The Secret to Seduction

by Julie Anne Long

Sabrina Fairleigh arrives at an exclusive country soiree with marriage in mind. How shocking-and intriguing-to discover her host is an infamous ladies' man known for his indecent (and, ah, inspiring)... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446616885
• ISBN13: 9780446616881
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Warner Forever
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.4" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Compelling Read!

Vicar's daughter Sabrina Fairleigh believes that she is in possession of an even temperament and not one to give to her baser needs. She doesn't have those. Her convictions are going to be put to the test though when she accompanies her friend Mary Capstraw to La Montage, the country seat of the Earls of Rawden. The current Earl is also known as "The Libertine" penning such intimate poems women can't help but loose themselves to their inflamed desires. But Sabrina is made of sterner stuff and she has a goal. She wants to travel as a missionary alongside her father's curate Geoffrey, who just so happens to be the cousin of Rhys--the Libertine himself. So if she is so set on her course why is she so drawn to Rhys and his kisses. Will this trip end up leading to her ruin? Rhys is bored and in need of diversion. The prim and proper Sabrina Fairleigh is the perfect choice. She is too sure of her convictions and at the same time very disconcerting to his base instincts. When he should walk away and leave her alone, he finds himself drawn to her, to tease her, prod her and force her to realize she is no better then anyone else. What he is not counting on is becoming caught up in the passion that springs between them. Such opposites could never get along well or could they? When they are caught in a compromising situation he does the right thing and marries her. But will the passion cool once the games are over? This is the first time I've read Ms. Long and I was truly entertained. This title is part of a three book series, this being the last story. And it's a strong stand alone. So, if you're like me and series challenged, you won't feel left out or confused when reading this book. Ms. Long's writing style combines humor and tenderness in a well modulated pace. There were several times I found myself laughing out loud at the situations our protagonists got themselves into. Character development was slow at times and Rhys was almost obnoxious with his attitude but in the end Ms. Long and her talent for crafting a story saved him from being an unlikable character. I would have like to have seen a wee bit more of the story from his point of view. It would have explained some of his reactions to the situations he found himself in rather by his design or someone else's. It would have also given depth to the sensual connection between him and Sabrina. Sabrina was a charming character. I could relate to her in many ways. Her realization that she was no better then others was sweet and entertaining. Truthfully it was what kept me reading the story. Her experiences of so many "firsts" were well told and done so in a fresh way. The secondary storyline of the three sisters finally finding each other, combined with the secondary characters which were varied and likable only added depth to this tale. Ms. Long writes a sensual tale that pulls readers in. Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Final book of the series !

The Secret to Seduction by Julie Anne Long tells the story how three sisters get seperated from their mother and are seperated and adopted. This is Sabrina story who is the vicar's daughter who gets her invited to a house party of the scandalous Earl of Rawden and her world get turned upside down. Lots of great twists and turns - loved the characters. Check out the whole series; Beauty and the Spy (1), Ways to be Wicked (2) and The Secret to Seduction (3).

The Best in the Series

The Secret to Seduction is the third in a series and it solves the central mystery that has unraveled bit by bit in each book. This particular installment was the most satisfying for me, not only because of the interesting plot twists and conflict between the hero and heroine, but also because the romance moved at the perfect pace. Although I enjoyed the first two books, and admired how skillfully the author developed her characters, I felt it took a bit too long for the hero and heroine to come together. But in Secret to Seduction, the pace kept me turning the pages happily. This installment is about Sabrina, an adopted vicar's daughter whose plan is to marry Geoffrey, the curate, and move with him to Africa so they can devote themselves to missionary work. She and Geoffrey end up attending a house party at Geoffrey cousin's estate and since said cousin is none other than the famous poet known as the Libertine because of his sensual poetry, Sabrina is determined to make her mark. Sabrina considers herself to be sensible and cool-headed, but after only a few interactions with Rhys, the Libertine, she discovers she has a passionate side-- and a temper. I loved the banter between Rhys and Sabrina-- it's immediatey apparent that these two are well-matched. They eventually give in to their attraction, and have to deal with the repurcussions. Just when Rhys and Sabrina seem to have found happiness, an unexpected secret is revealed that changes everything. What's Good: Nearly everything is good about this novel. Long reminds me of Julia Quinn and Elizabeth Hoyt in terms of the high quality of the writing, genuine wit and humor and the obvious intelligence involved in crafting of the dialogue and plot structure. She's an expert at developing characters you initially won't think you'll like-- Sabrina seems too perfect, Rhys too flawed but by the end, we see them as complex and fascinating individuals. Every detail of the suspense plot rings true and we get to see characters from the other books return in a believable way. This novel is truly very well done and a pleasure to read. What's Bad: Not much. I would say that after reading most of Long's novels, I'm a little tired of the fact that the heroine is always gorgeous, just because I find it easier to relate to a lead female character who is not flawlessly beautiful. I also think that sometimes she gives us too many points of view-- Morley's made sense in this story, but I don't know if we really needed Geoffrey's. And also, in all the books in this series, there are third and sometimes fourth parties. In this book there's Geoffrey sortof courting Sabrina and Sophia, Rhys mistress. It's very rare in romances that we get development of these kind of traditional spoiler-type characters, and I do applaud Long for taking a risk in trying for realism (after all, many upper class men did have mistresses and these mistresses were real people with real emotions. And it's also true that sometimes people are

Worth the time

I don't have a lot of spare time, so when I do carve time out of my schedule to read a book, it had better be worth it! I totally look forward to a new book by Julie Anne Long. I never have to worry about her books. I know I am going to be super entertained. Of the Holt sisters trilogy, she saved the best for last. I really loved Beauty and the Spy and Ways to be Wicked, but The Secret to Seduction is my favorite of the three so I am taking the time to share that. I love that there is no "She hates him - he hates her but they have hot sex and finally realize they are in love in the last chapter when the heroine is threatened" blah blah blah! As I said, I have no time for that trite, re-hashed crap. Sabrina is a vivid, real woman and I love that she faces herself and her own desires head on and tries to find what happiness she can glean from the circumstances she finds herself in instead of wallowing in histrionics.

Stunning, moving and simply wonderful

I was just thrilled with the conclusion of this trilogy. Without giving it away how it's done, I'll say Long finds a perfect and very surprising way to finish the story of the Holt sisters, and I closed this book with tears in my eyes. I think Sabrina might be my favorite heroine of hers to date. The way her relationship with Rhys evolves was funny and deeply moving. You clearly see how two very different people find a way to connect and build a life, and how choices made in the deep past may threaten this, and you feel for them. I can't say much more without giving the story away, but I was moved to write. It's really like no other story I've read in a very long time. The supporting characters, such as Geoffrey Gillray and the soprano, Sophia Licari, are wonderful, too.