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The Belle House #1
The Tender Days of May: The Belle House, Book 1
The most dangerous men are the ones who seduce with words.
Flashy and irresistible, Lord Ashbee is used to getting what he wants. A hedonist, a ruthless businessman, and an exquisite lover, he is admired and warned about in the high society of Victorian London. When he encounters a beautiful young woman in the Belle House, the famous house of pleasure on Piccadilly, he is more than intrigued. With the help of in-house maid Krissy, he is determined to seduce the mysterious beauty.
Shy virtuous May is in hiding. She is confined to a small back room of the Belle House and does her best to avoid trouble. Especially Lord Ashbee. The last thing she needs is a man who can destroy her cover, not to mention her innocence. But a few encounters - and he already has her under his spell. When the tragedy is about to strike, no one is willing to help her. Except for Lord Ashbee.
On one condition - she will be his mistress.
Will Lord Ashbee get what he wants? Powerful men always do. But what happens when the passion becomes all-consuming? When the feelings go beyond lust? When May’s secret takes her away from him and he is faced with his dark past and deepest fears?
The Tender Days of May is a sensual, enthralling novel about pleasure, love, and scandalous education in the heart of Victorian London. It's a stand-alone novel, complete with a happily ever after and no cliffhangers. It contains explicit scenes for mature audiences only!
Flashy and irresistible, Lord Ashbee is used to getting what he wants. A hedonist, a ruthless businessman, and an exquisite lover, he is admired and warned about in the high society of Victorian London. When he encounters a beautiful young woman in the Belle House, the famous house of pleasure on Piccadilly, he is more than intrigued. With the help of in-house maid Krissy, he is determined to seduce the mysterious beauty.
Shy virtuous May is in hiding. She is confined to a small back room of the Belle House and does her best to avoid trouble. Especially Lord Ashbee. The last thing she needs is a man who can destroy her cover, not to mention her innocence. But a few encounters - and he already has her under his spell. When the tragedy is about to strike, no one is willing to help her. Except for Lord Ashbee.
On one condition - she will be his mistress.
Will Lord Ashbee get what he wants? Powerful men always do. But what happens when the passion becomes all-consuming? When the feelings go beyond lust? When May’s secret takes her away from him and he is faced with his dark past and deepest fears?
The Tender Days of May is a sensual, enthralling novel about pleasure, love, and scandalous education in the heart of Victorian London. It's a stand-alone novel, complete with a happily ever after and no cliffhangers. It contains explicit scenes for mature audiences only!
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Published December 9, 2021
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About the author
Vlad Kahany
13 books329 followersRaised on the love for music and literary classics, Kahany has studied philology and religion.
For news, updates, discounts on new releases, please visit www.VladKahany.com
For questions, comments, suggestions, please email VladKahany@gmail.com
For news, updates, discounts on new releases, please visit www.VladKahany.com
For questions, comments, suggestions, please email VladKahany@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 25, 2021
This is a first time read by new to me author, Vlad Kahany. The Tender Days of May is okay. You know the characters up front and I saw predictable right away with ending.
August 6, 2020
An unpleasant long-form erotic story about the manipulation of a woman into sex work, regardless of how the author tries to dress it up. Depictions of human trafficking, involuntary prostitution, sexual violence, animal cruelty, torture, and general depravity.
The writing itself is particularly bad. For example:
“He stood up abruptly and picked her up. Carried her like a volcano to the bedroom bench and lay her there.”
A...volcano??
Or how about this one:
“The room smelled of sweat and pleasure, for Lord Ashlee and Eliza had just concluded one of their usual escapades.” We don’t need anything after the comma as it’s already implied and would be a stronger statement without it, but in general, the writing implies the reader is an idiot and cannot draw conclusions.
“19th century London was the city of the very rich and the extremely poor. Every sin found its way into its quarters and corners. The streets abounded with crimes of all kinds, beauties of all sorts, vices of all shades, obscenities of a full scale.”
We get it, man. Speaking of men, the book is particularly problematic in its depiction of female sexuality and when sexual desire is to be encouraged or appropriate in a woman.
The heroine (this term should be used extremely loosely) on the novel is May, a breathy ingenue whose innocence is intensely appealing to jaded Lord Ashbee. He grooms her into sexual obedience and expressiveness (obviously entirely focused on his gaze and presence) which is celebrated. However, any of the other woman who revel in their liberation or desire for Lord Ashbee are portrayed contemptuously as grasping, conniving, simple-minded whores and social climbers. I’m pretty sure this is unintentional, but that doesn’t lessen how dangerous it is.
This novel is definitely erotica and not a romance, with frank and repetitive depictions of sexual acts between various people with various body parts and orifices.
I received a copy of this work courtesy of Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
The writing itself is particularly bad. For example:
“He stood up abruptly and picked her up. Carried her like a volcano to the bedroom bench and lay her there.”
A...volcano??
Or how about this one:
“The room smelled of sweat and pleasure, for Lord Ashlee and Eliza had just concluded one of their usual escapades.” We don’t need anything after the comma as it’s already implied and would be a stronger statement without it, but in general, the writing implies the reader is an idiot and cannot draw conclusions.
“19th century London was the city of the very rich and the extremely poor. Every sin found its way into its quarters and corners. The streets abounded with crimes of all kinds, beauties of all sorts, vices of all shades, obscenities of a full scale.”
We get it, man. Speaking of men, the book is particularly problematic in its depiction of female sexuality and when sexual desire is to be encouraged or appropriate in a woman.
The heroine (this term should be used extremely loosely) on the novel is May, a breathy ingenue whose innocence is intensely appealing to jaded Lord Ashbee. He grooms her into sexual obedience and expressiveness (obviously entirely focused on his gaze and presence) which is celebrated. However, any of the other woman who revel in their liberation or desire for Lord Ashbee are portrayed contemptuously as grasping, conniving, simple-minded whores and social climbers. I’m pretty sure this is unintentional, but that doesn’t lessen how dangerous it is.
