reviews_and_ramblings | Bound by Deception by Ava March

Bound by Deception was an unlucky book in my reading list, it slipped day by day till the day I almost forgot I had it, and now that I read it, thanks to the release of a sequel, I'd like to knock myself on the head for allowing so. I knew that I would have liked it, I loved another book by Ava March, an Erotic Regency as this one, so why I waited so much? Mystery of my strange mind...

Anyway, Ava March, in this second book, but really her first book, confirms my previous idea of her: she is a very good erotic writer, but above all she is a very good Regency romance writer. Not Traditional Regency, it's obvious, but as many writers of the genre are saying, the Traditional Regency romance genre is languishing, and so welcome to a bit of fuzzy borders, with Mystery, Erotica and even Vampires! And yippie yippie yeah, the M/M Regency Romance! And don't worry, in Bound by Deception you will not find a damsel in distress disguised by in gentleman clothes, the men in it are both men, only that one happens to like to be a bottom, and the other one is a total top... but preferably on top of a man!

Oliver and Vincent had one thing in common, both second sons of the aristocracy, they met at boarding school. They became best friends, even if Oliver really never understood what Vincent found in him: even if second son, Vincent was from a wealthy family and he had chances that Oliver never had: a superior education, a small inheritance that he made thriving and above all a fine appearance and a bearing that Oliver total lacked. Despite this Vincent still considers Oliver one of his best friends, even if with the parameters of the time: a man he is comfortable with, with whom he likes to chat at the club, and a friendly ear that comprehends his striven to try to always please his father, a man that has never even acknowledged his presence in the room, since he has just the heir he needs. Actually I wondered how good the author was, creating a whole family environment for Vincent, without actually presenting any of the members of it, if not as names and outline shadows without cue, and at the same time rendering the desolation of Oliver's life, of whom we never once, neither in his youth memories, meet someone of his family. All Oliver's world turns around Vincent, since the day they met as children, and in the end, Oliver has to do something.

Other than being neglected second sons, Oliver and Vincent have something else in common, they prefer the company of men. But where Oliver admitted with himself who he is and what he likes, maybe since he likes to be on the bottom, and it's difficult from that perspective deny it, Vincent is still cheating himself with the lie that, since he is on the top, he is not really a sodomite; it's quite a weak excuse, but then, he has to use it only with himself, since never once Vincent shared his segret with Oliver. And Oliver happens to know it only since they frequent the same brothel and the same whore inside it. The deeply knowledge Oliver has of Vincent and his love for him, made the man able to recognize him in the words of the whore and now Oliver has a plan: for one night he will be in the place of the whore and he will finally have the night he wants with Vincent, without loosing their friendship... and here maybe is the only problem I had with the book, since I don't believe that a three days beard, long hair and the absence of the glass he usually wears, is enough to Oliver to not being recognize by Vincent. To excuse the author there is also to say that we are used to modern electric lights, and instead in that time there were candles and firelight, and plus Vincent is not absolutely expecting to find Oliver in the man he payed for sex.

This is only a novella, but it's a finely built novella, and I'm really happy to know that there is a sequel, even if, for once, I didn't find it lacking: all the pages and scenes were properly weighted and in the end, you had the feeling to read a longer book. A sequel will only add more and welcome details to a nice story.

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Amazon Kindle: Bound by Deception by Ava March

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Cover Art by April Martinez

Bound by Deception by Ava March

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you, Elisa. It turns out that I myself have this one in my collection and I'd almost forgotten I had it. Same as your situation.

Except I seem to remember seeing a sex scene within it that was very hot and stood out in my memory. I can't exactly say that the book opened by accident at the sex scene -- since it was an ebook, ha, ha! But I must have seen an excerpt and it stayed in my mind.

I know what you mean about wondering if the one man really wouldn't recognize that his friend has switched places with the prostitute. On the other hand, if the author brings out those details that you mentioned -- the low light, and the fact that the one guy would have no reason to expect anything other than the prostitute -- then maybe it would work.

Our context can do strange things to our power of recognition. I once went to my job where one of my coworkers had shaved off his full beard, and I totally didn't recognize him! I also sometimes have a problem recognizing coworkers when I find them other places than on the job.

If you're not expecting to see someone, you might really not recognize them -- but the author would have to bring that out.

Yes, I appreciated the author since she "sold" me something that otherwise I wouldn't have accepted. She brought me reasons why the things could work, and so it worked. Elisa

That's good to know! I will be moving this up to the top of my To-Be-Read list based on your reaction. Thanks again.

You are welcome, this is the classical Regency Sexy Romps, and if you like a romance with a good historical basis, but not too serious, this is a good choice. Elisa

This book was a fun read. While I don't know much about the time period, it felt realistic and their scene in the brothel was hot. I hope you are able to read the sequel soon and do a write up... I have not been able to purchase it yet but I'd like to know what you think.

Great review, Elisa!

Oh I will read it soon. I usually let pass some day before books by the same author (some time months), but this time I'm too curious. Elisa

I think you will like it equally, Elisa. Ava March is my critique partner so I get the pleasure of reading all before publication, :)

Shawn Lane

Are you not a bit of a witch? Try to guess of whom's book I'm writing a review just now? ;-)

And I know that I will like next book by Ava, but I want also to give space to others... but Ava March is there on my main folder now, she will not slip like last time.

Elisa

I know so many books so little time. I am impressed you manage to read as many as you do, Elisa. Really.

Shawn Lane

I would like to read more, maybe when I will be retired (25 years more or less still), and you will be still there writing, I will be more fast ;-) Elisa

Thanks for the truly wonderful review, Elisa! :) Like Shawn said, I am amazed you read as many books as you do, and write such thoughtful reviews, and write all the other fabulous posts for your live journal.

Thanks again!
-Ava March

You are welcome Ava, I really enjoyed this book, and the sequel is there looking expectantly at me ;-) Elisa

Bound by Deception by Ava March

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