Violet Arden is a burgeoning painter who insists on a life of passion, but scandal is heaped on humiliation at her artistic debut in London. It would be one thing to withstand withering critiques, but the night goes from bad to worse when an illicit affair with her art instructor is exposed. She flees the London limelight to her cousin Emilia Graddock’s country estate, where she plans to leave all thoughts of love in the past where they belong . . . until she comes face-to-face with the man who scorned her paintings in front of her friends and family, Alasdair Kerr.
Alasdair has recently set aside his life of travel to return to his family’s estate— the site of a tragic fire that claimed his cherished father’s life. He’s finally ready to rebuild the home that was lost and step into his role as man of the house. But his rakish younger brother Freddie can’t seem to leave the off-limits Graddock woman alone, and his mother has brought an overbearing clergyman into their home who appears keen to stick around.
Violet is determined to ignore Alasdair, which shouldn’t be difficult considering that their families have been in a long-standing feud . . . if only their attempts to end Emilia and Freddie’s secret relationship would stop bringing them together. And when new fires threaten their safety, Violet and Alasdair reluctantly join forces to uncover the identity of the arsonist. But can they ignore the feelings kindling between them, which are but an ember away from igniting into a full blaze?
These Violent Delights by Madeleine Roux is a richly atmospheric novel that explores art, obsession, and ambition within the rigid social rules of the Regency era. Roux vividly captures the inner life of an artist—the constant tension between inspiration and doubt, the intimacy an artist feels toward their work, and the fear of how that work will be judged by society. The novel thoughtfully examines how women were constrained and dismissed in a Jane Austen–era world, where talent was often overshadowed by expectations of marriage, obedience, and decorum. At the same time, Roux does not ignore the pressures placed on men, who are expected to uphold family honor, achieve professional success, and suppress emotional vulnerability. These intersecting expectations create a compelling backdrop for the story’s darker elements. Roux’s prose is lush and evocative, giving weight to both creative yearning and social limitation. Ultimately, These Violent Delights is a haunting meditation on creativity, gender, and the cost of being seen.
Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
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