Y’all. Y’all. Y’ALL. I really don’t know where to start with this one. At the beginning, I suppose. I have recently fallen down the rabbit hole that is TikTok. It took awhile for the algorithm to figure me out, but eventually it got me to BookTok. Specifically SmutTok. It was here that I first heard of a novel by Kathryn Moon entitled A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor.
I cannot believe that I am about to type this particular combination of words, but here goes: For an erotic romance offering that I found on Kindle Unlimited by sheer chance after seeing a recommendation on TikTok, A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor is meticulously crafted. The language used, the sentence structure and grammar, the spelling, all impeccable. I cannot even begin to tell you what a joy it was to be able to read something and not have to translate to what was meant instead of what is actually there on the page because of words used incorrectly and bad editing that failed to catch it. In addition, while heavy on the spice, there is an actual plot that is being advanced and not just an excuse to write porn. And this is not porn. It is sexy and elegant and creative, all in one package.
Violet is a maid in a wealthy household in Victorian England. (I think. I might be off on the time period, but definitely historical England. They’re talking about electricity, but carriages are still in use.) She was placed in service by the aunt who reared her, not because she had any aptitude or calling for it, but because she needed to be able to support herself. One day she is being a tad nosy and listens in on the lady of the house being treated for female issues by Dr. Jonathon Underwood. There is a mysterious buzzing noise and then groans and moans from the lady in question. Dr. Underwood catches her in a compromising position, realizes what was happening, and asks her to meet him at his home – but only if she wants to.
Thus begins Violet’s sexual adventures. I’m not going to say awakening, because she isn’t a virgin, but perhaps revelation that there is a wide variety of possibilities when it comes to experiences of a sexual nature. Dr. Underwood quickly realizes that she is not a good match for work as a maid and sends her to Rooksgrave Manor. Rooksgrave is a club where the unusual find acceptance: Violet for being open about loving sex of all kinds, the men who patronize the club and become part of her clientele, the other ladies who have found themselves there for a variety of reasons.
I don’t want to say anymore about the characters or plot because I don’t want to give any of that away. I want you to be able to enjoy it for yourselves. I will say that in addition to the finger scorching sex scenes, there is a gothic mystery/suspense element, a bit of horror and supernatural, and a reverse harem dynamic. It is the first in a series, but this is a self-contained story with a HEA. No cliffhangers here!
In short, if you like well-written, spicy fiction, with a fantasy/horror bent, this is your cuppa tea.