Customer Reviews

A Perfect Groom (Sterling Family)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The second in Mrs. James's Sterling Family Trilogy, A Perfect Groom, is a wonderfully enjoyable read with a hero that you'll love. Justin Sterling has lived through the scandal of his mother's desertion as a child and his father's abuse (until his death). As such, he has enjoyed a life of privilege--including an endless stream of beautiful lovers in his bed. It was this wicked behavior that led to him being hit in the nose by a young girl that overheard him "breaking it off" with one such lady. Never forgetting this insult, Justin is amazed to years later find the seasons most sought after maiden, "The Unattainable," (Arabella) is the same young lady that once bested him.

Forced to marry after being caught in a compromising position, the couple must wed. Resulting in a passionate, yet emotional love that helps Justin heal from his past and Arabella believe in love. Throughout the story, Justin is the most dynamic character (of the book) and it is his development that really held my interest. When a predictable twist in the story shatters their happiness and nearly rips the couple apart, it is Justin who I feel is injured the most. However, in the end, Arabella finally comes to her senses and reclaims her "Perfect Groom."

Samantha James introduced Justin Sterling in A PERFECT BRIDE; now the author takes us forth into his naughty world. Justin Sterling is called "The Handsomest Man in all of England." He is smooth, a dangerous rogue, why Justin Sterling is the devil himself. He is also a hurtin' little puppy who lives each day consumed with ugly childhood memories.

Arabella Templeton is a beauty. This gorgeous woman has the height of a model, the body of a Greek goddess, and sports hair comparable to Nicole Kidman's crimson locks. Arabella is also THE popular hit of the London season. Yet, this beautiful desirable creature has no self-assurance and sadly views herself as the season's homely clodhopper -- w h a t e v e r.

Dubbed "The Unattainable" Arabella Templeton and her virtue become the focus of a cruel wager. Playboy supreme, Justin Sterling enters into a challenge set forth by another cad. Justin will take the beautiful Arabella to the heights of pleasure in . . . say a month? True-blue romance fans just KNOW the outcome. The beautiful couple will fall victim to each other and their road to `happily-ever-after' will be . . . well . . . b u m p y.

Samantha James has a nice writing style and there were moments of gentle fun. And I wanted to enjoy A PERFECT GROOM, but the story felt mechanical and too familiar. I never felt the sparkle, the passion, the sensitivity of a good romance book? So if you are looking for a better Samantha James' book, EVERY WISH FULFILLED is the ticket. Grade: B-

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Samantha James has written another great novel. She has never failed me yet. A Perfect Groom is a wonderfully written and very sexy book. The reader will feel the despair, the heartbreak, passion and the joy of Justin and Arabella in this very excellent character driven romance. Samantha James has the ability to break down her characters souls and feed their emotional struggles onto the pages. I also found the characters to be multi-dimensional. The plot and characters seemed fresh, the pace was quick, and it was a totally engrossing read. Full of enjoyable supporting characters and stories. The characters are colorful and unforgettable. I love how this book shows what child abuse does to the adult and how it took someone who loves Justin completely to heal his wounds. Justin is handsome, sexy, intelligent, but embittered by life. I am always a sucker for stories with "heartless" heroes who find their souls through the love of a good woman.

In the second installment of the Sterling Family trilogy, Justin Sterling is touted as the `handsomest man in England' but underneath the handsome visage he bears deeply ingrained scars from a less than perfect childhood. For years he has carried a deep secret guilt that has directed his wild and notorious reputation as a love`um and leave`um unfeeling rake. When challenged by an acquaintance with a similar reputation in a private wager to be the first to bed the season's latest debutante stunner labeled "The Unattainable" he decides to at least learn who and what the talk was all about.

Discovering that the unattainable miss, was his childhood nemesis Arabella was indeed a shock especially as Arabella's opinion of him as an adult hadn't altered much - other than to probably despise him more so for the wicked rumors that followed his adult footsteps. The fact that she had blossomed from a red-headed harridan brat into a goddess surely disconcerted him and he was totally enjoying the challenge of matching her rapier sharp wit with his own double entendres. When goaded enough he left her complete dazzled with a burning hot kiss....and romances being what they are, Arabella began to look at Justin in a whole new light as he, shaken himself, decided that perhaps it was time to turn over a new leaf!

