SEVEN YEARS TO SIN
Historical Series #1
by Sylvia Day
Publisher: Kensington Trade (August 2012)
Genre: Historical Romance, Adult, Erotica
Format: eBook (352 pages)
Source: Free book from publisher for honest review
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Summary
The longer the resistance…
Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she’d held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield’s image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams…
…the sweeter the reward
Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes–all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years’ worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk–and the certainty that surrender will consume them both…
At A GlanceThe longer the resistance…
Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she’d held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield’s image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams…
…the sweeter the reward
Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes–all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years’ worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk–and the certainty that surrender will consume them both…
I wasn't so sure about this one in the beginning but it got progressively better with each page.
The Good
This was my first Sylvia Day novel. I always wanted to read her work but I kept putting it off. I am happy my self-imposed wait is over. Day really knows how to write an enriched, proper historical romance.
We meet Jessica and immediately see her as an ice queen. But once we find her peeking in on a naughty tryst between two other people, we know she has fire in her heart. I loved how regal and eloquent Jessica was on the outside but how passionate and caring she was on the inside. But with Alistair by her side, she became more and more open, even willing to withstand scandal to be with him. I just respected her so much. She followed her instinct in all things and it always led her down the right path.
Alistair is a more complicated character. He has a past, one he is not always proud of, but all that matters is Jessica accepts it. Alistair has felt something for Jessica for the past seven years, and when he gets the chance to act on it, he goes all out. No holds barred. He is very sexual and loving in every way, but he has that naughty/assertive streak that would make any girl tingle. I truly think he would be the perfect man to be with back then.
The story was well written, but it was the characters that kept me reading. Each one had the depth I look for in characters in every book. I am very excited to read more Sylvia Day soon.
The Bad
The writing style turned me off in the beginning. I almost DNF'ed it. I don't know what it was, I just found it confusing.
Sometimes I was a little bored. Not a lot, but enough that I willingly put the book down a few times.
The Snuggly
Jessica and Alistair had such a great relationship. They waited so long to be together and when they finally did get together, FIREWORKS! Their chemistry was off the charts.
This is between adult and erotica. I felt like it was more adult but with very erotic words. The sex was great. Day knows how to write a sex scene, that's for sure. Alistair's dirty talk really made me shiver. Wow.
Final Thoughts
Sylvia Day is definitely a new favorite author for me. I want to check out her contemporary work soon. Seven Years to Sin had all the elements I look for in a historical romance. If some parts got a good dose of perk, it would have been perfect. Very recommended.
Quotes
“I have wanted you for so long now,” he said roughly, “I’ve no memory of how it feels to be devoid of the craving. But you must know what you do. I need you to think of who you are and where you are and who I am. Think of how things will be once we’ve crossed this threshold. Think of how you will leave this cabin—disheveled and well f*cked.”
“If I was any more pleased with you, I would lose what little remains of my sanity.”
“Why can men be boys all of their lives, but we women must grow old while we are yet young?”
"The possibility that they were fated to be lovers was somehow comforting, as if taking the decision from her hands freed her from responsibility for the inevitable consequences. It was cowardly to view it that way, yet the thought also gave her courage."
“You and I have always been inevitable. And I am not a man to take pieces of a whole. I must have everything. The good as well as the bad.”
“I have wanted you for so long now,” he said roughly, “I’ve no memory of how it feels to be devoid of the craving. But you must know what you do. I need you to think of who you are and where you are and who I am. Think of how things will be once we’ve crossed this threshold. Think of how you will leave this cabin—disheveled and well f*cked.”
“If I was any more pleased with you, I would lose what little remains of my sanity.”
“Why can men be boys all of their lives, but we women must grow old while we are yet young?”
"The possibility that they were fated to be lovers was somehow comforting, as if taking the decision from her hands freed her from responsibility for the inevitable consequences. It was cowardly to view it that way, yet the thought also gave her courage."
“You and I have always been inevitable. And I am not a man to take pieces of a whole. I must have everything. The good as well as the bad.”
I've never read any Sylvia Day novel either, and I didn't know she wrote historicals! I love historicals so I might just start with this one too!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review.
I didn't really know either. She is more known for her contemps. I hope you do try this one.
DeleteGreat review! I knew you'd love Sylvia Day. I haven't read this one but I'm not sure it would be my kind of book (historical isn't my thing). But I bet you'd LOVE her Crossfire series. I'm kind of addicted to it.
ReplyDeleteI will have to put her Crossfire series up on the list then. I wasn't sure which of her books to go to next, so thanks.
DeleteYour "The Bad" section pretty accurately summarized all of my Sylvia Day encounters so far. I've been very underwhelmed . . . BUT chemistry is something that a lot of authors have an incredibly hard time transferring to paper, so I am just maybe intrigued enough to give Ms. Day one more shot. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHmm, that scares me. I was hoping it was just her historicals that were like that. I will proceed with caution.
DeleteI read the Cross series (though I DNF the last book), that's all, I'll be willing to try this one, thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, now you have me scared for Crossfire. I was going to read those next.
DeleteThe cover art and title give you a clue there may be erotica in this one. It gave you shivers..ooh!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have trouble getting into a book and easily set it down. Then, something happens and I get caught up. It always makes me glad I didn't give up on it.
Yeah, I don't get too deterred if I get bored occasionally. It happens even with the best books.
DeleteI do like the cover. I'm not sure if I have read any of her work, but am familiar with her name for some reason. Glad the book redeemed itself. Sometimes reading to the end of a difficult book is worth it.
ReplyDeleteShe has made it around the blogosphere, that's for sure. People seem to usually love her.
DeleteI still haven't read anything by this author, even though I mean to get around to it. Glad you enjoyed it ☺
ReplyDeleteI know, I was the same way. Happy I got around to it.
DeleteOh ho ho! I've never read a Sylvia Day book, but obviously I need to. This sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteI think you do!
DeleteI tried to read this at the height of Crossfire because I want more of SDay... sadly I DNF'd this. I was bored too but unlike you, I gave up. Now I'm thinking of revisiting this but I feel like I need to be patient so I can get to the better parts.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I am not sure if you should finish it though. It does get better, but if you were that bored in the beginning to not finish it, I am not sure if it got THAT better. You know?
DeleteLike that sound of the engaging historical fictin once you get into it
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is so in for me right now.
DeleteI was a little surprised after reading my first Sylvia Day novel because I actually enjoyed it WAY more than I expected. I haven't given her historical writing a try yet, and now I'm thinking that it is time I do. Great review!
ReplyDeleteWhich book of hers did you read first? Now you have me interested.
DeleteI've never read a Sylvia Day novel but she sounds like she knows her stuff. Great relationships between characters and sizzling chemistry is the best!
ReplyDeleteYeah, she knows her stuff. For sure.
Delete