Juliana (philippaj) -
Helpful Score: 5
~ A *must-read* with a wonderful story, two complex leading characters, and sizzling chemistry (4.5 stars) ~
[1820 - London, England]
This is my first book by Anne Mallory and *oh my lord* - what a book it was!!! For some reason, Mallory's other books have never appealed to me and/or I haven't gotten around to reading them yet, but the premise of SEVEN SECRETS OF SEDUCTION sounded interesting so I took a chance and pre-ordered it from Amazon. I am unbelievably glad that I did! The book starts off with an utterly delightful first encounter between the hero and heroine that will put a silly grin on your face, leave you reeling and wondering, and have you anxiously awaiting their next battle of wits.
Miranda Chase and Maximilian, Viscount Downing are interesting, complex, imperfect, drastically in need of love (and both very lovable), so easy to root for, and basically just all-around fabulous. Miranda is a shopgirl in her uncle's bookstore who has wonderful dreams of travel and excitement, yet finds herself unable to reach for the real thing and instead relying on books as a substitute. Max is Mr. Bad Boy in society, always featured in the gossip pages along with his scandal-prone family, and is unbearably mysterious, dangerous, and attractive. The book is essentially about these two characters becoming who they were "meant to be" and revealing their "true selves" (enough corny phrases for you?). Each sees the unbelievable potential in the other, though they are unable to see it in themselves, until their complicated friendship and then unexpectedly intense love opens their eyes.
The supporting characters are engaging and multi-dimensional (Miranda's friend Georgette is hysterical!), though Mallory does a good job of focusing on Miranda and Max and not throwing in needless distractions. There is no errant madman-murderer on the loose, no random kidnapping in the last chapter, no evil blackmailer who knows some horrible family secret. I found all of this a nice change from most historicals and thought it made the romance and character development of the hero and heroine all that more fleshed-out and enjoyable. Despite there being no mystery subplot in this book, there are unexpected twists and turns and they are all very well-written and orchestrated. My only complaint is that the ending was a little too abrupt and could have used a few more pages or an epilogue.
Writing about the chemistry in this book is unbelievably complicated, because the entire thing is absolutely sizzling ... yet they don't kiss for the first time till p194 - more than halfway through the book!! Nonetheless, your fingers will literally be singed by the pages right from the get-go and you'll be fanning yourself with whatever you can find handy, lol. Writing as a reader who *hates* romances where the attraction is instantaneous or we hear on and on from the first page about how much they lust after each other like crazy, I have to say that Mallory has done an exquisite job here. The book is fraught with sexual tension, yet it is never exaggerated or gratuitous, but rather very playfully and skillfully done.
One aspect of SEVEN SECRETS OF SEDUCTION that was unusual for the genre was that the first half - if not more - of the book was mostly told from Miranda's perspective; the first time we hear Max's thoughts are on p119. Unlike in Candace Camp's novels, where I have found this is almost universally the case, it was not at all detrimental here. Quite the opposite in fact, as it brings the reader along for Miranda's ride and makes us feel just as unbalanced and unsure, yet excited, as she does. Max is increasingly revealed to us as the book progresses and the more we begin to see his true character, through both Miranda's perceptive observations and the passages written from his POV, the more wonderful, intriguing, and sigh-worthy he becomes.
Basically, I urge you to run to your nearest bookstore or put your mouse on "Add to Cart" and grab your credit card - this book is not one to miss and I absolutely cannot wait to read it again in the future!
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Books similar to this one or that I think you'll enjoy if you like SEVEN SECRETS include:
- AND THEN HE KISSED HER (Girl-Bachelor Series, Book 1) by Laura Lee Guhrke, 5 stars
- WICKED BECOMES YOU by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- BOUND BY YOUR TOUCH by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- THUNDER AND ROSES (Fallen Angels Series, Book 1) by Mary Jo Putney, 5 stars
- ONE MOONLIT NIGHT by Samantha James, 5 stars
[1820 - London, England]
This is my first book by Anne Mallory and *oh my lord* - what a book it was!!! For some reason, Mallory's other books have never appealed to me and/or I haven't gotten around to reading them yet, but the premise of SEVEN SECRETS OF SEDUCTION sounded interesting so I took a chance and pre-ordered it from Amazon. I am unbelievably glad that I did! The book starts off with an utterly delightful first encounter between the hero and heroine that will put a silly grin on your face, leave you reeling and wondering, and have you anxiously awaiting their next battle of wits.
Miranda Chase and Maximilian, Viscount Downing are interesting, complex, imperfect, drastically in need of love (and both very lovable), so easy to root for, and basically just all-around fabulous. Miranda is a shopgirl in her uncle's bookstore who has wonderful dreams of travel and excitement, yet finds herself unable to reach for the real thing and instead relying on books as a substitute. Max is Mr. Bad Boy in society, always featured in the gossip pages along with his scandal-prone family, and is unbearably mysterious, dangerous, and attractive. The book is essentially about these two characters becoming who they were "meant to be" and revealing their "true selves" (enough corny phrases for you?). Each sees the unbelievable potential in the other, though they are unable to see it in themselves, until their complicated friendship and then unexpectedly intense love opens their eyes.
The supporting characters are engaging and multi-dimensional (Miranda's friend Georgette is hysterical!), though Mallory does a good job of focusing on Miranda and Max and not throwing in needless distractions. There is no errant madman-murderer on the loose, no random kidnapping in the last chapter, no evil blackmailer who knows some horrible family secret. I found all of this a nice change from most historicals and thought it made the romance and character development of the hero and heroine all that more fleshed-out and enjoyable. Despite there being no mystery subplot in this book, there are unexpected twists and turns and they are all very well-written and orchestrated. My only complaint is that the ending was a little too abrupt and could have used a few more pages or an epilogue.
Writing about the chemistry in this book is unbelievably complicated, because the entire thing is absolutely sizzling ... yet they don't kiss for the first time till p194 - more than halfway through the book!! Nonetheless, your fingers will literally be singed by the pages right from the get-go and you'll be fanning yourself with whatever you can find handy, lol. Writing as a reader who *hates* romances where the attraction is instantaneous or we hear on and on from the first page about how much they lust after each other like crazy, I have to say that Mallory has done an exquisite job here. The book is fraught with sexual tension, yet it is never exaggerated or gratuitous, but rather very playfully and skillfully done.
One aspect of SEVEN SECRETS OF SEDUCTION that was unusual for the genre was that the first half - if not more - of the book was mostly told from Miranda's perspective; the first time we hear Max's thoughts are on p119. Unlike in Candace Camp's novels, where I have found this is almost universally the case, it was not at all detrimental here. Quite the opposite in fact, as it brings the reader along for Miranda's ride and makes us feel just as unbalanced and unsure, yet excited, as she does. Max is increasingly revealed to us as the book progresses and the more we begin to see his true character, through both Miranda's perceptive observations and the passages written from his POV, the more wonderful, intriguing, and sigh-worthy he becomes.
Basically, I urge you to run to your nearest bookstore or put your mouse on "Add to Cart" and grab your credit card - this book is not one to miss and I absolutely cannot wait to read it again in the future!
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Books similar to this one or that I think you'll enjoy if you like SEVEN SECRETS include:
- AND THEN HE KISSED HER (Girl-Bachelor Series, Book 1) by Laura Lee Guhrke, 5 stars
- WICKED BECOMES YOU by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- BOUND BY YOUR TOUCH by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- THUNDER AND ROSES (Fallen Angels Series, Book 1) by Mary Jo Putney, 5 stars
- ONE MOONLIT NIGHT by Samantha James, 5 stars
Helpful Score: 2
Unlike many books, this one is exactly what the title suggests. Every paragraph, every page, every thought throughout the first half was about titillation, nothing more, nothing less. Maximilian is an expert at seducing young women for the sheer game of it and he always succeeds. So, when he decides to deflower and open the eyes of sweet Miranda, the idealistic but innocent bookstore worker, it is a given he will get what he wants - he always does. Miranda is supposed to be a smart, observant yet optimistic young woman who just happens to lose every intelligent thought and fall in a heap of burning desire (in spite of her strict upbringing and her REALLY lame attempts at refusing) whenever Maximilian steps into a room. He makes no pretense to her about his shallow objective and his seduction is blatant. Still, she just can't control herself enough to have any backbone whatsoever, she just must give in, forget the cost - he wants it!
