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The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury: A Steamy Victorian Historical Romance
Clergyman Alfred Saintsbury has always obeyed the dictates of the Church of England and thus remains a virgin at the age of twenty-eight. Now his devoted professionalism is finally paying off. The only problem is that his new employer, Miss Annabelle de Lacey, is the most notorious woman in England…and, to this repressed man of God, excruciatingly attractive.
When Alfred accidentally reveals to Annabelle how much he desires her, she gives him an ultimatum. He must begin serving her in the bedchamber or face the humiliation of losing his post.
Annabelle is the kind of powerful woman who men fear and revile. Ruthless in business and pleasure, she always gets what she wants. At first, the shy new vicar is no exception. But with Alfred, she soon encounters a novel risk. As they explore their mutual passion, his tenderness begins to seduce the one part of her that she thought no man could ever her heart.
Can this rakess and this repressed vicar truly find love? Or will their differences make a happily ever after impossible?
When Alfred accidentally reveals to Annabelle how much he desires her, she gives him an ultimatum. He must begin serving her in the bedchamber or face the humiliation of losing his post.
Annabelle is the kind of powerful woman who men fear and revile. Ruthless in business and pleasure, she always gets what she wants. At first, the shy new vicar is no exception. But with Alfred, she soon encounters a novel risk. As they explore their mutual passion, his tenderness begins to seduce the one part of her that she thought no man could ever her heart.
Can this rakess and this repressed vicar truly find love? Or will their differences make a happily ever after impossible?
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 10, 2026
I read the entire book in awe with one hand pressed over my mouth. Oooooo the nuances of consent and power and gender roles and sexual repression….
January 23, 2026
4.5/5 This is a superbly written full-length historical erotic romance with an endearing love story.
It was refreshing reading about an alpha heroine that was confident and assertive in all aspects of her life. Which isn’t to say she’s infallible or without feeling even if that’s how she originally seems. Alfred is a repressed vicar that lives with constant guilt and fear of his desires. And that’s one thing I enjoyed throughout was the exploration of both of their internal struggles. How these dynamics affected their decisions and the full circle each came with accepting themselves and understanding one another. They grew in ways that suited their character.
I also liked the change in power balance that shifted confidence grew and feelings deepened.
Majority of the page time is dedicated to the MC but a few friends are introduced who have the potential to be future MC.
This is written in dual first person POV. It’s also one of the few books I’ve read in first person that I didn’t realize from the beginning and took a few chapters to notice.
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is the first book in The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club.
It is an erotic romance so there are multiple open door encounters and a variety of kinks explored.
Content warning is available at the beginning of the book.
It was refreshing reading about an alpha heroine that was confident and assertive in all aspects of her life. Which isn’t to say she’s infallible or without feeling even if that’s how she originally seems. Alfred is a repressed vicar that lives with constant guilt and fear of his desires. And that’s one thing I enjoyed throughout was the exploration of both of their internal struggles. How these dynamics affected their decisions and the full circle each came with accepting themselves and understanding one another. They grew in ways that suited their character.
I also liked the change in power balance that shifted confidence grew and feelings deepened.
Majority of the page time is dedicated to the MC but a few friends are introduced who have the potential to be future MC.
This is written in dual first person POV. It’s also one of the few books I’ve read in first person that I didn’t realize from the beginning and took a few chapters to notice.
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is the first book in The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club.
It is an erotic romance so there are multiple open door encounters and a variety of kinks explored.
Content warning is available at the beginning of the book.
March 12, 2026
I had such high expectations for this book but, unfortunately, it fell a little flat. The premise is exactly what I want to read: A chaste, moral and respected Vicar and an infamous, debauched, and cut-throat woman pairing up. I loved the switch of power that we just don't see enough of. I empathized with both of their histories and couldn't fault either of them for their actions. I loved Alfred's devotion and how Annabella didn't quite know what to do with it. The steamy scenes were so well done and are what saved this from a lower rating.
What didn't work for me was how forced and unnatural the flow of the story felt. I really wasn't able to connect with either character who I didn't feel were fully fleshed out. They felt robotic and I needed more spontaneous human emotion and expression to make me care. I'm glad these two ended with an HEA but I never truly felt I was a part of their journey which is important in my reads. Maybe part of my problem was the alternating POV which I always find disrupting.
With all of this being said, I believe I would read the next in the series because I am so intrigued by the concept and the other members of The Virgin Gentleman's Club.
What didn't work for me was how forced and unnatural the flow of the story felt. I really wasn't able to connect with either character who I didn't feel were fully fleshed out. They felt robotic and I needed more spontaneous human emotion and expression to make me care. I'm glad these two ended with an HEA but I never truly felt I was a part of their journey which is important in my reads. Maybe part of my problem was the alternating POV which I always find disrupting.
