His Most Exquisite Conquest by Emma Darcy: It’s Lucy’s sister’s 30th birthday, and Lucy is determined to get her out of the rut she’s been in since their mother died. That means supporting her sister’s flirty new do, and a lovely lunch date. When she shows up at Ellie’s job to pick her up, her hunky boss and his brother are there – and Lucy is mesmerized.
Michael adores his PA, Ellie. But if he’d known her sister Lucy was the key to his happiness – he’d have given her a huge raise. He knows immediately that they must be together for as long as the attraction lasts.
Of course, there are obstacles. Michael learns that Lucy may be a little too “free” with her love, Lucy doesn’t think she can be what Michael needs, and they both fall into traps set by the people they’ve rejected.
Like Cinderella, Lucy’s would-be Prince sweeps her away to a gorgeous ball, but things take a turn for the worse when both parties are cornered in their respective restrooms – and then Lucy falls ill with food poisoning. Then, after a massive flub – Michael takes her home to take care of her. He leaves her side to get her some medicine and advice from the all-night chemist when the night turns almost tragic.
If they can get through the issues set in motion that night they just might make a life for themselves.
I have to admit, I am not in love with this book. As usual, Emma’s writing is exquisite. However, the Heroine was flighty and in my opinion, a game player.
Lucy, even though her character is not interested in marriage and dead set against having children in the beginning of the book, falls instantly in love with Michael – and fantasizes about being married to him. Her sister, Elizabeth, is attracted to the Hero’s brother Harry – so they both dream of becoming a true family together. (Ellie’s story is told in the previous book, “The Incorrigible Playboy”, which I have not read).
With that in mind, I felt like Lucy was all over the place. She didn’t have serious relationships because she felt inadequate, but she wanted to fall in love right away. She told Ellie that she didn’t want fallout from her relationship with Michael to stand in the way of her fling with Harry, but then she did things that were in direct opposition to that.
It just seemed like the characters weren’t consistent through the course of the story, so I was a bit turned off. Also, a woman in her 20s would’ve been able to get help with her learning disability – as treatments and teaching strategies were available when she was in school. It was a HUGE issue in the book, but realistically, it shouldn’t have been that big of a deal.
In summation – writing great, story… not so much.
Book Info
Publication Date: June 18, 2013 | Series: Harlequin Presents (Book 3153)Vivacious Lucy is a fish out of water in Michael’s corporate world, but once she gives in to the attraction between them, she seems made for his bed. It won’t be long before Michael’s ticked her off his to-do list, so she’ll pretend it’s the luxury lifestyle she enjoys and not the feelings he’s awakened in her, feelings her crippling secret has forced her to deny….
Mom on the Run
You may like this story better if you read the first one. I didn’t care for either of these characters much in that book, but they grew on me when I read this one.
KarenL (@Aleveria)
Yeah. At some point, I plan to read the first book. I was intrigued by seeing the sister from this book. 🙂