Sinfully Ever After

The Ever Afters #4

by Jackie Barbosa

Lady Jane St. Clair should be happy. After all, she's betrothed to the man she adores. But the Earl of Chester is a notorious rake who has dallied with London's loveliest women, and "Plain Jane" can never hope for his fidelity. Unless she can find another way to compete...

Gerard Nash is resigned to a lustless marriage and, for appearances, has given up his mistress. But celibacy is not for him, and in the weeks before his weeding, he frequents London's poshest brothel. There, a masked woman with the body of a goddess brings him exquisite pleasure. There's just one catch.

This harlot must remain a virgin.

Note: This novella was originally released by Kensington Books in 2009 in the anthology titled Behind the Red Door.

Genres: Historical Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Erotica

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars (original rating, didn't re-read). I read this story in the box set titled Behind the Red Door in 2012. Unless there are any major changes in the reissued story that I don't know about, here's my review...

“Sinfully Ever After”

Umm, no. Couldn’t really like this story, mainly because I couldn’t stand the can’t-keep-his-d*ck-in-his-pants, hypocritical hero Gerard. The plot was also messy. I wanted to like Jane, but she was a total doormat where Gerard was concerned. Too bad that the sex scenes were hot, and yet, couldn’t enjoy them either because I couldn’t care for the main characters.

Jane is Nathaniel’s sister. Even though she has a fat dowry and super bloodline, she’s got a plain face. No one takes her as a great beauty and she knows because people can be pretty unpleasant about such things. To make matters worse, she’s been pining away for Gerard for it seems like forever, though he’s never thought of her as anything but a friend.

Gerard ‘esteems’ Jane with the highest of regards, takes her as a good friend. Why not? She’s smart and all that. But of course, he’s not attracted to her because she’s not beautiful. I mean why be attracted to her when he can f*ck any empty-headed Ton beauties, widows, courtesans etc., right? And he has never practiced restrain where f*cking is concerned. Then, he decides that he wants to marry Jane. Yes, Jane would be the perfect wife for an Earl and after a few months into the marriage, he can take a mistress. According to him, no matter where he puts his d*ck, his heart will always be Jane’s.

OMFG!!! WTF??? I mean........... What an unpleasant SOB!!! Gerard was worse than Nathaniel, who actually had some kind of obsession over Eleanor, which made me believe in his love.

Now, Jane already knew that Gerard would be incapable of fidelity and even though she craves that and his love, she already is sure that she’ll never have anything. So Jane to settle for whatever scraps of affections he throws at her! Then she’s scared but no less curious about how to keep Gerard’s attentions more than a few days. I mean he’ll stray of course, but Jane wants to keep his attentions a little longer than that. I wasn’t sure if I should pity her or be mad.

This is where Eleanor and Callie come in. I already knew that Nathaniel was going to help Callie to get the Ton’s approval with Eleanor’s help. But seeing these two together made me uncomfortable. How could Eleanor be ‘best buds’ with a woman who was her husband’s ex-lover? I don’t mind that Callie was a former prostitute, but if you read the review of the first two stories, you’ll know what I’m talking about. This rang entirely false to me.

Anyhooo, they formulate a plan that obviously include Red Door and the Madame, who is going to ‘help’ Jane further her carnal education. And while they are talking about it, Gerard makes a call. He’s suddenly attracted to Jane and her lovely bosoms. He acts as if the hellfire is biting on his arse, as he runs out thinking he needs to f*ck soon to get this edge off. I mean, nothing can be horrible than being attracted to his plain-faced fiancée, right?

The mofo actually visits Red Door that night with the same intention. When I read the blurb I felt a prickle of discomfort and my instinct came away correct. The story afterwards just made me mad. Gerard doesn’t sleep with the prostitute he was aiming to f*ck, when the Madame comes in with a proposal; she’s training a virgin girl fallen on hard times, and Gerard is the man to ‘initiate’ her into prostitution. But he has to promise that in the first encounters, she’d be virgin, lest she decides not to do it and her face would be masked to avoid recognition. Stupider plan was never made but Gerard’s d*ck was already hard thinking of the ‘new’ prospect, doesn’t matter this morning he professed his undying devotion to Jane.

