Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Lord Thayer's Choice

Rate this book
He wants a burst of sunshine in the morning, a sprite in the afternoon, a Lady in the evening, and a wanton at night, but the choices are slim. Are his desires unattainable?
Annalise Coton is to be sold to the highest bidder. She is eighteen, has fulfilled her usefulness as a nursemaid to her half-brother, and with no natural parent to protect her from the outcome, she is to go home with the man offering the best price by the close of business today – proposal of marriage optional.
But if the choice were hers, the attractive lord who entered the leather shop is one she would consider. He is obviously used to having his desires met, but there is a gentleness about him that belies the hard, angular exterior. She imagines he would be a strict taskmaster, possibly a ruffian in the marriage bed, but a tender caretaker.
She feels the tingles in her lower regions, and her daydreaming begins. If he would only pay her price.
Lord Stephen Thayer needs to find a wife, produce heirs, and meet his first son obligations. However, he has prerequisites that are making a choice difficult, and he will not lower his expectations or standards merely to obtain a bride.
Stephen isn’t a snob, he has needs, and he wants a woman who has the same desires as he does – but how to find her is the issue. With the London season over, Stephen prepares to return to his estate, stopping to purchase some leather and possibly a new pistol. He finds that a new saddle and pistol is not all that is offered at the shops today.
Could the lovely blonde-haired sprite with the biting tongue, innocent bravado, and enticing pout be the answer to his dilemma? Would she submit to him in every way to include his discipline?
The choice is his to make and hers to take.
This book contains domestic discipline, elements of age-play, and explicit scenes. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2017

102 people are currently reading
72 people want to read

About the author

Alyssa Bailey

104 books266 followers
USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Historical Romances. I'm a proud Texan living it up in Alaska's beauty who loves to write both sweet and spicy romances.

My heroes and heroines can be found in this time or another, modern or historic, professionals or not. All include a little naughtiness, sternness, seriousness, a taste of suspense and a HEA.

I have always loved writing about sassy ladies and have done it for fun but never thought I could do it for other's enjoyment. It's my dream job and I hope I never come back to the real world.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
77 (40%)
4 stars
52 (27%)
3 stars
31 (16%)
2 stars
16 (8%)
1 star
12 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
3,220 reviews67 followers
December 9, 2019
Oh dear, the plot was not constructed well, so much telling and the h argued ALL-THE-TIME with the H. It was all too tedious and I gave up at 45%.
383 reviews6 followers
February 5, 2017
This book is heartwarming, romantic, passionate, mysterious, and above all, very entertaining. The characters were well-developed and extremely deep. Anna's upbringing is heart wrenching, but she's a strong, intelligent, loveable character. She's also a natural submissive and everything Lord Stephen Thayer has been searching for in a woman to wed. Stephen is a strong, dominant, introspective and caring man, who has tendencies towards age play, but also wants a sensual woman who's capable of running his household. Annalise surpasses his most optimistic expectations and he falls hard for her. It was a pleasure to read about their developing relationship complete with misunderstandings, miscommunication, and realistic mistakes. Their love for each other was tangible and their passion over the top. The age play elements were very well done and I loved that Stephen thought about how to bring the age play into their lives. The open communication between Anna and Stephen was refreshing as was Stephen's attitude which placed his wife as his top priority. The plot was compelling making the book hard to put down. Add to all that a great cast of secondary characters as well as numerous erotic and discipline scenes and this well-written book is a winner.
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
6,962 reviews175 followers
February 7, 2017
MEETING THE DESIRES OF HIS HEART, SHE WAS HIS PASSION

I enjoyed this story that has a bit of mystery and suspense that will unfold as the tale is told. There is an interesting cast of characters, some tense moments, and plenty of passion. Thayer is expected to marry a lady that will meet with societies standards, not a merchant’s stepdaughter. Not everyone will accept his choice, but that doesn’t matter as much as a life of happiness.

Annalise Coton has just turned eighteen, and her greedy stepfather has decided to sell her to the highest bidder. Since her mother passed away not long after the birth of Julian, she has been nursemaid and caretaker of the home. But now she is to be sold like chattel with no say.

Lord Stephen Thayer knows he needs a wife and to settle down, as a first born son, it is part of his duty to marry and produce the required heir and spare. The problem is Stephen has desires and wants it all, a wife who was elegant and presented well in society, but be quite a wildcat in his bedchambers, appeared proper in public but behind closed doors was adventuresome, passionate, and not at all prudish. He also wanted a woman that wanted to play and allow him to coddle and nurture her as a papa would.

