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Don't Tempt Me (Fallen Women #2)

3.72 of 5 stars 3.72 · rating details · 1,570 ratings · 161 reviews

Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains.

That’s the headline when Zoe Lexham returns to England. After twelve years in the exotic east, she’s shockingly adept in the sensual arts. She knows everything a young lady shouldn't and nothing she ought to know. She’s a walking scandal, with no hope of a future...unless someone can civilize her....more

Paperback, 353 pages

Published June 30th 2009 by Avon

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Sep 01, 2009 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance-napoleonic-era

Zoe Lexham, after twelve years has return to England from being a captive of a harem. A walking scandal with adept knowledge of the sensual arts, her family is at odds at what to do in order for her be welcome back into the ton.
Her knight in not shining armor and childhood friend, Lucien de Grey, The Duke of Marchmont finds it his duty to his old guardian and friend Lord Lexham to find a way to have the ton accept Zoe, what he didn’t expect was the attraction between him and Zoe that may lead...more Zoe Lexham, after twelve years has return to England from being a captive of a harem. A walking scandal with adept knowledge of the sensual arts, her family is at odds at what to do in order for her be welcome back into the ton.
Her knight in not shining armor and childhood friend, Lucien de Grey, The Duke of Marchmont finds it his duty to his old guardian and friend Lord Lexham to find a way to have the ton accept Zoe, what he didn’t expect was the attraction between him and Zoe that may lead more to ruin for the both of them.

Lucien wicked humor and sarcastic replies had me in stitches. He walked around in an indifferent haze after the death of both his parents, his brother and later the dissappence of Zoe. Lucien cares for nothing, coming across more like a carefree zombie then a human being. I liked his growth throughout the book, while it did feel he came to some sort of stand still toward the middle and end of the book, LC opens one last door for Lucien to walk though as he opens his eyes, finally doing something he’s avoided for so long; make an decision for himself.

Zoe bluntness was a hoot, use to acting and speaking freely, she learns to acts more in the confines of society. She was pretty blunt but very smart, something I wish her sisters were as they got on my nerves. Zoe observed the people around her, comparing her new life to her old, which in more cases came in handy as she later dealt with a few stuffy and disapproving people. What gave me a pause was Zoe coming across more of a 21st century woman then a woman in the 1800s; with her sexual openness (and fondling Lucien in public!) that is more of the women of today then yesteryears. Unbelievable, was the fact she was left an innocent from living in a harem for so many years, the harem life is a harsh place and her coming away unharmed was to farfetched.

The steam level was pretty high with Lucien and Zoe. I mean who doesn’t like a carriage sex scene?? I would have liked more of an interaction as a couple between Lucien and Zoe after they married, the love scenes between the two toward the end got in the way as they face their last huddle. Which is a huddle I thought could have been left out and unnecessary to the plot.

Overall: even with its quirks this was a fun, relaxing and laugh out book.
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Jul 06, 2009 Kathrynn rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, romance-historical, boo_and_hiss

Not enough of a plot to hold my attention, so I gave this one up more than half-way through. Too much emphasis on London's society rules, social norms, proper dress appearance, getting accepted in society by snobs and gossip. Ugh.

Hoped the story would move out of this, but it did not. With a few extremely minor exceptions, nothing happened other than Lucien (Duke of Marchmount also called Marchmount throughout most of the book) trying to help Zoe become excepted by society after she was returned...more

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Dec 11, 2011 Lady Jaye rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, stars-1, authors-loretta-chase, colossal-fail, romance-historical, run-away-from-this-book, slap-this-heroine

Reading this book made me angry. Mostly because of the heroine. All the other characters were bland/stupid/inconsequential/did not signify, even the hero, so the only person worth talking about is the heroine.

I would be hard-pressed to find a stupider, selfisher, more idiotic, more obnoxious, more slap/smack-worthy female in any book I've read all year. Or ever. In fact, the only other character I can think of who comes close to her is the heroine in A Little Bit Wild.

Beyond stupid. Beyond horr...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Julia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: childhood-friends, romance, historical, harem

The premise was really good. A young English girls gets kidnapped and sold to a slave market in Cairo where she then becomes a Harem girl and a second wife to some rich man. Twelve years later she escapes and returns home. The hero is a jaded Duke, scarred by his past, who doesn't seem to care about anything or anyone. Having been a child-hood protector of the heroine his goal is to help bring her back into society's good graces, but in the process he falls in love with her.