This novel is definitely erotica and not a romance, with frank and repetitive depictions of sexual acts between various people with various body parts and orifices.
I received a copy of this work courtesy of Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2020
May is in hiding for her protection. Could there be a better place to hide a "well bred" young woman than a brothel? Lord Ashbee is a regular patron at Belle House, and is very curious about the beautiful young woman living in a back room at his favorite brothel. The madame makes it clear that he is to stay away from May, but that just makes him more determined to "get to know" the young woman. Well written, compelling, intriguing characters, and their provocative, sensual journey toward love. Unexpected twists, and sexy, yet tastefully written erotic romance that kept me engrossed from page one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 30, 2023
The story was there but the characters sort of fell flat for me. I may be too picky when it comes to characters though so don’t go by me as far as that goes!! It was interesting though and it was definitely a nice change from mafia and Bratva romances. I definitely needed a KU book to break up my usual! So give this one a go! Can’t hurt!
June 7, 2020
It is a common fault of commercial fiction that its characters are mere appearances rather than flesh and blood. The plot is generic and well-travelled. The path the character is to follow is laid out in advance and the author’s task is to insure that the characters’ feet are placed in their predetermined footprints. Regardless of the point of view adopted in telling the story, the view is always dictated by the author, who is carefully holding his characters’ heads in his hands and directing them where to look.
The reason for the foregoing is that this novel is a good example of what I’m speaking of. Early on the reader is told clearly what to make of the main characters. Here is an example:
“Walter Bentley felt immensely proud of being related to such a man. His cousin certainly had a reputation. With as much wealth as Lord Ashbee, one didn’t care much what sort of reputation it was. Apart from inheriting quite a substantial sum, he was known to be a successful businessman, having tripled his fortune by the age of thirty-five. He was a socialite, a collector, a traveler. He knew the latest fashion and followed the latest trends. Educated and well-read, he possessed wit and cynicism that made him popular at parties. But it wasn’t what one knew about him that fueled his popularity. Rather, what one didn’t. One is always intrigued more by others’ secrets. Occasionally, Lord Ashbee disappeared into the notorious parts of London and was spotted there. Not in a particular company. But the mere fact that he had any business or interest in the dreadful places that no honorable or decent man would step his foot into made him the topic of the most hushed conversations and whispers at parties. The rumors only seemed to increase his charm in the eyes of others, as it often happened when one had money and self-reliance not to pay attention to the gossips. Lord Ashbee was undoubtedly that man. The fascination with him in London circles never ceased, especially among women. The ones that used to associate with his company one time or another, eventually grew bitter when they fell out of his favor. They talked about him as if he was another trend, but every time he brought a new woman that tickled his fancy, immediately regarded her with utmost hatred as if she was lucky to get her hands on someone they had lost forever.”
There’s more, but you get the idea. At this moment one realizes this book is not intended for an intelligent adult. It is apparent the author has absolutely no grasp of the person he is writing about, because he is not writing about a person. This is not a being who has been inhabited and has some consciousness of himself. There is not an inch of daylight between the author’s depiction, the character’s view of himself and what the reader is intended to think, so the possibility of irony is nil. One also knows, given the genre conventions, what the story will be: a faux Byronic libertine will be saved by the love of a good woman. It is necessary to endure much more of this pedestrian, predictable prose to arrive eventually at the foredestined ending.
The book is an unimaginative adolescent fantasy of debonair gentry frolicking with sexually voracious nubile nudes. Crammed with graphic sex scenes, this will doubtless appeal to some readers. Eventually the author attempts to tell a love story, but the tissue thin characters, lack of psychological insight and wooden dialogue render the result feeble and strained and the resolution unearned.
The atmosphere bears no relation to the supposed setting of 1820’s England, and is more Edwardian, if anything. The characters seem to emulate those in an uninspired imitation of an Oscar Wilde play, uttering ‘witty’ epigrams that are utterly forgettable. In addition, it was apparent that the book had been cursorily edited using only spellcheck: the author can’t tell champaign from champagne.
The reason for the foregoing is that this novel is a good example of what I’m speaking of. Early on the reader is told clearly what to make of the main characters. Here is an example:
“Walter Bentley felt immensely proud of being related to such a man. His cousin certainly had a reputation. With as much wealth as Lord Ashbee, one didn’t care much what sort of reputation it was. Apart from inheriting quite a substantial sum, he was known to be a successful businessman, having tripled his fortune by the age of thirty-five. He was a socialite, a collector, a traveler. He knew the latest fashion and followed the latest trends. Educated and well-read, he possessed wit and cynicism that made him popular at parties. But it wasn’t what one knew about him that fueled his popularity. Rather, what one didn’t. One is always intrigued more by others’ secrets. Occasionally, Lord Ashbee disappeared into the notorious parts of London and was spotted there. Not in a particular company. But the mere fact that he had any business or interest in the dreadful places that no honorable or decent man would step his foot into made him the topic of the most hushed conversations and whispers at parties. The rumors only seemed to increase his charm in the eyes of others, as it often happened when one had money and self-reliance not to pay attention to the gossips. Lord Ashbee was undoubtedly that man. The fascination with him in London circles never ceased, especially among women. The ones that used to associate with his company one time or another, eventually grew bitter when they fell out of his favor. They talked about him as if he was another trend, but every time he brought a new woman that tickled his fancy, immediately regarded her with utmost hatred as if she was lucky to get her hands on someone they had lost forever.”
There’s more, but you get the idea. At this moment one realizes this book is not intended for an intelligent adult. It is apparent the author has absolutely no grasp of the person he is writing about, because he is not writing about a person. This is not a being who has been inhabited and has some consciousness of himself. There is not an inch of daylight between the author’s depiction, the character’s view of himself and what the reader is intended to think, so the possibility of irony is nil. One also knows, given the genre conventions, what the story will be: a faux Byronic libertine will be saved by the love of a good woman. It is necessary to endure much more of this pedestrian, predictable prose to arrive eventually at the foredestined ending.
