Lady Ophelia’s voice is so lovely, so incomparable, she’s permitted to break convention and appear on the London stage. The young ingenue has more admirers than she realizes, but after long years cloistered at a Viennese music school, she has no idea how society’s games of courtship and seduction are played. The Marquess of Wescott is prone to bucking convention too—not always in a good way. He … He and his friends are frequent subjects of gossip for their rakish behavior, like their regular forays to Pearl’s Emporium, where lovers of discipline explore risqué fantasies in secret rooms.
Wescott and Ophelia’s fates collide on a dry autumn night, when a fast-moving fire strands them together on the outskirts of London. As the sun rises, they learn convention can only be stretched so far. They’re obliged to wed in a quick, quiet ceremony, and embark upon married life as little more than strangers. From the start, their dueling personalities tangle into knots of frustration and regret.
But marriage is marriage, and they must learn to live with one another. Lord Wescott tries to bring his wife into line using the disciplinary tactics he’s honed over the years, but Ophelia’s not so easily tamed. She’s a stubborn soul, determined to resist her husband at every turn. Life is not an opera, and love is not easy.
For Wescott and Ophelia, the battle has only begun…
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I am not normally into historical. I follow Annabel and her videos are so witty I wanted to give it a try. This book was awesome. I absolutely loved it and will be reading more.
It has been a while since I read an Annabel Joseph book and am so glad I read this one. I loved Wescott (and ooohhh, look at his picture on the cover). I thought he was honorable and patient. The thing that struck me was his loyalty and love for his family. I like that in books and happy to see it in this one. His friends were definitely some I would like to read about in the future (Townsend is next). I really enjoyed reading about their “romance” and that is where his patience came in. Unfortunately, Ophelia was a bit difficult to like. I thought she was way too whiny, clueless, selfish and immature (hence the 4). Wescott and his family really made the story for me.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I enjoyed this intense historical romance
Both Jack (Lord Wescott) and Ophelia are very immature as the story starts; Ophelia is so sheltered as to be woefully ill-informed about adult activities, while Jack is an unrepentant playboy with no compassion for women as anything other than bed partners. I struggled through the first part of the story as these two young people find themselves in a marriage neither one of them wants nor knows what to do with. I kept hoping that as the story progressed, each would mature enough to change their course, and thankfully, I was not disappointed.
There are some issues of consent in this story, enough to make it fit the subgenre but not quite going beyond the point where the marriage can be salvaged. There’s plenty of spanking/bdsm mentions, but if you’re hoping for a nuanced romance between mature adults, this isn’t it. Both of these characters start out as being of adult age, but their behavior suggests a maturity level that is consistent with modern-day high school students. The magic of the story is in watching these two mature and grow into the spouses the other deserves.
The HEA is sweet and satisfying, filled with hope that the two will continue to grow and mature together. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I am loving this series of stories. Ophelia and Wescott definitely don’t have a smooth path to love. It’s so fun reading about the second generation of characters as they find love & enjoy a spanking or two. I kinda hooked on these kinky historical reads right now.
I liked that hero did the “right” thing by marrying the lady even though he did not want to.
Excellent read. The storyline is well written, entertaining and holds your interest. Ophelia is rescued from a raging fire in London by Wescott, with neither of them providing there real name or title. Because they can not get back to their homes, they spend the night in an inn and here he takes her virginity. The next day Wescott learns he spent the night with a lady and, to save her honor, is required to propose to her. Marriage is hard for both of them but Ophelia can’t let go of the fact she did not want to marry. There is a HEA but not before she has been spanked for her mean spirited behavior. I loved the story and would highly recommend it.
Rival Desires by Annabel Joseph
Properly Spanked Legacy #1
Hmm…mixed feelings on this one. I knew going into the story there would be spanking and the book did begin with a delicious romp of sorts at Pearl’s with some spanking in that first scene…and a few other things, too. The main character saved a woman he assumed to be an “actress” thus fair game and took her away from the fire to an Inn and there…or the next morning when identities became clear…both of their lives changed significantly when a quick betrothal was arranged. The marriage was entered into with the right attitude by Westcott but his young wife had dreams of something else…and…she made that known throughout most of the book. She seemed a bit whiny to me and full of herself and her dreams unwilling to settle in and be a “proper” wife. Various things happened and eventually they did end up “okay” together. That said, I really had trouble seeing the two of them as a couple or caring for one another. With Westcott’s proclivity to disciplining others and, in my opinion, lack of insight into how to deal with Ophelia except through discipline…I thought him a bit of a cad…or in need of discipline himself. That said…this book had a LOT of potential and I can see it working if the two main characters had been different people with Westcott more aware and mature and gentle and Ophelia less of a ninny.
