Brutal Serpent by Kate Raven

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dark. Cruel. Toxic. Feral.

Viscount St. Erth has been planning his revenge for a long time. Only one thing remains.

Innocent Catherine Wendover must be wed and bred. And she won’t know until it’s too late.

She’s married a monster.

MY REVIEW

A cruel and relentless man has vengeance on his mind when he targets the innocent daughter of the family he is determined to destroy.

Good, grief! Viscount Allistair St. Erth is a cruel, vile sociopath and he will stop at nothing to impregnate Catherine so he can take everything from her family. He’s no man of honor, he’s no gentleman, and he kills with abandon. He is so unhinged it is almost comedic.

Poor Catherine Wendover is a pawn in a game by her despicable family and a madman. My heart broke for her as St. Erth uses her over and over again anytime, anywhere. However, she is resilient and appears to get what she wants by making friends in the village despite his protests and finally getting to see the sea.

The story is fast paced jumping from one cringeworthy sexual encounter to the next and then out of the blue he says he loves her. What the…? I think I was just as shocked as Catherine. To call this a romance is a stretch. It is brutal vengeance and obsession with a new toy.

I commend the author for writing a dark Regency romance which I don’t see very often. The story is unapologetically raw, delving into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. It is a trainwreck unfolding in slow motion, a spectacle that both repels and entices, leaving an indelible mark on all who dare to bear witness. Read at your own peril.

Thank you to Kate Raven for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.