lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, hot and entertaining read
This is one of the best historical discipline books I have read. I've read a few books by the author and was quite intrigued by the blurb, even though historical isn't a genre I generally choose to read. Spanking books, whilst hugely popular at the moment, can vary from good to atrocious, I was expecting at least an 'OK' read but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.
Arabella is a Duke's sister, so is fairly high in social standing. However she has a very wilful streak and isn't bothered about polite societies expectations. However there is something about the rather staid and proper Lord Thomas Hood that has caught not only her eye but also her heart. In an attempt to attract his attention Arabella has really tried to behave. So when she overhears him telling her bother that he could never marry a girl like her, she is devastated. When an opportunity arises Arabella uses it to trap Thomas into marrying her, but she is determined to show him that he will never command her.
Arabella was impetuous but great fun. Her complaints, her actions and reactions all felt very believable and natural....even justified on occasion. I loved how she never really lost her mischievousness nor her joie de vivre. Thomas really was a stick-in-the mud at times, the ways that Arabella found to torment him were quite amusing, even if the consequences were not. It was very refreshing to have a story where the Hero had to acknowledge he wasn't always in the right. I also liked how the story had compromise and a hero willing to listen and adapt.
Whilst I can't claim to be an historical expert the book felt very genuine in this aspect. The dialogue, descriptions and social expectations etc all felt as though the author had undertaken some decent research. Whilst on the surface the Victorians were very sexually repressed, this certainly wasn't true in 'real life'.
The story totally drew me in and whilst the plot is fairly simple, basically Arabella and Thomas finding their way together, this is still a very entertaining read. It's also very steamy, though there was a good balance between these scenes and the rest of the book. There isn't really any bad language but there are several scenes of domestic discipline, as well as a few other very hot scenes - and not all of them are confined to the bedroom!
This is one of the best historical discipline books I have read. I've read a few books by the author and was quite intrigued by the blurb, even though historical isn't a genre I generally choose to read. Spanking books, whilst hugely popular at the moment, can vary from good to atrocious, I was expecting at least an 'OK' read but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.
Arabella is a Duke's sister, so is fairly high in social standing. However she has a very wilful streak and isn't bothered about polite societies expectations. However there is something about the rather staid and proper Lord Thomas Hood that has caught not only her eye but also her heart. In an attempt to attract his attention Arabella has really tried to behave. So when she overhears him telling her bother that he could never marry a girl like her, she is devastated. When an opportunity arises Arabella uses it to trap Thomas into marrying her, but she is determined to show him that he will never command her.
Arabella was impetuous but great fun. Her complaints, her actions and reactions all felt very believable and natural....even justified on occasion. I loved how she never really lost her mischievousness nor her joie de vivre. Thomas really was a stick-in-the mud at times, the ways that Arabella found to torment him were quite amusing, even if the consequences were not. It was very refreshing to have a story where the Hero had to acknowledge he wasn't always in the right. I also liked how the story had compromise and a hero willing to listen and adapt.
Whilst I can't claim to be an historical expert the book felt very genuine in this aspect. The dialogue, descriptions and social expectations etc all felt as though the author had undertaken some decent research. Whilst on the surface the Victorians were very sexually repressed, this certainly wasn't true in 'real life'.
The story totally drew me in and whilst the plot is fairly simple, basically Arabella and Thomas finding their way together, this is still a very entertaining read. It's also very steamy, though there was a good balance between these scenes and the rest of the book. There isn't really any bad language but there are several scenes of domestic discipline, as well as a few other very hot scenes - and not all of them are confined to the bedroom!
bookwormbunny's review
5.0
Arabella's Taming is the first book that I have read by Golden Angel and I absolutely loved it. Arabella is a real spitfire, but she loses some of her fire when she overhears the man she is in love with telling her brother he has zero interest in considering her as a potential wife. Ouch! Not an easy thing to hear. Despite all her attempts at calming and reining in some of her unruly ways he still finds her unsuitable. Even though she is truly hurt by this, she decides to throw her better behavior to the wind and be her old self. She attracts the attention of the Marquess, who has less than an ideal reputation. The Marquess is fun, but now what Arabella truly wants, because he has more than a wandering eye. So what does she do? Well, Arabella takes things into her own hands and creates a scandal that she knows Thomas cannot walk away from, and that he'll do the right thing. The last thing Thomas wants is a wife who must be trained but that is exactly what he gets.
When I first picked up Arabella's Taming, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had never read anything by this author before, but I had heard good things. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Arabella is a fun character who engages you from the beginning. This book is part of a series, but I feel that this book can be read as a standalone. The author goes and touches on incidents that have happened in previous books, but it does not take away from my enjoyment. I like reading about Thomas and Arabella's story. Thomas wants a certain type of wife and Arabella doesn't fit that mold. But Arabella won't let that stop her. She tries to conform, but hey when it doesn't work, always revert. I like how the characters compliment each other. You can tell that Thomas is a bit oblivious to Arabella's interest, but that changes quickly after a certain scene.