The plot has two people meeting at just the opportune time. When Stephen sees Annalise, he sees a strong determine woman, not afraid to hold her head up, meet adversity straight on, but also have a meek and submissive demure attitude. In other words, he thinks he has found his perfect woman, one he can mold and train. “As his bride, allow him to bind her to his bed, make her scream his name in the agony of undiluted pleasure. He wanted her to be wanton on one day and needy as a child on another. He wanted a vixen in bed in the morning and upon retiring, innocent submission mid-day and the consummate hostess in the evening.” A deal will be made, and two lives will change, both for the better. He will have his lady, his lover, and his little one, all wrapped up in Annalise.

There is plenty of angst, passion, and play in the story. Annalise will be able to play several roles with the help of Stephen. She can have times to be Leesie and allow her inner child to have a papa, Lady Thayer for the entertaining and lady of the house, and Anna will be full of passion in the bedchamber.
Profile Image for E.A. Turley.
Author 14 books20 followers
May 24, 2017
Lord Thayer's Choice by Alyssa Bailey.
4 out of 5 stars.
This is an emotional story about a young girl's unfortunate childhood. A historical novel that details an old fashioned coming of age, first time, and age-play all in one.
Annalise was born a lady, in every sense of the word, but when her father, the firstborn Lord Coton, dies while abroad in military service she and her mother are thrown out by his brother when he takes up the title, estate and their home.
Her mother is forced to marry far below her status just to support herself and her daughter, but dies a few years later, leaving Annalise in the care of her nasty stepfather. Treated as a servant by him, she isn't surprised when a few days after her 18th birthday, he tells her to pack her things as he will be selling her off to the highest bidder and she'll be spending that night at her new husband's home, whoever that turns out to be.
Enter Lord Stephen Thayer.
Lord Thayer knows he has to marry and start a family, but he is very specific about the kind of woman he wants. Putting it in more modern terms, he's a dominant that's into age play and nurturing a woman. He's also a very influential member of the peerage, so any bride he chooses will have to be able to run his household and staff, entertaining and playing hostess at his soirees.
The moment he sets eyes on Annalise, he knows she is the one for him, the only problem is that she is wholly untrained in the ways of the aristocracy and women. He will have to teach her everything
Is either of them up to the challenges that this presents?
I recommend this book to others into both Kink, Romance, and Historical stories.
247 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2017
This author, Alyssa Bailey, is a very talented story teller. I enjoyed this book so much because the characters are solid and interesting which kept me enthralled until the very last page. Lord Stephen Thayer just wanted to be done with trying to find a woman to share his name. He wanted a wife who was elegant and presented well also one that was a wildcat in his bed but he finally wanted that same woman to allow him to pamper her with his time. Annalise was left with her stepfather after her mother had died shortly after giving birth to her half-brother, Julius, six years ago. Now her stepfather had decided that one way or another she was leave that day and he was going to get a few pence for her. Annalise meets Stephen, when she was sitting outside the gun shop that her stepfather owned. This is where the adventure begins for both Annalise and Stephen when he decides to marry her. The plotline is heartbreaking at times but others captivating over all absolutely faascinating.You won't regret this read and I am definitely going to read more of Ms Bailey's books. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kim.
101 reviews
February 21, 2017
A book of characters so full of life that are bursting at the seams there is no way to hold them in without a wonderful imagination. Scenery so vivid the author pulls the reader in to this regency era where the characters story demands to be told.
Annalise Coton, a merchant’s stepdaughter, is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Not even in the back room where most of the seedy things go on but out front in the store front of her stepfather’s own store. But luckily Lord Stephen Thayer pays the bride’s price for her and the tale begins.
This story has a little for everyone, Annalise has many roles to live up to under Lord Thayer’s roof and when she doesn’t a redden bottom by her Papa helps to remind her. At the beginning all she worries about is who husband her stepfather was going to stick her with and then she runs into the handsome gentleman she saw going into the leather shop. He interested her.
There is intrigue, mystery, and a love story all rolled into one. Come fall and love like I did. A definite recommended read and one and I still could read more and more. I received an ARC copy for my honest review.
39 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2018
Lord Thayer's Choice, Annalise, a Non-Genteel

