Such a great book!

Guy de Cazal is the last survivor of a wealthy french family after the French Revolution. There are too many memories in his country state so he decides to stay in Paris, where he meets a beautiful lad. In order to be his mistress, she proposes a wager. Antonia Saint Yves, his former bethroted, got back to France not long ago. If he seduces her, she will become his mistress.

Read this book to know if Guy got what he wanted or if Antonia got the best of him.

Seduction at the Chateau was definitely a good read. I do like the author's voice and the post French revolution setting. The whole set up of the novel uses the situation from Dangerous Liasions, however the author does infuse it with some twists. While it is a trope there is something about the rakish hero and the proud honorable heroine who reforms him. I look forward to reading more from this author!

I received a copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Taking place just after the Reign of Terror, this novel starts out with a bet where Guy has to try and lure his once betrothed into activities, not becoming of a young, unmarried woman. His prize will be the beautiful, voluptuous Victoire. Guy doesn't expect real feelings to develop, and as their time together winds down, the end game changes, and Victoire is no longer the penultimate goal he wants for the long run.

This was a quick read that engaged me from the first few pages. I enjoyed the characters (even though one in particular was infuriating) and seeing how they grew and developed into better versions of themselves. There was a little bit of sweet, a little bit of spice, and it made this novel very nice!

This is the first book of the series and also a debut novel by this author. It was a well-written story with an interesting plot and fresh change of scenery from most Regency-era books as this takes place in post-Revolutionary France. Guy and Antonia have both come back to France to rebuild their lives after the devasting reign of Terror. Before having to flee the country, Guy and Antonia had been betrothed. Now, all these years later, Guy is a different person and considered somewhat of a rake. He accepts the challenge of a woman he desires, who wagers him to seduce his betrothed from all those years ago. Guy has no attachment to Antonia, so he doesn't see any problem with winning the wager, that is until he meets her and realizes what an intelligent, confident, beautiful young woman she's become and his once intended game of seduction turns into something more real. Guy no longer wants to be seen as the infamous rake, but wants something real and lasting with Antonia.
Though I did not like the basis of the storyline where Guy is essentially being sent to ruin a young ladies' reputation and life, the story was well-written, and thankfully Guy comes to his senses early on. Although, I would've liked to seen a little more redemption on his end. The story, however, was full of drama and intrigue and it kept my interest all the way through. I am looking forward to reading more and continuing the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

What Happens When Seduction Turns to Love?

Guy made a wager of seduction, and he lost his heart instead. His deception would cost him much. Could Antonia ever forgive him? It was a wager that made him a cad and would have sacrificed her reputation. Would Guy redeem himself?

Unlike most Regency romances, this one takes place in France. It appears to be the author's debut book, and I thought it was an entertaining historical romance. I look forward to reading what this author writes next.

While there were aspects of this book that were enjoyable, I have never been a fan of "Les Liaisons dangereuses" or any of it's subsequent adaptations. I thought the setting of this novel unique - I love that it is set in France, I just struggle with this well-known and well-loved plot inspiration and could not get past it emotionally.

On an intellectual level, what I found a challenge here is that the central premise of the original story and most adaptations are the cruel ways in which power and wealth corrupt a person, whether this be pre-revolutionary France or affluent private schools in New York. Yet, in this novel, because it is set after the French Revolution, we still have individuals behaving badly but in an environment where this may make less sense (unless the author is trying to make the point that corrupt morals exist even in democracies?).

If you enjoy seduction tales and morally suspect wagers, with redemption and HEA, then I would suggest trying this debut author. I will certainly try other works by Delphine Roy as I think a different type of story would excel in this setting.

I received an ARC of this book, but the review is my own.

Seduction at the Chateau by Delphine Roy is a Regency-type romance taking place in France and filled with people whose family and friends had been killed in the revolution by the guillotine. One such was Guy de Cazal whose father had been killed thusly and his assets all seized. Guy had gone through the arduous process of recovering the assets and had begun life anew as what the English would call a rake, the French, a debauche. In this context he had been trying to seduce Victoire Le Plessis, who was a married woman but was known for her affairs, always with wealthy men who were willing to pay for her extravagant tastes. She was also a consummate gossip. In order to lure her to his bed, she told Guy he would need to seduce his “betrothed” who was a virgin, as a mark of his desire. Guy thought this was doable as it was not a real betrothal but one his parents had hoped for years earlier. That all flew from his mind when he saw her. Antonia Saint-Yves was the most beautiful and desirable woman he had ever seen.