The book is an unimaginative adolescent fantasy of debonair gentry frolicking with sexually voracious nubile nudes. Crammed with graphic sex scenes, this will doubtless appeal to some readers. Eventually the author attempts to tell a love story, but the tissue thin characters, lack of psychological insight and wooden dialogue render the result feeble and strained and the resolution unearned.
The atmosphere bears no relation to the supposed setting of 1820’s England, and is more Edwardian, if anything. The characters seem to emulate those in an uninspired imitation of an Oscar Wilde play, uttering ‘witty’ epigrams that are utterly forgettable. In addition, it was apparent that the book had been cursorily edited using only spellcheck: the author can’t tell champaign from champagne.
Want to read
May 29, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/29/2020)! 🎁
October 18, 2021
DARK ADULT Historical Victorian Romance💕
Less than Zero....
Half of London Society hates him, the other half envies him!
Lord Raymond Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪, is a man driven by curiosity to experience EVERYTHING in life. As a young man he goes to The worst streets in London and tries to live there amongst the filth, the debauchery, the less than human goings on, like child slavery, prostitution, torture, etc. If the human mind can think of it, he experienced it or saw it. He even became an opium addict for a time, until rescued and dried out by his butler.
Now, as an Adult, he has become his mentor, "The Man", a jaded, cynical man, who loves nothing and nothing can love him.
He uses a high class brothel called the Belle House to fulfill most of his baser needs. Sometimes his needs go deeper and he goes back into the East end of London to a dungeon, where the dungeon mistress chains and whips his back to a bloody mess. WHAT is WRONG with this MAN?!
For some reason, not fully explainef, May💃💋, a young noble woman, is put into hiding at the Belle House by her brother, to protect her. His enemies would never look there for her!
May💃💋 stays in her room at the very back of the building in the beginning. Eventually she becomes bored and wants to see what all the women do with the men, who are wealthy or noblemen.
Lord Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪 happens to catch her eavesdropping on his exploits, and is taken by her innocence. He knows she isn't a servant or a prostitute, so what is she doing there?
Eventually he seduces May💃💋, and drops his visits to the prostitutes. They fall in 💘Love but he can't bring himself to allow it. He fights it, refuses to let himself feel something for another human being. He ruins it all with some callous words to May💃💋. Immediately, Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪 regrets his remarks, but maybe it's too late. Has he broken May's fragile heart💔? Has he ruined the only good thing he ever had in his miserable, shallow life? Is Love💘 to be denied💔?
ARC Provided by Hidden 💎Gems!
I also got this ebook with KU.
ADULT content and scenes of extreme cruelty make this a dark, gritty read at times. Not for the faint of heart.
Less than Zero....
Half of London Society hates him, the other half envies him!
Lord Raymond Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪, is a man driven by curiosity to experience EVERYTHING in life. As a young man he goes to The worst streets in London and tries to live there amongst the filth, the debauchery, the less than human goings on, like child slavery, prostitution, torture, etc. If the human mind can think of it, he experienced it or saw it. He even became an opium addict for a time, until rescued and dried out by his butler.
Now, as an Adult, he has become his mentor, "The Man", a jaded, cynical man, who loves nothing and nothing can love him.
He uses a high class brothel called the Belle House to fulfill most of his baser needs. Sometimes his needs go deeper and he goes back into the East end of London to a dungeon, where the dungeon mistress chains and whips his back to a bloody mess. WHAT is WRONG with this MAN?!
For some reason, not fully explainef, May💃💋, a young noble woman, is put into hiding at the Belle House by her brother, to protect her. His enemies would never look there for her!
May💃💋 stays in her room at the very back of the building in the beginning. Eventually she becomes bored and wants to see what all the women do with the men, who are wealthy or noblemen.
Lord Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪 happens to catch her eavesdropping on his exploits, and is taken by her innocence. He knows she isn't a servant or a prostitute, so what is she doing there?
Eventually he seduces May💃💋, and drops his visits to the prostitutes. They fall in 💘Love but he can't bring himself to allow it. He fights it, refuses to let himself feel something for another human being. He ruins it all with some callous words to May💃💋. Immediately, Ashbee🐺🍆⛲💪 regrets his remarks, but maybe it's too late. Has he broken May's fragile heart💔? Has he ruined the only good thing he ever had in his miserable, shallow life? Is Love💘 to be denied💔?
ARC Provided by Hidden 💎Gems!
I also got this ebook with KU.
ADULT content and scenes of extreme cruelty make this a dark, gritty read at times. Not for the faint of heart.
March 10, 2022
Vlad Kahany is a new author to me. I usually enjoy romances written by men and there were parts of this book that kept me reading, but it is erotica and the story got lost in that.
The blurb clearly says that that Raymond Ashbee is a hedonist and that this is a sensual story, so I was warned. What I wasn't counting on was never liking him. Not even one time. He's jaded, cynical, wicked, selfish, condescending, domineering...I found no redeeming qualities in him at all. He spends a lot of time and money at the Belle House, an upscale brothel, and even takes his nephew there to corrupt him and get him to see things Raymond's way. Walter was pathetic and wasn't in the story all that long, thank God. If only that was the worst thing Raymond did.
May was in hiding at the Belle House for some reason I was never clear on. She wasn't a working girl and is pretty isolated. Her only friends are the maid and a little girl. I felt bad for her until she decided to go play voyeur with the maid and then got busted by Lord Ashbee and ended up with him. A virgin with a self-centered hedonist who was determined to make her one, too made for some sordid scenes. I thought she got stupid when she started out as a promising character.
I have nothing against steam in novels. This isn't Little House on the Prairie, after all, but some of this was gratuitous and over the top. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, mostly because of vague character descriptions and the fact that I didn't like them. I didn't feel them falling in love and even at the end, I wasn't convinced either of them was truly happy.
