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The Villain #1
The Villain
Book 1 of 2 in the Villain Duology, a Dark Regency Erotic Romance duet set in the wilds of Scotland.
A heartless villain…
Lady Daphne Fairchild braves the journey from London to the wilds of Scotland alone with one purpose in mind: confront the man who purposely and methodically set out to ruin the men of her family. But what he demands in exchange for answers will thrust Daphne into a world of mystery, hatred, and lust.
An indecent proposal…
Thirty days and nights in the bed of the Earl of Hartmoor … this is the price she must pay to learn the truth of the dark lord’s vendetta against her family. Yet, when she accepts the offer, Daphne never expects to find that nothing is what she thought it was, and the truth proves far harder to stomach than she ever imagined.
A cruel desire that holds her captive…
Even as he uses her to exact his final revenge against her family, Daphne cannot deny the way her body reacts to his touch, the way her soul seems to become more intertwined with his by the day. Despite the ruin he has made of her life, she cannot escape that the threads of deceit, desire, and pain have tied them together irrevocably. With her fate now in his hands, she is uncertain whether he will turn out to be the hero who steals her heart, or the villain who destroys her soul.
***WARNING: This is not your average love story ... containing elements of dubious consent and an antihero so twisted and wicked you can't help but fall in love with the dark side.***
A heartless villain…
Lady Daphne Fairchild braves the journey from London to the wilds of Scotland alone with one purpose in mind: confront the man who purposely and methodically set out to ruin the men of her family. But what he demands in exchange for answers will thrust Daphne into a world of mystery, hatred, and lust.
An indecent proposal…
Thirty days and nights in the bed of the Earl of Hartmoor … this is the price she must pay to learn the truth of the dark lord’s vendetta against her family. Yet, when she accepts the offer, Daphne never expects to find that nothing is what she thought it was, and the truth proves far harder to stomach than she ever imagined.
A cruel desire that holds her captive…
Even as he uses her to exact his final revenge against her family, Daphne cannot deny the way her body reacts to his touch, the way her soul seems to become more intertwined with his by the day. Despite the ruin he has made of her life, she cannot escape that the threads of deceit, desire, and pain have tied them together irrevocably. With her fate now in his hands, she is uncertain whether he will turn out to be the hero who steals her heart, or the villain who destroys her soul.
***WARNING: This is not your average love story ... containing elements of dubious consent and an antihero so twisted and wicked you can't help but fall in love with the dark side.***
419 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2018
544 people are currently reading
2010 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Vale
37 books575 followersVictoria Vale writes erotic romance that refuses to stay in its lane. She hops between history and suspense, blending danger with desire until the edges blur. Her stories are marked by bold heroines, irresistible heroes, and heat that never behaves the way it should. Love Me Darkly (2025) proves passion is always at its best when it misbehaves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
waste-of-my-finite-resources
January 21, 2021This book lost me the moment the hero stripped the heroine naked right in front of his butler and let/make him look at her nude body, urgh😤
“Well, don’t be shy,” Adam prompted, grasping her shoulders. “I’m a bit jealous of Niall’s view of your arse, and I know he’s keen to see those fine tits of yours.”🤢
Sorry not sorry, not my cuppa
“Well, don’t be shy,” Adam prompted, grasping her shoulders. “I’m a bit jealous of Niall’s view of your arse, and I know he’s keen to see those fine tits of yours.”🤢
Sorry not sorry, not my cuppa
March 28, 2019
5 STARS!
Over the last 5 years, Adam, Lord Hartmoor has been working meticulously to dismantle and destroy Lady Daphne Fairchild's family's fortune and good name - and she wants to know why. Tired of being brushed off by her father and brother, Daphne makes the trek to Scotland to demand answers from the man himself. After a tense stand-off, Adam and Daphne strike a bargain: her body for 30 days in exchange for £30,000 and the answers to all her questions.
It takes a talented writer to pull-off this kind of a story, one with such a skewed premise. Lucky for me, Victoria Vale came through - big time! Somehow she managed to strike a balance between keeping me tense and on the edge of my seat but not pushing me over into DNF territory with misogynistic and/or violent bullshit.
The plot was definitely well-executed. I loved how Adam's quest for revenge became more and more believable as the story unfolded...so be warned, while he does soften slightly towards Daphne, he's pretty resolute in his actions and words until the end. (There was one scene that I felt went too far, but it wasn't enough for me to knock a star off.)
I REALLY liked Daphne; her mettle and intelligence were an integral part of her character's arc from slightly naive to shrewd and self-aware. Call me a nerd, but I'm so excited to see how her new-found strength alters her relationship with Adam in the sequel. Is it March 21 yet?
Now?
Now?
He leaned against the door frame, his casual posture belied by the capacity for destruction radiating from his eyes.TAKE NOTE ALL YOU LOVERS OF DARK READS, The Villain is deliciously depraved and twisted! The hero is out for revenge and he stops at nothing to get the job done. I loved almost every word of it!
Over the last 5 years, Adam, Lord Hartmoor has been working meticulously to dismantle and destroy Lady Daphne Fairchild's family's fortune and good name - and she wants to know why. Tired of being brushed off by her father and brother, Daphne makes the trek to Scotland to demand answers from the man himself. After a tense stand-off, Adam and Daphne strike a bargain: her body for 30 days in exchange for £30,000 and the answers to all her questions.
I've just sold my body to a monster. But I did not sell my soul.So, um, yeah, this was so good!
It takes a talented writer to pull-off this kind of a story, one with such a skewed premise. Lucky for me, Victoria Vale came through - big time! Somehow she managed to strike a balance between keeping me tense and on the edge of my seat but not pushing me over into DNF territory with misogynistic and/or violent bullshit.
The plot was definitely well-executed. I loved how Adam's quest for revenge became more and more believable as the story unfolded...so be warned, while he does soften slightly towards Daphne, he's pretty resolute in his actions and words until the end. (There was one scene that I felt went too far, but it wasn't enough for me to knock a star off.)