The book was interest...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really don't like reading series books out of order. But I just couldn't resist this one! It sounded so good!! A woman (Zoe Lexham) is kidnapped as a child and is forced into a harem for 10 years! Now, you find out through the course of the story that although she was in this harem of some Egyptian king's favorite son, she was still a virgin. To me, this is THE most unbelievable thing I have EVER read. Come on!! Still a virgin?! She explains that the king's son was ill and whatever illness it...more I really don't like reading series books out of order. But I just couldn't resist this one! It sounded so good!! A woman (Zoe Lexham) is kidnapped as a child and is forced into a harem for 10 years! Now, you find out through the course of the story that although she was in this harem of some Egyptian king's favorite son, she was still a virgin. To me, this is THE most unbelievable thing I have EVER read. Come on!! Still a virgin?! She explains that the king's son was ill and whatever illness it was caused him to be impotent. I'm pretty sure that at some time, someone, somewhere would have raped her. I mean, she was little more than a slave, right? Anyways, she escapes and makes it back to England. Of course, her father is a big, important duke so there have been many imposters claiming to be her over the ten years she's been gone. But once her father sees her, he knows it's her. Her sisters believe her too but that's not the problem. The problem is that she was in a harem and that's just way too scandalous for the "ton" to overlook. Something must be done! Her sisters seems to want her to go to Paris or something, just to get her out of the country and to stop their embarrassment at her ordeal. They won't be able to get into Almack's with this scandal tainting their name, for example.

This is where Lucien, the Duke of Marchmont comes in. He was skeptical as well, until he met her again. They were childhood friends and he was always saving her from one mishap or another or going to get her when she ran away (which she did frequently). Lucien's parents died when he was young and the Lexhams took in Lucien and his brother. Since Zoe was kidnapped, he has become the Duke of Marchmont and is very well respected in the "ton". His name is above reproach so the Duke and the Lexhams (including Zoe) come up with a plan for Lucien to get her into society and eventually, introduced to the Queen. If she's invited to be presented to the Queen, no one would snub her.

Because of her upbringing in the last ten years, Zoe really IS pretty scandalous. She says things that no one in that time period in London, such as talking about how to pleasure a man, talking about penises, touching herself when she's explaining how she wants a dress to fit in the bosom and butt areas. So Lucien has his work cut out for him but it takes him and Zoe on a great and romantic ride.

I enjoyed this book but I only gave it 3 stars because at a certain point in the book, I was thinking, "Holy crap, just let them get together already!" and it was just getting dragged down with a little too much of the Will They/Won't They. The upside for this book was a little side story of intrigue that is introduced towards the end. Some people may think it doesn't really fit well in the story and that it maybe seems like the author added it at the end for a big, exciting end to the book. I disagree. I think it fit in fine but my caveat to that is that I get REALLY sucked in and engrossed in the story while I'm reading it so I'm just going along on the ride and don't notice as much when things don't mesh so much. I'm usually just happy to have the story keep going!!

So, in conclusion, this is another good read. I would recommend this book to fans, new and old, to the romance genre.(less)

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Oct 21, 2011 April rated it 3 of 5 stars

A fun and fluffy romance. So far my least favorite of Chase's novels. I think mostly because the heroine got on my nerves. She was smart and clever and caring but quite often she made the most ridiculous choices it annoyed me. It was almost as if she wanted the world to revolve around her - and this could quite be the case considering she was the youngest of a large family and had spent 12 years as a captive. But I think my issue was that she was so clearheaded about everything else; this stubbo...more

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Jul 04, 2011 Bronwyn rated it 1 of 5 stars

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Apr 04, 2011 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: frothy-romance

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Apr 30, 2010 Jay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, arc

Originally posted at RomanceReaderAtHeart.com

For years I had heard about how great Loretta Chase’s books were, but at the time, I wasn’t reading historicals so I had never tried one. Then, once I started reading historicals, I read MISS WONDERFUL—and it was wonderful!! I knew I had to read more of Ms. Chase’s work, so I jumped at the chance to review her latest. I’m happy to report that DON'T TEMPT ME didn’t disappoint.

I really enjoyed that Zoe and Lucien had essentially grown up together and t...more

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Apr 22, 2010 Talulah Mankiller rated it 1 of 5 stars

So, although I am a Romance novel fan, I don’t exactly keep abreast (heh) of what everyone’s writing–except maybe Eloisa James, because I’m apparently contractually obligated to buy her latest book, a 3 Musketeer’s Bar, and a diet coke and consume all three in an orgy of stereotypical American femaleness. Sometimes I even dye my hair red while I’m doing it.

I WISH I WERE KIDDING.

Anyway, I’m a fan, but I’m not a good fan, so I didn’t know anything about Don’t Tempt Me until I read this review–desp...more

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Mar 03, 2010 Wicked Incognito Now rated it 4 of 5 stars

I purchased this as soon as it came out, because Loretta Chase is an auto-buy for me. The funny thing is, though, that I'm not quite as enamoured of Chase as most of the romland seems to be. Most romance authors list LC as their fave romance author. I saw Your Scandalous Ways on many Best of 2008 lists, and my reaction to it was: "meh." However, I DO list Lord of Scoundrels among my all-time favorite historical romances, and I DO think LC is a stand-out among historical romance authors. I'm just...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Angelc rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: already-own-read, keepers

This was my first Loretta Chase book, and I really became a fan of hers! In "Don't Tempt Me", Zoe Lexham has found her way home to London after 12 years of exile in the East. She was kidnapped and sold into slavery on a family trip there when she was only 12 years old. Lucien de Grey, Duke of Marchmont, is determined to prove that the woman claiming to be Zoe is lying, but one look proves she is the spirited childhood friend that he'd given up on ever seeing again. Lucien decides that its his du...more This was my first Loretta Chase book, and I really became a fan of hers! In "Don't Tempt Me", Zoe Lexham has found her way home to London after 12 years of exile in the East. She was kidnapped and sold into slavery on a family trip there when she was only 12 years old. Lucien de Grey, Duke of Marchmont, is determined to prove that the woman claiming to be Zoe is lying, but one look proves she is the spirited childhood friend that he'd given up on ever seeing again. Lucien decides that its his duty to Zoe's father, who was like a father to him too, to present Zoe to society. Only the Duke can protect her from the scandal of being known as "The Harem Girl."

I really enjoyed this book, but I've seen some poor reviews. I think people may have expected another "Lord of Scoundrels" and dismiss this one as not up to par. But I thought this book was a keeper in it's own right.

I loved Lucien's character, he is somewhat of a wastrel, going through life in a daze, never taking responsibility for anything after being devastated by losing his family. But once Zoe comes back into his life, he really grows as a person and learns to take responsibility for his life and those that depend on him.

I thought it was really great how the book focused a lot on Lucien and Zoe's lives after they were married, instead of only on the buildup to the wedding. I believe Zoe threw a thing or two at Lucien, and their quarrels were believable and real. This book also touches a little on jealousy for both leads, which always adds a little extra spice. Also, after Lucien realized he was in love with Zoe, there was no hiding it, he became quite a doting husband and wasn't afraid to let everyone know!

Probably the only reason why this book received 4 stars from me instead of 5 is that Zoe's sex appeal was a little exaggerated. This of course is explained by the harem plot, but the harem scandal was another thing about the book that I didn't really care for.

The supporting characters were quite funny, Lucien's valet was always in tears over this or that. And Lucien's observations about Zoe's busybody sisters were hilarious.

Overall I loved the book and the characters' realistic relationship and tender feelings for one another.

Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/

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Aug 19, 2009 Castiron rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 13, 2009 Jocelyn Zombie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

Good novel by a great author - I enjoyed it but wouldn't re-read it, hence the 3-star rating.

This novel was unbelivable in a fun way, like many of Chase's best (Mr. Impossible is a good example). Plucky English girl is abducted at 12 and held in the harem of an eastern pasha with erectile dysfunction, and escapes at the age of 24 and returns to England to find love with her father's ward, the Duke.

