Sweetest Little Sin
by Christine Wells
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Available: May 4, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Book received from: Penguin
A Marquis’ Betrayal
Lady Louisa Brooke has many suitors, but the only man for her is the wild and ruthless Marquis of Jardine. When Jardine suddenly abandons her after a long-standing liaison, he leaves her with nothing except the secret they share. Her future in ruins, Louisa recklessly accepts a mission from the head of the secret service and becomes embroiled in a perilous operation in which nothing is as it seems…A Lady’s Revenge
The Marquis of Jardine is determined to destroy the criminal mastermind who’s sworn vengeance against all he holds dear. But when he hears that Louisa is to wed a dangerous enemy, Jardine is tortured by jealousy and fear for her safety. He tracks her down, only to discover that her mission collides with his.A Love that Won’t Be Denied
Together, Louisa and Jardine must now foil a plan to betray the secret service and escape a diabolical revenge. But can they put the past behind them, and take the greatest risk of all–on love?
Lady Louisa Brooke is a 29 year old spinster who is tossed aside by her secret lover of 8 years, the Marquis of Jardine. Their years of secrecy between each other were borne out of Jardine’s need to protect Louisa from harm. As she is tossed aside by Jardine on the morning after her 29th birthday, Louisa finds herself grief stricken and makes what could be considered a rash decision to join the world of espionage. The drama pursues from there and the book is filled with revelations of secrets, suspense, torture, and bits of scorching passion – you know – all those things that sometimes make up a great romance.
However, I couldn’t quite get to a place where I felt truly connected to Louisa and Jardine. I felt the lack of this connection made it difficult for me to understand how Louisa stood by for 8 years as Jardine’s secret lover, and how she continues to want to fight for him to acknowledge his love for her even after he tossed her aside. From some research I discovered Christine Wells introduced these characters in her previous book The Dangerous Duke. But having not read that book, it isn’t until page 98 that the reader gets a glimpse into the past.
I did enjoy the personalities of the hero and heroine: Lady Louisa has a sharp tongue and a quick wit. She is smart and tough. Jardine is strong, intense, and nobody’s fool. They have great chemistry between each other, and I really liked the way Wells describes their passionate possessiveness between each other.
To sum it up, this book wasn’t great and it wasn’t bad – it was just missing that “certain connection”. But there is something about the lead characters that has me wanting to go back and read the first book they were introduced in. And because of this I give Sweetest Little Sin 3.5 hearts.
Favorite Quote:
She lifted her chin a little. “I am not a honey trap, Mr. Faulkner. I don’t excel at flummery.”
“Perhaps not. But he is a man after all.”
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About FV Samantha
Totally agree. I read this book and felt your review was spot on. I likened this book to walking into a movie theater 30 minutes after the movie started. It was just missing that connection, backstory between the hero and heroine!
Nice review Samantha. Sorry this one didn't wow you. Is this book part of a series or just related to other books?
Lynette – this was the very first review I have written, so thank you for saying it was spot on. Your description of walking into a movie 30 minutes in is exactly how I felt too – great description.
Fiction Vixen: She wrote a book in between Dangerous Duke and this one, but I can't tell if it is an ongoing series. It doesn't elude to that in the book jacket.
I am still contemplating going back and reading the first book these 2 were introduced in. I hate the feeling that I am missing something everyone else already knows.
I'm assuming they were secondary charecters in a previous book, but even still they weren't drawn out enough to where you felt for them or cared about their romantic relationship. At least that was my .02!
I liked this book because I loved Jardine – BUT my biggest complaint was that I thought we missed a HUGE part of their back story..so I agree.
Nice review!!