I REALLY liked Daphne; her mettle and intelligence were an integral part of her character's arc from slightly naive to shrewd and self-aware. Call me a nerd, but I'm so excited to see how her new-found strength alters her relationship with Adam in the sequel. Is it March 21 yet?
Now?
Now?
October 27, 2018
Audio - 5++++ Darcy Stark gave a MASTERFUL performance
Story - 2.5 stars
It's definitely me and not the book. If anything, I'm really disappointed I didn't enjoy it more. I spent most of the book disliking both the hero and the heroine. I never felt chemistry between them. Given that almost every chapter had a mind-numbing, long-winded sex scene, I found myself bored and skimming. I was, however, interested in finding out why Adam hated Daphne's family so much. After a few hints, it wasn't hard to figure out. Then I found myself wondering how Daphne would react when she figured it out. I liked her reaction. She's proved to be a woman with a backbone.
I'm still undecided if I'll continue with the series.
Story - 2.5 stars
It's definitely me and not the book. If anything, I'm really disappointed I didn't enjoy it more. I spent most of the book disliking both the hero and the heroine. I never felt chemistry between them. Given that almost every chapter had a mind-numbing, long-winded sex scene, I found myself bored and skimming. I was, however, interested in finding out why Adam hated Daphne's family so much. After a few hints, it wasn't hard to figure out. Then I found myself wondering how Daphne would react when she figured it out. I liked her reaction. She's proved to be a woman with a backbone.
I'm still undecided if I'll continue with the series.
January 15, 2021
"Not after she had hastily fled London in the dead of night, with only the clothes on her back and the meager provisions she could carry. She’d braved ruin and scandal to come here..."
Daphne Fairchild is a strong-willed lady who bothers less about frivolous society and is protective of her family. Confronting Adam Callahan for ruining her father, brother and uncle for reasons unknown she kicks aside society rules and demands answers in ways a proper lady shouldn't. Adam puts the final nail to the Fairchild's reputation after proposing a scandalous prosition in return for Daphne's answers.
'He was a rogue. A thief. A blight upon the Earth.
A villain.'
Adam was a true leacher and despicable villain. Spending 30 days in his bed is not the only lewdness she suffers but Adam spares nothing to let the society know of thr Fairchild's downfall. Adam slowly reveals the secrets at the same time Daphne learns more about herself.
The best thing about this book is the title stands true to its name. The heroine doesn't self-pity but I wished she was more naive. This book is less on romantic development and more on the hero and heroine engaging. The sexual situations has a modern touch, this puts me off but I can oversee this for the writing. The story ends with Daphne's great fall from society and confronting her family, happy she is finally free of the cluches of fake comfort and Adam realises it's not over for them.
'You place too much hope in my goodness, little dove,” he replied. “I am not your hero.”'
Daphne Fairchild is a strong-willed lady who bothers less about frivolous society and is protective of her family. Confronting Adam Callahan for ruining her father, brother and uncle for reasons unknown she kicks aside society rules and demands answers in ways a proper lady shouldn't. Adam puts the final nail to the Fairchild's reputation after proposing a scandalous prosition in return for Daphne's answers.
'He was a rogue. A thief. A blight upon the Earth.
A villain.'
Adam was a true leacher and despicable villain. Spending 30 days in his bed is not the only lewdness she suffers but Adam spares nothing to let the society know of thr Fairchild's downfall. Adam slowly reveals the secrets at the same time Daphne learns more about herself.
The best thing about this book is the title stands true to its name. The heroine doesn't self-pity but I wished she was more naive. This book is less on romantic development and more on the hero and heroine engaging. The sexual situations has a modern touch, this puts me off but I can oversee this for the writing. The story ends with Daphne's great fall from society and confronting her family, happy she is finally free of the cluches of fake comfort and Adam realises it's not over for them.
'You place too much hope in my goodness, little dove,” he replied. “I am not your hero.”'
March 27, 2024
Purch. Amazon Oct. 26, 2018
2 Stars for what I have read so far. And considering the length of the story, I know it will be just more of the same.
DNF at 38%, Chapter 7, Page 168
Is it steamy? When the steam shows up, yes. But you have to get through pages and pages of meandering descriptions of rooms, clothes etc., repetitive mental thoughts and conversations that go no where. And don't get me started on the headaches. Every day the h wakes up with a headache.
What all the above adds up to is 'Boring'. No action. The story is stagnant. It just sits there. No real character build. No real world build. The pacing is so slow you end up with your eyes drooping and in need of a nap.
The Only good thing is the steam.
I may read a different book from this author sometime down the road. Maybe. If I am convinced the pacing is better.
But for me, this one is just way to slow and I have lost all interest in it.
As Rhett said to Scarlett,
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
2 Stars for what I have read so far. And considering the length of the story, I know it will be just more of the same.
DNF at 38%, Chapter 7, Page 168
Is it steamy? When the steam shows up, yes. But you have to get through pages and pages of meandering descriptions of rooms, clothes etc., repetitive mental thoughts and conversations that go no where. And don't get me started on the headaches. Every day the h wakes up with a headache.
What all the above adds up to is 'Boring'. No action. The story is stagnant. It just sits there. No real character build. No real world build. The pacing is so slow you end up with your eyes drooping and in need of a nap.
The Only good thing is the steam.
I may read a different book from this author sometime down the road. Maybe. If I am convinced the pacing is better.
But for me, this one is just way to slow and I have lost all interest in it.
As Rhett said to Scarlett,
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
September 22, 2022
Not for me I think.
Rating 2.5
It was written well and plot and storyline where good but I had a hard time liking the MC.
I realized this was an erotica after being a couple chapters in, which is fine (I skipped some, BDSM not really my reading preference). I just couldn't connect with their relationship development.
This plot was based on revenge.
Hero was out to destroy heroines family for what they did to his sister.
Heroine comes to beg him not hurt her family anymore and also find out what her male family members did to deserve what was happening to them.
Hero makes a deal, she stays for 30days and he gets to do whatever to her and he will tell her why the revenge against her family.
There was a lot of emotion and angst.
Lot's of sex.
But I just couldn't become totally invested in their HEA.
This ended in a cliffhanger but not going to continue.
