Review: Impassioned

Impassioned by Darcy Burke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Be careful what you wish for ...

I read the first book in this new series and found the premise (a group of men who set up their own gentlemen's gambling club) a little bit too similar to another historical romance series I'd read. However, I was intrigued to read the story of the Earl of Aldington, Constantine Westbrooke (elder brother of the founder of the Phoenix Club), and his bloodless marriage so I jumped at the chance of this when I saw the ARC available on NetGalley.

Constantine and his wife Sabrina's marriage was arranged by their parents. Constantine's father is controlling and Constantine has spent his life trying to earn his father's approval. Sabrina has crippling anxiety and her parents constantly criticise her. Ever since their marriage Constantine and Sabrina have barely spent any time together, bar a perfunctory fortnight each year. He spends his time in London while she resides at their country estate. But Sabrina has overcome her anxiety and come to London, determined to have a baby.

Sabrina and Constantine have been misled about each other by their respective parents and each has made erroneous assumptions about the other, in an effort to unravel the misunderstandings, Constantine's brother arranges for Sabrina to pose as a courtesan to (verbally) coach Constantine on the art of seducing his wife.

I felt like I deceived myself with this book. In my head it was supposed to be a bit like the relationship in The Scarlett Pimpernel, two people desperately in love with each other but for 'reasons' treating each other with icy disdain/politeness. Unfortunately, this book was more about Lessons in Love and standing up to your mean parents.

Again, I liked but I didn't love it. It felt like Sabrina was the driving force in the relationship and Constantine was a bit wet TBH, but I'm not a fan of the 'disguising yourself to date/make love to your own spouse' whether it's in literature or music.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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