ARC Review: Her Husband's Lover by Madelynne Ellis

I am happy to see the growing number of erotic romances that actually have a complete plot and well developed characters. Her Husband's Lover (Georgian Rakehells, #5) fits that decription. It is a well written erotic historical romance (menage, m/m/f). This is a fully fleshed out (no pun intended) romantic novel about a homosexual man, a bisexual man and a frigid woman. Emma Langley cannot bear to be touched because of a childhood trauma so she has married a gay man. The arrangement is tolerable for them both until his former lover, Darleston, enters the scene. For the first time Emma finds herself attracted to a man. The book explores their progress toward a three-way relationship.

The writing is definitely above average for an erotic romance and the characters have depth. There is an interesting triangle at work here. Emma's husband, Lyle, is completely in love with Darleston, but genuinely likes Emma. Darleston loves Lyle, but feels an intense attraction for Emma as well. Emma gradually allows her feelings for Darleston to overcome her fears of being touched. Darleston becomes the glue that holds the triangle together. Unusual, but intriguing dynamics.

The sexual scenes are quite explicit, including male/male, male/female, and male/male/female depictions, but there is no BDSM. Readers that enjoy erotica, but want a full novel with a developed story will enjoy this book. It is not necessary to read the other stories in the series first.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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