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: Despite some complaints, I really liked it
Summary: 4 Stars
Reading through the other reviews, I found I agreed with many who had complaints. I also thought Kev's stubbornness was tiresome and the false-start passion was overdone. But unlike some, I enjoyed the vast majority of the story.
One thing I would have liked to have was a scene or two of the main characters simply talking. Just *being* together. In the current time of this story rather than a flashback. I felt their chemistry in 'Mine Till Midnight' and in the flashback, but nothing for the timeframe we're focused on. Every time we had some interaction it seemed they ended up in a steamy embrace and then an abrupt disengagement. Even when they argued they managed to become sexual. It undercut the poignance of their relationship that was introduced in the previous book. I found myself depending on those scenes between Win and Merripen from 'Mine Till Midnight' to infuse all the compatibility I felt I was missing.
That said, I liked the book as a whole. I actually liked the scenes between Cam and Amelia, even though they've already had their book. They grounded the story nicely. Cam and Merripen were hinted to be linked in 'Mine Till Midnight' so it seemed appropriate to provide the entire dynamic and it was handled well, I thought.
I suppose Leo will be the next to have a book. I thought his development was excellent. In the last book, I truly wouldn't have minded if he hadn't made it, but in this installment I thought his presence was crucial. His humor and thoughtful observations were perfectly timed and effective within the story line.
As with all series, it's important to keep the reader interested in finding out what happens to the rest of the featured characters. Poppy and Beatrix are also great, specific characters and I hope we get to see what kind of mates they snare.
The Hathaways are a very fun, unique family that lends itself to stories that are different from the typical romantic plots. I'm looking forward to reading about all their romantic mishaps, adventures and triumphs.
Book Review: Kev & Win's story is one of the best from Kleypas!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a big fan of Lisa Kleypas and have enjoyed her books. But this one stands out as one of her best because it is about love, not just romance and not just physical attraction. That depth of emotion filled the book and made it so much better.
If you read "Mine Till Midnight," you know that Merripen (a gypsy taken in by the Hathaways when he was a boy) and Win have deep feelings for each other. In that book those feelings were smoldering under the surface but not expressed or acted upon. Win is frail and sickly after a bout with scarlet fever and Merripen is her protector. During that book, Merripen's first name is never disclosed.
This book begins two months after Cam and Amelia are married and Win is going to France to be treated by a doctor. Win tries to get Merripen (whose first name we now know is Kev) to admit his feelings for her and declares her love for him. They have a sizzling kiss but Kev pushes her away and denies his feelings so Win leaves for France.
Then the book goes back 12 years to when Kev was brought to the Hathaways after being left for dead by his tribe and we see the beginning of the love that binds Kev and Win. This section adds much to the book because it explains why Merripen acts the way he does and why he loves Win so much. Back at the present, Cam gives Kev the responsibility to oversee the rebuilding of the estate Leo inherited in the first book.
Win returns healthy after two years and Leo, who has been in France with her is also much improved emotionally from the first book. Win's new suitor also comes with them but Win still wants Kev and he still refuses to admit his love despite several more steamy kisses. He doesn't think he is worthy of her. The yearning between them is palpable.
The end of the book has several surprises that I won't give away. However, I think we know who will help Leo recover from mourning his fiance who died. It was a 2 hanky finale. I am really looking forward to the next books in this series!!
Book Review: Darn it, I am Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
"Seduce Me At Sunrise" is one of the most passionate and emotionally intense historical romances I've written in years"... this is what Lisa Klypas posted on her blog. Intense and passionate?? I must have missed this part in the book! Give me Derek and Sarah, Evie and St. Vincent, Nick and Charlotte; I could go on and list
almost every book she has ever written.
For years Ms. Kleypas was my Number One favorite author, I am sad to say that has changed. It's seems that Ms. Kleypas has decided to put more of her energies into her contemporary books. (I am not overly impressed with them either) and less focus into her historical. Man, I am so bummed!!
I know this review is choppy... I deleted most of it because I just went off on a tangent. I had such high hopes that this book would live up to the excerpt that was posted on her website and am sooooooo upset that I am disappointed.
The story line was choppy and erratic; her usual smooth writing was not evident. I did not see well defined characters in Win and Kev. Kev spent most of his life with the Hathaway's, you would think a little of their eccentricity and their wonderfully open way of seeing the world would have rubbed off on him a bit. Up until he decides he is actually going to claim Win as his (3/4 of the way through the book) Kev is a hard nosed, grumpy not to likeable character. Win was lovely, sweet, strong character: Until she decides, after being back home only a short amount of time, that Kev will always be like he is and she accepts the proposal of another man. Her stregnth dissapated rather quickly.
Cam and Amelia already had their book - And it looks like Wins' brother Leo will be having his. Maybe even her sisters... I don't know. There were so many other story lines going on. Ugh! I didn't like this book at all.
Book Review: He's Determined Not to Love Her, but Can He Really Stand to Lose Her to Another?
Summary: 4 Stars
As a boy, Kev Merripen was taken in by the Hathaway family after he was injured and left for dead by his tribe. Although he's treated as part of the family, Kev knows his gypsy origins are thought to be inferior in their world. He doesn't mind. He works hard, is given responsibilities and is an aid to the family, he doesn't ask for more out of life. The only problem is Winnifred, the sweet gentle Hathaway daughter. She will not leave him be and she secretly loves him. Unfortunately, suffering from the weaknesses of Scarlet Fever, she must leave for a treatment in France for several years. She tries to get him to declare his love for her before she goes, but he refuses, certain that he will remain strong and not think of sullying her with an alliance with someone of his background.
When Win returns, she is accompanied by the doctor of the clinic that helped recover her health. He is determined to court her. Win is not happy to learn that Kev is still determined to keep his regard for her undeclared. If nothing will move him, the doctor may win her hand.
Watching the trials and tribulations of this couple was interesting. They both obviously loved each other, but Kev did have cause to be the reluctant bridegroom. From the day the Hathaways took him in, they were criticized for harboring a thieving gypsy. Marrying Win would certainly affect her social standing. However, his arguments are weakened somewhat by Win's older sister marrying a half-gypsy and seeming to weather the social stigma well enough. Still, Kev's past was far different from Win's new brother-in-law's. How the couple resolves their dilemma made for a lovely read.
Book Review: Love is a friendship set to music. - E. Joseph Cossman
Summary: 5 Stars
Merripen was savagely beaten and left for dead by his Romany tribe. The Hathaway's found him, nurtured him, and made the Gypsy boy part of their family. Win Hathaway always had an ethereal beauty and grace about her. After contracting Scarlet Fever she never regained her strength. It was Merripen who always looked after her, protected her and secretly loved her. Their bond was instant and goes back to their childhood there has always been some invisible bond between them.
They are now adults and Merripen struggles every day to keep Win at a distance, believing she is better off without him, thinking being married to a Gypsy will only cause her problems. Win has returned from France after years at a clinic, she is healthy and more beautiful and tempting than ever. Merripen struggles with his wants and needs and doing what he thinks she wants and needs.
I get all mushy and gushy for a great forbidden love story and this one was excellent. This is a completely tender tale with just enough tragedy and heat to make the struggle to happily ever after interesting and plenty of romance and real love to make me wistful and a little weepy. I blazed through this book in a day, and it's not a short one... But every page made me compelled to read the next and the next. The Hathaway clan is more intriguing as they continue to grow and evolve and I am schoolgirl giddy awaiting the next!
Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1)
Cherise Everhard, October 2008