Reviews

Italian Sonata by Emmanuelle de Maupassant

mom2three's review

5.0

Just as amazing as the first book! I felt like I had been transported back in time while I was reading this book. I also feel like I'm reading a work of art more than a Gothic Romance. I know that part of that is the detail that goes into describing everything. I think it is also because you won't find any modern words of phrases in this story. When I see that I am kicked out of the story and it is ruined. I haven't experienced that in any of Emmanuelle de Maupassant's books, and I love that. You aren't just reading this book, you are swept away by it. It is a magical experience like I haven't ever found in any other erotic author. Without saying more about this book than is in the blurb, all I can tell you is that this is a very sophisticated erotic novel and there may be things in the story that could make some people feel uncomfortable. If you don't like darker romances then don't read this one, but if you enjoy that than you can't find any better than this. It is wonderful.

foxy_roxy's review

5.0

I had originally planned on reading Italian Sonata by Emmanuelle de Maupassant without realizing that it was the second installment. So I decided to go backwards and read The Gentleman’s Club and then dive into Italian Sonata.

Let me just say that I was not disappointed at all! The storyline is like non other. It was an experience of in itself.

This was definitely a captivating storyline, with well developed characters and a world where I definitely enjoyed being pulled into!

Definitely a 5 Star Review for me!!!

arthistorygirl's review

4.0

Italian Sonata is the second book in the Noire Book series by Emmanuelle de Maupassant. I recommend reading the first book in the series to give you the background of some of the characters. The story is a continuation of the first book. Now the scenery is changing to travels across Europe and ending in Italy at the Castello di Scogliera with the newlyweds Henry and Maud accompanied by Henry's sister Cecile.
The story is intriguing and full of twists and mystery. Also, there are some steamy sex scenes. If you are not comfortable with erotica this book is not for you. I enjoyed how the author wove those scenes into the story. The scenes did not feel forced like most steamy books. Often books that have lots of sex scenes I skip over to get to the plot. I found the story intriguing, the characters are well developed, and I always enjoy twists and turns.

katie_83's review

4.0

Italian Sonata
By Emmanuelle de Maupassant
4 stars

This is the second book that I have read by this author and I was everything I expected! Historical romance is one of my favourite genres but this author takes that the next level with the added eroticism! The level of detail in describing the scenery is just beautiful. The sex scenes are steamy and hot without being too over the top – a perfect balance I think. I loved how we got to continue on with Henry and Maud’s story from book 1. One of the things I really like is the way this author has lots of mini stories going on in the book and then they all tie up together. Sometimes when books jump about they can be confusing but this never happens in this story at all. Everything is really clear, flows well and has a great pace to it. There were also a few unexpected twists and turns too which made the story even more exciting to read.
A really good series so far – I hope there is more to come! I definitely recommend this series for historical romance lovers with a little bit extra!!

bwagner's review

5.0

Italian Sonta: (Volume 2 in the Noire Series) by Emmanuelle De Maupassant is the second book in her Noire series. I highly recommend you read book one before this one as it is a continuation in this trilogy. Do don't want to miss this author's creative writing style and her attention to details. Her story brings hot, steamy romance and mystery. Her characters are connectable and will pull you into their story. I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down! This story has just a little bit of everything from murder, to abduction to hot steamy sex. I don't recommend this book to anyone under the age of 18 but I do highly recommend this book! This story has some twists and turns in that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat one minute and leaving you wanting ice water the next. This story is like two wrapped into one. The characters are connected but their stories are quite different. In one part of the story is about one man can be so controlling that it leaves others to seek revenge. The other part of this story is about Lady McCaulay and her mischief ways. You will also love the secondary characters for the most part but some are nasty. They do help the story flow into what it is. All of the characters are strong and controlling in some way which makes it interesting. You will find that one woman struggles with curiosity and is a little week but you will love her for the character she grows into. This is not my first book by this author and she continues to bring stories that I can't put down and I lose myself in. I highly recommend this book as it continues with Lady McCaulay. You won't regret picking this book up!

