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Rebellious Desires #2
The Earl in My Bed
For years, Daphne Wentworth, Countess Carrington has loved her powerful, enigmatic husband, despite the fact that they married under less than ideal circumstances. But no more. Finally at her breaking point, Daphne intends to create a scandal so big, her austere husband will have no choice but to divorce her. Except everything goes awry when he surprises her with the last thing she expected.
Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, has returned to London for one reason—to seduce his wife. After a near-death experience, he is in need of an heir and means to make his marriage a real one. To his shock, though, his wicked, beautiful countess wants the exact opposite, and he must now do everything possible to entice his countess to stay forever.
Each book in the Rebellious Desires series is STANDALONE:
- Duchess by Day
- Mistress by Night
- The Earl in My Bed
Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, has returned to London for one reason—to seduce his wife. After a near-death experience, he is in need of an heir and means to make his marriage a real one. To his shock, though, his wicked, beautiful countess wants the exact opposite, and he must now do everything possible to entice his countess to stay forever.
Each book in the Rebellious Desires series is STANDALONE:
- Duchess by Day
- Mistress by Night
- The Earl in My Bed
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2018
321 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Reid
92 books3,424 followersI am an unapologetic romance lover. I read it. I write it. Enough said. Well..I also have a warrior way "Never give up on my dreams." I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with my love, Dusean.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
March 12, 2020
4 married but not together, slow burn stars
A chance meeting between Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, and the daughter of a neighboring Viscount (Daphne) leads to a marriage by blackmail.... When Daphne first encounters the handsome stranger who pulls her and her pup from the rushing waters, she is attracted to him; after a storm necessitates that they spend a little more time together which they spend talking about many topics, she is infatuated. Her coming out is only a few weeks away, and she is excited to see this gentleman again. After hearing her description of the man who rescued his daughter (and after she assures him nothing untoward occurred between them), the Viscount hatches a plan to secure his daughter's future by blackmailing the man she wants: the Earl of Carrington.
Sylvester is disgusted at the lengths the Viscount has stooped to as well as with his threats to Sylvester's family. Though the Earl is a very powerful man, the secret is not his and is not one that he can easily bury in the time he was given by the Viscount. He agrees, "courts," and weds Daphne in short order, but on her wedding night, he tells her he will never care for her and that their marriage is a total sham. Daphne is shocked as she had no idea what her father did, and she is ashamed that he trapped the Earl into marrying her. Sylvester refuses to believe her claims of innocence; thus, they have spent the last 6 years mostly apart. Even when they occupy the same space, they barely speak, and Daphne is beyond miserable.
Sylvester has most recently been away for 6 months, and Daphne has had enough of his stony silence and refusal to engage with her on any level. She is prepared to take drastic measures to leave him and start a new life where she may have a chance some day at love. Though the scandal would be tremendous, Daphne wants a divorce. Her attorney told her that she would not have the standing to end their marriage, but the Earl would; thus, she has decided to create a scandal of epic proportions to force his hand. Little does she know that Sylvester has returned, and after a near death experience, he realizes that life is short, and he must move forward with life with the hand he has been dealt. But is it too late? Has Daphne set her sights on another man? Will Sylvester believe her that she was innocent in her father's scheme? And when their lives are threatened, will they even be able to consider a life together?
What I liked:
--- Very intense H, and the author's descriptions of his behavior and expressions really brought him to life
--- The h was very likeable; she grew a lot in the story and stood her ground with respect to several situations when earlier in life she may have been easily swayed
--- The plot was fast-moving, and it had action, intrigue, and suspense
--- Once we GOT to the steamy goodness, it was GOOD ;)
What I didn't like as much:
--- SLOW BURN!! I was not used to this with Stacy Reid's novels as most would be considered erotica (this one would not)
--- ANGST GALORE - while most of it was important to the story, there were some times where I just felt like smacking one or the other mc's head to just get over it
Overall, an enjoyable read that kept me glued to the pages to see what would happen next.
Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
A chance meeting between Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington, and the daughter of a neighboring Viscount (Daphne) leads to a marriage by blackmail.... When Daphne first encounters the handsome stranger who pulls her and her pup from the rushing waters, she is attracted to him; after a storm necessitates that they spend a little more time together which they spend talking about many topics, she is infatuated. Her coming out is only a few weeks away, and she is excited to see this gentleman again. After hearing her description of the man who rescued his daughter (and after she assures him nothing untoward occurred between them), the Viscount hatches a plan to secure his daughter's future by blackmailing the man she wants: the Earl of Carrington.
Sylvester is disgusted at the lengths the Viscount has stooped to as well as with his threats to Sylvester's family. Though the Earl is a very powerful man, the secret is not his and is not one that he can easily bury in the time he was given by the Viscount. He agrees, "courts," and weds Daphne in short order, but on her wedding night, he tells her he will never care for her and that their marriage is a total sham. Daphne is shocked as she had no idea what her father did, and she is ashamed that he trapped the Earl into marrying her. Sylvester refuses to believe her claims of innocence; thus, they have spent the last 6 years mostly apart. Even when they occupy the same space, they barely speak, and Daphne is beyond miserable.
Sylvester has most recently been away for 6 months, and Daphne has had enough of his stony silence and refusal to engage with her on any level. She is prepared to take drastic measures to leave him and start a new life where she may have a chance some day at love. Though the scandal would be tremendous, Daphne wants a divorce. Her attorney told her that she would not have the standing to end their marriage, but the Earl would; thus, she has decided to create a scandal of epic proportions to force his hand. Little does she know that Sylvester has returned, and after a near death experience, he realizes that life is short, and he must move forward with life with the hand he has been dealt. But is it too late? Has Daphne set her sights on another man? Will Sylvester believe her that she was innocent in her father's scheme? And when their lives are threatened, will they even be able to consider a life together?
What I liked:
--- Very intense H, and the author's descriptions of his behavior and expressions really brought him to life
--- The h was very likeable; she grew a lot in the story and stood her ground with respect to several situations when earlier in life she may have been easily swayed
--- The plot was fast-moving, and it had action, intrigue, and suspense
--- Once we GOT to the steamy goodness, it was GOOD ;)
What I didn't like as much:
--- SLOW BURN!! I was not used to this with Stacy Reid's novels as most would be considered erotica (this one would not)
--- ANGST GALORE - while most of it was important to the story, there were some times where I just felt like smacking one or the other mc's head to just get over it
Overall, an enjoyable read that kept me glued to the pages to see what would happen next.
Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 3/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
April 14, 2018
This novel is a heart wrenching but wonderful story about the power of true love triumphing over the pain and tragedy brought about by external forces and compounded by the MC's own bitterness in an unhappy marriage. The H and heroine spent 6 horrible years apart because Daphne's father had blackmailed Sylvester into marrying her and this doomed our MC's even before they ever had a real chance to grow as a couple. This was a truly fabulous story that was so romantic and filled with a couple of other very interesting and compelling minor storylines, one of which was the scourge of British West Indian plantation slavery. I enjoyed this book a lot because I love a beautifully written romance novel. I love romance and I believe in true love because I know what it feels like to find true love with a sexy man and have that person treasure me the way I love him. That's why I'm gonna ignore all the eyerolling from a couple of cynics who will probably be shaking their heads and mumbling about how naive and unrealistic I am. But you know what: I don't care. Love exists, it is beautiful and it IS possible for a man to be good, kind, faithful and loving so feel free to roll your eyes since I'm happy and proud to declare myself an eternal "naive" optimist so:
OK time to get on with the review of this wonderful novel, because I know some of you are saying to me:
This novel had the most phenomenal, strong, kind, beautiful and loving heroine called Daphne. When Daphne was only 17 yrs old, she fell in love with the H Sylvester. He's the rich and sexy Earl of Carrington, who saved the heroine and her adorable puppy Gulliver from drowning. Daphne hadn't even had her debut season in London but she was so awed by the handsome 23 yr old H that she made the mistake of revealing her infatuation to her sickly father. Daphne's father made his fortune by blackmailing rich members of the Ton but the heroine was unaware of that. The old man wanted his daughter to become a Countess so he blackmailed Sylvester into marrying her. Sylvester assumed that the heroine was involved in the blackmail scam and so he despised her. This was really sad since he had liked her a lot and had been greatly attracted to her when they had first met. Daphne had known that Sylvester had found her very attractive and that's why she'd confided in her father about meeting the young Earl:
In case you're wondering, the secret used to blackmail Sylvester was not something about the H himself; rather, it was a secret about Sylvester's younger sister. The novel starts off 6 yrs after the MC's have been married. They've been living apart for most of that time and have never had sex but they've BOTH been celibate. That's what I adored about Sylvester: he was an honorable man who was faithful to his wedding vows even while he believed his wife was an accessory to blackmail. The author provides actual proof that Sylvester had been celibate, by giving the reader a direct glimpse into the H's point of view when he ponders about the lonely, long years without sex. Sylvester is also a remarkable H because he isn't even tempted to sleep with other women. He's often found himself annoyed that the only woman he seems to want in his bed is his own wife, Daphne. At the start of the story, Daphne is being courted by the villainous Viscount Redgrave and she is tempted because she wants to be with someone who will love her. However, she declines the viscount's advances and decides that she will ask her husband for a divorce first. Meanwhile, Sylvester has just returned from Jamaica ( he's a member of the Anti-Slavery Society ) and has just survived yet another assassination attempt on his life. Sylvester is a bit cocky at this point in the novel because he thinks that all he has to do is wiggle his fingers and Daphne will crawl into his bed:
But the heroine is angry and she stands up for herself with strength that would make any woman proud:
The haughty H responded with a slightly condescending attitude. Sylvester ended up getting the upper hand in this scenario because he unleashed his magical tongue and pleasured her in the library in one of the most erotic scenes in the story. At the end of the scene, the heroine still stood her ground and refused to let a powerful orgasm turn her into a mindless, powerless ninny. She told him she wanted out of the marriage in a very emotive scene:
She fisted her hands at her side. “Do you expect me to think of others who have only known contentment with their lives? I will no longer be trapped in this cold marriage,” she said. “I am lonely, so empty there are days I feel as if I will shatter. I do not care about scandals. I want to be held…kissed, loved. I am neither free, nor married in truth, and I want to be unburdened from the shackles you have placed on me.” She felt distantly appalled she was sharing so much of her feelings with him, but he had to be convinced, otherwise she would shatter
All of this happened long before the first third of the story had been completed. The pacing of the storyline was very well done. Daphne and Sylvester were 2 individuals who truly belonged together but the evil machinations of her father's blackmail had built an almost impregnable barrier between them. Sylvester was a bit of an aloof, bitter H at times but he was a good man. He fought for the rights of the slaves in the British empire and was even friends with the famous William Wilberforce. The H had even freed all the slaves on his family's sugar cane plantation in Jamaica and often helped free blacks who had found their way onto the shores of England. It's a well known fact that Lord Mansfield's Judgement of 1772 had declared slavery to be outlawed on the shores of England itself, even if the colonies still had slaves. The heroine had also done her part to aid the unfortunates in society with the refurbishment of an orphanage. It was great to see an author include important social issues in a historical romance novel. The romantic plot deals with the H's attempts to court his wife and mend their broken marriage. The author did a fine job of building my empathy for Sylvester, because of the many well written passages of prose that showed me all of his insecurities and inner fears plus his strong feelings for Daphne. It's not often that I am able to actually like a H who has abandoned his wife for 6 long years ! The reasons for the MC's estrangement were very logically justified by the author and it left me feeling sorry for Sylvester and Daphne and hating her father for putting them in an uncomfortable situation.
The wooing of Daphne was splendidly done by the H. He knew how much he had hurt her and he tried his best, in the best ways possible, to court her like a lady yet give her the space she needed to think things out for herself. He didn't force her to have sex with him but seduced her slowly and let her take the lead in their many sensual encounters. I also enjoyed how he never fussed whenever he went into her bedroom and saw her huge dog Gulliver sleeping on the bed with her ! That there is a perfect man, in my eyes ! Harold Mongrelpup will love Sylvester ! Sylvester also took his head out of his ass LONG before many other H's would do the same. Other H's usually wait until the very last minute to acknowledge the error of their ways but Sylvester came to terms with his mistakes before the 50% marker of the storyline:
“You were lonely,” he said gruffly, wishing he’d tried to see beyond his anger much earlier. When he’d just met her, Sylvester had been enchanted by her lively wit, and it gutted him to know that he hadn’t tried to remember that about her. How had he never seen that her smile was sweetly charming and not sophisticated and cynical? Several times he found himself wondering if he hadn’t had that brush with death, how long would the pain of the past have held him from seeking contentment with his wife. With me you’ll never be lonely again"
Their romantic courtship was not without external conflict: Viscount Redgrave was trying to kill the H by sending assassins to kidnap him and Daphne's lowlife brother interfered to create another set of problems just when things were going well. The biggest problem developed when Sylvester found the blackmail letters in Daphne's possession and blamed her once again for colluding with her dead father. Daphne was angry that he couldn't trust her and she came up with a stupid plan to create a scandal to force him to divorce her, but the H came to his senses and rescued her before anything bad had happened. He even agreed to divorce her if she really wanted it, because he'd finally acknowledged his love for her and he knew that true love is not a selfish love but one where the lover cares only for the happiness of his beloved:
"It was difficult to confront the brutal truth because the thought of living without his wife for the rest of his life shook him to his core.
But if he loved her, he had to offer her what her heart yearned for.
The wounds in her eyes had been profound, and while it destroyed something inside of him to think it, if he loved her, respected her dreams and opinions, he had to let her go."
Fortunately for Sylvester, the heroine didn't want a divorce because she also loved him with all her heart. This novel also has one of the best extended erotic sex scenes I've come across in a historical romance novel. This scene happens at the end when the MC's declare their love for each other and it was beautiful ! It's guaranteed to cause a little blush or two:
I recommend this for anybody who still reads romance with a happy heart, because they are willing to believe that true love still exists in spite of the trials and tribulation that one may have to go through before one can find it. And that, above all, human beings are flawed and should be given the chance to redeem themselves and prove their worth. Thank you for having the patience with the review of a naive romantic like myself !
OK time to get on with the review of this wonderful novel, because I know some of you are saying to me:
This novel had the most phenomenal, strong, kind, beautiful and loving heroine called Daphne. When Daphne was only 17 yrs old, she fell in love with the H Sylvester. He's the rich and sexy Earl of Carrington, who saved the heroine and her adorable puppy Gulliver from drowning. Daphne hadn't even had her debut season in London but she was so awed by the handsome 23 yr old H that she made the mistake of revealing her infatuation to her sickly father. Daphne's father made his fortune by blackmailing rich members of the Ton but the heroine was unaware of that. The old man wanted his daughter to become a Countess so he blackmailed Sylvester into marrying her. Sylvester assumed that the heroine was involved in the blackmail scam and so he despised her. This was really sad since he had liked her a lot and had been greatly attracted to her when they had first met. Daphne had known that Sylvester had found her very attractive and that's why she'd confided in her father about meeting the young Earl:
In case you're wondering, the secret used to blackmail Sylvester was not something about the H himself; rather, it was a secret about Sylvester's younger sister. The novel starts off 6 yrs after the MC's have been married. They've been living apart for most of that time and have never had sex but they've BOTH been celibate. That's what I adored about Sylvester: he was an honorable man who was faithful to his wedding vows even while he believed his wife was an accessory to blackmail. The author provides actual proof that Sylvester had been celibate, by giving the reader a direct glimpse into the H's point of view when he ponders about the lonely, long years without sex. Sylvester is also a remarkable H because he isn't even tempted to sleep with other women. He's often found himself annoyed that the only woman he seems to want in his bed is his own wife, Daphne. At the start of the story, Daphne is being courted by the villainous Viscount Redgrave and she is tempted because she wants to be with someone who will love her. However, she declines the viscount's advances and decides that she will ask her husband for a divorce first. Meanwhile, Sylvester has just returned from Jamaica ( he's a member of the Anti-Slavery Society ) and has just survived yet another assassination attempt on his life. Sylvester is a bit cocky at this point in the novel because he thinks that all he has to do is wiggle his fingers and Daphne will crawl into his bed:
But the heroine is angry and she stands up for herself with strength that would make any woman proud:
The haughty H responded with a slightly condescending attitude. Sylvester ended up getting the upper hand in this scenario because he unleashed his magical tongue and pleasured her in the library in one of the most erotic scenes in the story. At the end of the scene, the heroine still stood her ground and refused to let a powerful orgasm turn her into a mindless, powerless ninny. She told him she wanted out of the marriage in a very emotive scene:
She fisted her hands at her side. “Do you expect me to think of others who have only known contentment with their lives? I will no longer be trapped in this cold marriage,” she said. “I am lonely, so empty there are days I feel as if I will shatter. I do not care about scandals. I want to be held…kissed, loved. I am neither free, nor married in truth, and I want to be unburdened from the shackles you have placed on me.” She felt distantly appalled she was sharing so much of her feelings with him, but he had to be convinced, otherwise she would shatter
All of this happened long before the first third of the story had been completed. The pacing of the storyline was very well done. Daphne and Sylvester were 2 individuals who truly belonged together but the evil machinations of her father's blackmail had built an almost impregnable barrier between them. Sylvester was a bit of an aloof, bitter H at times but he was a good man. He fought for the rights of the slaves in the British empire and was even friends with the famous William Wilberforce. The H had even freed all the slaves on his family's sugar cane plantation in Jamaica and often helped free blacks who had found their way onto the shores of England. It's a well known fact that Lord Mansfield's Judgement of 1772 had declared slavery to be outlawed on the shores of England itself, even if the colonies still had slaves. The heroine had also done her part to aid the unfortunates in society with the refurbishment of an orphanage. It was great to see an author include important social issues in a historical romance novel. The romantic plot deals with the H's attempts to court his wife and mend their broken marriage. The author did a fine job of building my empathy for Sylvester, because of the many well written passages of prose that showed me all of his insecurities and inner fears plus his strong feelings for Daphne. It's not often that I am able to actually like a H who has abandoned his wife for 6 long years ! The reasons for the MC's estrangement were very logically justified by the author and it left me feeling sorry for Sylvester and Daphne and hating her father for putting them in an uncomfortable situation.
