Two stern lords, two naughty wives, and Fifty Shades of Hot! This collection of two full length historical romances and one novella will have you reaching for your smelling salts…Philip’s Rules: Cordelia’s determined to be the perfect wife, but her stepdaughter from her first marriage is just as determined to undermine her every step of the way. His method of correction for both Cordelia and … Cordelia and Gabrielle isn’t what either lady expected.
Undisciplined – A Novella: Gabrielle is used to being a burden, and when her stepmother finds a new husband she knows that’s exactly what she is to both of them. She’s prepared to marry anyone, to try and grasp for what happiness she can find, and no longer be underfoot of the happy couple. This novella was written at the request of readers who wanted to know what was happening between Felix and Gabrielle during Book 1 of the Bridal Discipline series.
Gabrielle’s Discipline – To escape the scandal of trying to elope with an unworthy man, Gabrielle finds herself married to the man she loves – a charming rake and her guardian’s best friend, Mr. Felix Hood. He’s the third son of a Viscount, he’s darkly handsome, and he’s in love with her stepmother. Or so she thinks.
These two alpha males have their hands full when it comes to their wives, but they don’t hesitate to mete out the necessary discipline required. Red-hot, passionate, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after for everyone.
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I have never been a huge fan of historical romances, until now.
We start this journey with Philip’s rule. We meet Cordelia, her stepdaughter Gabrielle and Cordelia’s knight in shining armor Philip. A marriage that starts out as a means of protection, with possiblities of producing heirs turns into a wonderful and kinky love story.
Undisciplined is told from the pov of Gabrielle and Felix. Yes, it is about the same events in Philip’s rule, but you get a better understanding of why Gabrielle feels and acts out the way she does. Felix can see past her snide remarks and bratty attitude for the sweet, funny young woman she is, and that terrifies Gabrielle.
Lastly this set finishes with Gabrielle’s Discipline. Felix has done the honorable thing and stepped up and married Gabrielle before scandal can tarnish her name. Gabrielle is now married to the man that she loves, but can she finally overcome her misconceptions of Felix being in love with her stepmother Cordelia?
I love the character development that goes on through this series. Golden has a way with her storytelling that sucks you in and makes you laugh and cry with/for her characters. You wont be sorry reading this series.
**I recieved an ARC copy for my honest review**
This box set is two full novels and a novella. It is a continuation of the Domestic Discipline series. Although this series set a standalone set, having read the novels in the Domestic Discipline series would help. This review also includes a summary of each part.
The first novel is Phillip’s Rules is the story of Phillip and Cordelia. Cordelia is a young widow that quickly finds an admirer in Phillip. They quickly marry. Cordelia and her stepdaughter, young adult Gabrielle, move into his home. Cordelia is only a few years older than the young Gabrielle and both are used to having Gabrielle’s father ignore them and pit them against each other. Phillip instantly gets caught up in the drama between Cordelia and Gabrielle. Phillip decides both ladies need some domestic discipline, but for different reasons. Phillip’s stern ruling and discipline causes a stir within the two women. Cordelia learns she needs a firm hand in and outside of the bedroom. Phillip’s discipline only makes Gabrielle long to leave their home more than ever. What will Phillip’s best friend, Felix, have to say about Gabrielle’s schemes to get free of Phillip and Cordelia’s house.
The novella Undisciplined and the novel Gabrielle’s Discipline are about the relationship between Felix and Gabrielle. Undisciplined is a “behind the scenes” look at how the relationship between Felix and Gabrielle developed. Per the author’s note, readers of Phillip’s Rules wanted to know the details of what happened during the exchange between Gabrielle and Felix during Phillip and Cordelia’s wedding and at other points within the first novel. Gabrielle’s Discipline the story of the budding love between Gabrielle and Felix. In addition, the reader gets to see Gabrielle’s point of view of her father’s marriage to Cordelia and Cordelia’s marriage to Phillip. During this story, all of the main characters from the Domestic Discipline series make an appearance.
