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All About Seduction
She had never known passion like this...
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover—at her husband's command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired—except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever.
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover—at her husband's command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired—except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2011
4 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Katy Madison
28 books62 followersKaty Madison has always loved stories. As a child she was always lugging a book around. At the age of eight, after
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a romance novel. Katy fell in love with the romance genre. She quickly found where her mother hid the rest and began sneaking them out to read. She cut her eye teeth on books by Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart, not to mention dozens of Barbara Cartland’s. With a nod to great Gothic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Katy offers up her gothic romance Tainted by Temptation.
Katy Madison having gone through over a hundred Nancy Drew mysteries, all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books—at least twice—and many others including her full weekly allotment of library books, Katy went to her mother and begged for a new book to read. Her frustrated mother handed her a romance novel. Katy fell in love with the romance genre. She quickly found where her mother hid the rest and began sneaking them out to read. She cut her eye teeth on books by Georgette Heyer and Mary Stewart, not to mention dozens of Barbara Cartland’s. With a nod to great Gothic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Katy offers up her gothic romance Tainted by Temptation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 18, 2011
When I picked up this book, I didn’t remember anything about the plot. So when I first started reading this, I was feeling very (VERY) iffy about the plot, as it’s one of my least favorite premises. But I was surprised at how much I loved the characters.
Caro is unhappily married to a man who has outlived his first two wives. Desperately wishing for an heir (let’s be clear: a girl child is unacceptable), her husband has given her an ultimatum: sleep with another man and get with child, or lose your inheritance. Faced with an increasingly abusive husband, a well-meaning but misguided family, and losing everything that she had worked to achieve, she has difficult decisions to make, one of which is her growing attraction to a mill worker (Jack). I really liked her; while I was frustrated with the choices she had to make, I liked her thoughtfulness and intelligence. There was no easy choice, and I found it a chilling reminder of how little rights women had.
Jack Applegate has lived at home for too long, supporting his father’s bad habits and his many siblings. He’s worked hard, saved, and knows it is time to cut ties and attempt his dreams. A mill worker, he wants more than to slave away for someone else. He hopes to be successful and have an income on his own. But fate steps in and throws him into Caro’s arms, and he has to deal with the growing (and mutual) attraction to another man’s wife.
Madison didn’t hide that Jack was not educated beyond rudimentary reading and math skills; this was no “he’s poor but secretly remarkably well read.” He has worked hard for his family, at the expense of that type of learning – but that doesn’t mean he isn’t remarkably intelligent or worthy of her (and his fellow workers) respect.
Their relationship went from strength-to-strength. In a way they are both prisoners of society: she by virtue of being a woman and him by virtue of being born to laborers. Their chemistry was palpable and I appreciated the build up to their physical relationship.
I can’t wait to read another book by her!
Caro is unhappily married to a man who has outlived his first two wives. Desperately wishing for an heir (let’s be clear: a girl child is unacceptable), her husband has given her an ultimatum: sleep with another man and get with child, or lose your inheritance. Faced with an increasingly abusive husband, a well-meaning but misguided family, and losing everything that she had worked to achieve, she has difficult decisions to make, one of which is her growing attraction to a mill worker (Jack). I really liked her; while I was frustrated with the choices she had to make, I liked her thoughtfulness and intelligence. There was no easy choice, and I found it a chilling reminder of how little rights women had.
Jack Applegate has lived at home for too long, supporting his father’s bad habits and his many siblings. He’s worked hard, saved, and knows it is time to cut ties and attempt his dreams. A mill worker, he wants more than to slave away for someone else. He hopes to be successful and have an income on his own. But fate steps in and throws him into Caro’s arms, and he has to deal with the growing (and mutual) attraction to another man’s wife.
Madison didn’t hide that Jack was not educated beyond rudimentary reading and math skills; this was no “he’s poor but secretly remarkably well read.” He has worked hard for his family, at the expense of that type of learning – but that doesn’t mean he isn’t remarkably intelligent or worthy of her (and his fellow workers) respect.
Their relationship went from strength-to-strength. In a way they are both prisoners of society: she by virtue of being a woman and him by virtue of being born to laborers. Their chemistry was palpable and I appreciated the build up to their physical relationship.
I can’t wait to read another book by her!
January 17, 2024
DNF pg. 145
I was interested in the plot for its uniqueness, and I liked that both the characters were nice people. But there was too much introspection from each of them, which made it seem like they weren't really talking much and just making shit up in their heads. Also, when the hero overhears that the heroine may get divorced, his first reaction is hope. Tf, bro? Given the difference in their stations, he should feel concerned for her, and not really have any hope that they'd marry. Idk, it just wasn't for me. But even with some typos and misused words in the beginning, there's still a possibility I might check out this author again.
I was interested in the plot for its uniqueness, and I liked that both the characters were nice people. But there was too much introspection from each of them, which made it seem like they weren't really talking much and just making shit up in their heads. Also, when the hero overhears that the heroine may get divorced, his first reaction is hope. Tf, bro? Given the difference in their stations, he should feel concerned for her, and not really have any hope that they'd marry. Idk, it just wasn't for me. But even with some typos and misused words in the beginning, there's still a possibility I might check out this author again.
July 30, 2012
All About Seduction starts off with an interesting premise... an aging mill owner who finds out he is infertile and desperate for a son to inherit forces his much younger wife to be unfaithful with men of his choosing. This plan comes unstuck when John Applegate an intelligent but uneducated and impoverished mill worker is injured and nursed back to his health by the said lady Caroline Broadhurst. The two had already been drawn to each other despite the differences in their wealth and standing and Caroline asks Jack to become the father of her child. Amid the setbacks of Caroline's adversity to sex because of her cold and cruel husband and Jack's injury and position in the world they fall in love. But how can they be together, she is married and he has not the means to look after her and their baby....
This is an engaging story but has some pacing problems which mean it is good but not great. The first half of the book is a little laborious as the author I think tries to emphasize the impossiblity of a relationship between them. When they finally are together it is not the stuff of dreams and fireworks immediately and although probably realistic because of the circumstances it again slows down the flow of the story. The resolution in the final quarter of the book then seems a little rushed and the problems of the difference in their social standing which were a big part of the story seem to melt away to nail down the HEA.
3.5 - 4 stars.
This is an engaging story but has some pacing problems which mean it is good but not great. The first half of the book is a little laborious as the author I think tries to emphasize the impossiblity of a relationship between them. When they finally are together it is not the stuff of dreams and fireworks immediately and although probably realistic because of the circumstances it again slows down the flow of the story. The resolution in the final quarter of the book then seems a little rushed and the problems of the difference in their social standing which were a big part of the story seem to melt away to nail down the HEA.
3.5 - 4 stars.
October 3, 2012
I like how different the story is. It's bold, dark and twisted. Caroline's husband deserves to be burn alive for his actions but alas, he got off way too easily.
I'm surprised at the rating this book is getting. I think it deserves higher than 3.33 (at the time of writing).
I'm surprised at the rating this book is getting. I think it deserves higher than 3.33 (at the time of writing).
dnf
November 14, 2025I liked this trope; a wife forced to sleep with someone else for breeding purposes due to her husband's fertility issues. The heroine is a lord's daughter and the wife of a wealthy merchant, and the hero is a mill worker. The gulf is way too wide. Somehow or rather, the story feels too far-fetched (the trope itself beggars belief), and I just couldn't get into the story. Enough said.
May 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. The story was well-written and and kept me gripped from about halfway onwards. The plot was really good and though this is, of course (as if the title doesn't say it all, let alone the cover) a romance, that element somehow seemed woven into the greater plot rather than just throwing a bit of plot in to make the romance interesting - do you know what I mean? Don't get me wrong: this is first and foremost a romance, but I loved that the author had taken the time to properly craft a story.
While we're speaking of plot, I would like to mention that I thought the ending seemed rushed. Apart from this I was really happy with the pace of the story and Madison's writing.
I mentioned the cover - and I think that's something that really surprised me when I started reading; the story is much more in depth than the cover would lead you to believe. The title and blurb also made me assume it was much lighter, flimsier stuff. That's not to say this was Lord of The Rings style or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the two love interests hadn't immediately felt burning need for each other within the first two chapters. There may have been sparks, but compared to the full on, raging bush-fire of lust and desire I'm accustomed to when reading romances, it was seriously tame, allowing it to flourish much more naturally.
