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Regency Novellas #2
Sinfully Delectable
An apple, a temptress, and a man named Eden.When an unwanted duke offers for Della Hayden, she decides to use easy-to-tease Lord Eden Thornton, her handsome, adorable neighbor, as her fake betrothed.Eden, a mathematical genius, loves Della, and doesn't mind being seen as an idiot by the musically talented debutante. Although he has always allowed her to run spirals around him, he decides to take a final stand. Win her or lose her, he has to show her the consequences of her thoughtless actions. Will Della finally see him as he is, or will he allow her sinfully delectable ways to ruin her reputation?
124 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2019
7 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Taylor
22 books92 followersVirginia is a full time writer who used to be a nurse/midwife, a scenic painter and designer, a renovator of heritage houses, and still is an avid gardener. She is also a bad driver, an unenthusiastic cook and a reader of all things bookish.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 21, 2019
The writing was good (there was an odd typo though) and when Della and Eden were together I enjoyed their interaction, their witty dialogue and the slow burn of their romance. The only problem for me that is was more an ensemble cast and the romance was only a tiny slice of the story. Lots of attention went on family and friends in this novella, so if you enjoy reading about everyone else, then it might be your cup of tea. In my opinion a novella is so short in the first place, that the central romance should be featured throughout. I intend to read more from this author however. 🙂
February 1, 2020
Starring Adelita “Della” Hayden and Lord Eden Thornton
Childhood friends, Unrequited love, fake betrothal tropes.
This novella was delectable indeed, y’all!! Right off the bat I totally I loved the playful banter between Della and Eden. They were so comfortable with each other that their dialogue flowed so well... like a perfectly timed vaudeville act.
I love that Eden had faith (and knew Della well enough) to step back in their relationship so that he could teach her not to take him for granted. He was a wonderful beta hero who was just waiting for Della to realize that she loved him every bit as he loved her. He was absolutely wonderful and I’m totally crushin’ on him.
Della is comfortable enough in her relationship with Eden to spring a fake betrothal on him... and has every faith that he would play along. But somewhere along the way her perception of who Eden is starts to change. Suddenly she’s seeing more depth to him... which makes her reevaluate her feelings for him. Even though Della is a very strong heroine, she starts to doubt her confidence a little when Eden deviates from their normal script. But this shake up is exactly what she needs in order to see her childhood friend in a different light.
Della and Eden’s road to HEA was simply delightful and I enjoyed every second I spent with these two. This was another great story from Virginia Taylor. I truly love her writing style and I know I’m going to get a few chuckles before she makes me ugly cry AF... and I was beautifully sobbing when I reached the end of this story. So much feels, y’all!!
This is book 2 in the Regency Four series.
My star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were amazing. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
Childhood friends, Unrequited love, fake betrothal tropes.
This novella was delectable indeed, y’all!! Right off the bat I totally I loved the playful banter between Della and Eden. They were so comfortable with each other that their dialogue flowed so well... like a perfectly timed vaudeville act.
I love that Eden had faith (and knew Della well enough) to step back in their relationship so that he could teach her not to take him for granted. He was a wonderful beta hero who was just waiting for Della to realize that she loved him every bit as he loved her. He was absolutely wonderful and I’m totally crushin’ on him.
Della is comfortable enough in her relationship with Eden to spring a fake betrothal on him... and has every faith that he would play along. But somewhere along the way her perception of who Eden is starts to change. Suddenly she’s seeing more depth to him... which makes her reevaluate her feelings for him. Even though Della is a very strong heroine, she starts to doubt her confidence a little when Eden deviates from their normal script. But this shake up is exactly what she needs in order to see her childhood friend in a different light.
Della and Eden’s road to HEA was simply delightful and I enjoyed every second I spent with these two. This was another great story from Virginia Taylor. I truly love her writing style and I know I’m going to get a few chuckles before she makes me ugly cry AF... and I was beautifully sobbing when I reached the end of this story. So much feels, y’all!!
This is book 2 in the Regency Four series.
My star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were amazing. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!
June 6, 2020
Garden of Eden
His name is Eden and Della, climbing down a tree,offers him an apple. Eden, an Earl is a fascinating character. He seems to have dyslexia, but has a mathematical mind that sees patterns, but he did not do well in school as a young boy, so his father thought he was an idiot. He has grown into a handsome, caring man who has been Della's friend for years. He has bought the property next to hers for his mother and sisters, but also to be near her. Della is a woman with little self confidence because she feels she had no skills. After many misunderstandings, there is a happy ending.
