I like this story a lot more than The Rose (it's predecessor in the series) - a fact I'm basing mainly on the fact that I don't remember much about that book, apart from the beginning. I mean, maybe I never finished it? Either way, I found this story a little more intriguing and easy to get into. Essentially, Regan (owner of The Pearl Hoel) enlists young sexy submissive Arthur (aka Lord Godwick) into a kinky agreement to 'pay off' his wayward brother's debt at the hotel. In and around their trysts, Regan and Arthur begin to discover that both their families have history - and perhaps their ancestors planned for their paths to cross. Either way, it's a fun arty erotic novel with a little bit of kink and whole lot of spooky antics.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series and gives us Arthur, son of Malcolm and Mona (The Red), and brother to Lia (The Rose) and his story, with a side dose of the spare, Charlie.

Whilst this is a sexy read, I found it to be much softer and romantically erotic than many of Reisz's novels. Arthur is such a deliciously strong and yet gentle man. His youth and expectation of serving in the army make him much more thoughtful than one might have imagined. The woman whom he indentures himself to, Regan Ferry, is an enigma to us as well as him, until we discover the rather heartbreaking reason for her attitude.

I have really enjoyed the magical elements of these books, and it was really fun here too... that painting has a lot to answer for, but gives us good news too!


Erica – ☆☆☆
The Pearl is the third installment of The Godwicks series. While I do believe The Pearl could be read as a standalone title, here is some background on how the novel tied to the previous installments. Arthur is the son of the narrator in The Red, Mona, which makes him the brother of the narrator from The Rose, Lia.

As a reader of all of Tiffany Reisz's backlist, I have a good handle on the author's writing style. Sexy and original, oftentimes a little bit twisted, with an intellectual edge.

While Nora from The Original Sinners series resonated deeply with me, and Mona from The Red did as well, I struggled to connect with the story in both The Rose and The Pearl. While I devoured The Red in a single sitting, which is the first in this series, the additional installments took me several weeks each to read, to the point where I almost wish I'd just read The Red as a standalone and not read the sequels.

I cannot put into words why the story and the characters weren't resonating with me, thinking perhaps it was my mood at the time, especially since the content is generally something I seek out to read. How can something that ought to be my cup of tea, with a writing style that has always suited me, end up not grabbing my attention? As I said, I just cannot explain it.

Paranormal or not, I'm a lover of both genres, yet this series falls into a vague middle ground, where it has subtle paranormal elements, which oddly doesn't work for me. I'm a "go all in or go home" kind of reader, where I actually believe the story would have worked better without the paranormal elements.

Told in three parts, each part with a different narrator, the final part both Arthur and Regan sharing the limelight, showcasing all sides of the story.

Arthur is settling Charlie's debt, which was a mature action of selflessness on his part, protecting his younger brother and a precious family heirloom. Protecting the painting Charlie offered to settle the debt, Arthur allows himself to become the payment, as Regan wants him in her bed. This is an angsty delicious sensual yet erotic plot device that I couldn't wait to devour.

As a mature woman myself, I was quite pleased to read a novel featuring a mature woman as the lead, staring opposite a much younger man. But as I stated earlier, I'm feeling quite contrary. I was happy to have a mature woman and a younger man, yet it didn't work for me.

There was an imbalance of power, not only because Arthur was the debtor and the debt, made more imbalanced due to their age-gap. Ordinarily, I enjoy a woman taking the dominant position, same as I have no issue with large age-gaps. Regan is dominant, but the issue for me was that it came off as if she were treating Arthur as a child, which skeeved me out, as he was essentially selling himself, especially with the later revelation. Their interactions felt forced in many ways. Instead of the power-exchange between dominant and submissive, it felt more of an imbalance.

Long story short, The Pearl should have clicked all the boxes for what would make an epic escape for me personally, but none of it worked for me. Too many excellent elements that contradicted one another, none of them properly explored. Perhaps if these elements were developed over more pages, as it felt as if two books were jammed into a smaller singular novel, it would have allowed for it to all tie together organically, as opposed to feeling forced.

