Improper Relations by Juliana Ross
April 2012
Historical Romance, Novella
Carina Press
Reviewed by Mandi
After Hannah’s husband dies, she is left with nothing. She is forced to turn to Lady Dorchester for help and becomes her companion. Under this roof lives her husband’s cousin Leo. The wastrel of the family, he drinks, gambles and debauches women on a regular basis. So it isn’t quite a shock, when Hannah is up above in the library’s gallery, and Leo comes in down below with a maid. Except the maid isn’t cleaning. Hannah watches somewhat fascinated, somewhat embarrassed as Leo and the maid engage in a carnal act. Even though she was married and she is thirty years old, she has never witnessed sex as performed by these two. Thinking she is securely hidden, it is to her great shock after the maid leaves, Leo says:
“Good afternoon, Cousin Hannah. Care to join me for a drink?”
My favorite part of the book is the opening scene, where Hannah naughtily watches Leo and the maid get it on in the library. And to know that Leo realizes he is being watched, makes the scene that much more sexy.
From here, Leo decides he wants to teach Hannah all there is know about sexual pleasure, and although Hannah is embarrassed, she is also curious. Unfortunately for me, their lusty encounters come across more as a sexual education class, than romantic. I get he wants to teach her about the pleasures she can have, but it felt more clinical rather than the two of them falling in love.
Also, this novella is very short. And while we jump ahead in the future to make it a more believable love story, I really wish we had had more time with these two instead of feeling so rushed at the end.
Rating: C
Recent Reviews
Book Lovers Inc – 4.5/5
Love to Read for Fun – C
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“Engage in a carnal act” I don’t know why but that phrase made me smile I have to be honest, the only reason I want to read this novella is because of the voyeur scene… ;)
Not something for my wishlist.
sounds interesting :)