Lawson’s review of Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martins 30 Sep 08
Before I start on anything, everyone reading this needs to take a moment and enjoy, probably for the millionth time, the beautiful red cover on this book. It’s so pretty, isn’t it? And now down to business: the story. Picking up where Mine Till Midnight left off, we see Win, the second Hathaway daughter, leaving England to go to a hospital to get healthy again. One of the major plot points from MtM was Leo and Win’s sufferings after having scarlet fever a couple of years before the action of the book. When Win returns, however, some things have changed.
Win returns to a different situation than when she’d left. Her sister Amelia’s marriage to Cam Rohan has benefited the family, who have some money for once. Her friend, Kev Merripen, who has been with the family for years, has become a harder person since Win left. Both Win and Merripen have been in love for years, but both haven’t done anything about it. Win has decided to move on and is considering an engagement to her doctor, Julian Harrow.
Win is shocked at the changes in Merripen, but with her feelings for Julian, she thinks that things will work out. The family leaves London to go to their country home, which is next door to Stony Cross Park, home of Lord Westcliff (of the Wallflower series). Win is happy to be healthy, in the country and being able to live her life for herself, though she chafes under some of her family’s well meaning care. What bothers Win the most are the changes in Merripen, who she had been very close to, and their arguments about what is best for Win and her life lead to some excellent scenes.
Win is a great leading lady. She’s been used to being the invalid of the family after her bout with scarlet fever left her very weak. Coming back from the hospital with Dr. Harrow helped not only her health, but her self esteem has improved enough that she stands up for herself to her family and to Merripen. She also tries to go after what she wants, which is Merripen, and though he rebuffs her due to his own fears, Win is able to convince him of his errors in judgment.
Merripen is a great foil for Win. Where she’s delicate and ladylike (but not weak) he’s strong and earthy. His life as a gypsy before coming to live with the Hathaways wasn’t easy, and he bonded with Win easily, though since he’s much taller and more muscular is always afraid that he’ll hurt Win. His realization that she is his woman and his steps to make everyone see that as well (especially Julian) shows the extremely passionate side of Merripen and makes him an excellent hero.
What makes this book so well done is the relationships of Win and Merripen, not only with each other, but with the other members of the family. Leo is definitely changed since MtM (he went to the hospital with Win and did some recovery himself). The way that Leo has matured makes me wonder when his story will come, and who will be a good match for him. The younger sisters, Poppy and Beatrice, have a new governess to help ease them into society, though of course, they are rather exuberant but they are endearing to their governess (who has some clashes with Leo and Bea’s pet ferret).
There’s also the discovery of Merripen’s gypsy family and the continuation of Cam’s search for his gypsy roots, and yes, the reason why Cam and Merripen have similar tattoos is also revealed. To tell the whys and hows, of course would be spoilers, and no, I’m not going to do that. But it’s a beautiful, passionate story with two characters that have lots of growth and get a very touching happily ever after. All with some humor, family and some satisfying endings, as well as beginnings along the way.
Grade: A
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 this series:
I want, I want, I want!
Me, too – me, too!
I’ve had it since June. 🙂
Brat! Rub it in, why doncha! ::gives Sybil the stank-eye::
Finally the wait is over. After I read Mine to Midnight I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book! Great review!
Hey she kept it! Not my fault. I need to leave work early and mail out a the copy I have to Christine who prolly hates me.
Great review, isn’t this book amazing? I posted my review today as well and Lisa Kleypas left a comment about how she came to create Kev which I think you would be interested on – it is fascinating:
http://thebooksmugglers.blogspot.com/2008/09/lisa-kleypas-week-book-review-seduce-me.html
I ditto Marg’s thoughts..I want, I want, I want!
Dear Lawson (and friends)
THANK YOU, what a kind and reflective and wonderful review–I am smiling so much I think I strained my cheek muscles! *g*
And yes, that red cover is beautiful, isn’t it? . . . . I think St. Martins did a great job, because it is vivid but also really sensuous . . . that pose looks like Win after an interlude with Merripen. Heh.
