Lawson’s review of Secret Desires of a Gentleman (Girl-Bachelors, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
Historical romance released by Avon 26 Sep 08

This is the third in Guhrke’s Girl-Bachelor series. The first two, And Then He Kissed Her and The Wicked Ways of a Duke, which follow the friends of the heroine of Secret Desires. These girl-bachelors have a wide array of careers, as Emma worked as a secretary and Prudence was a seamstress. Maria Martingale is a pastry chef, and it looks as though there are many interesting adventures of the girl-bachelors to come.

With a loan from her friend and former roommate prudence, Maria Martingale is able to open her own patisserie. The building that she leases, however, is next door and in fact owned by Phillip Hawthorne, the Marquess of Kayne. Maria, Phillip and Phillip’s brother Lawrence had grown up together, though Maria was the daughter of their chef. Maria had struck out on her own after being banished by Phillip after he found out about a plan between Maria and Lawrence to elope.

Maria isn’t surprised that Phillip still issues commands and orders her to leave, though when she fights back, instead he orders her to stay away from Lawrence. Maria instead works as hard as possible to get her patisserie ready and subvert Phillip’s demands. With some help from her well connected friends, Maria becomes an overnight success, but Phillip continues to think the worst of her, even after he kisses her.

I liked Maria and Phillip. I love stories where an uptight, always in control man is swayed to loose that control by the woman he never dreamed would be in his life. Maria is upbeat and obviously talented in her pastry making (everything she makes sounds like it tastes divine), and Phillip seems like he needs someone to shake up his ordered and overly regimented life. The sparks fly between the two whether they’re bantering or kissing.

What comes across, for good or bad, is a cross between “Sabrina” and Pride and Prejudice. Maria was sent to France by her father to go to school and comes back and causes havoc between Phillip and Lawrence. Twelve years later Phillip is afraid that the past will repeat itself, but at the same time can’t help falling for Maria himself. There are shades of Mr. Darcy when Phillip confesses his feelings for Maria, despite her social status and his desire to marry her.

Everything works in the story up until the end, when Phillip behaves completely against the character he’s been for the entire book. The over the top, 180 action doesn’t mesh at all with the rest of the story. Maria remains true to herself, but Phillip’s change, because it doesn’t fit with anything he’d said or done before. The story, characters and plot in the book is well done, and though the end didn’t work (for me) it otherwise is a sweet story. I will still look forward for the next story of a girl-bachelor.

Grade: B-

Read more at the Girl-Bachelors series tag.

Once Upon a Time . . .

Maria Martingale was going to elope. But Phillip Hawthorne, Marquess of Kayne, put a stop to those plans when he learned his younger brother intended to marry a cook’s daughter. Now, twelve years later, Maria discovers that the man who holds her fate in his hands is none other than the haughty gentleman who sent her packing—and he’s as handsome and arrogant as ever.

Happily Ever After?

Always the proper gentleman, Phillip will do anything to protect his family from scandal, and when Maria dares to move in right next door, he knows scandal will surely follow. She is as tempting as he remembered . . . and the more he sees her, the harder it is for Phillip to keep his own secret desire for her a secret . . .

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: