Toni's Review of Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day ***5 Stars***

The longer the resistance...

Seven years ago, on the eve of her wedding, proper Lady Jessica Sheffield witnessed a licentious scene no innocent young miss could imagine. Shocked, yet strangely titillated, she'd held her silence regarding scandalous Alistair Caulfield, and walked down the aisle as expected. But through years of serene, unremarkable marriage, Caulfield's image remained burned into her imagination, fueling very illicit dreams. . .

...the sweeter the reward

Alistair ran far from the temptation of the prim debutante with the fire of passion in her eyes—all the way to the West Indies. As a successful merchant, he has little in common with the rakehell youth she knew. But when newly widowed Jessica steps aboard his ship for a transatlantic passage, seven years' worth of denied pleasures are held in check by nothing more than a few layers of silk—and the certainty that surrender will consume them both. . .

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This is a delightful story of second chances. With a heroine that embraces her independence in a time of repression and a hero that isn’t afraid to open up his heart to love.

Jessica was known as the Diamond of the Season, beautiful beyond measure but appearing cold and reserved, a perfect wife for a future Earl. One secretly witnessed deviant scene of inflagrente delicto later and her whole life is changed. Intrigued to discover the art of love making, she begins her life with her husband Viscount Tarley, fully grasping her womanly desires and passions.

Alistair Caulfield is the fourth born son to Duke Masterson. He is an infamous rake and risk taker. Circumstances have allowed him to live a life filled with adventure and minimal responsibility. After being caught in a very compromising position, he does his best to avoid Jessica. On that fateful day, he saw something in her that captivated him. The only thing he could do was to run away from the temptation of her. So Alistair ran fast and far.

Seven years have passed and tragedy has taken Viscount Tarley from Jessica, she is ready to move on. Her husband Benedict ensured his wife would want for nothing and bequeathed her a plantation in Jamaica. She has always desired the freedom to travel and now has the opportunity. Unknown to her, Alistair is also moving on and she just happens to be his target.

Seven Years to Sin was new and exciting for me. I found the writing clear and concise with no predictability. The plot was flawless and the characters were enchanting. Ms. Day’s addition of the subplot of Jessica’s sister, Hester, was included brilliantly and didn’t distract from the story. Her future seems bright compared to her rather dismal past. I found myself grinning after the epilogue.

I enjoyed tagging alone on the sea voyage to Jamaica and the journey of their eventual lives together. It was wonderful to see Alistair falling head over heels in love, obsessed but still fighting it. Jessica was pure heaven. Her healing was well described and her self-discovery was believable and a joy to read.

Ms. Day wrote a well thought out book and then proceeded to add spice and adventure. She wrapped all the loose ends expertly and left me sated and satisfied. I was up until wee hours in the morning reading and I had to force myself to stop. After finishing the book I immediately checked out her website. If her backlist is half as good as Seven Years to Sin then she is a keeper.

Thanks for reading - Toni