Forbidden

Author:

Jo Beverley

Published:

Zebra Books, March 1994 ; 436 pages

Related titles by this author:

An Arranged Marriage, Christmas Angel, An Unwilling Bride, Dangerous Joy

Subgenre:

Historical romance -- Regency

Setting:

England -- London, 1810s

Main characters:

Francis, Lord Middlethorpe, and Serena Riverton

Sexual explicitness:

Explicit

Keywords:

Intrigue ; abusive marriages, arranged marriages, family responsibility, widows

Warning:

Details about heroine's previous, abusive marriage

Reader rating:

Reader comments:

I've been glomming Ms. Beverley's backlist for several months now and I'm still intrigued by her storytelling ability. No character is stock or stereotypical. As a long-time reader of romantic fiction, I really appreciate that. FORBIDDEN continues in Ms. Beverley's tradition of unique characters and situations by having a inexperienced hero and a scandalous heroine well versed in matters of a sexual nature. Their first intimate experience was surprising and handled very well. Francis' and Serena's backgrounds were explained poignantly and I cared about them and their future together. I was a bit distracted by the continual references to the other members of the Rogues, (like I had come in during the middle of a long conversation), but I am intrigued enough to try to find the rest of her Rogue series and fill in the blanks. Ms. Beverley delivers a novel with strong, smart and unusual main characters who come together by chance come out better for the experience. (K.G., 11-27-96) Pretty good. I seem to remember the beginning being better than the end. Beverly was brave to choose a name like "Francis" for her hero--accurate for the times, but a bit wimpy as a name. (E.C., 10-21-96) Francis is right up there at the top of my list of favorite heroes. Nothing about Francis and Serena was like anything I'd ever seen in a romance novel before and I loved the fact that *he* was the virgin while she had all the experience, but none of the interest in sex! (J.S., 6-28-96) Loved it! The ending was sort of a let down (a slight one), but the seduction and romance were wonderful! (N.J., 5-28-96) Among the better "rogue" books by Beverley. I liked the twist of having an experienced heroine and innocent hero. (E.P., 5-28-96) I really thorougly enjoyed this book. (P.C., 4-26-96)

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