Love in the Afternoon

Simon Howden

"As a lover of animals and nature, Beatrix Hathaway has always been more comfortable outdoors than in the ballroom. Even thought she participated in the London season in the past, the classic beauty and free-spirited Beatrix has never been swept away or seriously courted... and she resigned herself to the fate of never finding love. Has the time come for the most unconventional of the Hathaway sisters to settle for an ordinary man--just to avoid spinsterhood?

Captain Christopher Phelan is a handsome, daring soldier who plans to marry Beatrix's friend, the vivacious flirt Prudence Mercer, when he returns from fighting abroad. But, as he explains in his letters to Pru, life on the battlefield has darkened his soul--and it's becoming clear that Christopher won't come back as the same man.

When Beatrix learns of Pru's disappointment, she decides to help by concocting Pru's letters to Christopher for her. Soon the correspondence between Beatrix and Christopher develops into something fulfilling and deep...and when Christopher comes home, he's determined to claim the woman he loves. What began as Beatrix's innocent deception has resulted in the agony of unfulfilled love--and a passion that can't be denied..."

* * 

As the last installment in the Hathaway series, Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas was a must read for me. And again, Kleypas did not disappoint. Beatrix has been one of my favorite characters throughout all of the Hathaway novels and after completion of this book, she immediately jumped to the top of the list. 

SAMMAI

I formed an immediate connection to Beatrix. She's an honest girl with a love for animals beyond any normal bond and as the proud owner of a dog, a cat, and a rabbit -- I must say we share that love for four-legged friends. 

Beatrix's longing for true love is a main factor in forming a connection. She wants a husband that accepts her with all of her peculiarities, a man that doesn't want her to be like every other girl in London society. A man who won't make her hold back her thoughts, or hide her love and desire for the world she lives in. Kleypas writes Beatrix's character in a way that allows readers to understand her, their dreams and desires coinciding with those of Beatrix. 

This novel was a wonderful ending to the series bringing tears of sadness and of joy, and of course out loud laughter. However, it disturbs me to say that I found one huge typo in the novel in which (upon reading) I yelled "Noooooo" to my ceiling (not claiming that I don't make frequent typos in my own writing). I was greatly disturbed when I realized it was impossible to reply to a letter written in December ten months before it had been written. 

Ignoring that small fact, Love in the Afternoon captured my heart. I may even read it again tomorrow, or on some rainy day when I have nothing to do but revel in Beatrix's soul-warming story. 

Love in the Afternoon
                     on Amazon
                     
                  rating : 4/5 cups

Married by Morning

"What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?"

zirconicusso

A.k.a. Catherine Marks and Leo Hathaway, Lord Ramsay. 

Which is which? That's up to the reader. 

Leo is, and has always been, a notorious rake with a history of self-destruction. After his first attempt at love, he isn't to keen on the idea of doing it again. While Catherine Marks, governess to the Hathaway ladies, is the picture perfect example of propriety... with a past that haunts her, promising to catch up. 

Every time they meet, an argument undoubtedly ensues. But there's something about Miss Marks that has Leo more than intrigued. And he's overly determined to shed light on her past, no matter how much she resists, hiding behind her spectacles. Perhaps he can win her with one of the kisses he simply cannot stop himself from giving her... 

* *

Lisa Kleypas definitely outdoes herself in this amazing novel, Married by Morning. With a love story that travels through all of the previous books in the series (Mine Till Midnight, Seduce Me at Sunrise, Tempt Me at Twilight, and Love in the Afternoon), Leo and Catherine are characters that readers have already come to care for throughout the previous novels. And the story that Kleypas gives them is, without a doubt, the most interesting one so far. 

Readers will not be able to resist Leo's charm or his heart-breaking history that almost sent him over the edge. His quick-witted nature will cause out loud laughing, while his internal demeanor tugs at the reader's soul. 

Catherine will not be left out, by any means, however. She's a timid woman who had plenty of reasons to fear life itself. Her background will have readers cheering for her to overcome all of her fears as they simultaneously understand every feeling she has. 

Though it isn't necessary that readers start with the first book of the series, or read any of them before this one, it definitely makes the connections with the characters that much stronger. Once read, these books are those that will never slip from memory. The loves stories within the pages will remain, always. 

 Married by Morning
                             on Amazon

               
                          rating: 5/5 cups

Teaser Tuesday (6)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Married by Morning (p.83)
       - Lisa Kleypas 

"He had tried it once, letting himself fall madly in love, nearly losing everything as a result.
And there were some risks a man couldn't take twice." 

Should Be Reading @ Wordpress

Nowhere Near Normal

Poppy Hathaway longs for a normal life. Her family, though nowhere near normal, is wonderful and loving but Poppy doesn't want that life for herself. She wants a routine. She wants predictability.

Simon Howden

And marrying Michael would do just that.

Marrying Harry Rutledge, hotel owner and inventor, would not.

After a scandal, including Poppy, erupts at a society ball, she is made an offer of marriage... from Harry, to save her reputation.

Harry has already made it clear that he'll do anything to make sure she says yes, because he refuses to not have Poppy for himself.

* * 

Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Klepas, (whom I've come to love as an author !) was absolutely thrilling, heart wrenching, and loving. The Hathaway family is a circus of various amusements with Poppy quickly becoming one of my favorite sisters. I read the entire book in one sitting, :)

Poppy is a strong young woman who accepts herself. She loves politics, debating, questioning motives, basically everything a woman should not talk about in London society. But, she also longs for normalcy, which is impossible for a Hathaway to obtain. 

Harry Rutledge though is a different matter. I liked the character well enough but he had a few traits that I couldn't imagine in a man for Poppy. He was controlling, domineering, selfish, and had to have his way - no matter what it cost. Not that he wasn't civil, even nice, to Poppy, but as the story played out I kept thinking that she didn't deserve this man. Although, the end did take out my tongue for saying that. :) 

Tempt Me At Twilight 
                            on Amazon

                
                         rating: 3/5 cups