Witnessing the slow decay of her mother from a horrific marriage, Antonia is frightened she will find herself having to bear an insufferable husband whose sole intent is to spend her inheritance and produce a horde of heirs. In a time when women are severely restricted by societal standards Antonia is determined to find out more about her possible suitors. Using her less than curvy body to disguise herself and enter places only men are allowed, Antonia meets Lord Gideon Harcourt, a man whose pleasures are unlimited and sexually diverse, enjoying the pleasures of women and men alike. With Gideon’s help Antonia sets out to learn all she can while maintaining her ultimate innocence as her bargain with the devilish Lord exposes her to intimacies she’s never imagined.

As I sat down to read Antonio’s Bargain, Ms. Pearce had two items in her favor right from the beginning: the fact that this story was a historical and knowing I would be exposed to some non-traditional sexual encounters. Then she snared me with Gideon who was confident, a connoisseur of all things sexual yet still saddled with a good deal of vulnerability. Ms. Pearce was able to design a man who, in spite of his sexual proclivities, made you feel as if no one else in the world existed. Then she took me over the top with Antonia. Gideon’s perfect match and equal when it came to intelligence, wit and daring. These two were perfect and Ms. Pearce was able to highlight their every emotion, which made this book topnotch. A great story for readers like myself who appreciate love full of acceptance, compromise and your ‘happily ever after on our own terms’ relationship.

Reviewed by: Rachelle