Which leads me onto another point, about how realistic the story felt. I loved this aspect, and found it (I'm going to use a word that I find is so overused but necessary here) 'refreshing'. The focus on Caroline's distaste for sex was interesting and I really liked it - it made a nice change (although I feel it necessary to assuage any fears readers may have - she does come to enjoy it).
The characters in this were great. They felt like tangible people who have flaws, but who are not actually completely terrible (except I could NOT forgive Martha and Jack's father). Saying that, I didn't love Caroline - I know, I know, she's the main character, and if I don't like her then is there really much point in reading the book? Well yes, because it wasn't that I didn't like her, just that she wasn't my favourite lead character ever. It wasn't a huge deal, but I just sometimes wished she would come out with it for god's sake. I don't know, like I said it wasn't a huge deal and I got over it.
Aaaaand we FINALLY get to talk about Jack. I LOVE this character - not just because he's gorgeous, but because he felt real. I don't actually know how to describe him, but Madison created him to be a really good character in his own right - without having to rely on the fact that he is the love interest. Seriously, I think the characterisation of Jack was the best part about this story - and while I can't see this book being on my list of best books ever, it's definitely going on my list of some of my favourite romances - because of him.
Overall, a really good book, and I would recommend for lovers of romance (other than those addicted to the seriously trashy who might not really get into it without the instantaneous shared gazes of uncontrollable passion). Highly enjoyable and I will probably be reading it again.
While we're speaking of plot, I would like to mention that I thought the ending seemed rushed. Apart from this I was really happy with the pace of the story and Madison's writing.
I mentioned the cover - and I think that's something that really surprised me when I started reading; the story is much more in depth than the cover would lead you to believe. The title and blurb also made me assume it was much lighter, flimsier stuff. That's not to say this was Lord of The Rings style or anything, but I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the two love interests hadn't immediately felt burning need for each other within the first two chapters. There may have been sparks, but compared to the full on, raging bush-fire of lust and desire I'm accustomed to when reading romances, it was seriously tame, allowing it to flourish much more naturally.
Which leads me onto another point, about how realistic the story felt. I loved this aspect, and found it (I'm going to use a word that I find is so overused but necessary here) 'refreshing'. The focus on Caroline's distaste for sex was interesting and I really liked it - it made a nice change (although I feel it necessary to assuage any fears readers may have - she does come to enjoy it).
The characters in this were great. They felt like tangible people who have flaws, but who are not actually completely terrible (except I could NOT forgive Martha and Jack's father). Saying that, I didn't love Caroline - I know, I know, she's the main character, and if I don't like her then is there really much point in reading the book? Well yes, because it wasn't that I didn't like her, just that she wasn't my favourite lead character ever. It wasn't a huge deal, but I just sometimes wished she would come out with it for god's sake. I don't know, like I said it wasn't a huge deal and I got over it.
Aaaaand we FINALLY get to talk about Jack. I LOVE this character - not just because he's gorgeous, but because he felt real. I don't actually know how to describe him, but Madison created him to be a really good character in his own right - without having to rely on the fact that he is the love interest. Seriously, I think the characterisation of Jack was the best part about this story - and while I can't see this book being on my list of best books ever, it's definitely going on my list of some of my favourite romances - because of him.
Overall, a really good book, and I would recommend for lovers of romance (other than those addicted to the seriously trashy who might not really get into it without the instantaneous shared gazes of uncontrollable passion). Highly enjoyable and I will probably be reading it again.
October 28, 2011
Poor Caroline really took one for the team when she married old Mr Broadhurst. She was only 15 years old and he was 40 years her senior. Basically, her father sold her off and Broadhurst has been helping the family with finances ever since. In exchange, Caroline has forced herself to submit to his attentions for the past 15 years. Twice a week, every week, he has come to her bed, but never did she take pleasure from it --and never has it resulted in pregnancy.
Now that her husband is 70 years-old, he has decided he wants an heir. And he has demanded that Caroline sleep with another man to give him a son. She doesn't want to. Sex is horrible enough with one man --why would she endure it with another? But he forces her hand, cuts her out of his will and threatens to turn over his mill to a man even more unscrupulous than himself.
Broadhurst invites a group of noble men to the home for Caroline to choose from, but Jack --the only man who has ever caught her eye-- works in the mill. As the book begins, he is badly injured and she takes him into the Broadhurst home to convalesce. It's no big jump to guess where the story goes from there.
It's all kind of predictable. Caroline is uptight and terrible at seduction. But Jack is pretty solid hero material. I always enjoy it when the male lead thinks the leading lady is out of his reach. It was gratifying to see him finally catch a break, but it was a long time in coming. He had to suffer through most of the book. So did Caroline, come to think of it.
It took too long to get to the good stuff... and the author didn't tread much new ground. But the romance was fairly good. Comfortable and kind of familiar. 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Now that her husband is 70 years-old, he has decided he wants an heir. And he has demanded that Caroline sleep with another man to give him a son. She doesn't want to. Sex is horrible enough with one man --why would she endure it with another? But he forces her hand, cuts her out of his will and threatens to turn over his mill to a man even more unscrupulous than himself.
Broadhurst invites a group of noble men to the home for Caroline to choose from, but Jack --the only man who has ever caught her eye-- works in the mill. As the book begins, he is badly injured and she takes him into the Broadhurst home to convalesce. It's no big jump to guess where the story goes from there.
It's all kind of predictable. Caroline is uptight and terrible at seduction. But Jack is pretty solid hero material. I always enjoy it when the male lead thinks the leading lady is out of his reach. It was gratifying to see him finally catch a break, but it was a long time in coming. He had to suffer through most of the book. So did Caroline, come to think of it.
It took too long to get to the good stuff... and the author didn't tread much new ground. But the romance was fairly good. Comfortable and kind of familiar. 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
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October 31, 2011I'm giving up on this one. What started out as a possible gem turned into frustration.
The premise was interesting, Caroline Broadhurst wants a child. Her husband a heartless man in business and his personal life wants to force Caro into having an affair so he can get his heir. After all he became a successful and wealthy businessman (it was hinted at that this was probably not obtained honestly). Even though he had money he couldn't gain acceptance from the ton. He was tolerated once he bought his bride, Caro. Her father sold her off basically to save her family from financial ruin, provide doweries for her younger beautiful sisters, and continue to support the family annually.
What turns out to be Mr. Broadhurt's failure at conceiving, he proposes Caro has an affair in exchange for young children at the cloth mill they own to be educated instead of work in the mill. Caroline cares for the mill workers and wants to implement safety measures. She learns through her marriage to run the mill, but learns she will inherit nothing, not even a widow's inheritance if she does not have a son. It really is devil's bargain.
I had to give up on this book with the constant misunderstandings and assumptions the characters took. It was over the top.
I did really like the potential hero Jack Applegate. A mill worker who is smart and is trying to better his life by rising above his circumstances. He is infatuated with Caro. I just know that he could provide the love and happiness she has not had in her life, I just can't read any more over the top plot devices. I don't recommend this one to other historical romance fans.
The premise was interesting, Caroline Broadhurst wants a child. Her husband a heartless man in business and his personal life wants to force Caro into having an affair so he can get his heir. After all he became a successful and wealthy businessman (it was hinted at that this was probably not obtained honestly). Even though he had money he couldn't gain acceptance from the ton. He was tolerated once he bought his bride, Caro. Her father sold her off basically to save her family from financial ruin, provide doweries for her younger beautiful sisters, and continue to support the family annually.
What turns out to be Mr. Broadhurt's failure at conceiving, he proposes Caro has an affair in exchange for young children at the cloth mill they own to be educated instead of work in the mill. Caroline cares for the mill workers and wants to implement safety measures. She learns through her marriage to run the mill, but learns she will inherit nothing, not even a widow's inheritance if she does not have a son. It really is devil's bargain.
I had to give up on this book with the constant misunderstandings and assumptions the characters took. It was over the top.
I did really like the potential hero Jack Applegate. A mill worker who is smart and is trying to better his life by rising above his circumstances. He is infatuated with Caro. I just know that he could provide the love and happiness she has not had in her life, I just can't read any more over the top plot devices. I don't recommend this one to other historical romance fans.
July 26, 2016
More like a B- but hey - guess that's 4 stars! :D
March 28, 2020
I don't think I liked this book at any point, but I liked Caroline and I liked Jack. Just not their story. And what a nicely tied up little ending. Not my thing.
