Engaged in Sin

You probably won't like this if a) historical accuracy is very important to you b) you don't like “too many sex scenes”

About b) Page is known to write erotic historical romances so I wasn't surprised by the “number”. Still, I felt that the sex scenes weren't gratuitous but a reflection of the characters' desperation and evolution as characters. In the beginning, Anne used sex to manipulate Devon, but the act eventually changed to a true expression of her care for Devon, whom she was helping to cope with his blindness. For Devon, initially sex was just a drug, a way to forget the horrors of war and his disability. And he did use Anne like a tool for that purpose; eventually he felt guilty about it and became determined to not treat Anne like an object, but to give her pleasure instead of being selfish at just having his needs met only.

The only issue I have with this book is a). Yet, I also understood that I wasn't reading this for historical accuracy, but was instead reading this like a fairytale - a fantasy, so I wasn't expecting much.

Still, I felt the ending was a tad too pat and rushed. Some tiny bit of reailsm could've been injected. Perhaps Anne and Devon could retire to the country and lead a quiet life instead of trying their way into the ton. (Which wouldn't have worked in real life.)

The social consequences of Devon marrying Anne would've been devastating for the family. If King Edward had to abdicate to marry Wallis Simpson in the more ‘enlightened times' of the early 20th century, I can't imagine what the consequences would've been for Devon in the early 1800s. Perhaps even the British King would step in and order a halt to it.

Still, like I said, I didn't read this for accuracy, but to escape into a wistful universe where love like this is possible, and Page did her job well. Who am I to complain, really?