witandsin's review
5.0
Over eighteen years ago, Helene Delornay and Philip Ross met on their way to new lives. When a carriage accident left them stranded at an inn, neither could resist the temptation the other presented. Long hours of passion connected Helene and Philip in ways they never expected. But Helene, who survived the worst horrors of the French Revolution only because she was traded to the guards at the Bastille, doesn’t believe herself a good enough match for the gentleman who so quickly captured her heart and thus she turns Philip’s marriage proposal down.
Now Helene is the owner of London’s most exclusive pleasure house and though her dreams of love died nearly two decades ago, Helene is proud of what she has accomplished. Madame Helene’s House of Pleasure offers its patrons every desire they could imagine; no limitations as long as their pleasures are between consenting adults. What Helene doesn’t expect is her greatest desire to walk through her establishment’s doors.
An unexpected turn of events has brought Philip Ross back into Helene’s life and into her business as well. The years have not quelled either’s passion for one another and soon the pair embarks on an erotic exploration of one another’s fantasies. But can Helene and Philip overcome past hurts and trust one another enough to take their second chance at love?
Brava, Kate Pearce! Simply Shameless is a book worthy of the proprietress of a pleasure house. Both the characters and the book itself are intelligent, open, understanding, and wonderfully seductive.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Helene and Philip. Helene is a survivor through and through. She has been through some of the worst life has to offer and has come out the other side successful, strong, and deeply caring. From the very first book in the series I admired Helene, but after reading Simply Shameless my respect for her reached new heights. And nothing made me happier than discovering the hero Ms. Pearce created for such a fantastic heroine fit her to perfection. Upon first meeting Philip, it is clear he is a man full of joy and life and I was immediately charmed. It broke my heart to see that the intervening years of his separation from Helene sucked the happiness right out of him. I enjoyed watching him take control of his life and sexuality; it made his reunion with Helene all the sweeter (and spicier as well). It would be remiss of me to write about Simply Shameless without mentioning its blazingly sensual love scenes. Ms. Pearce has a knack for raising the heat of the room in the space of just a few sentences, nevermind an entire book.
Though the third book in Ms. Pearce’s exquisite House of Pleasure series, Simply Shameless can be read on its own. Readers who loved Simply Sexual and Simply Shameless will catch a brief glimpse or mention of the characters they adored from the previous House of Pleasure books. What’s more, Simply Shameless is sure to leave one aching for the next story, Simply Wicked; it sure did for me. All in all I must say that, as one of the finest works of a supremely talented writer, Simply Shameless is not to be missed!
Recommended Read. Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Now Helene is the owner of London’s most exclusive pleasure house and though her dreams of love died nearly two decades ago, Helene is proud of what she has accomplished. Madame Helene’s House of Pleasure offers its patrons every desire they could imagine; no limitations as long as their pleasures are between consenting adults. What Helene doesn’t expect is her greatest desire to walk through her establishment’s doors.
An unexpected turn of events has brought Philip Ross back into Helene’s life and into her business as well. The years have not quelled either’s passion for one another and soon the pair embarks on an erotic exploration of one another’s fantasies. But can Helene and Philip overcome past hurts and trust one another enough to take their second chance at love?
Brava, Kate Pearce! Simply Shameless is a book worthy of the proprietress of a pleasure house. Both the characters and the book itself are intelligent, open, understanding, and wonderfully seductive.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with Helene and Philip. Helene is a survivor through and through. She has been through some of the worst life has to offer and has come out the other side successful, strong, and deeply caring. From the very first book in the series I admired Helene, but after reading Simply Shameless my respect for her reached new heights. And nothing made me happier than discovering the hero Ms. Pearce created for such a fantastic heroine fit her to perfection. Upon first meeting Philip, it is clear he is a man full of joy and life and I was immediately charmed. It broke my heart to see that the intervening years of his separation from Helene sucked the happiness right out of him. I enjoyed watching him take control of his life and sexuality; it made his reunion with Helene all the sweeter (and spicier as well). It would be remiss of me to write about Simply Shameless without mentioning its blazingly sensual love scenes. Ms. Pearce has a knack for raising the heat of the room in the space of just a few sentences, nevermind an entire book.
Though the third book in Ms. Pearce’s exquisite House of Pleasure series, Simply Shameless can be read on its own. Readers who loved Simply Sexual and Simply Shameless will catch a brief glimpse or mention of the characters they adored from the previous House of Pleasure books. What’s more, Simply Shameless is sure to leave one aching for the next story, Simply Wicked; it sure did for me. All in all I must say that, as one of the finest works of a supremely talented writer, Simply Shameless is not to be missed!