Toinette, as she was called by her family, was indeed a beautiful woman who had not married and was nearly a spinster. The revolution and the rushed escape to England had changed the life plan for her. She lived with her sister, Honorine, and husband, Stanilas, and three small boys while her brother Jerome finished out his apprenticeship in England. Being invited to this house party was thrilling, as well as intimidating. She had a strong moral code but really wanted to be married. Once at the house party she met her chaperone, Claudine, and began to enjoy herself. She put Guy out of her mind despite the fact he was more handsome than ever. There was electricity between them, but she knew his reputation. Guy was fighting his reputation. He was beginning to want more. And he no longer wanted Victoire. It all became rather a jumble. This story was filled with scheming, excellent characters, and a good storyline. Well worth the read.

Thank you Dragonblade for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #DelphineRoy #SeductionAtTheChateau

I love good historical romance, and was lured in by the blurb. Unfortunately, this book did nothing for me.

A very dark and manipulative plot, that I did not enjoy, made this hard to finish.

The characters were fairly well developed, and while the pacing was off in a few areas, overall, it was good.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

Reading "Seduction at the Chateau" by Delphine Roy was such a joy! I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this complex novel was Roy's debut.

The author has successfully captured the essence of the era - bringing Antonia Saint Yves and Guy de Cazal's story to life. Antonia and Guy were well-rounded characters, and their personalities shone through, making them relatable and easy to root for. Despite their rocky start, with Guy planning to leave Antonia heartbroken to pursue Victoire Le Plessis, the novel has a satisfying happily-ever-after that left a smile on my face.

"Seduction at the Chateau" is an excellent choice for those who want to escape reality for a while and lose themselves in an enjoyable historical romance novel. I look forward to the continuation of this series.

Well done, Delphine Roy!

We really enjoyed this French-set historical romance! The post-Revolution setting might not be a different 19th-Century than many histrom fans are used to, but the new location makes it feel fresh.

Guy de Cazal is a jaded young man. He lived through the French Revolution as the only surviving member of his family, and his current occupation is suffocating his feelings under a blanket of debauchery. His current goal is to seduce Victoire Le Plessis Tailland, a married woman whose greatest pleasure is social intrigue. She makes a deal with him: if he can seduce young innocent Antonia Saint Yves (who happens to be "engaged" to Guy, based on a match arranged by their deceased parents), then Victoire will accept him as her lover. Seducing and abandoning Antonia will prove to Victoire that she is the most important woman in Guy's life.

If you're familiar with French literature, the Dangerous Liaisons inspiration will not escape you. Instead of detracting from this story, the familiar setup helps situate the reader in France. The way Delphine Roy plays with the central conceit, and her transposition of the story from the debauched nobility to the debauched new post-Revolution society, makes it feel fresh. We especially liked the way Roy handled the wager and its effects on Antonia. Plus we really appreciated the high heat of their romance after a few low- to no-spice romances we've recently read.

Finally, this has to be the best series title we've read in a long time; Bleu Blanc Rogue?? Yes, please!!! This was a great debut, and we are excited to read more from Delphine Roy!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I received a free copy of the ebook from NetGalley. This is my honest review. #SeductionattheChateau #NetGalley

This book was so good it reminded me of another movie i use to watch it had the vibes of it the guy gets a bet to fall in love with girl and you know the rest. I loved the chemistry between MC and Guy! I couldn't put this book down it was everything.

The last surviving member of his family after the Revolution, Guy de Cazal leads a life of decadent pleasure in Paris. But his past catches up with him when he agrees to a wicked wager with Victoire, a notorious beauty—she will take him as a lover if he can seduce the innocent young lady his parents intended him to marry many years before. Antonia Saint Yves dreams of overcoming her reserved nature and leaving the family nest before she well and truly becomes the spinster aunt. An invitation to attend a fashionable house party seems like the perfect opportunity, until she comes face to face with Guy, the object of her adolescent infatuation.
A well written debut novel. The characters were well portrayed & had depth. I really liked Antonia but struggled at first to like Guy as I didn’t like the manipulations to ruin & destroy Antonia. I did think of giving up but was intrigued as to whether Guy would redeem himself. A story flowed well & in the end enjoyed Guy & Antonia’s journey to a HEA
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Oh What A Delicious Story!

This is the first book I have read from author Delphine Roy and I definitely be back for more … can’t wait for the next books in this series! What starts as a wager involving carnal delights turns into much more during a house party with the Parisian beau monde.

I couldn’t put this book down! I loved everything about the story including the characters, theme, setting, and of course the naughty parts 😉

If you are looking for a fun story to start off 2024 I recommend reading this book.

