes to mind is the rimming scene that was just there to “shock” the reader I thought. There’s supposed to be a kind of love hate history between Jane and Christian but it’s not there. Barely a barb was exchanged and whatever was was hardly worth mentioning.
It is a very dark story at times. The club is a seedy place where twisted men get together to “explore” a sinister side of sex that’s not all that consensual. Most of the women are trapped in loveless marriages with sexual deviants and have been psychologically as well as physically hurt. This is the background of the story and the reader is led to believe that things will happen to the h/h at this club but the back blurb is misleading because nothing really happens there. It’s the starting point for the heroine to find her friend and the hero to find his sister who has disappeared.
This was the kind of book that I hoped would get better but never did. It has a lot of potential. A swingers’ club of sorts, an extra dose of hot sex, murder, mystery but it’s a mish mash of a story that just doesn’t get you to connect with the characters. I found myself counting the pages to the end, skimming parts and just wishing it would be over. Sharon Page writes some good historical erotica (check out Sin for some top notch scorcher ménage scenes) but this attempt at a mainstream regency historical romance is a dud.
What really bothered me about this story are the sub-stories, there are too many of them and they just keep on coming which explains why the book is 408 pages. It really needs more focus. It meanders from one thing to the next which I found irritating. There isn’t enough development between the h/h either but all of a sudden they love each other. Very left field here. There’s also too much focus on the suspense aspect of the book. People who are dead are suddenly alive, mysterious events keep happening, evil men abound etc etc . Too much. Some of the sex is totally out of place with the characters. One that comes to mind is the rimming scene that was just there to “shock” the reader I thought. There’s supposed to be a kind of love hate history between Jane and Christian but it’s not there. Barely a barb was exchanged and whatever was was hardly worth mentioning.
It is a very dark story at times. The club is a seedy place where twisted men get together to “explore” a sinister side of sex that’s not all that consensual. Most of the women are trapped in loveless marriages with sexual deviants and have been psychologically as well as physically hurt. This is the background of the story and the reader is led to believe that things will happen to the h/h at this club but the back blurb is misleading because nothing really happens there. It’s the starting point for the heroine to find her friend and the hero to find his sister who has disappeared.
This was the kind of book that I hoped would get better but never did. It has a lot of potential. A swingers’ club of sorts, an extra dose of hot sex, murder, mystery but it’s a mish mash of a story that just doesn’t get you to connect with the characters. I found myself counting the pages to the end, skimming parts and just wishing it would be over. Sharon Page writes some good historical erotica (check out Sin for some top notch scorcher ménage scenes) but this attempt at a mainstream regency historical romance is a dud.
February 24, 2009
The Club by Sharon Page
Historical Romance- Regency - February 24, 2009
4 1/2 stars
The Club is a deliciously decadent novel that in many areas shocked me. (This book explores the seedier side of the Regency era that was salient to the story.) If you haven’t read books by this author before, be prepared for sensuous scenes as well as strong characters that will make you root for them!
Recently widowed, Lady Jane is a woman with a mission. While she couldn’t save herself from an abusive husband; she is determined to save her missing friend. Unfortunately, her friend Del was forced by her husband into participating at the Club, a place where the unsavory world of sexual excess reaches the powerful and wicked desires of London’s higher society.
Lady Jane visits the Club and finds herself stonewalled by Del’s long lost brother, Christian. Dubbed “Lord Wicked” for his well deserved reputation, Christian is the antithesis of all she believes. Although she finds him devastatingly handsome and charming, Lady Jane is fearful of the passion she feels for him. But even as she tries to keep herself aloof from his wild disregard for society, she realizes she feel most safe in his arms.
Christian has always admired Lady Jane even as she cuts him with her remarks. She makes him want to be a better person and although it is dangerous for her to be embroiled in Del’s disappearance, he can’t help but be happy that it allows him to spend time with her.
Sharon Page’s writing kept me on edge, as the mystery behind Del’s disappearance is slowly and expertly revealed. While many writers would revel in the shock value or focus purely on the sexual attraction between the characters. This author takes the time to slowly develop the relationship between the two main characters. Lady Jane and ‘Lord Wicked’ felt like real characters with very human frailties. I really enjoyed the interaction between them and each seemed to compliment the other perfectly. The riveting love between the two characters rises above and in stark contrast to the scandalous behavior at the Club. As the main characters find redemption and acceptance, they are healed by their love and adversity. The romance between them was moving and by the end of the book I knew they had to be together!
The Club is not the typical Regency romance, but one that will definitely keep you up all night to discover the end.
Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance- Regency - February 24, 2009
4 1/2 stars
The Club is a deliciously decadent novel that in many areas shocked me. (This book explores the seedier side of the Regency era that was salient to the story.) If you haven’t read books by this author before, be prepared for sensuous scenes as well as strong characters that will make you root for them!