Rating 2.5
It was written well and plot and storyline where good but I had a hard time liking the MC.
I realized this was an erotica after being a couple chapters in, which is fine (I skipped some, BDSM not really my reading preference). I just couldn't connect with their relationship development.
This plot was based on revenge.
Hero was out to destroy heroines family for what they did to his sister.
Heroine comes to beg him not hurt her family anymore and also find out what her male family members did to deserve what was happening to them.
Hero makes a deal, she stays for 30days and he gets to do whatever to her and he will tell her why the revenge against her family.
There was a lot of emotion and angst.
Lot's of sex.
But I just couldn't become totally invested in their HEA.
This ended in a cliffhanger but not going to continue.
May 2, 2019
DNF
The H stripped the h nude with the butler in the room and had the butler look at her body. It was disgusting. I couldn't get past it.
The H stripped the h nude with the butler in the room and had the butler look at her body. It was disgusting. I couldn't get past it.
September 6, 2018
“You place too much hope in my goodness, little dove,” he replied. “I am not your hero.” – Lord Adam Callahan
Here’s the thing…I devoured the historical romance when I was coming into my own flower. (I simply could not resist the Victorian turn of phrase. )😄 I loved them because as a young woman I was all about romantic love, furtive glances, desperate kisses and forbidden caresses.
Now my tastes have evolved…if you will…and what was exciting for me then…is somewhat monotonous for me now. I know that historical romances written today are very different and can be quite saucy and delightful. What’s more, it’s not often that you find one that detours into the delightfully dark romance spectrum. It is exactly this turn into the dark that makes “The Villain” a book I have looked forward to reading for a good while now.
Unequivocally, “The Villain” is a steamy hot delve into darker arts of lovemaking presenting an interesting ignoble beginning to the dance of unwanted, and at the same time, unbridled, sexual attraction...with just the right amount of hate-fucking to make your body tingle, your heart swoon and your mind interested in the mystery behind Lord Adam’s Callahan’s contempt for the Fairchild family.
Lady Daphne Fairchild is confused and outraged that Lord Adam Callahan, the Lord of Hartmoor in Scotland, has relentlessly pursued the ruin of her father, her brother, and uncle. Defying the conventions and societal constraints placed on a virginal lady at the time, Lady Daphne Fairchild bravely travels on horseback alone from London to the wilds of Scotland to confront Lord Callahan about his seemingly perverse agenda.
From this first chapter, the sexual tension begins with the mouth-watering description of this man who appears “lion-like” in his grace, power and wild beauty. O mo chreach!!! (It’s Scottish brogue.) 😊He initially presents himself both to Lady Daphne and the reader as a predatory, albeit beautiful, “villain”. Lady Daphne, for all her false bravado in the face of this male beast, is a foolhardy, innocent virgin who does not realize the swiftness of the current and/or the depth of waters into which she has dared to trod.
The sexual and even personal attraction between these two characters grows and radiates off the page. That they share a mutual and complimentary pleasure dynamic is intoxicating. Lord Callahan’s, Adam’s increasingly possessive behavior and commentary about the various “bonny” body parts of Daphne is swoon-worthy.
“You like this, don’t you, little dove? Being defiled … controlled … used.”
More and more is revealed about the reasons behind Adam’s desire/need to bring low the Fairchild family low to include the debauchment of Daphne. Those reasons almost begin to seem secondary to the craving Adam starts to exhibit seeking out the nearness and comfort of Daphne and her charms. Daphne’s eyes are opened to the realities of her family and she begins to feel she belongs in Adam’s arms until she tries to apologize.
“Do not ever seek to offer me your useless platitudes again,” he murmured, though the silence of the room magnified his voice like a cannon’s blast. “In the end, they mean nothing to me … you mean nothing to me.”
Oh please …tell me he doesn’t mean it or is he just villain enough to really mean it?
The book ends with just enough of a promise of excellent intrigue to come in the second book of the duet, “The Dove”.
And…those who will enjoy and love this duet? You know who you are!!!
Here’s the thing…I devoured the historical romance when I was coming into my own flower. (I simply could not resist the Victorian turn of phrase. )😄 I loved them because as a young woman I was all about romantic love, furtive glances, desperate kisses and forbidden caresses.
Now my tastes have evolved…if you will…and what was exciting for me then…is somewhat monotonous for me now. I know that historical romances written today are very different and can be quite saucy and delightful. What’s more, it’s not often that you find one that detours into the delightfully dark romance spectrum. It is exactly this turn into the dark that makes “The Villain” a book I have looked forward to reading for a good while now.
Unequivocally, “The Villain” is a steamy hot delve into darker arts of lovemaking presenting an interesting ignoble beginning to the dance of unwanted, and at the same time, unbridled, sexual attraction...with just the right amount of hate-fucking to make your body tingle, your heart swoon and your mind interested in the mystery behind Lord Adam’s Callahan’s contempt for the Fairchild family.
Lady Daphne Fairchild is confused and outraged that Lord Adam Callahan, the Lord of Hartmoor in Scotland, has relentlessly pursued the ruin of her father, her brother, and uncle. Defying the conventions and societal constraints placed on a virginal lady at the time, Lady Daphne Fairchild bravely travels on horseback alone from London to the wilds of Scotland to confront Lord Callahan about his seemingly perverse agenda.
From this first chapter, the sexual tension begins with the mouth-watering description of this man who appears “lion-like” in his grace, power and wild beauty. O mo chreach!!! (It’s Scottish brogue.) 😊He initially presents himself both to Lady Daphne and the reader as a predatory, albeit beautiful, “villain”. Lady Daphne, for all her false bravado in the face of this male beast, is a foolhardy, innocent virgin who does not realize the swiftness of the current and/or the depth of waters into which she has dared to trod.
The sexual and even personal attraction between these two characters grows and radiates off the page. That they share a mutual and complimentary pleasure dynamic is intoxicating. Lord Callahan’s, Adam’s increasingly possessive behavior and commentary about the various “bonny” body parts of Daphne is swoon-worthy.
“You like this, don’t you, little dove? Being defiled … controlled … used.”