His name is Eden and Della, climbing down a tree,offers him an apple. Eden, an Earl is a fascinating character. He seems to have dyslexia, but has a mathematical mind that sees patterns, but he did not do well in school as a young boy, so his father thought he was an idiot. He has grown into a handsome, caring man who has been Della's friend for years. He has bought the property next to hers for his mother and sisters, but also to be near her. Della is a woman with little self confidence because she feels she had no skills. After many misunderstandings, there is a happy ending.
June 14, 2020
Eyes wide open
Della is a master at the piano like a butterfly from one note in her head of another! Eden is her friend and gorgeous neighbor! When Della is to marry a Duke she didn't want she blurt out to her parents they were engaged! Eden went along as he has loved her for years! Della needs a lesson in love! She has used Eden for her various reasons but not taken into consideration that it can hurt the heart to be used in that way! When Eden gives her a choice but allows her to feel ill used and taken for granted will Della realize she's in love? Will Eden take her back?
Della is a master at the piano like a butterfly from one note in her head of another! Eden is her friend and gorgeous neighbor! When Della is to marry a Duke she didn't want she blurt out to her parents they were engaged! Eden went along as he has loved her for years! Della needs a lesson in love! She has used Eden for her various reasons but not taken into consideration that it can hurt the heart to be used in that way! When Eden gives her a choice but allows her to feel ill used and taken for granted will Della realize she's in love? Will Eden take her back?
July 17, 2019
Loved the book. This author writes in a period that is mostly lost with todays society. When I read books like this, its a good distraction from life which provides me a few chuckles and frustration with the situation that these characters find them selves in. Like how Eden allows Della do the things she does but good on him for standing up. Keep writing and Im looking forward to reading more about Hebe. Thank you
May 23, 2021
Oh, I do so hate when the Hero or Heroine of a story is so arrogant that they feel as though everyone in the world should be laying palms at their feet and worshipping them. The Heroine of this story was definitely such a character. She took advantage of her looks and used people horribly, especially the Hero.
I was a bit disappointed with the Hero of the story. Apparently, he had been in love with Della for a long time, but for some reason he allowed her to walk all over him...until he smartened up and decided to push back a bit. Oddly enough, this author did a role reversal with her main characters. Usually, in love stories, it's the male who is the arrogant swine and the female who is a push-over. Not so with this book. The female is no delicate, caring person, and the male is not a strong, self-ass]sured man.
In the beginning, Della treated Eden like crap...that is until he stopped showing her attention. Then she was jealous and angry. She was a low-level aristocrat who was bored with her lot in life and made certain everyone knew it.
There was a little chemistry between Della and Eden, and the passion was there, but it wasn't really apparent for most of the book. There wasn't much drama and only a small bit of angst and only a tiny drop of humor. In other words, it was a very mild, almost dull, love story.
While I understood what and why Eden did, I didn't agree that he should take it to the point of breaking Della's spirit, and yet, that appeared to be what happened in the end. He could have just walked away and let her fall flat on her face. Instead, he chose to take her to the brink of common decency and then let her fall apart. At any time in the story, he could have told her he loved her and wanted their engagement to be real. Yet he chose to not do so. He could have walked away at any time as well. I didn't care for that side of him, even if Della did need to be taught a lesson.
Just a curious thought but, at the end of the book, Della stated that, of all her friends, she was the first to marry. If that was the case why, then, was this Book 2 instead of Book 1?
For all that, it is definitely decided that this book did not earn the right to join the Keeper for the Shelves books.
I was a bit disappointed with the Hero of the story. Apparently, he had been in love with Della for a long time, but for some reason he allowed her to walk all over him...until he smartened up and decided to push back a bit. Oddly enough, this author did a role reversal with her main characters. Usually, in love stories, it's the male who is the arrogant swine and the female who is a push-over. Not so with this book. The female is no delicate, caring person, and the male is not a strong, self-ass]sured man.
In the beginning, Della treated Eden like crap...that is until he stopped showing her attention. Then she was jealous and angry. She was a low-level aristocrat who was bored with her lot in life and made certain everyone knew it.
There was a little chemistry between Della and Eden, and the passion was there, but it wasn't really apparent for most of the book. There wasn't much drama and only a small bit of angst and only a tiny drop of humor. In other words, it was a very mild, almost dull, love story.
While I understood what and why Eden did, I didn't agree that he should take it to the point of breaking Della's spirit, and yet, that appeared to be what happened in the end. He could have just walked away and let her fall flat on her face. Instead, he chose to take her to the brink of common decency and then let her fall apart. At any time in the story, he could have told her he loved her and wanted their engagement to be real. Yet he chose to not do so. He could have walked away at any time as well. I didn't care for that side of him, even if Della did need to be taught a lesson.