With all of this being said, I believe I would read the next in the series because I am so intrigued by the concept and the other members of The Virgin Gentleman's Club.
Want to Read
January 6, 2026the concept is enticing i mean who doesn't love a submissive hot priest but the execution didn't land. i don't wanna give a bad rating since this is a debut and on kindle. the author has the ideas but the writing needs practice! and care! and nuance! every chapter felt the same. i felt nothing.
April 14, 2026
Nowdays I'm having trouble reading and finishing romance books. The amount I start and dnf because it's using the same dead trope over and over - akin to beating a dead horse - is absurd.
So imagine my surprise with The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury. Of course, that'd be a erotic romance to break molds. And don't get me wrong, I've already read a few historical romances that go outside of the norm, but they're so rare as to be precious and one that subverts a so commonly used trope, that's a first.
I needed more emotional depth but for what this book is, it's amazing and entertaining. Totally reccomend, most to those that are tired of simpering innocent heroines.
So imagine my surprise with The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury. Of course, that'd be a erotic romance to break molds. And don't get me wrong, I've already read a few historical romances that go outside of the norm, but they're so rare as to be precious and one that subverts a so commonly used trope, that's a first.
I needed more emotional depth but for what this book is, it's amazing and entertaining. Totally reccomend, most to those that are tired of simpering innocent heroines.
March 1, 2026
she ripped his virginity to shreds.
December 18, 2025
When Lydia Lloyd said she was going to be doing a series of virgin heroes, I said “sign me up!” And from the start this delivers on an absolutely delicious time with steamy encounters and soo much yearning. Alfred is a vicar who was raised by a church man and forced into, not only the vicarage, but also a life of celibacy. He’s even remained celibate from himself, the poor guy! So when hot, young, Miss Anabelle de Lacey inherits her father’s estate, she becomes his new boss and he’s beyond taken back by her beauty and scandalous reputation. When she sets her sights on seducing him, and getting with child we are thrown into a wild and fun ride. The power dynamics are hot, the need is so powerful, and the eventual emotional connection is *chef’s kiss*
The power dynamics are constantly shifting in this, despite what you might think at first. My expectations were constantly subverted, and I really appreciate it when a book does this well. As with most Lydia Lloyd books, the spice count is high and stays delivering on that front. This is her first classified as erotica, and it brings the steamy encounters from practically the first chapter. But what could have just been horny sex, developed into a truly sweet love story between a vicar who loves too much and the ice-y woman who’s always guarded her love like a dragon. Where I was worried they wouldn’t work, they so did. And the switching power dynamics both in their bed play but also their everyday was refreshing and kept this from feeling one note.
4.5/5
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this novel!
The power dynamics are constantly shifting in this, despite what you might think at first. My expectations were constantly subverted, and I really appreciate it when a book does this well. As with most Lydia Lloyd books, the spice count is high and stays delivering on that front. This is her first classified as erotica, and it brings the steamy encounters from practically the first chapter. But what could have just been horny sex, developed into a truly sweet love story between a vicar who loves too much and the ice-y woman who’s always guarded her love like a dragon. Where I was worried they wouldn’t work, they so did. And the switching power dynamics both in their bed play but also their everyday was refreshing and kept this from feeling one note.
4.5/5
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this novel!
December 19, 2025
Mister Alfred Saintsbury was born to be the stay-at-home husband to the ambitious and ruthless Miss Annabelle de Lacey. Only neither of them knows it when they meet. The deeply sensual Alfred lives a painfully repressed life as a virtuous virginal village vicar (sorry, I couldn't help it 😁). Annabelle is a self-made woman of noble birth who grew up emotionally abandoned and was cast out after she'd been ruined, which enabled her to amass a vast fortune and live life on her terms, for which she is mercilessly vilified by the press.
Alfred first perceives her as the devil incarnate, in great part because of how she's been presented in print, but also because his instantaneous physical attraction to her completely overwhelms him. But her domineering nature permits him to relax and throw away the shackles of propriety, and they develop a scorching hot sexual relationship. At the outset, Annabelle is physically very attracted to Albert and decides to use him as a stud, then leave him. But when Alfred falls for her, fast and hard and without reservations, it's his complete devotion, his unconditional surrender that finally starts to break through Annabelle's protective walls. Their falling in love is very nicely done and while they marry to save Alfred (!) from ruin, they are both relieved to get what they crave—each other. Annabelle's pregnancy, with all its physical challenges, only deepens their mutual trust and intimacy.