The wooing of Daphne was splendidly done by the H. He knew how much he had hurt her and he tried his best, in the best ways possible, to court her like a lady yet give her the space she needed to think things out for herself. He didn't force her to have sex with him but seduced her slowly and let her take the lead in their many sensual encounters. I also enjoyed how he never fussed whenever he went into her bedroom and saw her huge dog Gulliver sleeping on the bed with her ! That there is a perfect man, in my eyes ! Harold Mongrelpup will love Sylvester ! Sylvester also took his head out of his ass LONG before many other H's would do the same. Other H's usually wait until the very last minute to acknowledge the error of their ways but Sylvester came to terms with his mistakes before the 50% marker of the storyline:
“You were lonely,” he said gruffly, wishing he’d tried to see beyond his anger much earlier. When he’d just met her, Sylvester had been enchanted by her lively wit, and it gutted him to know that he hadn’t tried to remember that about her. How had he never seen that her smile was sweetly charming and not sophisticated and cynical? Several times he found himself wondering if he hadn’t had that brush with death, how long would the pain of the past have held him from seeking contentment with his wife. With me you’ll never be lonely again"
Their romantic courtship was not without external conflict: Viscount Redgrave was trying to kill the H by sending assassins to kidnap him and Daphne's lowlife brother interfered to create another set of problems just when things were going well. The biggest problem developed when Sylvester found the blackmail letters in Daphne's possession and blamed her once again for colluding with her dead father. Daphne was angry that he couldn't trust her and she came up with a stupid plan to create a scandal to force him to divorce her, but the H came to his senses and rescued her before anything bad had happened. He even agreed to divorce her if she really wanted it, because he'd finally acknowledged his love for her and he knew that true love is not a selfish love but one where the lover cares only for the happiness of his beloved:
"It was difficult to confront the brutal truth because the thought of living without his wife for the rest of his life shook him to his core.
But if he loved her, he had to offer her what her heart yearned for.
The wounds in her eyes had been profound, and while it destroyed something inside of him to think it, if he loved her, respected her dreams and opinions, he had to let her go."
Fortunately for Sylvester, the heroine didn't want a divorce because she also loved him with all her heart. This novel also has one of the best extended erotic sex scenes I've come across in a historical romance novel. This scene happens at the end when the MC's declare their love for each other and it was beautiful ! It's guaranteed to cause a little blush or two:
I recommend this for anybody who still reads romance with a happy heart, because they are willing to believe that true love still exists in spite of the trials and tribulation that one may have to go through before one can find it. And that, above all, human beings are flawed and should be given the chance to redeem themselves and prove their worth. Thank you for having the patience with the review of a naive romantic like myself !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2020
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am in love with Stacy Reid's writing ❤️
God!! All the emotions in the story touched something so deep in my heart. I loved every word, line and paragraph of it❤️
⚫All the characters are so beautifully written.
⚫ Plotting and the story is so intriguing that it kept my heart fluttering with so many emotions.
⚫ Writing style no doubt is amazing
Daphne is innocent yet knows the way of life. She is vulnerable yet so fierce. I could feel her positive and strong vibe here, sitting on my reading spot✨
Whereas, Sylvester is so strong and yet again vulnerable. He has done so many people alot good but fails to see the innocence of his wife.
I really doubted his judgements until he finally realised his undying love. That strong-headed guy didn't even know his intensity of love and care towards his wife until it was too late but thankfully she is too generous and loving to spare him from his misery and fall into his awaiting arms.
I am a big fan of Stacy's writing. Every work of her just make me even bigger fan of her💞
I am in love with Stacy Reid's writing ❤️
God!! All the emotions in the story touched something so deep in my heart. I loved every word, line and paragraph of it❤️
⚫All the characters are so beautifully written.
⚫ Plotting and the story is so intriguing that it kept my heart fluttering with so many emotions.
⚫ Writing style no doubt is amazing
Daphne is innocent yet knows the way of life. She is vulnerable yet so fierce. I could feel her positive and strong vibe here, sitting on my reading spot✨
Whereas, Sylvester is so strong and yet again vulnerable. He has done so many people alot good but fails to see the innocence of his wife.
I really doubted his judgements until he finally realised his undying love. That strong-headed guy didn't even know his intensity of love and care towards his wife until it was too late but thankfully she is too generous and loving to spare him from his misery and fall into his awaiting arms.
I am a big fan of Stacy's writing. Every work of her just make me even bigger fan of her💞
April 18, 2018
Couple quick points.
~Hero did irritate me a little at the beginning of the story. His inability to communicate, his irritation and anger at the heroine. But he did see the "light" in pursuing and getting to know his wife in a near death experience (thought it was a little cheesy and too easy of a quick fix).
~Heroine was adorable, sweet and strong. She did wait a tad too long to stand up to him IMHO.
~Was engaged and interested in the couples HEA.
~Nice pacing and character development was fairly good.
~Needed a little more in the epilogue, but was satisfactory.
~Enjoyable.
~Hero did irritate me a little at the beginning of the story. His inability to communicate, his irritation and anger at the heroine. But he did see the "light" in pursuing and getting to know his wife in a near death experience (thought it was a little cheesy and too easy of a quick fix).
~Heroine was adorable, sweet and strong. She did wait a tad too long to stand up to him IMHO.
~Was engaged and interested in the couples HEA.
~Nice pacing and character development was fairly good.
~Needed a little more in the epilogue, but was satisfactory.
~Enjoyable.
April 5, 2018
3.5 Stars
Daphne and Sylvester have been married for six years and yet they barely talk, rarely see each other and have never touched. The circumstances of their marriage are not the type to bring about warmth and affection. When Sylvester almost dies he decides it is time to fulfill his familial obligation and sire an heir. Unfortunately for him, Daphne has other plans that have nothing whatsoever to do with sharing her husband’s bed.
I understood Sylvester’s reasoning for remaining aloof and icy towards his countess but it tended to make me want to smack him upside the head sometimes. When Daphne comes up with her scheme, I felt a bit confused. She had the perfect partner to assist her in her endeavor right in front of her. That string in the storyline just didn’t add up to me.
