Customer Reviews

Seduced at Midnight (Berkley Sensation)

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

 

 

This third entry in the "Ladies Literary Society" series is sweet with a good who-done-it, but at times is a bit sappy and long-winded. The heroine is Lady Julianne Bradley, the beautiful, wealthy and much sought-after only child of an earl, and the object of her affections is commoner Gideon Mayne, a top-notch Bow Street Runner/Detective. Julianne met Gideon several months ago when he contacted her about a murder investigation. Since then, neither has been able to forget the other, but they are unable to do anything about it because Gideon is so far beneath Julianne socially. Then they accidentally meet at a society soiree where Gideon is on duty, trying to catch a murderous jewel thief known as the 'ghost'.

Julianne is feeling rather hopeless. Her parents are forcing her into a loveless marriage with a coldly civil lord, while she is a romantic soul yearning for someone vital to love...someone like Gideon. Desperate to experience true passion before she is wed, Julianne pursues Gideon outside into the garden, but then is too embarrassed to admit her feelings for him. So she lies and tells him that she heard threatening ghosts sounds outside her bedroom window, and perhaps it was the thief. Gideon of course shows up at Julianne's mansion the next day to investigate. He is promptly hired by her father to protect her until her wedding in two weeks time. Which means he must be with Julianne day and night...all the while knowing she can never be his.

My opinion of this book is mixed. The mystery was quite good and kept me interested right to the end. And overall it was sweet and upbeat with a good cast including the returning characters from the previous two books. However, Julianne and Gideon's excessive carrying on about their feelings and their relationship detracted from the story. The book was good when there was dialogue or action. But there were too many tedious moments in between when either Gideon or Julianne would daydream or anguish about the other - really working themselves into a lather - that disrupted the story's flow and made my mind wander. There was a genuine attraction between the couple. However, the frequent emotional forays into their feelings and desires just slowed the story too much and at times made both appear cloying and weak or, in Gideon's case, a tad unmanly. In this instance, less would indeed have been more...but overall it is not a bad read.

I really loved the first two books in the series and I couldn't wait get my hands on this one. I loved the idea of the book - two people who love each other but can never be together because of their differences. But the book somehow wasn't what I wanted it to be. I wanted there to be more between them than just Julianne's struggle to seduce him and Gideon's struggle not to give in. Well, I liked it that they spent a lot of time together, talked to each other and cared for each other - and not just because of their looks. Still, there was not enough tension between them. They loved each other from the beginning of the book. I would like to see them falling in love.
And there were so many things we weren't told. *spoiler warning!*
First, how did Gideon find her when she was kidnapped? And how did he get there so fast? I disliked it that the murderer turned out to be the most convenient person possible. I mean, hello!!! It was just too much! Too easy way out. And the whole explanation for the crimes was ridiculous. I had a feeling that I was reading an Agatha Christie novel. Some of the scenes just ended somewhere in the middle, and we were never told what happened afterward. And I'm still curious what he did with her drawers after their interlude in the drawing room ;)
In the end, I would like them to spend some more time apart than just a few hours. And I would like to see what the consequences of their marriage were. How did her parents react? How did the ton react? How did she adjust to her new life? Did she even know what her life will be like after her marriage? Because despite all her talking about how money isn't important, I didn't find her believable. She never had to move a finger in her life. How would she get used to having to take care of herself? To do some work around the house? To not have 5 servants at every corner? To be cut from the life she knew? I don't know, I just don't believe their marriage would actually work. In a way, this story was similar to A notorious love by Sabrina Jeffries, but that one was much better.

This book was entertaining from start to finish with a hero and heroine who truly fall in love and share a hot and sensual romance. Now, isn't that exactly what we're looking for in a romance? More like this one, please!

The hero is a bold and courageous Bow Street Runner and the heroine is Julianne, the stunningly beautiful and sought-after daughter of a wealthy Earl. Once these two meet they only have eyes for one another. However, the relationship cannot be because the hero Gideon Mayne is a commoner and well beneath Julianne's social station. While there have been many books written with this type of scenario, this is a fresh story with an entertaining mystery and the love of Julianne's friends makes it even more enjoyable. I have read the others in this series so I am coming from that perspective as well. I definitely like this one the best so far.

I just really liked this couple - both of them - no annoying heroine or overbearing hero. They were both admirable and extremely likable characters. The level of emotion between the two was just right and there was enough focus on the romance and the mystery that one did not take away from the other. And much of the romance will definitely leave you breathless! This is a real winner and a highly recommended read. Any yes, if you know this author, you know the story included pets and humor - just the right dose this time.

I cannot wait to read Emily's story next!!!

Lady Julianne Bradley's parents could easily be called cold-hearted and uncaring. In fact, those are the nicer terms one could use to describe Lord and Lady Gatesbourne. Being the daughter of titled parents, Julianne always knew her marriage would be arranged by her father to the one with the highest title and wealth. Now that time has arrived. Instead of going through the motions of posting the bans and a long engagement to prepare for a lavish Society wedding (and help her to mentally prepare for a long, loveless life) Julianne learns that she is due to wed the Duke of Eastling within two weeks and immediately be stashed away in Cornwall. Though resigned to her fate, Julianne longs for love and passion. She wants what two of her friends were lucky enough to find in their marriages. When thinking of her imaginary love, Julianne always conjures up the image of Bow Street Runner Gideon Mayne. She met Gideon two months ago when he was investigating a series of murders plaguing Mayfair. His image is what Julianne sees whenever she devours the latest novel her bookclub is reading. You see, the Ladies Literary Society of London did not read boring, but acceptable, books. Instead, the books they chose to read are very sexually explicit.