Recently widowed, Lady Jane is a woman with a mission. While she couldn’t save herself from an abusive husband; she is determined to save her missing friend. Unfortunately, her friend Del was forced by her husband into participating at the Club, a place where the unsavory world of sexual excess reaches the powerful and wicked desires of London’s higher society.
Lady Jane visits the Club and finds herself stonewalled by Del’s long lost brother, Christian. Dubbed “Lord Wicked” for his well deserved reputation, Christian is the antithesis of all she believes. Although she finds him devastatingly handsome and charming, Lady Jane is fearful of the passion she feels for him. But even as she tries to keep herself aloof from his wild disregard for society, she realizes she feel most safe in his arms.
Christian has always admired Lady Jane even as she cuts him with her remarks. She makes him want to be a better person and although it is dangerous for her to be embroiled in Del’s disappearance, he can’t help but be happy that it allows him to spend time with her.
Sharon Page’s writing kept me on edge, as the mystery behind Del’s disappearance is slowly and expertly revealed. While many writers would revel in the shock value or focus purely on the sexual attraction between the characters. This author takes the time to slowly develop the relationship between the two main characters. Lady Jane and ‘Lord Wicked’ felt like real characters with very human frailties. I really enjoyed the interaction between them and each seemed to compliment the other perfectly. The riveting love between the two characters rises above and in stark contrast to the scandalous behavior at the Club. As the main characters find redemption and acceptance, they are healed by their love and adversity. The romance between them was moving and by the end of the book I knew they had to be together!
The Club is not the typical Regency romance, but one that will definitely keep you up all night to discover the end.
Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Romance Book Club
March 24, 2021
2.3/5
Muy largo para mi gusto y a veces sin sentido.
Desde el comienzo entregan muy pocas explicaciones. Tampoco es un libro erótico “tradicional” como creí al comienzo. En muchas ocasiones lo sentí sin ningún rumbo con acontecimientos innecesarios (muy de relleno). Protagonistas planos que no me despertaron ningún interés (Ni los buenos ni los malos).
De haberlo sabido hubiera pasado de él.
Muy largo para mi gusto y a veces sin sentido.
Desde el comienzo entregan muy pocas explicaciones. Tampoco es un libro erótico “tradicional” como creí al comienzo. En muchas ocasiones lo sentí sin ningún rumbo con acontecimientos innecesarios (muy de relleno). Protagonistas planos que no me despertaron ningún interés (Ni los buenos ni los malos).
De haberlo sabido hubiera pasado de él.
September 28, 2010
It didn’t hold my interest. The plot and events were typical. Nothing was special or different.
STORY BRIEF:
Jane is a widow. Her husband was a sexual sadist. She didn't know sex could be pleasurable. She only knew pain. Her husband died in a fire with his mistress. Jane's best friend is Del. Del's husband Treyworth forced Del to go to a sex club with him where couples had sex in front of others. Del is now missing. Treyworth tells Jane that Del left England with a lover. Jane doesn't believe him. Jane goes to the club to investigate. While there, she runs into Del's brother Christian who is also looking for Del. Most of the story is Jane and Christian trying to find Del. Along the way they discover a group of men called The Demons Club who have sex with young girls held prisoner. Some of these girls have been killed.
A second story involves Christian. He was promiscuous and "wicked" with women in his youth. He killed someone in a duel and left England to avoid a possible trial. He spent several years in India. He recently returned to England. He and Jane were attracted to each other in their youth, but they didn't realize it at the time. During their current efforts to find Del, they find themselves drawn to each other. Christian shows Jane that sex can be pleasurable.
REVIEWER'S OPINION WITH HINTS OF SPOILERS:
Somehow this was not for me. I liked the main characters, but the plot, the events, the motivations, and the dialogue were not entertaining enough for me. I'm sorry to say I wanted it to be over. I had some unanswered questions. I didn't understand why Del did some of the things she did and why Treyworth sent her to a certain place. I didn't understand some of the motives and actions for things done by Sherringham and his mistress. I also didn't understand why Christian was not prosecuted for the prior duel. He left England to avoid prosecution, yet when he returns to England, there doesn't seem to be any threat of prosecution.
DATA:
Story length: 408 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: moderate to strong. Number of sex scenes: 7. Total number of sex scene pages: 37. Setting: 1818 - 1819 London and Hartfordshire, England. Copyright: 2009. Genre: regency romantic mystery.
STORY BRIEF:
Jane is a widow. Her husband was a sexual sadist. She didn't know sex could be pleasurable. She only knew pain. Her husband died in a fire with his mistress. Jane's best friend is Del. Del's husband Treyworth forced Del to go to a sex club with him where couples had sex in front of others. Del is now missing. Treyworth tells Jane that Del left England with a lover. Jane doesn't believe him. Jane goes to the club to investigate. While there, she runs into Del's brother Christian who is also looking for Del. Most of the story is Jane and Christian trying to find Del. Along the way they discover a group of men called The Demons Club who have sex with young girls held prisoner. Some of these girls have been killed.