This is very much a historical romance, but takes significant liberties with both content and form. It's told in first-person dual POV and present tense, which is common (and favored) in contemporary romance, but not in historical. I personally quite enjoyed it, and the two voices were distinct and compelling. Also, I love a self-possessed romance heroine with sexual agency, and Annabelle is definitely one. The novel has a virgin hero, seductress heroine, threatened ruination of the man, and pronounced femdom themes, all of which flip the common contemporary romance script in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
My only qualms are that the book lost a bit of steam around 2/3 and that it could've been a little bit shorter. Rating: 4.5 stars.
Overall, Alfred and Annabelle received a well-earned, believable, and very spicy happily ever after. I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it, especially to readers who love strong heroines and men who shamelessly simp for their women.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
Alfred first perceives her as the devil incarnate, in great part because of how she's been presented in print, but also because his instantaneous physical attraction to her completely overwhelms him. But her domineering nature permits him to relax and throw away the shackles of propriety, and they develop a scorching hot sexual relationship. At the outset, Annabelle is physically very attracted to Albert and decides to use him as a stud, then leave him. But when Alfred falls for her, fast and hard and without reservations, it's his complete devotion, his unconditional surrender that finally starts to break through Annabelle's protective walls. Their falling in love is very nicely done and while they marry to save Alfred (!) from ruin, they are both relieved to get what they crave—each other. Annabelle's pregnancy, with all its physical challenges, only deepens their mutual trust and intimacy.
This is very much a historical romance, but takes significant liberties with both content and form. It's told in first-person dual POV and present tense, which is common (and favored) in contemporary romance, but not in historical. I personally quite enjoyed it, and the two voices were distinct and compelling. Also, I love a self-possessed romance heroine with sexual agency, and Annabelle is definitely one. The novel has a virgin hero, seductress heroine, threatened ruination of the man, and pronounced femdom themes, all of which flip the common contemporary romance script in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
My only qualms are that the book lost a bit of steam around 2/3 and that it could've been a little bit shorter. Rating: 4.5 stars.
Overall, Alfred and Annabelle received a well-earned, believable, and very spicy happily ever after. I enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it, especially to readers who love strong heroines and men who shamelessly simp for their women.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
January 2, 2026
I LOVE seeing historical romance authors take big swings and Lydia Lloyd accomplished EXACTLY what she set out to do with this book! Alpha HEROINE? Check. Shy virgin hero? Check. A CLUB of male virgins-slash-future heroes? Check (x6!!). And beyond the trope subversion, this is a solid, high-heat erotic historical romance that I think more people, especially those bored of the same old thing in romance novels, need to try.
Annabelle has returned to her ancestral home after inheriting everything from her late father who once disowned her after a *scandal*. She was already an independently wealthy businesswoman, has the estate now, and has revenge on her mind to spite her dead dad. Enter hot local vicar Alfred Saintsbury, who symbolizes everything Annabelle despises but is also turned on by, and blackmail ensues: Annabelle gets to sleep with him whenever she wants, or Alfred loses his post. Alfred is horrified by this, but also VERY into it.
By this point you'll be wondering how they achieve their HEA, especially when Annabelle also plans to get pregnant without telling him and then dump him, but it happens! Annabelle realizes pretty soon that her spite for the world that wronged her doesn't extend to Alfred, which feels so classic for an anti-hero. Lydia Lloyd strikes a good balance between fully reforming this anti-heroine, possibly to an unrealistic extent, and not making her undergo any development whatsoever. The transition feels real, and it isn't softened in deference to her being a woman.
The sex:
So here's the kind of virgin Alfred is: he grew up with a strict clergyman father who ingrained purity culture into Alfred's head, to the point where masturbation was considered sinful. So Alfred has barely gotten off by himself before Annabelle shows up. YIKES.
Buuuuut this also means Alfred can, uh, finish very easily, too easily lolol, but I can't say I'm not a fan of a hero who's just Like That. And so is Annabelle based on the amount of edging and orgasm denial she puts him through. There's some light femdom, but in a way actually feels pretty realistic when there's an experienced woman and inexperienced man. Annabelle absolutely gets off on his innocence while also teaching him, and Alfred proves to be a very good student :D
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for the advanced copy.
Rating: 4.25/5
Heat Level: 4.25/5
Pub Date: December 26th
Annabelle has returned to her ancestral home after inheriting everything from her late father who once disowned her after a *scandal*. She was already an independently wealthy businesswoman, has the estate now, and has revenge on her mind to spite her dead dad. Enter hot local vicar Alfred Saintsbury, who symbolizes everything Annabelle despises but is also turned on by, and blackmail ensues: Annabelle gets to sleep with him whenever she wants, or Alfred loses his post. Alfred is horrified by this, but also VERY into it.