Throw in the grisly bear-baiting scene that really blew my mind and not in a good way, a few instances of wrong word usage, and unlikable secondary characters as well as the salaciousness of Ashbee and May, and you have the reasons why I gave this three stars.
Many will like this book. I didn't hate it, but probably won't continue reading the series.
The blurb clearly says that that Raymond Ashbee is a hedonist and that this is a sensual story, so I was warned. What I wasn't counting on was never liking him. Not even one time. He's jaded, cynical, wicked, selfish, condescending, domineering...I found no redeeming qualities in him at all. He spends a lot of time and money at the Belle House, an upscale brothel, and even takes his nephew there to corrupt him and get him to see things Raymond's way. Walter was pathetic and wasn't in the story all that long, thank God. If only that was the worst thing Raymond did.
May was in hiding at the Belle House for some reason I was never clear on. She wasn't a working girl and is pretty isolated. Her only friends are the maid and a little girl. I felt bad for her until she decided to go play voyeur with the maid and then got busted by Lord Ashbee and ended up with him. A virgin with a self-centered hedonist who was determined to make her one, too made for some sordid scenes. I thought she got stupid when she started out as a promising character.
I have nothing against steam in novels. This isn't Little House on the Prairie, after all, but some of this was gratuitous and over the top. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, mostly because of vague character descriptions and the fact that I didn't like them. I didn't feel them falling in love and even at the end, I wasn't convinced either of them was truly happy.
Throw in the grisly bear-baiting scene that really blew my mind and not in a good way, a few instances of wrong word usage, and unlikable secondary characters as well as the salaciousness of Ashbee and May, and you have the reasons why I gave this three stars.
Many will like this book. I didn't hate it, but probably won't continue reading the series.
May 12, 2024
There was nothing to the story other than sex and philosophy an H who has a cynical view of life and enjoys the debaucheries to the fullest and goes for pain to feel alive.
Meets the h, lusts after her, taker her virginity and then he falls in love with her but he doesn't understand what he feels about her tries to insult that and she leaves.
They meet a year later and confess love and HEA
I liked the h that she wasn't hankering after him but i am scared for her, though they get their HEA knowing the H and his views hopefully he won't disappoint her.
It had nothing much in terms of story and feelings but still i liked it.
Meets the h, lusts after her, taker her virginity and then he falls in love with her but he doesn't understand what he feels about her tries to insult that and she leaves.
They meet a year later and confess love and HEA
I liked the h that she wasn't hankering after him but i am scared for her, though they get their HEA knowing the H and his views hopefully he won't disappoint her.
It had nothing much in terms of story and feelings but still i liked it.
June 15, 2020
The Tender Days of May by Vlad Kahany tells of a (kind-of) love story between a down-on-her-luck protagonist, May, and her suitor, Lord Raymond Ashbee. It is set in nineteenth-century England, and I believe that the author attempted to give a sort of classic Victorian-style love story vibe. I do, however, feel that it missed the mark in a lot of ways, which is a shame.
The representation of London and its fetid streets is grim (as it was in those times). Despite that, the Belle House is flourishing with trade, and prostitutes and clients stream from its doors. May finds herself trapped in this place, but she isn’t a working girl. Her beauty attracts the attention of Lord Ashbee, a prominent rising star amongst England’s elite upper class. The setting, I feel, portrayed the era quite well.
The characters, however, are tough to swallow, May is mostly passive, just letting things happen to her rather than instigating anything, and Lord Ashbee has a pretty detestable personality which makes him far from redeeming. They are not likable in any way, which made it hard to care about when they finally got together. When they do get together, the relationship is so abusive and undermining that I was hoping May would leave Lord Ashbee for the pig he is and find someone better. As such, this did not feel like a romance novel in any way, but instead, it felt like it told the tale of an unhappy marriage. There is also a lot of telling, which in itself is not a bad thing, however in many parts we are told what to think of the characters. This is like delivering something subtle with a sledgehammer.
The plot too is a bit thin. It is very slow going and what is there is killed off by the overindulgent sex scenes. These are not exciting enough to carry the plot or the relationship between the characters and instead come across as pretty dull. It also glamorizes a lifestyle or violence that many women throughout history I imagine found oppressive and terrifying.
The Tender Days of May has a lot that I struggled with. That being set, the setting is good, even if the plot and characters need some extra consideration.
The representation of London and its fetid streets is grim (as it was in those times). Despite that, the Belle House is flourishing with trade, and prostitutes and clients stream from its doors. May finds herself trapped in this place, but she isn’t a working girl. Her beauty attracts the attention of Lord Ashbee, a prominent rising star amongst England’s elite upper class. The setting, I feel, portrayed the era quite well.
The characters, however, are tough to swallow, May is mostly passive, just letting things happen to her rather than instigating anything, and Lord Ashbee has a pretty detestable personality which makes him far from redeeming. They are not likable in any way, which made it hard to care about when they finally got together. When they do get together, the relationship is so abusive and undermining that I was hoping May would leave Lord Ashbee for the pig he is and find someone better. As such, this did not feel like a romance novel in any way, but instead, it felt like it told the tale of an unhappy marriage. There is also a lot of telling, which in itself is not a bad thing, however in many parts we are told what to think of the characters. This is like delivering something subtle with a sledgehammer.
The plot too is a bit thin. It is very slow going and what is there is killed off by the overindulgent sex scenes. These are not exciting enough to carry the plot or the relationship between the characters and instead come across as pretty dull. It also glamorizes a lifestyle or violence that many women throughout history I imagine found oppressive and terrifying.
The Tender Days of May has a lot that I struggled with. That being set, the setting is good, even if the plot and characters need some extra consideration.
November 26, 2022
Ray (Raymond) & May (Mary Ann). Not bad but not great. He was born in the slums but managed to work his way up to being wealthy but it left him with a jaded attitude towards people and life. She was hidden at the Belle House brothel by her brother (some business deal gone bad and he didn't want her targeted). I mean a brothel has to be safest place for her, right?
