Anyway, I was lucky enough to finish my TBR book and yay, for once, it fits the theme of the month! So today, I'm reviewing Perfect Hero by Samantha James. I basically picked up that book after reading Lori's review for the Re-Read challenge.
Perfect Hero by Samantha James
published by Avon in June 2005
Can a perfect scoundrel be the perfect hero?
Since she was cruelly left at the altar at the age of twenty-two, Lady Julianna Sterling has resolved to have nothing to do with men. So she is shocked to discover she has unwelcome feelings for the very worst of the breed -- a dangerous, unbearably handsome highwayman who has set upon her coach in the countryside and taken her captive. Worse still, her righteous ire turns quickly to disappointment when the irresistible outlaw sets her free.
Viscount Dane Granville knows he should not have revealed his face to the enchanting Lady Julianna -- for he has compromised the secret mission he has undertaken for the Crown in the guise of the notorious Magpie. Now their paths are crossing once more, and Dane aches to taste again the sweetness of her kiss. But he must resist what his heart demands, for their passion can only lead to perils beyond imagining...
Genre: historical romance
Series: Perfect trilogy, book #3
The Story: Perfect Hero starts with Julianna Sterling being abandoned at the altar and having her dream of a good marriage and family broken. Fast-forward a few years, Julianna has resigned to become an old maid and has purchased a property in Bath. She is on her way to a few days of tranquility when the coach she is on is arrested by Magpie, the notorious highwayman. The driver of the coach panics and Julianna ends up unconscious. When she wakes up, she has become Magpie's captive.
However, Julianna is a smart woman and plans her escape. When, the opportunity shows up, she shoots Magpie... but she can't bring herself to abandon him, so come back and nurse him to health, then leave. Of course, she would never have imagined to meet him again at one of the most prestigious ball of the Season... and of course, Viscount Dane Granville has his reasons to posing as Magpie.
My Opinion: Hmmm, Perfect Hero wasn't a bad book, but it didn't wow me either. My problem is I keep wondering if I would have liked it more if I've been in a better reading mood. Anyway, the story was okay and the characters were okay.
So what did I like? The chemistry between the Sterling siblings. I have to admit, I would have enjoyed reading even more of the three of them together... but this being the last book of the series, there were other issues to deal with.
Julianna was a nice heroine. She didn't do anything stupid - I mean, the woman was smart enough to find a way to shoot her captor and "escape" and let just say her not escaping, well that was smart too :P However, she doesn't stand out very much from the tons of historical heroines... I do like the fact that the story didn't dwell too much on Julianne being left at the altar and that story took place several years after. As for the hero, well Dane just like Julianna was nice. He's not a rogue or a rake... just someone with a title and a job to do. The chemistry between the H/H was sweet.
Overall, the storyline was okay. I like that it focus on the H/H a lot in the first half of the book. The intrigue was minimal and I think it was very convenient to bring back the mother that way. However, it ties up the trilogy storyline as well.
My Grade: B-. Like I said, I think if I've been in a better reading mood, I would have enjoyed this one better. As it is, Perfect Hero wasn't a bad book, but not a wowzer either. It falls into the typical historical romance from Avon... a nice way to spend time :)
