Elements: cross-generational romance
Rating:
- Characters - 5 - All the characters in this are distinct, regardless of whether they are main or secondary characters, and the only change in character happens when the character has cause to change. You can actually see the characters evolve over the books.
- Setting - 5 - These two know their period very well. All the details are extremely realistic and correct for the period they have chosen. It's like you could step right into that world and see it as it was then.
- Plot - 5 - Excellently presented. You feel for both characters. Stephen's hope that he's finally found someone, and Peter's worry about what will happen if he gives in to what he wants. Neither's reason feels unrealistic or overdramatic.
- Genre Elements - 5 - As I said above, the setting of their world is perfect, but so too are the attitudes of the day about those with "unnatural" proclivities. And I like that he has a pair of friends who know, but still hold their ground against this relationship, worried not because of what he wants, but that he might hurt the boy, or seduce him into something he doesn't want.
- Voice - 5 - Stephen and Peter both are completely distinct, and each truly feels the age they are presented as. Never once does Peter feel younger than he is, except when he gets truly hopeful, and even then, don't we all feel a little younger then?
- Romance Elements - 5 - Perfect. Their love story is entirely believable, and makes you root for them. And the ending is completely satisfactory.
- Overall - 5 - If you only read one Regency romance in this genre, this is the one to read.
When Stephen stays with a friend at his family estate, he never expects to have another man climb into his bed. He most certainly doesn't expect what follows after that initial meeting.
My thoughts -
I went into this after having read so much Ava March that I was worried it wouldn't measure up, because I was so in love with her stuff. I definitely needn't have worried. This is a brilliant story. The characters are real and true to the story. They never give in to the need to just take what they need, but actually act as a real person would have in that situation.
The details of the time period are perfect. The Lords act like Lords would, even when they are decadent layabouts. There's a real sense of danger involved in being a man attracted to other men, and never once do the authors sell that premise short. And even those who do accept the proclivities worry that Peter is pushing Stephen in the wrong direction. They don't believe that Stephen is like Peter at all, and therefore want to protect him from it.
The journey the two main characters go on is entirely real and believable for its time. Peter, an older man, having lived through a number of affairs, tends not to believe they can last, and Stephen, the younger man, feels certain that it will. Each needs to come to terms with certain truths about life as a gay man. When they do, the ending is truly satisfying, and will leave most readers quite happy, I think. Both have grown, and you can't help cheering when they find their happy ending.
I will definitely be looking at more by these two when I can.
Warnings -
Secrets and an age difference of at least fifteen years. In other words, pretty mild. Should be safe for most readers.
Overall Recommendation -
I always smile when I think of this story. Every detail just makes me love it, and I will definitely be reading it again. If you like Regency romances, or if you are uncertain you want to read one, but would like to try, definitely check this one out. It's well worth it.
Link to the story - Seducing Stephen (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Bonnie Dee & Summer Devon (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -
- Swordspoint by Ellen Kirshner (Goodreads) (read my review here)
- The Adorned by John Tristan (Goodreads) (read my review here)
- All in with the Duke by Ava March (on Goodreads)
- The Ennik Series by Kim Fielding (Goodreads) (read my review here)
- Brendan and the Beast by Czarina Kodora (AO3) (read my review here)
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