He sees her in the hallway and was intrigued by her (having not even spoken to her). He decides he has to have her so he enlists the aid of a brothel maid, Krissy to help him. Krissy shows May the brothel peep holes so she can watch patrons of the brothel and it gets her all turned on. One night she is watching Ray and he knows she's watching him. He confronts her in the peep hole hallway and ends up kissing her.
The daughter of one of the cooks is taken by her dad and sold to pay off his gambling debt. Knowing what happens to kids she has to help get her back. She goes to Ray for the $$$ and assistance to get the little girl back. He'll agree if he can have her. She is attracted to him so she easily caves. Ray takes her virginity. They start an ongoing "relationship" while she's hiding out.
Having feelings for him, she wants him to admit that he has feelings for her too. His jaded outlook comes in and in douchey fashion he suggests a 3-some instead of telling her that he loves her. She's devastated. That night her brother returns to take her home (coast is clear). Ray returns to tell her he loves her to find her gone.
A year later, he hasn't been doing well. His friend tells him about a house party his country neighbor is having and tells him to attend to get away from London. He attends and finds his friend's neighbor is May's family. He has no poker face and wants to confront her about her disappearing. She's still hurt but hides it behind her "he doesn't love me" beliefs. He admits he loves her and we get our HEA.
He sees her in the hallway and was intrigued by her (having not even spoken to her). He decides he has to have her so he enlists the aid of a brothel maid, Krissy to help him. Krissy shows May the brothel peep holes so she can watch patrons of the brothel and it gets her all turned on. One night she is watching Ray and he knows she's watching him. He confronts her in the peep hole hallway and ends up kissing her.
The daughter of one of the cooks is taken by her dad and sold to pay off his gambling debt. Knowing what happens to kids she has to help get her back. She goes to Ray for the $$$ and assistance to get the little girl back. He'll agree if he can have her. She is attracted to him so she easily caves. Ray takes her virginity. They start an ongoing "relationship" while she's hiding out.
Having feelings for him, she wants him to admit that he has feelings for her too. His jaded outlook comes in and in douchey fashion he suggests a 3-some instead of telling her that he loves her. She's devastated. That night her brother returns to take her home (coast is clear). Ray returns to tell her he loves her to find her gone.
A year later, he hasn't been doing well. His friend tells him about a house party his country neighbor is having and tells him to attend to get away from London. He attends and finds his friend's neighbor is May's family. He has no poker face and wants to confront her about her disappearing. She's still hurt but hides it behind her "he doesn't love me" beliefs. He admits he loves her and we get our HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf-it-s-not-you-it-s-me
April 2, 2024This is my official first DNF. I made it thru most of the fist chapter and it was hard. The writing style and I do not get along, the characters were either over dramatic or flat. I had no interest in anyone or the plot or the world it took place in. I have not had such little interest in a book because of writing style before. I have seen out of context scenes and quotes from this book and I wanted to read it so badly but it was so disappointing.
September 14, 2023
I was not enamored with this "romance." There was a lot that disgusted me frankly. Leap frogging from one prostitute to another, not to mention kissing a man within minutes of him fucking a prostitute. The sick/demented attitudes about women in general, and the over indulgence of liquor, drugs, and excess. Also, the HEA moment fell flat for me. May has witnessed this man whore himself, and she is not going to ask him to change in any way after they get married? No thanks.
December 2, 2021
I am loving this authors writing, it’s deep , it’s dark , its sensual with a great story .
This era of history is where I get lost in even though it wasn’t a particular great time but modern times are so much better right (lol)
The passion , romance and sensuality drips through the pages .That’s my kind of story more please .
This era of history is where I get lost in even though it wasn’t a particular great time but modern times are so much better right (lol)
The passion , romance and sensuality drips through the pages .That’s my kind of story more please .
February 7, 2022
It was okay
I didn't like how the story starts l off, a young lady was taken to a brothel house and know one knows why she is there and she meets Lord Ashes they end up having affairs from a month and she disappeared. Slow moving story
I didn't like how the story starts l off, a young lady was taken to a brothel house and know one knows why she is there and she meets Lord Ashes they end up having affairs from a month and she disappeared. Slow moving story
July 28, 2020
Set in Victorian London, The Tender Days of May begins with Lord Ashbee making one of his regular visits to “Belle House” an upscale brothel frequented by the upper class. I enjoyed the vivid details that the author provided whilst setting the scene, making it easy to visualize the contrast between the extremely wealthy elite and the unwashed masses that filled the seedy streets of London. As in many erotic romances, Lord Ashbee is magnetic and mysterious, powerful and sexy, but with a dark side. Everyone he meets either loves or envies him. I enjoyed his interactions with the witty brothel owner, though I can’t recall her name right now.
During one of his sexual exploits, Lord Ashbee comes across a shy, attractive woman who immediately piques his curiosity. He’s driven by a desire to seduce her and introduce her to the bodily pleasures, and immediately enlists the help of one of the maids.
The young woman, May, is in hiding at the brothel, though the reason she needs to be in hiding is kind of glossed over. Overall I wish May’s character was a little more developed because other than being the object of Lord Ashbee’s desire, she doesn’t seem to have much personality of her own. During the story, we are told that she’s intelligent and interesting, but it really doesn’t come out in her dialogue or actions. The only exception to this is when Ada (one of maid’s daughter’s) is sold by her father into slavery in order to settle his gambling debts. May runs to Lord Ashbee, who she really doesn’t know at all at this point in the story, and asks him to intervene. They strike a deal, and in exchange for Lord Ashbee purchasing the girl’s freedom, May becomes his mistress. Aside from the issues with May, there were a few lines that felt out of place. One was when Lord Ashbee is explaining his desire to “pay it forward”. The modern concept just yanked me right out of the story.
All in, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. A great escape from reality and a fun read. As expected in a book that centers around a brothel, the sexual content is explicit so for reader’s that are not comfortable with that, this book is not for you.
