Bound to Be a Groom (Regency Reimagined, #1) in Riptide Publishing

Apr 02, 2014 Kezia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-reviews, erotica, m-m-erotica, menage

The first thing that struck me as I began to read Bound to Be a Groom was what a beautifully formatted book it is. I have hundreds of books on my e-reader, and most of them have some sort of formatting error. I've grown accustomed to overlooking them, putting them out of my mind. From cover to author bio, this is easily the most beautiful book I've downloaded.

The story is set in Spain and England in the early years of the Napoleonic Wars - just before Wellington joins up with Spanish partisans t The first thing that struck me as I began to read Bound to Be a Groom was what a beautifully formatted book it is. I have hundreds of books on my e-reader, and most of them have some sort of formatting error. I've grown accustomed to overlooking them, putting them out of my mind. From cover to author bio, this is easily the most beautiful book I've downloaded.

The story is set in Spain and England in the early years of the Napoleonic Wars - just before Wellington joins up with Spanish partisans to repel the tyrant, who is placing his brother on the Spanish throne. But the heart of the story is the relationships being forged between two convent-raised girls, a Spanish nobleman, and an English Duke.

I had a hard time getting into the story, at first. In fact, it was not until almost a third of the way through the book that I really became invested in the characters. This might have been because the beginning of the story concentrates on Anna, who has a tendency to come off as rather cold. It's not until Sebastian begins to play a greater role that I really began to care about these characters. Sebastian truly is the beating heart of this novel. It is his warmth and willingness to give Anna everything she needs that makes possible everything that follows.

It is the way Ms. Mulry handles the complexity of Sebastian's character that makes the rest of the book work so well. After Anna, Sebastian, and Pia travel to England, reuniting Sebastian with his former lover, Leigh, the story flows easily and naturally to its entirely satisfying finish. Where the first third of the book often seems forced, the last two thirds are deftly written, with a keen understanding of what makes a healthy D/s relationship - and a healthy polyamorous relationship - work. Where Anna is Dominant, Sebastian is submissive - but he is submissive only in the bedroom, in a way which allows him to maintain all of the power and arrogance of Spanish nobility the rest of the time. Pia is a softer sort of submissive personality, and Leigh is another Dominant. Two Dominants, two submissives, each unique and fully realized in a balanced relationship that demonstrates the author's skill at characterization. The sex is explicit, and though the Dominants are demanding, they are also very loving toward the submissives. Ms. Mulry has crafted a believable HEA among four very different people.

Ultimately, it was a pleasure to read Bound to Be a Groom. If I had picked this book up and read the first chapter, however, I would not have bought it. And that would have been a shame. For all of my frustration with the beginning of this story, I am very glad that I had an opportunity to read it, and would recommend it to anyone interested in polyamory, bisexuality, or D/s play. I was provided with a copy by the publisher in return for an honest review. ...more

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Feb 24, 2018 Paige (TheBookVulture) rated it liked it

Shelves: good-but-not-great, could-have-been-better, erotica, historical, bdsm, chains-and-whips-excite-me, 2014-releases, lgbt, 2018-challenge, menage

Scorching hot sex scenes, but very little in the way of plot and character development.

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Feb 12, 2014 Marie33 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-net-galley

Book provided by the publisher.

4.5 stars

This was a brilliantly written story, with a hot enjoyable plot. The characters were interesting and well developed. I connected with all of the characters and found myself hoping they got their happy endings.
There was only one part I felt was missing and I can't say a lot without giving too much away but (view spoiler) ...more

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Apr 18, 2014 Dakota Storm rated it really liked it

I'm not a big reader of lesbian love but this book brings love of all kinds together and made it into a erotic tale of love, satisfaction and burning desire. These characters are great. Sebastian is my favorite, he's sexy, sweet, loving and so much more. Farleigh is my next favorite, he's hot as hell, animalistic and sexually on fire. Pia is sweet and adoring and open to things she never thought of and Anna, Anna is a whirlwind of moods. She starts as caring and loving, turns to demanding and co ...more

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Apr 22, 2014 Dee Wy rated it really liked it

Shelves: bdsm, m-m, menage-polyamory, m-m-historical

3.5 stars - First let me say that books featuring FF relationships are not something I seek out, simply because the love scenes DO NOT interest me. The relationships I do enjoy, but I always skim or jump past the sex.

However, add MM to the mix and shake it all together with a foursome and I'm intrigued. So I gave this story a try after reading an excerpt of the author's writing and enjoyed her sense of humor. The end result is I'm very happy to have read this. The characters are an interesting m ...more

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Feb 16, 2014 Thomaidha Papa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, hot, kinks-and-fetish, bdsm, historical-fiction, erotica, mf, dom-sub, rough-man-sex, sadomasochistic

3.5 Hearts
Review written for MM good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

This was quite a read, fun, enjoyable, and somewhat inspiring.

So let’s make it clear from the start for people who dismiss the blurb and/or don’t really understand it. The story is set on the 19th century and the main character is a woman raised in a convent in Spain. Back then women had no power whatsoever, no freedom to do as they pleased, and they were simply assets and “jewels” in a “man’s world” surround ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Sylvia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: menage, historial-romance, reviewauthor-netgalley

This book is a very spectacular wicked surprise. I have read ménage before but never with a female dominant. At first it was strange to see Sebastian de Montizon concedes to Anna Redondo. But as you get to know and love Sebastian. The role fits with his charming character.
My favorite quote is when Sebastian trying to compel Anna to become his wife. "Like what? Like I adore you? I don't think I'll ever be able to wipe that expression from my face. And why should I?" Sebastian wants to give Anna ...more

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