However, I did enjoy watching Daphne come alive and Sylvester’s reactions to her. My heart hurt for the pain and loneliness she had carried for so many years. The groveling on the hero’s part was pretty decent although I would’ve loved to have had even more of it vocalized instead of shared through his inner musings.
Altogether a pleasant read. I suspect you will actually love it if you like this trope and don’t mind the hero being a bit of an a-hole.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV
Safe
Daphne and Sylvester have been married for six years and yet they barely talk, rarely see each other and have never touched. The circumstances of their marriage are not the type to bring about warmth and affection. When Sylvester almost dies he decides it is time to fulfill his familial obligation and sire an heir. Unfortunately for him, Daphne has other plans that have nothing whatsoever to do with sharing her husband’s bed.
I understood Sylvester’s reasoning for remaining aloof and icy towards his countess but it tended to make me want to smack him upside the head sometimes. When Daphne comes up with her scheme, I felt a bit confused. She had the perfect partner to assist her in her endeavor right in front of her. That string in the storyline just didn’t add up to me.
However, I did enjoy watching Daphne come alive and Sylvester’s reactions to her. My heart hurt for the pain and loneliness she had carried for so many years. The groveling on the hero’s part was pretty decent although I would’ve loved to have had even more of it vocalized instead of shared through his inner musings.
Altogether a pleasant read. I suspect you will actually love it if you like this trope and don’t mind the hero being a bit of an a-hole.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dual POV
Safe
December 10, 2021
It was just an okay read. Her other books that I've read were way better than this one. The characters weren't very consistent with their actions and some of the dialogues felt unnatural. This was a quick read though.
March 21, 2018
The Earl in My Bed is book two in my new Regency series, Rebellious Desires. Daphne was featured briefly in book 1,
and I received several emails asking for her story. I hope you enjoy Daphne and Sylvester journey to HEA and I had a fab time writing their love story.
A few months ago I joked to my hubby he sucked at naming books, and he challenged me to say he will come up with better titles than me for my next series. He named book 1 and he also named The Earl in My bed. So thank you, my love, for the awesome titles.
Happy reading.
and I received several emails asking for her story. I hope you enjoy Daphne and Sylvester journey to HEA and I had a fab time writing their love story. A few months ago I joked to my hubby he sucked at naming books, and he challenged me to say he will come up with better titles than me for my next series. He named book 1 and he also named The Earl in My bed. So thank you, my love, for the awesome titles.
Happy reading.
February 28, 2022
4 Stars
- Stacy Reid is always fun to read. This one had an interesting premise, and it was full of angst, misunderstanding, some drama, and a little dose of steam, especially considering there is a bed in the title 🤣
- Languished a little towards the end, probably would have worked better as a novella, but nevertheless, it is an enjoyable story.
- Stacy Reid is always fun to read. This one had an interesting premise, and it was full of angst, misunderstanding, some drama, and a little dose of steam, especially considering there is a bed in the title 🤣
- Languished a little towards the end, probably would have worked better as a novella, but nevertheless, it is an enjoyable story.
June 22, 2020
I thought the plot was too complicated for how short this was, but it was still very enjoyable. Would've liked more steam, it's a slow burn and the pay off was a little bit disappointing.
July 8, 2025
4 mature ⭐️🎧
The first half was a 5 ⭐️ read! He was cruel and she was sweetness itself. I was here for it. Stacy Reid writes beautiful stories about maturity and forgiveness and I love how I can trust that there will always be growth for her characters. I also wish she would have taken the disparity a little further. More cruelty and more innocence towards the end.
Daphne’s father blackmails Sylvester, into to marriage with her, and the resentment is real. She decides to finally leave, my favorite trope! And he decides he wants a second chance. Distrust and family becomes obstacles and they find it hard to move on from there. It’s very romantic to see them discover each other and I do appreciate the author’s effort to show the European involvement in the slave trade. It worked in this book without taking away from the romance.
The only reason it wasn’t a 5 ⭐️ read for me was: spice without consummation in the whole book! I don’t need them to have full on intercourse, but at some point it becomes so unrealistic that I have to roll my eyes. That’s never good🙄. They were adults and married! Also I felt the ending was a little predictable. I do enjoy a little surprise, with my daily dose of romance.
I did love this ❤️
Should you read it? Yes you should. It’s romantic and sweet, Daphne stands up for herself is loyal to herself! Did I wish it was a little more dramatic, yes I did. But I am an 1980’s drama queen.
The first half was a 5 ⭐️ read! He was cruel and she was sweetness itself. I was here for it. Stacy Reid writes beautiful stories about maturity and forgiveness and I love how I can trust that there will always be growth for her characters. I also wish she would have taken the disparity a little further. More cruelty and more innocence towards the end.
Daphne’s father blackmails Sylvester, into to marriage with her, and the resentment is real. She decides to finally leave, my favorite trope! And he decides he wants a second chance. Distrust and family becomes obstacles and they find it hard to move on from there. It’s very romantic to see them discover each other and I do appreciate the author’s effort to show the European involvement in the slave trade. It worked in this book without taking away from the romance.
The only reason it wasn’t a 5 ⭐️ read for me was: spice without consummation in the whole book! I don’t need them to have full on intercourse, but at some point it becomes so unrealistic that I have to roll my eyes. That’s never good🙄. They were adults and married! Also I felt the ending was a little predictable. I do enjoy a little surprise, with my daily dose of romance.
I did love this ❤️
Should you read it? Yes you should. It’s romantic and sweet, Daphne stands up for herself is loyal to herself! Did I wish it was a little more dramatic, yes I did. But I am an 1980’s drama queen.
April 15, 2018
5.0 stars
Loved it! This was how I wished "The Day Of The Duchess" by Sarah MacLean would be and wasn't. Thankfully cheating played no role in this one but the premise was similar and in the end this was such an entertaining and fulfilling read!
Loved it! This was how I wished "The Day Of The Duchess" by Sarah MacLean would be and wasn't. Thankfully cheating played no role in this one but the premise was similar and in the end this was such an entertaining and fulfilling read!
August 21, 2024
4 stars
Stacy Reid’s books are a comfort read for me at this point. There is always drama, passion, a bit of yearning, and a lot of sensual scenes. 😏
This book is a marriage in trouble / second chance romance. The MMC was blackmailed into marriage by the FMC’s father, and he’s held it against her for 6 years. She now wants a divorce, meanwhile he’s ready for an “agreeable marriage” and an heir. Da-dun!! (I don’t know why the Law & Order sound effect came to my head just then.)
The story was straightforward and moved along quickly, which made for an easy audiobook listen. I would have liked a bit more showing than telling (especially in the middle when they were growing closer), but overall I really enjoyed the story.
Stacy Reid’s books are a comfort read for me at this point. There is always drama, passion, a bit of yearning, and a lot of sensual scenes. 😏
This book is a marriage in trouble / second chance romance. The MMC was blackmailed into marriage by the FMC’s father, and he’s held it against her for 6 years. She now wants a divorce, meanwhile he’s ready for an “agreeable marriage” and an heir. Da-dun!! (I don’t know why the Law & Order sound effect came to my head just then.)
The story was straightforward and moved along quickly, which made for an easy audiobook listen. I would have liked a bit more showing than telling (especially in the middle when they were growing closer), but overall I really enjoyed the story.
April 16, 2018
1.5 stars
Just didn't grab me.
Just didn't grab me.
January 12, 2025
3,5 stars!
April 2, 2018
Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) So I am going to disagree with all of the five stars, I am glad that you enjoyed it that much but me not so much. Daphne got a bummed deal (God I am so happy I didn't live in that era). Her horrible dad blackmails the one guy Daphne had a crush on and he was a jerk, he thought she was in on it and refused to listen to her when she tried to tell him. Then she is abandoned, treated miserably and lonely. Can you really not understand why she wanted a divorce, she lost 6 years, to a jerk this poor girl needed a new life with someone else. So ok he decides to make his marriage work because he needs an Heir, but what about her feelings...I hate books that guys treat these girls like crap and think that that is acceptable.
June 27, 2021
Since I discovered Stacy Reid this year, I read over ten of her books and this one is the only one that I didn't like. It felt kind of flat. I just couldn't care about these two. Still, if you love historical romance and haven't read her books DO IT!