Yes, it stretches your credulity, but ironically I had no problem with the virgin harem girl plot p...more

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Jul 12, 2009 Kim H rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keeper

Loretta Chase is back, and announcing her presence with authority, with Don't Tempt Me, a "Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains" story, and so much more. Chase is one of my all time favorite romance writers, yet I had found her 2008 release: Your Scandalous Ways unfortunately lackluster, so while I was awaiting this release with baited breath, I have to admit to being a tad nervous as well. Thankfully, that concern has proven to be unfounded, and I can hap...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Poetic rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was searching for childhood sweetheart themed novels and this was one of the recommended ones so when I saw at my local library I checked it out, since I have been reading several praises for Loretta Chase I thought this would be a good starter novel I read from her.

The story is about Zoe Lexham who has been missing for twelve years due to her being captive as a Harem girl in Cairo , but when she finally escapes and returns to England she must learn the proper ways of being a lady and save he...more

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Mar 29, 2011 Leah James rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

This was my first Loretta Chase novel, but it won't be my last. I have to agree with some of the less-than-stellar reviews that the plot is thin, but then aren't most Regency historicals? (I mean, it's pretty amazing how many ways historical authors have come up with to tell the same bored-duke/earl/whatever-needs-to-wed-to-save-family-fortune plot. I applaud them...seriously!) It was Ms. Chase's writing style and characterizations that made this an enjoyable story for me.

But then I think it's...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Eri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, romance, loretta-chase, historical-fiction, regency

I will read a Loretta Chase novel anywhere, anytime, and Don't Tempt Me is a classic example of why.

This book has everything: likable characters with real depth, witty dialogue, a touching and believable relationship, a fun setting, and a harebrained plot that somehow manages to work. I love the characters for their flaws, and I love them for overcoming them. I love the humor and the relationships between Zoe and her family, Lucien and her family, and even Lucien and his staff, who don't necessa...more I will read a Loretta Chase novel anywhere, anytime, and Don't Tempt Me is a classic example of why.

This book has everything: likable characters with real depth, witty dialogue, a touching and believable relationship, a fun setting, and a harebrained plot that somehow manages to work. I love the characters for their flaws, and I love them for overcoming them. I love the humor and the relationships between Zoe and her family, Lucien and her family, and even Lucien and his staff, who don't necessarily have his best interests in mind.

I'm a huge sucker for all of Loretta Chase's heroes, but Zoe is hands-down my favorite of her heroines out of what I've read. She's strong, willful, resourceful, sexy, and a troublemaker in the best, most entertaining way. She can't resist a dare. She's a virgin in the strictest sense, but she's hardly an innocent maiden. However, she DOES have an innocence about her, oddly; she's sweet, she's naive in certain ways, and she lights up when she's happy- a fact that actually plays a role in a very important scene. I like that her defining character trait- being a hoyden and specifically, a "bolter"- plays a major role in the story, and is also her largest downfall.

Lucien also stands up to the expectations I have after reading about Rupert and Alistair. His childhood relationship with Zoe, the fondness he had for her and the pain he experiences when she is lost, all of the memories he shares with the reader, make me full of SQUEE. His detachment to escape from losing everything he loves, his loyalty to Zoe's father, his charming front of asshattery- all of these things make for a complex, multi-layered character. And again, his defining trait- that he doesn't take anything seriously- leads to all of his biggest troubles.

The courtship is sweet and full of sexy. It doesn't feel rushed, because the relationship has been building between them since they were children. It's sweet because they grew up together, and now they are growing up together in other ways, because both of them sort of stopped growing when they were separated. Watching them flirt is great fun, because they both excel at it, and because they often carry on in front of Zoe's shocked family members. And it is very, very satisfying to see Lucien lose his carefully maintained cool. Zoe makes him get mad, she makes him horny, she makes him laugh like he hasn't laughed in years. And he makes her get all sorts of ideas that a lady shouldn't have, and makes her mad, and makes her glowingly happy.

The side characters are delightful as well, notably one of Zoe's pregnant sisters, as well as her umbrella-wielding maid, Lucien's mad great-aunt, and the oldest stage coach in London (yes, that coach counts as a character in my opinion).

