Finding herself in
the unenviable position of being the moral mouthpiece for the Ladies of the
ton, Penelope is privately lauded by the women she stands for, and publicly
spurned by almost everyone. The ‘gentlemen’ of high society are the worst,
with their extracurricular activities having been greatly impacted by her
cause. They resolve to put a stop to her interference, one way or the
other.
Jeremy Vaughn is elected to take care of the problem, using the best weapon
at his disposal – seduction. Once the Duke of Kilgrath beds the wench, he
will have what he needs to blackmail her into a quiet retreat from her
cause, leaving he and his friends to their carnal games without impediment.
But best-laid plans often go awry, and Jeremy’s plan backfires as he grows
closer to the winsome Penelope. Once he befriends her, he finds it
impossible not to like her, and soon finds himself in the position of
confidante.
When his scheme to seduce her finally lands him in her boudoir, albeit
anonymously, Jeremy cannot get enough of her. Has the seducer become the
seduced? Will Jeremy be able to go through with his plan and betray
Penelope?
Jess Michaels follows up her wonderful historical romance EVERYTHING
FORBIDDEN with SOMETHING RECKLESS, with the previous
heroine’s sister Penelope in the role of heroine.
When we last saw Penelope in EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN, she was set
to make a bad, yet respectable, marriage. Resigned to the idea that she
must sacrifice love and passion for stability and the ability to assist her
financially strapped mother and younger sisters, she weds and uncaring older
man who sees her as a trophy, not a woman.
As SOMETHING RECKLESS begins, Penelope is now a widow of a
year or so, and lives independently, having inherited her late husband’s
fortune. At a time when she might have found suitors at her door once
again, she is instead avoided by the men of the ton since she began speaking
publicly against their lascivious activities, which she deems immoral.
But a cause is a lonely bedmate, and so Penelope is ripe for the seduction
intended to be her downfall. Although no virgin, having been married once,
she has never experienced passion or sensual pleasures, and is completely
unprepared – much to the readers’ delight – for the overwhelming feelings
that Jeremy Vaughn inspires with mere looks, the slightest of touches.
Couple that with erotic missives sent daily by a mysterious admirer, and you
can guess it isn’t very long before Penelope succumbs to temptation. With a
man like Jeremy in pursuit, who can really blame her? LOL
Jeremy could very accurately be called ‘idle rich.’ Raised in his position
as the first son of a wealthy Duke, whose title and funds he later
inherited, everything has come easy for Jeremy. While he spends his days in
pursuit of various pleasures, he has found his life somewhat unfulfilling
lately. Is it boredom, or is something missing? Of course, as he spends
more and more time with Penelope, he learns the truth of his malaise, just
as he realizes how utterly shiftless and unproductive his life has been
until now.
Watching as both Jeremy and Penelope cause positive changes in each other is
just inspiring. While they seem to be polar opposites at the beginning,
deep underneath, they learn they share similar dreams and sentiments of the
sort that make a good foundation for long-lasting love.
I cannot recommend SOMETHING RECKLESS highly enough. Whether
or not you read the previous book, you will no doubt find this story a
deeply touching sensual romance.
Reviewed by Jennifer