*** I really liked this story even though it was a relatively light plot, there being no big mystery, villain or such. For me it was just an emotional, sometimes tearful, progression of two people who fell in love, yet naturally had such a hard time admitting to it (Ah, the stuff romances are made of!) Eventually, Arabella, with the help of Justin's brother Sebastian, came to understand the demons that drove him and was finally able to convince Justin that he was `worthy' of being loved. With an impeccable writing style I truly enjoyed, and a tasteful sensual prose, I found this to be a sweetly satisfying read that most are sure to enjoy, and I truly am looking forward to the last Sterling sibling, Juliana's, story.

--- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

I bought this yesterday and finished it in one sitting! I think this is my favorite Samantha James novel yet. It is a character driven story in which the two main characters, Arabella and Justin, grapple with their inner demons, both in their own ways afraid to open themselves up to love.

Justin is just the type of tormented hero I love. He overcomes his fears, the damage inflicted upon him my his abusive father and neglectful mother and allows Arabella to heal him. He trys to be the rogue, but his inner sense of honor shines through in the end, when he would do anything for the woman he loves.

Arabella is a wonderful heroine. A strong female lead, she wants to take care of herself. Her lesson is that a truly strong woman will be strong enough to let her guard down and let the right man in.

I loved reading the evolution of these characters: They grow not only as a couple, but as individuals. The love scenes are steamy and the banter between the two had me laughing out loud. I highly recommend A Perfect Groom to anyone who loves strong characters, witty banter, and a story to remember. Buy this for yourselves and for any other romance fans you know--they'll appreciate it this Christmas! A wonderful, wonderful read.

I'm so glad that Ms. James is back writing and her second in her new series is wonderful. We were briefly introduced to our stunning hero Justin in the first book " A Perfect Bride" and this handsome rake now has his very own story.

Justin has been carrying around a horrible secret. The relationship that he had with his father has left deep and lasting scars. He feels that he must be everything his father has accused him of and has set out to live his life as a hard-hearted rake. That is until he is induced into a wage that has him wooing his childhood nemisis Arabella. The hoyden from his past has turned into a stunning beauty and she just may hold the key to his future.

Arabella is everything most men in society shy away from. She is rather tall, has flaming red hair, and has a tendency to speak her mind. She also only plans on marrying for love. So when she comes face-to-face with the one man she has sworn to find nasty and faithless, kissing her senseless...she must rethink her stand on the topic of Justin. He has touched her heart and he is truly the only man that has the power to break her heart as well. Does he have what it takes to be the "perfect groom" and love her for herself and be true to her?

This was a wonderful read that explores the issue of mental child abuse and how it affects the adult that has suffered. Justin is a wounded hero, who at the same time tries to flaunt societies rules, secretly wants to be worthy of the one woman he finds himself falling for. Arabella is a true heroine in the fact that although she does act like a twit is still able to allow herself to feel for the wounded Justin. These two are meant for each other and although this is not a new storyline, Ms. James does an excellent job of making it fresh. Ms. James is true to her characters and she has woven the resulting childhood issue very well into the man that Justin becomes. Despite his best effort he has a heart and this is truly a story about him finding it.

I highly recommend Ms. James latest effort and eagerly look forward to the next in the series!

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

I am with the only other one star reviewer. There really is nothing here. This book is beyond boring. No real storyline. No character development. No emotional connection. Just more of the same "deep dark secrets", misunderstanding and endless parties that characterize bad books of this genre. If I hadn't learned a lesson(aviod Samantha James books set in the regency period), I would be angry at myself for wasting my time reading this book.

I just picked this book quite by accident one evening and could not move until I had finished it many hours later. Yes, it was just that good. I love totured heroes that have for whatever reasons felt not worthy of a good woman and Justin Sterling is just the perfect rouge. What a reputation he has and totally not the right match for the Unatainable Arabella. Many years earlier they had met and it had not been a positive moment for either of them - so when they meet in later years the sparks immediately start to fly. Well you know what they say when there are sparks there is fire and boy things soon heat up between them and just never seem to quit - my kind of book!! With great love Arabella is able to get to the root of Justin's demons - he is down deep such a sensitive wonderful man - and it always seems to me to marry a former rogue for the bedroom forever life!!

