Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2)
by Lisa Kleypas
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Book Reviews of Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways, Book 2)
Book Review: Frustrating hero leads to difficult read
Summary: 3 Stars
I'd like to clarify the plot synopsis given in the brief publisher's blurb: Win Hathaway has always loved the wild half-Roma Kev Merripen, whom her family rescued from an abusive father. Merripen has always loved Win, but thinks he's so far beneath her that he'll never have her. Win has always loved Merripen and has never seen his mixed parentage as any obstacle. Unfortunately for both of them, Merripen has this attitude that if he can't have Win, no one else will either. When Win has to leave him (won't spoil that part!), if possible, he's even surlier when she returns.
This was the most frustrating Kleypas book to try to get through. Win is annoyingly perfect; she's beautiful, delicate, freakishly intelligent, serene and practically glows in the dark, she's so luminous. Merripen, on the other hand, is of course tall, dark and gorgeous, but is also the crankiest and most conflicted hero I can ever recall reading in this type of book.
I understand Merripen's back story is the main obstacle he needs to overcome to be with Win; I understand the whole whites vs. Roma issue and why proper society would frown on Win and Merripen if they got together. There are two issues for me that just killed this book: Win's older sister is happily married to a Roma and the Hathaway family has never cared what society thinks. My main gripe is that Merripen remains obnoxious to everyone, but Win in particular, nearly to the end.
It's one thing to have a hero or heroine with a tortured past who finds it difficult to admit they love someone. It's another for the hero to spend the entire book pushing his love interest away, leading her on, not letting her be with anyone else; Merripen outwardly treats Win like dirt most of the time, despite what he thinks of her in his head.
There's a sub story involving Cam and Merripen that gets resolved in a clichéd and entirely predictable manner, and eventually, readers get the ending they expect. I know I'm in the minority in not liking Merripen, but the number of times Win gave him ultimatums to be with her or let her go was ridiculous. How many pages of his push me/pull me act did we need to go through?
I've rarely read a Lisa Kleypas book that I didn't enjoy and recommend, so I'm not happy writing a critical review of this one. I gave it three stars only because of the presence of the Hathaway family, which is always funny and sweet, and that Kleypas managed to draw Merripen so clearly that it wasn't difficult at all to have an opinion of him. If it weren't for her skill in story-building and characterizations, this would have gotten a solid two stars from me.
If you haven't read it already, I recommend the wildly romantic Dreaming of You. It's not about the Hathaway family, but it's by far my favorite Kleypas book. Tempt Me at Twilight (Hathaways, Book 3), which is Poppy's story, is my favorite in the Hathaway series so far; I recommend skipping books one (Cam and Amelia) and two (Win and Merripen) and just enjoy book 3 (Poppy and Harry).
Book Review: Kleypas shines in the second installment of the Hathaway series with a pair of star-crossed lovers
Summary: 4 Stars
Merripen, the quiet and mysterious Romany, has lived with the Hathaways since his youth. Found badly injured and near death he was taken into the open loving arms of this quirky and unconventional family. Ignoring his background and the backlash of the village, Merripen was treated like a brother to the four other children. But he did not stay because he had found a family for no matter what they thought a Rom would never really be one of them ( a gadjo) nor did he want to be. What he wanted, and stayed for, was Win. For since the first moment he saw her his life had changed and a deep connection was formed. Though he could never allow himself to have Winifred, and taint her with his ugliness, he would protect her with his life while keeping her at a distance. Winifred Hathaway, on the other hand, has one goal in mind -to catch the man she has loved forever. Finally, after years away in a clinic in France, she has returned to England completely recovered. No longer the invalid, Win is tired of being treated like a butterfly under the glass. Merripen protects and cherishes her but doesn't touch -afraid he'll hurt or spoil her perfection with his sordid past. But Win wants to be his woman, his wife. Could Merripen have finally pushed her too far away? Kept her at such a distance that she''ll turn to another man?
Great book, signature Kleypas -engaging couple, superb plotting, solid writing and sinfully steamy. Win and Kev (Merripen) are well matched even though they are physically polar opposites. He's the great big, dark dangerously smoldering Rom of few words and she's the delicate/fragile angelic blond with a cool exterior. Underneath lie two complex characters who love each other deeply and must get past many hurdles to get to a HEA ending. Their roller coaster romance teased me tortiously and gripped me from beginning to end. Really an excellent example of star-crossed lovers.
I do though have some minor complaints. Some portions of this book could have been called Mine Till Midnight Part II for all the attention that Cam and Amelia get (and the rest of the family too). And the mysterious tattoos and Kev's and Cam's connection were less than shocking and downright predictable. And I'm not a fan of the prettily wrapped up plot twist in the end either (especially if its not believable). It was not necessary and, I think, diluted the overall effect of the story. I would have been happier if Klyepas had left things as they were, it would have made for a far more interesting ending. These parts did not however distract in ANY way from the fantastic heart warming romance. Frankly I couldn't get enough of Win and Kev.
So this sequel to Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) is a keeper IMHO. And I, for one, can't wait till Leo and the "Grim Reaper" (LOL!) governess get their own book.
Book Review: An honest to goodness passionate love story
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply stated this is a truly lovely story. I was hooked right from the beginning. I had read the prequel to this novel and was already familiar with Kev and Win, nevertheless I would have been totally engrossed if I had not read Mine Till Midnight. I simply love the characters in this novel and not just the leads, but this is Win and Kev's love story and they shine.
Win has never really recovered from scarlet fever. She is weak, fragile and tired of feeling that way, she wants to embrace life so she decides to go to a French clinic to restore her health. Her one regret is leaving Kev, the man she has loved for years.
There are so many ways to describe Kev, controlled, resigned, honorable and protective. He is alpha male and tortured hero, so desperately in love with Win that I immediately felt his longing. As a gypsy who was taken in by Win's family as a boy, he feels like an outsider but also as a member of the family too. His past is haunted by violence and he had little love and affection. Win has always been the gentling influence in his life. This was apparent from their first meeting as he recuperated in the Hathaway home. Even then Kev knew how special Win was and desired to be in her presence. She is calm, serene and incredibly compassionate and loving, a counterpoint to his secretive, and wary nature.
Win returns to England recovered from her illness and with her handsome Doctor in tow also. Her encounter with Kev after her two year absence is incredibly passionate, lusty and steamy. In fact, whenever these two are in each others' arms it is spontaneous combustion.
Kev wants Win desperately but again he feels totally unworthy of her and furthermore wonders if he could really trust himself around her with his violent past. He is now the estate manager of her brother's lands and doing a wonderful job of it too.
I don't know who I liked more in this novel Kev or Win. I loved that Win was determined to chart her own course, she was sweet, kind and above all she didn't fall into the too stubborn category. Kev was deep with a scarred soul that opens up around the Hathaway family but blooms around Win. His protective barriers start to crumble not only with Win but also with other members of the family.
There's a bit of a mystery in this novel with Kev's past that I figured out rather quickly. It is not a detraction from the story at all but really fleshed out Kev's past and his future. Characters from the previous novel play a big part in this story. I didn't find it terribly distracting as I especially liked Cam from Mine till Midnight. I heartily recommend this book; it is passionate, heartwarming and compelling, I can hardly wait for the next Hathaway story.
Book Review: There is heart here
Summary: 4 Stars
Kev loved Winnifred(Win) from the first moment he met her, when he was fighting to live, after his gypsy tribe had left him, beaten, for dead. She soothed his soul, and soon helped nurse him back to health. Win's family greeted him with open arms, and once well they offered to let him stay with them, if he wanted to. And so Kev stayed, but only because he wanted to stay close to Win. He knew he could never have her, for she deserved so much more, and he viewed himself as a monster. But he couldn't be away from her either for she was his soul. Instead, he consoled himself by watching over her, and protecting her.
Soon after that, Win fell ill with the scarlet fever. Kev watched over her. But as her condition continued to worsen, and in a moment of utter desperation, he concocted a poison brew that was said to help fight this type of fever, but didn't have guaranteed results. He made a lot more than was necessary, and kept a full cup for himself. If she died, he would die with her. But Win didn't die, she survived, but she was always weak after that. She couldn't walk for long distances, she needed assistance with going up and down the stairs, etc... But Kev was there, helping her, protecting her, and secretly loving her.
Now I admit that a few times Kev frustrated me, he did over brood. But for the most part, I understood his motives and understood his behavior in rejecting Win's advances, even after she returned apparently well and completely healed, from the clinic. Kev was afraid that he might inadvertently hurt her. I loved the relationship between Kev and Win. I liked that Win decided to move on with her life, when Kev rejected her, she showed courage and intelligence. Both are very likable h/h.
On the other hand, I wanted to see a wedding scene between Kev and Win. I mean we got to see their betrothal celebration (gypsy style), but I wanted to see the church wedding scene that was implied by the author but not shown. In addition, I didn't understand why Kev wasn't even interested in knowing who his family from his father's side is, when his Romany uncle (mother's side) had treated him so badly. It was Cam who was constantly looking into it, and trying to find the connection between himself and Kev, and who their father is.
Also, I didn't like that Kev didn't stay celibate, when Win left for the doctor's clinic in France to get treated. I know there was nothing between them at that point of the story, but he loved Win, so it didn't sit well with me.
But in the end, it is the emotion, the depth of love the reader feels between Kev and Win that saves this book from being just another average read. Indeed there is heart here, and that is what makes this a solid "4" star read.
Book Review: Entertaining Read but won't be in the Kleypas Hall of Fame
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an entertaining read and I couldn't put the book down. I like the family environment of the Hathaways and enjoy their interactions. I thought the book started out very strong and early on I was thinking "Oh yeah. This is going to be one of Kleypas' great ones." However, I felt that Win's character got lost along the way - meaning the evolution and development of her character seemed to halt shortly after she arrived home from her treatment. The focus on the rest of the family may have been at the expense of her character. I believe there should have been a little more mention of her cure and the changes in her while at treatment, and then more about her feelings and her changes after she returned, endearing the reader more to her. It seemed a bit superficial after the return.
Another thing that seemed a little off to me was the lack of deep emotional response by all to the revelation of the connection between Cam and Kev. It was deserving of much more than was written. And the revelation to everyone else other than Amelia and Win was a bit muddled. This was not a disclosure that deserved such a lackluster and muted response by all. Additionally, I'm not sure I understood the motivation of Harrow to want Win so much. If, as implied by other characters, he wanted arm candy, that wouldn't lead to the level of ultimate reaction by him. What takes place also seemed inconsistent with one so devoted to helping and healing others. We learned the motivation behind what happened in his first marriage but I didn't see the parallel to his relationship with Win.
What I liked was that the reader never doubts the love between Kev and Win. He loves her with all that he is and she has loved him as long as she has known him. In the beginning, it's actually palapable. There were some absolutely touching and beautiful moments between the pair. Also in the beginning, the depth of her pain and circumstances made Win seem so real. I wanted to know her on that level throughout the entire book.
They always say when you're writing a review don't compare the book to other books the author has written. This is where the review gets tough for me. I love the poetic rhythm with which Kleypas has the ability to write. I was a little disappointed that I really didn't find that flow of words in this book. So, if I am comparing Lisa Kleypas to Lisa Kleypas, this is not one of the most memorable for me. However, if I am simply judging the book as a worthy read, it is, and you won't want to put it down. I am looking forward to Leo's story as well.