The heroine isn’t scarred, but has a birthmark on her face that has led to failed Seasons and insecurity. The hero is in disguise and has some nice brooding tendencies. The setup was right up my alley. But then I was reminded why I don’t read BDSM erotica. I am a stickler for active, enthusiastic consent, and clear negotiation between equals. Spanking someone to the point of bruising without negotiating first is just not sexy to me. Much less sexy is unnegotiated anal sex with a virgin, and with only a bit of spit as lube!

I guess in as much as I like kink IRL, I need to steer clear of it in romance novels. The dubious consent, the extreme power differentials in patriarchal Regency England, the idea of unspokenly leaping into a BDSM scene with someone with absolutely NO experience with sex or anything else... these elements ruin books for me. Hopefully I remember that in the future. (2.5 stars) ( )