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A review by rjordan19
Blame It on Bath by Caroline Linden
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes because there’s a series long plot of finding if the father is a bigamist – but the relationship itself is fine as a stand alone. (Gerard has minimal page time in book 1)
Basic plot:
Gerard is trying to solve who is blackmailing his family when he’s approached by a mysterious woman that requests a marriage on convenience.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- much of the story takes place in Bath
- marriage of convenience – heroine proposes to the hero to escape an abusive home situation
- rescue plot – loved how they come together to rescue the heroine
- medium to high steam – the scenes aren’t overly long (I listened to audio and it’s hard for me to tell length on there) but there’s a decent amount of scenes in the latter half! I have it at 5 scenes.
- unrequited love from the heroine
- widow heroine
- playful, former soldier hero
Ages:
- Hero is 28, heroine is 30
My thoughts:
I really ended up loving this story! I struggled a bit with the prior book in the series, so picking this one up and having more of the father’s mystery and a widow heroine I was worried it would feel similar. But Gerard’s spunky, playful personality completely won me over here.
The humor in this one was fun – the banter and how silly, sweet, and romantic Gerard was, how gentle with Kate he was had me swooning. I also tend to really like rescue plots and Kate is stuck in the beginning of this book. I love that Gerard went in ready to save the day even with it resulting in marriage. I love marriage of convenience because it totally eliminates the whole hero can’t marry because of xyz that drives me bonkers.
Some parts of this one are a bit slow but as I reread some parts and went through my notes I felt it tugging on my heart again so I had to round up. The sex in this one was really special to me – it was super emotional and always seemed to really progress their relationship and character connection. I found myself swooning and smiling through many parts of this story.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
I LOVE when the hero holds the heroine’s neck and head.
That was enough for Gerard. He slid his hand around the curve of her skull to hold her just so and took ownership of her mouth.
---
But now she was also his wife.
His to kiss.
His to hold.
His to bed.
And his to bring to the pinnacle of pleasure.
---
“You always look so surprised when I kiss you,” he murmured. “Do you not like it?”
She flinched as it she’d just been accused of some terrible crime. “I-I don’t know know.”
Gerard smiled a little. He couldn’t help it.
“Don’t worry love. You will.”
---
I love how tries to ease her worries
He stepped out of his trousers and drawers as she put out the last lamp. The room was plunged into darkness, the fire having died down to coals. Her white nightdress stood out as his eyes adjusted, and Gerard caught her when she would have hurried past him to the bed. “Don’t be afraid,” he murmured. He slipped one arm around her waist and threaded the fingers of his free hand into her hair. “Trust me.” And he kissed her.
---
And when she sees him out with another woman (that helps him choose jewelry for her) and thinks he’s cheating on her
“And I am not having an affair with her,” he added, fastening the chain at the nape of her neck.
“I didn’t think…” Her voice died away as she fingered the pendant.
“Yes, you did.” He leaned back. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”
“Thank you,” she said at once. “Very much.”
“Not like that.”
/
“Do you want to go upstairs?”
He rather liked this; sitting on his lap, she had to hold tight to him, and her breasts, with the amethyst pendant nestled between them, were right at eye level. “There’s not need for that. Lift your skirt.”
She jumped as he tickled the inside of her ankle. “We are in the dining room!” she whispered in horror.
“Bragg won’t come in.” Gerard nuzzled the underside of her jaw. “You smell delicious…”
“Somone else might!” She ducked away from his kiss. “To clear the dishes!”
Gerard sighed and lifted her off him. He strode across the room, catching up a chair as he went, and wedged the chair under the doorknob of the door into the hall. He went to the sideboard and shoved it until the corner of it blocked the other door. He turned back to Kate, who was watching with her mouth open and bright spots of pink in her cheeks, and took of his jacket and tossed it aside. “Now, lift your skirt.”
/
She grasped her skirt and pulled it upward a few inches.
“Good,” he murmured, unbuttoning his waistcoat as he watched her. “Further, please.”
Her face was hot as she complied. Her knees shook as she exposed them.
He dropped into a chair and crooked one finger at her. “Come here.”
---
Ugh and this whole scene ripping my fn heart out – she lies to him about why she wanted to marry him and he knows she’s lying and basically fucks the answer out of her. Takes her from behind on a table facing a public square in Bath…
“How calculating.” He flicked his thumb, then squeezed, very delicately, and she almost screamed. “Why me?”
“Because…” She could feel her climax building, sending shimmering waves of heat through her veins. “Because…”
“Why?” He rocked back and forth, a tormenting slow motion. “Why, Kate?” Is it so terrible? Are you carrying another man’s child? Is there some other threat to your fortune you neglected to reveal to me? Did Charlie and Edward refuse you before you asked me?”