Did I enjoy this book? Hmm…
Would I read more in this series? Perhaps not
Thank you to NetGalley and Social Butterfly PR for the ARC – This is my honest opinion
2-3 Stars
4.25 stars
Lady Ophelia Lovett’s career in opera was cut short when a fire destroyed her dream and almost her life if not for the quick action of the Marquess of Wescott. Shaken by the event, one thing led to another and ended up with them in a reluctant marriage. Now, they must find a way to make their marriage work. But that proved to be harder than they thought.
This was my first full length historical erotic romance and I’m happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve learned a few historically vulgar words too lol!
Wescott, while kinky he was still a gentleman. I liked how he took responsibility for his actions even if it’s not what he desired. Ophelia was young and annoying at times, but I’m glad she had bursts of rebellions. And of course, the kinky scenes satisfied my hunger.
The story was entertaining and often time amusing. Ophelia was so innocent that her lessons in sexuality provided comic relief. I also enjoyed their warring personalities. There were plenty of characters in this book which could be a work to keep up with but I loved the friendship dynamic between Wescott and his best friends.
Rival Desires is a tale of balance and sexual exploration. It would appeal to readers who enjoy enemies to lovers, kinky historical romance.
Lady Ophelia Lovett aspires to become an opera singer until a fire ravages the theatre and wreaks havoc on London. Luckily for Ophelia, a mysterious gentleman on horseback rescues her. While finding a safe haven for the night, Ophelia and the Marquess of Wescott become entangled in unexpected and lasting ways.
In this historical narrative, societal expectations are apparent, as Wescott must do what is right to honor his family and Lady Ophelia. Because their pairing isn’t exactly what they hoped for, the dynamic between Wescott and Ophelia is full of ups and downs. While Wescott tries to be the dutiful husband, Ophelia rebels against which brings some kinky punishment her way.
What I liked about this narrative is how it immediately draws the reader into the historical setting. Though Ophelia had certain aspirations, because of her station, she has to overcome balancing such pursuits with what is expected of a lady. Even with Wescott’s reputation as a rake, he rose to the occasion and was actually quite gentlemanly and sweet at times. There were times when I wanted Ophelia to take responsibility sooner, but Wescott’s punishments kept me thoroughly entertained.
Rival Desires is a historical romance with an enemies to lovers element. Those familiar with this author’s work, will be pleased at how kink is blended into the story.
Rival Desires is the first book of Annabel Joseph’s Properly Spanked Legacy series. Apparently it’s a sequel of her previous series, and deals with the prior couples’ offspring. If you haven’t read that series, no problem, as this book stands alone perfectly. It’s a historical romance, but an erotic one.
Our story begins with the Marquess of Wescott and two of his best friends in a brothel that caters to a particular taste. Yep, all in the room together with the, ah, ladies. Definitely not shy! When a horrible fire breaks out in that section of London, they all flee for their lives, going separate ways. Wescott passes a terrified young woman all alone outside the theatre, and he takes her up on his horse to save her. She gives him a false name; though an opera singer, she is a lady and wants to hide her identity. He too gives a false name. He thinks she is an actress, the kind that usually has a protector. They ride out of town and stop at an inn, exhausted. Wescott procures separate rooms, but he is awakened by her screams from a nightmare. He crawls into bed to comfort her…and things progress. Back home, he discovers he has compromised the daughter of an earl, and they are forced to marry.
Now you can tell from the title that there is spanking involved. No problem, except it’s usually spanking without the erotic romance. However, the sexy times are nicely done. It’s the characters I had an issue with. I didn’t like either of the leads! I understand Ophelia was a gently bred lady, but no woman at age 18, even a sheltered one, would not know they were about to have sex! Or would be confused while having said sex. She also spent half the book sobbing. Wescott wasn’t much better. Spanking time was basically just punishment. He seemed rather immature to me, and I was shocked to find out he was 27. It wasn’t very believable when all of a sudden they were in love. All is not lost, however. I really did enjoy Wescott’s parents and siblings, his friends were interesting, and some of the sex was nicely steamy. I will definitely try this author’s work again.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
A book that starts with a damsel in distress, rescued by a hero on a horse, and they end their night together in the same bed at an inn? Well, that is darn near a perfect meet cute in any book. Setting such event in the ton, well, you know where this is going!
Hidden identities are swept away as societal demands are put in place, and then, well, then we get to the heart of the matter. Wescott isn’t as mean as he seems, he is actually quite a sweetie deep down. Ophelia isn’t as sweet as she seems, but she is confused and wary as her world is ripped away. And they both fumble, and assume, and mistake, the other. Corporal punishment for being saucy to your husband is on the table, and his lap, and the bedpost, and in the carriage. That adds to the whole mess, as it has the opposite effect on them both from what they assumed
Friends are misplaced, and others rise to help. Family is adding pressure, and others are trying to relieve it. Lucky for Wescott and Ophelia, Papa remembers the mistakes he made in the past, and helps both of them overcome their hesitancy and set them on the right path. Once nudged in the right direction, what was there between them all along blossoms and blooms!