A second story involves Christian. He was promiscuous and "wicked" with women in his youth. He killed someone in a duel and left England to avoid a possible trial. He spent several years in India. He recently returned to England. He and Jane were attracted to each other in their youth, but they didn't realize it at the time. During their current efforts to find Del, they find themselves drawn to each other. Christian shows Jane that sex can be pleasurable.
REVIEWER'S OPINION WITH HINTS OF SPOILERS:
Somehow this was not for me. I liked the main characters, but the plot, the events, the motivations, and the dialogue were not entertaining enough for me. I'm sorry to say I wanted it to be over. I had some unanswered questions. I didn't understand why Del did some of the things she did and why Treyworth sent her to a certain place. I didn't understand some of the motives and actions for things done by Sherringham and his mistress. I also didn't understand why Christian was not prosecuted for the prior duel. He left England to avoid prosecution, yet when he returns to England, there doesn't seem to be any threat of prosecution.
DATA:
Story length: 408 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: moderate to strong. Number of sex scenes: 7. Total number of sex scene pages: 37. Setting: 1818 - 1819 London and Hartfordshire, England. Copyright: 2009. Genre: regency romantic mystery.
October 21, 2013
Disappointing
The plot could have been rather interesting and was way blacker than what I expected - considering first that a few visitors to the Club (the eponymous sex club) were not willing visitors and participants and then that some of the most ardent visitors to this club also enjoyed repulsive practices . However despite this very black undertones and environment, the way Christian and Jane lead their investigation lacked any sort of unobtrusiveness and sharpness. It felt both anachronical and even slightly dumb.
Considering the overall tone and practices mentioned all along the way, I can safely say that I felt much more often close to disgust than to arousal, which made the 3 or 4 hot scenes fell flat. I also was never really convinced of the H/h's feelings.
Last thing, I did not care much for the writing. I often thought that the changes between scenes within a chapter were too sharp and that the reading did not flow as naturally as it should have.
This will most probably be my first and last book from this author.
The plot could have been rather interesting and was way blacker than what I expected - considering first that a few visitors to the Club (the eponymous sex club) were not willing visitors and participants and then that some of the most ardent visitors to this club also enjoyed repulsive practices . However despite this very black undertones and environment, the way Christian and Jane lead their investigation lacked any sort of unobtrusiveness and sharpness. It felt both anachronical and even slightly dumb.
Considering the overall tone and practices mentioned all along the way, I can safely say that I felt much more often close to disgust than to arousal, which made the 3 or 4 hot scenes fell flat. I also was never really convinced of the H/h's feelings.
Last thing, I did not care much for the writing. I often thought that the changes between scenes within a chapter were too sharp and that the reading did not flow as naturally as it should have.
This will most probably be my first and last book from this author.
October 29, 2012
Parlons des héros :
Christian a une réputation de libertin avec qq pratiques extrêmes. Totalement dévoué à sa mission : retrouver sa sœur. C’est un homme ayant souffert de ses relations avec son père. Il est bourrelé de remords (qui l’on fait fuir d’Angleterre). Son plus grand regret : d’avoir laissé sa sœur en partant pour les Indes. D’une grande générosité (financière et sensuelle), il s’applique à protéger l’héroïne des dures réalités de certaines pratique érotiques, mais surtout, des relations humaines destructives et malsaines.
Jane est une jeune veuve de 30 ans. Mariée à 18 ans à un homme plus âgé qu’elle. Mais surtout d’une extrême violence. Des relations physiques et du mariage, elle ne connait que brimades, coups et violences sexuelles. Elle est décidée à ne plus jamais se marier et se laisser soumettre par un homme. C’est pourquoi elle part seule à la recherche de son amie. Traumatisée par son expérience, elle ne comprend pas que des hommes et des femmes puissent s’adonner à des plaisirs tels que le bondage et la soumission.
Parlons du roman :
Beaucoup de pratiques différentes sont décrites ou évoquées dans ce livre : bondage, soumission, viols, meurtres, sexe en groupe, voyeurisme, flagellation… L’auteur évoque mais décrit finalement assez peu les sévices subits ou les expériences voulues. Le tout est mené de manière facile et légère. Comme si ce qu’elle décrit fait partie de la normalité.
La légère de ton, voilà où se situe le problème. Elle nous parle d’un club secret qui finalement n’est secret pour personne. L’héroïne l’évoque à tort et à travers à chaque personnage de l’histoire sans émouvoir personne. Elle en discute en rue. Les personnages en parlent en prenant le thé comme s’ils parlaient d’aller faire une ballade dans le pré du voisin. Les Dames expliquent ce qu’elles adorent en riant et grignotant des sandwichs. Les héros mènent l’enquête comme des éléphants dans un magasin de porcelaine. Dans le Club, tous portent des masques mais tous se reconnaissent ?! Une veuve accompagnée d’un libertin notoire ne pose aucun scandale que ce soit dans le Club où dans les maisons de bon ton.
