Devon’s review of Seduced at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 3) by Jacquie D’Alessandro
Historical Romance published by Berkley Sensation 6 Jan 09
Original review posted 12 Jan 09
I love romance across class lines. It’s one of the most compelling storylines in historical romance. So I was definitely into Seduced at Midnight, which features an earl’s daughter and a Bow Street Runner. The third in a series, but the first I’ve read, this tale of murder and star-crossed romance was pleasant, if not especially memorable.
Lady Julianne Bradley has lived her life with the weight of her parents’ expectations to be a perfect, marriageable young lady. After all, that’s all she’s good for, having been born a female. But the shy, intelligent young woman yearns for more—a life of purpose and adventure, as personified by the Bow Street Runner, Gideon Mayne. When a series of thefts and murders brings Mayne back into her sphere, Lady Julianne seizes the opportunity to get to know Mayne better. Hired to guard the “spoiled princess,” Mayne soon finds that there’s more to Julianne than meets the eye.
Lady Julianne is a well-developed and very likable heroine. She is intelligent, witty and spunky, and can hold her own with Mayne. Her desperation at her impending doom (arranged marriage) is quite vivid. I felt bad for her. Although there’s a decent chemistry between her and Mayne, I never found him quite as interesting. He is standard issue, a man who came up from nothing, decent and hardworking, perhaps a bit rough around the edges. It’s hard to see what intrigued Julianne so, other than the physical and the fact that he is so different from the men she’s used to. He just isn’t that interesting.
I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy, but there are times that I found the attitudes and language to be jarringly modern. Lady Julianne and her buddies have a book club, where they discuss trashy novels and other scandalous topics. While I like that Julianne isn’t naïve and missish (she wanted Mayne and she knew what for), there are some things that just don’t ring true about the way they speak. The Sex and Ye Olde City vibe, and the bland hero, definitely imparted a “wallpaper historical” feel. I found the ending to be a bit hard to swallow as well. It is too neat.
Still, I enjoyed it. The mystery kept my interest and I enjoyed the heroine’s journey. Julianne’s parents and various suitors were rather cartoonish, but only kept me cheering for her more. I hadn’t read the other books in the series, but it didn’t hinder any understanding or enjoyment. While I doubt I’ll seek out the first two books, I’m interested in the next, Tempted at Midnight, which features Julianne’s haughty friend and an American millionaire. Fans of the author will enjoy this one, and it’s not bad if you’re looking for an historical read to pass the time.
Grade: C+
The Summary:
The Ladies Literary Society of London gathers again for a ghost story…Lady Julianne Bradley has always longed for wild adventure. Unfortunately, the man with whom she wishes to share her fervor can never be hers. Tormented by her desire, she’s preparing for a suitable marriage when ghostly occurrences straight out of her latest read start happening—and to protect Julianne, her father hires the very man her heart cries out for.
Read an excerpt
Other books in the series:
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