Limecello’s review of Seven-Year Seduction by Heidi Betts
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire on 14 Feb 06
So, we all know you can get Harlequin books early from their website – but what a perfect release date, right? I have to admit – thus far, my favorite books by Heidi Betts are from ’05-’06, and of course, her Silhouette Desire books. I highly recommend you get those from your library – which is what I did. (Or you can buy them used readily enough, which is also nice.) Ms. Betts also very recently had a new release Tangled Up In Love (released 3 Feb 09), but I don’t have that — so I’m making do with what I’ve got. Seven-Year Seduction is a great friends to lovers story, and I freely admit that that is one of my favorite plot lines.
Beth Curtis is an attorney in California, practicing as an entertainment lawyer. She’s smart, but over worked, and a home town girl at heart. I liked how Beth was developed, but still realistic in that she holds a grudge. (Be honest — it’s natural — or at least common enough.) I did find some of Beth’s behavior a bit erratic at the beginning, but its understandable under the circumstances. She’s at her brother’s wedding and forced to interact with the man who broke her heart — Connor Riordan. A man she also managed to generally avoid for seven years. (Hence the name — clever, yes?) Another detail I appreciated was that Ms. Betts noted the difference in Beth’s work and home environment. Work was out in California, but her heart still belonged in Ohio. And it showed.
Connor Riordan is a fitting Silhouette Desire hero. He’s down to earth, kind, has a good sense of humor, but oftentimes clueless when it comes to the heroine. (As so many males are.) He’s actually in a committed relationship with another woman at the opening — but that is quickly ended. Connor moves into Nick Curtis’s home while his best friend and new bride are on their honeymoon. Connor realizes that he needs closure with Beth for a number of reasons – and he’s determined to get that sorted out. I liked how steadfast Connor was throughout the book, and he showed genuine concern and emotion for Beth. Connor is also self deprecating at times, and has great internal dialogue. I always love reading from the male/hero’s perspective, and Connor was no exception.
Beth is stuck in Crystal Springs, her home town due to an impending storm. Her brother Nick tells her to stay at his house while he’s gone — its also the house Beth grew up in. This along with Connor’s recent break up (and him being kicked out of his own home by his live in girlfriend) provide the perfect back drop for effectively trapping the two and effectively stranding them together. I liked that Ms. Betts had Beth and Connor reconnect first as friends, before pushing their relationship to another level. They grew up together, and miss the camaraderie, and that makes their romance even more believable.
There were a few minor discrepancies in the novel as to age and time line. First, Beth “seduces” Conner while she’s in law school finishing it, I believe- so she’s in her ~mid 20s — but then there are some references to her being in college … anyway – I just felt a few of the age/time references were jumbled. It didn’t really detract from the novel itself. It may also be a case of “knowing too much” — and over thinking the setting as well. For one thing, Crystals Springs is apparently a real place, and I found the isolation of the town somewhat hard to believe. (Of course, I’ve never actually been there, but Google Maps is a fount of information.)
What was a bit weird was the relationship between Connor and Beth and how it developed. The dynamics were interesting – I just wasn’t sure when it suddenly became “okay” for them to be a couple, considering all the prior resistance and roadblocks. What I mean is… Beth hates Connor. Or at least, she does at the beginning of the book and into the first few chapters. She sasses him, and has some really great zingers. Yes, she lets down her guard and opens up once she works through a few issues, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on when that change happened.
I also chose to ignore the fact in a way, that Connor had just ended a three year relationship -one serious enough for him to have been living with another woman, and immediately pursue Beth. Of course, on the flip side- it could be considered sweet, because he loved Beth so much — deep down — that he didn’t know about it, but it prevented him from truly loving anyone else.
Regardless, I enjoyed the story a lot. Seven-Year Seduction is a cute, sweet story with humor, great characters, and a nice depth. There are secondary stories and characters, and enough to keep you engaged. There are some dark spots as well, but they really forward the plot and help bring Beth and Connor together. I liked that Seven-Year Seduction wasn’t predictable, and had real issues that the Beth and Connor had to deal with. Of course it was adorable when they revealed their feelings — and talked about the past. And also, the ending. I loved the ending.
I recommend this book to fans of Ms. Betts, as well as the Silhouette Desire line. Books like this are what drew me to the line in the first place.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Time could not erase the fire between them…
Connor Riordan was the last person Beth Curtis wanted to walk down the aisle with, even if it was only at her brother’s wedding. Being close to him was too painful a reminder of her girlhood fantasies—featuring none other than Connor himself.
That crush had culminated in one night of passion and seven years of bitterness; and even now, Beth’s anger warred against her attraction to Connor. Still, there was too much history, too many secrets, that would prevent her from ever loving him again.
But when a storm strands the two together, Beth is in for a surprise. Connor has a secret of his own—he plans on seducing Beth. A seduction seven years in the making…
Read an excerpt here.