A fun, interesting story. Lord Thayer decides he needs an heir. First step a bride but none of the genteel ladies meet his interest or requirements. Then while shopping at a rather shop he observed and becomes obsessed with a sprite of a young girl, the stepdaughter of a shop owner next door. The girl, Annalise, challenges him and is misbehaving and defiant towards him. She explains her stepfather is abusive and intends to sell her to the highest bidder that night. He sends her to a tobacco shop to await his return. She grows tired waiting and returns to her stepfather's shop to discover she has been sold. She learns her purchaser is Lord Thayer's employer and delivers her to an inn where she agrees to marry the Lord after being promised a spanking for her earlier disobedience. He discovers Annalise is the daughter of deceased Lord Coton. The story goes on to describe her life in three parts with the Lord Thayer. Annualised is his wife and love, Lady Thayer is the mistress of his two manner houses. And Leesie is his little girl he helps grow up and learn what she missed growing up without discipline.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
100 reviews18 followers
February 7, 2017
This is a great story for those don't want a full age play novel. The push and pull of the different roles that Annalise has to fulfill is quite well developed and explored in various different scenes throughout the book, include spanking and sex scenes. The plot moves along nicely and has a satisfying conclusion. However, there are two things I wish had been done differently, one I wish the issue and resolution of the mother-in-law troubles had been fleshed out more. The second issue is a bit of a spoiler. And two, that despite Lord Thayer saying he didn't want children right away, it felt like that's exactly what happened. Now, I'll be honest, the passage of time isn't strongly marked (it does move, e.g., a few days/weeks after x happens, ...; but no mention of seasons or months passing), so perhaps there was more time from when they get married to when she get pregnant but it really did feel like it all happened in a two or three months tops. But other than that a very enjoyable erotic story, worth checking out.


I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ADVANCE READER COPY OF THIS BOOK
Profile Image for Melanie A..
1,245 reviews559 followers
June 14, 2017
Uh, what did I just read? After the first chapters, I had to go back to the blurb, and sure enough there it was in black and white: age-play. (Warning: always read to the end of the blurb:) I'm not a prude by any means, but it was a bit disturbing - and it kept me reading, LOL. The author was careful (and rightfully so) to keep the smut and the age-play separate. Unfortunately, the book was mostly about the latter. What can I say? I like my books to have more than one or two smutty moments.

Content aside, there were some problems with the writing, which lacked subtlety; characters coming to the same conclusions in their inner thoughts (even the same phrasing), secondary characters including the setting were completely one-dimensional, and the way all the events of the book were funneled into the exact message the author wanted to make, making everything seem too convenient. But having said that, the story held my attention and I was interested in the main characters - and their kink ;)
416 reviews18 followers
August 29, 2019
Writing a novel than involves ageplay is difficult to pull off in way that doesn't feel forced or violate Amazon's TOS or has interesting characters and plot. So far, this one is the best effort I've seen so far. It's not without faults. While this book has the potential for some really interesting characters, they just aren't fleshed out enough thus creating a distance between the reader and the book. We don't get to know either Thayer or Annalise enough to know that either of the have these fantasies before ageplay is introduced. The conflict between Annalise and Lady Moulton (I think that's what her name was?) could have worked better with a little bit more crafting of both characters. I kept expecting conflict between the Thayer family and Annalise to be more of a plot issue than it was. But, that said, Bailey makes this plot reasonably believable and thus, enjoyable. I particularly like the way she explains the way couples compartmentalize ageplay within their broader lives. May read more of this series.
428 reviews9 followers
January 31, 2017
I was voluntarily given an advanced copy of this book to review. I found this to be a delightful book and a very enjoyable read. Lord Thayer needs to marry as all young lords do and yet he has some specific requirements for the girl to which he wants to find to marry. Attending the usual balls and events is just not cutting it when he is looking for his future wife. Lord Stephen happens upon Annalise as he is shopping in a leather shop. She looks young and in need of saving. Her wretch of a step-father is auctioning her off to the highest bidder of the day and that just happens to be Lord Stephen. Stephen is happy that he has found a young girl that he can train to be the type of wife he wants in the bedroom, in public, and to run their home. Annalise is not so sure and she has a lot to learn in how to please Stephen but she is willing to try. I highly recommend this book. It was a great adventure and a very sweet love story.
64 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2017
This is a wonderful tale about an unwanted, poorly treated, step daughter of an awful man. Her mother had died when she was young and because she’d wed the offensive man, Annalise was trapped. When she turned 18 she was informed she would be sold off to the highest bidder and out of his house. In her need to be free of the man, she went to the tobacco shop hoping to hide there. The merchant chased her though, and as she stood freezing outside, Lord Thayer happened by. Seeing the ‘child’ he thought she was, he softly chided her to get in out of the cold. Haltingly, the truth of her woes came out and in a twinkling, he’d sent his butler to pay the highest bid…who delivered her to the man that would become her everything. I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.
100 reviews6 followers
March 14, 2017
This was a new author for me. I greatly enjoyed this book. It was less explicit than many I usually read but did have one good sex scene, lots of implied sex and plenty of spanking. What I liked best about this book was how real it felt for the time period and additionally how the age-play was included as the role play that it is. The love at first sight seemed appropriate from the male perspective. The personal relationship, as well as, it's relation within the circle of family and friends also seemed to develop quite normally for a good sound marriage. What I liked the most was the excellent writing, the emotional intelligence of the main characters and the very satisfying happy ending. I will definitely look to this author for more reads.
562 reviews6 followers
January 29, 2017
A really enjoyable story. Annalise and Stephen are bright, articulate, and good at expressing their feelings and thoughts, so the story flowed smoothly and believably. The development of Annalise from a poor girl living with a cruel step-father into the wife of a Lord was interesting, and the scenes of spanking and other erotic play were well written. Stephen wanted a wife who could be wanton, a lady, or a child – whenever it suited him – and Annalise was able to fit the bill admirably – to their mutual enjoyment.
140 reviews5 followers
January 31, 2017
Analise is 18 and is being sold to the highest bidder as her step father no longer needs her. Lord Thayer just happens to be in the right place at the right time to cross paths with the sassy sprite and wins his new bride.

