Seduce Me at Sunrise

Fantastic book. I have been fascinated by Kev since I read Mine Till Midnight. His protectiveness toward the Hathaway family, his closeness to them, yet the distance he also exhibits was intriguing. It was also obvious at that point that he is very much in love with Win. This book opens with the story of how Kev came to live with the Hathaway family. I ached for him and what he had been through. I loved his introduction into the Hathaway family, his bewilderment at the kindness they showed him, and his immediate connection with Win.

Kev is a man tortured by the demons of his past. The things he did before living with the Hathaways have him convinced that he is no good for Win. However, that does not stop him from doing everything show more possible to keep her safe. The scene when she was sick with scarlet fever was intense and heartbreaking, as Kev was determined to save her or die himself. His protectiveness after her illness showed the depth of his feelings, and his loneliness after she left for France drove him further inside himself. The work that he buried himself in was all that kept him going.

Win is sweet and gentle, but she also has a spine of steel. She has been in love with Kev ever since he joined the family, but she can't get him to admit his feelings. Tired of being ill all the time, and knowing that, if she wants Kev she needs to be healthy, Win went to France to a special clinic. I loved her triumphant return and determination to live life to the fullest. Part of that is to finally get Kev to admit his feelings.

The development of the relationship between Kev and Win was intense and frequently frustrating. There was no doubt about the depth of their feelings. Win loved Kev and made no secret of that fact. I loved watching her try to push him into admitting his feelings for her. She tempted him beyond all reason, but every time he would seem to give in, he would then pull right back. I ached for Kev, who was terrified that in the intensity of his feelings for her, he would somehow cause her harm. I wanted to shake him after the scene at the ball, as he all but pushed her into Julian's arms. His misery was well-earned, and his way of dealing with it was highly unusual for him. I had to laugh at the irony of it being Leo who came to get him. My heart also broke for Leo as he shared the importance of accepting love when it's offered because you never know what will happen. I loved what Kev did with that information. His big moment was romantic, intense, tender, and so very hot. For Win, it was everything she could have hoped for. I loved how she got him to tell her all about his past, and the freeing effect it had on him. It's not all unicorns and roses though, as Julian doesn't fade quietly into the background. Besides attempting to drive a wedge between Kev and Win, his further actions against Kev go awry, and tragedy is only averted thanks to a ruthless Win.

Along with the romance of Kev and Win, there is plenty to see of the other Hathaways. Cam and Amelia are blissfully happy in their marriage. Amelia is still mother-henning the whole family, though with a slightly lighter touch. Poppy and Beatrix have accepted their need for help to navigate the Season, and the addition of Miss Marks to the household is just what they need. I liked the new and improved Leo, who after two years away from the vices of London, is fast becoming an admirable man, though there are times he seems to fight it just a little. His interactions with Miss Marks are hilarious.

I also loved learning more about the connection between Cam and Kev. From their first meeting in the previous book, there was first antagonism, then grudging respect. The discovery of their matching tattoos increases the mystery. Cam is determined to find out about his past, while Kev wants to put his behind him. I loved their interactions in this book, as Cam seems to take great satisfaction in tweaking Kev's temper. I was not entirely surprised by the information that Cam and Kev discovered at the gypsy camp. It was interesting to see the different reactions that Cam and Kev each had. Cam's renewed determination to find out the details bore fruit at the end of the book. The scene at the camp, as Kev struggled to save Cam's life, and then they listened to what the gypsy leader had to say, was so intense I was on the edge of my seat. Even more amazing was the visitor that Cam and Kev received a few days later. I had to laugh at Cam and Kev's reactions and that of their very obnoxious visitor. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of London sitting rooms when that news got out. The epilogue was terrific, especially Kev's reaction to Win's labor. show less

Lisa, you are the devil in disguise ma’am! There’s really no other explanation for it. (*.*)

This one was all I expected it was going to be, AND MORE. MORE! Merri and Win are now one of my favorite couples ever, meaning: they will always be in my heart, ALWAYS! FOREVER AND EVER! o/ I mean, I knew I had fallen completely in love with them in the previous book of the series, Mine Till Midnight, since I was more hooked on their story than in Cam and Amelia’s -- and if just a couple of wonderful, adorable, and painful scenes with them had the power to sweep me off my feet with such intensity then, it’s of no surprise that a whole book focused on the couple had to scream EPICNESS for me. Come on, all that longing for each other… my show more goodness! My heart still aches because of it --

When Merri’s story is first revealed in Mine Till Midnight, “abandoned, injured, tormented Gypsy boy is taken in by an English family, and falls madly in love with one of his adoptive sisters”, it gave me the Wuthering Heights vibe, and in this second installment, where Lisa tells the reader a bit of the couple’s childhood, it’s perfectly clear that they are indeed a version of Heathcliff and Cathy – a version that isn’t as crazy as the original, and most of all, a version that, after much hardship, manages to find a well deserved happy ending.

