23-year-old aspiring artist Sophie Walker can think of no better place than the exotic paradise of the Maldives to escape the wrath of her controlling parents, the monotony of her boring legal work and her passionless boyfriend. With her two best friends along for the ride and to help her find herself again, Sophie is not prepared for the enigmatic Clayton Sinclair. Clayton comes from another world of privilege that seems like a fantasy to Sophie. Can this man introduce her to the passion & seduction she never realized she was desperately searching for? Sophie quickly becomes ensnared in Clayton's seductive web until a shocking treachery makes her question her judgment and actions...
I have an issue with what I call the "virgin burden." The idea that being a virgin past your teens is unacceptable and a burden which must be dealt with by the first attractive male to give a woman attention lest she miss her opportunity. "Mad Love" is an example of the virgin burden because poor Sophie is a 23 year old virgin - *Gasps of terror* - but frankly it isn't that big a deal. Unfortunately it is also teamed with a possessive male who is practically drooling at being the one and only male whose blessed penis has touched her vagina... *smacks head* I just hate this combination because a) being a virgin past your teens doesn't make you a prude b) virgin doesn't mean pure, innocent and naive c) cavemen are extinct stop with the he-man routine. Aside from this and the ridiculous notion that a handsome billionaire becomes enamoured with a young girl he just met (curse 50 Shades of Grey for starting this trend) Abedi writes a lovely romance novel.
It's a typical fluffy read and is perfect romance fodder - being set in the Maldives was a nice change. The story is well written and the characters developed if not likeable. Sophie was a little too flaky and insecure allowing Clayton to push her around. She isn't what I prefer in my leading ladies but it's a satisfying read with a cliffhanger ending. If you like reading billionaire romances containing full functional and not traumatized at some point in their life alpha males then this is perfect for your next to read. The gay friends while slightly over the top were welcome comedic relief.
Copy received from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
"Virgin burden." I like that! Well, not the trope, but the name! I do find it kind of annoying when losing your virginity becomes something to do because you're "too old" or whatever, but also annoying because I feel like there's too many of them! I only know one virgin over 23, so it always throws me off.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this romance would be for me. Hmmm.
Hahahaha thanks. I was coming across it so often I had to figure out what to call it... It's a weird story, like it had potential but fell flat :(
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