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Bridal Discipline #3
Lydia's Penance
Tricked and trapped into marriage, there is no escape for this Duke but there is revenge...
Lydia hopes to escape her home using the only way available to her – a respectable marriage. Her qualifications for her new husband are not long. Unfortunately, the gentlemen of the ton do not seem interested in a bluestocking spinster and she’s forced to take desperate measures.
The Duke of Manchester has been tricked and trapped into marriage with Miss Lydia Stafford, and she won’t tell him why. She is willing to submit to a harsh penance rather than reveal her secrets.
Imprisoned in a battle of wills, is there any hope for love and a happily-ever-after?
Lydia hopes to escape her home using the only way available to her – a respectable marriage. Her qualifications for her new husband are not long. Unfortunately, the gentlemen of the ton do not seem interested in a bluestocking spinster and she’s forced to take desperate measures.
The Duke of Manchester has been tricked and trapped into marriage with Miss Lydia Stafford, and she won’t tell him why. She is willing to submit to a harsh penance rather than reveal her secrets.
Imprisoned in a battle of wills, is there any hope for love and a happily-ever-after?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2016
212 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Golden Angel
140 books2,029 followersGolden Angel is a USA Today best-selling author of heart and bottom warming romance.
She is happily married, old enough to know better but still too young to care, and a big fan of happily-ever-afters, strong heroes and heroines, and sizzling chemistry.
When not in front of her computer writing, she can be found sewing her next project, hanging out with friends, or wandering the grounds of the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
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She is happily married, old enough to know better but still too young to care, and a big fan of happily-ever-afters, strong heroes and heroines, and sizzling chemistry.
When not in front of her computer writing, she can be found sewing her next project, hanging out with friends, or wandering the grounds of the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
Newsletter with free books - https://subscribepage.io/goldenangelr...
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2G68e3O
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Ds7c0e
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2CkqiqZ
Website: http://www.goldenangelromance.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 11, 2021
3 1/2 you're gonna get spanked if you trick a duke into marrying you stars
This is the 3rd book in the Bridal Discipline series, and while there are characters from earlier books in the series (as well as from books from a previous series - Domestic Discipline), this story can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Issac, the current Duke of Manchester, need a bride this season. For one thing, he is tired of the seemingly endless seasons filled with overbearing mothers trying to foist their simpering debutantes on one of the few dukes younger than 50 who also happens to be as rich as Croesus. But for another, he knows he must begin to fulfill his responsibility of securing an heir. As this is the last house party of the season, he laments to his brother that he will have to pick one of the young ladies in attendance and will announce the betrothal the following day.
Lydia cannot believe her ears! She is desperate to escape her stepfather's increasingly lewd behavior as he continually attempts to molest her after he has had too much to drink, and this is her last and only chance to escape by finding a man to marry. As the older sister, even though she is only 20, she is often overlooked and considered a bluestocking. Apparently, men don't like to be corrected even when they are obviously wrong. But Lydia is out of options and time, so when she overhears a duke saying he must gain a bride, she knows this is her chance. She intercepts him as he heads for his bed and slips a herbal concoction in his drink to ensure he does not awaken when she sneaks into his room, strips naked, and climbs into bed with him to wait for them to be discovered. When they are found by the duke's brother (with other curious house party attendees) the following morning, the announcement is made immediately and the two are wed the next day.
Lydia believes she is free and clear of her stepfather, but when he threatens to marry her younger sister off to someone she does not love unless Lydia keeps the secret of why she trapped him, she knows he will follow through if she does not comply. When Isaac, who is even more confused about why he was trapped by a wife he is learning is intelligent, beautiful, and sexually compatible, demands to know what Lydia's reason was for arranging for them to be caught together, he is angered and frustrated when she refuses. Knowing he cannot allow his new wife to believe she is free to dupe him without consequences, he begins to discipline her via various techniques. They are both shocked to realized that she not only wants to pay her penance for her deception but that she enjoys it sexually, this opens the door for the adventurous sex life Isaac never thought he'd find with a wife of the ton. But as they both start to develop more complicated feelings, can he truly trust a woman that will not reveal her reasons for her entrapment? Can Lydia continue to resist her ever-increasing desire to tell her husband everything? And what will happen when her stepfather attempts to up the ante?
Plot --- 3.5/5
Main Characters --- 3.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4.5/5 (no M/M or F/F and no menage/group but literally everything else - early & often!)
Violence --- spankings galore (hand, birch, belt, switch); possible triggers - see spoiler above
Language --- f bombs
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
This is the 3rd book in the Bridal Discipline series, and while there are characters from earlier books in the series (as well as from books from a previous series - Domestic Discipline), this story can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Issac, the current Duke of Manchester, need a bride this season. For one thing, he is tired of the seemingly endless seasons filled with overbearing mothers trying to foist their simpering debutantes on one of the few dukes younger than 50 who also happens to be as rich as Croesus. But for another, he knows he must begin to fulfill his responsibility of securing an heir. As this is the last house party of the season, he laments to his brother that he will have to pick one of the young ladies in attendance and will announce the betrothal the following day.
Lydia cannot believe her ears! She is desperate to escape her stepfather's increasingly lewd behavior as he continually attempts to molest her after he has had too much to drink, and this is her last and only chance to escape by finding a man to marry. As the older sister, even though she is only 20, she is often overlooked and considered a bluestocking. Apparently, men don't like to be corrected even when they are obviously wrong. But Lydia is out of options and time, so when she overhears a duke saying he must gain a bride, she knows this is her chance. She intercepts him as he heads for his bed and slips a herbal concoction in his drink to ensure he does not awaken when she sneaks into his room, strips naked, and climbs into bed with him to wait for them to be discovered. When they are found by the duke's brother (with other curious house party attendees) the following morning, the announcement is made immediately and the two are wed the next day.
Lydia believes she is free and clear of her stepfather, but when he threatens to marry her younger sister off to someone she does not love unless Lydia keeps the secret of why she trapped him, she knows he will follow through if she does not comply. When Isaac, who is even more confused about why he was trapped by a wife he is learning is intelligent, beautiful, and sexually compatible, demands to know what Lydia's reason was for arranging for them to be caught together, he is angered and frustrated when she refuses. Knowing he cannot allow his new wife to believe she is free to dupe him without consequences, he begins to discipline her via various techniques. They are both shocked to realized that she not only wants to pay her penance for her deception but that she enjoys it sexually, this opens the door for the adventurous sex life Isaac never thought he'd find with a wife of the ton. But as they both start to develop more complicated feelings, can he truly trust a woman that will not reveal her reasons for her entrapment? Can Lydia continue to resist her ever-increasing desire to tell her husband everything? And what will happen when her stepfather attempts to up the ante?
Plot --- 3.5/5
Main Characters --- 3.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4.5/5 (no M/M or F/F and no menage/group but literally everything else - early & often!)
Violence --- spankings galore (hand, birch, belt, switch); possible triggers - see spoiler above
Language --- f bombs
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
February 25, 2022
Blame the victim.
I usually like this author's books (with the exception of Birching his Bride since it contains a father brutally whipping his adult daughter. Authors in this genre: since you equate punishment with sex, please leave fathers and daughters out of this equation; otherwise, you might as well be writing incest). She's a decent writer (grammatically-correct sentences, few editing errors) and her books are long enough to actually develop plot and character. I also like that her heroes are fallible and admit when they're wrong. I particularly like that her female characters bond as so many of these books divide the women by jealousy or by depicting one woman as all good and the other all bad.
But I hated this book. Lydia is the victim of sexual abuse. Her stepfather has fondled her and tried to rape her. She lives in a patriarchal society with no recourse as she's economically dependent on him. She is frightened and desperate. Who can she tell? Who will believe her? Who will help her? With no resources, how can she escape him? Her only alternative is to marry so she can get out of her stepfather's house; thus, she "traps" Isaac into marriage.
Throughout the book, as Isaac increasingly punishes her with greater and greater cruelty, we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he was forced into marriage. She accepts these punishments as her "penance" for trapping him. We're supposed to equate the awfulness of what her stepfather did to Lydia with Lydia's deception of Isaac. Every time he punishes her, the book implies that she's getting her just deserts. After all, it's her fault that she -- with no other recourse -- decided that marrying Isaac against his will was her only alternative. Sorry, but no.
This is classic blame-the-victim. Granted, Isaac doesn't know the truth about Lydia's motives, but we do. Thus, rather than viewing the punishments as "deserved," I could never forget why she did what she did and, quite frankly, here, the ends really did justify the means.
Now, Isaac could have redeemed himself at the end by falling at her feet, and profusely apologizing for how he treated her and for how patriarchal societies allow men to abuse women and girls with impunity (while it's not technically his fault that her stepfather tries to rape her, he's part of a society that enables it). But, he doesn't.
I'll read more of Golden Angel, but, hopefully, her future books won't include a man punishing, for example, a rape victim for dressing "provocatively." Quite frankly, this book was on the level of that kind of victim blaming.
I usually like this author's books (with the exception of Birching his Bride since it contains a father brutally whipping his adult daughter. Authors in this genre: since you equate punishment with sex, please leave fathers and daughters out of this equation; otherwise, you might as well be writing incest). She's a decent writer (grammatically-correct sentences, few editing errors) and her books are long enough to actually develop plot and character. I also like that her heroes are fallible and admit when they're wrong. I particularly like that her female characters bond as so many of these books divide the women by jealousy or by depicting one woman as all good and the other all bad.
But I hated this book. Lydia is the victim of sexual abuse. Her stepfather has fondled her and tried to rape her. She lives in a patriarchal society with no recourse as she's economically dependent on him. She is frightened and desperate. Who can she tell? Who will believe her? Who will help her? With no resources, how can she escape him? Her only alternative is to marry so she can get out of her stepfather's house; thus, she "traps" Isaac into marriage.
Throughout the book, as Isaac increasingly punishes her with greater and greater cruelty, we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he was forced into marriage. She accepts these punishments as her "penance" for trapping him. We're supposed to equate the awfulness of what her stepfather did to Lydia with Lydia's deception of Isaac. Every time he punishes her, the book implies that she's getting her just deserts. After all, it's her fault that she -- with no other recourse -- decided that marrying Isaac against his will was her only alternative. Sorry, but no.
This is classic blame-the-victim. Granted, Isaac doesn't know the truth about Lydia's motives, but we do. Thus, rather than viewing the punishments as "deserved," I could never forget why she did what she did and, quite frankly, here, the ends really did justify the means.
Now, Isaac could have redeemed himself at the end by falling at her feet, and profusely apologizing for how he treated her and for how patriarchal societies allow men to abuse women and girls with impunity (while it's not technically his fault that her stepfather tries to rape her, he's part of a society that enables it). But, he doesn't.
I'll read more of Golden Angel, but, hopefully, her future books won't include a man punishing, for example, a rape victim for dressing "provocatively." Quite frankly, this book was on the level of that kind of victim blaming.
March 20, 2022
The h compromises the very proper H. He's determined about getting to confess her reasons. She's a great heroine, who suffers pain from her actions as well as his. Despite the plain he inflicts, he cannot break her integrity. He realises he's not acting safely with her, so he changes tactics. I liked their good intentions but evil OM seemed inconsistent to me and a weak character.
September 11, 2018
This is such a great series,i adore it! In this part,we get to know Lydia who’s in a tough spot.... Backed into a corner by her stepfather,she sees no other solution than to force a man to marry her. Luckily she overhears Isaac,the Duke of Manchester, tell his brother he doesn’t care who he marries as long as it’s very,very soon...
Isaac is an honorable man and does the right thing after they’re found together in his bed in the morning. He marries the girl. But why would she trick him like that? She seems so sensible,not the kind of girl that would stoop so low....
Find out the how,ánd why,in this delectable story. I promise you’ll love it,i know i did!
Isaac is an honorable man and does the right thing after they’re found together in his bed in the morning. He marries the girl. But why would she trick him like that? She seems so sensible,not the kind of girl that would stoop so low....
Find out the how,ánd why,in this delectable story. I promise you’ll love it,i know i did!
February 24, 2021
Lydia had to do what she needed in order to survive and even though I understand why, I also became frustrated with her as to why she wouldn't tell Isaac after she knew she could trust him. This turns into a battle of the wills with some seriously sexy punishment scenes.
August 19, 2020
My least favourite
I hated Lydia, I hated how she did a bad thing and then whined at how sad she was when it made her husband withdraw from her. She was a massive hypocrite as well, doing something out of desperation, but believing that no one else could be even a little as desperate as she.
Isaac’s behaviour was almost as bad, could he not realise that he wouldn’t be getting answers when every punishment was followed by a reward.
Ugh, these two drove me crazy, but I didn’t believe Lydia deserved a thing she got from her husband, even though the author attempted to make me believe that she was a wonderful person. Now this a-hole of a character is going to be in the next two books as well, and I was so looking forward to reading them.
I hated Lydia, I hated how she did a bad thing and then whined at how sad she was when it made her husband withdraw from her. She was a massive hypocrite as well, doing something out of desperation, but believing that no one else could be even a little as desperate as she.
Isaac’s behaviour was almost as bad, could he not realise that he wouldn’t be getting answers when every punishment was followed by a reward.
Ugh, these two drove me crazy, but I didn’t believe Lydia deserved a thing she got from her husband, even though the author attempted to make me believe that she was a wonderful person. Now this a-hole of a character is going to be in the next two books as well, and I was so looking forward to reading them.
February 25, 2021
Too Nasty
I was so disappointed having read the prior 2 books in the discipline series and really liking them! I couldn’t wait to read about the endearing and stuffy Duke. However, how OCD and unforgiving can one character get?
I get that the heroine trapped him and he didn’t trust her but his punishments were bordering on abusive, cruel and just plain vicious. Not to mention, I hardly think a true gentleman, no matter what his proclivities are in the bedroom, would treat an obviously innocently and gently bred woman like a common doxy as “her penance”. Give me a break! The whole book was about her giving into her guilt by giving into his dark and demanding desires and he showed almost no mercy or affection until practically the last chapter! I love erotica but this was not a turn on! It was unnecessarily cruel and cold. Not sexy but almost debasing and harsh.
I mean even when he discovered the poor girl wasn’t at fault, and she had no choice, he still made her feel guilty. Narcissistic much?
Finally, and most abruptly we are treated to his “sudden” realization that he loves her? 🧐🤔 Sorry. I just didn’t buy a “happily ever after and I love you” on the last few pages! Honestly, the book title should’ve been “Lydia’s Humiliation” He really debased her in ways that were shocking and even though they were quasi consensual, I feel the character felt like she had no choice at times but to give in because she was made to feel so badly about herself.
So, the series ends here for me. Ugh. Sorry. But I hate when I’m invested in a series and the characters are either disappointing or the personalities just don’t fit the ones we were originally introduced to in the previous series.
This happened to me quite a bit so far. Authors need to be more invested in their character’s voice and development.
I was so disappointed having read the prior 2 books in the discipline series and really liking them! I couldn’t wait to read about the endearing and stuffy Duke. However, how OCD and unforgiving can one character get?
I get that the heroine trapped him and he didn’t trust her but his punishments were bordering on abusive, cruel and just plain vicious. Not to mention, I hardly think a true gentleman, no matter what his proclivities are in the bedroom, would treat an obviously innocently and gently bred woman like a common doxy as “her penance”. Give me a break! The whole book was about her giving into her guilt by giving into his dark and demanding desires and he showed almost no mercy or affection until practically the last chapter! I love erotica but this was not a turn on! It was unnecessarily cruel and cold. Not sexy but almost debasing and harsh.
I mean even when he discovered the poor girl wasn’t at fault, and she had no choice, he still made her feel guilty. Narcissistic much?
Finally, and most abruptly we are treated to his “sudden” realization that he loves her? 🧐🤔 Sorry. I just didn’t buy a “happily ever after and I love you” on the last few pages! Honestly, the book title should’ve been “Lydia’s Humiliation” He really debased her in ways that were shocking and even though they were quasi consensual, I feel the character felt like she had no choice at times but to give in because she was made to feel so badly about herself.
So, the series ends here for me. Ugh. Sorry. But I hate when I’m invested in a series and the characters are either disappointing or the personalities just don’t fit the ones we were originally introduced to in the previous series.
This happened to me quite a bit so far. Authors need to be more invested in their character’s voice and development.
January 27, 2024
Lydia needs a husband to escape from her stepfather's advances; the Duke of Manchester wants a wife. When Lydia, too intelligent and too old (at 20) for most of the prospective husbands, takes matters into her own hands, she refuses to tell Isaac the reasons, and he adopts the only recourse he has.
Plenty of steam, plenty of fetish, excellent characters and an interesting story.
My second reading, and I have enjoyed it more this time.
There are cultural misunderstanding and anachronisms, but this is a good tale if you can overlook these.
Plenty of steam, plenty of fetish, excellent characters and an interesting story.
My second reading, and I have enjoyed it more this time.
There are cultural misunderstanding and anachronisms, but this is a good tale if you can overlook these.
November 2, 2022
Ooh I liked this one!! I really really enjoyed it! I would say the only really funny parts happen at the beginning. I couldn’t stop laughing at the scene when they were discovered in bed! That was brilliant! And then behind the fern plant!
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Firstly I was glad that a certain character from the previous book was hardly in this one! But mainly I really enjoyed both Lydia and Isaac. Everything about them and their actions made sense! And not just made sense to make things simple, they made sense and were befitting to those moments in the story and in their relationship.
.
Things didn’t jump, they weren’t all great and fine after a big argument or harrowing incident. The trust, love and respect really had to be earned. There was something utterly so truth and earnest about the two of them. I really was fighting for them. I wanted them to get over their hurdles!
.
The 🌶🌶🌶 was very intense! I first time was “nice” 🤣🤣 that did also make me laugh! One of my favourite lines was when Isaac is was Benedict and Benedict mentions his smile 😊.
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Great book, great story, great interactions from the other characters! I don’t think there’s a single thing I could fault about this!
.
Firstly I was glad that a certain character from the previous book was hardly in this one! But mainly I really enjoyed both Lydia and Isaac. Everything about them and their actions made sense! And not just made sense to make things simple, they made sense and were befitting to those moments in the story and in their relationship.
.
Things didn’t jump, they weren’t all great and fine after a big argument or harrowing incident. The trust, love and respect really had to be earned. There was something utterly so truth and earnest about the two of them. I really was fighting for them. I wanted them to get over their hurdles!
.
The 🌶🌶🌶 was very intense! I first time was “nice” 🤣🤣 that did also make me laugh! One of my favourite lines was when Isaac is was Benedict and Benedict mentions his smile 😊.
.
Great book, great story, great interactions from the other characters! I don’t think there’s a single thing I could fault about this!
May 13, 2018
She's a desperate woman. He's an inquisitive man. When the lioness in her brings out the alpha in him is when the heatwave really explodes. Lydia had no choice. She did what she needed to protect those she loved. Isaac is her only hope, but the temptress finds herself caught in her own trap. Lydia's Penance finds beauty in ugliness. Her fear is palpable and her pain cuts deep, but her redemption emerges in the arms of the man that tempts her like no other.
July 30, 2024
lmfao what??? this book literally kept getting more ridiculous as i kept reading, i literally skipped over the last 20% of this book 💀 then to read the series name made it so much more unserious lmfao be fr
March 6, 2023
Not fan of punishing someone because they do not share everything. There are other ways to build trust. This is not one of them.
books-boxed-sets
November 23, 2024In boxed set - "The Bridal Discipline Omnibus (Bridal Discipline Box Set)"
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January 27, 2021DNF at 15%
I don't mind the disciplining part, obviously I realized what I was getting into based off the series title, but I did not like the constant references to the past and the hero also spanking his sister who was in her late teens. I saw no warnings there was anything that's even incest adjacent and it was really off putting.
I don't mind the disciplining part, obviously I realized what I was getting into based off the series title, but I did not like the constant references to the past and the hero also spanking his sister who was in her late teens. I saw no warnings there was anything that's even incest adjacent and it was really off putting.
January 9, 2021
This story has Lydia who has a stepfather that wants to rape her whenever he gets to drinking, which is often. So she is quite desperate to find a husband so that she might get away from her stepfather. The Season was over and she was at Chesterfield’s House Party for a week and then she would have to return to her stepfather’s house in the country.
Lydia is hiding in the ferns when she hears one man talking to another man and she hears the Duke talking of how he is ready to marry anyone and that he is going to make a choice and propose tommorrow at sunset. So Lydia drugs the Duke and slips into his bed naked so that she might be compromised and thus he will be forced as an honourable man to offer to marry her.
The next morning she is found by her half sister Amy, the Duke’s sister Arabella, the Duke’s brother and their hostess. So Isaac tells everyone that they are getting married.
Later Isaac goes to Lydia’s room and spanks her while he is telling her that he will not put up with her lying to him or trying to manipulate him in the future and he also asks if she is pregnant. Then he discovers that she is wet from being spanked.
Unfortunately for Lydia, now that she is married, Lydia’s stepfather decides to use Amy to control Lydia. Amy is her half sister who she loves and since Amy is only 17 there is little as far as Lydia can think of that she can do about it until Amy is married. Not believing that she has a choice Lydia agrees to not telling Isaac, anything and to get information from him when asked.
Thus after they arrive at the Duke’s main residence in the country, Lydia refuses to tell Isaac why she felt she has to trap him into marrying her, other than to tell him that she wasn’t happy at home, even though he spanks her over his knee and tells her he won’t stop until she answers him.
A day or so later Isaac again spanks her in an attempt to get her to answer his question and Lydia will only reply “I can’t”. He finally stops after a while and tells her that he is not giving up. Then she takes his cock out and starts sucking.
Some days later when Isaac is again questioning Lydia, Isaac figures out that Lydia is protecting her sister, Amy in some way. So Isaac stopped spanking her for a day or so, until finally Lydia asks him to punisher her because she needs it. So then Isaac starts punishing Lydia every 3 or 4 days, sometimes with a crop, sometimes with a flogger, etc. Because Lydia needs the regular punishments.
Eventually they have a house party to which Lydia’s sister, Amy and her stepfather are invited. Eventually the stepfather gets Lydia alone and tells her that she has to find out the names of some investors in a investment group that Isaac is in charge of. That night Lydia makes sure that she is getting punished as she feels horrible about betraying Isaac and after her punishment, After the punishment is over there is a terrific anal sex scene that is one of the best I have ever read, just absolutely terrific.
Next day the truth comes out and there is a very fine HEA
This is a great story and I am reading it over again, because I love it that much.
Lydia is hiding in the ferns when she hears one man talking to another man and she hears the Duke talking of how he is ready to marry anyone and that he is going to make a choice and propose tommorrow at sunset. So Lydia drugs the Duke and slips into his bed naked so that she might be compromised and thus he will be forced as an honourable man to offer to marry her.
The next morning she is found by her half sister Amy, the Duke’s sister Arabella, the Duke’s brother and their hostess. So Isaac tells everyone that they are getting married.
Later Isaac goes to Lydia’s room and spanks her while he is telling her that he will not put up with her lying to him or trying to manipulate him in the future and he also asks if she is pregnant. Then he discovers that she is wet from being spanked.
Unfortunately for Lydia, now that she is married, Lydia’s stepfather decides to use Amy to control Lydia. Amy is her half sister who she loves and since Amy is only 17 there is little as far as Lydia can think of that she can do about it until Amy is married. Not believing that she has a choice Lydia agrees to not telling Isaac, anything and to get information from him when asked.
Thus after they arrive at the Duke’s main residence in the country, Lydia refuses to tell Isaac why she felt she has to trap him into marrying her, other than to tell him that she wasn’t happy at home, even though he spanks her over his knee and tells her he won’t stop until she answers him.
A day or so later Isaac again spanks her in an attempt to get her to answer his question and Lydia will only reply “I can’t”. He finally stops after a while and tells her that he is not giving up. Then she takes his cock out and starts sucking.
Some days later when Isaac is again questioning Lydia, Isaac figures out that Lydia is protecting her sister, Amy in some way. So Isaac stopped spanking her for a day or so, until finally Lydia asks him to punisher her because she needs it. So then Isaac starts punishing Lydia every 3 or 4 days, sometimes with a crop, sometimes with a flogger, etc. Because Lydia needs the regular punishments.
Eventually they have a house party to which Lydia’s sister, Amy and her stepfather are invited. Eventually the stepfather gets Lydia alone and tells her that she has to find out the names of some investors in a investment group that Isaac is in charge of. That night Lydia makes sure that she is getting punished as she feels horrible about betraying Isaac and after her punishment, After the punishment is over there is a terrific anal sex scene that is one of the best I have ever read, just absolutely terrific.
Next day the truth comes out and there is a very fine HEA
This is a great story and I am reading it over again, because I love it that much.
August 30, 2022
This was so poorly written even the smut couldn’t save it. There was just nothing here. I like hard smut in my romance novels. But there needs to be a worthwhile story and good writing. This was lacking in both areas. I stopped with two chapters left. I couldn’t give more of my time or brain away.
July 17, 2018
Tons of sizzle with a tension-filled plot
Book 4 in the series, while we met Isaac as well as his family and friends in the earlier books, you don't need that background to thoroughly enjoy this story.
I have to say I was pulling for Lydia; intelligent, caring and kind, she's exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about. Faced with an untenable situation, she had the courage and knowledge to grab the opportunity that presented itself, making the best choices she could. Isaac was a perfect kind of counterpoint for her; strong, honorable and intelligent in his right, he found Lydia's intelligence attractive rather than intimidating. While he was almost immediately attracted to Lydia physically, as well as to her personality and intellect, there were still barriers between them to break down and trust to build. This was especially true as where Lydia needed to keep her motivations a secret to protect her sister, Isaac was just as determined to understand what those motivations were, while my heart ached for them both.
As I've come to expect from this author, there's tons of sizzle between the two main characters as well as plenty of humor, fun secondary characters (I adore Arabella!) and an interesting and tension-filled plot, all of which kept me reading well past my bedtime. While some of the discipline and BDSM-style bedroom play was a little outside of my personal comfort zone, it didn't detract from the story as it fit the characters. Another great addition to the series, now on to Benedict's story! 5 stars
B2B Kelly
Book 4 in the series, while we met Isaac as well as his family and friends in the earlier books, you don't need that background to thoroughly enjoy this story.
I have to say I was pulling for Lydia; intelligent, caring and kind, she's exactly the kind of heroine I love to read about. Faced with an untenable situation, she had the courage and knowledge to grab the opportunity that presented itself, making the best choices she could. Isaac was a perfect kind of counterpoint for her; strong, honorable and intelligent in his right, he found Lydia's intelligence attractive rather than intimidating. While he was almost immediately attracted to Lydia physically, as well as to her personality and intellect, there were still barriers between them to break down and trust to build. This was especially true as where Lydia needed to keep her motivations a secret to protect her sister, Isaac was just as determined to understand what those motivations were, while my heart ached for them both.
As I've come to expect from this author, there's tons of sizzle between the two main characters as well as plenty of humor, fun secondary characters (I adore Arabella!) and an interesting and tension-filled plot, all of which kept me reading well past my bedtime. While some of the discipline and BDSM-style bedroom play was a little outside of my personal comfort zone, it didn't detract from the story as it fit the characters. Another great addition to the series, now on to Benedict's story! 5 stars
B2B Kelly
December 31, 2016
The best book to end the year, a 5* read!
This story is about Isaac, we saw him in the other books, and Lydia. She has a problem, namely her stepfather who's a drunk and a creep, so she thinks her only solution is to trap Isaac into marriage. Things go as she want, but she didn't expect them to end as they did. Isaac is a honorable man, so even though Lydia trapped him into marriage, he keeps an open mind. He also spanks her :D
I just love reading Golden Angel historicals, they are my favorite from what she writes(not that I don't enjoy her other books :)) ) I totally recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys domestic discipline books set in Regency and Victorian Great Britain.
