Miss Sarah Swilp and Mr. Jonathan Perry had known each other since they were children. They had indulged in carnal pleasures but had not gone all the way, and Sarah had always assumed they would one day marry. But on the fateful evening when she was to surrender her virginity, she asked Jonathan if he would marry her, to which his devastating response was that he never would. Sarah's sparkle left her as Jonathan left her shortly after; the pretty, vivacious girl is now very ordinary, dull even. She has resigned herself to marry a Mr. Meyers, whom she does not particularly like, but it will salvage her family's finances. Sarah is attending a ball when Jonathan unexpectedly shows up, five years after his hasty departure.

SARAH'S SURRENDER is the latest instalment in the Bound and Determined series, but can easily be read as a standalone. Ms. Kent is a wonderful writer whose strength lies in moving and vivid descriptions, as well as her ability to delve into the psyche of her characters, and the author doesn't fail us in SARAH'S SURRENDER. Understandably, as this is erotica, the sex is scorching hot, but it is how well Ms. Kent conveys Sarah's innermost feelings that really stood out for me. The author really made me understand Sarah and care for her, and Sarah is absolutely magnificent when she explodes with rage when she finally hears Jonathan's motives for refusing to marry her, which was a rather lame and cowardly excuse.

I love the startling contrast in tone between Sarah and Jonathan's points of view. Theirs are two completely different voices, and it makes for fascinating reading. I would have wished, however, that the author had been a little less expedient and the ending a trifle less tidy, as it would have made the lovers' happily ever after more believable in view of Jonathan's appalling past behaviour. Still, SARAH'S SURRENDER is a lovely addition to this brilliant series.