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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I received a free copy of the ebook from NetGalley. This is my honest review. #SeductionattheChateau #NetGalley

A little Dangerous Liaisons vibe with a happy ending. I enjoy everything about this book, it was short, sweet, and such a great debut book by Delphine Roy. Can't wait to read more of her future works!

I found this book very difficult to read given the deliberate manipulation and spiteful manoeuvres to destroy a young woman's trust and innocence. With echoes of the movie Dangerous Liaisons ringing in my ears, I was heartbroken for Antonia Saint Yves as Guy de Cazal was pulled into the bored and petulant Victoire's schemes. Unlike the movie, though, Guy comes to his senses in time to correct the course of his life and the book does end on a good note. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I love history and most especially in a romantic format, so when the opportunity came along to read this novel which includes French history, I jumped at it. I was not disappointed at all. A brilliant and beautiful story of two souls who have survived the French Revolution and now must survive life on the other side of it. Oh yes, there is romance, lots of steam, a few villains and friends but also there is the underlying theme of those wealthy people who survived the revolution. How did they do it, what became of their lives, did they retain their wealth and positions? All can be found in this story as the story weaves in and out of the relationship between Guy and Antonia. Additionally this is both the first of a new series and the first time I've been introduced to this author. Both are brilliant and full of great possibilities.

This review was made possible via an ARC through NetGalley

Seduction at the Chateau by Delphine Roy opens in post-Revolution where our romantic lead, Guy de Cazal, is interested in Victoire, a married woman who is the most desired woman in high society. Victoire makes a deal with him: seduce his fiancee who he hasn’t seen in years, Antonia Saint Yves, and leave her and Victoire will become his lover.

Antonia is still attracted to Guy after close to ten years of them not seeing each other. The last time they met, Antonia was fourteen and her heart had been broken by Guy’s dismissal of her. Despite this, when she is invited to the chateau Guy and Victoire are staying at, she can’t resist his charms for long.

The post-French Revolution aspect is most shown in Guy and Antonia’s backstories; Antonia’s parents died in a plague while Guy’s father was executed via guillotine with the other nobles. Courtly life is mostly exhibited with games, rules around manners and modesty, and the references to how much leisure time the upper class has.

I would recommend this to fans of shorter historical Romances and fans of Romance where a bet is involved.

Genre: historical romance
France, 1801

Ten years ago, as France was on the brink of Revolution, Guy de Cazal and Antonia Saint Yves were engaged by their parents. While they were too young at the time, only twenty and fourteen, it was understood that they’d marry in the future. But the Reign of Terror sent aristocrats fleeing into exile, and now years later, Guy is the last remaining from his family, with no intentions of holding up his end of the betrothal. In fact, in order to win another woman to his bed, Guy bets that he can seduce the innocent Antonia. That is, until he and Antonia are reunited, and he realizes she’s no longer the fourteen-year-old child she was, but a self-possessed, intelligent, and beautiful young woman, and seduction is no longer just a game.

Seduction at the Chateau is a really lovely historical romance debut from French author Delphine Roy. Set in 1801 with an aristocracy still reeling from the Terror, only just beginning to return from exiles abroad, it’s an era of history I only have some familiarity with and enjoy learning more. The mores of the French nobles and wealthy are slightly different than those of the English, but we still see familiar themes with rakes, bored seductresses, and brothers jumping to defend their sisters’ honor.

I was delighted that there were several conflicts in the story, internal to and external from the relationship. The primary internal conflict is that Guy has a bet with Victoire Le Plessis Tailland about seducing Antonia and he has, of course, kept this bet secret from Antonia as he begins to pursue her. However, where many authors would make that the major source of conflict, Delphine Roy has Guy admit this much earlier in the plot, removing the miscommunication trope from play.

Seduction at the Chateau was a really pleasant and enjoyable read for an interesting change of pace from the traditional historical romances set in England.

Wow this was a fantastic read. I'm really shocked that I got into it so quick. I loved it from start to end and would happily read the rest of this authors work.

I wasn't sure after I read the first few chapters if I would enjoy Guy and Antoina as a couple because the bet seemed so cruel and her childhood crush on him was so sweet. I was not sure I would want them together but the fact that he had confessed the bet to her rather than it come out later really won me over that and once he really begun to pursue her he never strayed. Claudine was amazing, I loved that she helped with my favorite troupe of the man jealous. I also liked Nicholas, it was nice that the side characters helped further the plot along. Jerome I think will be the next book based on the foreshadow ing we got in this book and I can't wait to read it. Thank to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.