Le suspens, l’enquête. Mais quel suspens et quelle enquête ? Les méchants n’impressionnent personne. On s’attend à la fin de l’enquête. Facile, vous avez dit, facile ?
Je dirai que l’auteur en fait trop. Trop légère, la manière d’amener les choses et de les traiter. Trop farfelu, le choix des méchants et leurs intentions. Trop de situations évoquées et traitées en deux temps, trois mouvements. Un peu à la manière : oups, ce café est amer : ajoutons du sucre : quel délice !
Que dire du final ? Un happy-end style conte de fée américain. Tout est bien qui finit bien pour tous. Tout le monde pète la forme. Ils vécurent heureux et eurent beaucoup d’enfants.
Ceci dit, les scènes d’amour sont de bonne qualité et rondement menées. Le héros étant généreux à un tel point que l’héroïne est plus que comblée. Merci Christian d’exister ! Je dirais que c’est le grand point positif du livre.
Pour moi, ce livre ne mérite pas 3 étoiles mais 2. Ne fut-ce que pour les relations amoureuses…
Christian a une réputation de libertin avec qq pratiques extrêmes. Totalement dévoué à sa mission : retrouver sa sœur. C’est un homme ayant souffert de ses relations avec son père. Il est bourrelé de remords (qui l’on fait fuir d’Angleterre). Son plus grand regret : d’avoir laissé sa sœur en partant pour les Indes. D’une grande générosité (financière et sensuelle), il s’applique à protéger l’héroïne des dures réalités de certaines pratique érotiques, mais surtout, des relations humaines destructives et malsaines.
Jane est une jeune veuve de 30 ans. Mariée à 18 ans à un homme plus âgé qu’elle. Mais surtout d’une extrême violence. Des relations physiques et du mariage, elle ne connait que brimades, coups et violences sexuelles. Elle est décidée à ne plus jamais se marier et se laisser soumettre par un homme. C’est pourquoi elle part seule à la recherche de son amie. Traumatisée par son expérience, elle ne comprend pas que des hommes et des femmes puissent s’adonner à des plaisirs tels que le bondage et la soumission.
Parlons du roman :
Beaucoup de pratiques différentes sont décrites ou évoquées dans ce livre : bondage, soumission, viols, meurtres, sexe en groupe, voyeurisme, flagellation… L’auteur évoque mais décrit finalement assez peu les sévices subits ou les expériences voulues. Le tout est mené de manière facile et légère. Comme si ce qu’elle décrit fait partie de la normalité.
La légère de ton, voilà où se situe le problème. Elle nous parle d’un club secret qui finalement n’est secret pour personne. L’héroïne l’évoque à tort et à travers à chaque personnage de l’histoire sans émouvoir personne. Elle en discute en rue. Les personnages en parlent en prenant le thé comme s’ils parlaient d’aller faire une ballade dans le pré du voisin. Les Dames expliquent ce qu’elles adorent en riant et grignotant des sandwichs. Les héros mènent l’enquête comme des éléphants dans un magasin de porcelaine. Dans le Club, tous portent des masques mais tous se reconnaissent ?! Une veuve accompagnée d’un libertin notoire ne pose aucun scandale que ce soit dans le Club où dans les maisons de bon ton.
Le suspens, l’enquête. Mais quel suspens et quelle enquête ? Les méchants n’impressionnent personne. On s’attend à la fin de l’enquête. Facile, vous avez dit, facile ?
Je dirai que l’auteur en fait trop. Trop légère, la manière d’amener les choses et de les traiter. Trop farfelu, le choix des méchants et leurs intentions. Trop de situations évoquées et traitées en deux temps, trois mouvements. Un peu à la manière : oups, ce café est amer : ajoutons du sucre : quel délice !
Que dire du final ? Un happy-end style conte de fée américain. Tout est bien qui finit bien pour tous. Tout le monde pète la forme. Ils vécurent heureux et eurent beaucoup d’enfants.
Ceci dit, les scènes d’amour sont de bonne qualité et rondement menées. Le héros étant généreux à un tel point que l’héroïne est plus que comblée. Merci Christian d’exister ! Je dirais que c’est le grand point positif du livre.
Pour moi, ce livre ne mérite pas 3 étoiles mais 2. Ne fut-ce que pour les relations amoureuses…
March 28, 2009
THE CLUB by Sharon Page was an absolutely a wonderful passionate, mysterious, and dark historical romance! It was a captivating read! I'm in love with Christian! Loved his endearments, calling the heroine love, pest, and more. This was so wonderful, gripping, and had me teary eyed at times! I never so much before wanted them together as they too fought that love and demons to believe they are forever together. I've read that some thought this was a scorching erotic historical romance, but its not an erotic book, but it is a very passionate and romantic historical romances! These last two days have brought me so much joy reading it. This was one book that I could feel, see and touch within The Club. I never left outside of the book until the last page. There's been times since, that I have thought of the hero and heroine and how they would be doing today. The very dark background of the story is what made it an erotic theme. The mystery within this was done so well.
