Author: Juliana Ross
Published: March 24th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Historical Romance
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Caution: May contain spoilers
Berkshire, 1870
Newly widowed, Caroline Boothroyd passes her days writing a guide for young wives daunted by their housewifely duties. She takes it to publisher Thomas Cathcart-Ross, who makes the outrageous suggestion that Caroline should instead tackle the subject of marital relations—and, even more shocking, that she should tell women that sex with their husbands can be pleasurable and not a shameful necessity.
Tom's sisters were sent into marriage naive and unworldly. He's willing to risk scandal to help women like them, and Caroline's writing talent provides the means. Remembering her own newlywed nerves, she agrees, despite fears for her reputation.
As Caroline thinks back on her own sexual awakening, she cannot help imagining a sensual future with her compelling publisher. Tom makes her want to write a second chapter of her sexual life. But lust could lead to love, and Caroline never wishes to feel heartbreak again.
For more improper lords and ladies, look for Improper Relations and Improper Arrangements!
My Thoughts:
This was one of those unexpected stories, and by unexpected I mean one of those unique stories that felt like a blend of more than one genre. It's historical romance, but sometimes it didn't feel like it. Which, to be honest, was pretty cool.
The relationship between Caroline and Thomas was a bit unusual for the times, but I thought the way it was handled was pretty nice. Caroline was a different heroine, very intelligent and quite brave to step out and write something shocking. I didn't find myself believing the romance, it felt like it was a little bit more lust than love.
Improper Proposals was a sweet little historical romance. It's a novella, and third in a series, but it can be read by itself. The story may now have pulled me in as much as others, but I am intrigued enough to check out Juliana Ross's other stories, especially in the Improper series!
My Rating:
Oh sounds fun. I enjoy ones that are a kinda fusion of genres. Makes it so interesting.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Not many authors test the waters like that. :)
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