More and more is revealed about the reasons behind Adam’s desire/need to bring low the Fairchild family low to include the debauchment of Daphne. Those reasons almost begin to seem secondary to the craving Adam starts to exhibit seeking out the nearness and comfort of Daphne and her charms. Daphne’s eyes are opened to the realities of her family and she begins to feel she belongs in Adam’s arms until she tries to apologize.
“Do not ever seek to offer me your useless platitudes again,” he murmured, though the silence of the room magnified his voice like a cannon’s blast. “In the end, they mean nothing to me … you mean nothing to me.”
Oh please …tell me he doesn’t mean it or is he just villain enough to really mean it?
The book ends with just enough of a promise of excellent intrigue to come in the second book of the duet, “The Dove”.
And…those who will enjoy and love this duet? You know who you are!!!
January 3, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hawt hawt hawt!! 🔥🔥🔥
Victoria Vale has a strong perception and understanding of the nuances of attraction and this is displayed well in her writing. This is the second time I’ve listened to this duo since it came out and it was just as good the second time around. It’s important to read The Dove second if buying separately (see below). As someone with a large library with close to 1000 books in my audible collection alone, this writer/narrator combination is perfection. The writing is smart and EXTREMELY sexy with narration by Darcy Stark that has no comparison. Listening to this book on audio is absolute MUST 🔥.
This book prompted my initial interest in Victoria Vale’s books and Darcy Stark performs an incredibly compelling & sexy “villan”. Especially when addressing his “Little Dove”. As someone who has continuously enjoyed Vale’s writing, I can only hope for more. Either way, I’ll enjoy this one for years to come. It has already become an all time favorite.
Note: This is a duo-logy and you must start with book one first. You can get them as a one buy option together on audible as The Villan duo-logy.
Victoria Vale has a strong perception and understanding of the nuances of attraction and this is displayed well in her writing. This is the second time I’ve listened to this duo since it came out and it was just as good the second time around. It’s important to read The Dove second if buying separately (see below). As someone with a large library with close to 1000 books in my audible collection alone, this writer/narrator combination is perfection. The writing is smart and EXTREMELY sexy with narration by Darcy Stark that has no comparison. Listening to this book on audio is absolute MUST 🔥.
This book prompted my initial interest in Victoria Vale’s books and Darcy Stark performs an incredibly compelling & sexy “villan”. Especially when addressing his “Little Dove”. As someone who has continuously enjoyed Vale’s writing, I can only hope for more. Either way, I’ll enjoy this one for years to come. It has already become an all time favorite.
Note: This is a duo-logy and you must start with book one first. You can get them as a one buy option together on audible as The Villan duo-logy.
March 10, 2022
3.75 Stars
Expecting a romance, were you? Well, look up at the title again. It's The Villain, is it not?
H-O-L-Y F-U-C-K! Damn, it was dark, one of the darkest stories I've ever read. And I am at a loss, genuinely lost. I cannot make heads or tails of how I feel.
Content Warning:
- References to rape
- Pretty bad PTSD
- Full of BDSM
- Dubcon (?)
Since it ended on a cliffhanger, it's difficult to write a review. But I'll say this, that it will make you question what you think is right and wrong, and make you wonder, the subjectivity of morality.
Quick Review
- Excellent writing.
- Engaging story.
- An anti-hero, but that is putting it mildly. I kept picturing him as Jason Mamoa.
- A very strong heroine, again, putting it mildly.
- Full of smut.
- An interesting dynamic between characters, which cannot be compared with usual standards of relationship.
- Full of drama and intrigue.
- A truly horrendous, reprehensible, lowest scum of a villain.
- Too long
- My personal preferences do not run in the BDSM section, so that was a downside for me.
My Recommendation
I need to read The Dove before I know, I don't know what. But I need something lighter right now.
Expecting a romance, were you? Well, look up at the title again. It's The Villain, is it not?
H-O-L-Y F-U-C-K! Damn, it was dark, one of the darkest stories I've ever read. And I am at a loss, genuinely lost. I cannot make heads or tails of how I feel.
Content Warning:
- References to rape
- Pretty bad PTSD
- Full of BDSM
- Dubcon (?)
Since it ended on a cliffhanger, it's difficult to write a review. But I'll say this, that it will make you question what you think is right and wrong, and make you wonder, the subjectivity of morality.
Quick Review
- Excellent writing.
- Engaging story.
- An anti-hero, but that is putting it mildly. I kept picturing him as Jason Mamoa.
- A very strong heroine, again, putting it mildly.
- Full of smut.
- An interesting dynamic between characters, which cannot be compared with usual standards of relationship.
- Full of drama and intrigue.
- A truly horrendous, reprehensible, lowest scum of a villain.
- Too long
- My personal preferences do not run in the BDSM section, so that was a downside for me.
My Recommendation
I need to read The Dove before I know, I don't know what. But I need something lighter right now.
October 27, 2021
DARK AND DECADENT
👿 + 🕊= 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This one hit the spot and the more I read, the more it got under my skin...just tasted better the more and more it marinated.
Seductive and sinister.
***Edgy, gothic, gripping, intriguing, disturbing, satisfying, lush***
LOTS AND LOTS of rough sexytimes🥵
✅ dubcon
Looking for redemption? Apologies for bad behaviour?... Look elsewhere and note title ⬆️ ...no nicey nice cinnamon roll heroes present...NOPE.
****Less romance here...more toxic OBSESSION***sooooo exhausting in a delicious way...I'm totally down with it on paper!
🏴The Earl of Hartmoor = 👿 What a beast! ...Our buff, castle dwelling meanie is a tight- breech-wearing, hypersexual, edgy, OTT controlling, moody, dominant alphahole anti-hero who is literally seething and mad as hell with revenge on the mind and in comes...🕊Lady Daphne his little dove tough-as-nails heroine who he seemingly traps into submission...or does he? Hmmmmm....
In this book we are on the very outskirts of an emerging love story but have to be patient as there is a lot of other ground to cover. First: revenge and control are on the menu... Have to hang on for the ride...and it is both thrilling and oh so verrrrry intense.