September 1, 2011
All About Seduction – Katy Madison
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover -- at her husband's command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired -- except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever. .
Katy Madison has written a beautiful story that teaches a woman how to feel passion and how to feel loved.
As the title suggests it is all about seduction. I loved how Katy set the story in England during the time of Queen Victoria. The setting of the Mill was a great way to the different class during that period and I found it really helped to distinguish the differences in the characters by the way they spoke and by the way they lived and worked.
My favourite character was Caroline because I found her to be the most intriguing person because I found her to be different from those around her. I got a sense of her wanting society to be seen as equals. She wanted to make so many changes to her husband’s mill to keep the children safe and to help them get an education while her husband didn’t like the changes she was making, he didn’t think she was capable of running his Mill.
My favourite part of the book was the developing relationship between Caroline and the injured Mill worker Jack Applegate. I loved how they both wanted each other but at the same time they didn’t feel worthy of the other. Throughout the book they tried to avoid each other but love prevailed in the end.
I found this book to be delicate and seducing as well as highly moving. This book is well worth reading.
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover -- at her husband's command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired -- except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever. .
Katy Madison has written a beautiful story that teaches a woman how to feel passion and how to feel loved.
As the title suggests it is all about seduction. I loved how Katy set the story in England during the time of Queen Victoria. The setting of the Mill was a great way to the different class during that period and I found it really helped to distinguish the differences in the characters by the way they spoke and by the way they lived and worked.
My favourite character was Caroline because I found her to be the most intriguing person because I found her to be different from those around her. I got a sense of her wanting society to be seen as equals. She wanted to make so many changes to her husband’s mill to keep the children safe and to help them get an education while her husband didn’t like the changes she was making, he didn’t think she was capable of running his Mill.
My favourite part of the book was the developing relationship between Caroline and the injured Mill worker Jack Applegate. I loved how they both wanted each other but at the same time they didn’t feel worthy of the other. Throughout the book they tried to avoid each other but love prevailed in the end.
I found this book to be delicate and seducing as well as highly moving. This book is well worth reading.
October 12, 2016
I'm afraid to even start telling you about ALL ABOUT SEDUCTION. You might find me tripping all over myself while gushing and praising this author that, low and behold, I NEVER read before!
What an oversight on my part!
The blurb adequately describes the story, and while this plot has been done before and as recently as Loraine Heath's WAKING UP WITH THE DUKE, Ms. Madison's take on the plot is still unique and surprising. I found the story well written, characters three-dimensional, as well as the time and the situation our hero and heroine find themselves in, very realistically portrayed. Their feelings for each other, their treatment of one another, was very touching and full of raw emotion.
Caroline's loyalty to her husband, even after he demands she take a lover to get pregnant with an heir, is commendable; but her strength is shaken while torn between that loyalty, desire for the one man she could never have, and her overwhelming desire for a child. The humiliation she endures at some of the ‘aristocratic gentlemen' of her husband's choosing is painful, and it almost breaks her resolve while making the reader fume.
To say that Jack Applegate is your typical hero is an understatement. The handsome, young man we meet comes from a huge family, is poor, hardworking, and thoroughly down on his luck. Yet he's got dreams and a plan to better himself, to basically pull himself out of this Godforsaken place and make his fortune in manufacturing. Then the unthinkable happens, and our hero is faced with life-changing decisions that will make or break his future.
Jack and Caroline embark on a journey of discovery that is not to be missed. While Caroline finally connects to her passionate nature, Jack learns that determination and perseverance are his strengths, and no matter what or who stands in his way, he will prevail.
If you've never read this author, please seek her work out. I highly recommend this emotional story of unique and tender love that impressed me to a point that I was sure to track down the author's previous book, TAINTED BY TEMPTATION, and add it to my TBR shelf.
Melanie
What an oversight on my part!
The blurb adequately describes the story, and while this plot has been done before and as recently as Loraine Heath's WAKING UP WITH THE DUKE, Ms. Madison's take on the plot is still unique and surprising. I found the story well written, characters three-dimensional, as well as the time and the situation our hero and heroine find themselves in, very realistically portrayed. Their feelings for each other, their treatment of one another, was very touching and full of raw emotion.
Caroline's loyalty to her husband, even after he demands she take a lover to get pregnant with an heir, is commendable; but her strength is shaken while torn between that loyalty, desire for the one man she could never have, and her overwhelming desire for a child. The humiliation she endures at some of the ‘aristocratic gentlemen' of her husband's choosing is painful, and it almost breaks her resolve while making the reader fume.
To say that Jack Applegate is your typical hero is an understatement. The handsome, young man we meet comes from a huge family, is poor, hardworking, and thoroughly down on his luck. Yet he's got dreams and a plan to better himself, to basically pull himself out of this Godforsaken place and make his fortune in manufacturing. Then the unthinkable happens, and our hero is faced with life-changing decisions that will make or break his future.
Jack and Caroline embark on a journey of discovery that is not to be missed. While Caroline finally connects to her passionate nature, Jack learns that determination and perseverance are his strengths, and no matter what or who stands in his way, he will prevail.
If you've never read this author, please seek her work out. I highly recommend this emotional story of unique and tender love that impressed me to a point that I was sure to track down the author's previous book, TAINTED BY TEMPTATION, and add it to my TBR shelf.
Melanie
August 18, 2011
The premise of this book was pretty interesting to me. It is set in a time where birthright was everything and obtaining heirs was one of the primary motivations for marriage. It's almost unimaginable that any wealthy man in this society would intentionally scheme to have his wife become pregnant by another man (although I've since read another book that takes place in this time period and has much the same motivation behind the meeting of the protagonists - review forthcoming). As in many romance novels that begin with a married heroine or hero (although it's usually the heroine), Caroline's first husband was not good to her. He didn't treat her well, and belittled all that she'd done to help him in his business.
Enter Jack, the factory worker/engineer who'd noticed Caroline from afar and had been content limit their contact to longing looks, until fate (and an accident) threw them together. Jack was almost too good to be true. His home life had reached Dickensian levels of awfulness, but he persevered out of love for his hundreds of siblings. Good old Jack. At the novel's opening, Jack had decided that he'd sacrificed enough for his family and was ready to start doing things in service of his own ambition when TRAGEDY! STRUCK! I have so say that Jack and Caroline's unrelenting goodness began to grate on me early in the book, and that their affair was so innocuous when compared to all the evils perpetrated in this book that it barely made a blip on my Sinometer.
This book was interesting enough when I read it, but even a couple of weeks later, I'm having trouble grasping at details that should be obvious. There's just not a lot to hold on to when it comes to this book. You know that Caroline's husband is going to die, just not how, and that Jack will persevere, just now how. Honestly, the journey wasn't captivating enough for the details to remain with me.
If you're looking for a quick historical that will pluck your class-warfare-loving heartstrings, this will do until you find something better, but I wouldn't expect too much from this book.
2.5 Stars
Enter Jack, the factory worker/engineer who'd noticed Caroline from afar and had been content limit their contact to longing looks, until fate (and an accident) threw them together. Jack was almost too good to be true. His home life had reached Dickensian levels of awfulness, but he persevered out of love for his hundreds of siblings. Good old Jack. At the novel's opening, Jack had decided that he'd sacrificed enough for his family and was ready to start doing things in service of his own ambition when TRAGEDY! STRUCK! I have so say that Jack and Caroline's unrelenting goodness began to grate on me early in the book, and that their affair was so innocuous when compared to all the evils perpetrated in this book that it barely made a blip on my Sinometer.
This book was interesting enough when I read it, but even a couple of weeks later, I'm having trouble grasping at details that should be obvious. There's just not a lot to hold on to when it comes to this book. You know that Caroline's husband is going to die, just not how, and that Jack will persevere, just now how. Honestly, the journey wasn't captivating enough for the details to remain with me.
If you're looking for a quick historical that will pluck your class-warfare-loving heartstrings, this will do until you find something better, but I wouldn't expect too much from this book.
2.5 Stars
January 21, 2012
Caroline has been married to her husband for 15 years. He is old enough to be her grandfather, has had 2 previous wives who have died in rather 'unusual' circumstances. Now, after all this time Mr. Broadhurst has decided he wants and heir to pass on his wealth and business to. Unfortunately for Caroline, he's unable to provide her with the means to do so.
Behind her back, her husband contacts her brother. He enlists his help in organizing a party with men who might just help with their cause. The thought of all of this disgusts Caroline and can not find a way to change her husbands mind. Leaving her with no choice but to seduce a man willing to sleep with a married woman.