I loved all the contrasts between both characters, because there's nothing hotter than the 'opposites attract' rule, being Win a sweet, witty, delicate, pale, platinum blonde young woman, and Merripen a reserved, intimidating, huge, strong as a bull, dark haired with copper colored skin Gypsy.

The whole book is terrific, but I need to put a light spot on those first chapters... such beautiful writing!! The childhood parts were so heartwarming, and then we finally get to know how Win gets the scarlet fever and how Merripen was ready to die with her... I couldn't stop crying! Plus: the opening scene... when Win is packing and Merripen comes to her room and tells her to stay (oh, yeah, she's going away to a clinic in France...) is shocking, I laughed so hard at Merri's face! Win is too cute, I really can't say much more about what happens so I won't spoil it, but I can say that: THAT GIRL IS MADE OF PURE AWESOME. I really love how this character is so sweet and fragile, but still manages to tease a grim faced giant! show less

Seduce Me at Sunrise is the second book in Lisa Kleypas’s Hathaways series. This one follows second-oldest daughter, Win, and the darkly brooding, Kev, a Romany who was taken in by the Hathaway siblings' parents when he was just a boy and grew up alongside them. Win and Kev have had a special bond since the day they met, and have been in love with each other since they were old enough to know what romantic love was. Kev has been pushing Win away, though, thinking that he isn’t good enough for her and he also worries about her health. In the previous book, Mine Till Midnight, we learned that Win is rather sickly because of scarlet fever. At the beginning of this book, she has decided to go to a medical clinic in France with her older show more brother, Leo, trying to get better so that Kev won’t think she’s quite so fragile anymore. The two are separated for two years, during which Win does in fact recover. Helping out during Leo’s absence, Kev has made himself indispensable as an estate manager, rebuilding and running the country manor that Leo only recently inherited that burned down. Though the separation is difficult on both of them, when Kev and Win are reunited, there’s still a passionate spark, but fearing that his dark past may unintentionally harm Win, Kev continues to refuse to allow things to go further between them. Win also brought back the handsome, young Dr. Harrow who treated her in France and he’s made no secret that he’s vying for Win’s hand in marriage himself. Soon Kev realizes he has only one chance left to claim the woman who will forever hold his heart or lose her forever, but the real danger that could tear them apart ends up coming from an unexpected source.

Win met Kev when her father brought the injured boy home, nursed him back to health and invited him to stay. They grew up in an erudite and happy family until their parents passed away, leaving the Hathaway siblings to fend for themselves. Then tragedy struck again when Leo’s fiancee succumbed to the same bout of scarlet fever that left Win’s health compromised. From the moment they met, Win was fascinated by Kev and they became the best of friends. As they grew up, their love for one another turned into something more, but despite Win’s best efforts, Kev keeps pushing her away. She decides to go to France in hopes of fully regaining her health so that Kev might see her as a woman and not just a fragile china doll. The two year separation is hard, but worth it when she’s able to return whole again. However, their reunion isn’t the happy, passionate moment she’d hoped for as Kev continues to deny his feelings for her. Instead, he seems to be pushing her toward Dr. Harrow, until one night, he finally comes to claim her. But when he discovers that Win lied to him about something important, it causes friction, and of all the things he’d feared might cause harm to Win, danger ends up coming from the least expected place. Win is sweet and kind and loves Kev fully with a pure heart. All she wants is to get better so that they can be together, but to her chagrin, he doesn’t want to cooperate. I like that she didn’t give up on him and when he finally opened his heart, she was there to receive the gift. She also showed surprising mettle when dealing with an emergency situation when someone’s life is on the line.