I don't think I'm the right audience for this book. This is the second Tiffany Reisz book I've tried and I did not really enjoy it. Even though the smut was written brilliantly, everything that happened outside the bedroom was uninteresting. I found their connection very hard to believe and I found my mind wandering while trying to power through. So it's not the book, it's me in this case.

Once again this series was super hot and a surprise. The scenes were all different but I also feel anyone in the romance genre would appreciate them as they were not extreme. you can feel the main characters connection which is good.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at Titillated Termagant Romance Reviews (https://titillatedtermagant.wordpress.com/2021/01/27/the-pearl-by-tiffany-reisz/)

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Library recommendation: Not recommended for public library collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.

_______________

Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: It’s erotica. Vroom vroom.

Relationship dynamics: The Brothel Mistress (h) / The Titled Gentleman (H)

Physical descriptions: Regan is described as being tall and having long, chestnut brown hair, grey eyes, and an olive complexion. Arthur is described as being tall and broad chested with black hair and dark eyes.

Sexual content: Oodles; on-page and explicit; some light dom/sub kink; both partners participate in anal sex

Triggers: Recounted parental terminal illness and death; recounted spousal abuse; kissing cousins

Grammar/Editing: This ARC had a few typos.

Review: This is a fast-paced novel that can be read as a standalone in the series, but it seems as if reading the other books might be helpful for context and clarity. The action is set in London. While the contemporary setting was fine, I did find the truly paranormal elements of this book to be a bit bizarrely executed, surrealistic, and out of the blue.

The main characters are Regan and Arthur. I wasn’t particularly enamored of either character and I didn’t really care if they stayed together. While I understand Regan’s history, and Arthur’s, I found her to be off-putting and him to be uncomfortably submissive. At first, he seems forced to be submissive and uncomfortable with himself, but then there seems to be an about-face wherein it is all he’s ever wanted. Additionally, while I generally steer clear of spoilers, I will make an exception in this case: while they aren’t aware of it to begin with, the main characters do turn out to be second cousins. If this is something that will bother you, then give this book a pass. In terms of secondary characters, this book has a few clearly recurring characters who feel a bit like filler. And then there’s Zoot, who is also not very complex, but was certainly an entertaining and unexpected Monty Python reference.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a new to me author. The book comprises of 3 parts with each part spoken in a different POV.

It took me a little while to get into this book. While I love reading H’s POV (which this first part was) I had a difficult time relating to the characters. Regan (the h) came across as cold and aloof. Arthur (H) was a little too martyr for me. It was only when I got to Part 2 which revealed more background to Regan, as it was told in her POV, that I could better understand her character. Arthur’s persistence in loving Regan despite her reluctance endeared him to me.

And there is lots of erotica. While I love heat in my stories, I was only ok with the book. The best analogy I can think of regarding this book relates to music. To me, this story was like an opera. Skilled storytelling, strong characters, interesting plot line however, I’m more of a stage musical kinda girl. Same great strengths but presented in a slightly different format.

I want more (as always)
It was a "slow" start, but it gradually built up and got more and more interesting as I kept on reading.
I liked how Tiffany connected all three Godwick books in this one. More family history and things I kinda felt was missing or questioning in the other books suddenly got more meaningful after reading this book.
And yet again, I love the way Tiffany mix history with her story. This time art pieces

Having read The Red and The Rose, I was offered the next part in the series: The Pearl. It is set a few years after The Rose and stars the brothers Arthur and Charlie. While Mona and Spencer are travelling abroad, Arthur is summoned to the Pearl for Charlie's actions. And because Arthur will do anything for his baby brother, he agrees to a deal with Regan, the owner of the hotel.
Off course, the story wouldn't be complete if there where several plot twists and turns, with the mysterious grandfather Malcolm smack in the middle of it all. And of course, a lot of artwork is discussed and used as metaphors in this book. It is simply wonderful how Tiffany can mingle art and seduction. So, although I am not a big fan of her Original Sinners series, I do enjoy the Godwicks series. So yay, another wonderful book from Tiffany Reisz. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Thanks to NetGalley and 8th Circle Press for an ARC.