By this point you'll be wondering how they achieve their HEA, especially when Annabelle also plans to get pregnant without telling him and then dump him, but it happens! Annabelle realizes pretty soon that her spite for the world that wronged her doesn't extend to Alfred, which feels so classic for an anti-hero. Lydia Lloyd strikes a good balance between fully reforming this anti-heroine, possibly to an unrealistic extent, and not making her undergo any development whatsoever. The transition feels real, and it isn't softened in deference to her being a woman.
The sex:
So here's the kind of virgin Alfred is: he grew up with a strict clergyman father who ingrained purity culture into Alfred's head, to the point where masturbation was considered sinful. So Alfred has barely gotten off by himself before Annabelle shows up. YIKES.
Buuuuut this also means Alfred can, uh, finish very easily, too easily lolol, but I can't say I'm not a fan of a hero who's just Like That. And so is Annabelle based on the amount of edging and orgasm denial she puts him through. There's some light femdom, but in a way actually feels pretty realistic when there's an experienced woman and inexperienced man. Annabelle absolutely gets off on his innocence while also teaching him, and Alfred proves to be a very good student :D
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for the advanced copy.
Rating: 4.25/5
Heat Level: 4.25/5
Pub Date: December 26th
December 31, 2025
Unapologetic alpha heroine blackmails virgin vicar to seduce her and do as she pleases in a new erotic historical romance. Do I have your attention? Great! Keep reading!
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd leans into taboo, power, and desire that I'd describe as a dark romance had it been in a modern role-reversal setting.
Quick blurb summary:
Alfred Saintsbury is a deeply devout, 28-year-old virgin vicar whose obedience has finally earned him a coveted post - only to find himself employed by the most scandalous woman in England. Annabelle de Lacey is wealthy, ruthless, and entirely uninterested in playing nice. She blackmails him into a sexual relationship on her terms. What begins as control and coercion slowly shifts into something unexpectedly tender, forcing both to confront desire, shame, and vulnerability.
In Lydia Lloyd's own words: 'Sex is central, explicit, and frequent' and the book doesn’t shy away from morally messy dynamics. Annabelle is wildly successful and sexually dominant, while Alfred is inexperienced, gentle, and emotionally open.
Read this if you like:
🔥 Super spicy historical romance (open-door, explicit, repeated on-page intimacy)
⛪ Taboo setups (virgin vicar, church shenanigans)
🔄 Role reversal (powerful businesswoman x submissive, tender hero)
🖤 Dark romance elements explored within a historical frame
📖 Dual POV, first-person, present tense (yes - even in historical romance - a first for me!)
🧵 Series starters - this kicks off The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club
Content guidance (brief but important):
Extensive explicit sexual content, including light BDSM, coercion-adjacent dynamics, religious sexual repression, breeding kink, pregnancy themes, sexual shaming, emotionally abusive parental relationships, prior exploitation, fertility, early pregnancy symptoms, and postpartum topics. Consent is intentionally complicated and may not work for all readers.
If you’re curious about boundary-pushing historicals with bold heroines and tender, emotionally open heroes - and you’re comfortable with morally gray dynamics - this is a memorable, provocative start to Lydia Lloyd’s new series.
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for the advanced reader copy. I’m very curious to see where the rest of The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club goes next.
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd leans into taboo, power, and desire that I'd describe as a dark romance had it been in a modern role-reversal setting.
Quick blurb summary:
Alfred Saintsbury is a deeply devout, 28-year-old virgin vicar whose obedience has finally earned him a coveted post - only to find himself employed by the most scandalous woman in England. Annabelle de Lacey is wealthy, ruthless, and entirely uninterested in playing nice. She blackmails him into a sexual relationship on her terms. What begins as control and coercion slowly shifts into something unexpectedly tender, forcing both to confront desire, shame, and vulnerability.
In Lydia Lloyd's own words: 'Sex is central, explicit, and frequent' and the book doesn’t shy away from morally messy dynamics. Annabelle is wildly successful and sexually dominant, while Alfred is inexperienced, gentle, and emotionally open.
Read this if you like:
🔥 Super spicy historical romance (open-door, explicit, repeated on-page intimacy)
⛪ Taboo setups (virgin vicar, church shenanigans)
🔄 Role reversal (powerful businesswoman x submissive, tender hero)
🖤 Dark romance elements explored within a historical frame
📖 Dual POV, first-person, present tense (yes - even in historical romance - a first for me!)
