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Cover of Forbidden Pleasure

Forbidden Pleasure

First published 1998 · 288 pages

A classic, high-stakes nineties romance where royal duty clashes with undeniable, forbidden passion.

What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stepping into a time capsule of classic nineties romance, where the stakes are high, the secrets are royal, and the passion is immediate. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging pace, sweeping the reader into a world of hidden identities and intense, forbidden attraction. The prose is lush and emotionally heightened, perfectly suited to the dramatic push-and-pull between a duty-bound hero and a vulnerable yet courageous heroine. It is an escapist, swoony experience steeped in the delicious angst of undeniable temptation. Fans of vintage category romance and secret prince tropes will devour this earnest, melodramatic tale of love conquering the heavy burdens of royal obligation.

Mood
  • escapist
  • swoony
  • dramatic
  • angsty
Tone
  • earnest
  • intense
  • melodramatic
  • romantic
Pace
brisk
Themes
duty versus desire · hidden identity · forbidden love · vulnerability and protection · royal obligations
The writing
Lush and emotionally heightened, leaning into the dramatic flair characteristic of classic nineties category romance.
The arc
Moves from guarded, secret-laden attraction to a dramatic revelation and ultimately, passionate surrender.
Who it's for
Readers who crave vintage, high-stakes category romances featuring secret royalty and intense emotional melodrama.
Content notes
  • power imbalance
  • secret identity
  • past trauma

About the book

His majesty's pleasure...

Beautiful, vulnerable and courageous Ianthe Brown might be, but she was out of bounds. Alex had to make a major life decision -- not seduce the most wonderful woman he'd ever met. His future was such that she must remain forbidden to him; anything else would be dishonorable. As it was, what would Ianthe do when she discovered that he, Alex Considine, was the Crown Prince of Illyria?

This is a prequel to The Royal House of Illyria series.

Description from Open Library.

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