Reviewer: Holly Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas
Series: Capital Theatre #2
Publication Date: October 25th 2011
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 384
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Series Rating:
“I don’t care about your conscience. All I want is for you to kiss me again.”
Lady Madeline Matthews would rather shame herself than sacrifice her freedom. To avoid marrying an aging, lecherous lord, she seeks out the company of Logan Scott, for a torrid affair with the notorious womanizer would surely condemn her in the eyes of good society.
In truth, Logan is an intensely private man tormented by past betrayals. Now a forward little minx, completely at sea in London’s sophisticated whirl, is disrupting his life with her vibrant charm and unspoiled beauty. But when what begins with a kiss threatens to blossom into something more rapturous and real, will Logan and Madeline have the courage to drop the masks they hide behind in the name of love?
Warning: This review will contain mild spoilers.
Because You’re Mine is one of Kleypas’ most underrated novels, IMO. We often hear about Dreaming of You, Devil in Winter, Suddenly You and Worth Any Price (which is one of my favorites) but it’s rare that I hear anyone mention Because You’re Mine. This is a terrible shame and I encourage you to try this novel if you haven’t already.
Lady Madeline Mathews is frustrated with her lot in life. Her cold family has arranged a marriage for her with Lord Clifton, a gentleman old enough to be her father. The idea of marrying him disgusts her and she knows she can’t go through with it. After seeing a playbill ad with actor Logan Scott’s picture on it, she concocts a scheme to become a ruined woman, knowing Lord Clifton won’t want her after all is said and done.
She journeys to London with the intention of starting an affair with Logan Scott. Upon arrival at The Capital Theatre, which Scott owns, she goes about trying to become his next mistress. Right from the beginning she tells him her intent. Unfortunately, Scott has other ideas. To her eternal frustration, Scott turns her down…and continues to do so.
Logan Scott is amazed at the effrontery of this young girl. She shows up out of nowhere and says she wants to have an affair with him. But Madeline isn’t at all his type. She’s young and obviously innocent, and he knows better than to tangle with the likes of her. Unfortunately he can’t seem to stay away from her. Something about her draws him in. Though he does his best to ignore her and the attraction he feels for her, after he falls ill and Maddy cares for him, everything changes. But Logan has been betrayed before and Maddy hasn’t confessed her true reason for being there. Will he be able to forgive her once he learns the truth?
One of the best things about this novel is the progression of Maddy and Logan’s relationship. Logan fights his attraction for Maddy for a month, then finally succumbs and admits he can’t bear to be without her. The main conflict of the novel doesn’t come from Logan fighting his attraction to Maddy, but rather what happens when he realizes she isn’t the person he thought she was. Based on a betrayal in his past, it’s hard for Logan to trust, and therefore Maddy’s betrayal is twice as brutal. For the first time in many years he opened himself up to another person, and once again was betrayed. On the heels of that, he learns of another betrayal from his past, and between the two he’s sent reeling.
Watching Maddy try to win him back was the most emotionally compelling part, I think. Not so much because I hurt for her, but because I hurt for him. I wanted her to succeed so that Logan could finally be happy. He was jaded and cynical throughout most of the book, but for a few beautiful moments he was open and caring. I wanted to see him get back to that.
Normally Maddy’s innocence and vulnerability would have annoyed me, but I think she was exactly what Logan needed. He needed someone to be completely vulnerable to him. She kept no barriers between them, and no matter how cruel he was to her, or how cold, she always remained open and unfettered. Which took all the sport from him.
As a whole I enjoyed Maddy’s character, though she did act a bit young at times. Occasionally she shows her age by acting immaturely, but as I said above, I think she was just what Logan needed. After so many years of dealing with jaded, cynical women, he needed someone as open as Maddy. And despite her age, she showed great strength of character.
As you can tell from all my waxing above, I adored Logan. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-read this book, and I adore him now just as much I did the first time. The tenderness and caring he shows Maddy, even when he thinks the worst of her, is enough to endear him to me. But couple that with his determination to save Maddy from herself and..well, what’s not to love?
A favorite as always. I finished it and immediately wanted to start it again. If you haven’t read it already you’re really depriving yourself.
4.75 out of 5
This book follows Somewhere I’ll Find You. I don’t think you need to read SIFY in order to understand this story, though you may want to because Logan is prominently featured in it. Personally I didn’t enjoy SIFY as much as BYM.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.