Title: Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Erotic, Historical, Romance
Length: 352
Book Rating: B+
Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley
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…
The Review:
Sylvia Day’s Seven Years to Sin is a sizzling hot historical romance. Catching Alistair Caulfield In flagrante delicto stirs Lady Jessica Sheffield’s desire. Unfortunately, she is the verge of marrying someone else. Seven years later, Jessica is now widowed and journeys to the West Indies to learn more about the inner workings of the plantation she now owns. Alistair seizes the opportunity to join her on the voyage and explore the attraction between them.
Lady Jessica Sheffield may have conformed to society’s expectations, but a backbone of steel lies under her very proper facade. Abused by her father and forced into an arranged marriage, Jessica always does what is expected of her. She was lucky enough to find love and passion in her marriage and she genuinely grieves her husband’s death. Jessica shares a close relationship with her sister Hester and she is greatly respected by society. With Alistair, she sheds her inhibitions and discovers who she really is.
Alistair Caulfield is the fourth son of a duke and he is a self-made man. He has an infamous reputation as a rake who will accept any wager. He carries the scars of emotional abuse from both his parents but most especially his father. There is a great deal of depth and substance that Alistair keeps hidden.
The gentle and tender lovemaking Jessica experienced with her husband in no way prepares her for the wild and all consuming sexual heat that she finds with Alistair. Their lovemaking is raw, uninhibited and so hot that I am pretty sure I saw wisps of smoke emanating from my eReader during their sex scenes ;).
But what makes Seven Years to Sin such a magnificent romance is the emotional connection between Jessica and Alistair. These are not characters who give their trust easily or lightly. But the bond that forms between them demands complete and utter honesty. Jessica and Alistair bare their souls to one another and they share their deepest, darkest secrets with each other. They discuss their problems and work together to find solutions.
Interwoven with Jessica and Alistair’s story is a secondary story arc involving Jessica’s sister Hester. Hester’s marriage is deeply troubled and she has few options open to her. It is a heartbreaking illustration of how few rights women in the time period had.
Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day is a highly erotic and absolutely delightful romance. The characters are marvelously depicted, fully developed and three dimensional. Very little conflict, no angst and a genuine, meaningful relationship make Seven Years to Sin one of the most enjoyable novels I have read. Definitely a recommended read for fans of historical romances.
