Woman hires neighbor to impregnate her; she refuses to be aroused because she does not admire him. So he works to become a better person. About the 50% mark the sex starts getting better. Deep characterization and intimacy, friendship, tenants rights and labor relations, so sharp and sensitive without sentimentality; missteps and compassion and solidarity, so beautiful ( )

July 2023 update: I stand by my statement that this is a kinky book. Like, Grant GETS D/s at such a fundamental level I was knocked over rereading it. Of course, the book is not marketed as kinky but imo this is one of the most swoony, romantic D/s books I've ever read. Just look at this passage:

If she were his wife—Heaven above, where had that thought come from?—but if she were his wife, they would go to his house together and she would attend him in his bath. On the tile or marble floor she would kneel, taking the soap from his unresisting hand, and she would scrub him while he bent his head forward, all the burdens of the day floating off. With her thumbs she would knead away every knot that care had worked into the muscles of his back. His breaths would grow looser, telling her without words what comfort she brought. And her hands would tell him how proud she was, how very proud, of all he’d done and been today.

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March 2023 update: this is a book that has stayed in my mind since first reading it. I originally rated 3 stars because how the conflict was wrapped up, which I still believe wasn't great for me but I am not so upset with now, all these months later . . . and now that 3 star "I feel betrayed (lolz)" rating doesn't feel right. When I say this book has stayed with me, I mean I am obsessed with it and think about it daily. Many folks find the bad sex unbearable, but to me, it read extremely kinky. Was I a little disappointed when the very bad, no good sex suddenly became not bad and Martha surrendered? Yes, but I am in a place where I can appreciate the surrender now. Anwyay, turns out this is one of my favorite books and I, too, submitted.


November 2022 review: Everyone is topping from the bottom in this sex deal.

Widow in need of a quick pregnancy offers coin to the rakish neighbor. But instead of sex being sensual it's bad. Like really bad bc Martha only wants the seed and Theo is confused why pleasure cannot be part of the deal. To be honest, the terrible, bad, awkward sex worked for me 100%. In my mind, I read it as an interesting take on kinky denied orgasm scenes. Every time Martha said, "no" to Theo asking to give her pleasure, every time Theo begged Martha to indulge him in fantasy and she denied him . . . ooof, it just hit me in all the right spots. With that said . . .

There are some exquisite passages that are some of the best, most sublime writing I've ever encountered; but, ultimately, they do not hold the rest of this book together. Also, I just hated how the main issue was "wrapped up":

The brother of Martha's late husband is a rapist and looks to inherit the estate Martha lives on. To prevent other estate workers from having to work under such a terrible human, she decides to attempt to get pregnant so it will seem like she is having the rightful heir (I fucking hate aristocracy my god lol). Anyway, the rapist and his wife - and two boys - arrive on the estate then Martha decides she feels bad about conning the sons out of the estate . . . ok so this is all very ridiculous because 1. she didn't know about the sons (wtf) and 2. how convenient this big fucking plan that is essentially the entirety of book just falls apart ahhh at this point I feel I had wasted so much time reading this. So Martha gives up the farm and fucks off to her brother's house where she didn't really want to be - and makes the rapist brother live elsewhere but his wife and sons can live on the estate? I don't know this was all very tiring. I will say the final lines of the book were so very good and touching - but I am not sure the journey was worth it? Or maybe the journey and the ending are different books entirely? ( )

DNF, too soon to bother rating. I should know better than to try reading a plain old historical romance. The language is too irritating without fantasy elements, for me.

I believe this had the potential to be really good. But it didn't live up to my expectations. Parts were interesting and entertaining. Parts I even laughed out loud on. But as a whole, it wasn't so good. Martha really annoyed me after awhile. But the ending was pretty good. ( )

Our heroine is Martha Russell or Widow Russell as she has become after the death of her older husband. She doesnt mourn him as such but his passing has created a problem since they didnt have any children and the estate is set to be inherited by her brother in law.

The brother in law is a piece of work and no one looks forward to the prospect of him taking ownership

So the heroine decides that to prevent this she will get pregnant and pass off the child as her dead husbands.

She sets her sights on a new arrival in the neighbourhood Mr Mirkwood (Theo) who has been sent down into to the country by his father to try and curb his wastrel ways. (we learn more about his misconduct later)

She invites him to tea and proposes her scheme to him...and of course he will be repaid for his "services"

Amused at this he accepts and they promptly get in bed. But instead of the pleasurable and salacious affair he expects Martha refuses to take any pleasure in the act.

Oh so now I was thinking "oh come on..we all know she will give in the first time and turn into some kind of sex godess"

But she didnt.

Ive read a few historical romances with this kind of plotline and as I said...usually just an excuse to cram torrid sex scenes into the story at every point.

The authors refusal to do this impressed me.So I kept on reading and this turned out to be a book I really liked. Way to jump to conclusions beforehand :P

It wasnt all what I liked about it of course.There was also the characterization of the hero and heroine and the supporting ones.

The hero and heroine seem to be complete opposites at first but as they spend time together they develop a relationship beyond just having relations.

There was at times a kind of quiet humor especially in regards to the hero. He was perfect for the heroine..serving as a counterpoint to her seriousness.

Her seriousness and aloofness is explained in a satisfying way..wich I cant reveal here because they would be spoilers ;)

Also there are no balls and no preparing for the season that is such a stock setting in other regencies.While I like that...sometimes you can get a bit tired of the same old thing. So its refreshing when a regency romance takes place in the country.

I would definetely recommend this..and will seek out more of the authors books. :)

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