🧵 Series starters - this kicks off The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club
Content guidance (brief but important):
Extensive explicit sexual content, including light BDSM, coercion-adjacent dynamics, religious sexual repression, breeding kink, pregnancy themes, sexual shaming, emotionally abusive parental relationships, prior exploitation, fertility, early pregnancy symptoms, and postpartum topics. Consent is intentionally complicated and may not work for all readers.
If you’re curious about boundary-pushing historicals with bold heroines and tender, emotionally open heroes - and you’re comfortable with morally gray dynamics - this is a memorable, provocative start to Lydia Lloyd’s new series.
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for the advanced reader copy. I’m very curious to see where the rest of The Virgin Gentlemen’s Club goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
1857 England.
At 28, Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is a virgin. Along with other members of his club, he has his reasons for never laying with a woman, even if they are largely imposed by society and his father. When Miss Annabelle de Lacey, the local landowner, returns to the town where Alfred is the vicar, she follows on the tails of stories about her wicked and wanton ways and the way she discards men. But Annabelle is a woman who seizes on what she wants, and what she wants is Alfred, and an heir. After all, she has more money than most men in England thanks to her shrewd business sense and investments, why shouldn't she wield her power the same way the men do: by seducing an innocent.
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is historical erotic romance, rather than historical romance: written in dual first person with an emphasis on sex, while still hitting depth of emotion and character development. When I'm looking to read erot1ca, I still need plot and characters to build a story, and Lloyd delivers. I love anything that examines power in a relationship, particularly within the confines of Victorian Society. Annabelle is older than Alfred, owns land and businesses, and carries an air of power and authority. Alfred, virgin hero, still holds power as a man in Victorian Society, and prestige as the vicar, but we see him grow into a relationship role that moves between subservience and dominance in the bedroom as he grows in confidence.
Poor Alfred could probably use some therapy, but instead, he'll have to learn how to cope with his emotions through sex. I jest, but that's essentially what Lydia Lloyd gives us in The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury. In fact, both Alfred and Annabelle learn how to cope with emotional turmoil and confusing feelings by sleeping together, which eventually turns from desire to real intimacy to love.
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for an eARC. The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury is out 12/26/25.
At 28, Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is a virgin. Along with other members of his club, he has his reasons for never laying with a woman, even if they are largely imposed by society and his father. When Miss Annabelle de Lacey, the local landowner, returns to the town where Alfred is the vicar, she follows on the tails of stories about her wicked and wanton ways and the way she discards men. But Annabelle is a woman who seizes on what she wants, and what she wants is Alfred, and an heir. After all, she has more money than most men in England thanks to her shrewd business sense and investments, why shouldn't she wield her power the same way the men do: by seducing an innocent.
The Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury is historical erotic romance, rather than historical romance: written in dual first person with an emphasis on sex, while still hitting depth of emotion and character development. When I'm looking to read erot1ca, I still need plot and characters to build a story, and Lloyd delivers. I love anything that examines power in a relationship, particularly within the confines of Victorian Society. Annabelle is older than Alfred, owns land and businesses, and carries an air of power and authority. Alfred, virgin hero, still holds power as a man in Victorian Society, and prestige as the vicar, but we see him grow into a relationship role that moves between subservience and dominance in the bedroom as he grows in confidence.
Poor Alfred could probably use some therapy, but instead, he'll have to learn how to cope with his emotions through sex. I jest, but that's essentially what Lydia Lloyd gives us in The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury. In fact, both Alfred and Annabelle learn how to cope with emotional turmoil and confusing feelings by sleeping together, which eventually turns from desire to real intimacy to love.
Thank you to Lydia Lloyd for an eARC. The Seduction of Mr Alfred Saintsbury is out 12/26/25.
December 26, 2025
I do not know what magic potion Lydia Lloyd was consuming when she wrote this book, but OH MY GOD it was incredible!!!
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to read a historical romance with a true alpha heroine, look no further. I'm not talking about a grumpy black cat, I'm not talking about a powerful woman, I'm talking about the kind of alpha hero that would have me DNF'ing an old school romance ... except a woman. Annabelle de Lacey is rich in her own right; her father just died and she's inherited his estate. The very historical alpha hero thing? Is that she hates her father, and she's decided that she's going to ruin his legacy just because she can. And a part of his legacy is the new vicar who just got the living. When Annabelle meets him and discovers that he's "pretty," she knows just what she'll do: ruin the sh*t out of him. To do so, she blackmails him into an affair and plans to dismiss him from his post when she's done with him.
