NOVEL REVIEW: SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE BY LISA KLEYPAS

Eiyo Fadneiras,

I just finished reading a historical romance novel titled Tempt Me At Twilight (TMAT) by Lisa Kleypas. So today, I would like to share my review of the novel with you guys. We shall begin with Lisa Kleypas’ bio.

ABOUT LISA KLEYPAS 

Lisa Kleypas (Image: thebooksmugglers.com)

Lisa Kleypas is an award-winning contemporary and historical romance author. 19 of her novels have won the RITA (Romance Writer Of America) Award. Most of her novels are also listed as a New York Times and Publisher Weekly bestseller. Her novels are now published in 14 languages and are bestsellers all over the world. Kleypas lives in Washington, America with her husband and two children.

ABOUT TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT

(Image: My Instagram @mughunghwa)

TMAT is the third novel in the Hathaway series. It tells the story of Poppy Hathaway. Poppy is the fourth child and third sister in the Hathaway siblings.

Poppy loves her family dearly even though she longs for normalcy. The Hathaway siblings are not considered normal in English-Victorian society. The Hathaway siblings may be wealthy, but they are not high-headed people. They are down-to-earth people instead. Being down-to-earth when you’re wealthy is not considered normal during the Victorian era.

The story begins when Poppy was chasing after her sister’s ferret, Dodger in the Rutledge Hotel. Dodger is carrying Michael Bayning’s love letter to Poppy. Poppy ends up in the hotel’s secret passage. That’s where she meets Harry Rutledge, the hotel’s owner.

Harry is an American hotelier from Buffalo, New York. He is handsome, suave, charming, intelligent, and mysterious. Most people thought that Harry is a dangerous person, including Poppy’s family. But deep down, Harry is a kind and sensible man. He is also romantic, loving, and loyal. Harry seems mysterious and dangerous from the outside because of his dark past. Harry secretly likes Poppy and is willing to do anything to win her.

In the secret passage, Harry secretly grabs Michael Bayning’s love letter from Dodger’s claw without Poppy knowing. Harry tells Poppy that he only found the ferret but not the letter. Later, Harry reads the letter and sends it to Micheal Bayning's father, the Viscount. The Viscount does not approve of Poppy for his son. To the Viscount, Poppy is not eligible enough to be in the Bayning family. So Michael broke his relationship with Poppy. Poppy is badly heartbroken.

A week later, Poppy and her siblings attend a ball at Lord Norbury’s home. At the ball, Poppy meets Harry again. This time, Harry asks Poppy to dance with him. She accepts his offer. But they end up flirting on the balcony and get caught. Their flirtation at the ball compromises Poppy’s reputation. So Harry asks Poppy to marry him, and to everyone’s surprise, she accepts his proposal.

Voila!!!!!!! My hand-drawn illustration of Poppy Hathaway and Harry Rutledge. Harry has dreamy emerald green eyes, Fadneiras. That's how Kleypas describes Harry's distinguishing features. (Image: My Artstagram @fmooneira_art)

On their wedding day, Poppy’s ex-boyfriend, Michael comes to see her. Michael shows Poppy the love letter that she lost, and tells her that it was Harry who gave this letter to the Viscount.  Michael tells Poppy that this was how his father found out about their relationship. Michael also tells Poppy that it was Harry who ruined their relationship. Poppy becomes angry at Harry for what he did to Michael. After the wedding, Poppy tells Harry that he is not going to get her love at all even though she’s his wife now. Then Harry gives Poppy his egoistic response, “I don’t need your love”. Harry even tells Poppy that he is not sorry at all for ruining her relationship with Michael. Oh, dear!

But deep inside his heart, Harry is very in love with Poppy, and he wants her to love him back. He wants her to care for him. Even though Harry knows that Poppy is angry with him, he still tries his best to romance her. He wants her to realize that he loves her so much. And he wants to be the only man for her.

Will Poppy see the real sweet and sensible man inside Harry? Will Harry win Poppy’s heart?

MY REVIEW OF TEMPT ME AT TWILIGHT

My hand-drawn illustration of Poppy Hathaway ~ the pretty and sassy protagonist. According to most fans of the Hathaway series, Poppy is the most beautiful Hathaway sister. I agree. She's beautiful inside and out. I like Poppy's personality ^_^ (Image: My Artstagram @fmooneira_art)

To me, TMAT is a very beautiful historical romance novel. I believe it is the most romantic romance novel I have ever read. Poppy and Harry is the cutest book couple ever. Their romance is so sweet, adorable, and cheesy. 

Poppy Hathaway is sassy but yet adorable and innocent. She's more like a millennial girl than a victorian girl. She knows what she wants, and is always honest.

Harry Rutledge is a morally grey character. Harry is portrayed as egotistical and hot-headed, yet he is also kind, loving, and romantic. Harry loves Poppy with all his heart. He loves her for her strengths and flaws. Oh wow...he’s a great guy. He makes me feel dreamy.

I like the way Kleypas characterizes her characters. As a reader, I can see that all characters in TMAT play their roles in the story. Plus, the way Kleypas describes her characters’ emotions touches my heart. It makes me feel the characters, especially Harry ^_^

One of Poppy & Harry's romantic scenes in the novel. In this scene, Poppy also realizes that she is in love with her husband. Auwwwww....... (Image: My Artstagram @fmooneira_art)

I also like the way Kleypas describes Poppy and Harry’s romance scenes. I like the way Harry makes love to Poppy. Their romance scenes are all so magical. It also shows how dearly Poppy and Harry love each other.

Besides romantic, TMAT is also a very chic and vogue novel. The setting of this story is 80% London and 20% Hampshire. I like the way Kleypas portrays the Londoners' stylish lifestyle in this novel. All are so chic and vogue.

Overall, I rate TMAT 10/10. I love this novel a lot and might re-read it soon. Hehehe ^_^ I also would like to recommend my bookworm pals (especially those who are into the historical romance genre) to read TMAT. Trust me guys, you are going to love this novel. And ladies, I’m sure you all are going to fall in love with Harry Rutledge's character. Again, Harry is a great guy, and I wish he is real. Hehehe…I know...I’m crazy ^_^ However, this novel has five sexual love-making scenes. So it is not suitable for those who are under 18 to read. Sorry teenagers ^_^

The ending of TMAT makes me excited to read Married By Morning (MBM). MBM is the fourth book in the Hathaway series. MBM tells Leo Hathaway and Catherine Marks’ love story. Leo is the eldest Hathaway sibling, while Catherine is the Hathaway girls’ companion and Harry Rutledge’s half-sister. In TMAT, the author already gives a hint of Leo and Catherine’s romance. It sounds like these two are already in a secret relationship. So I’m curious.

Reading Kleypas' novels makes me want to travel to Hampshire in the future. Hampshire is now on top of my travel bucket list. Besides Hampshire, reading Kleypas' novels also make me interested to learn more about the Victorian era. The way Kleypas portrays the Victorian era in her novels is so chic and vogue, especially the lifestyle, fashion, and interior.

Ok, so this is my review of Tempt Me At Twilight. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this review. Before I end this post, let me ask my readers three simple questions…

1. Are you a fan of Lisa Kleypas?
2. If yes, what is your favorite Lisa Kleypas novel? 
3. And who is your favorite Lisa Kleypas hero?

Ok, that’s all for now. Thank you for reading. I hope to see you guys again soon. Take care.

XoXo,

Fadima Mooneira ^_^

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NOVEL REVIEW: SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE BY LISA KLEYPAS