Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
169 global ratings
5 star
64%
4 star
25%
3 star
7%
2 star
2%
1 star
3%
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review this product

Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Ursula K.
4.0 out of 5 stars Original and fun read
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
The plot of this book is fairly inventive. I don't recall ever reading a story where the heroine is sold into white slavery and eventually manages to escape still a virgin and is not ruined in the eyes of society. This is in large part to the H, a duke, who is the heroine's childhood friend and manages to smooth her way back into society. There's a side story where the H is indebted to the h's father for being one of his guardians after the death of the H's parents, but the father basically disappears after 60% of the story. I think it's just used as a way to bring the h & H together. This story was fun, despite the seemingly dark subject matter. At times, I worried the heroine might have PTSD, but the author never really delves into the h's psyche, and the h seems perfectly fine, so I'm probably putting to much into that aspect of the story. Overall, it's refreshing to have a heroine who isn't afraid to express her desires and jealousies. The H definitely had grounds to be more angsty considering all that occurred in his life, but, in general, he was not the typical brooding angry Hero. I gave this book four stars because the writing is good, the story is somewhat inventive, and I liked all the characters. None of the problems were drawn out, and the H & h were able to overcome any problems pretty quickly. If you're looking for an angsty (I know that's not a word) read, I would suggest you look elsewhere. If you need a good book to pass the afternoon away, then I would receive this one.
Read more
Judge Tabor
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Love Story - Harem Girl Meets Cold-Hearted Duke
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Loretta Chase is one of the top writers in this genre. Can anyone ever forget her all time best (IMO)  Lord of Scoundrels ? I've also enjoyed the Dressmaker Series and many other books by this talented author.

In "Don't Tempt Me," we have a somewhat original type of storyline - in that our heroine, Zoe Lexham, was kidnapped in a foreign country while traveling with her parents when she was 12 years old and has recently returned to England after escaping the harem where she had lived for 12 years. What makes things even more interesting is that although she was married off straight away, to the pasha's youngest son, he was sickly so she's still a virgin - albeit a virgin who has been well versed in all things sexual. Additionally, she's been gone so long and accustomed to conversation tendered with sexual connotations, there are some truly funny parts, especially when she talks frankly about how "she's been trained to pleasure a man," and the names she has for certain body parts such as a man’s “instrument of pleasure” when she attempts to explain why she’s still a virgin.

Because of her “harem girl” past, family members are up in the air about how fast they’re all going to come crashing down in Society with the exception of her father, Lord Lexham, who searched for Zoe for years and years and is just thrilled to have her back. To Lord Lexham's credit, he's a good man who years previously took two young orphan lordlings in hand following the death of their parents - Gerard and Lucian - heir and spare to the dukedom of Marchmont. Gerard passed away leaving Lucian to carry the burdens of the Marchmont dukedom along with the heaviness in his soul of having lost those in his life that he most valued, including his childhood friend, Zoe.

However, if there's one person in his life that he truly values, it is Lord Lexham. Therefore, when word that the "harem girl" has been restored to her family with the accompanying gossip, Lucian decides he will take it upon himself to bring her back into good standing with Society, all for Lord Lexham's sake. There's never any doubt that he will be able to do exactly what he sets out to do. However, Lucian's plans do not include opening up his heart to anyone ever again – including Zoe. But, we know that his plans to protect his heart will come crashing down and the fun is getting to come alongside Lucian and Zoe as she very quickly not only affects his "membrum virile" but also slowly penetrates his heart. A very fun love story.
Read more
ACBdeR
5.0 out of 5 stars Original and wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
The idea of a man grooming a woman to be accepted by Society is very old, but this is not Pygmalion. The lady in this case, an English girl who has escaped life in a harem twelve years after having been abducted at the age of twelve, intends to reclaim her life with the help of her childhood friend, now a duke with the right connections. Zoe, the lady, is unique. She is wild by English standards, uninhibited, strong willed....and has learned more in the harem than how to tempt a man. She is a formidable heroine, and Lucien, the duke, does a lot of growing to become the man of her dreams. Once wed, about 3/4 of the way through the book, more adventure ensues. I love that Ms. Chase's books don't necessarily end with the wedding. Witty, clever, funny, romantic, sexy -- all of these apply. And original.
Read more
Kotori
5.0 out of 5 stars Always a good choice,
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
When you need a book to thoroughly enjoy, which you know won't let you down, reread loretta Chase. Any of her novels are pure perfection (except Isabella which I've tried to read thrice , but always give up on), and extremely delightful.
Her characters are well thought out and always believable.
Plausible villans or pleasing rogues, characters you fall in love with.
Witty repartee, story progression, excitement, feelings, I urge you to read.
So much fun to be enthralled in her stories.
Read more
manhattanmarmalade
4.0 out of 5 stars Just Delightful!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
Delightful. That's the only way to describe this book. The hero, Duke of Marchmont, and the heroine, Zoe, were friends since childhood. The heroine is kidnapped in Cairo at the age of 12 and groomed and trained to please a man and to be one of the wives to the Sultan's son. She is not really familiar with the strict English customs upon her rescue and return to England, which results in awkward and funny situations. Loretta Chase is a wonderful writer. It's great to see how the H & h reconnect and the Hero learns to live and love again after giving up. It's a beautiful romance. Really enjoyed it.
Read more
Ann Ono
1.0 out of 5 stars Just terrible
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
I thought I could get past of the white slave narrative. I was wrong. Being a sex slave just makes her sensual. A story about evil Muslims who kidnapped a 12 year old girl and sold her as a sex slave. Yet she comes back with no PTSD. It’s racist and not original. I knew I wouldn’t like it. But then a kissing scene contains the heroine trying to break away from a kiss and the hero not stopping. There is nothing good or original in this book.
Read more
See all reviews

