Review: Ripe for Pleasure by Isobel Carr

Second in line, first in love

A secret society of younger sons, sworn to aid and abet each other, no matter the scandal or cost.... Their fathers and brothers may rule the world, but they run it . . . and when it comes to passion, they refuse to accept second best.

Searching for hidden treasure, finding forbidden fantasy.

London's most sensual former courtesan, Viola Whedon, is incapable of being seduced-she does the seducing. Until she meets Leonidas Vaughn. Her salacious memoirs have made her the target of half the lords in England, and Vaughn is the only man she can turn to. When he promises to protect her-and to make her beg for his touch-the alluring beauty finds both offers impossible to refuse.

Leonidas Vaughn secretly believes Viola possesses a fortune given to his family by the King of France. So the strong and sexy Vaughn charms his way into Viola's life . . . and her bed. But when their arrangement is consummated, he'll experience pleasure far beyond his wildest fantasies-and realize his heart may need the most protection of all.

There is a lot to like about this story based on the cover copy, and I did enjoy Viola and Leo as separate entities.  Both are fully drawn and formed on the page; Viola as a courtesan and author is such a treat, and the secondary characters in The League of Second Sons are very intriguing too.  What I didn't like was the romance or seduction between Viola and Leo.

Oh, I believed they were in lust, and I believed they wanted the other very badly; I just didn't believe they fell in love with one another.  That being said, however, I do think they'll have a very idyllic life together in the country.

I also didn't like Charles, the villain, who is SUCH a villain with no comeuppance until the very end.  That he and Leo are family despite being after the same fortune shouldn't have hindered Leo from beating Charles about the head several times for his misdeeds.

Regardless of my lukewarm feelings toward Ripe for Pleasure, I am very interested to read Ripe for Scandal.  Men romancing the little sisters of their friends is a favorite trope of mine.   


(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Hachette Book Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Ripe for Pleasure.)