When the hero and heroine come together and grow with their love, its very passionate and romantic! Its not an erotic romance as her Aphrodisia books are. And in my opinion, this author Sharon Page is a superb author! I didn't let this book down until I came to the end. Totally absorbing read with the mystery of solving what happened to Lord Wickham, Christian's, sister Del. This author has an outstanding skill to blend this into the story and making it very strong. Ms Page also fulfilled the strength of the romance of Jane, Lady Sherringham and Christian that was so romantic and passionate, that this made too for a wonderful historical romance with both the hero and heroine having a past that pulled them together to grow in love as well as strengthen each other with their healing. This book is on the top of one of the best reads for me this year.
I also recommend her erotic historical and erotic vampire romances from Aphrodisia for those who enjoy reading this genre. HOT SILK was her last release out (and on my wishlist) one of her erotic historical romances and her Erotic Vampire romance, BLOOD DEEP, will be out in May! Check out her site at for 18 years of age and above at:
http://www.sharonpage.com/
January 19, 2016
There were so many of the right elements in place that could have made this a great or at least interesting story. However I was disappointed by a story that was about 100 pages too long and bogged down with the heroine's backstory of an abusive marriage to her deceased husband. While the author accurately explained why any woman, but especially a member of the Ton would remain with an abusive husband rang true, the storyline largely glossed over the heroine's transition from a female scared of her own shadow to a woman obsessed with her quest to find her missing best friend and other women associated with the Club who had also disappeared under mysterious circumstances. I REALLY wanted to like this book more than I did, but the heroine came across at various times as being uptight, judgmental and dumber than a box of rocks. However with all that being said, I will definitely give Ms. Page's books another try, because I think that she can craft a good story but this just wasn't the one for me.
July 17, 2010
On Page 65 and just not liking it a bit.
Started again last night and just wrapped up.
Two things why I didn't like the book.
I just never became attached the h/h and I didn't care what happened to Del. Perhaps if the story started with more background on Del I would have cared more about what happened to her.
I am not a huge fan of mysteries and this to me read more like a mystery/romance rather than a romance with some mystery in it.
Although it was not for me I couldn't give it less than 3 stars the writing was good and at times I really did enjoy Christian.
Started again last night and just wrapped up.
Two things why I didn't like the book.
I just never became attached the h/h and I didn't care what happened to Del. Perhaps if the story started with more background on Del I would have cared more about what happened to her.
I am not a huge fan of mysteries and this to me read more like a mystery/romance rather than a romance with some mystery in it.
Although it was not for me I couldn't give it less than 3 stars the writing was good and at times I really did enjoy Christian.
March 7, 2009
I didn't realize what I was getting into when I picked this one up! It leans toward erotica set in a Regency setting. Though well-written, I thought it leaned a bit to heavily on the idea of abuse vs. S&M for pleasure angle. And one particular act between the hero and heroine really turned me off, as in went somewhere I personally wouldn't care to go. Others might not mind it, it just wasn't my cup of tea. That Page is a talented writer, there is no doubt, it was just not my kind of book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2009
The mantel clock ticked away cheerfully and the fire crackled as it would in any drawing room, unaware that danger and sin lurked everywhere in this evil club.
Wavering, the candle's flame touched her with gold.
Oh, dear God. Christian had always been there—in her soul.
Wavering, the candle's flame touched her with gold.
Oh, dear God. Christian had always been there—in her soul.
February 20, 2009
Love was grand in the 1800s.
March 5, 2018
Meh...
No voy a mentir diciendo que no me gustó para nada ya que, hasta cierto punto, ha sido entretenido. Pero la verdad este libro dejo mucho que desear. Muchos personajes, demasiados, y la mayoría ni siquiera fueron de provecho para la historia. Giros innecesarios, las escenas eróticas muchas veces estuvieron demás. Ya pasado la mitad del libro me pasaba muchas paginas con mas de lo mismo, fue frustrante muchas veces. La verdad no vi mucha evolución en los personajes. Solo muy pequeños detalles llegaron a salvar a este libro, pero en general no me gusto mucho.
No voy a mentir diciendo que no me gustó para nada ya que, hasta cierto punto, ha sido entretenido. Pero la verdad este libro dejo mucho que desear. Muchos personajes, demasiados, y la mayoría ni siquiera fueron de provecho para la historia. Giros innecesarios, las escenas eróticas muchas veces estuvieron demás. Ya pasado la mitad del libro me pasaba muchas paginas con mas de lo mismo, fue frustrante muchas veces. La verdad no vi mucha evolución en los personajes. Solo muy pequeños detalles llegaron a salvar a este libro, pero en general no me gusto mucho.