Recommended Read. Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
nikki_silk's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nicolebanks's review
5.0
Man I cant this series seems to be getting better and better. I was super stoked Helene was getting her story and third in the series (yay) Helene is one bad ass female she's strong independent been thru hell and back and is an amazing woman and she deserves and amazing man. That's exactly what Phillip is, yea he has some issues to work thru but once he and herself work thru those issues HELLO!!!!
What I truly enjoyed about this book was the main characters banter they always kept each other on their toes their relationship was refreshing to say the least and let me tell you now not a lot of sex in this book like the first two but the prelude to sex and stuff is 0_o amazing I tell u the author does a great job with these two characters can not wait to read the next book on to Anthony Val's bro =D
What I truly enjoyed about this book was the main characters banter they always kept each other on their toes their relationship was refreshing to say the least and let me tell you now not a lot of sex in this book like the first two but the prelude to sex and stuff is 0_o amazing I tell u the author does a great job with these two characters can not wait to read the next book on to Anthony Val's bro =D
veritytease's review
5.0
Wow, I really enjoyed this part, more so than any of the others up to date (including the two novellas).
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I wasn't really looking forward to delving deeper into Helene's story, but I found it to be fascinating and Philip going from dashing young lover to grumpy old widowed fart was a hoot.
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I have one criticism though.
Can we just quit with
![]()
As much as I find it an interesting explanation as to why they seek the entertainment of the house of pleasure, it'd be even better to see other reasons for it.
Anyway, loved this one and I'm looking forward to blazing through the other books in the series.
![]()
I wasn't really looking forward to delving deeper into Helene's story, but I found it to be fascinating and Philip going from dashing young lover to grumpy old widowed fart was a hoot.
I have one criticism though.
Can we just quit with
Spoiler
almost all of the characters having experienced rape/abuse which has resulted in their specific non-normative sexual needs.As much as I find it an interesting explanation as to why they seek the entertainment of the house of pleasure, it'd be even better to see other reasons for it.
Anyway, loved this one and I'm looking forward to blazing through the other books in the series.
brittak's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
callistawolf's review
4.0
I really liked this one and I didn't expect I was going to. But Helene was a fascinating character and her relationship with Phillip was interesting and exciting. I really felt the love between them, which was so important.
madhamster's review
4.0
Another visit to the House of Pleasure, this time we find out how Helene came to be the proprietor of the House, and her history.
It is also a story of re-finding love, after years apart - hard years spent in loveless existence. It's also a story of learning to trust again.
It is also a story of re-finding love, after years apart - hard years spent in loveless existence. It's also a story of learning to trust again.
samanatha's review
4.0
I cannot remember when it was that I read this series or why I failed to write any reviews. Overall the first three books (which I was able to borrow from the library as a set: [b:Kate Pearce Bundle: Simply Sexual, Simply Sinful and Simply Shameless|14740951|Kate Pearce Bundle Simply Sexual, Simply Sinful and Simply Shameless (House of Pleasure)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1338384667s/14740951.jpg|20387600]) were fairly good bundle of entertainment. I would say 3.5/5 on average.
The background on Lord Valentin Sokorvsky of [b:Simply Sexual|2763210|Simply Sexual (House of Pleasure #1)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388185122s/2763210.jpg|2788920]and his friend Peter Howard whose story is [b:Simply Sinful|3921832|Simply Sinful (House of Pleasure #2)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426840277s/3921832.jpg|9834775], is fairly dark. Their stories were fairly engaging, though the story that I reflect on the most often is [b:Simply Shameless|5984996|Simply Shameless (House of Pleasure #3)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427585937s/5984996.jpg|6158704]. There is something about Helene Delornay's story that has always stuck with me. It is haunting what a person will do to survive and how those choices might stay with them.
These books are highly graphic and high on the kink-o-meter. [a:Kate Pearce|688826|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234845255p2/688826.jpg] is one of the most talented erotic literature writers I have read. Given the scope covered and the balance of depth and smut, for those who enjoy these types of books they should definitely take the time to read one of her series.
The background on Lord Valentin Sokorvsky of [b:Simply Sexual|2763210|Simply Sexual (House of Pleasure #1)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388185122s/2763210.jpg|2788920]and his friend Peter Howard whose story is [b:Simply Sinful|3921832|Simply Sinful (House of Pleasure #2)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1426840277s/3921832.jpg|9834775], is fairly dark. Their stories were fairly engaging, though the story that I reflect on the most often is [b:Simply Shameless|5984996|Simply Shameless (House of Pleasure #3)|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427585937s/5984996.jpg|6158704]. There is something about Helene Delornay's story that has always stuck with me. It is haunting what a person will do to survive and how those choices might stay with them.
These books are highly graphic and high on the kink-o-meter. [a:Kate Pearce|688826|Kate Pearce|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234845255p2/688826.jpg] is one of the most talented erotic literature writers I have read. Given the scope covered and the balance of depth and smut, for those who enjoy these types of books they should definitely take the time to read one of her series.
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