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A review by kbranfield
Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce
4.0
Simply Pleasure is a prequel to books one and two in Kate Pearce's deliciously carnal House of Pleasure series. This novella provides readers with the back story of Valentin "Val" Sokorvsky and Peter Howard who were kidnapped and held as sex slaves in a Turkish brothel until their rescue at age eighteen. The story opens while the men are on their way back to England and it is at times unbearably heartbreaking, poignant and ultimately hopeful as Val and Peter try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
It is impossible for Val and Peter not to be forever scarred their experiences and the men have very different ways of coping with their ordeal. Val is hardened, resentful and deliberately hurtful to everyone around him. Peter is placating and gentle in the beginning, but eventually turns to unhealthy means of coping with his life. When Peter's life spirals out of control, will he welcome Val's attempts to help save him?
Peter has no memories of his life or family before the kidnapping but Val remembers exactly who he is and he wants no part of the life waiting for him. However, Val agrees to remain with his family in exchange for gaining access to his inheritance when he turns twenty-one. His other stipulation is that Peter is to be allowed to stay as well. The story fast forwards to just before Val's birthday and while he has used the intervening years to his advantage, sadly Peter has fallen into a pit of despair. Val is determined to save the man who unselfishly helped him keep his demons at bay during their captivity, but will Peter accept what Val is willing to offer?
Simply Pleasure is not a romance but it is full of strong emotions. It is a beautiful story of new beginnings for both men as they try to put their past behind them while maintaining the bond that ties them together. Like the other books in Kate Pearce's House of Pleasure series, there are plenty of scorching hot sex scenes but it is the last one of the story is most meaningful.
It is impossible for Val and Peter not to be forever scarred their experiences and the men have very different ways of coping with their ordeal. Val is hardened, resentful and deliberately hurtful to everyone around him. Peter is placating and gentle in the beginning, but eventually turns to unhealthy means of coping with his life. When Peter's life spirals out of control, will he welcome Val's attempts to help save him?
Peter has no memories of his life or family before the kidnapping but Val remembers exactly who he is and he wants no part of the life waiting for him. However, Val agrees to remain with his family in exchange for gaining access to his inheritance when he turns twenty-one. His other stipulation is that Peter is to be allowed to stay as well. The story fast forwards to just before Val's birthday and while he has used the intervening years to his advantage, sadly Peter has fallen into a pit of despair. Val is determined to save the man who unselfishly helped him keep his demons at bay during their captivity, but will Peter accept what Val is willing to offer?
Simply Pleasure is not a romance but it is full of strong emotions. It is a beautiful story of new beginnings for both men as they try to put their past behind them while maintaining the bond that ties them together. Like the other books in Kate Pearce's House of Pleasure series, there are plenty of scorching hot sex scenes but it is the last one of the story is most meaningful.