I felt for Caroline, I wouldn't want any woman to be put in that situation. Threatened by her husband, she will lose everything if she doesn't agree to his terms. Put in a difficult situation she tries to make the best of it - until she meets Jack. An employee who has admired her from a far and is now injured and staying at the main house.
There were aspects of this story I didn't like, mainly the situation that Caroline was in. She was a great character who in the end gets her Happily Ever After. She definitely has to work for it and overcome some pretty big hurdles. I love Katy Madison's books and while the theme wasn't my most favorite I did enjoy the book.
Behind her back, her husband contacts her brother. He enlists his help in organizing a party with men who might just help with their cause. The thought of all of this disgusts Caroline and can not find a way to change her husbands mind. Leaving her with no choice but to seduce a man willing to sleep with a married woman.
I felt for Caroline, I wouldn't want any woman to be put in that situation. Threatened by her husband, she will lose everything if she doesn't agree to his terms. Put in a difficult situation she tries to make the best of it - until she meets Jack. An employee who has admired her from a far and is now injured and staying at the main house.
There were aspects of this story I didn't like, mainly the situation that Caroline was in. She was a great character who in the end gets her Happily Ever After. She definitely has to work for it and overcome some pretty big hurdles. I love Katy Madison's books and while the theme wasn't my most favorite I did enjoy the book.
September 16, 2011
Blue Blooded Caroline Broadhurst was basically sold as a 15 year old to Mr. Broadhurst to be his bride as long as he continued to support her family. After 15 years of marriage Caroline still has not had a baby and she assumes she can not get pregnant. One day Mr. Broadhurst confronts Caroline stating that he is the reason they have not had a baby and he wants her to seduce a gentleman and give him an heir to leave his fortune to. If she doesn't abide by his plans she and her family will be left destitute without a penny to their names. She decides to go along with the plan if for no other reason than being able to run the mill which has become a passion to her. Mr. Applegate who is a mill worker that Caroline has observed from afar injures himself on the machinery and has to have major surgery. Caroline feels partially responsible for his injury due to him having done it at the mill brings him to the Broadhurst mansion to recover. In between trying to seduce the gentleman who brother brings for a hunting excursion and taking care of Jack, she comes to a cross roads and has to make a decision that could change her life forever. This was definately a good read and ha heart warming romance.
November 1, 2011
All in all, I think this book is much less than it could have been. The premise seemed itneresting, but unfortunately, that's all it did - seem interesting. The book was much less so.
Every single secondary character in this tale was despicable - from Jack's pathetic family to Caroline's pathetic family and all the people in-between. Caroline was also rather a doormat at times.
All in all, the story was like this review, lackluster. :(
*I received this eARC/ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Every single secondary character in this tale was despicable - from Jack's pathetic family to Caroline's pathetic family and all the people in-between. Caroline was also rather a doormat at times.
All in all, the story was like this review, lackluster. :(
*I received this eARC/ebook free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2024
I’ve been itching for more dark HR after reading a few controversial ones such as Patricia Gaffney’s To Have And To Hold and Anna Campbell’s Claiming The Courtesan. I’ve grown tired of whoring / gambling rakes and shy 2 spinterish wallflowers which have been done seven ways to Sundays! I’m glad I’ve come across Katy Madison’s All About Seduction because it scratches every itch that needs to be scratched for a long while now.
Reading this from a contemporary eye, this story has some parts that may hurt and offend one’s sensibilities but you have to delve into this book with an open mind and discretion that it’s purely fictional and fantasy. While I don’t condone a lot of things here, I do enjoy the characters as there are so many nuances and depths to them it feels as if they are alive. I can’t help sympathising with both Caroline and Jack as they’re both prisoners to their circumstances of birth. Caroline is a gentle bred lady who is ‘imprisoned’ within the confine of her lavish home only to be used and abused by her elderly husband (of whom she has been forced to marry and breed him an heir since she was 15!). Jack is a poor millworker working at Caroline’s husband’s mill factory who needs to support his 5 siblings and stepmother for as long as he has lived. He has been working meagre jobs since 8 years old. He has been smitten with Caroline when she first got married to Broadhurst and never stop loving her since.
I won’t spoil much about what happens afterwards but you get the gist of the story based on the blurbs. Be warned that this story may be difficult to digest for many as it’s really not an easy read. There are attempts of rape, forced seduction and abuse on Caroline by many other men propositioned by her husband in attempts to get her pregnant due to his barren condition. It’s very heartbreaking to see Caroline being puppeted around for the past 15 years of marriage to Broadhurts and it kills Jack to see the woman he loves being thoroughly abused when he’s helpless to do anything else due to his station.
While the HEA is so damn satisfying, I’m echoing other reader’s sentiments here that the husband definitely got off easily and he deserve to have his ball sacks crushed by the gears at than factory just like how Jack’s ankles got mangled.
Reading this from a contemporary eye, this story has some parts that may hurt and offend one’s sensibilities but you have to delve into this book with an open mind and discretion that it’s purely fictional and fantasy. While I don’t condone a lot of things here, I do enjoy the characters as there are so many nuances and depths to them it feels as if they are alive. I can’t help sympathising with both Caroline and Jack as they’re both prisoners to their circumstances of birth. Caroline is a gentle bred lady who is ‘imprisoned’ within the confine of her lavish home only to be used and abused by her elderly husband (of whom she has been forced to marry and breed him an heir since she was 15!). Jack is a poor millworker working at Caroline’s husband’s mill factory who needs to support his 5 siblings and stepmother for as long as he has lived. He has been working meagre jobs since 8 years old. He has been smitten with Caroline when she first got married to Broadhurst and never stop loving her since.
I won’t spoil much about what happens afterwards but you get the gist of the story based on the blurbs. Be warned that this story may be difficult to digest for many as it’s really not an easy read. There are attempts of rape, forced seduction and abuse on Caroline by many other men propositioned by her husband in attempts to get her pregnant due to his barren condition. It’s very heartbreaking to see Caroline being puppeted around for the past 15 years of marriage to Broadhurts and it kills Jack to see the woman he loves being thoroughly abused when he’s helpless to do anything else due to his station.
While the HEA is so damn satisfying, I’m echoing other reader’s sentiments here that the husband definitely got off easily and he deserve to have his ball sacks crushed by the gears at than factory just like how Jack’s ankles got mangled.
Read
July 5, 2025This was like a Lady Chatterley rewrite but less socially aware. Like yes it was conscious of class differences but it was all very focused on upward mobility, and 'if you're smart enough and work hard enough, you can escape poverty!'. Also thought it was bizarre that the changing price of cotton coming from the US was such a key plot point but not ONCE did they acknowledge JUST WHY THE COTTON MIGHT BE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.
You don't have to have your characters personally tackling slavery but you should probs acknowledge it when that's so central a part of the book?? Especially when so much of the book is about class difference, and the mill workers being underpaid - like umm. Okay. No thought to where the cotton comes from except for a vague concern about dwindling supply if there's a war?? The romance itself was fine, this just bugged me and I could not see past it.
You don't have to have your characters personally tackling slavery but you should probs acknowledge it when that's so central a part of the book?? Especially when so much of the book is about class difference, and the mill workers being underpaid - like umm. Okay. No thought to where the cotton comes from except for a vague concern about dwindling supply if there's a war?? The romance itself was fine, this just bugged me and I could not see past it.
June 21, 2017
well written with a feminist sub-theme. I was annoyed by the way the characters communicated, but that has to be blamed on the setting of the book (regency England) and not the authors want of torturing the reader.
March 23, 2019
The beginning is a little slow/boring, but then it gets a lot better.
October 26, 2011
***Original review posted at Romancing Rakes***
Let me preface this review by asking you, who have read this book and loved it, to please don't tear me a new one. It's not that I didn't like this book, it just started off way too disgusting for me. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that I've read a book with this plot.
Basically, Caroline has been married for 15 years to Mr. Broadhurst and never once, have they conceived a child. Okay, you're thinking, maybe she's infertile. Nope, Mr. Broadhurst has been married three times and has never once gotten any of his past wives with child. That tells you it's his problem and to top it off, there's suspicion as to what happened to those past wives due to the fact no children were brought forth.