The topic on everybody's tongues these days is about a murdering ghost robber. All the victims are wealthy ladies, found dead with their valuables missing. And it seems Julianne is next on the killer's list. Gideon is hired by Lord Gatesbourne to guard Julianne until she is safely wed and Eastling's responsibility. Gideon accepts, though he finds himself strongly attracted to Lady Julianne. While Gideon protects her from a murderer, who will protect him from Julianne?

***** A story by Jacquie D'Alessandro is to be slowly savored like fine wine. This author excels in making readers feel the same emotions her characters do. These emotions are so strong at times that they may punch you harder than brandy. And this latest installment of the Mayhem in Mayfair series is no exception. From beginning to end, this tale over flows with romance, passion, humor, and danger. I came to care deeply for the main couple (even the huge guard dog and the tiny ankle biter). I dreaded seeing the number of pages left to read dwindling and found myself reading slower and slower. Now if only I can make it until this author's next release. Astounding! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I am a fan of Jacquie D'Alessandro so it is not pleasant to write a bad review of one of her books. Seduced at Midnight was a dissappointment.
The heroine was too immature especially at the beginning, and it got tedious with the constant reminding about how they could never be together because of the class difference. Even the secondary characters, who usually show more spunk did not until the end of the book. I much prefer when the hero/heroine share in a fun adventure or mystery with a conquering spirit instead of the frame of mind of it can't be done.
In my opinion the first book of this series has been the best so far. Hope the next is on par with it.

Jacquie D'Alessandro's book, Seduced at Midnight, is a book I wanted to like, but just didn't. Ms. D'Alessandro creates a vivid depiction of Regency England, however, I didn't find the characters compelling at all, even the couples from the previous Mayhem of Mayfair books. I kept reading hoping that I would become more interested in the hero and heroine, but to no avail. In conjunction with the others book in the Mayhem of Mayfair series, it's worth a read, but otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.

This was a long, wordy book with apparently little plot. I felt little connections to the characters - if they are unable to care about their future together and take any action, why should we? I couldn't even finish it.

I have liked Jacquie D'Alessandro's other books, so I was excited to find one I hadn't read... but what a disappointment!! Julianne was juvenile, spoiled and just plain immature to the point of being silly. There were murders that Gideon was supposed to be solving and Julianne treated it as if it was a child's game with her lies to focus Gideon's attention on her. Both Julianne and Gideon drove me crazy with their repeated and repeated thoughts of each other and how they could never be together, over and over and over again!!!! Julianne even going so far as wanting a fling with Gideon before her marriage to another man. How selfish can you get. Gideon loves her and she wants him to service her until she gets married then so long Gideon. I am sure it worked out later but she didn't know that.I couldn't finish this book, I just didn't care enough about these silly creatures to even try. Get this one at your local library,I am sure glad I did!

This is the third in the Mayhem In Mayfair (also known as Ladies Literary Society Of London) series following Sleepless at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 1), Confessions at Midnight (Mayhem in Mayfair, Book 2) and my favorite so far.

Bow Street Runner Gideon Mayne is haunted by the images of his meeting, two months earlier, with the unattainable Lady Julianne Bradley, an Earl's daughter. Thrown together again by circumstance, Gideon is tortured by the consuming passion that ignites within him when she is near. At first, he assumes that she's just another hot house flower. Soon he realizes that the beauty also lies within and, that astonishingly, she reciprocates his feelings. But their love is ultimately doomed. Julianne has no choice but to yield to her domineering cold/calculating parents and marry within her social class to a man of her father's choosing. But before the wedding, the murdering ghost of Mayfair seemingly targets Julianne. He father hires the man investigating the killings to keep the bride safe. That man is Gideon. And it takes all his willpower to keep his princess safe and at arms length at the same time. For one small step in the wrong direction could spell ruin or even death for them both.

Great read. The murder plot was a bit weak but the fantastic romance made up for it. Gideon just blew my socks off. Another one of those absolutely to-die-for swoon-worthy hero's. I think he actually nudged out Kleypas's Sir Ross Canon as my favorite Bow Street Runner. Gideon is warm, wonderfully sensual and hopelessly in love with a woman he can't possibly have. My heart ached for him and Julianne. Their stolen moments were the highlight of the book for me. I rooted for them till the very end.

I highly recommended this wonderfully sensual star-crossed lover romance. Another shelf-keeper for me.

Other Bow Street Runner hero books I've loved-
Lady Sophia's Lover (Bow Street, Book 2)
Worth Any Price (Bow Street, Book 3)
A Kiss Before Dawn

I am really sorry to buck the trend especially as I am a great fan of Jacquie d'Alessandra, and loved the previous 'Midnight' stories. I am afraid I found everything too forced or manufactured. I felt no emotional connection to the main characters-there was no build up & I got fed up with all the personal angsting. I just skipped straight to the end & found nothing was a surprise. I'd skip this book and read the two previous books in this series.