April 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book and I do mean love it. It was full of mystery, romance, erotica and it was not your typical historical romance. The female characters in it were all strong and independent heroins who still kept the romance alive. Also, the fact that it was so mysterious and full of danger at times, made this book a page-turner. Additionally, I absolutely love Lord Wickham, the hero of the book. It was lovely that he and everybody else in the book get their happy ending. It just made my day.
February 3, 2018
Meh. I liked some of Page's other work. This one felt overdone and filled with too many tropes. The heroine's overcoming of past sexual trauma was too quick. While this is, of course, fantasy, there were just a lot of problems. I did, however, enjoy parts, and it did keep my attention throughout in terms of the mystery, even if periodically I was annoyed at inconsistencies in pacing and character.
June 2, 2020
I'm not always the biggest fan of historical romance, but this one sucked me in quickly and refused to let me go. It was a fantastic story with romance, danger, sex and, ultimately, love. I kept wondering what could possibly happen next to keep the story going to the end of the sizable book (my version is 408 pages). I worried there might be filler or that it would drag, but the book was engaging all the way through. The book features a HEA for the protagonists and their friends and family.
July 4, 2023
Então... Cristian e Jane...o clube aparece simplesmente como um lugar onde maridos sádicos obrigam suas esposas a bancarem as submissas, não gostei. As investigações... São ridículas, o herói tão propaganda de margarina q fica até difícil conciliar com o gostoso das cenas hot, a heroína "vou salvar todo mundo" 😴😴😴 e os vilões toscos de tudo
3 estrelas por ter prendido a atenção, mesmo assim com esforço
3 estrelas por ter prendido a atenção, mesmo assim com esforço
March 10, 2020
Not repititive!
This is my 4th Sharon Page book and I wanted to commend her for not repeating again and again the plot lines. Too many authors build a story line that is thin, then restate it so many times that the entire project drags and bores this reader. Page's books have substance and hold my interest. Congrats!
This is my 4th Sharon Page book and I wanted to commend her for not repeating again and again the plot lines. Too many authors build a story line that is thin, then restate it so many times that the entire project drags and bores this reader. Page's books have substance and hold my interest. Congrats!
December 5, 2017
Non sapevo che questo romance fosse in realtà un giallo-rosa, che non è proprio il mio genere. E le perversioni io non le ho viste. È anche vero che ho letto solo 36 pagine, ma mi sono bastate. Passo e chiudo.
July 28, 2017
Action packed with a lot of twists and turns.
September 25, 2017
Kept you wanting more.
-- Anonymous staff member.
-- Anonymous staff member.
July 1, 2019
Farragosa y repetitiva. No te aclaras por donde va la narración.
Lo dejo
Lo dejo
Read
September 27, 2019Not the best Sharon Page book,but I love books centered around a salacious club!
May 11, 2010
4.5 stars out of 5.0 stars
"Riveting and hard to put down! If you're looking for a historical romance that is unique and with substance, this is it!"
Enter into a world of dark pleasures and darker intrigues.
Jane St. Giles, Lady Sherringham, is on a mission to rescue her best friend, Del, who has gone missing. For this, she has to enter The Club, a place of sin and decadence, a place of which she is out of her depth. She is surprised to find that Christian, Earl of Wickham and Del's brother, has followed her and together, they made an uneasy pact to find Del. But when Del is found, Jane finds to her dismay that she is losing her heart to Christian, a man who determines only to teach her the pleasure she had never found in her husband's arms.
Expecting the usual historical romance, I was shocked and surprised to find that The Club is...so much more. Instead of the usual balls and soirees and musicals, light flirtation and determined matchmakings by the mamas, The Club deals with the story of women abused by their husbands and the existence of a sexual club catering to the desires of married couples where anything goes (but the main couple didn't partake). It is different and it is certainly not gentle reading (not only because of the happenings in the club but also the subject matter of the book).
Jane and her friends typify the kind of woman who stayed with their abusive husbands--wanting to run yet in the end not finding the courage to do so, scared yet not having anywhere else to go. I think it is even harder for women in historical times for under the law, they are the property of their husbands. Their spirits are crushed and they learned to be quiet, to be invisible, to obey and do whatever their husbands wanted in order to escape their punishing hands. To these women, the death of their husbands could only signify freedom.
For Jane, the death of her husband was a relief, and she looked forward to a simple and contented life with her meager savings. Her crushed spirit started to mend, and because of her experience with her husband, she determined to save other women from such a fate. Her friends and even Christian referred to her as "crusading Lady Jane". However, Christian's appearance in her life showed her that not all men are the same. With Christian, she dared to do things, knowing he wouldn't hit her even if he were angry at her. The way he protected her and kept her safe warmed her heart and made her want to stay with him, but she'd vowed never to marry again. She didn't want to put herself under the control of a man again. Before Christian's re-entry into her life, she only sought for survival, but with him, she dared to risk her heart again.