I requested this book because I recognized the author’s name. I was pleasantly surprised by this erotic mystery/romance. Being the third in the series I’m now interested in backtracking to read the other two in the series.

I literally couldn’t put this book down!! The byplay and sexual dynamics catch you from the get go and refuse to let you down. Highly interesting storyline and highly recommend this book.

This is the third Tiffany Reisz book, and on the scale of Her Halloween Treat and The Siren, The Pearl falls just a smidge closer to The Siren. It's kinky and smutty, but also has really sweet moments where Arthur is so horribly in love and funny moments where I laughed outloud at the characters' banter. They are both witty and clever, and there were some hilarious moments. The writing is excellent and here's a line I particularly swooned over:

"He lay there on the floor, burning for the reason anything burns—because someone had set it on fire."

Also be aware that I would classify this book as erotic magical realism romance.

Now, why not 5 stars? Some of the sex acts were not my jam. In fact, some of them sounded painful - but they felt written like they were supposed to be sexy but I thought a majority of women would find it uncomfortable (view spoiler).

I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC!

The pearl is good smut and I really liked Regan. 2 stars off because all that ghost stuff was really weird and took away from the rest of the book. One painting falling is fine; the weird dreams and all the other stuff was not. Of course, Charlie is back on track and an heir (because having a title solves everything).

Genre: Erotic Romance

Spice Level: 4/5 Peppers

Description: When Lord Arthur Godwick learns his younger brother is up to his bollocks in debt to Regan Ferry, owner of The Pearl Hotel, he agrees to work off the tab...in her bed. Soon the handsome but troubled Arthur discovers he's a pawn in an erotic game of revenge--and nothing, including his lover, is what it seems.

I have not read the first 2 books in the series so my opinion is based solely on this book.

Pros:

- It is easy to read and has a good flow.
- The erotic scenes are well written and spicy.
- The characters have flaws that give them a sense of realism which is nice.

Cons:

- The way that Regan coerced Arthur to sleep with her feels a bit like a betrayal of consent which could be triggering to a survivor. This feeling continues throughout the story in their interactions due to a lack of chemistry.
- Incest

This is one of those guilty pleasure books. I read The Red a couple years ago and I was surprised by how well-written it was (mainly because it had been shelved as smut). What drew me in especially was the really intellectual way prostitution was handled and, in a lot of ways, I think The Pearl kind of continues that discussion. Every book in this series challenges the stigma around prostitution in a unique way with interesting, fully-rounded, characters that have nuanced motivations and complex feelings.

That said, I did not enjoy this one as much as the previous two. If I were to review The Pearl in isolation then I might have been blown away by what is possibly a gender-bending, stereotype-challenging masterpiece, but in comparison to Mona and Lia, Arthur is a little bland. I don't mean that in a "he's a prude or he's boring" way because that's his characterization and his arc but just that he wasn't very convincing or captivating. Regan was also just a little overdramatic and I didn't think her reasons justified her behavior. Again, I'm not judging her actual actions just her reasoning; without giving away spoilers, it just seemed very flimsy.

I'll admit that this is a pretty ridiculous gripe, but one of the reasons The Red and The Rose were so interesting was because of the art/myth and how Mona and Lisa experienced it. That was missing from The Pearl- there was a lot of art, it just wasn't incorporated as well as in the previous two books. The exclusion of the magical element made Arthur and Regan's interludes a little bland after a while. Also, I have to say that the reveal at the end made me really uncomfortable. I'd like to say it didn't bother me but it was a little creepy. The way the book ended felt a little rushed and like it was just trying to set up the next book.

I'm complaining a lot but I actually really did enjoy the book and the storytelling and characterization of Reisz's worst book is still better than most others, so I have no regrets about reading it at all. I would actually recommend it to people (just not anyone I actually know).