During one of his sexual exploits, Lord Ashbee comes across a shy, attractive woman who immediately piques his curiosity. He’s driven by a desire to seduce her and introduce her to the bodily pleasures, and immediately enlists the help of one of the maids.
The young woman, May, is in hiding at the brothel, though the reason she needs to be in hiding is kind of glossed over. Overall I wish May’s character was a little more developed because other than being the object of Lord Ashbee’s desire, she doesn’t seem to have much personality of her own. During the story, we are told that she’s intelligent and interesting, but it really doesn’t come out in her dialogue or actions. The only exception to this is when Ada (one of maid’s daughter’s) is sold by her father into slavery in order to settle his gambling debts. May runs to Lord Ashbee, who she really doesn’t know at all at this point in the story, and asks him to intervene. They strike a deal, and in exchange for Lord Ashbee purchasing the girl’s freedom, May becomes his mistress. Aside from the issues with May, there were a few lines that felt out of place. One was when Lord Ashbee is explaining his desire to “pay it forward”. The modern concept just yanked me right out of the story.
All in, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. A great escape from reality and a fun read. As expected in a book that centers around a brothel, the sexual content is explicit so for reader’s that are not comfortable with that, this book is not for you.
April 18, 2023
Erotic, Darkness, Curiosity, Light & Love
For Vlad’s premier book, it’s very good albeit a bit long and full of philosophy and long, rambling, almost unnecessary chapters. The descriptions of the darkest places of London are very vivid and feel terribly real! All in all, a very well-written story full of dark and light imagery!
This book is not for the faint of heart because of some of the themes and mental pictures painted in the story. Child slavery, human torture, animal torture, drug use, homelessness, flogging and mental darkness are just some of it.
The main male character Lord Raymond Ashlee is a dark human being that is full of philosophy and emptiness and feels or rather knows that he will never fill the void within himself (although he has tried).
May or rather Lady Mary Ann, our female main character, although full of angst about family and poor dealings of her brother’s, is the light to Ray’s dark.
They meet in a unique way (in a brothel) where May is hiding out (not selling herself) and Ray is a client of one of the other girls. And one day, from unlikely circumstances, they make an arrangement. That is where it gets interesting but I will not spoil it for you.
The ending is wonderful but getting there is a crawl on your belly through some pretty ugly stuff. Enter at your own peril. As for me, I am glad I read this book. I won’t read the next because I loath mafia stories but I’ll think seriously about reading the rest of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For Vlad’s premier book, it’s very good albeit a bit long and full of philosophy and long, rambling, almost unnecessary chapters. The descriptions of the darkest places of London are very vivid and feel terribly real! All in all, a very well-written story full of dark and light imagery!
This book is not for the faint of heart because of some of the themes and mental pictures painted in the story. Child slavery, human torture, animal torture, drug use, homelessness, flogging and mental darkness are just some of it.
The main male character Lord Raymond Ashlee is a dark human being that is full of philosophy and emptiness and feels or rather knows that he will never fill the void within himself (although he has tried).
May or rather Lady Mary Ann, our female main character, although full of angst about family and poor dealings of her brother’s, is the light to Ray’s dark.
They meet in a unique way (in a brothel) where May is hiding out (not selling herself) and Ray is a client of one of the other girls. And one day, from unlikely circumstances, they make an arrangement. That is where it gets interesting but I will not spoil it for you.
The ending is wonderful but getting there is a crawl on your belly through some pretty ugly stuff. Enter at your own peril. As for me, I am glad I read this book. I won’t read the next because I loath mafia stories but I’ll think seriously about reading the rest of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 23, 2020
I don't read a lot of books in this genre, but I will review it as a person who reads a lot.
The Tender Days of May, which is Vlad Kahany's debut novel, and the first book in a series, is a love story between the two main characters, Lord Ashbee and May. The book is part romance and part erotica, with plenty of sex scenes. The sex scenes are explicit, but still pretty moderate.
I liked the flow of language, and I think the author did a great job of emulating the language of the period (early nineteenth century, London). I also like the description of London, in all its glory and ugliness. I think the author is very capable of writing good dialogue.
What I don't like so much are the characters and their development. First of all, I find none of them really likable. Lord Ashbee is a self-centered dopaminergic hedonist, driven by his strong desires. May is a naive girl, who at times seems to have read a lot, which in itself is a bit oxymoronic. I also find the plot a bit thin at times, and the character arcs somewhat arbitrary.
All in all, I think the author has a clear talent for writing, but this book would probably have benefited from an additional round of editing.
The Tender Days of May, which is Vlad Kahany's debut novel, and the first book in a series, is a love story between the two main characters, Lord Ashbee and May. The book is part romance and part erotica, with plenty of sex scenes. The sex scenes are explicit, but still pretty moderate.
I liked the flow of language, and I think the author did a great job of emulating the language of the period (early nineteenth century, London). I also like the description of London, in all its glory and ugliness. I think the author is very capable of writing good dialogue.
What I don't like so much are the characters and their development. First of all, I find none of them really likable. Lord Ashbee is a self-centered dopaminergic hedonist, driven by his strong desires. May is a naive girl, who at times seems to have read a lot, which in itself is a bit oxymoronic. I also find the plot a bit thin at times, and the character arcs somewhat arbitrary.
All in all, I think the author has a clear talent for writing, but this book would probably have benefited from an additional round of editing.
March 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/6.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.
This had a great premise but it’s also a mistress trope ( sort of) so I didn’t really know what I was in for.
Lord Ashbee is a cynical man and skew way of viewing love and women but he had an interesting way of learning what life is.
Things were going relatively well until he did May dirty. Some of the things he said about her or woman in general were going too far for me but I do understand that it was part of his character. Anyway because of it he started losing my esteem right before May went away. I wanted a good grovel from him and I feel like I didn’t get it. I also feel like May accepted things as they were too quickly. He should’ve worked more for what he wanted and not just have an epiphany on what he felt for her.
