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A review by reading_historical_romance
Devil's Embrace by Catherine Coulter
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
***This review is for the original edition published by Signet in August 1982***
TW/CW: This is an old skool bodice ripper - the rape to romance trope. The MMC is an alpha male (34) who has stalked and groomed the FMC (18) since she was a young girl (approx 8yrs) because she resembles her mother, who died in childbirth and was the MMC’s calf’s love. He installed his female cousin to serve as her governess, and has been controlling her future via the governess. On the eve of her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, he kidnaps her and stages her death so that her family and fiancée will not look for her. There is also a violent, graphic gang rape/assault to the FMC that is only indirectly related to the toxic relationship she had with the MMC. This event is essentially brushed aside after it occurs in the narrative.
These two deserve each other because as horrible and disturbing as he is, she “falls in love” because she can’t help herself and how “her body responds to him” against her will.
Catherine Coulter is a talented writer - this one earns stars simply for that reason. Her characters come alive on the page, so much so that I loathe all of them with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.
TW/CW: This is an old skool bodice ripper - the rape to romance trope. The MMC is an alpha male (34) who has stalked and groomed the FMC (18) since she was a young girl (approx 8yrs) because she resembles her mother, who died in childbirth and was the MMC’s calf’s love. He installed his female cousin to serve as her governess, and has been controlling her future via the governess. On the eve of her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, he kidnaps her and stages her death so that her family and fiancée will not look for her. There is also a violent, graphic gang rape/assault to the FMC that is only indirectly related to the toxic relationship she had with the MMC. This event is essentially brushed aside after it occurs in the narrative.
These two deserve each other because as horrible and disturbing as he is, she “falls in love” because she can’t help herself and how “her body responds to him” against her will.
Catherine Coulter is a talented writer - this one earns stars simply for that reason. Her characters come alive on the page, so much so that I loathe all of them with the fiery passion of a thousand suns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail