Margaret Roseberry was an orphaned as a baby and sent to live in a convent not knowing that she is the daughter of a Marquess. That is until Lady Arabella Wilyse shows up to take her away from the convent and to the court of King Henry VIII.

Lady Wilyse immediately senses Margaret’s passionate nature, which is perfect for her plans to tutor her in the sinful ways of court life. Lady Wilyse main purpose in fetching Margaret is that she may prove herself as a successful mistress for the King. That is until Jasper, the Earl of Blackford, Arabella’s brother decides to accompany them to court.

It is Jasper who renames Margaret to May and it is Jasper who May wants and no one else. As they travel to court, May is tutored by Arabella, but longs to practice what she learns with Jasper. But Arabella is determined to keep May pure so only the King will have the pleasure of what Lady May can offer.

I love Tudor history and I love erotic romance novels so an erotic book set in Henry VIII’s court was right up my alley.  I was so excited to read it but in the end it just fell flat for me and I was a bit disappointed.

I almost stopped reading The Ravishing of Lady May about four chapters in. I didn’t find May relatable and the whole beginning just wasn’t sitting well with me. For a young woman raised in a convent, May sure had a very sexual nature. Even before Lady Wilyse showed up to whisk her away, she having naughty thoughts about the young man who brought wood to the convent.

I am happy that I pushed through because the second half of the book was much better. I loved the idea of the two men vying for her. I wish that Charlotte Lovejoy would’ve have expanded on that conflict more. When Lord Pomfery made an appearance, I was excited because this was a chance for Jasper to put up a fight for May.  I never really felt that Jasper loved May. Yes, he was possessive of her and was determined to get her into his bed but I just didn’t see the connection between them.

The whole story felt very rushed. I would’ve liked to see May grow more as a person. She came off as very childish at some points, like when she arguing about how she wants to sleep with Jasper, to being very adult and wise beyond her seventeen years.

I also could have done without reading about the horse mating. It was not something that I was expecting let alone have it described in detail, twice. I understand the connection the author was making but I just think it was unnecessary.

I will say that I’ve read quite a few erotic romances and this was very erotic. Charlotte Lovejoy does not shy away from sex and it will definitely have your face flushing. The Ravishing of Lady May is an erotic story that will get your blood pumping.

~ Jamie