Gwen’s review of Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 30 Sep 08

I love Kleypas’s historicals – some more than others, but they all have a place in my heart.  That’s not to say I don’t enjoy her contemps, but I really love her historicals.  In fact, I found SM@S to be one of her best historicals to date.  There is a richness and believability to her characters, dialog, and settings in SM@S that isn’t always so strong in Kleypas’s books. 

At the beginning of the book, Win Hathaway is an invalid as a result of a brush with scarlet fever.  She comes back from a health spa, besotted doctor in tow, a changed woman.  Her spirit as an invalid was strong – but her body wasn’t.  She returns with a stronger body and the same strong spirit.  She returns with her love of Merripen intact and all but consuming her.  I really enjoyed Win’s character.  The scene near the end with the armoire is classic.  I won’t spoil anything, but it says it all about Win – she’s kind and gentle, but perfectly willing to be ruthless to protect those she loves.

Kev Merripen is sure he isn’t good enough for Win, but he loves her with such a bone-deep passion and commitment that he knows there will never be another woman for him except Win.  His personal torment as he comes to terms with that love, and finally capitulates to it, is a very satisfying part of the story.  Kev is one of my favorite, if not the favorite, Kleypas Hero to date.  His torment is very personal to him – he doesn’t whine or bemoan or complain.  He just suffers quietly.  Those who love him – and all of the Hathaways love him like a brother – eventually see the torment and try to help him and Win come together.  However, it takes an earth-shaking confrontation with Win’s brother to make Kev see what a fool he has been about his feelings for Win.  THAT scene is classic – I loved how it ended with Win’s brother wanting a head start.

This is a very satisfying love story.  As is the case with many of Kleypas’s works, I didn’t find myself distracted from the romance by the setting or the time period.  It could be set in any time period and still be a terrific story.  The emotion is believable and warm.  The story is well-told and nicely paced.  The sub-arcs and character histories revealed here and there are all interesting and really lend strength to the bond between not just the hero and heroine, but all of the main characters.  It can be read easily on its own, but you’ll get more out of it if you read book 1, Mine ‘Til Midnight, first.

Brava, Lisa Kleypas, on another wonderful book.  And hurry with book 3!  I need it!

I highly recommend this to fans of historical and non-historical romance.  Fans of Lisa Kleypas should be in raptures with SM@S.  Now, if only I can find my own Kev Merripen…

Grade: A

Summary:

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death when he was just a boy. But this handsome Gypsy is a man of mysterious origins—and he fears that the darkness of his past could crush delicate, luminous Win. So Kev refuses to submit to temptation…and before long Win is torn from him by a devastating twist of fate.

Then, Win returns to England…only to find that Kev has hardened into a man who will deny love at all costs. Meantime, an attractive, seductive suitor has set his sights on Win. It’s now or never for Kev to make his move. But first, he must confront a dangerous secret about his destiny—or risk losing the only woman he has lived for…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series: