Monday, April 23, 2012

ARC Review: Improper Relations by Juliana Ross

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified -- but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?


Review:

While being left penniless with the death of her husband, Hannah Bell takes up a position as a Lady’s companion for her late husband’s aunt (and also Leo’s mom) even though it pays no wages but at least gave her room and board. She’s used to being ignored, and she has found a haven in the library where no one really goes, until one day when she is up in the galley, Leo enters. At first she watches as he sits and relaxes until a maid entered and she was witness to their sexual encounters.
Alfred (Leo) Wraxhall is the 2nd son to Marquess, who has a reputation of being lazy, a rake, a drinker and gambler. He dropped out of university and is living in brother’s shadow. He feeds his family’s idea of him, but he is really intelligent, funny, has a kind word for everyone, often smiling. Leo is aware of Hannah being present in the library and after the maid leaves he invites her to discuss what she’d seen.
Hannah is naïve and didn’t have the most educating experience with her husband and is under the opinion that women aren’t supposed to enjoy sex, wives are to submit to their husbands. Leo teaches her differently. He’s a very good teacher and she’s an eager student as they take Hannah’s education slowly with each of their encounters. Despite the downfalls that could happen to her if she is caught, she chooses to return to Leo as he has shown her delight in her barren existence.
I found Hannah very strong and able to take on changes and make the best of her circumstances and Leo is very sweet and attentive. At the end of this story and I had a wistful smile on my face. I thought this story was paced well for being a novella, it was short, sweet and to the point, but I can’t help but wish there was more of Leo and Hannah to read about *happy sigh*

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