I could’ve done without the sexy times that weren’t between Ashbee and May however I do get why it was there since the majority of the book is then being in a brothel.
I did like Charles and May’s brother James.
I will definitely be reading the next book since the title itself got me intrigued and I’m not one to say no to a new me author with only one book to base my opinion on.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5.
This had a great premise but it’s also a mistress trope ( sort of) so I didn’t really know what I was in for.
Lord Ashbee is a cynical man and skew way of viewing love and women but he had an interesting way of learning what life is.
Things were going relatively well until he did May dirty. Some of the things he said about her or woman in general were going too far for me but I do understand that it was part of his character. Anyway because of it he started losing my esteem right before May went away. I wanted a good grovel from him and I feel like I didn’t get it. I also feel like May accepted things as they were too quickly. He should’ve worked more for what he wanted and not just have an epiphany on what he felt for her.
I could’ve done without the sexy times that weren’t between Ashbee and May however I do get why it was there since the majority of the book is then being in a brothel.
I did like Charles and May’s brother James.
I will definitely be reading the next book since the title itself got me intrigued and I’m not one to say no to a new me author with only one book to base my opinion on.
October 19, 2020
I have to admit, I haven’t read many books that take place in this era, but I am glad I did. The author did a great job with his descriptions of the different parts of London for that era.
Lord Ashbee’s dark past is intriguing and at times you feel sorry for the man. I can see why he is the way he is and doesn’t believe in love. But along comes the innocent May – she seems to be very well educated, but doesn’t really understand the ways of the world. She’s able to get past all his barriers and when she leaves, he falls apart and just isn’t his same “playboy” self.
Some parts of the story were predictable (Bad boy falling for the virgin). However, I still enjoyed reading this book. Not bad for the author’s debut book. I wonder where he will go with the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy through Hidden Gems ARCs for an honest review.
Lord Ashbee’s dark past is intriguing and at times you feel sorry for the man. I can see why he is the way he is and doesn’t believe in love. But along comes the innocent May – she seems to be very well educated, but doesn’t really understand the ways of the world. She’s able to get past all his barriers and when she leaves, he falls apart and just isn’t his same “playboy” self.
Some parts of the story were predictable (Bad boy falling for the virgin). However, I still enjoyed reading this book. Not bad for the author’s debut book. I wonder where he will go with the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy through Hidden Gems ARCs for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2023
My first time with this author. The story is interesting and very steamy. May is an innocent and Lord Ashbee is bent on consuming it. He is a tortured soul who lives by a set of hedonistic principles. At times, his dialogue sounds like a philosophy textbook. May’s emotional side is revealed to us, but little else. We do hear her own philosophy on life and see Ashbee’s influence on her thinking. We learn a bit about her secret background near the end, but it’s not enough to create a fully developed character.
I found the writing a bit wooden; it almost reads like a translation. I did like that Lord Ashbee stayed true to his character and didn’t change in an unbelievable way. His visits to the East End were disturbing and not particularly enjoyable to read, but interesting to see this sad, seamy side of London.
I found the writing a bit wooden; it almost reads like a translation. I did like that Lord Ashbee stayed true to his character and didn’t change in an unbelievable way. His visits to the East End were disturbing and not particularly enjoyable to read, but interesting to see this sad, seamy side of London.
April 10, 2024
The book tried to show this job as acceptable and to be exalted, even, but failed miserably.
The MMC was, frankly, a player. I could not trust him, nor come to like him. Every time he gave a compliment or acted nice, I was always suspicious. "He just wants in her drawers," was my first - and only - thought.
For such a time period, everyone was strangely ok with brothel work. It's like they were living in another universe.
I'd call them deluded.
It was easy for the MMC to tell the FMC it was ok to do all that sexual stuff with him, and rejoice in desire. It's not HIS life and future and reputation that are gonna get ruined.
Yes, I did not like this book. The MMC was selfish and only wanting sex. The only reason he wanted her was because of instant lust at first sight. The FMC was also fine with him way too fast. It was slightly disbelieving.
The MMC was, frankly, a player. I could not trust him, nor come to like him. Every time he gave a compliment or acted nice, I was always suspicious. "He just wants in her drawers," was my first - and only - thought.
For such a time period, everyone was strangely ok with brothel work. It's like they were living in another universe.
I'd call them deluded.
It was easy for the MMC to tell the FMC it was ok to do all that sexual stuff with him, and rejoice in desire. It's not HIS life and future and reputation that are gonna get ruined.
Yes, I did not like this book. The MMC was selfish and only wanting sex. The only reason he wanted her was because of instant lust at first sight. The FMC was also fine with him way too fast. It was slightly disbelieving.
February 25, 2021
I am a rare giver of five stars. I so enjoyed this story! It was a very fine line to walk between the two main characters. Lord Ashbee was both wonderful and tragic, a dark and attractive man in all the best ways.
May was an excellent reminder that naiveté is not the same as stupidity. I genuinely worried at one point that she would be overwhelmed by Lord Ashbee. I fully understood where the story was going, but so enjoyed getting there.
This story was hot, steamy, and entertainingly philosophical. I loved the conversations between the two. Heck, I enjoyed they actually had conversations! This is going on my favorites shelf for another read and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series.
May was an excellent reminder that naiveté is not the same as stupidity. I genuinely worried at one point that she would be overwhelmed by Lord Ashbee. I fully understood where the story was going, but so enjoyed getting there.
This story was hot, steamy, and entertainingly philosophical. I loved the conversations between the two. Heck, I enjoyed they actually had conversations! This is going on my favorites shelf for another read and I'm definitely going to check out the rest of the series.
