ISBN-10: 1476786070
ISBN-13: 978-1476786070
Series: The Sinful Suitors (Book 2)
Publisher: Pocket Books (March 22, 2016)
Description
A marriage of convenience ignites into a passionate love affair in the hotly anticipated second novel in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries’s addictive Sinful Suitors series!
When Edwin Barlow, the Earl of Blakeborough, agrees to help his best friend’s impetuous ward, Lady Clarissa Lindsey, in her time of need, he knows he’s in for trouble. He’s been hunting for someone to wed, and she’ll just get in the way. Although captivated by the witty, free-spirited beauty, he fears she’d be all wrong as a wife…if she would even take such a gruff cynic for her husband. Yet he wants nothing more than to have her for his own.
Clarissa has no intention of marrying anyone—not Edwin, whom she’s sure would be an overbearing husband, and certainly not the powerful French diplomat stalking her. But when matters escalate with the diplomat, she chooses Edwin’s gallant offer of a marriage between friends in hopes that it will deter her stalker. She expects nothing more than an amiable union, but their increasingly tempestuous kisses prove more than she bargained for. When her stalker’s vow to expose the lovers’ deepest secrets threatens to destroy their blossoming attraction, will their tenuous bond withstand public ruin, or will Edwin lose all that’s important to him to protect his bride?
Review:
Deliciously deceptive; A wonderful spin on a marriage of convenience!
My dearest Edwin…what woman wouldn’t swoon over a positively charming, confident, yet gentle man such as he? And, oh what a pleasure it was to immerse myself in his life, his story.
The teasingly combative nature of Clarissa makes the union oh so much fun! Sure he’s always fancied her, but he wouldn’t just come right out and say it. Why should he? Not because of his status, but because of the fact that she doesn’t seem to particularly care for him- or does she?
I’d never read about a stalker in a historical romance that stalked with so much gusto. What a naughty (and I don’t mean the good kind) man (if that’s what he must be called) Durand is. And what devilish deeds he plots. The only thing good coming from his behavior is Edwin and Clarissa joining together, but, hey, I still can’t like him. Good thing he was no match for Edwin.
The exchanges between Edwin and Clarissa were bridled with sarcasm, wit, and loads of sexual tension. The relationship developed beautifully, and despite her horrid past, she fought relentlessly to move forward. I struggled right along with her, and I felt such compassion for Edwin as he garnered as much patience as he could. He was gentle with her. Just another thing that made him so loveable. He did have his flaws – they both did- and they made them relateable.
I was all into the story. I wanted Durand to be taken down, and although I thought hard on why he was so determined to have her (besides her beauty), I never figured it out. And what a surprise when the reason was revealed. I didn’t see it coming.
Clarissa’s mother was the funniest thing. She didn’t even try to be funny. She just was. I laughed during just about every scene she was in. Oh and the fits she had. “Get my salts!” Such a mess – a fun-loving, I-wish-I-could-meet-her mess.
With action, romance, mystery, loyalty, and enough sexual-tension to choke a horse, I absolutely loved this book, and I highly recommend it.
Rating system: The less the better.
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 0 cups of coffee