Top reviews from other countries

internet whatsit
3.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, but not very memorable or exciting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed Lord of Scoundrels so picked this one up.

It's very competently written - the prose skips along merrily, I wasn't bored.

However, I also wasn't particularly moved or excited. The characterisation was pretty shallow, and the sexual chemistry felt pretty pasted on - like, our protagonists demonstrably can't keep their hands off each other if left alone for two seconds, but there's not much of a sense of *why* they're so passionate for each other, why they affect each other so intensely - it just sort of 'is'. But personally I'm more into tension and buildup than just descriptions of makeouts or sex, and that was lacking.

I also thought the 'escaped from a harem' premise sounded interesting and emotionally complicated, which is part of what attracted me to this book as I am Totally Into That. So I should say that if sexily interesting is what you're after, skip on past. Zoe's former life as a harem girl drove the plot rather more than it drove her actual character. Certainly she refers back to it a lot as her reason for e.g. wanting to be out and about instead of stuck at home, but as effects of a decade in captivity go, that seems a bit flat. Other than that it's made her terribly brave and also taught her how to pose sexily. ...Woo?

I'm not saying I'd rather she was totally broken, at all, this is obviously meant to be cheerful fluff, but she could still have been a lot more interesting as a person, both out of bed and in it. As it is, it's not one I'll be coming back to, even for light fluff I think it can be better.
Read more
Marrianna Humphries
5.0 out of 5 stars Puts a smile on your face
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2011
Verified Purchase
If like me you enjoy a humorous romance then this one is for you.
Zoe was kidnapped and spent her growing up years in a harem learning how to please men, (although she remains a virgin). Lucien spent his growing up years living with Zoes family, when she escapes and gets back to her family the fun starts. Zoe doesnt know how to behave, she is shockingly forward and outspoken she lists one of her qualifications has "knowing all the arts of pleasing a man". Lucian the Duke decides to teach her how to behave in public "after refusing her proposal" The first few pages will have you laughing out loud and so it continues throughout the book. Worth all the 5 stars I have rated it. If this is your first L. Chase book, also try The Last Hellion, and Lord of Scoundrels, and when you have read them try her early works "Lord Perfect etc.
Enjoy.
Madge
Read more
gimmielinda
5.0 out of 5 stars Hugely enjoyable romp.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
I was in two minds whether to buy this title - the premise bothered me a lot; a young girl kidnapped and brought up in a harem escapes and returns home all grown up. However, in the hands of LC it becomes a very entertaining story. The heroine is self-assured, whimsical, warm and delightfully shameless; the hero is suitably strong and louche to begin with but touchingly vulnerable as his history is revealed. Their inner dialogue is very amusing. Lovely stuff!
Read more
Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Witty beginning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
This has a beginning which, though it treats somewhat superficially a dreadful experience, also provides some nicely outspoken dialogue and humour. The rest of the story falls off, however. The question of whether hero and heroine will become lovers is not drawn out, and the plot becomes more predictable.
Read more
Frances Bard
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
I love Lorettas books though Lord of Scoundrels remains my favourite . Nevertheless this was an excellent romance with a good story of a kidnapped lady returned to her family after 12 years in a harem .Deemed unmarriagiable after her experience it is only with the help of her childhood friend the Duke of Marchmont that she can be made acceptable to society. The main characters are good,especially Zoe. I would have loved an epilogue!
Read more
See all reviews