3.25 stars
Nice historical romance novella. I really liked that Davidson wrote a hero who likes to be submissive in the bedroom—I think this is the first time I've read a romance book that had that. Unfortunately, I think it suffered from a few things that just didn't run smoothly: for example, the heroine thinks that the hero has been sleeping with other women, yet all of a sudden forgets this (despite it previously upsetting her greatly) when they jump into bed again and she never actually brings it up and it doesn't get clarified ever (though it is cleared up that the woman she thinks is her husband's mistress is actually nothing of the kind). I also found it a little eye-rolling that he and his friends are nicknamed Devil, Sin, and Vice. I mean, come on. Worth a read though, for its originality if nothing else. Is quite a scorcher on the heat level.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

I really enjoyed Grayson and Eliza's story!

Grayson and Eliza have been estranged since shortly after their marriage because Eliza isn't aware of what he needs in the bedroom (if only he had spoken up...). They are reunited and Grayson finally decides to open up about what he likes, funny thing is that Eliza enjoys it too! It was enjoyable to watch these two find their way back to one another.

A little more racy than I like but the author did a good job of not writing sex for sex sake and created a readable story line.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Devil’s Submission by Nicola Davidson

A short read that packs a smutty punch 🙂 This series gets better and better! The story of Grayson & Eliza is not only sexy hot, but also FULL of heart. It is the greatest combination.

As I already mentioned, this is a really short read so there isn’t much for to tell you other than it is very well written and very very sexy #TRUTH

DNF. Disliked this book intensely. The characters were absolutely exasperating and unlikable and the plot was awful.

The Devil’s Submission is the second novella in the Nicola Davidson-penned Regency romance series, Fallen, which is about a group of three best friends and members of the peerage—Lord Sebastian St. John, Lord Grayson Deveraux, and Lord Iain Vissen, also known as Sin, Devil, and Vice, respectively—who all own an exclusive pleasure club. Book two turns the spotlight on Grayson, who made himself quite memorable with his choice to remain secluded with the financial logs of Fallen rather than actively participate in the club’s events and scenes. His needs for pain and to be controlled are two things that he doesn’t think will be welcomed. He believed he had found someone who could give him both including love—his estranged wife, Lady Eliza.
Lady Eliza Deveraux misses her husband, but when he sent her away, she was dumbfounded as to what may have caused him to see them separate, especially not having been married that long. Eliza has always been headstrong, doing what she wants and not being shy about telling people what to do. She and Grayson had shared an unforgettable moment, one that led to their marriage. But constant reminders from her mother for her to adhere to the dictates of society and the teachings of the finishing school her parents, Lord and Lady Brimley, own. When her mother informs her of the dire financial straits the school finds itself in, Eliza is tasked to go to Grayson for money. Who will submit first: the not-so-obedient wife or the devil who’s been waiting for her?
Surrender to Sin was a pretty good read, but The Devil’s Submission wasn’t just sexy, but it was different as well, having been the first Regency romance I’ve come across that had the male main character being the more submissive one in the bedroom. This really was a story about how Eliza and Grayson—shackled by the expectations of their respective families—came into their own as individuals and how that, in turn, enabled them to be the best possible spouses for one another. It was also nice to see Sin and Grace St. John as well as Vice and the other notable figures from Fallen, particularly Charlotte Lewis, aka Charlie, and Diaz, the club’s butler. With The Devil’s Submission, which receives four stars, raising the bar, I’m excited to read the third Fallen book. ♥

"Naughty fun, scorching heat, reckless abandon, with a sprinkle of submission and delightful games. Erotic intoxication of historic proportions. Lord and Lady Devaraux both have desires unfulfilled and need that special hand to get them both going. Lady Deveruax (Eliza) loves her man and cannot understand where things went wrong for them. They love was more than just a convenient match. Or so she thought. Then life brings her back into close proximity of her wayward husband. Things begin to heat up and take on a new meaning all together.

Not understanding much of the world around him. Lord Deveraux longed for that something that would give him the peace and pleasure with pain he so desired/craved/needed. Getting that chance with his wife and having all the walls come crashing down opened a door to something he never dreamed of.

This one got on my top list basically because this time it was a man that craved that forbidden. It was a woman that wanted to give that ultimate pleasure. The give and take of the two together made their reunion that much more intense, special, memorable. It may have been a short novella but it most certainly packed a deliciously decadent punch.
"

Short, and....well, not all that sweet. Parts are sweet-ish, but other parts are far removed from that...which is very, very good in this instance. ;)

The Devil's Submission is a second chance romance. Grayson (AKA Devil) and Eliza met and married fairly quickly, but almost as quickly things fell apart and when this novella begins they're living separately. Miserably, and separately.

Insert Eliza's self-absorbed witch of a mother (and, it turns out, about 90% of the reason why Eliza and Grayson aren't currently together) and suddenly Eliza's back in Grayson's life. Could be good, right? Except for the fact that the two of them aren't talking about why they're apart or what they really want from each other and for themselves...