And this is at about 10%. Every time I thought the book would settle into something more traditional, Annabelle got even more ANNABELLE. This is an erotic romance, so while it's heavy on the spice, it's still a love story with an HEA. But honestly, I don't feel like the HEA is the point of the story. Instead, it's more like Lloyd is seeing how far she can push the envelope with this heroine. Like I said, if I were reading this same book but the MMC pulled the same stuff Annabelle did, I'd DNF (and probably throw the book across the room). The gender politics, the shifting power plays - the ultimate dynamic is so compelling and so worth reading.
Honestly, if it takes me a whole review to mention that the MMC is a virgin, you know the book has something special.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to read a historical romance with a true alpha heroine, look no further. I'm not talking about a grumpy black cat, I'm not talking about a powerful woman, I'm talking about the kind of alpha hero that would have me DNF'ing an old school romance ... except a woman. Annabelle de Lacey is rich in her own right; her father just died and she's inherited his estate. The very historical alpha hero thing? Is that she hates her father, and she's decided that she's going to ruin his legacy just because she can. And a part of his legacy is the new vicar who just got the living. When Annabelle meets him and discovers that he's "pretty," she knows just what she'll do: ruin the sh*t out of him. To do so, she blackmails him into an affair and plans to dismiss him from his post when she's done with him.
And this is at about 10%. Every time I thought the book would settle into something more traditional, Annabelle got even more ANNABELLE. This is an erotic romance, so while it's heavy on the spice, it's still a love story with an HEA. But honestly, I don't feel like the HEA is the point of the story. Instead, it's more like Lloyd is seeing how far she can push the envelope with this heroine. Like I said, if I were reading this same book but the MMC pulled the same stuff Annabelle did, I'd DNF (and probably throw the book across the room). The gender politics, the shifting power plays - the ultimate dynamic is so compelling and so worth reading.
Honestly, if it takes me a whole review to mention that the MMC is a virgin, you know the book has something special.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
January 31, 2026
This was my first read of this author, and I came away feeling conflicted.
The premise is strong: a wealthy, traumatized FMC bent on revenge against her dead father sets out to ruin the vicar he appointed before dying. The vicar, in turn, is the product of a controlling father who raised him under an unhealthy purity‑culture regime that left him ashamed of his own body and desire. I loved this setup and its reversal of Victorian power dynamics.
But the writing itself didn’t work for me. Much of it felt stilted and wooden. The steamy scenes were the exception—they were easily the most fluid and emotionally alive moments in the book. I genuinely don’t understand why the rest of the novel couldn’t sustain that level of resonance. For emotional, erotic historical romances that do deliver, I’d point readers toward S.M. LaViolette’s Victorian Decadence series.
There were also a number of easy outs the author took that didn’t sit well with me. One of the things I love most about historical romance is the high stakes of choosing love within (and against) the constraints of the era. When a story ignores the consequences of stepping outside those constraints, it undercuts the very tension that makes the genre compelling.
In the end, I had to push myself to finish. I’m puzzled by the book’s high ratings, though I’m glad it worked for so many readers. It simply didn’t work for me.
The premise is strong: a wealthy, traumatized FMC bent on revenge against her dead father sets out to ruin the vicar he appointed before dying. The vicar, in turn, is the product of a controlling father who raised him under an unhealthy purity‑culture regime that left him ashamed of his own body and desire. I loved this setup and its reversal of Victorian power dynamics.
But the writing itself didn’t work for me. Much of it felt stilted and wooden. The steamy scenes were the exception—they were easily the most fluid and emotionally alive moments in the book. I genuinely don’t understand why the rest of the novel couldn’t sustain that level of resonance. For emotional, erotic historical romances that do deliver, I’d point readers toward S.M. LaViolette’s Victorian Decadence series.
There were also a number of easy outs the author took that didn’t sit well with me. One of the things I love most about historical romance is the high stakes of choosing love within (and against) the constraints of the era. When a story ignores the consequences of stepping outside those constraints, it undercuts the very tension that makes the genre compelling.
In the end, I had to push myself to finish. I’m puzzled by the book’s high ratings, though I’m glad it worked for so many readers. It simply didn’t work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If this had been a story of a forceful, brooding, ye olde billionaire rake who can’t love preying on an innocent young miss, I wouldn’t even have picked it up. But since this was a "Well, well, well. How the turntables…" situation, and it was a shrewd rakess wielding her power over a shy vicar, so I was very much Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.
I loved the switch in the usual romance power dynamics, with the woman being the more powerful, tormented and predatory partner. The pretty, virtuous, and stammering Mr. Saintsbury never stood a chance against Annabelle’s determination to ruin him. And although their relationship started out as a tawdry affair, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well Ms Lloyd managed to build an emotional rapport between Annabelle and Alfred, as well. By the end of the book, I was fully convinced of their love for each other. I was slightly less pleasantly surprised that the narration was done in alternating 1st person POV, just because that rarely works for me, although I do have to admit that it didn’t annoy me as much in this one. I still would’ve preferred an omniscient 3rd person narrator, but after a while I got used to it and almost stopped noticing it. Overall, this was really sexy and surprisingly emotional, but I did feel it ran just a tad too long.