The main plot is fairly straightforward: Zoe spent twelve years in a harem. Societal codes imply that she's ruined. Lucien promises her family that he will make her accepted at the queen's court itself. Most of the plot revolves around teaching Zoe what is and isn't acceptable to do/say/wear, while she and Lucien's relationship develops. But don't let the back cover copy fool you; that's only the first half of the book, and there is a lot more in store for the couple than that as Lucien's mistakes catch up to him.

Chase also makes excellent use of her chosen setting. Zoe's return to England is not long after the tragic death of the princess, and Zoe's spunk and Zoe herself are compared to Princess Charlotte.

My only complaints were the villain, who seemed a bit shallowly crafted, and that it didn't go on longer. I read the book straight through, and when I finished it, I called my mother and told her to read it, and promptly started reading it again myself.(less)

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Oct 20, 2010 Kaetrin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paper-book, ebook, favorites

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in only a few hours, the pace of the story and the witty repartee between the characters kept me smiling and engaged the whole time.

Lucien de Gray, Duke of Marchmont and Zoe Octavia Lexham knew each other as children. After the death of Lucien's parents, Zoe's father stood in loco parentis to the young boy and his elder brother and the families spent much time together. Lucien and Zoe have a connection even as children. After the death of his brother in a ri...more

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May 09, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

I feel like this book is a spiritual successor to "Last Night's Scandal", since I enjoyed it more than the latter. The premise is similar, with the back story of childhood acquaintances being reunited, and it also held references to more exotic lands outside of England.

The only issue is that the characters of the story were not as deeply explored as many others by Loretta Chase. Although Lucien has many problems dealing with his emotions, it isn't portrayed well through the rare glimpses into hi...more

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Nov 24, 2009 Beanbag Love rated it 4 of 5 stars

This isn't the best Loretta Chase book, but it's certainly not near the worst. It's actually very enjoyable. The end peters out a bit strangely, but overall this book was much better than I thought it would be based on other reviews I've seen.

Lucien and Zoe are a really great couple. Chase does her patented and peerless manipulation of the reader to make a hero who is a paradigm of lazy, arrogant, selfishness actually lovable. The specifics fill out the model and you just have to feel for the gu...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Amanda Ryan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loretta Chase is quickly becoming a favored author or mine. I’ve read three of her novels, now, and all of them have been witty, romantic, and dead sexay. Lord of Scoundrels remains my favorite so far. Don’t Tempt Me, however, was a pretty close contender.

Zoe Lexham was captured during a holiday to Cairo when she was twelve years old. Many years later she made her escape and found her way back home. Only now, she has some serious adjusting to do. She’s on the verge of scandal, having been raised...more Loretta Chase is quickly becoming a favored author or mine. I’ve read three of her novels, now, and all of them have been witty, romantic, and dead sexay. Lord of Scoundrels remains my favorite so far. Don’t Tempt Me, however, was a pretty close contender.

Zoe Lexham was captured during a holiday to Cairo when she was twelve years old. Many years later she made her escape and found her way back home. Only now, she has some serious adjusting to do. She’s on the verge of scandal, having been raised in a harem, and she wants nothing more than to re-enter into the life she was destined to have. She seeks the help of her childhood friend, Lucien de Grey, now the Duke of Marchmont. The two of them had been thick as thieves as children, Lucien the only one who seemed to be able to handle the rebellious Zoe. The years had hardened Lucien, however. He’s seemingly uncaring and cynical. He’s not a rake, mind you, but he does have something of a reputation. When Zoe re-enters the picture he’s skeptical at first. But one look at her and he knows it truly IS her. He takes her under his wing to help salvage her reputation. Of course, grown up Lucien and Zoe end up having an intense chemistry, and craziness ensues.