Your challenge as a reader: As this is a duology, we have to wait for part two of this story in the next book for our HEA. Yes! A cliffhanger! Exciting stuff
I really enjoyed this, just my cuppa☕ as I enjoy dark romance and this was no holds barred...yum!!!
Totally recommend if you like the darker side of HR...if not, 👋
Looking forward to book 2!!!
👿 + 🕊= 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This one hit the spot and the more I read, the more it got under my skin...just tasted better the more and more it marinated.
Seductive and sinister.
***Edgy, gothic, gripping, intriguing, disturbing, satisfying, lush***
LOTS AND LOTS of rough sexytimes🥵
✅ dubcon
Looking for redemption? Apologies for bad behaviour?... Look elsewhere and note title ⬆️ ...no nicey nice cinnamon roll heroes present...NOPE.
****Less romance here...more toxic OBSESSION***sooooo exhausting in a delicious way...I'm totally down with it on paper!
🏴The Earl of Hartmoor = 👿 What a beast! ...Our buff, castle dwelling meanie is a tight- breech-wearing, hypersexual, edgy, OTT controlling, moody, dominant alphahole anti-hero who is literally seething and mad as hell with revenge on the mind and in comes...🕊Lady Daphne his little dove tough-as-nails heroine who he seemingly traps into submission...or does he? Hmmmmm....
In this book we are on the very outskirts of an emerging love story but have to be patient as there is a lot of other ground to cover. First: revenge and control are on the menu... Have to hang on for the ride...and it is both thrilling and oh so verrrrry intense.
Your challenge as a reader: As this is a duology, we have to wait for part two of this story in the next book for our HEA. Yes! A cliffhanger! Exciting stuff
I really enjoyed this, just my cuppa☕ as I enjoy dark romance and this was no holds barred...yum!!!
Totally recommend if you like the darker side of HR...if not, 👋
Looking forward to book 2!!!
December 14, 2021
I’ve always been a lover for historical romance, but no one has ever done it quite like this author! What a Bonny piece of literature! Nothing short of perfect.
December 2, 2020
The Villain is what I not-so-secretly wished would happen every time a plot is about a heroine who exchanges X amount of nights with the hero in order to save her family from destitution/scandal.
Because Every. Damn. Time. Nothing actually happens with this scandalous premise.
However, The Villain delivers. It is so dirty and I loved every moment!
By virtue of this book alone, Victoria Vale is one of my favourite erotica authors working in the historical genre. I would say she and Lisa Valdez are the only authors that I've read who go all in with the erotic set-pieces, decent plot, and believable character development. I find it really is the case that erotic novels that don't prioritize characters or plot aren't as good as the ones that do.
The Villain is a wonderful erotic novel that is almost an homage to bodice rippers. The revenge plot feels very BD to me, and that we don't get Adam's POV at all also makes it highly reminiscent to older romances where we never really got to know what the hero was thinking.
The obsession and fight between Adam and Daphne was so well done, and I think it was a great choice that Adam's controlling tendencies in the bedroom is not as a result of childhood sexual abuse or trauma, which I didn't realize was a trope in most BDSM stories, or at least the historical BDSM stories that I've had the chance to read.
Also this was the first time in a romance that I've read that featured asphyxiation.
Erotic authors, TAKE NOTE.
If I have anything negative to say? I hate this style of cover. It does not do the story justice!
Because Every. Damn. Time. Nothing actually happens with this scandalous premise.
However, The Villain delivers. It is so dirty and I loved every moment!
By virtue of this book alone, Victoria Vale is one of my favourite erotica authors working in the historical genre. I would say she and Lisa Valdez are the only authors that I've read who go all in with the erotic set-pieces, decent plot, and believable character development. I find it really is the case that erotic novels that don't prioritize characters or plot aren't as good as the ones that do.
The Villain is a wonderful erotic novel that is almost an homage to bodice rippers. The revenge plot feels very BD to me, and that we don't get Adam's POV at all also makes it highly reminiscent to older romances where we never really got to know what the hero was thinking.
The obsession and fight between Adam and Daphne was so well done, and I think it was a great choice that Adam's controlling tendencies in the bedroom is not as a result of childhood sexual abuse or trauma, which I didn't realize was a trope in most BDSM stories, or at least the historical BDSM stories that I've had the chance to read.
Also this was the first time in a romance that I've read that featured asphyxiation.
Erotic authors, TAKE NOTE.
If I have anything negative to say? I hate this style of cover. It does not do the story justice!
October 1, 2022
This story is dark. It brings up lots of questions.
Is he any better than her family.
Why is she letting herself be used.
I liked the story line.
But BDSM is not for me. I just ended up skipping pages where this was written.
Would like to read what happened next in their story. But the thought of more BDSM put’s me off reading it.
Is he any better than her family.
Why is she letting herself be used.
I liked the story line.
But BDSM is not for me. I just ended up skipping pages where this was written.
Would like to read what happened next in their story. But the thought of more BDSM put’s me off reading it.
March 22, 2018
I stumbled across this beauty by accident and i have to say....i want to stumble like that more often! The story grabbed me from page one and now that i’ve finished,i’m still catching my breath. I loved Daphne,sweet,innocent and so loyal to her family that she will do anything to save them.....even confront the man responsible for their ruin. But is he really that evil? Adam is his name,and he is a dark soul,ready to take her innocence in retribution. During her stay with him,Daphne finds out the truth behind his rage towards her family. And that changes everything......I loved this first part and i can’t wait for the second,The Dove!
March 15, 2018
Great dark, gothic, erotic read.....
Holy smokes, that was good! I was riveted from the very first page. Literally tense from beginning to end reading this. It had everything! Including a great castle. I felt there, really there with Daphne and Adam.
I haven’t read this author in awhile, but when I read the blurb, I swear I knew I had to read it. It’s erotica, don’t think you’re going into a book about sunshine and unicorns. It’s a revenge book pure and Simple......
I’ll be brief, I think the only way to go into this book is cold. In fact I read one review and backed out fast. I knew I didn’t want anything ruined.
