Philip's Rules (Bridal Discipline Book 1)

I don't even know where to begin with this one. Except maybe by saying that this was NOT BDSM. This was straight-up abuse. There was no consent, and there was no safe word. There was just a husband who got off on "punishing" his wife whether she actually deserved it or not. Also, before I really get started, let me point out that because this was also supposed to be a historical romance, I found it very hard to believe that absolutely EVERY character was into spanking/disciplining. And I do mean EVERY CHARACTER, even the ones who are only supporting characters, are not only into it, but enjoy and encourages it. Which, you know, might have been okay had this story actually been done well.Okay, now that I've gotten that off of my chest, let me get into the deeper reasons as to why this one just didn't work for me (aside from the no consent/safe word issue that I already raised).One of the first times Philip threatens to spank Cordelia is when she wants to wear her chemise to eat dinner with him in their private chambers. Yes, they had been together, but she was still a gently bred woman, and she still had her modesty, or at least she should have been allowed to keep it. But instead of letting her be comfortable while they ate, he demanded she does so naked, then threatened to spank her if she didn't do as he said.Sadly, he eventually had that poor woman so brainwashed that she started to feel as though she deserved whatever physical pain he wanted to inflict upon her because she (I quote) " caused Philip an emotional hurt." I'm sorry that he was so butthurt over her being her own person that he felt she had disobeyed him. In this particular instance, she felt overwhelmed about her (admittedly problematic) stepdaughter's "come-out ball" and didn't ask him for help. Speaking of Gabrielle (the step-daughter), considering she was nineteen years old, and no relation to him, yet he had no qualms about making her bend over a chair so he could spank her as well (although she was allowed to keep her drawers on which somehow was supposed to make it better), I wouldn't have come to him with issues either. Every time he took it upon himself to punish Gabrielle, I felt dirty as it was not his place to put his hands (or other objects from his desk drawer) on her in such a manner.I also had an issue with the fact that Philip often got upset that his wife put Gabrielle's wants and desires over his own. Considering Gabrielle was a spoiled chit, I would have been able to overlook that, except his need for his wife to put him above all else didn't seem as though it was limited to just Gabrielle, which made me worry for Cordelia if she should ever have children with Philip. How would he react to her putting their children before him? If anyone in this novel was selfish (aside from Gabrielle), it would have to be Philip.As the story went on, I found myself skipping the sex scenes as there was never anything new or interesting to be found; just two people enjoying the marital bed, which I find nothing wrong with, I just didn't find that it moved the story along other than to serve as a supposed reason why Cordelia was enamored with her husband. However, I noticed one thing in particular; Cordelia did NOT like her ummmmm "other hole" being touched. AT ALL. So, of course, her husband noted this because (and again, I'm quoting the book) obviously, it would "make it all the more effective as a deterrent for the future."A future that came all too quickly because GABRIELLE messed up. For clarification, Gabrielle had been on the marriage mart for some time and felt (deservedly so) that Philip and his friends were so intimidating that they were scaring off potential suitors. So that was the excuse she gave Cordelia for writing to a man to let him know which events she would be attending (which, if I remember correctly, still wasn't allowed during the Regency period, but whatever). Anyway; the scene went like this - Cordelia demanded to see the letter. And after reading it, saw nothing wrong with the contents. Gabrielle is then later caught with said gentleman. SOMEHOW this equates to punishment for both of them because Cordelia should have demanded to see the final letter, and should have told Philip about the gentleman in question (even though Gabrielle asked Cordelia not to tell him, and she had never asked Cordellia for a thing prior to that, and well, Philip was being an overbearing chaperone). But of course, Philip is once again butt-hurt, going so far as to accuse Cordelia of undermining his authority when it came to Gabrielle and giving her "implicit permission to do as she wished" even though that was not the case.What absolutely killed this for me was what happened after. While using a BIRCH rod on his wife, Philip even admits to himself that he could understand WHY his wife did what she did, but thinks to himself that "it wouldn't make him go easier on her, but it certainly made him feel better about their relationship." So despite knowing that his wife had valid reasons for doing as she did, he still beat her, and yet HE felt better about the relationship? Immediately after her beating, he took her anal virginity, telling her that her punishment was "almost over." Even when she cried OW repeatedly and tried to escape the intrusion, he didn't stop. But of course, once again, he had her so brainwashed that she accepted it and somehow enjoyed it.There are obviously more books in this series to be read, but I will not be reading them. I hope that one day this author can write a book that is actually BDSM and not just abuse, as they do have a decent writing style when developing a story.

Wow, this book has left me with so much questions. I haven’t been much of a Victorian era lover, but lately I reading these books. I have to say Cordelia and Philip’s story was one for the books. I truly love how protective, loving and caring Philip is to his wife. I love the way he instilled his wants and desire slowly building her up to a level of trust, love and excited. I also love the change in Cordelia throughout the story. She has gone from being meek to strong and confident. Yes, I especially loved her putting her foot down with Gabriella. I must say I’m curious as to how Gabriella taught that Felix is in love with Cordelia and not her. Hmm, but most of all I am curious as to Gabriella’s nuptials with Felix.

