Lawson’s review of One Sinful Night by Kaitlin O’Riley
Historical romance released by Zebra 1 Mar 08
When I read Kaitlin O’Riley’s first book, it was a pleasant surprise. Well written characters, a plot that didn’t disappoint, and period detail made a great story. What can one expect though from a second book? A sophomore slump is maybe a cliche, but sometimes it really is true. Luckily, O’Riley’s second novel is as well textured as the first.
Not to say, of course, that there are a few issues with the story. Vivienne Montgomery is a little naive, but not horribly so. She’s not been sheltered, but she’s been allowed her independence and that lead to trouble when she was younger in giving herself to Aidan Kavanaugh before their wedding. The childhood friendship blossomed into love and Vivienne trusted Aidan with everything.
The best laid plains often go awry, especially with a bitter, controlling mother who doesn’t want to see her only boy give up his future as a prime English gentleman with an Irish girl. Most of this story is told in flashback and feelings of the hero and heronie. After the scheming of his mother, Aidan leaves Ireland and Vivienne behind for his new life, but he’s haunted by the past. When he meets Vivienne at a house party ten years later he is still bitter at what he thinks as her betrayal, but also undeniably attracted.
With the help of some meddling relatives and in spite of the scheming mother and other kinks in the works, Vivienne and Aidan get their HEA. And the sparks fly, almost from the beginning, leaving a trail of fireworks through the whole book. Even with all of Aidan’s mixed feelings, he’s always wanting Vivienne and when it comes down to it, his actions of caring always speak louder than his usually curt words.
Vivienne is a little earnest about somethings (her father was lost at sea and she believes he’s still alive), but overall never does anything out of what someone of her social station would have done in 1870. With plenty of low points in her life, Vivienne handles them with poise and calm, and is able to look upon life with a good measure of realistic optimism.
Aidan’s mother and her schemes began to grate and it almost takes things away from the story, but her comeuppance at the end of the book is satisfying and doesn’t come off as anything other than the right choice. The story of a decade of seeming betrayal and loneliness is very dark and could have been much more hurtful for those involved, however there are wonderful moments when the darkness is given dimension and shows the emotions of the characters in transition between the past and their future. It’s a rare talent that an author can give that.
Grade: B
At seventeen, Vivienne Montgomery was utterly unprepared for the scandal that erupted when Aidan Kavanaugh abruptly left Galway for London, abandoning Vivienne to her ruined reputation. Ten years later, Vivienne has a new life, far from those who know of her past–until she and Aidan are both invited to a weeklong house party.
Aidan Kavanaugh never forgot the magical summer he and Vivienne shared, or the betrayal he felt on finding her in another man’s arms. Since leaving Ireland, Aidan has embraced his duties as Earl of Whitlock, including impending marriage to a young lady who will be the perfect wife in every way but one: she is not Vivienne….
Days and nights in close quarters quickly erode Vivienne and Aidan’s reserve, leading to breathless trysts that are as passionate as they are dangerous. For others are determined to keep them apart. And if one week is not enough to undo ten years of mistrust, Vivienne will lose her reputation–and her heart–all over again…
Read an excerpt.