So simply put, our Lady Daphne’s family is being ruined. By our Earl in Scotland, Adam. Financially and by reputation. She goes to Scotland to the source of the ruin and makes a deal w/ the devil.
Or is he?
As you are given hints, crumbs, as it all comes out, it all starts to make sense. You might even switch sides. Several times! I’m just glad I don’t have to wait for long, because there’s a massive cliffhanger at the end.
I need the author to tell me what was in Daphne’s bag? I don’t believe for a second her family is giving up. What’s going to happen! I need them to have like a big huge happy family, but gah!!!!
Fantastic dark erotic read, great mystery, suspense, secrets, revenge, one of the best I’ve read this year. If you’re in the mood, this book however will make you uncomfortable if you clearly did not hear me, did I not stress the very erotic part? LOL.
Regardless, I recommend.
Holy smokes, that was good! I was riveted from the very first page. Literally tense from beginning to end reading this. It had everything! Including a great castle. I felt there, really there with Daphne and Adam.
I haven’t read this author in awhile, but when I read the blurb, I swear I knew I had to read it. It’s erotica, don’t think you’re going into a book about sunshine and unicorns. It’s a revenge book pure and Simple......
I’ll be brief, I think the only way to go into this book is cold. In fact I read one review and backed out fast. I knew I didn’t want anything ruined.
So simply put, our Lady Daphne’s family is being ruined. By our Earl in Scotland, Adam. Financially and by reputation. She goes to Scotland to the source of the ruin and makes a deal w/ the devil.
Or is he?
As you are given hints, crumbs, as it all comes out, it all starts to make sense. You might even switch sides. Several times! I’m just glad I don’t have to wait for long, because there’s a massive cliffhanger at the end.
I need the author to tell me what was in Daphne’s bag? I don’t believe for a second her family is giving up. What’s going to happen! I need them to have like a big huge happy family, but gah!!!!
Fantastic dark erotic read, great mystery, suspense, secrets, revenge, one of the best I’ve read this year. If you’re in the mood, this book however will make you uncomfortable if you clearly did not hear me, did I not stress the very erotic part? LOL.
Regardless, I recommend.
March 23, 2018
*SPOILERS*
NOPE. Couldn't get past 14% of this, which is too bad, as the writing was pretty good.
With the H - Adam - stripping the h Daphne naked in front of the butler, to telling her how his cock is going to go into every one of her orifices...no thanks. Bad enough that I don't like M on F buttsexx in my reads, but to degrade the woman too? I can't see how the 'hero' will be redeemed at all!
I've read enough 'dark' romances to know what I like and what I detest. A ''villain' isn't one-dimensional. With that, I look for a different kind of 'dark hero' than the one presented in this book.
Backing away, so this is a DNF. Will be asking for my 99 cents back. lol
NOPE. Couldn't get past 14% of this, which is too bad, as the writing was pretty good.
With the H - Adam - stripping the h Daphne naked in front of the butler, to telling her how his cock is going to go into every one of her orifices...no thanks. Bad enough that I don't like M on F buttsexx in my reads, but to degrade the woman too? I can't see how the 'hero' will be redeemed at all!
I've read enough 'dark' romances to know what I like and what I detest. A ''villain' isn't one-dimensional. With that, I look for a different kind of 'dark hero' than the one presented in this book.
Backing away, so this is a DNF. Will be asking for my 99 cents back. lol
October 4, 2020
Love the author but not this dramatic gothic, as it was OTT, and worst of all- it's so long winded. The H is broody, and the heroine is feisty determined to make him pay for her family's fall from the ton. I disliked the feisty heroine, thought she was silly, and the H was boring. I'm not interested in the 2nd book, so the cliff hanger was just another annoyance.
October 23, 2024
poor dude was only trying to become the next count of monte cristo but his dick kept literally standing in the way 🫠
also the guy in cover art reminds me of roman reigns so idk he sorta give me the debby ryan bashful hair tuck kinda feeling 🤭
also the guy in cover art reminds me of roman reigns so idk he sorta give me the debby ryan bashful hair tuck kinda feeling 🤭
March 29, 2018
The Villain by Victoria Vale was very well written.
But the plot was predictable and nothing I haven't read before in several variations.
Why i rated it so low, is actually a funny twist. The author is so convincing, in the beginning and characterisation of the main female character, that the reader, that is me, is not on board with her "mistreatment" by the main male character. The opposite in fact. While the cruel treatment apparently awakens dormant baser instincts in our female character. It only makes me as the reader frustrated and harder in demanding more fight, more strength and more rebellion from her. And we get none.
Of course we have here, as in various other comparable books, this so called "my brain tells me to act this way, while my weak flesh/ body demands sexual fulfilment" phenomenon. But to my astonishment there is no real fight with this heroine. And it made me detest her. She literally begs in the end and hangs the moon for him. She even comes to the conclusion that she is the willing sacrifice for what her family members did wrong. And that ladies and gentlemen is the opposite of a strong woman for me. Because one can empathise for and suffer with someone who was treated this horrific, but you still show self preservation and strength by trying to right the wrong. And foremost you do not justify to be treated a certain cruel way, because someone did that to your tormenter.
The fact that she apparently discovers she wants to be forced, did not come across the pages for me. Because like i mentioned in the beginning, there was too much convincing inner monologue against it.
It just did not all fit together.
He is a broken man, he wants the ruin of the offensive family. He wants revenge of what happened to his family, but in doing the exact same thing he so condemns, by raping her is not comprehensible for me. Not one bit. Humiliate her and her family, yes. But to being the monster he detests and loving her but not being able to comprehend the conflict he created by raping her, did not come across expertly and was not thought through.
I am not interested in reading the next book, maybe if it were free, i admit to scroll trough in hopes the heroine grows some backbone when it comes to him but I probably would be disappointed given the free pages i read at the end of this book.
But the plot was predictable and nothing I haven't read before in several variations.
Why i rated it so low, is actually a funny twist. The author is so convincing, in the beginning and characterisation of the main female character, that the reader, that is me, is not on board with her "mistreatment" by the main male character. The opposite in fact. While the cruel treatment apparently awakens dormant baser instincts in our female character. It only makes me as the reader frustrated and harder in demanding more fight, more strength and more rebellion from her. And we get none.
