Title: Tis The Season To Be Sinful
Author: Adrienne Basso
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Zebra
Number of Pages: 343
Source: Sent
Juliet Wentworth knew what she was getting into: a marriage of convenience that will save her estate and protect her family long into the future. But she wasn't expecting to find the passion of a lifetime in her new husband's arms. After just one night, Juliet knows a marriage in name only will never be enough.Richard Harper's beautiful new bride has him reeling with desire--and running for cover. After all, falling in love was never part of the bargain. Yet when Christmastime celebrations bring him back to their country manor and back into Juliet's arms, Richard finds his wife is determined--and all too able--to win over his heart, one kiss at a time (goodreads)
Tis The Season To Be Sinful was one of my favorite historical romance reads of the year. It has everything I look for in a historical romance-a strong heroine, slightly stand offish hero, romance, love scenes that make me sigh and a story that I can't put down.
What I enjoyed most about this book was that the hero and heroine weren't your typical historical romance ones. Instead of the heroine being a young virgin, and the hero being titled or finding a long lost title, Juliet is older-39, and Richard is younger at 29 and an American. Juliet is older, more mature and knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. What she wants in this case is even though the marriage was not one of love, was for her husband to have more emotion toward her and to show some interest in her children, and not only focus on work. Richard has his reasons for staying detached and is determined not to let Juliet into his work. However, he finds himself getting closer to her then he imagined. I loved seeing Richard struggle with his feelings and Juliet doing her best to break them down.
There were some great love scenes in this book, but what I like best was that when they were over the two weren't automatically in love with each other. It was great seeing Juliet trying to have a real relationship and not just settling for one part of it. I also enjoyed how realistic Richard's relationship with Juliet's children was. The youngest girl gravitated to him right away, but the older boys kept their distance and kept playing tricks on him to try get him upset. They gradually came together as a family, but it didn't happen all at once. I have mixed feelings about the mystery surrounding Richard as to why he kept himself emotionally distant from the family and Juliet. It made him a little hard to like in the beginning, but I did love watching Juliet break down his walls and liked the fact way the reader didn't find out everything at once.
This book totally got me into the Christmas spirit and is one of my most favorite historical romances of the year.
Favorite quote:
Richard to Juliet: How old are you?
Juliet: Thirty Nine, you?
Richard: Twenty Nine this past Februrary
~Do you prefer Dogs or cats?
Juliet: Her brow wrinkled at his absurd question, but appreciated his willingness to play the game. Dogs.
Richard: Coffee, chocolate or tea in the morning?
Juliet: coffee
Richard: Bryon or Tennyson?
Juliet: You read poetry?
Curran Crush Meter: Medium
Barrons Hero Hotness Medium: Medium
Rhiannon Kick Ass Heroine Meter: High....just because Juliet was such a likable heroine!
Martini Sigh Meter: Medium
Ethan/Merit Sizzle Meter (I really have to rename this) High
