First 3 in L.K. Hathaway Series.

I'm posting this review since I've recently finished the Hathaway series. Cam, Merripen, Leo, Harry, Christopher. Each magically delicious in his own right. How's a girl to choose? Oh! That's right. (smacking forehead) She's not. She's supposed to hoard them all to herself and snarl at anybody who glances in their direction. I've fallen in love with each Kleypas hero that I've read, in this series and out. I can't help but gush about them (the books, not the heroes. Okay the heroes too.)

If you're just starting this series some background info: The Hathaways have recently become aristocrats. They're red-blooded, bold, and rife with chaos.

Mine Till Midnight is one of my favorite of the series as well as a must read historical romance. (here = Amazon) Amelia has her work cut out for her. She's trying to abide by the rules of the ton, keep her older brother Leo out of trouble, watch out for her sickly sister Win, and run riot on the two youngest children Poppy and Beatrix. She was jilted by her fiancé for another woman, and she has NO desire to fall in love again. While searching the slums of London for her no-good brother with Merripen, Amelia meets Cam Rohan. Cam is a half-breed Gypsy who believes inherently in fate, luck, and getting what he wants. He is immediately intrigued by the tiny and fierce Amelia. She's everything that should be beckoning him to run as fast as he can back to his unconventional Gypsy roots. Instead he kisses her, steals her bonnet ribbon, and sends her on her way. He's never going to see her again. Right? Wrong. Fate has just handed poor little old Cam a wild card. They're reunited in an unlikely place and start a tenuous friendship...then become lovers. It's hard to describe the relationship between Cam and Amelia; it's almost as if you don't notice it developing because the advances are so subtle. Cam steamrolls along with complete disregard and Amelia slowly melts under the pressure. As a couple Amelia and Cam have some adorable habits. They're lovable. The characters are what sealed the deal on this one. I don't want to blahblahblah about Cam, but he's so sexy. I can't help myself. It's 1848. He has a tattoo, a diamond stud in his ear, and wears rings on his thumb and pinkie. He has a good luck curse, which is totally adorable. Did I mention that he's tall, dark, and dangerous? Yummy. Amelia is controlling, gentle, and independent to a fault; she isn't sure how to juggle everything when her family is falling apart. She doesn't really want a partner to help shoulder the burden. She can do everything herself, seeing as how she's the best at picking up pieces.

Final Grade: A.

Seduce Me at Sunrise (Amazon here) carries on the tradition of wonderful Kleypas characters. I know many many women think Merripen is the be-all-end-all  of heroes. I liked Merripen. I did, but he wasn't Cam. Or Leo. Merripen is the gentle giant with a hot temper and fierce loyalty. Delicious in his own way, but more subtle than what I'm crazy for. Win is a "fragile" recovered invalid. She's been in love with Merripen since they were children. Merripen returns her feelings but refuses to act on them. Amelia goes away with Leo to recover from a bout of scarlet fever, when she returns she's a new person and has a suitor. Unfortunately her absence, while it healed her immensely, has had a profound effect of her beloved Merripen. The love story develops and adds a new dimension to their already enviable friendship. Of course it isn't as easy-peasy as it sounds. Merripen (Kev to Win) is sure that he is totally wrong for Win and she needs to be absolutely coddled. Win thinks that it's her only life to live and she wants to live it to the fullest...with Kev tagging along. The fact that Kev thinks he isn't good enough for her is the central conflict and it isn't easily resolved. Win is willing to fight for Merripen and she does. This book focuses less on getting to know the Hathaways as a family. I liked that about it. The characters are the kind that stick with you; this is a tender heart-felt love story. Merripen and Win are obviously perfect for each other even while they're struggling with the idea. They have a firm foundation in their friendship. Oh yeah, did I mention that I fell in love with Kev on page 9?

Final Grade: A. 

Tempt Me at Twilight (Amazon here) is my among my favorite historical romance novels. Harry made it to my  boyfriend list (as did Leo and Cam, sorry Merripen!) although that isn't saying much. I have a substantial boyfriend list. To start off let me say that I expected this to be my least favorite of the series. It wasn't. I love surprises like that. Harry is an odd duck. He's eccentric. Poppy is charming, intelligent, and outgoing. She has her heart set on another man when she encounters Harry Rutledge. Harry will do anything to have her, and I mean anything, including dispatching the guy who has been courting her all season. He is a very bad boy. I love him. He loves Poppy. Drat. Some people may not like this particular installment because the development of the relationship isn't overt. You feel/see it rather read it outright. Harry is the quintessential "wants to be cuddled but doesn't know it" guy. My personal favorite. They're a balanced couple. Harry is ruthless, Poppy is generous. His love for her is tangible. You know when you read a good book you start to feel like you KNOW the characters? Like you could call them up on the telly and see how the kids are doing? That's how this book was for me. I'm ready to go to the Rutledge hotel and visit. Eat some cookies, drink some tea, ogle the husband. Possibly kill the wife and console the husband. Who knows?

Final Grade: A.

All three of these books have the signature humor Lisa Kleypas fans crave and the wonderful characters we've come to expect. These books are all sitting pretty on my "keeper" shelf. Start at the beginning. You won't regret it.