Of course, the girl was Jane. She wanted to further her education a bit, and unknowing to Eleanor or Callie, she convinces Madame to give her the opportunity. She also sees Gerard here, though I don’t know why the Madame chose him. As far as I know she had no idea who Jane’s fiancé was. Anyway, the first encounter was hot and Jane was pretty good is giving head (unbelievable, seeing how she’s a virgin). Gerard, of course, doesn’t recognize her. Goes to show his mental capability. Meh. But he is instantly in lust with her body. He even starts calling her ‘Venus’ and afterwards makes proposition that if she’s willing, he’d set her up as her mistress. All the while I kept thinking that he doesn’t know that she’s Jane, and he’s already planning away adultery, not caring one whit how Jane would feel!!!!

And he never did, until the end when Eleanor tells him on his face that Jane deserves so much more than a life of adultery he is planning away. He was that transparent! While he’s with Jane, Gerard keeps thinking of ‘Venus’, though Jane gives him déjà vu. He was resolute of having ‘Venus’ as his mistress and even confesses his love for her when things get intense. But as soon as Jane, oh poor girl, reveals her identity, the SOB is seething with righteous indignation. How dare Jane deceive him, betray him?! He’s the man, he can do whatever he wants, including adultery but Jane has no right whatsoever!! I know I know, that was how things went back in those days, but I still couldn’t stand Gerard and just wanted to cut off his balls!!!!!! And I wished Jane wouldn’t be such a doormat and keep thinking it’s all her fault. *facepalm*

How can I believe in their HEA after that? Even though Eleanor had to slap the truth on his face and he understood, I’m not sure if Gerard wouldn’t go on d*ck rampage after a few months in the marriage. 3.5 stars.

[Smutty19 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plain Jane has been proposed to by the man she loves. But Gerard is known rake who constantly changes up his mistresses. He himself is worried about how he will do right by Jane who he considers his best friend. Jane goes to a brothel to learn how to keep him interested, but runs into Gerard. She agrees to be his as long as she stays a virgin.
Watching Gerard not figure out Venus is Jane is painful. I’ve never understood the mask throwing off men storyline. Who are these idiots?
Overall book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[MissyLynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very weak 4 star. More like a 3.5.
I couldn't completely get into the story. Jane and Gerard were weak. I felt no connection with them or even between them.

I still think Louisa and Alistair from Carnally Ever After were my favorite couple and book in the series.

Still tired of all the mentions of pussy and cock. Surely there are other alternatives to pick from to switch it up.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scrolling Scribd to see what might come up was not the best idea.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story that revolves Lady Jane and Lord Gerard. Jane has been in love with Gerard for over ten years and Gerard considers her a good friend but nothing romantic. Even though Gerard goes thru women fast, he has always stayed constantly friends with Jane. When he decides to marry Janes is his first choice because he likes her but he has no intentions of giving up other women (mistresses) which seems to be way of the time for married noble men. With the aid of her two friends, she goes to the Red Door madam to seek information on how to keep Gerard’s attention, because she realizes he has a roaming eye. In disguise Jane sees Gerard with another woman at the Red Door and with the help of the madam, she changes places with her after the madam asks a favor of Gerard to help determine if a young girl is a candidate to work for her but with the condition she is masked and must retain her virginity. The sexual encounters between them are well written and very erotic. There is a HEA in this book but a lot happens first. I would highly recommend this book as a good read.

[Sherry Westendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series. It is funny, emotional, surprising, suspenseful and so much more. She marries him but he is a cheater and doesn't want her so she goes out of her way to teach him some things. I recommend it. I was given a review copy by booksprout and voluntarily review i

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Jane St. Clair and Gerard Nash Earl of Chester's story had me smiling at somethings that happen what a rake. There is some drama, suspense, disguises, and a steamy romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sammie Val🧸💐🤍 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Historical Romance
Type: Novella
POV: Switches between two, the Protagonist (f) and the Love interest (m). The majority is in the female pov.
Rating: ★★★★☆

Includes:
- HEA
- Erotica/Spice
- Masked/Masquerades

This story follows Lady Jane and Lord Gerard. Lady Jane has been absolutely in love with Gerard for many years but doesn't think Gerard would ever reciprocate these feelings. Jane and Gerard are engaged to be married, but Lord Gerard has no intentions of staying completely loyal (yuck) once he meets a masked woman at a brawl.