His mother does not approve of the relationship but love wins out and he always puts Analise first.

This is a historical fiction love story with elements of age play and plenty of erotic scenes. It is also another great book by a talented author.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Laurel.
505 reviews8 followers
February 3, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy. After reading all the 5 stars reviews, I agree with all the comments and find it difficult to add as I would be redundant. I have read other books by Alyssa Bailey and enjoyed all of them. She can make me laugh and this book, Lord Thayer's Choice, I laughed, I needed tissues for the heart breaking events from her childhood and drooled over the hot erotic sex. I absolutely loved this book.
225 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2017
Lord Thayer had waited a long time, to find a suitable wife. He need to not only be a Lord and husband, but also a 'Papa' to a wife who could also change roles, in their lives. He finds Annalise, and you'll have to read this book lovely spanking book, to learn how the story moves along.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
8 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2018
DrothyofOz

I enjoyed the characters Stephen and Annalise and their inter action as their marriage expanded. I would recommend this book for any lover's of Georgette Heyer or Jane Austin. While there is graphic sexuality and spanking these are so tastefully done that I felt that the book deserved five stars.
Profile Image for Goldienut.
315 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2017
Annalise is set to be sold to highest bidder by her step father. Lord Thayer has given up on finding the right wife. He just
happens to be at the same place as Annalise and he knows she will be perfect as his wife-little.to be exactly what he has
been looking for, They get married right away!
Profile Image for SH.
807 reviews13 followers
March 22, 2017
Fantastic!

I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning and did not want to put it down! A lovely romance with some spice, a well defined plot and characters you can't help cheering for made for a great read! Don't miss this!
Profile Image for BooK-O-Holic.
46 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2018
Yeah, no.

I like this book in the beginning but it was not to my taste. I was looking for more of an erotic novel. This did not have hardly one sexual scene. Yes, there were innuendos, but nothing explicit.
1,429 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2019
Finding a balance.

Finding a wife for all his requirements was not easy. He had almost given up. Then walking into a shop he heard that a man was selling his step daughter. Then the lessons begins. Can't wait for more.
2 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2017
Absolutely loved it!!

Alyssa Bailey is a new author to me. This book was wonderful. Now I need to read her other books.
Can't wait!!
1,751 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2017
I loved this romance. this is a sweet romance with a little drama and domestic discipline. this is a standalone with a HEA
752 reviews9 followers
June 26, 2018
This is a light, entertaining story with surprising depth.
A new author to me but one to keep an eye open for.
15 reviews
January 26, 2019
Just an okay read

Early on the book was interesting but as it moved along it diet of fell apart. Just this guy's opinion.
Profile Image for Jacline Workman.
53 reviews11 followers
May 9, 2019
This was just a little to over the top for me could not finish, 1 stars generally reserved for books i just didn't finish
1 review1 follower
January 7, 2020
I was disappointed

There were spelling and grammatical errors. The time jumps were also too much. I was just disappointed. I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.