Book Review: Forbidden - by Jo Beverley

Synopsis: Forbidden is the 4th book in Jo Beverley's Company of Rogues series of regency romances. This installment of the series features Rogues' member Francis Haile, Lord Middlethorpe, who is currently courting one Anne Peckworth, a perfectly respectable Duke's daughter (whom I believe gets her own story in Hazard). Serena Riverton is the widow of sexual deviant, "Randy" Riverton, whom she was forced to marry at the tender age of 15. The story opens with Serena driven to flight from her characteristically evil brothers, who wish to marry her off to the highest bidder. She decides to become a mistress rather than a wife, and heads to London to seek her fortune there. On the way, she gets lost and picked up by young Middlethorpe (ever the gentleman) who is on his way to sort out some rather pesky business involving his mother and an alleged extortionist. Serena sets her sights on making Francis her first protector, and attempts to secure him by literally raping him in the night while weathering a particularly nasty storm in a farmhouse. Francis, a VIRGIN, is at once appalled by and drawn to the woman as a result. Unable to reconcile his feelings for the girl, he drops her off at his aunt Arabella's house in the country and tries to put the beautiful siren out of his mind. While living with Arabella, Serena discovers that she is pregnant, Francis is summoned, and they marry. He doesn't trust her; she doesn't think she is capable of physical tenderness. They both fear that their tenuous marriage will not be able to survive the scandal of its beginnings and of Serena's past.

I am finding, as I read more books in this series, that Beverley likes a very convoluted plot. The above synopsis doesn't really do it justice - it really is much too complicated to summarize. I truly enjoyed this story, though. I really liked Francis' character from the previous Rogues books - he is sensitive, kind, and very gentle. Of the Rogues we've met so far, he's probably the one I would have fallen in love with, were I the heroine of a novel. Serena is a bit whiny at the beginning of the novel, but she kind of grows on you. And by the end of the book, she learns to give as good as she's gotten. I ended up cheering for her during the climactic scene at the inn.

One thing that was noticeably different about this novel from the other books so far, is that the author gives you a lot more insight into what the hero is thinking and feeling. In her earlier books, there are virtually no scenes told from the man's perspective, so you never know what his take on the situation is. Occasionally, you might get little tidbits from conversations he has with other characters, but you never get to see inside his head. In this book, we get a better understanding of how Francis views his wife, what he feels when he discovers the true horrors of her past, and his conflicting feelings of suspicion and desire for her.

On the whole, this series has been fairly enjoyable to read. What I love most about reading series is that you get to see what is happening with a couple from a previous book and you get to anticipate reading the other characters' stories. We're getting to know each of the Rogues a little better with each novel. It makes for a more satisfying reading experience, I think.

Favorite Scene: At the inn when Serena gets fed up with everyone, particularly Francis, and whacks him upside the head with the portfolio. Then she stomps home and throws a big fit in her room. It was funny, but also you see her finally come into her own and realize that she controls her life and won't be controlled by others anymore. Also liked the love scene that follows.

What I didn't like: That Francis never tells her that he loves her. Not once. In the entire book. But I guess it's ok, since you figure he will realize that he loves her in time.

LibraryThing rating: 4 stars