New York Times Bestseller Lisa Kleypas : Suddenly You

Suddenly You New York Time Bestseller

She was unmarried, untouched and almost thirty, but novelist Amanda Briars wasn't about to greet her next birthday without making love to a man. When he appeared at her door, she believed he was her gift to herself, hired for one night of passion. Unforgettably handsome, irresistibly virile, he tempted her in ways she never thought possible...but something stopped him from completely fulfilling her dream.

Jack Devlin's determination to possess Amanda became greater when she discovered his true identity. But gently-bred Amanda craved respectability more than she admitted, while Jack, the cast-off son of a nobleman and London's most notorious businessman, refused to live by society's rules. Yet when fate conspired for them to marry, their worlds collided with a passionate force neither had expected...but both soon craved.

From Publishers Weekly

In this feisty and frolicsome historical, Kleypas (Where Dreams Begin, etc.) proves that turning 30 can signal the beginning of an exciting new decade, even for a 19th-century spinster. Free-thinking Amanda Briars, who writes scandalous tales of romance and intrigue, has resigned herself to a life of solitude, but she feels that her lack of a husband shouldn't preclude her from being intimate with a man just once. On the night of her clandestine meeting with a male prostitute, however, handsome and unscrupulous publishing tycoon Jack Devlin appears at her door instead. Mistaking Jack for the man that she sent for, Amanda shares an amorous moment with him before she recovers her senses and pushes him out the door. One week later, Amanda encounters her nighttime visitor at a London soiree and is mortified to learn that he is her new publisher. A series of delightful exchanges follows as the two attempt to reconcile their need for independence and their growing passion for each other. Although both Amanda and Jack are fully developed characters, it is Jack, the half-Irish bastard son of a lord, who truly shines as he struggles to overcome his dark past. Brisk pacing, witty repartee and memorable protagonists will ensure that Kleypas's newest is well received. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

This review is from: Suddenly You (Mass Market Paperback)

"Suddenly You" is a beautifully written love story from an interesting social circle in early 19th century London. The story takes places in the literary circles of the era among prominent writers, publishers and also ruthless businessmen.Amanda Briars is a respectable well-bred young woman who lives her life in quiet harmony writing successful novels. She is satisfied with her life until she reaches her 30th birthday. She longs after a night of love in the arms of a handsome man and she would cherish its memory forever. The man of her dreams appears at her door and she is so confused that she mistakes him for her birthday present. Jack Devlin is enchanted by Amanda's charms and he goes along with her mistaken belief. They are passionately drawn to each other from the first moment and Jack has a hard time to keep himself of seducing her.
They meet again at a literary evening due and Amanda finds out his true identity. The air sparkles between them and their confrontations get more and more heated. Amanda is an innocent and respectable woman and she fights her growing attraction for Jack whose reputation is tarnished and his origins unclear. The circumstances of their social standing give them plenty of opportunity to meet and their attraction for each other deepens.
Fate has an interesting plan for them which turns their lives upside down. The author's clever choice of different social backgrounds is admirable and very refreshing. It adds zest to the tale. The reader gets to know more about the life of writers and publishers in the 19th century and this background is a perfect setting for the storyline which never slows down and is very capturing.
SUDDENLY YOU is a beautifully written historical romance which will warm the reader's heart. I highly recommend it to all fans of this talented author and this entertaining genre.