Huge thanks to Lydia Lloyd for the ARC.
I loved the switch in the usual romance power dynamics, with the woman being the more powerful, tormented and predatory partner. The pretty, virtuous, and stammering Mr. Saintsbury never stood a chance against Annabelle’s determination to ruin him. And although their relationship started out as a tawdry affair, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well Ms Lloyd managed to build an emotional rapport between Annabelle and Alfred, as well. By the end of the book, I was fully convinced of their love for each other. I was slightly less pleasantly surprised that the narration was done in alternating 1st person POV, just because that rarely works for me, although I do have to admit that it didn’t annoy me as much in this one. I still would’ve preferred an omniscient 3rd person narrator, but after a while I got used to it and almost stopped noticing it. Overall, this was really sexy and surprisingly emotional, but I did feel it ran just a tad too long.
Huge thanks to Lydia Lloyd for the ARC.
December 26, 2025
Happy Release Day!
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Spice: 5/5 🌶
Tropes:
- "good boy"
-billionaire alpha heroine
- virgin vicar hero
- HE is compromised
and SOOO much more 🥵
ARC Review:
I had the pleasure of getting my hands on this before its release date.
This was my first HR that was written in first person, and I was pleasantly surprised.
The connection and chemistry were instant and quick-paced. And the steam was STEAMY.
I loved Alfred; his instant devotion melted your heart. If you want that golden retriever energy and black cat dynamic, this is it.
I struggled for a while to come to like Annabella, but towards the end, I was able to sympathize with her and understand what she went through in her youth to make her as she was in adulthood. She represented what it's like to suppress emotion when the world is against you, and you have built so many layers. It takes time to let people in.
This is my second reverse roles HR experience, and we truly need more!
I look forward to the rest of the series and how the rest of the Virgin Gentlemen's club slowly loses its members 😉
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Spice: 5/5 🌶
Tropes:
- "good boy"
-billionaire alpha heroine
- virgin vicar hero
- HE is compromised
and SOOO much more 🥵
ARC Review:
I had the pleasure of getting my hands on this before its release date.
This was my first HR that was written in first person, and I was pleasantly surprised.
The connection and chemistry were instant and quick-paced. And the steam was STEAMY.
I loved Alfred; his instant devotion melted your heart. If you want that golden retriever energy and black cat dynamic, this is it.
I struggled for a while to come to like Annabella, but towards the end, I was able to sympathize with her and understand what she went through in her youth to make her as she was in adulthood. She represented what it's like to suppress emotion when the world is against you, and you have built so many layers. It takes time to let people in.
This is my second reverse roles HR experience, and we truly need more!
I look forward to the rest of the series and how the rest of the Virgin Gentlemen's club slowly loses its members 😉
January 5, 2026
Another fabulous historical romance from Lydia Lloyd! I loved everything about this book: a heroine who is cutthroat and strong-willed and ambitious (and whose ambition and messiness is never diminished by falling in love), an incredibly sweet (virgin!) hero who is EXTREMELY down bad for the heroine and just wants to be her house husband, a really insightful exploration of power dynamics and the influence gender has on them, and plenty of great sex (that also does really interesting things with power dynamics). My only complaint is that the book contains a few obvious typos, but that’s typical for self published works, and it certainly didn’t take away from the overall quality of the story. Here’s to hoping the next book in this series comes out very soon because I can’t wait to see what Henry and Evie get up to!
January 8, 2026
Oh my, I so love women in men dominated fields.
And every man should be like our MMC. My man is not afraid to be the pathetic one, always begging for scraps of the FMC's attention, constantly horny for her, takes care of the house and allows his wife to just spoil him and pay for everything, and I mean everythingggg, without feeling inferior or having some toxic, pity-party cause' their fragile ego and pride has been broken down.
I love this one. so original, so sensual, so sexy, so intriguing, but also so romantic. The intimacy was done so well. The smut got way too much at times and this was a bit too long, this could've been shorter but man I still really enjoyed it and kept me really hooked. Lydia Lloyd is such an excellent storyteller, I still think she is too underrated, she deserves to be big. I look forward to more books from her!
And every man should be like our MMC. My man is not afraid to be the pathetic one, always begging for scraps of the FMC's attention, constantly horny for her, takes care of the house and allows his wife to just spoil him and pay for everything, and I mean everythingggg, without feeling inferior or having some toxic, pity-party cause' their fragile ego and pride has been broken down.