Of course we have here, as in various other comparable books, this so called "my brain tells me to act this way, while my weak flesh/ body demands sexual fulfilment" phenomenon. But to my astonishment there is no real fight with this heroine. And it made me detest her. She literally begs in the end and hangs the moon for him. She even comes to the conclusion that she is the willing sacrifice for what her family members did wrong. And that ladies and gentlemen is the opposite of a strong woman for me. Because one can empathise for and suffer with someone who was treated this horrific, but you still show self preservation and strength by trying to right the wrong. And foremost you do not justify to be treated a certain cruel way, because someone did that to your tormenter.
The fact that she apparently discovers she wants to be forced, did not come across the pages for me. Because like i mentioned in the beginning, there was too much convincing inner monologue against it.
It just did not all fit together.
He is a broken man, he wants the ruin of the offensive family. He wants revenge of what happened to his family, but in doing the exact same thing he so condemns, by raping her is not comprehensible for me. Not one bit. Humiliate her and her family, yes. But to being the monster he detests and loving her but not being able to comprehend the conflict he created by raping her, did not come across expertly and was not thought through.
I am not interested in reading the next book, maybe if it were free, i admit to scroll trough in hopes the heroine grows some backbone when it comes to him but I probably would be disappointed given the free pages i read at the end of this book.
July 19, 2020
DNF - made it to 44% before quitting
The back & forth emotional roller coaster ride was just too much for me to want to continue. The heroine, was not likable or believable for that time frame, & the villain, Adam, was so hot and cold it came across as bipolar to me. I didn’t really like either character. But the hot guy on the book cover was what had me move this to the top of my TBR list, when will I learn!
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
The back & forth emotional roller coaster ride was just too much for me to want to continue. The heroine, was not likable or believable for that time frame, & the villain, Adam, was so hot and cold it came across as bipolar to me. I didn’t really like either character. But the hot guy on the book cover was what had me move this to the top of my TBR list, when will I learn!
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
July 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this read! I recently got into dark romance, but my favorite genre is historical romance, so it was fun to experience the two paired together! The steam was great, and not too over the top. I don't usually love duologies, since I prefer the HEA in the same book, so you must know going into this one that you will need to read both books. I immediately started the second one!
May 24, 2021
So.. this was really good. Its only part 1 though. So I'm on to the HEA. These two need to work it out.
August 21, 2019
Ehhhh me gustó. No apta para seguidoras del #metoo.
Bueno, es una fantasía después de todo, no es que una quiera que le pase eso, ¿no?
Eso sí, aclaro que es una bilogía, así que no quedan juntos. Por ahora. Igual, termina bien, con justicia.
Además, creo que necesitaban un descanso.
Tópico del que se quiere vengar de otro usando a la hermana (del otro).
Bueno, es una fantasía después de todo, no es que una quiera que le pase eso, ¿no?
Eso sí, aclaro que es una bilogía, así que no quedan juntos. Por ahora. Igual, termina bien, con justicia.
Además, creo que necesitaban un descanso.
Tópico del que se quiere vengar de otro usando a la hermana (del otro).
April 25, 2021
I bought this and I’m a speed reader so I kept going, but it was pretty boring for a myriad of reasons. The main reveal is obvious from the get go, so we just have to sit through a bunch of blow jobs and stuff and wait for the heroine to catch on to the obvious plot twist. It takes most of the novel, tons of sex that both parties think is way kinkier than it is. I skimmed it.
The hero is one of those inconsistent guys who likes saying vague things and storming off, hoping people will come after him to ask what’s up, because he’s actually kind of dying to tell them. He was probably insufferable even before he was wronged.
I hadn’t fully realized the plot wouldn’t resolve itself by the end of this book. I was kind of hoping the heroine would have taken her bank draft and just run off to France to eat bonbons and attend comic operas and basically have a great life. But no, apparently she sticks around for an entire other novel’s worth of this shit. What on earth could be left of this plot that would take another entire novel? Does she go to France after all? Please say yes.
The hero is one of those inconsistent guys who likes saying vague things and storming off, hoping people will come after him to ask what’s up, because he’s actually kind of dying to tell them. He was probably insufferable even before he was wronged.
I hadn’t fully realized the plot wouldn’t resolve itself by the end of this book. I was kind of hoping the heroine would have taken her bank draft and just run off to France to eat bonbons and attend comic operas and basically have a great life. But no, apparently she sticks around for an entire other novel’s worth of this shit. What on earth could be left of this plot that would take another entire novel? Does she go to France after all? Please say yes.
September 17, 2021
I'm on an anti-hero streak so I thought I'd give this one a try.
The good parts:
- The writing. I have always loved Ms. Vale writing style. I think she writes beautifully and she always managed to capture the essence of the time period.
- Pacing was good. The transition from one scene to another was seamless.
The not-so-good parts:
The romance or the lack thereof. More like obsession. Adam was so hung up on revenge that he was willing to sacrifice Daphne for it. And he did it publicly as well so those scenes were painful to read. Adam's actions seemed like he suffered from mental illness but this wasn't specified by the author.
I loved her Gentleman Courtesan Series but this book just didn't do it for me. I will read the next one purely out of curiosity as this book ended on a cliffhanger.
The good parts:
- The writing. I have always loved Ms. Vale writing style. I think she writes beautifully and she always managed to capture the essence of the time period.
- Pacing was good. The transition from one scene to another was seamless.
The not-so-good parts:
The romance or the lack thereof. More like obsession. Adam was so hung up on revenge that he was willing to sacrifice Daphne for it. And he did it publicly as well so those scenes were painful to read. Adam's actions seemed like he suffered from mental illness but this wasn't specified by the author.
I loved her Gentleman Courtesan Series but this book just didn't do it for me. I will read the next one purely out of curiosity as this book ended on a cliffhanger.
November 10, 2018
Wish I could give 10 stars!
March 27, 2018
I have not read an historical romance in such a long time....but this is an erotic historical romance and it was yummy....you see that he was a good man, he wanted revenge and while dishing it out to Daphne he fell for her..now he is off to London;)
November 20, 2018
Dark romance in a historical setting with revenge trope
This is the first book of a duology and ends with sort of a cliffhanger, book 2 being The Dove. I was initially seduced by the idea of a dark romance in a historical setting and the revenge trope. Lady Daphne Fairchild travels to the wilds of Scotland to confront the man who brought about the ruination of her family. To get the answers she wants, Adam, the Earl of Hartmoor requires that she submit to him for 30 nights of depraved pleasure. What starts out as revenge soon turns into feelings of a different sort…
First, even though not very typical for the time the story is set in, I really liked that Daphne decided to take her fate into her own hands. I also didn’t mind that she decided to take the devil’s bargain and submit (sexually) to Adam in exchange for the truth and a hefty amount of money that would enable her to lead a comfortable and independent life after the agreed upon time of one month is over. I also understand Adam’s need for revenge after what her family did to his family.
So far, so good. But here comes the part that really bothered me: despite everything that happens between them and the feelings they develop for each other, Adam sees in her first and foremost a tool for revenge against her brother and father until almost the very end of book 2. This in a way re-enforced the realities of the time and it reminded me of what Luce Irigaray describes so pointedly in her essay “Women on the Market” in a re-interpretation of Marx. She argues that women are commodities that are exchanged between men and that traditionally women function as tokens to structure the relationship between men. So I am ok with Adam being a kinky dominant with a sadistic streak who enjoys breath play, but the fact that he views Daphne not primarily as a person in her own right but as a tool to hurt the male members of her family is really disturbing, the scene where he publicly displays and degrades her is particularly painful. It takes her almost dying (almost at the very end) to change Adam’s view of her. So even as the story tries to question the closely circumscribed agency of women at the time, it at the same time re-enforces their limited role. Because of that I give the story 4+ stars.
This is the first book of a duology and ends with sort of a cliffhanger, book 2 being The Dove. I was initially seduced by the idea of a dark romance in a historical setting and the revenge trope. Lady Daphne Fairchild travels to the wilds of Scotland to confront the man who brought about the ruination of her family. To get the answers she wants, Adam, the Earl of Hartmoor requires that she submit to him for 30 nights of depraved pleasure. What starts out as revenge soon turns into feelings of a different sort…
First, even though not very typical for the time the story is set in, I really liked that Daphne decided to take her fate into her own hands. I also didn’t mind that she decided to take the devil’s bargain and submit (sexually) to Adam in exchange for the truth and a hefty amount of money that would enable her to lead a comfortable and independent life after the agreed upon time of one month is over. I also understand Adam’s need for revenge after what her family did to his family.
So far, so good. But here comes the part that really bothered me: despite everything that happens between them and the feelings they develop for each other, Adam sees in her first and foremost a tool for revenge against her brother and father until almost the very end of book 2. This in a way re-enforced the realities of the time and it reminded me of what Luce Irigaray describes so pointedly in her essay “Women on the Market” in a re-interpretation of Marx. She argues that women are commodities that are exchanged between men and that traditionally women function as tokens to structure the relationship between men. So I am ok with Adam being a kinky dominant with a sadistic streak who enjoys breath play, but the fact that he views Daphne not primarily as a person in her own right but as a tool to hurt the male members of her family is really disturbing, the scene where he publicly displays and degrades her is particularly painful. It takes her almost dying (almost at the very end) to change Adam’s view of her. So even as the story tries to question the closely circumscribed agency of women at the time, it at the same time re-enforces their limited role. Because of that I give the story 4+ stars.
October 19, 2021
This book was so awful. I have so much to say, but don’t want to waste even more time just thinking about this book.
Some thoughts: it’s not really historical, though it says it’s set in the early 1800s. I mean, I don’t think riding a horse from London to Scotland can be done in the space of a day, for example. Time travel? Lol But also, most of what takes place completely disregards all concept of society at that time. It’s also not a romance because there is no HEA. And the “hero” is ALWAYS going around inside and out with his shirt wide open, even while out horseback riding. In Scotland. Whaaaaat? I can’t even.
And the vocabulary was super basic and repetitive. Every sex scene mentions how the heroine’s clothing ends up “stained”. And that’s just the most obvious one I can remember.
There is so much description of the house, the scenery, etc, and none of it adds to the story. I finally ended up just skipping to the dialogue to get through this book several times.
There is no chemistry between the main characters. Sex? Yes. But it’s not steamy because there is no connection between the characters and the scenes became repetitive and boring. The hero was an asshole and the heroine seemed kind of stupid.
The premise seemed like it could have been interesting but was very poorly done. I was shocked to learn that this was not this author’s first book and I have zero interest in reading the follow up (this one ended with a cliffhanger?) because the characters were so awful and you couldn’t pay me to read more of this terrible writing.
This may be the worst book I read this year.
Some thoughts: it’s not really historical, though it says it’s set in the early 1800s. I mean, I don’t think riding a horse from London to Scotland can be done in the space of a day, for example. Time travel? Lol But also, most of what takes place completely disregards all concept of society at that time. It’s also not a romance because there is no HEA. And the “hero” is ALWAYS going around inside and out with his shirt wide open, even while out horseback riding. In Scotland. Whaaaaat? I can’t even.
And the vocabulary was super basic and repetitive. Every sex scene mentions how the heroine’s clothing ends up “stained”. And that’s just the most obvious one I can remember.
There is so much description of the house, the scenery, etc, and none of it adds to the story. I finally ended up just skipping to the dialogue to get through this book several times.
There is no chemistry between the main characters. Sex? Yes. But it’s not steamy because there is no connection between the characters and the scenes became repetitive and boring. The hero was an asshole and the heroine seemed kind of stupid.
The premise seemed like it could have been interesting but was very poorly done. I was shocked to learn that this was not this author’s first book and I have zero interest in reading the follow up (this one ended with a cliffhanger?) because the characters were so awful and you couldn’t pay me to read more of this terrible writing.
This may be the worst book I read this year.
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