June 1, 2023
Tender Days Of May By Vlad Kahany Is A Tale Of One Mysterious Young Woman …Newly Ensconced At The Upscale London Brothel ..”The Belle House”.. May (Lady Mary Anne Yvense)….& One Lord Ray Ashbee
Who Was Greatly Intrigued By Her Presence There As He Sensed She Wasn’t One Of The Ladies Of The House….Per The Book: Neither a lady, nor a courtesan, nor a maid…..Well …He Thought…What Was She?!? WHY Was She There?!? And By A Strange & Startling Coincidence To Save A Tiny Life…A Bargain Of Sorts Was Struck Between Them Of A Highly rRisqué Nature…. Beautifully Narrated By : Nicky Griffiths
Listen & See….Much Enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I Voluntarily Reviewed An Advanced Copy Of This Audio Book.
Who Was Greatly Intrigued By Her Presence There As He Sensed She Wasn’t One Of The Ladies Of The House….Per The Book: Neither a lady, nor a courtesan, nor a maid…..Well …He Thought…What Was She?!? WHY Was She There?!? And By A Strange & Startling Coincidence To Save A Tiny Life…A Bargain Of Sorts Was Struck Between Them Of A Highly rRisqué Nature…. Beautifully Narrated By : Nicky Griffiths
Listen & See….Much Enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I Voluntarily Reviewed An Advanced Copy Of This Audio Book.
July 30, 2023
Unexpected!
This is not your typical romance. Be open to the darker side because this story is going to take you through the slums! I was not expecting the story to unfold the way it did but I went along for the ride and liked it. It was different and I was intrigued by the journey Ashbee took us through as he navigated love. He didn't irritate me. I enjoyed reading how he evolved instead of changing into something that he didn't want to be. I liked how May accepted him for who he was and loved him just the same. This story was not filled with fluff and romantic notions. It was raw and real and the author didn't veer from the storyline or the way the characters were first presented. As a reader, I appreciated that and it made me want to read the next story.
This is not your typical romance. Be open to the darker side because this story is going to take you through the slums! I was not expecting the story to unfold the way it did but I went along for the ride and liked it. It was different and I was intrigued by the journey Ashbee took us through as he navigated love. He didn't irritate me. I enjoyed reading how he evolved instead of changing into something that he didn't want to be. I liked how May accepted him for who he was and loved him just the same. This story was not filled with fluff and romantic notions. It was raw and real and the author didn't veer from the storyline or the way the characters were first presented. As a reader, I appreciated that and it made me want to read the next story.
August 18, 2020
This was a splendid book about a Historical Romance which was set in London in the 1820s!
The romantic love story evolves around May and Ashbee. The tone in the manner that Vlad wrote and how he set it for the book, and kept it a page turner, i thought it was spot on. Even though this was his debut book, i am quite sure more will follow. Just from reading the tender days of gray you can see Vlads writing skill pretty much each chapter. This was set up masterfully. I only gave the book 4 stars because of the explicit sex , depictions.The story was great. but sometimes its better to show and don't tell!
The romantic love story evolves around May and Ashbee. The tone in the manner that Vlad wrote and how he set it for the book, and kept it a page turner, i thought it was spot on. Even though this was his debut book, i am quite sure more will follow. Just from reading the tender days of gray you can see Vlads writing skill pretty much each chapter. This was set up masterfully. I only gave the book 4 stars because of the explicit sex , depictions.The story was great. but sometimes its better to show and don't tell!
March 4, 2021
Definitely eye-opening historical Regency life revolving around a brothel in London. May, incognito, is hidden in a room in a brothel for her own protection (not clear as to the reason why) and is bribed by a customer for services to him in exchange for money to rescue a child from the London underworld. She falls in love before being whisked away, leaving her tainted lover desperate to find her. Well-written and researched, erotic label but doesn't always make sense as to the reasoning behind certain actions. However did enjoy how May used reverse-psychology on past lover to finally surface his true feelings towards her.
July 30, 2023
UGH
I am not going to lie I only read these because the blurb hinted at some intrigue to the fmc and if that reveal wasn’t boring as all get out and obvious as well.
This was wordy, tedious, and boring.
A period romance with overused words and a focus on the carnal and no other aspect of historical social structure to lend credibility.
If you want meh smut with a slight historical feel I guess this works but it did not work for me, I skipped a lot to just confirm there really would be nothing of import with the characters, no plot, no anything to make me care and then quit reading.
I am not going to lie I only read these because the blurb hinted at some intrigue to the fmc and if that reveal wasn’t boring as all get out and obvious as well.
This was wordy, tedious, and boring.
A period romance with overused words and a focus on the carnal and no other aspect of historical social structure to lend credibility.
If you want meh smut with a slight historical feel I guess this works but it did not work for me, I skipped a lot to just confirm there really would be nothing of import with the characters, no plot, no anything to make me care and then quit reading.
August 26, 2023
I'm moving on. I thought May was facing danger in her life and Ashbee would face whoever was after her. Silly me for thinking Ashbee was going to be a hero. He manipulates others. Arrogant. Perverted. He shouldn't be in May's life.
We left behind an abusive father who could never be left alone with any female around. My poor family and what we went through. My dad's friends were all mentally sick and even small children were to their liking. I wish May could have found a caring and loving man who was not involved in such debauchery.
Personally, I don't enjoy reading about women being abused and men's perversions. I am off to find an actual story to read
We left behind an abusive father who could never be left alone with any female around. My poor family and what we went through. My dad's friends were all mentally sick and even small children were to their liking. I wish May could have found a caring and loving man who was not involved in such debauchery.
Personally, I don't enjoy reading about women being abused and men's perversions. I am off to find an actual story to read
June 17, 2020
Vlad Kahany builds one part psychological thriller, one part seduction novel in The Tender Days of May! In 1820s London, Lord Ashbee is both known as a rich playboy and a scoundrel. Now with his eyes set on the virtuous May, a young woman hiding out in the back of a comfort house, the game of cat and mouse has begun. I tend to be a fan of softer romances myself, but Kahany is a master of description and fits enough intrigue and twists into the spaces between steamy scenes to pique my interest! If you love novels more akin to Fifty Shades of Gray, definitely check this one out!
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