#NSFW Book Review: Scandalous Passions by Nicola Davidson

Title: Scandalous Passions

Author: Nicola Davidson

Publisher: Entangled: Scorched

Publication Date: May 11, 2020

Genres: Erotic Romance

Shelves: Female-fronted, Female-led, female-authored

Far more than just the female-led polyamorous romance I expected, Scandalous Passions was passionate, empowering, and thoughtful, built around a trio of lonely lovers who are eminently lovable from the moment they step on the page.

Nicola Davidson has written a period romance that incorporates the moral and religious prejudices of the time, and which acknowledges the difficult positions in which women were often forced, making her empowerment of Lady Janet and Lady Marjorie all the more significant. Lady Janet is a woman who knows herself and who is not ashamed of her passions. She is a woman who likes to be in control, and who isn’t shy about taking the lead with her men, but she’s also a woman of principles and values, selective about who she loves and how. Lady Marjorie is a virgin, raised in a convent and taught to resist temptations of the flesh, but she is passionate, curious, and determined to claim a life for herself. Their lives and their futures rest very much on the whims of King James IV, but both intend to challenge duty in the name of love.

The nature of the female-led relationship here, with Marjorie submissive to Janet, and Sir Lachlan submissive to them both, is tender and romantic. It’s a polyamorous relationship built on the principles of mutual pleasure and absolute consent, and I loved how Davidson explored that, especially as Marjorie blossomed and began to claim more of her sexuality. There are no heavy-duty whips or restraints here, no cruelty or harsh domination, just passionate leadership with playful disciple and correction – oh, and a whole lot of very intimate, very smutty, and yet very tasteful sex, with a lot of tongues involved.

As for that theme of empowerment, it applies to all three characters, and it goes far beyond gender or sexuality. Janet is empowered for her choices, her freedom, and her taboo bisexuality. Marjorie is empowered for her body, learning to appreciate her curves, and for her open sexuality, overcoming the teachings of the convent. Even Lachlan is wrapped up in themes of empowered, both for his social standing and for his speech impediment, with two women who care not a whit for his lack of lands or money.

Of course, playing against the whims of powerful Kings and Lords does have its consequences, and the story takes a surprisingly tense turn when love demands its place. A love tested is a love true, however, and it’s no spoiler to say a happily-ever-after awaits this polyamorous threesome, and their pleasures of their Scandalous Passions all the sweeter for their pains.

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.