As a young boy, Kev was sent to live with an uncle after threats were made against him by his white father’s family. His upbringing was one filled with brutality as he was taught to bare-knuckle brawl as a kid and was abused if he lost matches. It was after one such match in which he was seriously injured that his Romany tribe left him for dead, and he was found by the Hathaways’ father who gave him a home. He was practically a feral child, but between Win’s sweetness, which entranced him, and the family’s acceptance and love, he eventually became a healthier person. Although he fell madly in love with Win, he doesn’t feel worthy of her and also fears that his dark past could eventually harm her, either accidentally by his own hand or if his father’s family ever found him, so he pushes her away. The two year separation from her was torture for him, but he used the time wisely, proving that he’s a great leader, managing and rebuilding the family estate. When Win finally returns, Kev runs hot and cold, sometimes pulling her into passionate clinches, unable to help himself, and others being a stubborn, broody mess, who wants so badly to keep Win safe that he can’t allow himself to find happiness with her. It’s not until Leo has a heart-to-heart with an inebriated Kev, which was very out of character for him, that he finally sees the light, but Win’s little white lie and danger from an unexpected quarter could jeopardize their future. I’m a sucker for the tortured, brooding heroes, so Kev was like catnip for me. A part of me was starting to wonder if he was ever going to make his move, but there were enough stolen kisses and other romantic moments in between to keep me satisfied. I love that even though he was worried about possibly unintentionally hurting Win because of his past that he’s nothing but gentle and sweet their first time together. Overall, I loved Kev, and know that he’s going to rank pretty highly on my list of favorite Lisa Kleypas heroes.

With there being several Hathaway siblings, Seduce Me at Sunrise has a pretty colorful supporting cast. Cam and Amelia (Mine Till Midnight) are front and center, still madly in love and with new developments in their lives. Cam is funding the rebuilding of the country estate and looking after the family while Leo is away, while also doting on his wife. Poppy and Beatrix struggle with their first coming out and decide to pull back for a while. They hire a governess to teach them proper deportment, so the next time will be more successful. But with society’s gossip about them once being commoners who’ve only just come into a title and them not being accepted because of Roms in the family, they’re still having trouble finding suitable mates. In the next book, Tempt Me at Twilight, Poppy will be paired with enigmatic hotelier, Harry Rutledge, who owns the hotel where they stay while their estate is being rebuilt and who’s briefly mentioned in this book. Beatrix, who’s adorable with all her little animal friends, becomes the heroine of the final book, Love in the Afternoon. Leo, who has been having difficulty recovering from the loss of his beloved fiancee, travels to France to be with Win, and starts to find healing, too. Upon returning, he meets Catherine Marks, the new governess, who he initially thinks is far too buttoned up for his taste, but soon finds his curiosity about her piqued. These two are paired together in the fourth book, Married by Morning.

Overall, I loved Seduce Me at Sunrise. Win is really sweet and Kev is broody, the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing. I’m also a huge fan of the friends-to-lovers trope and childhood sweethearts. Even though they didn’t act on their feelings until now, there’s so much longing expressed in their interactions even when Kev is pushing Win away. When he finally gives in and allows himself to be vulnerable with her, it’s a beautiful moment that gave me all the feels. There are plenty of other plot points going on as well, with the meaning behind Kev and Cam’s mysterious matching tattoos being explored. I like how that turned out and look forward to seeing them deepen their relationship. There’s also a little trouble as Dr. Harrow tries to get Win for himself and a few questions about events from his past arise. I enjoyed seeing more of Cam and Amelia and their romance, along with meeting Catherine and seeing more of Leo, both of whom intrigue me. The touch of suspense at the end kept me on the edge of my seat, too. I can’t really think of a single thing I’d change about the book. Seduce Me at Sunrise was nearly as perfect as a romance novel gets for me, and has left me very much looking forward to reading more to see how the remaining Hathaway siblings get their HEAs. show less

Maybe it's because I had high expectations for this book since being introduced to Win & Kev in the prequel, Mine Till Midnight, but I was thoroughly disappointed. In MTM, Kev is gentle, protective, a problem-solver, and somewhat territorial over the whole family. In this book, he rages and is constantly at the end of his fuse. He's always ready to beat someone up, making him no better than the antagonist of the book. Really, there's no difference only that the antagonist is sneakier.

In fact, I'm surprised Kev is the hero. He's emotionally abusive. One minute, he's kissing Win and the next he's stomping out the door. One page has him scaring away her suitors while another has him vowing that he'd rather see her marry someone other than show more him. Seriously, I wish romance authors would stop glorifying men who threaten to kill anyone who looks at their woman funny. It's not healthy, but the author passes off Kev's obsessiveness as remnants of his abusive past. However, one of the other characters points out that he's lived twice as many years in an affectionate household as he did in an abusive one. He should've grown out of it. You can even tell his darkness wasn't even that strong because all the other characters were able to talk him out of his stupidity.