September 28, 2022
4.5 Stars.
Wow, what a read. Blackmail, dishonor, and a historical ghost details how many English nobles made their vast wealth…through slavery.
I loved Sylvester, he demonstrated his honor and sense of justice throughout the story. His love and loyalty for his mother and ruined sister was so admirable.
Daphne sometimes got on my nerves with her obtuseness but I absolutely admired her for remaining true to her marriage vows when so many in the Ton are adulterous hypocrites.
I also loved that Sylvester stayed true to his vows as well, though justifiably angry at the pain Daphne’s vile father caused Sylvester’s family. I felt little sympathy for Sylvester’s sister Henrietta. As a well bred lady, she knew better than to sleep with a married man. Her stupidity will cost her daughter a place in society and she’s only herself to blame.
It was a nice touch that Daphne also took responsibility and admitted being equally at fault for the breakdown of their marriage. I admired Daphne’s work with the orphans and her not reading those blackmail letters of her father.
Rhys is simply despicable, selling scandalous secrets while pretending to be Sylvester’s friend. Viscount Redgrave was a monster…a slaver, rapist, kidnapper, and filthy scoundrel; I wished Sylvester had snapped his neck.
Oh but, Sylvester is simply swoon worthy. After all the pain her father caused his family, it was who Sylvester apologized to Daphne, the daughter of a vile blackmailer. This man stood by his sister, retrieved her bastard child when most families would have been glad to be rid of such a scandal. He even extended forgiveness to Daphne’s wastrel, blackmailing brother. So much on his shoulders but he stood strong. Daphne had better give this man a litter of children.
Wow, what a read. Blackmail, dishonor, and a historical ghost details how many English nobles made their vast wealth…through slavery.
I loved Sylvester, he demonstrated his honor and sense of justice throughout the story. His love and loyalty for his mother and ruined sister was so admirable.
Daphne sometimes got on my nerves with her obtuseness but I absolutely admired her for remaining true to her marriage vows when so many in the Ton are adulterous hypocrites.
I also loved that Sylvester stayed true to his vows as well, though justifiably angry at the pain Daphne’s vile father caused Sylvester’s family. I felt little sympathy for Sylvester’s sister Henrietta. As a well bred lady, she knew better than to sleep with a married man. Her stupidity will cost her daughter a place in society and she’s only herself to blame.
It was a nice touch that Daphne also took responsibility and admitted being equally at fault for the breakdown of their marriage. I admired Daphne’s work with the orphans and her not reading those blackmail letters of her father.
Rhys is simply despicable, selling scandalous secrets while pretending to be Sylvester’s friend. Viscount Redgrave was a monster…a slaver, rapist, kidnapper, and filthy scoundrel; I wished Sylvester had snapped his neck.
Oh but, Sylvester is simply swoon worthy. After all the pain her father caused his family, it was who Sylvester apologized to Daphne, the daughter of a vile blackmailer. This man stood by his sister, retrieved her bastard child when most families would have been glad to be rid of such a scandal. He even extended forgiveness to Daphne’s wastrel, blackmailing brother. So much on his shoulders but he stood strong. Daphne had better give this man a litter of children.
April 10, 2018
This was a steady & simply realistic romance. 3.5.
For all you very modern women, sheath your claws. This book hits upon the very realistic “heir” begetting of the era. If you find it offensive, I can’t imagine why your reading historical. It’s bound to be brought up, it is after all the number one reason to wed back then.
Luckily here, there’s something deeper.
Our heroine, thru no fault of her own, was left behind in a very lonely marriage. Our hero, though extremely honorable, was blackmailed by her Father and thinks for many years she was part and parcel of it. He barely knew her, but he adored his sister so choices were made and like many marriages in England, communications were limited.
He took off to enter politics and endeavor in anti slavery actions and she became very, very lonely.
He returns 6 years later and like many privileged men sees begetting heirs as a duty he must now accomplish. People want to silence him, they want him dead and his mortality is finally felt. He is met with a feisty and unwilling and unhappy wife.......she wants a divorce.....Ha.
He deserved it all.......lol.
But, that’s when the story takes off. We actually get to see two mature adults, apologizing for their part in the marriage to begin with. There’s plenty of hurt to go around and we get a very good groveling from our Earl. (Best part of the book imo, lol).
I like this author a lot, I’ve liked other books a whole lot more, but it’s a good story and more importantly very true to the time period. There’s several more characters I’m dying to meet and I’ll continue the series.
For all you very modern women, sheath your claws. This book hits upon the very realistic “heir” begetting of the era. If you find it offensive, I can’t imagine why your reading historical. It’s bound to be brought up, it is after all the number one reason to wed back then.
Luckily here, there’s something deeper.
Our heroine, thru no fault of her own, was left behind in a very lonely marriage. Our hero, though extremely honorable, was blackmailed by her Father and thinks for many years she was part and parcel of it. He barely knew her, but he adored his sister so choices were made and like many marriages in England, communications were limited.
He took off to enter politics and endeavor in anti slavery actions and she became very, very lonely.
He returns 6 years later and like many privileged men sees begetting heirs as a duty he must now accomplish. People want to silence him, they want him dead and his mortality is finally felt. He is met with a feisty and unwilling and unhappy wife.......she wants a divorce.....Ha.
He deserved it all.......lol.
But, that’s when the story takes off. We actually get to see two mature adults, apologizing for their part in the marriage to begin with. There’s plenty of hurt to go around and we get a very good groveling from our Earl. (Best part of the book imo, lol).
I like this author a lot, I’ve liked other books a whole lot more, but it’s a good story and more importantly very true to the time period. There’s several more characters I’m dying to meet and I’ll continue the series.
March 6, 2021
This is the shittiest Stacy Reid book ever! Absolute flop!
April 15, 2018
3.75 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Sylvester and Daphne haven’t had an easy marriage. Six years ago they met and had an instant connection; one that was spoiled when Daphne’s father threatened to ruin Sylvester’s sister unless the earl came to heel. Since their fateful wedding, Sylvester has pretty much ignored Daphne, and the love she had for him has given way to a desperation to break free from the holding pattern she’s been in for years. Daphne is determined to court a scandal so big her husband will be forced to divorce her. There’s just one hitch in her plan: her husband doesn’t want a divorce.
Having recently escaped an assassination attempt, Sylvester believes it’s time to do his duty and beget an heir. Only Daphne isn’t exactly prepared to welcome him with open arms. For the first time, Sylvester is seeing past his own anger to truly look at Daphne. And he’ll have to do some heavy wooing if he wants to keep the wife he’s only just realizing is his perfect match.
I love good second chance romance and The Earl in My Bed fits that favored trope fairly well. Daphne and Sylvester have been in a strange freeze for the past six years – married, yet not. Sylvester is the only man Daphne has ever craved, but I loved that she didn’t just fall into his arms when he decided he wanted to be her husband in truth. Sylvester has his reasons for having been cold toward Daphne for years. Her father’s machinations nearly cost his sister her life and that’s not something a sibling can look past. Did I want to shake Sylvester for placing blame on Daphne? Of course. But Stacy Reid does a good job of balancing his flaws with strengths. Sylvester is fighting hard to abolish slavery in all British territories, risking his life in the process. He’s not a good husband at the beginning of this story, but he is a good man which means you want to see him succeed. I enjoyed the fact that Sylvester is self-aware enough to realize that he has royally screwed up with Daphne. She’s a kind, patient woman who has reached her breaking point because of him. Their romance in is slow to build, mostly because there’s so much distrust and hurt. I liked that the love story unfolded organically, that Daphne and Sylvester got to truly know one another before things heated up.
The Earl in My Bed is the second book in the Rebellious Desires series, but it can easily be read as a standalone (though it was lovely to get to see Georgiana and Rhys again). I always get caught up in Ms. Reid’s writing and this story was no exception. I finished this book looking forward to what scandals the next Rebellious Desires book has in store for readers.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Sylvester and Daphne haven’t had an easy marriage. Six years ago they met and had an instant connection; one that was spoiled when Daphne’s father threatened to ruin Sylvester’s sister unless the earl came to heel. Since their fateful wedding, Sylvester has pretty much ignored Daphne, and the love she had for him has given way to a desperation to break free from the holding pattern she’s been in for years. Daphne is determined to court a scandal so big her husband will be forced to divorce her. There’s just one hitch in her plan: her husband doesn’t want a divorce.