Here's where the ick factor comes in. Mr. Broadhurst writes to Caroline's brother to arrange a party, in which she will seduce one of the gentlemen to have a baby with. He wants an heir to carry on the family name and run the mill, and is willing to claim some other man's child as his own to do so. Then, I find out that Caroline was married to him when she was 15. Um, eww. He was old enough to be her grandfather at the beginning of their marriage. I know that this happened during that time period. Fine. But Caroline has been faithful and endured nightly visits for 15 years and her husband will leave her with nothing if she doesn't agree to have a child with someone else. Caroline is horrified by this. She can't bring herself to commit adultery and her inner turmoil is apparent when she hesitantly tries to lure a few of the gentlemen into a secret tryst.
And cue in the dashing hero, Jack Applegate. Plot twist! He's a mill worker who has been pining for Caroline since first seeing her stepping down from the carriage to attend church, 15 years ago. Jack wants to make a better life for himself and has a plan, until his leg gets caught in the machinery. His dreams of going to London to present a business plan is put on hold, indefinitely it seems, to recover from the accident.
The accident brings Caroline and Jack closer together yet, they must fight their feelings. A lady of noble blood and a mill worker are not meant to fall in love. He's thinking sexy thoughts about her, which he shouldn't. She's thinking sexy thoughts about him, which she should. There's a lot of will they, won't they but in the end, my will to continue reading this book (I was about to stop at 50%) paid off.
At times I wanted Broadhurst to die suddenly, Caroline and Jack to conceive a baby while Broadhurst was on his deathbed, he would change his will and Caroline and Jack would live happily ever after. Never have I ever hated a character so much as I have hated Broadhurst. I kept asking why would he do that? I understand the need to have an heir, but Broadhurst could have gone back on his deal, gotten someone to kill the gentleman that fathered the baby and thrown Caroline out on the street for adultery, even though he suggested it in the first place. At other times, I wanted to slap Caroline in the face, shake her and scream "stand up for yourself!" I mean, she did try to but after hearing that her husband may have offed his last two wives, she could have tried to dig up some dirt and blackmail him into changing his will. I know that's wrong but come on! Wouldn't you have tried to do something? Her brother even mentioned some sort of papers their father had. If it was me, I would have wanted to look at those papers.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "She had been bartered, but brides had been bartered since time immemorial. Women of her class had a dynastic duty to uphold. They were brokered for power, for land, and for money. Her upbringing had prepared her for that. Only those with nothing to gain or lose could choose freely. She envied the simplicity of his world, where he could marry for love." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: I'm glad I gave this book a chance. In a time of arranged marriages, gaps in social class and money and bloodlines are a social currency, Jack and Caroline are able to overcome those obstacles towards a HEA. At times, the continuous mention of Caroline not wanting to seduce any of the men made me want to tear my hair out and scream 'Do something about it! Find some dirt on your asshat of a husband!' As for the social class difference between Caroline and Jack and the constant need to point that out and use it as a barrier, was only delaying their happily ever after. I did feel bad when Broadhurst kicked the bucket and waited for lightning to strike after wishing throughout the book. Okay, but only a little. I will read another book by Ms. Madison.
***review book provided by NetGalley***
Let me preface this review by asking you, who have read this book and loved it, to please don't tear me a new one. It's not that I didn't like this book, it just started off way too disgusting for me. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that I've read a book with this plot.
Basically, Caroline has been married for 15 years to Mr. Broadhurst and never once, have they conceived a child. Okay, you're thinking, maybe she's infertile. Nope, Mr. Broadhurst has been married three times and has never once gotten any of his past wives with child. That tells you it's his problem and to top it off, there's suspicion as to what happened to those past wives due to the fact no children were brought forth.
Here's where the ick factor comes in. Mr. Broadhurst writes to Caroline's brother to arrange a party, in which she will seduce one of the gentlemen to have a baby with. He wants an heir to carry on the family name and run the mill, and is willing to claim some other man's child as his own to do so. Then, I find out that Caroline was married to him when she was 15. Um, eww. He was old enough to be her grandfather at the beginning of their marriage. I know that this happened during that time period. Fine. But Caroline has been faithful and endured nightly visits for 15 years and her husband will leave her with nothing if she doesn't agree to have a child with someone else. Caroline is horrified by this. She can't bring herself to commit adultery and her inner turmoil is apparent when she hesitantly tries to lure a few of the gentlemen into a secret tryst.
And cue in the dashing hero, Jack Applegate. Plot twist! He's a mill worker who has been pining for Caroline since first seeing her stepping down from the carriage to attend church, 15 years ago. Jack wants to make a better life for himself and has a plan, until his leg gets caught in the machinery. His dreams of going to London to present a business plan is put on hold, indefinitely it seems, to recover from the accident.
The accident brings Caroline and Jack closer together yet, they must fight their feelings. A lady of noble blood and a mill worker are not meant to fall in love. He's thinking sexy thoughts about her, which he shouldn't. She's thinking sexy thoughts about him, which she should. There's a lot of will they, won't they but in the end, my will to continue reading this book (I was about to stop at 50%) paid off.
At times I wanted Broadhurst to die suddenly, Caroline and Jack to conceive a baby while Broadhurst was on his deathbed, he would change his will and Caroline and Jack would live happily ever after. Never have I ever hated a character so much as I have hated Broadhurst. I kept asking why would he do that? I understand the need to have an heir, but Broadhurst could have gone back on his deal, gotten someone to kill the gentleman that fathered the baby and thrown Caroline out on the street for adultery, even though he suggested it in the first place. At other times, I wanted to slap Caroline in the face, shake her and scream "stand up for yourself!" I mean, she did try to but after hearing that her husband may have offed his last two wives, she could have tried to dig up some dirt and blackmail him into changing his will. I know that's wrong but come on! Wouldn't you have tried to do something? Her brother even mentioned some sort of papers their father had. If it was me, I would have wanted to look at those papers.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "She had been bartered, but brides had been bartered since time immemorial. Women of her class had a dynastic duty to uphold. They were brokered for power, for land, and for money. Her upbringing had prepared her for that. Only those with nothing to gain or lose could choose freely. She envied the simplicity of his world, where he could marry for love." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: I'm glad I gave this book a chance. In a time of arranged marriages, gaps in social class and money and bloodlines are a social currency, Jack and Caroline are able to overcome those obstacles towards a HEA. At times, the continuous mention of Caroline not wanting to seduce any of the men made me want to tear my hair out and scream 'Do something about it! Find some dirt on your asshat of a husband!' As for the social class difference between Caroline and Jack and the constant need to point that out and use it as a barrier, was only delaying their happily ever after. I did feel bad when Broadhurst kicked the bucket and waited for lightning to strike after wishing throughout the book. Okay, but only a little. I will read another book by Ms. Madison.
***review book provided by NetGalley***
November 10, 2011
This was my first book by Katy Madison. I am still conflicted in my feelings towards this book even though I still liked it overall. There were some good things and there were some bad things but it balanced out enough to make me want to read more by Katy Madison.
When Caroline is summoned to her husbands office one day, she never expected to hear the proposal he brought to the table. He wants a child --which Caroline also desperately wants -- but he is sterile. After fifteen years of marriage, Caroline thought it was her unable to conceive a child. What he proposes is for her to sleep with men of his choosing that is brought to their home and have one of them father the child. Caroline was very young when she married her much older husband. She has never enjoyed sex and can't stand the act of it. Her husband has always been rough and uncaring when it comes to lovemaking. Even with these feelings towards sex, she still has been a proper wife and never had affairs or improper acts with anyone else. The only way she will receive any money if her husband passes away is if she provides him with an heir.
Let me start with the things I did not like about this book so we can get them out of the way. First her husband is way older than her -- considering he is as old as a grandfather would be. Two, what kind of husband would make you sleep with other men --strangers no less-- just to provide a baby instead of adopting? Three, I hate how he made her do this, but then he got enraged when he suspects she actually did it! I understand this is a historical romance and things were done differently in those times, but the whole story was a little far fetched for me.
Now lets touch on the good things about the book for me. I absolutely fell in head over heels for Jack. He was sweet, patient and tender which every woman would love to have in a man. He has always admired Caroline from afar, but since he was only a mill worker at her husbands mill, he knew he was not even close to the same class she was in. All Jack wants in life is a woman to love, a way to further his life financially to where he can provide for a family of his own, and a chance to be happy. When he crushes his ankle on a piece of mill equipment though, he knows his life is going to change for the worse. No one will want a cripple working for them and he will have to give up his dreams of being an inventor in London. He was protective of Caroline, but held back enough to know when to step in and when not to. He always pushed her to open up to him about her problems and to let him in.
