Seduce ME at Sunrise (The Hathaways, #2)

by Lisa Kleypas

Kev Merripen has secretly longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him from the brink of death. Now a charming, ruthless suitor has his sights set on Win, and Kev must confront a grave secret about his past--or lose the only woman he's ever lived for.

• ISBN10: 0312949812
• ISBN13: 9780312949815
• Publish Date: 30 September 2008 (first published 3 August 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: St. Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Proceed With Caution:

This book contains death, illness, mentions of suicide attempt, racism, and attempted murder.

The Basics:

Seduce Me at Sunrise is the story of Win Hathaway and Kev Merripen. We met them in the previous book and got some background on their love for each other, which neither has acted upon until now. Well, Win declares her love as she's about to embark for France for medical treatment. However, Kev refuses to reciprocate because of reasons.

My Thoughts:

I was excited for Seduce Me at Sunrise after meeting Win and Kev in the previous book. These two have been in love with each other for years, but aren't sure if the other returns their feelings. Plus, there's the matter of Win being very frail after nearly dying from Scarlet Fever. I wanted to know how these two would make their romance work around her limitations or how he could help her regain her strength. None of that happens.

Win is sent away to a clinic in France at the start of Seduce Me at Sunrise and returns two years later with a hot doctor in tow! It's like she was never sick at all! Leo had also gone away to work through his addiction and depression, meaning we won't get that in his book either! What is the point?! These characters have physical and emotional odds to overcome and it's entirely skipped over!

I did still enjoy Seduce Me at Sunrise. Win was a very surprising character. Everyone has always stepped on eggshells around her and view her as the pinnacle of ladylike behavior. But that's just because she didn't have the lung capacity for anything beyond sitting in bed and reading! Now, she's a woman who knows her mind and wants to live life to the fullest. She isn't going to let some man dictate to her how her marriage is going to be! There's a moment toward the end where she stands up the villain and I was like WHOA CRAZY! Did not see that one coming for delicate Win!

Overall, Seduce Me at Sunrise was way better than Mine Till Midnight, but it still wasn't great. I was missing the emotional connection to Win and Kev. But much like the prior book, the overall plot was better than the romance. It was nice to see Kev and Cam work together to figure out what happened to their parents and tribe.

[nitzan_schwarz]

JUST POSTED ON THE BLOG

This book frustrated and delighted me in equal measures, earning it a 3.5 star rating from me. If it frustrated me a little less, it would've been a four star for sure.

Frustrated for the singular reason of Kev, who would not face his feelings. He would rather play with Win as hewants her one moment then regret it the next, would rather watch her marry another man, than consider the possibility of the two of them together because she is "too good for him".

Pshaw. Let the woman decide that for herself, you rattlebrain. I mean, I love you, you are deliciously brooding, but end this back and forth before I'm tempted to throw something at you. Stop stringing her along (and yourself) with kisses. Just as Win keeps telling him.

Which brings us to our first delight - Win herself. Win is a wholesome, fragile young girl who knows exactly what she wants, even if it won't be easy to get. And that's Kev. Wonderfully opinionated and determined, unafraid where Kev is frightened, she will bring him down with the force of her love alone and god help them all. So, basically, she was a great main character.

Another reason to be delighted? The continuation (and maybe conclusion) of Kev & Cam's search of their background, as well as additional insights into Cam's head.

Most of these type of series never return into the mind of past couples, opting instead to feature them in each other's story but look at it through different eyes. Kleypas veers from that path as she lets us peek into Cam's head often throughout this story as well. And as I love Cam... I consider this a great plus.

Speaking of their background... I loved it (and suspected it), but at the same time I felt like they tied things a little too quickly at the end there. It would've been better if it carried on to the third book, or if parts of it have been revealed sooner so it didn't feel like everything just happened at once due to a stroke of luck.

In general, a great installment in the series, and it sets up yet another future couple that ought to be so fun to explore! 

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[Amanda]

I seem to be a weird spot in my reading, where I need the break from historical romances, yet I find it impossible to drag myself away from all the glittering bounty of baubles and balls.

Seduce Me at Sunrise has a premise I'm slowly coming to dislike: "I love you, but I can't have you for some manufactured reason only I can see and I will insist on making us and everyone else miserable while I deny our love."

Cue exasperated sigh and eye rolling.

I used to dig it, so I'm not really sure what changed. Me, probably. My problem is less with this book and more with the trope at large. Kev's massive love for Win didn't make me swoon, nor did his belief that he'd crush her with his love -- for it was that great and all-consuming!

Meh.

The "attractive, seductive suitor" competing for Win's hand only seems to exist for the purposes of pushing Kev to take action. Which is fine, but I wanted more villainy, for him to be a character who existed for more than pushing the couple together. And I wanted more answers about stuff. Yes, stuff. Stuff about things.

Seduce Me at Sunrise also brings to mind my discussion post on fiction versus reality, and the sex scenes. I'm sure it's normal for virgins to be taken three times. Totally realistic.

THAT SAID. I liked how Win and Kev had been dancing around each other since childhood, and that type of relationship is fun to watch unfold -- they know each other already, yet there's still part of their relationship left unexplored.

I liked Tempt Me at Twilight better (naturally, it's impossible for me to read these books in order), but I'm also looking forward to Married by Morning, since the relationship between Leo and Miss Marks has been teased for a while.