Having recently escaped an assassination attempt, Sylvester believes it’s time to do his duty and beget an heir. Only Daphne isn’t exactly prepared to welcome him with open arms. For the first time, Sylvester is seeing past his own anger to truly look at Daphne. And he’ll have to do some heavy wooing if he wants to keep the wife he’s only just realizing is his perfect match.
I love good second chance romance and The Earl in My Bed fits that favored trope fairly well. Daphne and Sylvester have been in a strange freeze for the past six years – married, yet not. Sylvester is the only man Daphne has ever craved, but I loved that she didn’t just fall into his arms when he decided he wanted to be her husband in truth. Sylvester has his reasons for having been cold toward Daphne for years. Her father’s machinations nearly cost his sister her life and that’s not something a sibling can look past. Did I want to shake Sylvester for placing blame on Daphne? Of course. But Stacy Reid does a good job of balancing his flaws with strengths. Sylvester is fighting hard to abolish slavery in all British territories, risking his life in the process. He’s not a good husband at the beginning of this story, but he is a good man which means you want to see him succeed. I enjoyed the fact that Sylvester is self-aware enough to realize that he has royally screwed up with Daphne. She’s a kind, patient woman who has reached her breaking point because of him. Their romance in is slow to build, mostly because there’s so much distrust and hurt. I liked that the love story unfolded organically, that Daphne and Sylvester got to truly know one another before things heated up.
The Earl in My Bed is the second book in the Rebellious Desires series, but it can easily be read as a standalone (though it was lovely to get to see Georgiana and Rhys again). I always get caught up in Ms. Reid’s writing and this story was no exception. I finished this book looking forward to what scandals the next Rebellious Desires book has in store for readers.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
April 8, 2018
The Earl in My Bed by Stacy Reid is book Two in the Rebellious Desires Series. This is the story of Daphne Wentworth, Countess Carrington and Sylvester Wentworth, Earl of Carrington.
I have read the previous book (and loved it!) but feel this can easily be a standalone book if you choose to do so.
Daphne and Sylvester are married they didn't live as man and wife. Daphne was young and went along with her father's wishes. Not knowing what all her father had done to ensure the marriage but soon learned afterwards. Sylvester may have married Daphne but he made sure to keep his distance from her. Now years later Daphne isn't the young girl with dreams... she just wants out of this non existence marriage. But now Sylvester has a change of heart about his marriage after coming close to dying. But now his wife has turned away and he has to convince her to give their marriage a chance.
I Love Ms. Reid's books so this was a joy to read. Couldn't put it down!
I have read the previous book (and loved it!) but feel this can easily be a standalone book if you choose to do so.
Daphne and Sylvester are married they didn't live as man and wife. Daphne was young and went along with her father's wishes. Not knowing what all her father had done to ensure the marriage but soon learned afterwards. Sylvester may have married Daphne but he made sure to keep his distance from her. Now years later Daphne isn't the young girl with dreams... she just wants out of this non existence marriage. But now Sylvester has a change of heart about his marriage after coming close to dying. But now his wife has turned away and he has to convince her to give their marriage a chance.
I Love Ms. Reid's books so this was a joy to read. Couldn't put it down!
April 19, 2018
Naughtiness 4*
Absolutely love this book, truly adore it very much and very much recommend it, our heroine and our hero both truly amazing characters aswell as damned stubborn in the best possible way.
I won't give spoilers, this book has everything you can want in a regency romance and much more including mystery, action, adventure and love. Must admit I cried for them both, but utterly love the ending and epilogue.
Thank you so much for writing this book and for the honour of reading it ♥ ♥ ♥
Absolutely love this book, truly adore it very much and very much recommend it, our heroine and our hero both truly amazing characters aswell as damned stubborn in the best possible way.
I won't give spoilers, this book has everything you can want in a regency romance and much more including mystery, action, adventure and love. Must admit I cried for them both, but utterly love the ending and epilogue.
Thank you so much for writing this book and for the honour of reading it ♥ ♥ ♥
May 14, 2018
Originally posted on Adria's Musings and Reviews
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? A chance meeting between Sylvester Wentworth, the Earl of Carrington and a young Daphne Collins lands them in a forced marriage and six years of cold distance. After that many years of loving her husband in vain, Daphne, now the Countess of Carrington has decided to create a scandal so big that her absent husband will have no choice but to come back to divorce her. But before Daphne can cause her scandal Sylvester comes back and he doesn’t want a divorce, he wants an heir. Something she is not willing to give him after so many years apart and no love between them.
Overall reaction to the story? I really wanted to like this story. It had the perfect set up for a passionate second chance romance. But alas, I could not get into the story. I had so many issues with it and it started early on.
1. The heroine. Good grief but Daphne is a ninny. I could forgive her that in the beginning because she was little more than a child when she met Sylvester but after six years of living the life she did? I expected more growth, definitely more maturity, and certainly a stronger will when it came to Sylvester. Dang it woman the man has been cold and at times outright cruel to you but you melt like butter when he tosses a crumb of civility or kindness at you? Ugh, halfway through I started referring to her as Daphne the Doormat. She should have held out and made him really sweat thinking he was too dang late to make their marriage work. He never properly romanced her and he certainly didn’t respect her but yet she still loved him? How could you love someone that you never really got to know and who basically shut you out emotionally after you married him?
2. The Hero. Dude needed a kick in the pants. I understood that he was bitter and hurt after being forced to marry Daphne but he never once used logic to look at his situation. He just barged in demanding an heir and accusing Daphne left and right of being all these horrible things. Any small progress he made in character growth he shot down with his impulsive, sometimes cruel insinuations and insults. I got tired of his crap after awhile and was rooting for Daphne to get that divorce and move on. He may have tried to get her to change her mind by “courting” her but I never felt it was because he was in love with her and had realized she was a victim in their marriage like he was. No, I felt he was trying to win her back because he just wanted his freaking heir. He lusted after her but I never felt that he was in love with her.
3. The “Romance.” I use this term lightly because I didn’t feel that there was one. It was all one sided. Daphne was foolishly in love with an irrational, mean man who didn’t seem to want more than an heir from her. He certainly didn’t try to change his thoughts about her character until it was almost too late. Heaven forbid he actually try and talk to her to find out what actually happened that day he found out he had to marry her. Nope, he saved that until the last possible moment. And even then he was so quick to doubt her. I never felt any angst between them. That yearning to change things for the better. Sylvester never humbled himself, never properly groveled and Daphne never found her spine. These two spent more time at odds with each other than actually getting to know each other and making a convincing effort to get their marriage out of the gutter.
Click It or Skip It? Skip It. I got way too frustrated with both characters’ behavior. I’m still not giving up on this author though.
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. All conclusions are my own responsibility and I was not compensated for this review.
What’s it About? A chance meeting between Sylvester Wentworth, the Earl of Carrington and a young Daphne Collins lands them in a forced marriage and six years of cold distance. After that many years of loving her husband in vain, Daphne, now the Countess of Carrington has decided to create a scandal so big that her absent husband will have no choice but to come back to divorce her. But before Daphne can cause her scandal Sylvester comes back and he doesn’t want a divorce, he wants an heir. Something she is not willing to give him after so many years apart and no love between them.
Overall reaction to the story? I really wanted to like this story. It had the perfect set up for a passionate second chance romance. But alas, I could not get into the story. I had so many issues with it and it started early on.
1. The heroine. Good grief but Daphne is a ninny. I could forgive her that in the beginning because she was little more than a child when she met Sylvester but after six years of living the life she did? I expected more growth, definitely more maturity, and certainly a stronger will when it came to Sylvester. Dang it woman the man has been cold and at times outright cruel to you but you melt like butter when he tosses a crumb of civility or kindness at you? Ugh, halfway through I started referring to her as Daphne the Doormat. She should have held out and made him really sweat thinking he was too dang late to make their marriage work. He never properly romanced her and he certainly didn’t respect her but yet she still loved him? How could you love someone that you never really got to know and who basically shut you out emotionally after you married him?
2. The Hero. Dude needed a kick in the pants. I understood that he was bitter and hurt after being forced to marry Daphne but he never once used logic to look at his situation. He just barged in demanding an heir and accusing Daphne left and right of being all these horrible things. Any small progress he made in character growth he shot down with his impulsive, sometimes cruel insinuations and insults. I got tired of his crap after awhile and was rooting for Daphne to get that divorce and move on. He may have tried to get her to change her mind by “courting” her but I never felt it was because he was in love with her and had realized she was a victim in their marriage like he was. No, I felt he was trying to win her back because he just wanted his freaking heir. He lusted after her but I never felt that he was in love with her.
3. The “Romance.” I use this term lightly because I didn’t feel that there was one. It was all one sided. Daphne was foolishly in love with an irrational, mean man who didn’t seem to want more than an heir from her. He certainly didn’t try to change his thoughts about her character until it was almost too late. Heaven forbid he actually try and talk to her to find out what actually happened that day he found out he had to marry her. Nope, he saved that until the last possible moment. And even then he was so quick to doubt her. I never felt any angst between them. That yearning to change things for the better. Sylvester never humbled himself, never properly groveled and Daphne never found her spine. These two spent more time at odds with each other than actually getting to know each other and making a convincing effort to get their marriage out of the gutter.
Click It or Skip It? Skip It. I got way too frustrated with both characters’ behavior. I’m still not giving up on this author though.
January 25, 2019
Daphne and Sylvester have been married for 6 years but it has been a frigid and loveless marriage. Sylvester was blackmailed into the marriage by Daphne's father and he blames her and ignores her. He does travel occasionally but he spends a great deal of time at home sitting across the dinner table with cold disdain for company. It was painful to read about Daphne's miserable life.
Poor Daphne was barely 17 when she fell in love and thought she would have the marriage of her dreams. After 6 years she's had enough and she asks her husband for a divorce.
This book was full of angst. The delicious, heart twisting, good kind. (As opposed to the stomach churning, heartbreaking, cheating kind). Both MCs were celibate their entire marriage and this saved the book for me.
Sylvester realizes that he's been a twit for the last 6 years and that he wants an heir. So he sets out to court and seduces his wife. He's a good man, but very unemotional. I took a while to warm up to him because Daphne was so obviously the injured party here. Yes, there was a big, realistic misunderstanding, but neither made any effort to clear the air during their marriage. And Sylvester didn't seem to understand that sex and friendship weren't the same as trust. It took some time for him to see the consequences of his actions and for them to finally trust each other. And I loved the message that trust and love is what they needed most.
I really liked this book. I found it romantic and I was satisfied with the grovel and reconciliation at the end.
Safety
Poor Daphne was barely 17 when she fell in love and thought she would have the marriage of her dreams. After 6 years she's had enough and she asks her husband for a divorce.
This book was full of angst. The delicious, heart twisting, good kind. (As opposed to the stomach churning, heartbreaking, cheating kind). Both MCs were celibate their entire marriage and this saved the book for me.
Sylvester realizes that he's been a twit for the last 6 years and that he wants an heir. So he sets out to court and seduces his wife. He's a good man, but very unemotional. I took a while to warm up to him because Daphne was so obviously the injured party here. Yes, there was a big, realistic misunderstanding, but neither made any effort to clear the air during their marriage. And Sylvester didn't seem to understand that sex and friendship weren't the same as trust. It took some time for him to see the consequences of his actions and for them to finally trust each other. And I loved the message that trust and love is what they needed most.
I really liked this book. I found it romantic and I was satisfied with the grovel and reconciliation at the end.
Safety
September 7, 2025
Re read. Still love it. But did take away 1 star this time. It was still really good.
The first time I read this book I only gave it 4stars after re reading I upped it to 5 stars!
I really liked Sylvester and Daphne.
Just a good smooth read with some angst but mild and flowed well, so it worked. Ha ha Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 8.5(1-10)
The first time I read this book I only gave it 4stars after re reading I upped it to 5 stars!
I really liked Sylvester and Daphne.
Just a good smooth read with some angst but mild and flowed well, so it worked. Ha ha Plot 7(1-10) steaminess 8.5(1-10)
May 7, 2018
4.25 stars
The beginning was slow but once it picked up I was really cheering for these two wonderful characters.
The beginning was slow but once it picked up I was really cheering for these two wonderful characters.
June 4, 2021
3 stars. I can’t in good conscious rate this book lower than 3 stars because FOR ONCE, even through a long separation, the hero and heroine didn’t stray and seek lovers outside their marriage.
I thought this book started out really strong… I liked the idea behind it and the strength of the heroine’s convictions. Somewhere along the way, the story seemed to lose direction and became less than what it could have been. I found the storyline to be too over the top in some ways (like the multiple attempts against the hero’s life which he always managed to escape, the talk of him having spies that never went anywhere, and the over the top way he went about abolishing slavery) and too simplistic in others (the basic direction that their relationship took). The hero was also too quick to believe the worst of the heroine, and the heroine was a little bit pathetic at times.
The best part of this book truly was that the hero hadn’t strayed since getting married, even though he hated the heroine and believed her responsible for awful things.
Safe; heroine kisses OM at the start, heroine virgin
I thought this book started out really strong… I liked the idea behind it and the strength of the heroine’s convictions. Somewhere along the way, the story seemed to lose direction and became less than what it could have been. I found the storyline to be too over the top in some ways (like the multiple attempts against the hero’s life which he always managed to escape, the talk of him having spies that never went anywhere, and the over the top way he went about abolishing slavery) and too simplistic in others (the basic direction that their relationship took). The hero was also too quick to believe the worst of the heroine, and the heroine was a little bit pathetic at times.
The best part of this book truly was that the hero hadn’t strayed since getting married, even though he hated the heroine and believed her responsible for awful things.
Safe; heroine kisses OM at the start, heroine virgin
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 21, 2018*Mild Spoilers
What I Liked
There was blame too share
No one was blameless and I really liked that. Both parties had made mistakes, let others affect their marriage and had let their emotions rule over logic.
I like this because no one is a saint and we all make mistakes especially in the heat of the moment. It helped to make them feel more human.
Character development
The development of the Heroine and Hero was done very well and mixed well with their own personal development during the story. I felt a lot of heartache at the start of the book for both the characters situations. Sylvester had a right to be angry but he shouldn't have taken it out on Daphne. Although Daphne was very unhappy in her marriage and had valid reasons for wanting out. She should have been more proactive in fixing her marriage in the first place. Reading the main characters coming to terms with this was an interesting read.
The Subplots
I really enjoy the information in books in regards to the social and political climate they are set during. It makes them feel like the characters have lives besides each other, which to me helps enhance the believability of the story. So the addition of Sylvester's Anti-slavery work and Daphne's orphanage help create more 3-dimensional characters.
Daphne's and Sylvester's Fidelity
Even though they had both endured a loveless marriage neither of them broke their vows. This is more indicative of how they feel about marriage rather than each other. I liked that both parties whether or not they meant to, were technically still loyal to their view of marriage and even when Daphne wanted out it wasn't because she wanted to go get hitched to someone else it was for her own freedom and happiness. Neither of them flew into the arms of someone else at the first sign of trouble or even after a great deal of it.
What I Didn't Like
Daphne's lack of commitment to fixing her marriage
I mean I guess this is just me but I would have pushed to know what was up. Six years! Mate, I probably would have trouble handling six months of cold indifference
I would have liked Daphne to have taken a more active role in fixing her marriage early on. She really has just let it happen to her. She puts all this energy into planning a way out rather than trying to fix the marriage.
Sylvester's near death experience
That it took a near-death experience for the man to realise maybe he should try to make the best of a bad situation. I would have liked it if the catalyst for Sylvester's return was a much more internal one. Rather than due to an external experience.
A few crude words
I'm just not a huge fan of crude descriptive words or language during the intimate bits. Even heavy possessiveness puts me off sometimes. This book had a couple but not too many to drive me off. This is a personal preference on mine. I simply prefer more romantically inclined endearments.
Final Thoughts
The start of the book filled me with sadness for the characters but the anticipation of them falling in love had kept to going.