This was also frustrating. Kev just did what the others told him to do instead of grappling with his own emotions, prejudices, and traumas. He's not a three-dimensional character. He's basically a villain's lackey. I felt bad for the antagonist because he astutely recognized that Win was being manipulated while everyone else was telling Kev what to do. Blegh. show less

Win Hathaway has never been healthy since her severe bout of scarlet fever. When she has the opportunity to go to a clinic in Franc which has had great success with improving the health of patients like her, Win jumps at the chance. Her only regret is that it means a lengthy separation from Kev Merripen, the Roma her parents took in as a boy and the man that Win has loved most of her life. Certain that her ill health is the only thing that has kept Kev from declaring his feelings for her, Win is surprised when she returns after two years and finds Kev still unwilling to confess to the mutual feelings between them.

A solid romance with interesting characters, as always. Kleypas has obviously spent some time digging into Roma culture and show more she does a creditable job of exploring the issues that both Win and Kev are dealing with. I also enjoy that Kleypas continues to give us insight into the lives of the other Hathaways that were introduced in the first novel. Not my favourite of her books but a decent read if you enjoy historical roman show less

So much love for this still, and the reread is as squeeworthy as ever. I love that the love and desire between Win and Kev have always been there, and these two just need to figure out how to make it work. Win is a total surprising badass, and Kev is so incredibly intense that the fire is crazy. I love their HEA and am so glad that Kev and Cam find out their story too.

After being sorely disappointed by Mine Till Midnight, I didn't have high hopes for Seduce Me at Sunrise. But this is one of the rare cases in HR where the second book actually manages to be better than its preprocessor.

Win and Kev have been in love since they were children, but Kev feels he doesn't deserve her because of his rough past. Pretty clichéd, right? I thought so too, for about one chapter. But surprisingly, that's about all the pages it took for me to fall completely for Kev. I even understood why he felt unworthy of Win. I loved watching him slowly come to the realization that the past can't define his future, and Win's worthy of all the pain. I honestly cared about these two, which is the main thing that was missing from show more Mine Till Midnight.

I also genuinely liked reading about the interaction and dialogue between all the Hathaway siblings. Where it felt forced and slightly fake in Mine Till Midnight, it came across as completely natural and sweet in Seduce Me at Sunrise.

And Leo is a serious favorite of mine. He was more or less a worthless heap of bones in Amelia's story, but he's changed into quite a remarkable and capable man now. After Win's romance, I'm sure his will be the next best because I simply can't wait to see how he gets settled down with someone as stuck-up and uptight as the governess. Watching him happy is sure to compensate for all the times my heart has hurt over his bleak grief-induced words. Take this, for example:
"Amelia told me once about a suspicion she'd had for a while. It bothered her quite a bit. She said that when Win and I had fallen ill with scarlet fever, and you made the deadly nightshade syrup, you'd concocted far more than was necessary. And you kept a cup of it on Win's nightstand, like some sort of macabre nightcap. Amelia said that if Win had died, she thought you would have taken the rest of that poison. And I've always hated you for that. Because you forced me to stay alive without the woman I loved, while you had no bloody intention of doing the same."

Merripen didn't answer, gave no sign that he registered Leo's words.

"Christ, man," Leo said huskily. "If you had the bollocks to die with her, don't you think you could work up the courage to live with her?"

It's a powerful, touching, and achingly poignant romance of two lovers yearning for each other who must confront and heal the past, face their fears, and fight destiny to finally be together, forever.

These are my favorite Kev Merripen quotes:

"All the fires of hell could burn for a thousand years and it wouldn't equal what I feel for you in one minute of the day. I love you so much there is no pleasure in it. Nothing but torment. Because if I could dilute what I feel for you to the millionth part, it would still be enough to kill you. And even if it drives me mad, I would rather see you live in the arms of that cold, soulless bastard than die in mine."

I love you, he thought, looking at Win. I love every part of you, every thought and word...the entire complex, fascinating bundle of all the things you are. I want you with ten different kinds of need at once. I love all the seasons of you, the way you are now, the thought of how much more beautiful you'll be in the decades to come. I love you for being the answer to every question my heart could ask. show less