“No...None of that…” She closed her eyes.
“Why, Kate?” He leaned over her, his breath scalding on the nape of her neck. He bit her there, his teeth scraping her skin. He was moving deep inside her now – she could hear in his voice that he was just as close to oblivion as she was -
---
And one of my favorite love declarations I’ve read
“Very well,” he muttered, and his voice boomed out, so loudly she jumped. “Katherine de Lacey, before God as my witness, I love you more than any man should ever love a woman.” A clutch of birds burst out of the hedges and flew away in a chorus of squawks. “I love the way your eyes snap when you’re irked at me. I love the way your nose wrinkles when you laugh at some nonsense I say. I love the way you ask old ladies for help finding a blackmailer. I love the way you look with your skirt up around your – Ah!”
Kate shrieked as his hand thrust through the hedge and seized her wrist. She pulled, fighting down the hysterical laughter that threatened to burst forth as Gerard peered at her through the leaves and branches, a perplexed but determined expression on his face. “There you are,” he said.
“And there you are,” she retorted, motioning to the hedge that divided them. “What did you plan to do next?”
He glanced up, and from side to side, as if measuring the hedge. Then to her astonishment, he wedged his shoulder into the tangle of branches, and pushed and shoved his way right through, never once letting go of her.
“You knocked a hole in the maze!” Kate gawked at the ragged, broken gap in the hedge.
“It will grow back.” He brushed some leaves from his hair and fixed his gaze on her. “I didn’t dare loose my grip on your again.”
Then he takes her to the center of the maze and fucks her. Ugh, I love it. I LOVE IT.
Content warnings:
- Toxic parents
- Unsatisfying marriage (heroine’s prior marriage)
- Using religion to pressure/control others
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
22% - kiss
26% - kiss
30% - kiss
36% - nipple play and some light kisses at the inn
42% - 🔥 kisses, light breast play, well endowed hero, fingering for her, missionary
50% - 🔥 kisses, playful her on top sex at the dining table with dinner still waiting
61% - 🔥 hand job for him, missionary
75% - 🔥 bent over a table overlooking Queen’s Square in Bath
98% - 🔥 kisses, sex in the maze
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Should I read in order?
Ideally yes because there’s a series long plot of finding if the father is a bigamist – but the relationship itself is fine as a stand alone. (Gerard has minimal page time in book 1)
Basic plot:
Gerard is trying to solve who is blackmailing his family when he’s approached by a mysterious woman that requests a marriage on convenience.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- much of the story takes place in Bath
- marriage of convenience – heroine proposes to the hero to escape an abusive home situation
- rescue plot – loved how they come together to rescue the heroine
- medium to high steam – the scenes aren’t overly long (I listened to audio and it’s hard for me to tell length on there) but there’s a decent amount of scenes in the latter half! I have it at 5 scenes.
- unrequited love from the heroine
- widow heroine
- playful, former soldier hero
Ages:
- Hero is 28, heroine is 30
My thoughts:
I really ended up loving this story! I struggled a bit with the prior book in the series, so picking this one up and having more of the father’s mystery and a widow heroine I was worried it would feel similar. But Gerard’s spunky, playful personality completely won me over here.
The humor in this one was fun – the banter and how silly, sweet, and romantic Gerard was, how gentle with Kate he was had me swooning. I also tend to really like rescue plots and Kate is stuck in the beginning of this book. I love that Gerard went in ready to save the day even with it resulting in marriage. I love marriage of convenience because it totally eliminates the whole hero can’t marry because of xyz that drives me bonkers.
Some parts of this one are a bit slow but as I reread some parts and went through my notes I felt it tugging on my heart again so I had to round up. The sex in this one was really special to me – it was super emotional and always seemed to really progress their relationship and character connection. I found myself swooning and smiling through many parts of this story.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:
I LOVE when the hero holds the heroine’s neck and head.
That was enough for Gerard. He slid his hand around the curve of her skull to hold her just so and took ownership of her mouth.
---
But now she was also his wife.
His to kiss.
His to hold.
His to bed.
And his to bring to the pinnacle of pleasure.
---
“You always look so surprised when I kiss you,” he murmured. “Do you not like it?”
She flinched as it she’d just been accused of some terrible crime. “I-I don’t know know.”
Gerard smiled a little. He couldn’t help it.
“Don’t worry love. You will.”