However, Jane, no matter how crusading she is, is not one of those annoying TSTL (too stupid to live) heroines. Her heart prompts her to rescue the people she loved, even if it puts her in danger, and she is courageous when the going gets tough, but she knew when to obey Christian when it counts. As for Christian, he appears to be a rakehell hero who breaks marriages and even kills a man in a duel, but underneath it all, he has a good heart and well, appearances are deceiving.
Still, I wonder why historicals almost always portray the hero to be the sort of man who goes from bed to bed. Even if he beds only women who sought him out and who are unhappy in their marriages and whose husbands have mistresses, he is just the same as the husbands, even if he has a good motive of bringing the woman pleasure that is missing in her life. Don't heirs to dukedoms and earldoms have better things to do? Like learn estate management and how to take care of their tenants so they can take over when their fathers died? Or maybe, estates run themselves under the management of a good steward.
Anyway, finding Del led to discovering that a greater mystery and more evildoings abound. I especially like the way the author foreshadowed who the ultimate villain would be, yet in the end, she still managed to surprise me.
Reviewed by Silver
"Riveting and hard to put down! If you're looking for a historical romance that is unique and with substance, this is it!"
Enter into a world of dark pleasures and darker intrigues.
Jane St. Giles, Lady Sherringham, is on a mission to rescue her best friend, Del, who has gone missing. For this, she has to enter The Club, a place of sin and decadence, a place of which she is out of her depth. She is surprised to find that Christian, Earl of Wickham and Del's brother, has followed her and together, they made an uneasy pact to find Del. But when Del is found, Jane finds to her dismay that she is losing her heart to Christian, a man who determines only to teach her the pleasure she had never found in her husband's arms.
Expecting the usual historical romance, I was shocked and surprised to find that The Club is...so much more. Instead of the usual balls and soirees and musicals, light flirtation and determined matchmakings by the mamas, The Club deals with the story of women abused by their husbands and the existence of a sexual club catering to the desires of married couples where anything goes (but the main couple didn't partake). It is different and it is certainly not gentle reading (not only because of the happenings in the club but also the subject matter of the book).
Jane and her friends typify the kind of woman who stayed with their abusive husbands--wanting to run yet in the end not finding the courage to do so, scared yet not having anywhere else to go. I think it is even harder for women in historical times for under the law, they are the property of their husbands. Their spirits are crushed and they learned to be quiet, to be invisible, to obey and do whatever their husbands wanted in order to escape their punishing hands. To these women, the death of their husbands could only signify freedom.
For Jane, the death of her husband was a relief, and she looked forward to a simple and contented life with her meager savings. Her crushed spirit started to mend, and because of her experience with her husband, she determined to save other women from such a fate. Her friends and even Christian referred to her as "crusading Lady Jane". However, Christian's appearance in her life showed her that not all men are the same. With Christian, she dared to do things, knowing he wouldn't hit her even if he were angry at her. The way he protected her and kept her safe warmed her heart and made her want to stay with him, but she'd vowed never to marry again. She didn't want to put herself under the control of a man again. Before Christian's re-entry into her life, she only sought for survival, but with him, she dared to risk her heart again.
However, Jane, no matter how crusading she is, is not one of those annoying TSTL (too stupid to live) heroines. Her heart prompts her to rescue the people she loved, even if it puts her in danger, and she is courageous when the going gets tough, but she knew when to obey Christian when it counts. As for Christian, he appears to be a rakehell hero who breaks marriages and even kills a man in a duel, but underneath it all, he has a good heart and well, appearances are deceiving.
Still, I wonder why historicals almost always portray the hero to be the sort of man who goes from bed to bed. Even if he beds only women who sought him out and who are unhappy in their marriages and whose husbands have mistresses, he is just the same as the husbands, even if he has a good motive of bringing the woman pleasure that is missing in her life. Don't heirs to dukedoms and earldoms have better things to do? Like learn estate management and how to take care of their tenants so they can take over when their fathers died? Or maybe, estates run themselves under the management of a good steward.
Anyway, finding Del led to discovering that a greater mystery and more evildoings abound. I especially like the way the author foreshadowed who the ultimate villain would be, yet in the end, she still managed to surprise me.
Reviewed by Silver
March 2, 2017
This is a sequel to Sinful. Not as good as the first. The hero is hot. A great read.
February 25, 2013
Story and Writing Style
Wow. This was an intense book. It took me a while to finish, mostly because I wasn’t expecting so much…intensity. And this isn’t bad. We’re dealing with underground sex trafficking, murder and deceit, and elusive Club: a sex lair where any man’s—and woman’s—fantasy can come to life at the right price.
Jane is looking for her friend, Del, at the club and runs into Del’s brother, Christian. They are quickly swept up in the drama of finding his sister, her abusive husband, and Jane’s deceased husband…all of whom played an intregal part in Jane and Christian’s past and future.
Characters
Jane seems strong enough, as does Christian. Of course, he’s suffering from a past he can’t seem to run away from, and Jane needs time to open up physically after dealing with her own abusive husband in a loveless, childless marriage.