The Hathaway family has been so much fun to write about, and I am really excited about the next couple of books! . . . I’ll tell you, the family is so eccentric that it almost got out of hand near the end of SMAS . . . there was one point at which I was dealing with several events at once, gypsies running around, the villain, the family, and then the pet ferret who has a part in the plot . . . I looked at my computer screen and almost smacked myself in the head, asking myself, “What the heck are you writing?”
Thank you for the great review, Lawson!
The important question is when do I get Leo’s book?
Muhahahaha!!!!!
It’s only a little spark in my twisted brain, at the moment.
But it’s going to be good, Sybs!
That is just mean. Mean I say.
You owe us some raw excerpts babe and me an email or 20. 😛
You got it, Syb!
Because as we’ve said before, you like it raw . . .
It is why you like me 😉
and really leo soooooo needs a book…
“Well, of course. It’s easy to have a good reputation—you merely have to do nothing. But earning a bad reputation . . . well, that takes some effort.”
A contemptuous stare burned through the spectacle lenses. “I despise you,” she announced. Turning on her heel, she walked away from him.
Leo followed, carrying the ferret. “We’ve only just met. You can’t despise me until you really get to know me.”
—
Come now! He is begging for a book!!! Le sigh reminds me a bit of my favorite devil. This scene and the scene with Win and Leo on their way to France are two of my favorites.
And something that Lawson talks about in the review. I am one of those people that often tone out other characters in a novel and only care about the hero and heroine. And in SM@S you so want to know more about so many others that in the time spent away from Win/Kev you are still glued the page.
::happy sigh::
we should do another book clubish for this… how long do you guys think it will take to read it and I will try and rope darling lisa into joining us for another chat on the book like we did for Blue Eye-Devil.
We could get all nice and Raw then too 😉
A week after release? two? three? As someone who has already read the book four times I am ready when you all are. Oh and of course you too Lisa, you get a say of course *eg*.
Hi Lisa! ~huge hugs~ It was a great book, and I’m ready for Poppy and Beatrice’s story. Unlike Sybil, I know Leo still has some growing to do, but don’t make the wait too long. 🙂
(Lisa, chortling) Syb, I would love that . . . and I’m not surprised you like Leo . . . he’s a bad boy
Lawson–hugs back to you!
Lawson (and Lisa) – I’m not reading this review – I want to know nothing more than I do now about it, but I CANNOT WAIT to get my little paws on this book. So very excited, and so glad it got a great review/grade! 😀
Congratulations on the new release, Lisa!
I’m going to have to read a Lisa Kleypas, aren’t I?
liv, liv, liv
::shakes head::
you are young so I shall forgive your lack of kleypas reading but really we should fix that and at some point you will have to read Dreaming of You and Devil in Winter so you too can know you love St Vincent more 😉
Oh, I totally second Sybil’s recs, Liviana and for the same reasons! LOL.
gotta love St VIncent!
and I am read for Poppy’s book, Leo’s book, Betarix ‘s book as long as it has “Lisa Kleypas” writen on the cover LOL
I haven’t read a book by Lisa Kleypas but this review makes me want.so.badly. And Leo sounds yummy-licious, I can’t wait to meet him. ^_^
I really loved “Suddenly You” – I thought the hero and heroine were perfect foils for each other. A very nice romance.
And, dadgummit, I gotta go get this bloody book now. grumble grumble
Oh my Gawd!!!! Two more days!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!! I can’t hardly wait!!! I am going to be at Barnes and Noble when they open Tues!!!
This book is WONDERFUL!! I could hardly put it down! Great Job Lisa!
I really enjoyed SMAS. I can’t wait for Leo”s story. I also hope that we will see Ms. Marks again. I wonder what happened to her? She and Leo would make an interesting couple.
Sadly we won’t see Leo’s story for a book or two ::sniff::
Although I am still crossing my fingers he is gonna be after the next book but SOMEONE with more pull than me keeps disagreeing with me. so sad
Will we at least see any interaction between Leo and Ms. Marks in the next book?
yes but honestly it has been a while since I have read the book and I need to read it again… should do that but I am pretty sure Leo will be the book after TMAT
I heard that “Married by Morning” is the title of Kleypas’s next book after TMAT. Does anyone know if that’s true? Sounds interesting! 🙂
Yes that is Leo’s book followed by Bea’s Love in the Afternoon (unless something has changed/does change)