This story is about Isaac, we saw him in the other books, and Lydia. She has a problem, namely her stepfather who's a drunk and a creep, so she thinks her only solution is to trap Isaac into marriage. Things go as she want, but she didn't expect them to end as they did. Isaac is a honorable man, so even though Lydia trapped him into marriage, he keeps an open mind. He also spanks her :D
I just love reading Golden Angel historicals, they are my favorite from what she writes(not that I don't enjoy her other books :)) ) I totally recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys domestic discipline books set in Regency and Victorian Great Britain.
November 12, 2023
Lydia's stepfather has been trying to have marital relations with Lydia since her mother died. Lydia is trying to protect her younger sister from her father's machinations. They are invited to a house party where Lydia overhears the Duke of Manchester tell his brother he does not care who he marries but will announce it the next day. Lydia drugs the Duke and enters his bed where she is discovered the next morning. He does the honorable thing and marries her. He is furious and when he takes her to his home after the wedding, he punishes her, telling her that if she tells him why she did what she did he will not punish her. Lydia refuses to give her reason so he punishes her. He does so every few days but she remains adamant in her refusal. As he lives with her and learns more about her, he (and others) feel as though she was acting uncharacteristically. He just cannot get her to break her silence no matter how much he punishes her. The punishments are affecting him more than her. Will he continue the punishments? Will she break? What does he learn about her?
Wow! This story is so powerful. Lydia and Isaac (the Duke) are strangers when they marry. Both are strong willed in their own ways. Isaac is unable to break her silence and he realizes he cannot do it anymore. I have never seen that. I like that we get the story from both sides. I could sympathize with them both. She cannot tell as she does not if Isaac will care about her sister. He knows he cannot keep punishing her because it's hurting him emotionally. I liked when she comes to him and asks for punishment. He then can see his way to the pleasure side of it. When he discovers her masochist side, he becomes softer with her. He teaches her many things a wife would not know. I also like that Isaac is not afraid of asking questions of his friends who do domestic discipline on their wives. I appreciate that he takes their advice--try on yourself first and never discipline in anger.
When it all comes to a head at their house party, I loved that Lydia shows her loyalty to Isaac. I also appreciated that they talked about why she tricked him into marriage in private. When he thinks of what she said he understands her why. He is not happy and does not know what to do. I appreciated that once again she came to him to stop his stinking thinking.
I liked how they could tell when something changed in their relationship by their actions. They could tell when something wasn't right with the other because of how the person walked or acted. Isaac was good at following Lydia and spying. It is because of that that he learns not to worry about her with Arabella. It also helps them keep the scandal of the garden from being known amongst their casual acquaintances.
I look forward to the rest of the series but I'm not sure they will be as powerful as this one.
Wow! This story is so powerful. Lydia and Isaac (the Duke) are strangers when they marry. Both are strong willed in their own ways. Isaac is unable to break her silence and he realizes he cannot do it anymore. I have never seen that. I like that we get the story from both sides. I could sympathize with them both. She cannot tell as she does not if Isaac will care about her sister. He knows he cannot keep punishing her because it's hurting him emotionally. I liked when she comes to him and asks for punishment. He then can see his way to the pleasure side of it. When he discovers her masochist side, he becomes softer with her. He teaches her many things a wife would not know. I also like that Isaac is not afraid of asking questions of his friends who do domestic discipline on their wives. I appreciate that he takes their advice--try on yourself first and never discipline in anger.
When it all comes to a head at their house party, I loved that Lydia shows her loyalty to Isaac. I also appreciated that they talked about why she tricked him into marriage in private. When he thinks of what she said he understands her why. He is not happy and does not know what to do. I appreciated that once again she came to him to stop his stinking thinking.
I liked how they could tell when something changed in their relationship by their actions. They could tell when something wasn't right with the other because of how the person walked or acted. Isaac was good at following Lydia and spying. It is because of that that he learns not to worry about her with Arabella. It also helps them keep the scandal of the garden from being known amongst their casual acquaintances.
I look forward to the rest of the series but I'm not sure they will be as powerful as this one.
May 2, 2019
Golden Angel has set up the perfect scenario for this couple. Do you remember Isaac, the Duke of Manchester from the previous books in the "Bridal Discipline" series? Well, this is his story. He's decided it's time to take a wife but he's really not finding one in the cabbageheads he's met so far during the Season in London. So he decides at the last house party of the season, he'll meet the debutantes there and make a decision, it not longer really matters since he doesn't want to go through this another year.
Lydia Stafford is the step-daughter of an Earl. Unfortunately, her mother died leaving her and her half-sister in his care. Did I say care? He's become a drunken lech towards her. She's trying to protect her sister's innocence the best she can and still save herself, but he's not acting like any kind of father. She's going to the last house party of the season and hopes she can find a husband there. She knows she's a couple years older most of the debutantes having their first season and she is intelligent and opinionated, but she'll do her best to be quiet and submissive in order to get what she needs.
If you've been following this series then you know there is domestic discipline involved. These two characters are literally fated for each other. The story flows, the plot is seamlessly woven throughout, the characters personalities are beautifully flawed making them so relatable, and the discipline …. Mmmm, there is nothing in this book not to love.
Lydia Stafford is the step-daughter of an Earl. Unfortunately, her mother died leaving her and her half-sister in his care. Did I say care? He's become a drunken lech towards her. She's trying to protect her sister's innocence the best she can and still save herself, but he's not acting like any kind of father. She's going to the last house party of the season and hopes she can find a husband there. She knows she's a couple years older most of the debutantes having their first season and she is intelligent and opinionated, but she'll do her best to be quiet and submissive in order to get what she needs.
If you've been following this series then you know there is domestic discipline involved. These two characters are literally fated for each other. The story flows, the plot is seamlessly woven throughout, the characters personalities are beautifully flawed making them so relatable, and the discipline …. Mmmm, there is nothing in this book not to love.
