A pleasant Historical Romance read.
by Jennifer Haymore
- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (August 1, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0446573140
- ISBN-13: 978-0446573146
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
Product Description
TWICE TEMPTED
Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.
Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?
Review: This is an engaging story with interesting characters.
Wild Serena and her proper twin sister Meg were only 18 when they came from Antigua to London. Their mother’s plan was for them to wed rich and respectable husbands so they could help introduce their younger sisters in another year or two. Serena lost her heart, and her reputation, to the deliciously devilish Jonathan Dane. He professed to love Serena but as a younger son he bent to the threats of his father who insisted he end their relationship. After Serena and Jonathan were caught in a compromising situation he turned away from her forcing Serena and Meg to return home in disgrace.
Meg had developed a tendre and romantic relationship with a straight laced naval conspired for Serena to return to London as Meg and marry Captain Langley. Serena knows her family is depending on her and that her only hope to reenter society is to pose as the respectable twin. She has quieted since Meg’s death and the guilt of her impetuous youth weighs heavily. Surely she can learn to love Meg’s fiancé. But can she ever forget her passionate love for the man who betrayed her?
Jonathan was young himself when he cowardly abandoned Serena to scandal. He has spent the past six years trying to drown his guilt in debauchery. Surprisingly he and Captain Langley have become close friends. Although it is difficult he will support Langley in his wedding plans. That is until he sees Meg and knows in his heart that it is really Serena. Now he must find a way to make her trust that he will never abandon her again and that they can find a way to be together.
The chemistry between Serena and Jonathan is lush. Serena tries to avoid him and even more to resist him. Jonathan is relentless in his efforts to get her to admit that she is truly Serena and to convince her to give him a second chance. I can’t say I was comfortable with the deception and the impact it would have on Langley but the story kept me interested wondering how the masquerade would be resolved. I enjoyed the side romance of Serena’s younger sister, Phoebe, who seems headed for the same destruction as Serena when she becomes infatuated with a younger son known for gambling and womanizing. The story moves at a good pace with engaging characters.
xxx
Thank you to Hachette for this book to read, review and to offer for Giveaway.
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