Normally the types of romantic conflict that can be resolved with a conversation or two drive me crazy. Here, though, it works pretty well. Grayson's issues are ones that many guys today would have trouble talking about and admitting to, let alone two centuries ago, and it makes sense that Eliza wouldn't even know such things exist without some outside education. What we end up with is a second chance romance story with just the right amounts of angst, longing, lust, and smexy times with two characters who manage to both figure out who they are and what they need and discover that their lives are infinitely better together. As Grayson puts it at the end,
That was all you needed really. The love of the right person, good friends, a place of your own, and acceptance of your true self.

Well, that and a very sturdy cane.
My first book in this series, but not my last! The Devil's Submission worked fine as a standalone, but I absolutely want to see how Sin and Vice's stories go as well.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

To be reviewed on Goodreads and my blog when I return from overseas in a few days.

The Devil’s Submission is the second of Davidson’s “Fallen” series of novellas. It is just as steamy as Surrender to Sin. However, in contrast to book one, this story has a bit of a backstory to it. There’s no insta-love here folks. And it was a welcome change. I do definitely recommend that you read these in order though. It’s not necessary but it’s definitely a pleasure. Plus Sin is an excellent introduction to all of the characters (and is wonderfully delicious to boot).

Grayson and Eliza are already wed and been married six months. They are estranged when the story starts. Grayson is adorably disheveled, constantly ink-stained and hiding who he really is. Eliza is feisty and independent but had changed herself to fit perceptions of who she was supposed to be. Submission is about being true to who you are and reveling in it. I adored this book. I loved that it was a Domme/sub book; you don’t see many of those. This was my first and I thought it was handled with class. The chemistry between the two is explosive. I loved seeing the play between them. I had previously stayed away from Domme books because I was worried authors would play too far into the stereotype but that was far from the case here. The scenes were sexy, tender and intense.

There’s some family drama that accompanies Eliza’s return to her husband that adds some spice to the book, ramping up the entertainment. But it’s definitely low angst and pretty humorous at times, even if I wanted to strangle Lady Brimley. The only things I didn’t like is the time spent on Lady Brimley (I’d rather it was spent on Grayson and Eliza!) and the modern language. The language detracts from the Regency feel. Other than that, I did enjoy it! These books have definitely joined my re-read shelf and I can’t wait to see how Vice falls.

I love this author and I already can't wait for her next book. This story about Lord Grayson ‘Devil’ Deveraux who has been disinherited by his parents and estranged from his wife. Lady Eliza Deveraux never knew why her husband Grayson fell out of love with her. But now she has to go to London and see him again. This was a great story and I loved Eliza.

The Devil's Submission is the second erotic romance novella by Nicola Davidson that is set with the pleasure club Fallen as its background. The first story, Surrender to Sin, was an excellent introduction to the characters and club, and this one takes us on an equally steamy ride as an estranged married couple finds their way back to each other.

Grayson 'Devil' Devereaux is weary of pretending that being a dominant male is his calling, though he still plays at it in the Fallen Club when required, part of his job as a co-owner. In truth, he'd like nothing more than to be at the feet of his wife, a woman who shows signs of dominant tendencies when they first married, but then became more and more like a simpering society woman, to the point where he suggested she move to their country estate and she obliged.

Lady Eliza is heartbroken when her husband, a man she truly loves, becomes more and more withdrawn, even as she tries harder and harder to be the perfect lady wife. The passion that existed in their courtship when her more bossy tendencies came out is dormant. When she receives an invitation from Dev's best friend Sin to Sin and Grace's wedding, she believes her husband won't want her there. But her parents run a finishing school that is in deep debt, and her mother forces Eliza's hand, asking her to return to her wealthy husband to get the money. Reluctantly Eliza agrees. But when faced in the flesh with the man she adores, the intensity of her feelings makes her behave more like she did when they were courting – and Dev instantly responds. Can they recapture the relationship they once had, and get their happy ever after?

If I have a guilty pleasure in erotic romances, it's ones with a Domme/sub theme, so this one is definitely right up my alley. Dev's penchant for pain with his pleasure resulted in horrible family turmoil that caused him to be kicked out his home, leading eventually to where he is now as co-owner of Fallen. But the shame of his feelings is still strong and he's never admitted them to anyone, even in the privacy and security of a club that caters to all manner of sexual desires. Because of this, he was never fully open with Eliza about his wants, and is responsible for the damage done to his marriage. Given this chance to make things right, his response to her more dominant nature (that she just can't hide all the time) puts them on the right path. Eliza is quick to realize that being herself makes things between her and Dev so much better. There is the requisite conflict, a few secrets and some bumps in the road, but their happy ending is deeply satisfying.

One must take the historical background with a grain of salt, as I doubt there were pleasure clubs that were always insistent on women's full consent before sex play – that's a nod to the sensibilities of current reading audience. Similarly, the idea that the club takes in disadvantaged women to help give them a more stable income is pretty fanciful. The nobility is fairly generic, as is the country versus city locales. But it's well written and entertaining regardless. The sex scenes are super hot, and involve both the couple in question as well as scenes in the club itself, definitely putting this in the erotic category. Overall, it's a very enjoyable romance. I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series!

