Tempt Me at Twilight is the third book in Lisa Kleypas’s Hathaway family series. While I quite enjoyed it, it is my least favourite addition to the series so far.
Beautiful Poppy Hathaway is on her third London season. Her eccentric family and her own forthright speech tend to deter suitors. Nonetheless, she’s found love with Michael Bayning, the son of a nobleman. Michael wishes to keep their relationship a secret until he has the opportunity to speak to his father. Somehow, he never finds the time to do so, and Poppy is left waiting in the wings.
At the opening of the story, Poppy is chasing her sister’s pet ferret through the renowned Rutledge Hotel. The ferret has absconded with a love letter from Michael and Poppy is terrified it will fall into the wrong hands and she will be ruined.
Her chase through the hotel leads to an encounter with its mysterious owner, the American Jay Harry Rutledge. Harry is entranced by Poppy and immediately determines he must have her as his wife. Coming into possession of Michael’s letter gives him just the ammunition he needs to destroy their romance and claim Poppy for himself.
By virtue of his ruthless scheming, Harry wins Poppy’s hand in marriage. But will he win her heart?
Tempt Me at Twilight was an interesting read in the context of the continuing Hathaway series, but I was unconvinced by the romance between Harry and Poppy. Harry regards Poppy as a possession, and his affection for her borders on obsession. When it finally comes, his declaration of love was too little too late as far as I was concerned.
Given his ruthless manipulations, I was surprised Poppy fell for Harry. Apart from sexual chemistry, I wasn’t sure how much they had in common. There is a brief scene towards the beginning of the book where Harry shows Poppy his inventions. This was the nearest they came to finding common ground outside the bedroom.
I would have liked more detail about the running of a hotel in the Victorian era, but this is only touched upon briefly. The hotel staff were good secondary characters, particularly Harry’s assistant, Jake Valentine. I’m hoping Jake will appear again later in the series. There is also a ludicrous suspense subplot which did nothing to advance the story.
While Tempt Me at Twilight wasn’t my favourite Kleypas book, there’s no denying her talent as a writer. The book is beautifully written and there were enough good bits to keep me turning the pages. The best scenes were those featuring Leo Hathaway and the paid companion, Catherine Marks. Although I didn’t care for the cliffhanger at the end of Tempt Me at Twilight, I’m very much looking forward to Leo and Cat’s book. Married by Morning is due out Summer 2010. Grade: C+
{ 11 comments }
It always kind of irritates me when the couple has little in common besides sexual chemistry. I like to see them spending time together and being good companions in other ways, too. I still intend to read this, but my expectations have been lowered immensely by your review, and a few others that share your opinions.
Another amazing review. I haven’t read the book yet, and I love how you manage to avoid saying too much – very appreciated. Which of the Hathaway books is your favorite? I adored Win & Merripen…sigh…
Have you read Julie Anne Long’s Like No Other Lover? (I’m very unobservant so if you did, my bad). That one has the characters developing slowly and the majority of their time together is outside the bedroom It’s most enjoyable to watch them fall in love
@Meghan TMAT is worth reading in the context of the ongoing Hathaway series but I wasn’t convinced by Poppy & Harry as a couple.
@Stacy ~ Win & Merripen’s story is my favourite so far. I read a book by Julie Anne Long several years ago but didn’t care for it. Perhaps I should give her another go…
This is the second review that I’ve read of this book that wanted both more info on the running of the hotel and just a little more romance to it. The other review I read also loved the secondary characters. (found your review through twitter!)
@Colette Twitter is a wonderful way to waste time creatively! I’ve read several of “meh” reviews of TMAT. On the other end of the spectrum, KristieJ loved it.
This was my least favorite Hathaway book. Harry and Poppy were just so boring together and Harry didn’t have any redeemable hero qualities I could find. He comes across as a moody spoiled brat.
Also the soap opera, “Luke, I’m your father!” was ridiculous.
The best scenes were those featuring Leo Hathaway and the paid companion, Catherine Marks.
I have to agree with this. I think Leo is rather amusing, and I’m looking forward to his and Catherine’s book.
You’re right, their whole relationship was built on sex.
I hope the fifth book is titled Deflowered at Dawn!
I think Leo’s book should have been first, which could be because of my lurve of leo *g*. I do agree with you that this is my least fave of the series so far but would give it a B-.
LOL I won’t bore you with the whys I can go on and on and on.
. And I don’t think the suspence plot was meant to ‘advance’ the story as much as give the princess a chance to save the villian, did it work… LOL doesn’t seem like it did for most people but it was a great line. Or I could be wrong I am blanking on how she answered the question.
TMaT would have been a C read for me if not for the fact I love the series and h/h as much as I do. I have reread the book more times I than should admit. I am not sure which is my favorite though (of this series) have always thought it was SMAS but when I recently reread MtM I had forgotten how much I loved that book.
@katiebabs I found Harry disturbingly possessive and obsessive. He had a certain stalker-like quality about him.
@Karen Scott Yes! Leo is fun. I’m delighted she’s releasing the last two Hathaway books back-to-back next summer.
@heidenkind Deflowered at Dawn…LMAO! Sadly, Beatrix’s book is called Love in the Afternoon. Mundane in comparison to your suggestion.
@Sybil Win and Merripen’s story is my favourite so far. Let’s see if Leo and Cat’s book can change that!