Rowena’s review of Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas.
Hero: Jack Devlin
Heroine: Amanda Briars
Grade: 4.75 out of 5
From Amazon:
Successful novelist Amanda Briars buys herself a scandalous present to celebrate her 30th birthday. Of gentle birth, unwed, and still a virgin, she contracts with a well-known madam to deliver a lover to her home. When handsome publisher Jack Devlin knocks on her door, it doesn’t take him long to figure out that Amanda thinks he’s someone else entirely. Intrigued, he stops just short of taking the lady’s virginity, for he has other plans for the talented writer.
When she discovers Jack’s true identity at a gathering of writers and publishers, Amanda is first angry, then fascinated, as he is a powerful force in the London publishing industry. Jack is determined to court Amanda not only to publish her novels, but also to lure her into his bed, and it isn’t long before the two are deeply involved. But their path to happiness is strewn with stumbling blocks: Jack has a past that haunts him, while Amanda’s family would be hurt by a scandalous liaison.
It’s been quite a few years since I last read this book and holy hot damn. I forgot how much sex they had in this book. I mean, it was a lot of sex. I ate it up because, wow. But…
I loved it!
The one thing that I remembered from this book was the raspberry thing. It’s one of those things that is very hard to forget and reading about it all over again just about made me the happiest little perv in the world. The things that Jack Devlin can do behind doors is just wow. There’s no other words for it.
Amanda Briars is a successful novelist who is turning 30 and is buying herself a very interesting and totally scandalous present. Her present that she buys for herself is Jack Devlin. Well, she buys herself a night in the arms of a man who will make her virginity go away and make her a woman. Jack turns out to have a secret that pisses Amanda off and the sparks fly throughout this entire book.
I get all mushy for a hero who can flirt. And man can Jack Devlin flirt. I love reading about a hero who can flirt like no other, the sparring of words and the teasing glint that comes into his eyes when the heroine comes around, the way they can’t help but taunt the heroine into getting all huffy just so that he can kiss her or whatever…that’s the stuff that I just absolutely love. Those are the heroes that I can’t get enough of. I mean, I love the Alpha heroes, the serious minded ones that have a tortured past but Jack Devlin, well he was the bomb. I loved that he had to overcome all that grief from his past, his father, etc. All of the formed him into the man that he became and oh it was just great to see Amanda care for him despite all of the things that Jack swore she should stay away from.
Now there were times that I wanted to put the hurt on Amanda Briars. Ugh, the whole Charles thing? Yeah, I wanted to slit her throat. Man, I almost hated her for that. And even the way she grudgingly agreed to become Jack’s wife made me not like her a little bit…but like I’ve said countless other times, all’s well that ends well and this definitely ended well.
I loved reading this story and think that Lisa Kleypas is a gifted writer. She really knows how to write those sexy, studmuffin heroes. Jack Devlin is a sure keeper and the story was great, entertaining fluff that I just absolutely loved!
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Younger man in love with older woman and they use raspberries in interesting ways! Winner!!
Love, love this book to pieces.
It’s been quite along time for me too !! I don’t remember all the story (forgot about the raspberries, imagine THAT) but I know I really liked it. Loved the scene where she learns her lover is younger than her…Ha, what a scene !!
You really made me want to read it again 😉
Great Review I haven’t been here in a while but your reviews are second to none keep up the good work.
I’m going to have to give this book another try. I think it was a DNF for me way back when.
This is one of my favourite Kleypas books. I loved the older woman/younger man books and this is a good one of those. And you have to route for a heroine who hires a young studly guy as a birthday present – to herself – even if she did chicken out. That’s the kind of thing I dream of doing. But I’d chicken out even before the calling – heh, heh, heh. I’ve already read this one a few times but now you make me want to read it again!! And yep – Jack is certainly yummy *g*
KB,
I loved the whole younger man, older woman thing in this book…especially since the younger man was such a stud!
Emmanuelle,
You should definitely reread this book, remember why it’s so great. Reacquaint yourself with Jack because he’s so yummy!
Wow, thanks Misty Mays! Welcome back!
One of my favorite Kleypas books, Jack was sexy and yummy, and I always remember the raspberries.
This was my first Lisa Kleypas and I read it from the library (it is the only Lisa Kleypas they have) so I never owned a copy. However, I think its time o check it out again!
To say I loved this book is a huge understatement and adore still is a bit tame. I never re-read books (too many new books to read and not enough time) but the fact that I’ve re-read this one says enough.
Jack was the first hero that made it to my favorite hero list and though many have been added, none of them are as yummy as Jack is.
Like Luci, it was my first Lisa Kleypas (IIRC one of the first English romance novels, before that I had only read translations) I read and it set the bar high for books and heroes to come.
Rowena I couldn’t agree more with your comments about this book. And I have to say this comment “it all over again just about made me the happiest little perv in the world” had me rolling. I’ll join the perv train with you. Another Kleypas book that I love, love, love that I don’t feel gets much love is Lady Sophia’s Lover! Love that one.
Another big fan of this book here! If Jack Devlin wanted to leave his shoes under my bed I would be pretty damned happy!