There isn't anything I don't like about this story. It flows well, and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I couldn't get enough.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When I first picked up Arabella's Taming, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had never read anything by this author before, but I had heard good things. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Arabella is a fun character who engages you from the beginning. This book is part of a series, but I feel that this book can be read as a standalone. The author goes and touches on incidents that have happened in previous books, but it does not take away from my enjoyment. I like reading about Thomas and Arabella's story. Thomas wants a certain type of wife and Arabella doesn't fit that mold. But Arabella won't let that stop her. She tries to conform, but hey when it doesn't work, always revert. I like how the characters compliment each other. You can tell that Thomas is a bit oblivious to Arabella's interest, but that changes quickly after a certain scene.
There isn't anything I don't like about this story. It flows well, and kept me engaged from beginning to end. I couldn't get enough.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
A fun, hot and entertaining read
This is one of the best historical discipline books I have read. I've read a few books by the author and was quite intrigued by the blurb, even though historical isn't a genre I generally choose to read. Spanking books, whilst hugely popular at the moment, can vary from good to atrocious, I was expecting at least an 'OK' read but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.
Arabella is a Duke's sister, so is fairly high in social standing. However she has a very wilful streak and isn't bothered about polite societies expectations. However there is something about the rather staid and proper Lord Thomas Hood that has caught not only her eye but also her heart. In an attempt to attract his attention Arabella has really tried to behave. So when she overhears him telling her bother that he could never marry a girl like her, she is devastated. When an opportunity arises Arabella uses it to trap Thomas into marrying her, but she is determined to show him that he will never command her.
Arabella was impetuous but great fun. Her complaints, her actions and reactions all felt very believable and natural....even justified on occasion. I loved how she never really lost her mischievousness nor her joie de vivre. Thomas really was a stick-in-the mud at times, the ways that Arabella found to torment him were quite amusing, even if the consequences were not. It was very refreshing to have a story where the Hero had to acknowledge he wasn't always in the right. I also liked how the story had compromise and a hero willing to listen and adapt.
Whilst I can't claim to be an historical expert the book felt very genuine in this aspect. The dialogue, descriptions and social expectations etc all felt as though the author had undertaken some decent research. Whilst on the surface the Victorians were very sexually repressed, this certainly wasn't true in 'real life'.
The story totally drew me in and whilst the plot is fairly simple, basically Arabella and Thomas finding their way together, this is still a very entertaining read. It's also very steamy, though there was a good balance between these scenes and the rest of the book. There isn't really any bad language but there are several scenes of domestic discipline, as well as a few other very hot scenes - and not all of them are confined to the bedroom!
This is one of the best historical discipline books I have read. I've read a few books by the author and was quite intrigued by the blurb, even though historical isn't a genre I generally choose to read. Spanking books, whilst hugely popular at the moment, can vary from good to atrocious, I was expecting at least an 'OK' read but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.
Arabella is a Duke's sister, so is fairly high in social standing. However she has a very wilful streak and isn't bothered about polite societies expectations. However there is something about the rather staid and proper Lord Thomas Hood that has caught not only her eye but also her heart. In an attempt to attract his attention Arabella has really tried to behave. So when she overhears him telling her bother that he could never marry a girl like her, she is devastated. When an opportunity arises Arabella uses it to trap Thomas into marrying her, but she is determined to show him that he will never command her.
Arabella was impetuous but great fun. Her complaints, her actions and reactions all felt very believable and natural....even justified on occasion. I loved how she never really lost her mischievousness nor her joie de vivre. Thomas really was a stick-in-the mud at times, the ways that Arabella found to torment him were quite amusing, even if the consequences were not. It was very refreshing to have a story where the Hero had to acknowledge he wasn't always in the right. I also liked how the story had compromise and a hero willing to listen and adapt.
Whilst I can't claim to be an historical expert the book felt very genuine in this aspect. The dialogue, descriptions and social expectations etc all felt as though the author had undertaken some decent research. Whilst on the surface the Victorians were very sexually repressed, this certainly wasn't true in 'real life'.
The story totally drew me in and whilst the plot is fairly simple, basically Arabella and Thomas finding their way together, this is still a very entertaining read. It's also very steamy, though there was a good balance between these scenes and the rest of the book. There isn't really any bad language but there are several scenes of domestic discipline, as well as a few other very hot scenes - and not all of them are confined to the bedroom!
freyacat's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's porn. It's discipline erotica. If you like that, you will enjoy this. It's not high-minded or a particularly good demonstration of good BDSM partner communication. It's sex with spankings- I had a good time.
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