I always enjoy the golden angel books, especially the domestic discipline ones. I enjoy the fast pace plot but slow burn romances. I find the sex scenes to be steamy but not cringey & I enjoy that she likes to spice things up, where a lot of erotica has a lot of repetitive sex scenes.I also like the universe she has created, where she brings in characters from her other books and shows how they've changed and interact with the new characters. I also like that is has a historic setting, which I always enjoy.The doms that she writes are also a strong pull. They can be soft and gentle, and clearly care deeply about their spouses. In this book, Phillip encourages Cordelia to assert herself and helps empower her. Even though it's erotica, the romance feels believable to me. Their relationship is more then just sex. However, they can also be firm, while never losing themselves.

This is a great book. The BDSM is there but there is actually a great story with awesome characters. I highly recommend this book - one of the best I have read this year.

Philip’s Rules is the first book in the Bridal Discipline Series and is only the second book that I have read by this author. This is Philip Stanley, the Marquess of Dunbury and Cordelia Astley’s story.I felt like I was getting back to my roots in reading and loving Historical Romances. Philip’s Rules combines my love for a good spanking story along with a love for being a good girl! And, a healthy respect for being a bad girl.I have had this book on my TBR list since Feb. 2022. That’s not too bad for reading it in the same year that I bought the book! 4 Stars for this book and I already have Gabrielle’s Discipline on my Kindle and I am anxious to read her story! Let's hope my TBR list isn't too long!

Philip’s RulesBridal Discipline has never been so hot!Book one of this series is a slippery slope into series addiction.I recommend this to readers who are looking for quality storytelling and historical romantic fiction with DD edge.

I enjoy the characters in this book and the developing trust between P & C as well as their influence over G. It’s one heck of a hot romance and HEA. If you’re not into corporal punishments and dominant males then this might not be one for you. But if you like a good story with an extra erotic kick then you’ll enjoy this.Also, I love the descriptions of Cordelia’s gowns.I hope you enjoy as much as I have. Thank you Golden Angel

Honestly, the spanking in this book is not my thing and it got repetitive.I think that the male character is too harsh, and the female is too muchof a doormat. I like some of the sex scenes, but really, I skipped some ofthem. I wish that the female (I cannot think of her name right now) gotsome spunk and that the male would have been a bit gentle with her.Adults 18+ only for sexual scenes and spanking.

I find it amazing that anyone who has complained about this story, or written a bad review didn't actually read the blurb which states quite clearly ''Philip's Rules contains a stern Head of Household, corrective discipline, and steamy love scenes.'' if they had they'd have known what the story was about before they read it and then they could have simply changed their minds and found something else to read. To carry on reading after seeing the blurb and then write a negative review takes a special kind of person..... Don't likeErotica/BDSM, don't read, but more importantly don't be a first class' idiot' and write a negative reviewGolden Angel is a fabulous author who grabs you into a story, has you wanting to scream at the characters and hug them in equal measure, well almost always.Philip's Rules is an Historical Erotic/BDSM Novel, it is the story of how a Marquis who needs to wed to continue his family line, finds and weds a very young and innocent widow and their journey to a loving marriage with a wicked step-daughter thrown in for good measure.Philip is a stern man, Cordelia an over accommodating widow and Gabrielle is the over indulged and spoilt orphan/step-daughter.The story starts with the wedding and follows them all settling in to their new roles, Philip as a new husband, sort of stepfather/guardian, Cordelia as a new Wife & Marquess, and Gabrielle to being the ward of a Marquis who will not indulge her the way her late and neglectful father did. It's not a easy transition for any of them and Philip makes it clear that he wants a disciplined household and he isn't afraid to dish out punishment if needed and he does.I love that Philip however doesn't get everything his own way and finds himself worried that he will always come second best to Gabrielle where Cordelia is concerned and that Cordelia realises she's actually stronger than she ever thought she could be.

Managed to get to 79% and then had to stop reading. There was not the usual playful spanking during the sex scenes but particularly nasty ones with hard punishment spankings, birch whips and then sodomy as punishments! There was little story, just sex scenes with what sounded like abuse thrown in. When I read the blurb about the "stern lord" I thought he was going to be like Mr Darcy, how wrong I was. I have deleted from my Kindle and wont be reading the other books in the series.

Cordelia was married off to a much older man who neglected her and then died leaving her step-mother to a girl just a few years younger and both of them virtually homeless. The Marquis of Dunbury had not planned on marrying until he was told by friends that wives respond well to discipline and so he chooses Cordelia, seeing in her an as yet untapped innocence and passion.Cordelia wants a love match and soon falls for Philip, but her step-daughter is causing problems and this only adds to her insecurities.Passionate, naughty and at times emotionally frustrating, this story is good enough to make me buy the sequel despite some misgivings I have about the historical accuracy of some aspects.

This is a wonderfully erotic start to this promising series. All the characters are amazingly crafted, and the thrilling fetishism along with a bit of suspense all help to keep this story very captivating.

This was an enjoyable start to the series, one that certainly has me curious to see what comes next for the series. It was one I was happy to devour in a single sitting, although I would have liked a wee bit more from the storyline. Nevertheless, a fun romp.