I love this one. so original, so sensual, so sexy, so intriguing, but also so romantic. The intimacy was done so well. The smut got way too much at times and this was a bit too long, this could've been shorter but man I still really enjoyed it and kept me really hooked. Lydia Lloyd is such an excellent storyteller, I still think she is too underrated, she deserves to be big. I look forward to more books from her!
May 16, 2026
Took me a while to finally start as it is a set of tropes (harsh/cruel heroine, devout religious figure mc, slave mentality), that I do not usually love, but I know Lydia Lloyd is a great writer so wanted to give it a chance (and I have given chances when is a male blackmailing villain, so tried to keep my mind open---though with the added religious devotion it was a reach).
Annabelle and her seeming cruelty, particularly toward Alfred, was quite unlikeable at first. Then there was that he became her willing "slave", which I don't like in any gender power structure. HOWEVER, villain stories like this, I feel, are all about character development/arc and backstories and Lloyd built both of those things very well---for both main characters. It won me over in the end. You also can't deny the heat---steamy scenes well into double digits. Absolute FIRE 🔥🔥 🔥
Annabelle and her seeming cruelty, particularly toward Alfred, was quite unlikeable at first. Then there was that he became her willing "slave", which I don't like in any gender power structure. HOWEVER, villain stories like this, I feel, are all about character development/arc and backstories and Lloyd built both of those things very well---for both main characters. It won me over in the end. You also can't deny the heat---steamy scenes well into double digits. Absolute FIRE 🔥🔥 🔥
December 20, 2025
Super chaste virgin vicar gets seduced by the scandalous patroness of his vicarage, but really, it’s all just permission for him to find pleasure. Alfred and Annabelle definitely have a rocky start here, with him being embarrassingly attracted to her and her having a devious plan to seduce him. Super steamy, but also a lot of work in dealing with shame and events of the past. I loved how Alfred was all sorts of soft and caring and submissive, but also served as caretaker of Annabelle. She was delightfully cold and ruthless at first, which makes her emotional journey all the more satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this story of Alfred and Annabelle.
It really played with power dynamics. Annabelle, being a wealthy woman and Alfred's employer, was obviously the most powerful in the beginning, but just when you think everything is settled Lloyd flips the power dynamic. And this happens several times in the book.
Very much focussed on character, we have two people battling their pasts and their demons to get to their HEA.
Thank you Lydia Lloyd for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
It really played with power dynamics. Annabelle, being a wealthy woman and Alfred's employer, was obviously the most powerful in the beginning, but just when you think everything is settled Lloyd flips the power dynamic. And this happens several times in the book.
Very much focussed on character, we have two people battling their pasts and their demons to get to their HEA.
Thank you Lydia Lloyd for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Did Not Finish
December 30, 2025Things are not paced right with the story. We just had a major point of tension that I would have expected somewhere near the 3rd act tension-point/breakup. And the MMC has just told the FMC he loves her after maybe 5 sex scenes together over the course of several weeks, in which she’s super shitty to him. It feels too long and like the character development isn’t there. DNF at 42%
January 30, 2026
Nearly perfect! Beautiful story & beautifully told. I was moved and it felt alive. My only qualm as a lover of tension as it did feel like there was never much hesitancy, I would have liked a bit more push and pull before they became lovers but I didn’t feel the story suffered for it, merely my own preference. Hoping for Henry & Evie’s installment soon!
January 10, 2026
I couldn’t really get into the power dynamics and the erotica here. I couldn’t connect with either character though I appreciated the reversal of the typical gender roles and power balance. Secondly, I didn’t enjoy the sexual dynamics. I generally do like this author but this wasn’t my fave.
January 29, 2026
Loved it! Finally a romance where the woman is the one in power and the guy loves her for it. I have read HUNDREDS of these types of books and this is the first one to have a gender swap like this. So refreshing, I need more!! This is my 2nd book by this author and will not be the last!
Want to Read
December 30, 2025Trysts, noch kein audio
January 2, 2026
4.25/5.
February 8, 2026
At 60% and not sure I can grind it out to the end. Extremely tedious and poorly written.
February 12, 2026
Meh undo
Um no this dynamic didn't work for me it was a dnf.
The author attempts to turn the seducing take trope on its head but it's not romantic and kind of limped.
Um no this dynamic didn't work for me it was a dnf.
The author attempts to turn the seducing take trope on its head but it's not romantic and kind of limped.
Read
February 14, 2026I think that people who like this sort of thing will very much enjoy this book. There were aspects of it that I could like, but a lot of it was very much not for me.
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