From there the storyline goes from merely eye-rolling to smash-the-book, rip-the-pages-out and burn-each-individually, infuriating, as Miranda succumbs, revels in the tryst, then accepts his invitation to spend an entire weekend at his country home. By this time Max has decided he will take her as his mistress, buys her expensive bobbles, the whole nine yards. While rollicking in the bedsheets for the weekend, Max stops to finalize his betrothal agreement and marriage arrangements to another woman, making sure to include the caveat that he will keep his mistress (Miranda) . Miranda had absolutely NO idea he was planning on marrying but overhears the proceedings. When Max admits his plans, she AGREES!!!! He proceeds to "make her happy" by taking her to all the "lower" entertainments, those where men and their playthings can be seen. She endures all the leering, eye-waggling, degrading behavior thrown at her because she can't live without him. What can be said? Disgusting... revolting.... sickening.....T.S.T.L.???... blech, blech, pshew, spt, phleew... just can't spit the nasty taste out... words fail me. It's really that bad.
*The one star is credit to Mallory's obvious and impressive talent, if not for that, I would have devised some way to lower that rating*
From there the storyline goes from merely eye-rolling to smash-the-book, rip-the-pages-out and burn-each-individually, infuriating, as Miranda succumbs, revels in the tryst, then accepts his invitation to spend an entire weekend at his country home. By this time Max has decided he will take her as his mistress, buys her expensive bobbles, the whole nine yards. While rollicking in the bedsheets for the weekend, Max stops to finalize his betrothal agreement and marriage arrangements to another woman, making sure to include the caveat that he will keep his mistress (Miranda) . Miranda had absolutely NO idea he was planning on marrying but overhears the proceedings. When Max admits his plans, she AGREES!!!! He proceeds to "make her happy" by taking her to all the "lower" entertainments, those where men and their playthings can be seen. She endures all the leering, eye-waggling, degrading behavior thrown at her because she can't live without him. What can be said? Disgusting... revolting.... sickening.....T.S.T.L.???... blech, blech, pshew, spt, phleew... just can't spit the nasty taste out... words fail me. It's really that bad.
*The one star is credit to Mallory's obvious and impressive talent, if not for that, I would have devised some way to lower that rating*
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book very much. The Viscount was a complex man who battled with himself. He was driven to do his duty to protect his family and their name/honor, and that included generating scandals big enough to eclipse the ones his parents made. He loved both of his parents very much, but they were very unhappy in their marriage and constantly did things that hurt one another and consequently, hurt their children. It was the Viscount's job to "clean up their messes". He was not happy in this role (who would be?), and he desired better for himself. He was jaded, however, and did not believe love in marriage was possible, based on his parent's example. He was drawn to a simple shop girl who had a very optimistic look on life and fought to see past the surface and see deeper and better things in people and, in this case, to see positive meanings in the works of literature she read and the correspondence she had with unknown authors. He wants to capture her hopeful outlook and resilience, I think, and at the same time has worldly plans of making her his mistress or seducing her. He does this with the justification to himself that he is helping to free her from her inhibitions and fears that keep her bound up and from realizing her dreams of travel and experiencing things in life beyond the bookstore where she lives and works for her uncle. When she gave into the seduction, she did it with her eyes wide open and no unrealistic expectations of it being long term. She also didn't give in as a "last opportunity to experience love before submitting to a life of spinsterhood" which is the rationale so many stories use. She willingly accepts the risks of a broken heart, but decides she would rather have that than not have anything from him at all. She decides she loves him and that's enough. She's not helpless or gullible or an unwitting participant in any of this. Max, on the other hand, fights his deeper attraction and connection to her because he doesn't want it to go beyond the convenience of his initial plan, to make her his mistress.
I loved these characters and had a hard time when the book ended. Their struggle with life was very real. Max was a character that really pulled at my heart. I wanted so much for him to break away from the prison he put himself in with his duty and family and disillusionment. I loved watching layers of his character and life be peeled back and exposed. The two characters really did balance each other out very well. This was not a light romance to read, but rather, a journey of overcoming one's "fetters", as the author puts it.
I loved these characters and had a hard time when the book ended. Their struggle with life was very real. Max was a character that really pulled at my heart. I wanted so much for him to break away from the prison he put himself in with his duty and family and disillusionment. I loved watching layers of his character and life be peeled back and exposed. The two characters really did balance each other out very well. This was not a light romance to read, but rather, a journey of overcoming one's "fetters", as the author puts it.