---
I love how tries to ease her worries
He stepped out of his trousers and drawers as she put out the last lamp. The room was plunged into darkness, the fire having died down to coals. Her white nightdress stood out as his eyes adjusted, and Gerard caught her when she would have hurried past him to the bed. “Don’t be afraid,” he murmured. He slipped one arm around her waist and threaded the fingers of his free hand into her hair. “Trust me.” And he kissed her.
---
And when she sees him out with another woman (that helps him choose jewelry for her) and thinks he’s cheating on her
“And I am not having an affair with her,” he added, fastening the chain at the nape of her neck.
“I didn’t think…” Her voice died away as she fingered the pendant.
“Yes, you did.” He leaned back. “Aren’t you going to thank me?”
“Thank you,” she said at once. “Very much.”
“Not like that.”
/
“Do you want to go upstairs?”
He rather liked this; sitting on his lap, she had to hold tight to him, and her breasts, with the amethyst pendant nestled between them, were right at eye level. “There’s not need for that. Lift your skirt.”
She jumped as he tickled the inside of her ankle. “We are in the dining room!” she whispered in horror.
“Bragg won’t come in.” Gerard nuzzled the underside of her jaw. “You smell delicious…”
“Somone else might!” She ducked away from his kiss. “To clear the dishes!”
Gerard sighed and lifted her off him. He strode across the room, catching up a chair as he went, and wedged the chair under the doorknob of the door into the hall. He went to the sideboard and shoved it until the corner of it blocked the other door. He turned back to Kate, who was watching with her mouth open and bright spots of pink in her cheeks, and took of his jacket and tossed it aside. “Now, lift your skirt.”
/
She grasped her skirt and pulled it upward a few inches.
“Good,” he murmured, unbuttoning his waistcoat as he watched her. “Further, please.”
Her face was hot as she complied. Her knees shook as she exposed them.
He dropped into a chair and crooked one finger at her. “Come here.”
---
Ugh and this whole scene ripping my fn heart out – she lies to him about why she wanted to marry him and he knows she’s lying and basically fucks the answer out of her. Takes her from behind on a table facing a public square in Bath…
“How calculating.” He flicked his thumb, then squeezed, very delicately, and she almost screamed. “Why me?”
“Because…” She could feel her climax building, sending shimmering waves of heat through her veins. “Because…”
“Why?” He rocked back and forth, a tormenting slow motion. “Why, Kate?” Is it so terrible? Are you carrying another man’s child? Is there some other threat to your fortune you neglected to reveal to me? Did Charlie and Edward refuse you before you asked me?”
“No...None of that…” She closed her eyes.
“Why, Kate?” He leaned over her, his breath scalding on the nape of her neck. He bit her there, his teeth scraping her skin. He was moving deep inside her now – she could hear in his voice that he was just as close to oblivion as she was -
---
And one of my favorite love declarations I’ve read
“Very well,” he muttered, and his voice boomed out, so loudly she jumped. “Katherine de Lacey, before God as my witness, I love you more than any man should ever love a woman.” A clutch of birds burst out of the hedges and flew away in a chorus of squawks. “I love the way your eyes snap when you’re irked at me. I love the way your nose wrinkles when you laugh at some nonsense I say. I love the way you ask old ladies for help finding a blackmailer. I love the way you look with your skirt up around your – Ah!”
Kate shrieked as his hand thrust through the hedge and seized her wrist. She pulled, fighting down the hysterical laughter that threatened to burst forth as Gerard peered at her through the leaves and branches, a perplexed but determined expression on his face. “There you are,” he said.
“And there you are,” she retorted, motioning to the hedge that divided them. “What did you plan to do next?”
He glanced up, and from side to side, as if measuring the hedge. Then to her astonishment, he wedged his shoulder into the tangle of branches, and pushed and shoved his way right through, never once letting go of her.
“You knocked a hole in the maze!” Kate gawked at the ragged, broken gap in the hedge.
“It will grow back.” He brushed some leaves from his hair and fixed his gaze on her. “I didn’t dare loose my grip on your again.”
Then he takes her to the center of the maze and fucks her. Ugh, I love it. I LOVE IT.
Content warnings:
- Toxic parents
- Unsatisfying marriage (heroine’s prior marriage)
- Using religion to pressure/control others
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
22% - kiss
26% - kiss
30% - kiss
36% - nipple play and some light kisses at the inn
42% - 🔥 kisses, light breast play, well endowed hero, fingering for her, missionary
50% - 🔥 kisses, playful her on top sex at the dining table with dinner still waiting
61% - 🔥 hand job for him, missionary
75% - 🔥 bent over a table overlooking Queen’s Square in Bath
98% - 🔥 kisses, sex in the maze