I really, really loved this book. I was initially skeptical with the whole harem-girl-turned-debutante plot. Surrender of a Lady, by Tiffany Clare, had a similar plot and it didn’t quite work for me. Too many cliches, I suppose. Loretta Chase, however, managed to avoid these pitfalls by focusing on her heroine’s time in the present, not the past. Don’t get me wrong, you learn about Zoe’s time in the harem. But it’s not the point of the novel. Zoe is hilarious – being completely unfamiliar with prudish English custom, the things that come out of her mouth are flat out hysterical. She’s a firecracker, too, with a hell of a temper. She throws things when she gets angry, and unlike her harping sisters, she says exactly what’s on her mind. Lucien matches her perfectly. He’s stubborn, sarcastic, and secretly compassionate. They irritate each other to the point of having full blown public fights involving flying books and hairbrushes. There was a scene in a dress shop that had me rolling. The two argue madly, Zoe throwing a book at him as he turns to abandon her, knocking his hat to the floor. He storms out, and Zoe continues on as if nothing odd had occurred. Not even a few minutes later, Lucien returns, calm and composed, picks up his hat from the floor, and takes a seat in the chair across from her, effectively resuming where they had left off before they started arguing. CLASSIC. Their relationship is wonderful. There’s not a cowering bone in Zoe’s body. She has no fear. She’s in touch with her sensuality. What I especially loved about her is how she handled the discovery of her feelings toward Lucien. She recognized she wanted him. She knew that she probably shouldn’t, but ultimately she decides to just go with it, and doesn’t look back. No regrets, that Zoe. It was a refreshing take on a historical heroine.

Lucien was great, as well. He handled Zoe exactly as she needed to be handled. He didn’t coddle her. He spoke to her as if she were an intelligent adult and not a delicate flower. He respected her temperament and was able to predict what would and what wouldn’t set her off. Ultimately, they respect each other, trust each other. It’s why, when their relationship takes its next steps both of them only slightly hesitate before plunging in head first.

I have a few other books by Loretta Chase I’m looking forward to reading. In the meantime, I’d highly recommend giving Don’t Tempt Me a go.

What I loved about this book: Romantic, sexy, and funny all in one lovely package

What I didn’t like: –

Rating: B+

Romance: 4/5 Raunch: 4/5(less)

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Nov 11, 2009 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was immediately intrigued. However, I found this book predictable. The Duke of Marchmont, who grew up with the heroine of this story, Zoe, decided that he is the only one who could save her from being shunned by the ton. And regardless of the ridiculous things that Zoe forces him to do, the Duke of Marchmont still arrogantly believed that he would succeed in making the ton accept her, even after the years she spent in a harem. He definitely had arro...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Jean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, england, romance

This novel is not your run-of-the-mill romance novel. It is more about how closed off Lucien had become as a person over the years since Zoe's disappearance and Gerard's death rather than about Zoe Octavia recovery and reintegration into Ton society. The pacing is slow and very disembodied reflecting Lucien's distance. However, as his character develops, the story line becomes more active rather than the passive pace; completely reflecting Lucien's change.

Zoe is an interesting character though...more

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Mar 24, 2010 Gina DeBacker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romances, read-in-2010

This is the third book I've read in the romance genre and it was nice to have a heroine who wasn't the naive damsel in distress. I thought this book was very enjoyable and I enjoyed Zoe's struggle to fit in with London society. Her outsiders perspective was hilarious to say the least. (Although I found it hard to believe that she remained a virgin throughout her stay at the Harem. I guess it was one of those "just play along with the author" plots.) The romance between Zoe and Lucien felt very r...more

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Jul 03, 2009 Corrine rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Loretta Chase

Shelves: regency-uk-historical

Another one that came very close to being five stars, if it wasn't for the unnecessary suspense plot added at the very end. This isn't Lord of Scoundrels or Mr. Impossible but it is a good example of why Loretta Chase is one of the top historical romance writers.

Zoe Lexham has always been the rebel of the eight Lexham children - willful, stubborn, and fiercely independent, given to daring feats and running away. No matter her past behavior, Society, her family, and most of all Lucien de Grey is...more Another one that came very close to being five stars, if it wasn't for the unnecessary suspense plot added at the very end. This isn't Lord of Scoundrels or Mr. Impossible but it is a good example of why Loretta Chase is one of the top historical romance writers.

Zoe Lexham has always been the rebel of the eight Lexham children - willful, stubborn, and fiercely independent, given to daring feats and running away. No matter her past behavior, Society, her family, and most of all Lucien de Grey is shocked when Zoe disappears at age 12 on a family trip in Egypt. Over the next decade, the Lexham family is plagued by imposters and false hopes.