Overall, I enjoyed the novels and novella. I do think the spanking moments were a bit much and after a bit, I got tired of Gabrielle and Cordelia’s angst. Felix’s mother was a breath of fresh air and I wanted her to be around more often. I did not agree with how Felix handled the issue between Gabrielle and Cordelia on Gabrielle’s behalf. I guess there had to be some other emotional conflict going on in this series. If you are a fan of Golden Angel, then you will enjoy the stories.
Golden Angel has a wickedly sexy imagination and an incredible talent for capturing that in words. I may have even blushed a time or two. Though, not my usual type of read as the story was set in Victorian times and relied heavily on the titles and proprieties of the period, I found that I could still connect with the characters and enjoy the story overall. Cordelia is an innocent woman at the mercy of her time and status. Her first husband who was much older and not kind, died and left her in need of a new match. She became a widow and inherited a step-daughter barely a few years younger than herself. Phillip a proper gentleman with a respectable title asks for her hand in marriage. He seems every bit the upstanding quiet spoken man, which turns out he has a dominant sexy side as well! In fact, it seems as though this is a hidden gem among the men of their group! I would recommend this book to those who love a historical story that’s on the kinky side!
Love this Series – and Three in one Place is a Treat!!
***** Phillips Rules – 5 stars
Cordelia married out of necessity, already a widow and a step-daughter very close to her own age. Phillip has much to teach Cordelia as she had no real relationship with her first husband. Scintillating, passionate and heart-warming tale of the growth of this relationship and the discipline found within.
***** Undisciplined – 5 stars
Felix is asked to “watch” the step-daughter Gabrielle, so Phillip can woo his wife Cordelia. This is a parallel story from the vantage point of the other characters. I’m so thrilled they are in this boxset together. Felix sees another side of the bratty young woman and becomes intrigued.
***** Gabrielle’s Discipline – 5 stars
Gabrielle is intelligent and sassy. She thrives under the approval of Felix’s parents once they are married and adores the more relaxed Felix at his country estate. When they return to London can this fragile relationship withstand the scrutiny of the ton?
Passionate, Steamy and containing relatable character, these stories are superb reading!!
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
This boxset includes:
1 – Philip’s Rules
This one intrigued me. Philip’s Rules absolutely has disciplinary spanking within the storyline. It also has a plot running through the storyline and characters you will love or love to hate. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Cordelia and Philip. I’m not sure about Gabrielle but being as I’ve lived through the teenage years with my own, I’m reserving judgement hoping there’s more to the story.
1.5 – Undisciplined
This one about broke my heart really. If you read Philip’s Rules then you met Gabrielle, the step-daughter. This novella is from her point of view and the insights discovered are poignant. If you can put yourself into a teenage frame of mind with that sense of deductive reasoning and emotions, then this will absolutely bring all the feels you’re looking for.
2 – Gabrielle’s Discipline
Bless her heart. Gabrielle is a young woman of her time. Unfortunately, not all of it has been good. Since it’s not really discussed, we gradually get the pieces of a much larger puzzle than first thought. Cordelia, Philip, Gabrielle and Felix including an entire cast of sub-characters with all the differing personalities makes this a book that will grab on and not let go until you finish.
This is a book set that once you start, you won’t want to put down until you finish. It will grab your emotions, titillate your senses and gives you the feel of a mystery to be solved.
Absolutely one I want to continue following and would recommend often.
Love it!!! Golden’s Victorian books are some of my favorites! She creates unique characters and a developed storyline, all with some sexy as sin scenes 😉 I’m always hungry for more!
Philip’s Rules starts the series off with a bang, and gives me a whole new crop of characters to fall in love with. Undisciplined was a perfect bridge between Cordelia’s and Gabrielle’s stories. Seeing Gabrielle through Cordelia’s eyes in “Philip’s Rules” is seeing her as a petulant child who never seems to learn. In “Undisciplined”, you learn more of the motivation behind what she does, and having the opportunity to view events that have already occurred from a different perspective really help to see the whole picture. Finally, in “Gabrielle’s Discipline”, we are able to see the culmination of Gabrielle and Felix’s relationship, and how they both grew. Neither character was perfect and they both made mistakes (some to the point of me smacking my forehead with my hand at how blind they both were), but they were real. The ability to also see how they other characters are doing helps to build the world they all exist within, and also creates anticipation for the next installment, which I wait for on pins and needles!