March 19, 2020
Did not finish this book
The first few chapters I had to stop. The characters seemed nice; the plot, not unusual, but doable; and the grammar was very good also.
It. Just. Went. So. Slow. I read to the point where they were found in bed and the people had been kicked out. It took almost 9 pages for him to wake up and realize that there was someone in his bed and someone in his room. It took another 3 pages for him to actually get up and kick everyone out. I can't read that slow. The story needs to move smoothly along. We readers can't get stuck in redundant details and useless in the head monologues. And the author included the monologues as nasuem. Do not waste your time. I am sorry that I did. And it is a shame, if the author could cut out some of the crap, there are some likeable characters that could make this a good book. Also, the author lied. I chose this book based on the description 'too-old spinster'. Yes, one.of my favorites is older lady love. Anywhere from 25-29, if they are virgins. This bride was 20 years old. Why lie like that?? It really made my stomach upset. Why am I going to read a book where the description is wrong. No lies needed.
The first few chapters I had to stop. The characters seemed nice; the plot, not unusual, but doable; and the grammar was very good also.
It. Just. Went. So. Slow. I read to the point where they were found in bed and the people had been kicked out. It took almost 9 pages for him to wake up and realize that there was someone in his bed and someone in his room. It took another 3 pages for him to actually get up and kick everyone out. I can't read that slow. The story needs to move smoothly along. We readers can't get stuck in redundant details and useless in the head monologues. And the author included the monologues as nasuem. Do not waste your time. I am sorry that I did. And it is a shame, if the author could cut out some of the crap, there are some likeable characters that could make this a good book. Also, the author lied. I chose this book based on the description 'too-old spinster'. Yes, one.of my favorites is older lady love. Anywhere from 25-29, if they are virgins. This bride was 20 years old. Why lie like that?? It really made my stomach upset. Why am I going to read a book where the description is wrong. No lies needed.
August 24, 2023
Title: Lydia's Penance
Author: Golden Angel
Release Date: December 30th, 2016
Page Count: 312
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: July 29th, 2023
Finish Date: July 30th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Out of all of the books in this series, this book was my absolute favorite. I really felt for Lydia. I don't agree with what she did, but I understood why. I'm glad that things didn't get farther than they did. Not that what happened to that point wasn't bad enough, but still. I wish she had felt that she was able to tell the truth about what really happened. Her stepfather got into her head though. He basically made her feel like if she told the truth that he would marry her sister off to some scoundrel! And sadly, by laws, he would have gotten away with doing it! I'll quit rambling before I say too much! It's worth the read! It's full of spice and sass. It also left plenty of intrigue!
Author: Golden Angel
Release Date: December 30th, 2016
Page Count: 312
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: July 29th, 2023
Finish Date: July 30th, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Out of all of the books in this series, this book was my absolute favorite. I really felt for Lydia. I don't agree with what she did, but I understood why. I'm glad that things didn't get farther than they did. Not that what happened to that point wasn't bad enough, but still. I wish she had felt that she was able to tell the truth about what really happened. Her stepfather got into her head though. He basically made her feel like if she told the truth that he would marry her sister off to some scoundrel! And sadly, by laws, he would have gotten away with doing it! I'll quit rambling before I say too much! It's worth the read! It's full of spice and sass. It also left plenty of intrigue!
June 5, 2018
Secrets & intrigue
Lydia is a complex mix of contradictions. Isaac is ready to throw in the towel and marry anyone of the empty-headed debs that have been placed in front of him. He is ready to give up finding anyone who could match his interests. Lydia is desperate. Its now or never to escape her precarious home situation. Desperate times needs desperate measures, Lydia hopes Isaac’s honor will protect her. The story had me totally invested I it from the beginning. I so wanted Lydia to get her HEA. The getting to that HEA for these two is a sexy erotic mix! I loved the details that Angel puts in her books. Then at the end of the book she sets up the next book in this series. Which makes me glad I have it and don’t have to wait! Now I can’t wait to read the next book!
Lydia is a complex mix of contradictions. Isaac is ready to throw in the towel and marry anyone of the empty-headed debs that have been placed in front of him. He is ready to give up finding anyone who could match his interests. Lydia is desperate. Its now or never to escape her precarious home situation. Desperate times needs desperate measures, Lydia hopes Isaac’s honor will protect her. The story had me totally invested I it from the beginning. I so wanted Lydia to get her HEA. The getting to that HEA for these two is a sexy erotic mix! I loved the details that Angel puts in her books. Then at the end of the book she sets up the next book in this series. Which makes me glad I have it and don’t have to wait! Now I can’t wait to read the next book!
May 4, 2021
Intrigue and blackmail
Lydia needs to get away from her step father and protect her half sister. Instead of asking for help this brilliant woman drugs an honorable Duke and he marries her immediately. She is perfectly suited to him except for the out of character manner in which she snagged him. She can't tell him why she needed him and feels immense guilt over it. Not happy about being duped and now acknowledging there is more he doesn't know and his wife won't tell him Isaac has no choice but to punish her to get it out of her. Her resolve is unfortunately stronger than his. Along the way their chemistry sizzles but their trust and connection ebbs and flows. Complicated relationship but well done. I was glad to see that no matter his feelings aftercare was mostly observed.
Lydia needs to get away from her step father and protect her half sister. Instead of asking for help this brilliant woman drugs an honorable Duke and he marries her immediately. She is perfectly suited to him except for the out of character manner in which she snagged him. She can't tell him why she needed him and feels immense guilt over it. Not happy about being duped and now acknowledging there is more he doesn't know and his wife won't tell him Isaac has no choice but to punish her to get it out of her. Her resolve is unfortunately stronger than his. Along the way their chemistry sizzles but their trust and connection ebbs and flows. Complicated relationship but well done. I was glad to see that no matter his feelings aftercare was mostly observed.