Lucien, Duke of Marchmont and ward to Lord Lexham, grew up with the Lexham daughters and had a special place in his heart for Zoe. When she goes missing it's the last straw for him; he's lost his parents, his older brother, and now Zoe. He closes himself off from everyone, and becomes renowned for caring very little about anything, with two exceptions: his loyalty to Lord Lexham, and his honor.

When Lucien hears that yet another girl is being presented as the missing Zoe, he sets out to defend the whole family, but is stunned to find it is actually her. Zoe has spent the last ten years as a member of a harem, given as a wife to the unwell son of a powerful man. Nearly everything she learned about English society and polite behavior is gone, and her sisters are certain that she will ruin them in the ton. And when Zoe hears that only a highly placed marriage will save them all, she immediately proposes to Lucien, much to her sisters' dismay. Lucien declines, but offers to escort Zoe through society and help her resume the life she should have had.

I love how uninhibited Zoe is: she was trained to do everything to please a man, but she's never had a chance to, and likewise she's never had a man please her either. Her struggles to remember propriety are hilarious, saying things she shouldn't, touching herself in public. She's dually very naive and very worldly at the same time, and one of the most charming heroines I've ever read about. Lucien has every reason to be a tormented hero, but instead of punishing himself, he's simply closed himself off to all emotion. But Zoe changes all that, and soon he turns into one of most besotted husbands in England.

The only drawback to this story is the suspense plot that arises near the end: it wasn't really necessary and it really drew away from the wonderful emotional tension that was building. It was a quick way to draw the emotions out of Lucien, but I would have preferred to see the change come from internal conflict rather than external. B+(less)

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Jul 13, 2010 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

This is the second book I read by Chase. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Mr. Impossible, but it was worth a read. The premise is a little far fetched, but interesting enough that I can over look that. Zoe Lexham, the heroine, was abducted as a young girl and sold into white slavery in a harem. She escapes as a woman and returns to England, where here father's adopted son must help her become respectable again - the only problem is that he can't keep his hands off of her. While she is still a...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" rated it 5 of 5 stars

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!! I could not put this book down. Zoe the herione of the story is kidnapped at age 12 while touring Egypt with her parents. Zoe is sold to a harem, 12 years later she escapes and returns to England. What made this story for me is that Zoe was not raped or abused, which shows you can have a sad story without writting about rape and abuse to women, THANK YOU LORETTA CHASE!!! Lucien Duke of Marchmont the hero, was raised by Zoe's parents, her father Lord Lexham was Lucien's g...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Melowin rated it 4 of 5 stars

The hook at the beginning of this book was delightful - who is she? And then it's solved quickly, she is the lost daughter Zoe, who has spent the last 12 years (since she was 12 years old) living in a harem in Cairo as a second wife and prisoner to the pasha's sickly son. Technically a virgin, but "trained int he ways of pleasing men" - she presents a serious temptation to Lucien, Duke of Marchmont and childhood friend of Zoe. Her Arabic-thinking, English-speaking ways are just different enough...more

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Jul 16, 2009 Jackie rated it 1 of 5 stars

An odd and to me offensive book, one that feels as if the talented Chase just mailed it in. Drawing on the white slavery trope, the novel features a girl kidnapped in Egypt at the age of 12 and given as a "wife" to an impotent prince. Escaping at the age of 24, Zoe returns to England but needs to find a powerful husband in order to take her rightful place in ton society. That a girl who was kidnapped at 12, who stayed in another culture for 12 more years, and who was taught about sexuality in a...more

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About Loretta Chase

I attended New England public schools. We diagrammed sentences. We were drilled in spelling and grammar. This brutal process proved useful in later life. It turned out that everything they taught me in school--including the evil word problems in math--was useful in later life. Too bad I forgot most of it.

My career at Clark University was not short. After earning a B.A. in only twice the usual time...more

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Books by Loretta Chase

Silk Is For Seduction (The Dressmakers, #1)

Mr. Impossible (Carsington Brothers, #2)

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Quotes from Don't Tempt Me

“He cleared his throat, "Zoe, i think you said you love me."
"I did say it. I do love you with all my heart."
"I see." There was a long pause, then he said, "For how long has this been going on?"
"I don't know," she said, "Sometimes i think it started a long, long time ago."
"You might have mentioned it."
"I didn't want to encourage it," she said, "I thought it was a bad idea.” — 8 people liked it

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