So, everything balanced out for me in this book which left me with just a mediocre feeling about the book. I liked the characters of Caroline and Jack, but there were characters I despised just as much. The ending was wrapped up way too quickly and I felt it needed to stretch out further than just a few pages. I wills till read more by the author and I can't wait to see what other type of historical scandal she can bring to the table next, but I won't go as far to say as it was my favorite historical romance this year.
When Caroline is summoned to her husbands office one day, she never expected to hear the proposal he brought to the table. He wants a child --which Caroline also desperately wants -- but he is sterile. After fifteen years of marriage, Caroline thought it was her unable to conceive a child. What he proposes is for her to sleep with men of his choosing that is brought to their home and have one of them father the child. Caroline was very young when she married her much older husband. She has never enjoyed sex and can't stand the act of it. Her husband has always been rough and uncaring when it comes to lovemaking. Even with these feelings towards sex, she still has been a proper wife and never had affairs or improper acts with anyone else. The only way she will receive any money if her husband passes away is if she provides him with an heir.
Let me start with the things I did not like about this book so we can get them out of the way. First her husband is way older than her -- considering he is as old as a grandfather would be. Two, what kind of husband would make you sleep with other men --strangers no less-- just to provide a baby instead of adopting? Three, I hate how he made her do this, but then he got enraged when he suspects she actually did it! I understand this is a historical romance and things were done differently in those times, but the whole story was a little far fetched for me.
Now lets touch on the good things about the book for me. I absolutely fell in head over heels for Jack. He was sweet, patient and tender which every woman would love to have in a man. He has always admired Caroline from afar, but since he was only a mill worker at her husbands mill, he knew he was not even close to the same class she was in. All Jack wants in life is a woman to love, a way to further his life financially to where he can provide for a family of his own, and a chance to be happy. When he crushes his ankle on a piece of mill equipment though, he knows his life is going to change for the worse. No one will want a cripple working for them and he will have to give up his dreams of being an inventor in London. He was protective of Caroline, but held back enough to know when to step in and when not to. He always pushed her to open up to him about her problems and to let him in.
So, everything balanced out for me in this book which left me with just a mediocre feeling about the book. I liked the characters of Caroline and Jack, but there were characters I despised just as much. The ending was wrapped up way too quickly and I felt it needed to stretch out further than just a few pages. I wills till read more by the author and I can't wait to see what other type of historical scandal she can bring to the table next, but I won't go as far to say as it was my favorite historical romance this year.
November 29, 2011
Posted on Book Chelle.
My feelings are torn when it comes to this book. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure just how much I like it. The synopsis grabbed me, drawing my inner hopeless romantic out. All About Seduction was written with a historical theme, where opportunities were not freely given to women. It was a time set where women were married off to families who wanted prestige and sons. I can never fathom a time where a woman's ability to bear a child sets the future of the marriage. And I think that is the root of my problem.
In All About Seduction, Madison introduces us to Caroline, who is married to a man much, much older than her. In a time where women have no voice, Caroline struggles to fulfill her duty as a wife and as a woman. Her husband and her are sleeping in separate rooms and have not been intimate in some time. But after fifteen years of marriage, he longs for a child, enough that he propositions her.
You see, he's sterile, but he oh so desperately wants an heir to take over the mill and his property. He is so proud that he will not leave it to Caroline. But! He is even more desperate for an heir, that he proposes Caroline to sleep with men of his choosing. That's right. Caroline's husband wants Caroline to sleep with another man to produce an heir.
I can understand the time and the circumstances of society. I can understand marrying into a marriage, that lacks love, to fulfill family duty. Caroline's husband is a mean and uncaring and will use any means necessary to get what he wants. If he has stooped this low to get an heir, I shouldn't be surprised to see that he used guilt and deceit to get Caroline to agree. And Caroline is so loyal, so of course, she agrees.
The balance to Caroline's husband is Jack, most definitely. There was an accident at the mill that cause Jack to severely injure his leg. Caroline insisted that he stay at the house while they provide him the rest and medical care that he needs. He is warm and sweet, patient and kind, and what Caroline needs to find peace at the end of the day. Caroline, unbeknownst to her, plays a Florence Nightingale role, and slowly the two fall for each other.
The relationship between Caroline and Jack were strong, and I appreciate the fact that it wasn't instant love. I'm glad that there was a lot of reluctance for both parties. It made everything realistic, especially with this setting. Virtue, loyalty, duty...all great ingredients for a beautiful story.
There are many moments that warm up this book. There are strong emotions that are written through out the book, each one bringing you to a different level of joy and sadness. Madison challenged my perceptions of society and familiar duty, even if it was told through this historical romance.
My feelings are torn when it comes to this book. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure just how much I like it. The synopsis grabbed me, drawing my inner hopeless romantic out. All About Seduction was written with a historical theme, where opportunities were not freely given to women. It was a time set where women were married off to families who wanted prestige and sons. I can never fathom a time where a woman's ability to bear a child sets the future of the marriage. And I think that is the root of my problem.
In All About Seduction, Madison introduces us to Caroline, who is married to a man much, much older than her. In a time where women have no voice, Caroline struggles to fulfill her duty as a wife and as a woman. Her husband and her are sleeping in separate rooms and have not been intimate in some time. But after fifteen years of marriage, he longs for a child, enough that he propositions her.
You see, he's sterile, but he oh so desperately wants an heir to take over the mill and his property. He is so proud that he will not leave it to Caroline. But! He is even more desperate for an heir, that he proposes Caroline to sleep with men of his choosing. That's right. Caroline's husband wants Caroline to sleep with another man to produce an heir.
I can understand the time and the circumstances of society. I can understand marrying into a marriage, that lacks love, to fulfill family duty. Caroline's husband is a mean and uncaring and will use any means necessary to get what he wants. If he has stooped this low to get an heir, I shouldn't be surprised to see that he used guilt and deceit to get Caroline to agree. And Caroline is so loyal, so of course, she agrees.
The balance to Caroline's husband is Jack, most definitely. There was an accident at the mill that cause Jack to severely injure his leg. Caroline insisted that he stay at the house while they provide him the rest and medical care that he needs. He is warm and sweet, patient and kind, and what Caroline needs to find peace at the end of the day. Caroline, unbeknownst to her, plays a Florence Nightingale role, and slowly the two fall for each other.
The relationship between Caroline and Jack were strong, and I appreciate the fact that it wasn't instant love. I'm glad that there was a lot of reluctance for both parties. It made everything realistic, especially with this setting. Virtue, loyalty, duty...all great ingredients for a beautiful story.
There are many moments that warm up this book. There are strong emotions that are written through out the book, each one bringing you to a different level of joy and sadness. Madison challenged my perceptions of society and familiar duty, even if it was told through this historical romance.
April 21, 2015
The review that follows is a partial review. To read my full review, please visit: http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...
Caroline Broadhurst gave up everything for the sake of her family. When she was just 15 years old, she was married off—to a wealthy mill owner who was old enough to be her grandfather. For years now she has suffered his attentions. And worse she's never once gotten pregnant from them, the one thing she's always wanted. Suddenly her husband's health begins to take a turn for the worse, and with his age he worries that soon he will no longer be around. He wants an heir to continue his business and his name. There is just one problem: though he won't admit it to anyone else, he's sterile, something he has had to accept after three young wives over a span of three or four decades and no children from any of them. Determined to have a child, even if it won't technically be of his blood, he forces Caroline to choose a man (out of the ones he has picked out) and seduce him, and to keep doing so until she finds herself pregnant.
Jack Applegate is just a lowly mill worker for Mr. Broadhurst. But from the first day that he saw Caroline, back when she was a new bride, he's dreamed of a life with her—if only he had more to offer her. With no money, no home, no real future, how could he hope to win her over, little loan support her? When an unfortunate mill accident lands him on his back with a crushed ankle, he never would have guessed that Caroline may secretly have some feelings for him too—why else would she fight with her husband to keep Jack up at the main house until he has recovered? But while he's there he notices her flirting with the many gentlemen that are staying for the hunt, and he begins to wonder if perhaps he was wrong about the type of woman she is...
When she finally tells him the truth, he offers to help her; he may be injured, but, as he clearly reminds her, it is only his leg that is not working properly anymore. He's been dreaming of this for years, and now he finally has it: Caroline in his bed. But it's nowhere near what he dreamed of. Disgusted by the act, as well as used to the pain that it has caused her over the years, she is determined to use him only for his seed. No touching, no exploring, no kissing. It should sound like every man's dream experience, but in reality it's almost enough to make a man lose his excitement. Can he show Caroline that what they are doing is not a sin, and that when it is with someone you love it can be enjoyable?
....
~*~*~*
Review property of NightOwlReviews.com
Caroline Broadhurst gave up everything for the sake of her family. When she was just 15 years old, she was married off—to a wealthy mill owner who was old enough to be her grandfather. For years now she has suffered his attentions. And worse she's never once gotten pregnant from them, the one thing she's always wanted. Suddenly her husband's health begins to take a turn for the worse, and with his age he worries that soon he will no longer be around. He wants an heir to continue his business and his name. There is just one problem: though he won't admit it to anyone else, he's sterile, something he has had to accept after three young wives over a span of three or four decades and no children from any of them. Determined to have a child, even if it won't technically be of his blood, he forces Caroline to choose a man (out of the ones he has picked out) and seduce him, and to keep doing so until she finds herself pregnant.
Jack Applegate is just a lowly mill worker for Mr. Broadhurst. But from the first day that he saw Caroline, back when she was a new bride, he's dreamed of a life with her—if only he had more to offer her. With no money, no home, no real future, how could he hope to win her over, little loan support her? When an unfortunate mill accident lands him on his back with a crushed ankle, he never would have guessed that Caroline may secretly have some feelings for him too—why else would she fight with her husband to keep Jack up at the main house until he has recovered? But while he's there he notices her flirting with the many gentlemen that are staying for the hunt, and he begins to wonder if perhaps he was wrong about the type of woman she is...
When she finally tells him the truth, he offers to help her; he may be injured, but, as he clearly reminds her, it is only his leg that is not working properly anymore. He's been dreaming of this for years, and now he finally has it: Caroline in his bed. But it's nowhere near what he dreamed of. Disgusted by the act, as well as used to the pain that it has caused her over the years, she is determined to use him only for his seed. No touching, no exploring, no kissing. It should sound like every man's dream experience, but in reality it's almost enough to make a man lose his excitement. Can he show Caroline that what they are doing is not a sin, and that when it is with someone you love it can be enjoyable?
....
~*~*~*
Review property of NightOwlReviews.com
October 19, 2011
Caroline Broadhurst married her husband, who is 40 years older when she was only fifteen years old. Her marriage was arranged between her father and her husband, because the family needed the money and Mr. Broadhurst needed their connection in the ton. After 15 years of marriage Caroline is still child less, so her husband gives her an ultimatum. He wants an heir before he dies or every property and money will go to someone else.
Mr. Broadhurst tells her that he is the problem in this matter and he wants her to seduce a gentleman and get with child he can claim as his own. Caroline is not happy about it, but goes along with this plan, only because she wants to hold on to the mill.
When one of the mill workers Jack Applegate gets injured during his job in the mill, Caroline takes him into their home so she can supervise his recovery. In the meantime she is trying hard to seduce one of the gentlemen from the hunting group her brother brings over. But there is only one man who’ll start a fire inside her and hopefully he will help her out with the plan.
All About Seduction by Katy Madison is the first novel I read by her and I have to say that I have some mixed feelings about this book.
The storyline was good, but for some reason it didn’t captured me. Sometime I really wanted to put the book down and stop reading, but the curiosity won and I kept reading. I really believe the main characters Caroline and Jack were both weak in this book. Of course I know that the settlings takes place in the regency time and that the behaviour of men and women are different then we have now. But I just expected more between them.
One thing I didn’t like was the marriage between Mr. Broadhurst and Caroline. I understand that her marriage was arranged and that there was no love. But the way he treats her and she just take it, was more than I could handle. I also don’t understand why the heck she keeps calling him sir or Mr. Broadhurst, they have been married for 15 year. You would think that in private you call your husband by his first name.
I can understand that Caroline goes along with the plan her husband demands of her, but when she finally seduce Jack, the man she really loves, she doesn’t follow her heart and tell him.
The love story between Jack and Caroline took too long to develop. To me the story was more about Caroline getting blackmailed by her husband, then her finally fall in love for the first time.
I have to be honest, I’m not really sure if I want to read something else by this author, especially if she keeps writing in this line.
Mr. Broadhurst tells her that he is the problem in this matter and he wants her to seduce a gentleman and get with child he can claim as his own. Caroline is not happy about it, but goes along with this plan, only because she wants to hold on to the mill.
When one of the mill workers Jack Applegate gets injured during his job in the mill, Caroline takes him into their home so she can supervise his recovery. In the meantime she is trying hard to seduce one of the gentlemen from the hunting group her brother brings over. But there is only one man who’ll start a fire inside her and hopefully he will help her out with the plan.
All About Seduction by Katy Madison is the first novel I read by her and I have to say that I have some mixed feelings about this book.
The storyline was good, but for some reason it didn’t captured me. Sometime I really wanted to put the book down and stop reading, but the curiosity won and I kept reading. I really believe the main characters Caroline and Jack were both weak in this book. Of course I know that the settlings takes place in the regency time and that the behaviour of men and women are different then we have now. But I just expected more between them.
One thing I didn’t like was the marriage between Mr. Broadhurst and Caroline. I understand that her marriage was arranged and that there was no love. But the way he treats her and she just take it, was more than I could handle. I also don’t understand why the heck she keeps calling him sir or Mr. Broadhurst, they have been married for 15 year. You would think that in private you call your husband by his first name.
I can understand that Caroline goes along with the plan her husband demands of her, but when she finally seduce Jack, the man she really loves, she doesn’t follow her heart and tell him.
The love story between Jack and Caroline took too long to develop. To me the story was more about Caroline getting blackmailed by her husband, then her finally fall in love for the first time.
I have to be honest, I’m not really sure if I want to read something else by this author, especially if she keeps writing in this line.
October 31, 2011
Reviewed for Wickedly Bookish Reviews
http://theindecisivebookangel.blogspo...
Caroline Broadhurst is a loyal wife and has been since the day she married her MUCH older husband at 14. Now that she is 28 and he is nearing his end, Mr. Broadhurst desperately wants and heir. After years of being unable to conceive not only with Caroline, but also with his two previous wives, he has a proposal for his dutiful wife. Become impregnated by a well standing gentleman or lose everything that should be rightfully hers once he dies.
This isn't a new concept to period romances, however Katy Madison writes her interpretation with great style and emotion. I enjoyed the characters and the overall read of the book, but I just couldn't get past all the unconsensual fooling around Caroline is forced to do. I understand that it is part of the plot and that she has to endure a certain amount of it to be convincing to her husband, but Caroline spends more time being fondled by these disgusting brutes than she does romancing with our hero Jack Applegate. Honestly, the romance doesn't even really get going until the last third of the book! For this reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
There is a lot to like about All About Seduction. It was a fast paced read, with great detail of the time period and well thought out characters. Caroline is not your average wealthy lady, she actually cares about the people who work the cotton mill that makes her and her husband rich. She advocates for the workers and even does her best to keep young children from participating in the difficult and dangerous labor. I really enjoyed this about her character.
I believe most readers will enjoy this book, but may be caught off guard by the indecency that Caroline is forced to endure. There really wasn't enough romantic development between the Jack and Caroline for my taste, but there you have it. This book is an enjoyable read with a sweet ending, but leaves something to be desired in the way of romance.
http://theindecisivebookangel.blogspo...
Caroline Broadhurst is a loyal wife and has been since the day she married her MUCH older husband at 14. Now that she is 28 and he is nearing his end, Mr. Broadhurst desperately wants and heir. After years of being unable to conceive not only with Caroline, but also with his two previous wives, he has a proposal for his dutiful wife. Become impregnated by a well standing gentleman or lose everything that should be rightfully hers once he dies.
This isn't a new concept to period romances, however Katy Madison writes her interpretation with great style and emotion. I enjoyed the characters and the overall read of the book, but I just couldn't get past all the unconsensual fooling around Caroline is forced to do. I understand that it is part of the plot and that she has to endure a certain amount of it to be convincing to her husband, but Caroline spends more time being fondled by these disgusting brutes than she does romancing with our hero Jack Applegate. Honestly, the romance doesn't even really get going until the last third of the book! For this reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
There is a lot to like about All About Seduction. It was a fast paced read, with great detail of the time period and well thought out characters. Caroline is not your average wealthy lady, she actually cares about the people who work the cotton mill that makes her and her husband rich. She advocates for the workers and even does her best to keep young children from participating in the difficult and dangerous labor. I really enjoyed this about her character.