The thing I enjoy about this series from Reisz is that it feels like it takes place almost out of time — it could be a contemporary or a historical or a fantasy or some combination of all three, with just enough of a blend of romantic elements and erotica overlaying the mysterious and strange history of the Godwick family. This one was a quick, diverting read, and I’m always on the lookout for books with submissive heroes, plus I was pleasantly surprised by the POV change midway through the story since I was hoping for the chance to get into Regan’s head. Not sure if Reisz is planning to write more (it would be fun to see Malcolm and Greta or Charlie’s book!) but this is probably my second favorite of her series (her holiday romances forever take the number one slot).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Whoa...

*fans self*

One of the hottest yet smartest books I’ve read in a LONG time! Reisz seamlessly blends her signature D/s style with beautifully curated works of art. Each piece mentioned given new life and deeper meaning.

One part ghost story, one part love story...the entire thing erotic and enticing. I haven’t been glued to pages since, well...it’s been a while.

Following the story of Arthur Godwick, we are taken on a ride of unconventional matchmaking. Thoughts of being forever alone are dashed when he’s summoned to the once famous Brothel turned Hotel, The Pearl. There he meets Lady Rage Ferry, a widow and the sole owner of the iconic hotel. She bargains for a priceless work of art, a family heirloom...one both she and The Godwick family wish to keep.

It becomes a game. A price. We learn what Arthur’s price is...but with the game they’re playing, artwork is the least of their concern. Tempering with fate, conjuring up the past, and ultimately finding there are things one just can’t place a monetary note to...Regan and Arthur are forced to really examine the heart of the matter.

I have renewed my faith in finding hot little love stories...I knew from the very first pages I was in for a treat. I felt like Scooby Doo hunting for clues to find the answers both Regan and Arthur were looking for. I wanted to know if the ghosts really did exist or if they were all just stark-raving mad. I got my answers and more. I got the fight, the flight, the dreams, and the realities. It was a perfect story set in a time where there is little else to be certain of and I am so glad author’s like Reisz exist. The art of the world would be a little less exciting if she weren’t apart of it.

<b>**4.5 The World is an Oyster, Stars**</b>

This book was not for me!! Maybe because I hadn’t read the first 2 books in the series, but I just did not connect with this book at all

Reisz is definitely an erotica writer to look out for! Such interesting dynamics in her couples, with such spicy sex scenes. For those looking for erotica that's a little edgier and steamier. Perfectly fine to pick up as a standalone as well.

I have some pretty mixed feelings on this book. I loved The Rose and wasn’t a big fan of The Red and this one fell somewhere in between. I loved the continuation of the family’s story and I really home there are more! It would be fine to read without having read the others, but there are some really fun nods to the other stories. I know it’s an erotica romance, but I had trouble suspending disbelief with how quickly their feelings for each other escalated. I get that it’s a common theme in the series and supposed to be romantic but it always takes me out of the story. I also didn’t like the twist at all, but to each their own. I did like how the book continued the theme of including art with what happens and I really liked the mystery with Lord Godwick. I LOVED how the story explored Regan’s healing from previous trauma, learning not to blame herself, and discovering who she is. It didn’t blow me away, but I did want to keep reading to see what happens.

Lord Arthur Godwick is heir to his great family estate. He is embarrassed of his parents' flamboyant ways and is always getting his little brother Charlie out of trouble. On one such instance, he ends up at The Pearl hotel, his brother has racked up an enormous debt, and the owner, Regan Ferry offers him the option of paying it off in her bed. He agrees, and ends up as a pawn in Regan's erotic revenge.

This book was one of the steamiest I've read! It is apparently part of a series but it can definitely stand alone. Arthur is a kind and responsible man and will go to any length (literally LOL) to please Regan. Regan has a lot of baggage and is resistant to let down her guard around him. I enjoyed the banter between the two and their chemistry is intense!

I recommend this for anyone looking for some steam ;)

Thank you to 8th Circle Press and NetGalley for the eGalley in exchange for an honest review.