January 26, 2021
Lydia and Isaac are perfect together, and it was easy to see how they fell in love with each other and easy to connect with the characters. Lydia is a strong but submissive woman who family means everything to. Isaac is a strong Dominant.
This is my favorite book from Golden Angel’s Bridal Discipline series. This series is best read in order and after the Domestic Discipline series, because so many of the characters from previous books make an appearance here too. I would recommend these books to anyone who loves domestic discipline and historical erotic romance together.
This narrator is not my favorite her voice is easy to listen to but at times it felt a bit robotic and not real smooth; however, she did not ruin the book for me the way some other narrators have.
This is my favorite book from Golden Angel’s Bridal Discipline series. This series is best read in order and after the Domestic Discipline series, because so many of the characters from previous books make an appearance here too. I would recommend these books to anyone who loves domestic discipline and historical erotic romance together.
This narrator is not my favorite her voice is easy to listen to but at times it felt a bit robotic and not real smooth; however, she did not ruin the book for me the way some other narrators have.
June 1, 2017
You are an amazing writer WOW
I have read every book in this series and twice imagine my surprise when I realized I miss this one.
My only wish it that Annabelle and the Hook brothers Thomas and Walter get their stories as well. I will be looking for them. Please don't stop now. God has bless you with a wonderful gift and your guardian Angel continue to guide your mind and hand into creating a masterpiece. I wish you continue success and I will keep looking for your next series which should be 4 in all. Benedict, his sister and the last to hook brothers. Please if you have not read this lady's books the only warning is that they are addictive. DH from New York City
I have read every book in this series and twice imagine my surprise when I realized I miss this one.
My only wish it that Annabelle and the Hook brothers Thomas and Walter get their stories as well. I will be looking for them. Please don't stop now. God has bless you with a wonderful gift and your guardian Angel continue to guide your mind and hand into creating a masterpiece. I wish you continue success and I will keep looking for your next series which should be 4 in all. Benedict, his sister and the last to hook brothers. Please if you have not read this lady's books the only warning is that they are addictive. DH from New York City
December 5, 2017
We've all seen the story, man traps women in a marriage, or women tries to trap man only to be stopped by the heroine. This is not that story.
When Lydia traps Isaac and succeeds she getting herself out of a situation she couldn't think would get any worse. But instead she may have found the one man who will take her entrapment and turn it into the love story of the season.
I loved this story, I was hesitant because I'm not usually one who likes trapped stories but you feel the guilt pouring of Lydia before she even does it, which makes the rest of the story oh so beautiful.
Bring on the next story
When Lydia traps Isaac and succeeds she getting herself out of a situation she couldn't think would get any worse. But instead she may have found the one man who will take her entrapment and turn it into the love story of the season.
I loved this story, I was hesitant because I'm not usually one who likes trapped stories but you feel the guilt pouring of Lydia before she even does it, which makes the rest of the story oh so beautiful.
Bring on the next story
May 6, 2018
We have met Isaac as Arabella’s long suffering older brother. he wants to get married, but hasn’t found the right woman yet, but Lydia takes away his choice.Lydia takes a desperate measure to safe herself and his sister. She showed a lot of strength and spirit.
Both of them actually find that they are very well suited to each other. Inside and outside the bedroom, but the reason why Lydia did what she did, is like a dark cloud hanging between them.
I loved how we get to see the story from both sides. each has their doubts, troubles, struggles and guilt.
It was a very steamy, but also emotional book. Once you start you don’t want to stop.
Both of them actually find that they are very well suited to each other. Inside and outside the bedroom, but the reason why Lydia did what she did, is like a dark cloud hanging between them.
I loved how we get to see the story from both sides. each has their doubts, troubles, struggles and guilt.
It was a very steamy, but also emotional book. Once you start you don’t want to stop.
February 21, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the series of 5, I'm not counting book 1.5.
Lydia is so desperate to get out of her house that she is willing to deceive the Duke into marrying her. It's not a secret to anyone that she did that but no one knows why. The book is about the Duke trying to get Lydia to tell him 'why' she tricked him into marrying her.
I enjoy all books written by Golden Angel. She develops her characters very well, I get attached with each one. This book had more kink scenes than the other books in the series. Although this type of kink isn't my type it was still good. I love the camaraderie of all the characters. I wish real life was more like that.
Lydia is so desperate to get out of her house that she is willing to deceive the Duke into marrying her. It's not a secret to anyone that she did that but no one knows why. The book is about the Duke trying to get Lydia to tell him 'why' she tricked him into marrying her.
I enjoy all books written by Golden Angel. She develops her characters very well, I get attached with each one. This book had more kink scenes than the other books in the series. Although this type of kink isn't my type it was still good. I love the camaraderie of all the characters. I wish real life was more like that.
December 22, 2021
Definitely full of discipline!
The majority of the book the Duke was trying to get Lydia to tell him why she tricked him into marriage. The secrets she kept was only one of the things that made the relationship unsettled. Lydia was also a different type of submissive than the Duke had ever experienced which caused an accidental meeting of the husbands who like to spank club. The Duke was more forceful with his punishments than most of the previous husbands in the series, but their meeting was successful in furthering understanding of certain punishment methods.
Overall this was a good read, but the punishments seemed to overfill the story a little.
The majority of the book the Duke was trying to get Lydia to tell him why she tricked him into marriage. The secrets she kept was only one of the things that made the relationship unsettled. Lydia was also a different type of submissive than the Duke had ever experienced which caused an accidental meeting of the husbands who like to spank club. The Duke was more forceful with his punishments than most of the previous husbands in the series, but their meeting was successful in furthering understanding of certain punishment methods.
Overall this was a good read, but the punishments seemed to overfill the story a little.
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