I knew what I was getting into with the brooding Hero and a bit too naive Heroine, but I still just really enjoyed the book for what it was. A story about two people coming to terms with their own mistakes in life and realising they had both wasted time in their our lives and should have just communicated more earlier on in their marriage. We can all say "Oh I wouldn't have done that" but hindsight is a funny thing.
Overall an enjoyable read for those who don't mind a bit of heartache too begin with, a brooding hero who comes good and heroine who finally stands up for herself.
I was provided with an ARC copy by Netgalley Author's Pal and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
What I Liked
There was blame too share
No one was blameless and I really liked that. Both parties had made mistakes, let others affect their marriage and had let their emotions rule over logic.
I like this because no one is a saint and we all make mistakes especially in the heat of the moment. It helped to make them feel more human.
Character development
The development of the Heroine and Hero was done very well and mixed well with their own personal development during the story. I felt a lot of heartache at the start of the book for both the characters situations. Sylvester had a right to be angry but he shouldn't have taken it out on Daphne. Although Daphne was very unhappy in her marriage and had valid reasons for wanting out. She should have been more proactive in fixing her marriage in the first place. Reading the main characters coming to terms with this was an interesting read.
The Subplots
I really enjoy the information in books in regards to the social and political climate they are set during. It makes them feel like the characters have lives besides each other, which to me helps enhance the believability of the story. So the addition of Sylvester's Anti-slavery work and Daphne's orphanage help create more 3-dimensional characters.
Daphne's and Sylvester's Fidelity
Even though they had both endured a loveless marriage neither of them broke their vows. This is more indicative of how they feel about marriage rather than each other. I liked that both parties whether or not they meant to, were technically still loyal to their view of marriage and even when Daphne wanted out it wasn't because she wanted to go get hitched to someone else it was for her own freedom and happiness. Neither of them flew into the arms of someone else at the first sign of trouble or even after a great deal of it.
What I Didn't Like
Daphne's lack of commitment to fixing her marriage
I mean I guess this is just me but I would have pushed to know what was up. Six years! Mate, I probably would have trouble handling six months of cold indifference
I would have liked Daphne to have taken a more active role in fixing her marriage early on. She really has just let it happen to her. She puts all this energy into planning a way out rather than trying to fix the marriage.
Sylvester's near death experience
That it took a near-death experience for the man to realise maybe he should try to make the best of a bad situation. I would have liked it if the catalyst for Sylvester's return was a much more internal one. Rather than due to an external experience.
A few crude words
I'm just not a huge fan of crude descriptive words or language during the intimate bits. Even heavy possessiveness puts me off sometimes. This book had a couple but not too many to drive me off. This is a personal preference on mine. I simply prefer more romantically inclined endearments.
Final Thoughts
The start of the book filled me with sadness for the characters but the anticipation of them falling in love had kept to going.
I knew what I was getting into with the brooding Hero and a bit too naive Heroine, but I still just really enjoyed the book for what it was. A story about two people coming to terms with their own mistakes in life and realising they had both wasted time in their our lives and should have just communicated more earlier on in their marriage. We can all say "Oh I wouldn't have done that" but hindsight is a funny thing.
Overall an enjoyable read for those who don't mind a bit of heartache too begin with, a brooding hero who comes good and heroine who finally stands up for herself.
I was provided with an ARC copy by Netgalley Author's Pal and Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
August 10, 2021
Confermo quanto avevo già scritto a proposito del primo romanzo: questa nuova serie di Stacy Reid risulta più matura e corposa. I libri si leggono in un soffio, però i protagonisti e le vicende non sono affatto banali.
Qui il giovane conte è stato costretto a sposarsi in senso letterale, sotto ricatto, e dopo sei anni non ha ancora digerito l'affronto.
Peccato solo che la sua contessa (che sospetta l'accaduto ma non è mai stata partecipe) si sia stufata di aspettare il perdono e l'avvio di un matrimonio di sostanza, oltre che di facciata, e preferisca andarsene per conto proprio.
Ovviamente, anche allora il divorzio era una strada in salita, anzi alle donne veniva negato. Perciò i due (finalmente!) devono fare i conti con il passato e gli interessi opposti.
Come al solito, la Reid inserisce un elemento storico vero, ovvero il nascente movimento per l'abolizione della schiavitù che stava prendendo piede in Inghilterra a fine '700, spinto da menti liberali e dalle petizioni dei Quaccheri.
Viene peraltro ricordato il (reale) massacro avvenuto sulla nave Zong nel 1781, vicino alla Giamaica, quando circa 140 schiavi africani (compresi donne e bambini) vennero gettati in mare, legati e tra gli squali, perché anche se venduti il loro valore sarebbe stato comunque inferiore al risarcimento dell'assicurazione per "perdita del carico dovuta ad avaria".
Nel libro viene menzionato di sfuggita anche il processo presieduto da lord Mansfield. In effetti, ricordo ancora l'orrore che provai tanti anni fa (da studentessa di giurisprudenza) quando lessi le parole vergate nella sua sentenza (che costituì case law in UK negli anni a venire), ovvero che la giuria non aveva avuto dubbi che il caso degli schiavi doveva essere deciso come se fossero stati gettati in mare "dei cavalli o altra merce", per evitare incidenti alla nave...
Ecco, quando i romance storici sono ridicolizzati come letture "rosa" e basta, si può far notare che ci sono libri che aiutano anche a non dimenticare impressionanti cadute della nostra civiltà.
Concludo la piccola disgressione storica per promuovere (come già si sarà intuito) il libro.
Qui il giovane conte è stato costretto a sposarsi in senso letterale, sotto ricatto, e dopo sei anni non ha ancora digerito l'affronto.
Peccato solo che la sua contessa (che sospetta l'accaduto ma non è mai stata partecipe) si sia stufata di aspettare il perdono e l'avvio di un matrimonio di sostanza, oltre che di facciata, e preferisca andarsene per conto proprio.
Ovviamente, anche allora il divorzio era una strada in salita, anzi alle donne veniva negato. Perciò i due (finalmente!) devono fare i conti con il passato e gli interessi opposti.
Come al solito, la Reid inserisce un elemento storico vero, ovvero il nascente movimento per l'abolizione della schiavitù che stava prendendo piede in Inghilterra a fine '700, spinto da menti liberali e dalle petizioni dei Quaccheri.
Viene peraltro ricordato il (reale) massacro avvenuto sulla nave Zong nel 1781, vicino alla Giamaica, quando circa 140 schiavi africani (compresi donne e bambini) vennero gettati in mare, legati e tra gli squali, perché anche se venduti il loro valore sarebbe stato comunque inferiore al risarcimento dell'assicurazione per "perdita del carico dovuta ad avaria".
Nel libro viene menzionato di sfuggita anche il processo presieduto da lord Mansfield. In effetti, ricordo ancora l'orrore che provai tanti anni fa (da studentessa di giurisprudenza) quando lessi le parole vergate nella sua sentenza (che costituì case law in UK negli anni a venire), ovvero che la giuria non aveva avuto dubbi che il caso degli schiavi doveva essere deciso come se fossero stati gettati in mare "dei cavalli o altra merce", per evitare incidenti alla nave...
Ecco, quando i romance storici sono ridicolizzati come letture "rosa" e basta, si può far notare che ci sono libri che aiutano anche a non dimenticare impressionanti cadute della nostra civiltà.
Concludo la piccola disgressione storica per promuovere (come già si sarà intuito) il libro.
February 20, 2023
3 stars for being well written. (2.5 for the lame living together, but separate lives for six years in this marriage). Daphne and Sylvester. Hero blackmailed into marrying the newly 17 year old Daphne. Crudely broke her hymen with his fingers on their wedding night. So sex wise Daphne is still a virgin six years later. Hero also spent the last six year in the prime of his sexual life celibate. (I approve he is married after all, but really this is kind of unbelievable). Only a near death experience changes the hero enough that he now wants to save the marriage and away he goes to court her. In this story-those six years of them being married but not together does not work for me. Six years is a long time. I wish authors would just go ahead and embrace that back in the day getting married at 17 or 18 was not considered a bad thing and not use years separated/away trope to get the hero closer to 30 and the heroine deeper into her 20's. Anyways, they finally have their hea, but it felt like such a chore to get there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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