angelahayes's review

4.0

4 Stars

Italian Sonata is the second book the Noire Trilogy by Emmanuelle de Maupassant. It follows on from The Gentlemen's Club, book one. It is a Gothic Romance, which is quite dramatic, graphic, raunchy, erotic and risqué. Even though the story could be read as a standalone, the first book really sets all the ground work, where characters are introduced and where we get a ‘feel’ for the trilogy.
Henry and Maud have set out on their honeymoon after exchanging vows at their ‘society wedding’- taking Henry’s sister Cecile with them, traveling and exploring the sights of 1899 Europe, which is also Cecile’s first journey abroad. They intend to end their journey with a visit to Maud’s elderly Aunt Isabella, at her Villa near Sorrento, in Italy. To give Maud and Henry some private time, Isabella takes Cecile with her to visit with Conte di Cavour (Lorenzo) and his sister Lucrezia, at Lorenzo’s castle set high on the cliffs above the sea.
Lorenzo has a penchant for debauchery- drinking, hunting, whoring and gambling-his sexual tastes are quite eccentric- one of his favourite ‘sports’ is deflowering virgins. His sister also has a voracious sexual appetite. Naïve, demure and genteel, Cecile has no idea that she is firmly in the cross-hairs of Lorenzo and Lucrezia sights- and all their perverted intentions. Cecile soon finds herself exposed to a situation that’s eye opening and waaayyyy out of her comfort zone. But there is far more at stake here, and as the story unfolds the reader becomes a witness to all the nefarious plans, the secrets and lies, danger, and even death. What is to become of Cecile?
This story is very well written, Ms. de Maupassant has a very poetic, sensuous and descriptive style that really lends itself to the language of the times.
As with the first book, Ms. de Maupassant’s scene setting is exquisite. The attention to detail, and vivid descriptions very easily transported me into the story, seeing and experiencing it all first hand.
The story will continue in volume three, “Murder on the SS Leviathan”- there is an excerpt of this instalment at the end of the book that gives us ‘taste’ of what’s to come. I am curious to see how the trilogy will wrap up!

Thank you, Ms. de Maupassant!

jennadb's review

4.0

Italian​ ​Sonata​ ​is​ ​the​ ​second​ ​book​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Noire​ ​Series​ ​by​ ​Emmanuelle​ ​de​ ​Maupassant.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​a​ ​very dark​ ​and​ ​gothic​ ​romance​ ​story​ ​that​ ​is​ ​set​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Victorian​ ​period.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​hard​ ​to​ ​put​ ​down​ ​as​ ​it kept​ ​drawing​ ​you​ ​in​ ​as​ ​Emmanuelle​ ​is​ ​very​ ​detailed​ ​and​ ​imaginative​ ​when​ ​telling​ ​this​ ​sordid​ ​tale. It​ ​is​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​mystery​ ​and​ ​intrigue​ ​and​ ​will​ ​lure​ ​you​ ​in​ ​and​ ​see​ ​you​ ​wanting​ ​to​ ​uncover​ ​the​ ​dark secrets​ ​surrounding​ ​the​ ​home​ ​and​ ​these​ ​people.​ ​This​ ​story​ ​is​ ​both​ ​erotic​ ​and​ ​sensual​ ​and​ ​both disturbing​ ​and​ ​thrilling​ ​and​ ​will​ ​make​ ​your​ ​heart​ ​beat​ ​a​ ​little​ ​faster.
If​ ​you​ ​like​ ​a​ ​dark​ ​erotic​ ​tale​ ​then​ ​look​ ​no​ ​further.​ ​I​ ​would​ ​recommend​ ​it​ ​to​ ​those​ ​over​ ​the​ ​age​ ​of 18.

hncald78's review

4.0

This book was unexpected. I personally enjoyed this second book of the series more than the first but that is pure personal preference. The author has a unique writing style that I believe I was more prepared for with book two than its predecessor. The characters were well defined. It is helpful to have read book one to have a firm foundation for the plot that unfolds. Solid writing. Not a genre that I usually pick up but a book that I found enjoyable.