Seducing Mr. Sykes (Cotswold Confidential #2) by Maggie Robinson on June 20th 2017
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In Maggie Robinson’s sparkling new series, the quaint village in Gloucestershire is where the wayward sons and daughters of Great Britain’s finest families come for some R&R—and good old-fashioned “rehab”. But sometimes they find much more . . .
No one at Puddling-on-the-Wold ever expected to see Sarah Marchmain enter through its doors. But after the legendary Lady’s eleventh-hour rejection of the man she was slated to marry, she was sent here to restore her reputation . . . and change her mind. It amused Sadie that her father, a duke, would use the last of his funds to lock her up in this fancy facility—she couldn’t be happier to be away from her loathsome family and have some time to herself. The last thing she needs is more romantic distraction . . .
As a local baronet’s son, Tristan Sykes is all too familiar with the spoiled, socialite residents of the Puddling Rehabilitation Foundation—no matter how real their problems may be. But all that changes when he encounters Sadie, a brave and brazen beauty who wants nothing more than to escape the life that’s been prescribed for her. If only Tristan could find a way to convince the Puddling powers-that-be that Sadie is unfit for release, he’d have a chance to explore the intense attraction that simmers between them—and prove himself fit to make her his bride . . .
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~~Reviewed by Amy~~
What an absolutely fun introduction to a new to me author and series. Romance, comedy, and charm come through loud and clear in this thoroughly delightful addition to the Cotswold Confidential series. This is definitely a series I will be following.
Sarah Marchmain (Sadie) was sent to Puddling On The Wold, a quaint village in Gloucestershire where wayward sons and daughters of Great Britain’s finest families came for reputation restoration. Or in Sadie’s case, a place to think and repent for her behavior. Her father, the Duke of Islesford, saw her as nothing more than a bargaining chip to improve the family finances. Since her first season, he’d attempted to marry her off to whoever had the most funds. Determined not to marry, Sadie had learned ways to repel men and keep her independence even if society thought her mad. Her father had used the last of his funds to lock Sadie away, hoping she’d acquiesce. Sadie much preferred Puddling On The Wold to being under her father’s thumb but patrons were only sent there for a month. So Sadie looked for ways to appear happily unhinged to prolong her stay and avoid marriage.
Tristan Sykes was an architect but was overseeing Puddling On The Wold in his father’s absence. After his first marriage, he’d learned all women were trouble. He’d known Sadie Marchmain was trouble from the moment he saw her howling on the floor. He’d just never anticipated how much trouble. He knew he should be cycling her out to allow for more patrons to begin their stay. Puddling’s future depended on it. But there was something about this woman who created scandal wherever she went. She made him feel annoyed and, regrettably, something else. This madwoman should not appeal to him.
Tristan found Sadie cunning, headstrong, devious, and unbelievably beautiful. He’d never felt such a violent, desperate desire for a woman, and he was fairly sure it was reciprocated. And it was. Sadie found Tristan haughty and grumpy. But he was also compelling, arresting, and the most handsome man she’d ever seen. But all men were prigs and it would be harebrained to fall for him. But when the two find themselves in the center of potential scandal, Tristan knows they will have to marry to protect their reputations and that of Puddling On The Wold. Sadie refuses to be any man’s duty though and fights him at every turn. What follows is a whirlwind of explosively funny events before Tristan and Sadie realize they can find love in each other without losing themselves.
I can’t wait to read more of this series. Ms. Robinson has such a witty writing style. Sadie and Tristan were delightful and the wonderful supporting characters will keep you laughing. I adored Sadie. I couldn’t help but envision a young Maureen O’Hara in her with a fiery temper to match her tresses. She was the mistress of her own heart, body, and mind, and was determined to remain so. She wanted Tristan but wanted to be her own woman too. Her antics were hysterical. After honing her skills of deterring men, it was so much fun to watch her try to get ones attention. Tristan was a solid, good man. He saw that Sadie needed someone to listen to her and value her. But he had been made a fool of by his first wife and was afraid of his feelings for Sadie. It was so much fun to see them question their appeal to each other when the chemistry between them was so obvious. I think I giggled from the crazy wedding all the way to the end of the book. This was just a FUN story, fast paced, beautifully written, strong characters, and the perfect blend of steamy and witty. I can’t wait to read more from this author and will definitely be reading the first in this series as well.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers’ Copy of this book.
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About Maggie Robinson
Maggie Robinson is a former teacher, library clerk and mother of four who woke up in the middle of the night, absolutely compelled to create the perfect man and use as many adverbs as possible doing so. A transplanted New Yorker, she lives with her not-quite perfect husband in Maine, where the cold winters are ideal for staying inside and writing hot historical romances.
She also writes erotic historical romances as Margaret Rowe.
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