English Seaside – The Smut Report

Review: Ravished by Amanda Quick (2005)

September 5, 2022September 3, 2022 Erin

Heat Factor: It’s definitely not unusual for an old school trad published historical romance, but also they have sex in a cave before the 50% mark…so maybe it also is?

Character Chemistry: If you like that “I’ve been wronged and misunderstood, so I’m going to live down to everyone’s expectations” plus “I see through your mask and am the only one to call you on your b.s.” dynamic, this is that

Plot: Bluestocking spinster with no time for social niceties calls beastly and scandalous landowner to town because criminals are getting in the way of her archaeology; compromise and marriage ensues

Overall: Um, this book is awesomesauce.

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Review

Review: Sea Change by Jessica Marting (2021)

February 22, 2022February 21, 2022 Holly

Magic & Mechanicals, Book #2

Heat Factor: Not as cold as the North Atlantic waters Calla likes swimming in, but not high heat by any means

Character Chemistry: She gets all shivery when he touches her scales

Plot: Writer and mermaid hang out in a maybe-haunted house with very rude neighbors

Overall: This book feels very “social justice-y”

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Review: The Wicked Lady by Mary Lancaster (2017)

July 21, 2021 Ingrid

Blackhaven Brides, Book #2

Heat Factor: I mean, he’s in the clergy and she’s a blacklisted widow who refuses to publicly grieve, so the “but we mustn’t” factor is steamy from the get go, and it just takes off from there

Character Chemistry: The witty banter between these two is just *chef’s kiss*

Plot: Lady Katherine has been widowed and although reality is far from the story being spread throughout the ton, she’s been shunned to the seaside village of Blackhaven all the same. Grant, the town’s substitute curate, is just about everything you could hope for in both a curate and a future hubs, but he’s also got some secrets about his own past cooking up some trouble…

Overall: I LOVED this book—it’s deep and messy and has that element of forbidden foxiness (but not in a squicky way). All around a great read.

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