Justin & Arabella are simply perfect. Justin captured my heart right away--his horrible, horrible father!! Poor boy. Such a marvelous man, who despises his looks because of...well, I won't spoil it.

And Arabella is the exact opposite of what is considered beautiful, yet she has such strength of character.

Their road to love is widing and dotted with potholes, but what a ride it provides. Sizzling passion, laughter and wit, raw emotion....A Perfect Groom touches all the right chords. This is one of my favorites.

I really don't why I bother with these, I really don't.

Samantha James' A PERFECT GROOM reads as an immature, contemporary teenie bopper romance, replete with the bets, dances, handsome rogues, ordinary-looking heroines, tempestuous "romance"/relationships, and cliche "plotting" (if you can call it a veritable plot) we're so familiar with. I love how romance authors like to downplay the appearance of their heroines yet make their heroes the "handsomest", tallest, broad-shouldered rogues ever. I think I counted the word "handsomest" used to describe our hero Justin Sterling at least 10 times. Seriously. Not surprisingly, looks don't mean much to our experienced, handsomest rogue in all of England and he pines over our heroine Arabella's feisty "wit." Please, we can use many adjectives to describe Arabella Templeton's behavior, least of all witty. Immature dithering, repetitive and insipid introspection, constant pining over Justin's handsomest appearance, juvenile fits of anger, maybe. Witty? I don't think so.

The author didn't spend much time thinking through the characterizations in A PERFECT GROOM. Around Justin Sterling, the only thing Arabella notices is his handsomest good looks, and tall, imposing size and yet she says she would like more than good looks in an ideal husband. When it's blatantly obvious that Arabella's attraction to Justin rests with Justin's handsomest good looks? Hypocritical much, Arabella? She disparages men who're after beautiful girls, yet she consistently fawns over Justin's "handsomeness", and Justin's only distinction lies with his appearance. Adolescent beyond belief, no serious mature characterization here.

Arabella's vanity and hypocrisy knows no bounds. Despite having a rather ordinary, gangly appearance herself, Arabella actually claims she doesn't want to be the center of attention. Yet, all of Arabella's conversations with her friend Georginia are centered around Arabella's rejections of so many proposals; in essence, centered around Arabella. When Arabella refuses her 4th proposal from a relatively decent and smitten man (Walter), she's more worried about what the ton will say than any real compassion for the man she scoffed. She wants to believe she considers the man's feelings when she rejects his suit, but obviously not, since after rejecting Walter, she's more distressed about gossip related to her 4th rejection exacerbating her reputation from her point of view. She can't choose anyone shorter than her, well, because, that would just be unbecoming. Appearance and vanity clearly DOMINATE Arabella's thoughts, yet she expects her ideal husband to be above of such vain thoughts in his wife. Uhuh, her characterization makes me physically ill, and the author actually lets her get away with it the entire novel.

Justin's demons and wounded past didn't ring true in the least. It's the same 'ole, same 'ole bad childhood boo-hoo-hoo, get over it Justin, man!

The Story.

Justin Sterling returns to London after being on the Continent for his travels and he's greeted at White's by gentlemen wagering to deflower the Toast of the Season, the Unattainable. The Unattainable has already refused 3 suits and promises to break even more hearts. After 5 men enter a wager in which the first to claim the Unattainable's virtue wins the bet, Justin and his friend enter a private wager of their own, doubling the stakes. Only there's a time limit, and Justin must claim the Unattainable's virtue before the other men. Intrigued, oblivious to the identity of the Unattainable and a reputed cad/libertine, Justin agrees and enters the private wager.

When Justin discovers the identity of the Unattainable, he's reminded of the fiery girl who sticks a needle in his shoe and punches him years ago after witnessing his rakehell ways. Our red-haired, freckled heroine hasn't changed much over the years, she's described as someone who says and does what she feels regardless of etiquette. Not a beauty by any stretch of the imagination, our hero Justin immediately finds himself taken by Arabella's so-called "wit" and combative nature.

Imbecile meetings between our lead pair and adolescent introspections ensue, having little point and less entertainment value as Justin implants himself in front of Arabella whether she wants it or not.

To the book's credit, the ending wasn't as beleaguered and prolonged as I'd expect from juvenile, hackneyed stories such as these. Predictably, Arabella discovers of the private wager and after some time, comes to forgive him having fully reformed Justin's rakehell status.

Nothing here, moving on...