I don't regret reading this, but I'm also happy it was free on Kindle, if that makes sense. I likely won't specifically search out this author again, but if I happened upon another I would probably read it. ( )

It is always refreshing to read erotic novels with actual plot, and it is especially nice to find works with fully developed and emotive main characters. These elements add a depth of feeling that makes for far more satisfying sex scenes, and this novella has those elements in spades.

I especially enjoyed the fact that the heroine was an active participant in her own fate. Margaret Seymour begins the novel by sighing over the hero, Camden Rycroft, from across the room, wishing that she could be one of the many women who captured his attention. Not only is the Duke of Avonleah the most handsome and eligible man on the marriage market, but his skills in the boudoir are infamous, and this is what ultimately attracts her to him. She wants to break out of her prim debutante shell and experience passion at least once in her life before settling down with an equally prim and proper husband - and she makes up her mind to do just that. She sneaks into the titular Masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens with the express purpose of locating Avonleah and convincing him to take her home.

She manages to do just that, and the two share a wild and passionate evening together. Margaret goes into the encounter with the knowledge that it will be a once in a lifetime experience, as does Camden - so it comes as a surprise to them both when he realizes that he hasn't quite gotten her out of his system, and decides to pursue her. Suddenly their shared passion is thrust into the social whirl of Society, where she is a meek and quiet wallflower, pinning her marriage hopes on a future-titled mere mister, and he is the prize catch of them all.

They strike a compromise to continue their illicit affair until the Season ends, but each of their encounters involves more than just sex - there are emotional connections being forged, and mutual happiness feathering the nest. Even after a triumphant waltz at Almack's, however, Margaret receives the expected proposal from the swain who has been courting her all season, and the choice that was so simple suddenly isn't. Until, of course, it is, when Avonleah swoops in to make the Grand Romantic Gesture of proposing to her before she can accept the one from the man who has courted her all Season. It was always going to happen, but the fact that the two had forged an emotional connection to go along with their physical one made this scene all the more satisfying and believable.

There is plenty of sex, of course, of every variety (including a brief F/F/M menage in Chapter 2 involving the hero but not the heroine). Both characters receive equal pleasure (also nice to see) and they practice safe sex, however much of an anomaly that would be for the time period. There are no elements of BDSM, which was fine with me since that's not my thing.

All told, this was a full story with developed characters and no existential melodrama. Learning that this author has penned other works in other genres was no surprise, given the strong storytelling elements.

This is the first book in a series, which apparently will include the rejected suitor as the hero of the next book. ( )

"4 out of 5 stars! This is Maggie’s (Margaret) first season and though she longs to be the daring lady to win Camden the Duke of Avonleah’s attention. Yet, being a debutante means she is restricted by her mother’s wants/desires and the rules of the ton. So, with the assistance of her older cousin, she dresses up seductively masked and sneaks out to the masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens in which she happily captures Camden’s attention. Soon they set out on a most illicit affair that would certainly ruin her if it became known, yet they are drawn together, and both struggle to stay within society’s standards. As the season’s end draws near they realize their affair’s ending is coming soon too. Will Maggie be able to accept another man’s proposal after everything she shared with Camden or will she demand for more?

Readers will be swept away in this erotic bliss of a novel. Enticing, exciting, adventurous with..."

Read more of this review and THREE TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/10/feasted-on-scandalous-ballroom... ( )