This review has been posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews and feedback updated with the link. It has been posted at Amazon, BN, and Kobo and will be posted at Goodreads when the blog link goes live.

This was a wonderful mix of hotness and charm. Devil and Eliza were pretty good together, and though this book was a quick read, I felt as if I learned a good bit about each character. Lizzie was a charming mix of strength and vulnerability, and Devil though a sub was so yummy, honorable and appealing as a hero. I enjoyed their HEA and I would recommend.

Oh my! My second Scorched book and I loved it. It was hot, sweet and historical to boot. But while the book had all of that, it also had characters that I actually cared about and great story to read. Yes, there was an actual story besides the sex. See, I don’t read the really hot stuff anymore because of too much sex. I know, I’m weird. I actually want a story to read. If I want sex, I can watch porn.

Devil is such a beautiful hero. Submissive to his bones and still so in love with his wife. The problem with him is that it’s not okay for a male to be submissive in his time period. This leads to all kinds of miscommunication, a horrific but also empowering “a ha” moment for him that leads him on the path that he is on. I loved that he had his club to fall back on but that one scene with Charlie and when Eliza “rescues” him. Yes, you need to read it. I wept for Devil and the “toughness” and the “tenderness” that Eliza gives him is breathtaking. It’s in that moment, that they both really figure out what will work for them in the bedroom. Again, beautiful.

Eliza is a dream, too. Sweet when she needs to be and ever so the lady. But when it comes to Devil, she is dominant one in the relationship. In the above excerpt, she didn’t realize that when she slapped him that he would get so aroused by it. In the end, she finally realized what she needed to do to keep her marriage intact and alive. She also had to figure out what role Charlie played in Devil’s life. I actually liked that Eliza was jealous of Charlie but when the truth finally came out, Eliza could actually see the care that Charlie gave Devil when he needed it the most.

I can’t wait to read Vice’s story. I bought Sin and Grace’s book because I just had to see how their romance played out. Yes, I loved this book that much to buy the first one. I will be the first one to read Vice’s story when it comes out. The club, Fallen, plays a big part in this series. It’s a club where anything goes and does. But it’s done in a very tasteful way.

Overall, regardless of the subject matter, this book needs to be read. The romance is beautiful and the coming together of a married couple finally figuring out how to work, it just works. Trust me…

The Devil's Submission by Nicola Davidson is an absolute treat-of-a-read...delish! Fast and fun, hella sexy and erotic, Davidson brought it all to the table with her return novella to the Fallen Series. Such a well-done historical that gives us the best of everything with her well-defined world, captivating characters and a more than plausible storyline. Can I get an Amen up in here! Nicely done Ms. Davidson.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1907056123?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

What a nice change for an historical romance! Usually we have the man being the alpha who takes charge, but here we have it the other way around.

Eliza, or Lizzie as her husband calls her, is fiery and bossy and her husband, Grayson, knows this is just what he needs. But Eliza listens to her mother and pushes that back to be the demure wife we all know those aristocratic men want *snort* Needless to say, her being demure affects her marriage, and not in a good way. When they finally get a chance to see each other after a seperation, she decides she has to be herself and things get better between them. Of course there is that little mess with Eliza's mother...and I LOVED how that was handled!

I loved that Grayson was submissive, but didn't come across as weak. And I loved that Eliza was open to learning how to give him what he needed.

*thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy of this with me*

The Devil's Submission is my first book by Nicola Davidson and I must add, it was great and I will continue to read more of her books :).

Having that said, this is a second chance romance between Lady Eliza Deveraux and her husband Lord Grayson ‘Devil’ Deveraux. Eliza never knew why they both drifted apart after marriage, when everything seemed fine before their marriage and during their brief courtship. She is forced to meet her husband due to circumstances. Will Grayson trust their bond enough to tell his wife the truth about his craving? If he does, will Eliza accept him?

This was a very quick, steamy and interesting read. Unlike many other BDSM books I've read, I liked that the twist where it was the man who craved submission (which is far and few between). I liked how Grayson loves her even after all the distance and craves her. Their relationship does take an interesting turn, but will Eliza's mother let her be? I loved the showdown towards the end ;)

As always, this was quite an interesting read, needless to say, a good one considering it is from Entangled Publishing. I was tempted by the cover first and then the blurb, pushing me to request for the ARC. I am glad that my request was approved and I got to read this wonderful story. If you want to know what happens, grab this BOOK NOW!

This was an exceptional twist on the usual historical romance. Grayson and Eliza were married and madly in love. Eliza is striving to be the perfect wife and Grayson is holding onto a secret that eventually drives them apart. Time passes and they are reunited. The chemistry is still there but so is the secret. Can these two overcome their preconceived notions of what their roles should be and find the happiness they both desire? Read it and find out because this story is absolutely one that you will not want to miss. The sexual chemistry was sizzling hot not only with Grayson and Eliza but other characters adding to the spice. The story was enjoyable and I recommend it to everyone.

This is a fast paced steamy historical read. I loved the characters and the drama. The chemistry between Dev and Eliza is off the charts hot. I loved it! Looking forward to more.