I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes Also in this series: The Earl's Complete Surrender
Series: Secrets At Thorncliff Manor #1
Published by Avon on April 28 2015
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire...
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?
Summary
Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, has many activities he would rather be doing than be searching for a bride. He knows because of his position and title, that he will need to marry and have an heir, but is content waiting a while longer. There hasn’t been a woman to stir his interest until he meets Lady Sarah. When they meet in the conservatory searching for her pet hamster, he is intrigued, and she is so different from any other miss he has ever met before. Sarah’s life is not her own. Due to a past mistake, she knows that she can never marry someone of her own choosing. Even though the man her father has chosen for her is crude and despicable, she knows she doesn’t have a choice in her life anymore. But then she meets Christopher, and she finds a man who could she laugh and play with, a man who could make her forget who she is and enjoy the moment. But Sarah knows that if he were to ever learn of her true circumstances and her past, that he wouldn’t want her and would never risk disgracing herself in such a way, but when one is in love, you have to take a leap of faith in the man you love…
The Hero
Christopher is quite happy with having a mistress and enjoying the more sensual delights instead of looking for a wife, and despite the constant nagging from his parents and his sisters, he refuses to give in until he is good and ready. Christopher doesn’t want marriage until Sarah catches his eye and then he will do anything to get her away from her soon to be fiancée. Christopher was such a lovely hero, strong and sweet. He is quite the protective hero, I loved his closeness to his family, and how protective he is of Sarah, and even though there were some parts of the story that I felt he could have been more supportive, you see him in a very human realistic way, a man that admits when he is wrong, and I loved how he is true to his character and doesn’t hold himself back.
The Heroine
Sarah, once thought she was in love, and ruined herself, when the man she thought she loved turned out to be a blackguard. Now she is ruined in the eyes of her father and step mother, and they are desperate to have her off their hands and set up an agreement with a horse rancher, but the man she is supposed to marry disgusts her. She wonders how she can go through with it, with no other option available to her. Sarah is a heroine I grew to admire, she proved to be quite strong-willed, and what backbone…especially in the end. She proves that she deserves more than to just be a broodmare. I love her creativity and her sense of self, and her need to play and have fun with life.
Plot and Story Line
Every time I read a book by Sophie Barnes, I always know that I will have a fun time, but this latest book had a different feeling to it, but what a fantastic read this turned out to be, and it surprised me how much I loved it. This is the first book in her newest series, this series takes place at Thorncliff Manor, a huge estate, and focuses on one family and each of the siblings’ stories. The first book is Christopher’s story. We see the bantering back and forth between himself and his siblings, and what a lovely family this is. They all have affection for each other, and his siblings is different from the other, you see the difference of opinion, and I can hardly wait for the second book now. This story was quite emotional at times, and I loved Christopher and Sarah together, and struggling for a way to find their HEA. I can promise you it does happen, so no worries, but they do have some hills and valley to get through before they get there. What I loved most about this story was the tender and sweet love story. It’s very light as far as sexual scenes, we have more focus on the emotional building of their relationship, which is quite necessary. They do have some sparks, and boy when they kiss…watch out or you may get burned. But due to certain circumstances of the heroine, you see how the way the plot unravels is quite needed at times, and I loved seeing them come together in such a poignant manner that evokes quite a few emotions I wasn’t expecting. We also see quite a bit of strong development in growth of characters…especially in our heroine. Where she decides to stand up to her family and choose her own fate and not one that suits them easier. Quite frankly I couldn’t stand her family, they were horrid to her, and treated her quite poorly just because she made a mistake, and they knew the why and how. But I enjoyed seeing Sarah find a man who would love and appreciate her for who she is underneath and I loved that quality to the story.
The Cover
Now who wouldn’t love this cover? And its perfect for this time of year right? I just loved the manor in the back, and the “spring” feel of colors and what a dress….and the male model….mmm delicious…I just can’t enough of the half shirt open…quite the teaser.
Overall View
Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is a fresh start to a wonderful series, it’s a tale of loyalty, love, and sacrifice, and learning to stand up for what you deserve and a life full of affection and joy. A SWEET AND CHARMING GEM!
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