I believe most readers will enjoy this book, but may be caught off guard by the indecency that Caroline is forced to endure. There really wasn't enough romantic development between the Jack and Caroline for my taste, but there you have it. This book is an enjoyable read with a sweet ending, but leaves something to be desired in the way of romance.
November 13, 2011
I am not a big historical romance fan but I am starting to get into them recently and this was the first that made me want to read more.
Caroline's husband (who is in his seventies), he demands she have an affair and produce a child, and it must be a son, that will become heir to her husband's mill. Caroline is appalled at her husband's request. She has been nothing but a good wife for the past fifteen years and wants to be a free woman and take over the mill after her husband dies but she will not get anything if she doesn't become pregnant. So her brother comes along for a visit with men who have no issues with having affairs but they all turn out to be duds. There is a man, however, that she thinks about whenever she pictures herself having an affair with someone. Too bad he was badly injured in an accident at the mill, oh, and her husband despises him.
Jack knows he has nothing to offer Caroline but he has watched her for years and yearns to be a good enough man to be able to win her love and affection, but he won't be able to do anything about that if he can't make it to an appointment in London with a manufacturer. After many late night book readings by Caroline, she encourages him to make the trip to London. When he gets there, her is told he is not physically able to do the job that he wants. Feeling like nothing can go right in his world, he manages to get back home to Caroline and comes up with a brilliant idea to make his crutches more comfortable using a material called rubber. Meeting Caroline when he gets back, he discovers they did succeed in getting her pregnant but they have Mr. Broadhurst to worry about. Many signs are indicating that he may be a murderer.
Most of the book was great reading because the dialogue kept you flipping pages and then all of a sudden there is craziness going on that made it all the more enjoyable. Who doesn't love drama? Even if you aren't a historical romance reader, you should still give this book a chance. You won't regret it. :)
Caroline's husband (who is in his seventies), he demands she have an affair and produce a child, and it must be a son, that will become heir to her husband's mill. Caroline is appalled at her husband's request. She has been nothing but a good wife for the past fifteen years and wants to be a free woman and take over the mill after her husband dies but she will not get anything if she doesn't become pregnant. So her brother comes along for a visit with men who have no issues with having affairs but they all turn out to be duds. There is a man, however, that she thinks about whenever she pictures herself having an affair with someone. Too bad he was badly injured in an accident at the mill, oh, and her husband despises him.
Jack knows he has nothing to offer Caroline but he has watched her for years and yearns to be a good enough man to be able to win her love and affection, but he won't be able to do anything about that if he can't make it to an appointment in London with a manufacturer. After many late night book readings by Caroline, she encourages him to make the trip to London. When he gets there, her is told he is not physically able to do the job that he wants. Feeling like nothing can go right in his world, he manages to get back home to Caroline and comes up with a brilliant idea to make his crutches more comfortable using a material called rubber. Meeting Caroline when he gets back, he discovers they did succeed in getting her pregnant but they have Mr. Broadhurst to worry about. Many signs are indicating that he may be a murderer.
Most of the book was great reading because the dialogue kept you flipping pages and then all of a sudden there is craziness going on that made it all the more enjoyable. Who doesn't love drama? Even if you aren't a historical romance reader, you should still give this book a chance. You won't regret it. :)
January 17, 2016
*Contains a few spoilers*
It’s very predictable to know what will happen with our hero and heroine right from the start. In spite of having to read some scenes that I didn’t agree with the author’s solution, we get to see Caroline dealing with her fears and surrendering to the hero, who helps to heal her from a terrible marriage and finally achieve the deserved happiness.
The plot isn’t fresh, and other couples in that situation at that time would blame the wife till the end. Some of the decisions taken by the main characters were rather odd, but I was satisfied with the ending and the overall book. The characters are very well build, and Jack Applegate is the hero we’d love to fall in love with! Broadhurst is a coward, distasteful and a disaster as a husband. No wonder your hate for him will grow until simply reading his name will make you want to take the pen out of the author’s hand kill him. Caroline is simply terrible at flirting, and not all the love scenes are happy – in fact, some can be quite depressing.
The dialogues weren’t bad, but the repetitive dialogues about having to seduce a gentleman and get pregnant got me annoyed sometimes. There were no surprises in this book, but it had a couple of good twists that saved the story from being simple and over the top predictable.
There’s a lot of suffering and sadness in this story, that some faithful and hopefully romantic readers might not enjoy. But at the end don’t we all love a good HEA that crosses society barriers and overcome giant obstacles for love? And what about this cover? Incredible! One of my favorite covers this year! I truly recommend you to give this book a chance and add it to your TBR shelf.
It’s very predictable to know what will happen with our hero and heroine right from the start. In spite of having to read some scenes that I didn’t agree with the author’s solution, we get to see Caroline dealing with her fears and surrendering to the hero, who helps to heal her from a terrible marriage and finally achieve the deserved happiness.
The plot isn’t fresh, and other couples in that situation at that time would blame the wife till the end. Some of the decisions taken by the main characters were rather odd, but I was satisfied with the ending and the overall book. The characters are very well build, and Jack Applegate is the hero we’d love to fall in love with! Broadhurst is a coward, distasteful and a disaster as a husband. No wonder your hate for him will grow until simply reading his name will make you want to take the pen out of the author’s hand kill him. Caroline is simply terrible at flirting, and not all the love scenes are happy – in fact, some can be quite depressing.
The dialogues weren’t bad, but the repetitive dialogues about having to seduce a gentleman and get pregnant got me annoyed sometimes. There were no surprises in this book, but it had a couple of good twists that saved the story from being simple and over the top predictable.
There’s a lot of suffering and sadness in this story, that some faithful and hopefully romantic readers might not enjoy. But at the end don’t we all love a good HEA that crosses society barriers and overcome giant obstacles for love? And what about this cover? Incredible! One of my favorite covers this year! I truly recommend you to give this book a chance and add it to your TBR shelf.
October 28, 2011
All About Seduction
This ebook was courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers.
She had never known passion like this…
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover— at her husband’s command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired—except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever . . .
While the characterizations were good in this book, I didn't like the plot. I read romance to escape for a few hours and this book just left me uptight. Caroline had endured too much and that her family, her husband and her brother would treat her this way just left me cold. Too much description of bad love scenes was depressing.
This ebook was courtesy of NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers.
She had never known passion like this…
Caroline Broadhurst is about to take a lover— at her husband’s command. For fifteen years, Caroline has done everything her much older husband has desired—except provide an heir. Now he has given her an ultimatum: seduce a suitable gentleman and bear a son. Caroline would never think of bowing to such a shameful order, but then she meets Jack Applegate.
Jack has longed for the beautiful, untouchable Caroline for years, but the chasm between them was too wide to ever dream of crossing. Now, fate and passion have thrown them together, but the potential scandal threatens to smother their love. And when a violent secret comes to light, only a terrible sacrifice will prevent the flame of their affection from being snuffed out forever . . .
While the characterizations were good in this book, I didn't like the plot. I read romance to escape for a few hours and this book just left me uptight. Caroline had endured too much and that her family, her husband and her brother would treat her this way just left me cold. Too much description of bad love scenes was depressing.
September 23, 2011
I'm very grateful to the publisher for letting me read an advance copy of this book on NetGalley. For this reason, I wanted to finish the book and write a good review, but I just can't. I got about 1/4 of the way through and just can't make myself go back to it. The heroine of the book is Caroline Broadhurst, who married a factory owner in order to improve her own noble family's fortunes. Unfortunately, her husband is sterile and she has not had any children. He needs an heir so he decides to pimp her out to some other noble man. Yuck! This is unpleasant enough. Then Caroline falls in love with a factory worker, Jack, who has been injured and is recuperating in the Broadhurst's house. This just seemed too far-fetched to me. Really, they don't take him to the hospital? They did have hospitals in the 19th century. Anyway, we are put in the position of having to root for the death of Caroline's husband in order for her and Jack to be happy, and even though he's not a pleasant guy, I don't like a plot which makes me do that. Add to all this some rather heavy-handed lessons about factory work in the mid-nineteenth-century, and this adds up to one I'm not going to finish.
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