Little does Gerard know, this mysterious masked woman is Jane herself, just hiding her face and masking her voice.

Jane ended up at this brawl because she wanted to know how to please Gerard once they were married, as Jane was inexperienced.

Mysterious masked woman (Jane) and Gerard strike a deal that Gerard will keep her, and only her, as his mistress even after he is married to Jane. Jane (still masked) makes Gerard promise that they will strike a test deal for one month where no sex, and later on kissing, is allowed.

Gerard is torn between these two women, Jane, his soon-to-be wife who he's falling for and can't stop thinking about, and his mistress, who he continues to see every night. Jane, on the other hand, is torn between what to do. Jane is upset that Gerard was so quick to decide on a mistress, even if it's secretly her, and is scared that Gerard might never love her the way she loves him.


Okay, no more explanation, and onto my opinions on the book 👼🏻

Okay, to start, I really liked the characters, specifically Jane. I loved how Jane was willing to put on a mask and hide her identity from her husband just so she could learn how to please him in bed once they were married because seriously, THAT'S SO ENTERTAINING TO READ! I was not a fan of Gerard being like "this mysterious masked woman will be my mistress for the rest of my life and I don't care what jane thinks even though we will be married soon and I just barely proposed to her yesterday and promised her my heart. "
Unloyal men <
Seriously Gerard, I know this is a historical romance and husbands usually had many mistresses back then, but that is not what I want to be reading in a romance book.

As for the spice levels, id give it a 2/5 🌶 on the spice ranking. Pretty entertaining.

Moving on, I really enjoyed this entire book, even though it was a fairly quick read (I listened to it through Scribd on 2x speed, which took about 2+ hours or so). I would highly recommend this cute book, such a fun read and the spice was pretty fantastic ❤️

[TweedleBug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gerard is trash. I wanted to read something spicy after a really heavy book and choose this one and while the sex scenes were really great, the MC was such a dumbass, I couldn't stand him. The FMC Jane wasn't any better. Like get a grip girl. Damn. She was described as more interesting than most debutantes and she had a cool hobby. She was "smart" but why can't she see that she was wayyy better than Gerard. He, who said he was going to be faithful, immediately changed his mind and wanted this masked girl to be his mistress. I don't care that it was actually Jane or not, because he sure as hell didn't know that. They get their happy ending but I'm skeptical as to how long it'll be before he gets bored of her and find someone else to be smitten with.

[Mephala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, hot, and sweet story.

Once again, I liked that the heroine was quite unconventional; Jane might be plain (hah), but she sure wasn't timid. I wasn't sure the plot about pretending to be a Cyprian will work for me, but in the end I really enjoyed this novella.

What's most important the chemistry between the main couple was great, every scene they were together was sparkling with tension and sensuality. All the sex scenes very hot and romantic.

And I just love when hero says "it's always been you" to the heroine.

4+/5 stars

[Rock Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. No epilogue.

*audiobook*

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(scribd) I love that she chooses to be wanton. I'm sure it's not entirely realistic but it was a great piece of fantasy for plain jane.

[Laurel]

Part of Behind the Red Door

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kind of bummed this is the last book of Jackie’s I have to read of hers. This is book 4 of this series and each book has been such a trip to read. They are so much fun the dialogue, storylines, and the grand characters have made the reading go so quickly. This is Lady Jane and Lord Gerard story. In this one, a young woman seeks advice from an unlikely source and with a little bit of help experiences some rather naughty events. I so recommend this series each book is standalone but they make such a fine addition to any one library. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Scribd Audiobook

I’m not a fan of the guy who tells himself he will stay true to his fiancé, then, 10 minutes later, agrees to go down on what he believes is a sex worker. I could not like this “hero” less.

The heroine is a blasted doormat. She knows he’s going to cheat on her, yet agrees to marry him. It would serve him right to lose both the wife & the mistress.