Review: Once She Was Tempted (Honeycote) - ENG

Author: Anne Barton

Original Title: Once She Was Tempted
Release Year: 2013
 
Literary Genre: Romance 
Setting: England, regency
Series: 2° of Honeycote


Vote: 9/10

"What makes you so sure that the woman in the portrait is me?"

It didn't occur to him to lie. Not about this. "You reflect light."

"Pardon me?"

"In the painting, as in real life, you are...luminous."

This novel is absolutely adorable. It's very well-written, fast paced with a fantastic plot and outstanding characters.

In Once she was tempted I found all the ingredients of the kind of romance I love: a strong heroine, Daphne, one who actually has proudness and strength to face adversities with her head held high; she never complains about the reasons which are leading her to edge of ruination. She's extremely loyal.

On the other hand we have Benjamin. He is a jerk...at the beginning, but honestly he's charmingly so.

Daphne Honeycote is beautiful and in the past her mother's illness made her desperate to find money for her medicines; the solution is to pose for two scandalous portraits.

Now, years after, she keeps hiding her secret to save her family name; unfortunately though, the dark and scarred Earl of Foxburn, Benjamin Elliot, unexpectedly possesses one of the portraits and uses it to blackmail her, if she wants him to maintain her secret she has to refuse to marry his besotted young friend Hugh, she's to dangerous for him and he made a promise to protect him, no matter what.

Ben's possession makes him an insufferable thorn in her side but he might be her best chance to find the other canvas.

Ben is extremely and obviously attracted to Daphne's stunning and charming beauty and, in my opinion, since the beginning he's in a certain way jealous of her; he wants her, desperately.

He is a peculiar character, very captivating with his behaviour towards Daphne and the attraction between them; but he is scarred, the war has changed him, making him tormented and insecure, he craves Daphne affection but at the same time he tries to reject it but he never hides his feelings. Their relationship develops splendidly, he cares for her, a lot and wants to protect her, at any cost. His torment, sometimes makes him insufferable and headstrong.

They are so sweet and passionate together. This romance is lovely.

Buona lettura!

M.E.G.

P.S. Sorry for my delay in posting the review.

Honeycote series: 1. When She Was Wicked (Anabelle, Owen)

                        1,5. To All The Rakes I've Loved Before (Amelia, Stephen)
                        2. Once She Was Tempted (Daphne, Benjamin)
                                               



** I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review, thank you for the opportunity