Sex
I started reading this after Page’s historical erotica Sin and thought that it would start off hot and hold that heat through to the end. And while there was excellent sexual tension from the get-go, the payoff wasn’t as good. It was decent enough…the sex was described well. It was thorough, and it was hot, but…not as hot as her erotica. It was a shame, too, with the setup of the heroine making her way through a sex den and running into the hero. Sounds an awful lot like another of her erotica tomes, Black Silk…
Wow. This was an intense book. It took me a while to finish, mostly because I wasn’t expecting so much…intensity. And this isn’t bad. We’re dealing with underground sex trafficking, murder and deceit, and elusive Club: a sex lair where any man’s—and woman’s—fantasy can come to life at the right price.
Jane is looking for her friend, Del, at the club and runs into Del’s brother, Christian. They are quickly swept up in the drama of finding his sister, her abusive husband, and Jane’s deceased husband…all of whom played an intregal part in Jane and Christian’s past and future.
Characters
Jane seems strong enough, as does Christian. Of course, he’s suffering from a past he can’t seem to run away from, and Jane needs time to open up physically after dealing with her own abusive husband in a loveless, childless marriage.
Sex
I started reading this after Page’s historical erotica Sin and thought that it would start off hot and hold that heat through to the end. And while there was excellent sexual tension from the get-go, the payoff wasn’t as good. It was decent enough…the sex was described well. It was thorough, and it was hot, but…not as hot as her erotica. It was a shame, too, with the setup of the heroine making her way through a sex den and running into the hero. Sounds an awful lot like another of her erotica tomes, Black Silk…
April 19, 2009
When I read the word "erotic" on the back cover of this book I thought "uh-oh." I'm not a prude, mind you, I'm just not into the erotic genre.
This was my first time reading something by Sharon Page, and I really liked this book. The Club is an erotic place where many of London's high soceity go to get naughty. It also has a dark secret.
Jane St. Giles, Lady Sherringham, goes to the club in an effort to find her friend Del, a patron of the club, who had gone missing. Jane has pretended to come to the club to be entertained. She waits in her bedchamber for the man she has paid for, freaking out, because she has no intention of having sex with anyone. She just wants information.
Enter Christian Sutcliffe, Lord Wickham. The extremely handsome Lord Wickham happens to be Del's brother and has come to The Club for the same reasons as Jane.
Jane and Christian's relationship develops over several encounters of intrigue and lust. Wickham is rather creative in his sexual endeavors, and I have to say I was quite engrossed in many of the scenes. A notorious rake, Wickham isn't known as "Lord Wicked" for nothing.
The Club has danger, intrigue and lust brilliantly fused into one good read.
This was my first time reading something by Sharon Page, and I really liked this book. The Club is an erotic place where many of London's high soceity go to get naughty. It also has a dark secret.
Jane St. Giles, Lady Sherringham, goes to the club in an effort to find her friend Del, a patron of the club, who had gone missing. Jane has pretended to come to the club to be entertained. She waits in her bedchamber for the man she has paid for, freaking out, because she has no intention of having sex with anyone. She just wants information.
Enter Christian Sutcliffe, Lord Wickham. The extremely handsome Lord Wickham happens to be Del's brother and has come to The Club for the same reasons as Jane.
Jane and Christian's relationship develops over several encounters of intrigue and lust. Wickham is rather creative in his sexual endeavors, and I have to say I was quite engrossed in many of the scenes. A notorious rake, Wickham isn't known as "Lord Wicked" for nothing.
The Club has danger, intrigue and lust brilliantly fused into one good read.
March 23, 2009
Lady Sherringham (Jane) is a widowed woman looking for her missing friend, Del. Del happens to be the sister of Lord Wickham (Christian). Christian is also looking for his sister. Jane goes to a club to see if she can find information on Del's whereabouts and happens to run into Christian while there. The two of them work together to try to find out more about where Del is and bring her home.
I had a difficult time choosing between three stars and four stars. I really liked both Christian and Jane and I thought they complimented each other well. I did have a problem with the fact that neither one would tell the other that they loved one another. I could understand Jane's reasons more than Christian's, however.
One thing that bothered me in the beginning but wasn't as bad towards the end, was how you basically jump right into the story. I kind of wish there was a prologue or something to at least introduce the characters and some of the background information.
All in all, this was the first book I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more in the future. The book was well written and kept me interested which is better than some other books that I have started and given up on recently.
I had a difficult time choosing between three stars and four stars. I really liked both Christian and Jane and I thought they complimented each other well. I did have a problem with the fact that neither one would tell the other that they loved one another. I could understand Jane's reasons more than Christian's, however.
One thing that bothered me in the beginning but wasn't as bad towards the end, was how you basically jump right into the story. I kind of wish there was a prologue or something to at least introduce the characters and some of the background information.
All in all, this was the first book I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more in the future. The book was well written and kept me interested which is better than some other books that I have started and given up on recently.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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