Just a curious thought but, at the end of the book, Della stated that, of all her friends, she was the first to marry. If that was the case why, then, was this Book 2 instead of Book 1?
For all that, it is definitely decided that this book did not earn the right to join the Keeper for the Shelves books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2025
This book has confused me, but back to that later.
Della has lived next to Edens family for what seems like forever, and although he started as her brothers friend she is unknowingly attracted to him, the likes to tease and tempt him.
Eden on the other hand is brilliant, a mathematician who sees patterns everywhere is in love with Della and has been for ever, but she doesn't really see him. Until one day in the orchard she tempts him to a kiss, and when they're with her mother later that afternoon announced she won't marry the duke as she's engaged to Eden. Eden playing a along with it, and they continue to taunt each ohrr.
The confusion ? On two fronts
One - I'm book one in this series both Rose and Della are married and expecting their second babies, so are the books out of order? I'm This book the ladies are all single.
Two - remembering I read book five first (I know) which is MTy the youngest sisters book, money was very tight and Mary upset when a shawl was torn as it cost a whole pound, and Mary had no dowry. But Even in this book about fifteen years earlier had the whole house refurbished when he married
Della has lived next to Edens family for what seems like forever, and although he started as her brothers friend she is unknowingly attracted to him, the likes to tease and tempt him.
Eden on the other hand is brilliant, a mathematician who sees patterns everywhere is in love with Della and has been for ever, but she doesn't really see him. Until one day in the orchard she tempts him to a kiss, and when they're with her mother later that afternoon announced she won't marry the duke as she's engaged to Eden. Eden playing a along with it, and they continue to taunt each ohrr.
The confusion ? On two fronts
One - I'm book one in this series both Rose and Della are married and expecting their second babies, so are the books out of order? I'm This book the ladies are all single.
Two - remembering I read book five first (I know) which is MTy the youngest sisters book, money was very tight and Mary upset when a shawl was torn as it cost a whole pound, and Mary had no dowry. But Even in this book about fifteen years earlier had the whole house refurbished when he married
April 14, 2022
Im at odds at how to rate this
I would give a 3.5
because I couldn't put it down
but I do have to say I had big disappointments as well
the blurb is very misleading
it makes you think the heroine is a selfish brat when in reality she's just a young woman that has a very special friendship with the heroe
and without the usual constraints she acts more freely around him
the only objectionable thing she does is to tell her parents she is his betrothed without discussing it with him
she indeed takes him for granted
but he enjoys it
and comes with a fantastic plan to make her see he loves her: he will be cruel dismissive and humiliate her
wow
lol
?
the things he told her were messed up and in no way compare to what she did
and yet the author wants to makes us think that he had every right to treat her so
and she should be the one begging his forgiveness
without resolving that, the hea seems unconvincing
I would give a 3.5
because I couldn't put it down
but I do have to say I had big disappointments as well
the blurb is very misleading
it makes you think the heroine is a selfish brat when in reality she's just a young woman that has a very special friendship with the heroe
and without the usual constraints she acts more freely around him
the only objectionable thing she does is to tell her parents she is his betrothed without discussing it with him
she indeed takes him for granted
but he enjoys it
and comes with a fantastic plan to make her see he loves her: he will be cruel dismissive and humiliate her
wow
lol
?
the things he told her were messed up and in no way compare to what she did
and yet the author wants to makes us think that he had every right to treat her so
and she should be the one begging his forgiveness
without resolving that, the hea seems unconvincing
July 16, 2019
This was a disappointment. I had enjoyed Taylor's previous Regency novella, Artfully Wicked, and this sounded like a fun premise - Della, who is interested only in music, uses her friend and neighbor Eden, who is a mathematical genius, to discourage a duke who offers for her by pretending they are betrothed. Of course, Eden has been in love with her for years so this is his chance to win her over.
It was fun at first, but soon devolved into inanity - bad dialogue, contrived situations, stupid decisions, everything I dislike about most romances. Not to mention way too many typos for the length of the story. Thankfully it was short, and I might still read the next volume which is about Della's friend Hebe. It's clear the author intends to write more because there is at least one more friend in the background whose story will likely be told as well.
It was fun at first, but soon devolved into inanity - bad dialogue, contrived situations, stupid decisions, everything I dislike about most romances. Not to mention way too many typos for the length of the story. Thankfully it was short, and I might still read the next volume which is about Della's friend Hebe. It's clear the author intends to write more because there is at least one more friend in the background whose story will likely be told as well.
September 17, 2019
This is my favourite book, ever. I loved writing every single word. I had more fun with these characters than any other characters. I let them do whatever they wanted while I laughed with them.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews