10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the leading couple's romance but disappointed with the murder mystery, *Spoiler*, September 21, 2010
This review is from: Three Nights with a Scoundrel (Mass Market Paperback)
I read the first book in Stub Club series and enjoyed the characters and thought the mystery surrounding the founding stud club member's death to be interesting and a good beginning to this series. Three Nights with a Scoundrel is the conclusion to this trilogy and I have to say I was fully prepared to give this book a very high rating based on the romance between the leads but when I got to the final chapters dealing with the whodunit of this series I was very disappointed.
Firstly I truly did enjoy the main characters of this story, Lily and Julian; they were both unique and passionate people. Lily's brother, Leo, was the founding member of the stud club comprised of a group of men who had ownership in a spectacular racing horse. Leo was beaten to death and his best friend Julian is devastated by the news, he carries a ton of guilt as he believes if he had been with Leo the night he died he might have prevented the beating and he also believes Leo was not the murderer's intended target by Julian, himself.
Lily is a kind gentle woman who happens to be deaf. I had forgotten about her hearing loss at first because she reads lips so well and the author does not put her into situations initially where her lip reading is difficult due to darkness etc. Lily discovers that Julian is constantly out all night at blood sport venues trying to find Leo's killers, putting himself in all kinds of dangerous situations. She is genuinely concerned for him, so much so that she agrees to look for a husband if he accompanies her to at least three nightly events, hence the title of the book.
Julian agrees to this plan but it is difficult for him, he truly wants to find Leo's killers and wonders if he will be the next victim and also he has been in love with Lily since the moment he met her years ago. Julian is complex and his past and present lives are full of secrets, which Lily could not even guess. Julian is dazzling; a favorite of the ton which is a surprise as he has no title but to say he comes from humble beginnings is putting it mildly.
These two have a lovely, lovely romance. Lily is certain of her feelings and unlike so many romance heroines she does not lie to herself or Julian about her desires and her emotions. This was so refreshing and what's more Julian is a romantic and this comes across in so many ways, he remembers everything about their first meeting, he is passionate and protective, perhaps a little too protective as he feels he is a target and Lily is endangered just being around him.
Much of this couple's angst comes from Julian's wounded soul, he feels he will never be good enough for Lily and he is driven to find Leo's killers. Lily has set the past behind her and is frustrated that Leo is unable to do so, especially when it comes to Leo's murder.
*Spoilers* Let me transition here to the end of this novel; Leo's murder was anticlimactic and the circumstances surrounding his death had characters acting, well out of character. Firstly a man, Faraday who I did not have a lot of background on,(I have not read book 2 of this series) has such a small part of the story that it is shocking the huge role he plays at the end regarding Leo's death. So basically Julian had just been wasting his time and money searching for the killers. Also I have a really really hard time believing that Leo, who hid his sexual orientation from almost everyone (even his best friend)would risk exposure to the ton and Faraday's enemies by openly trysting with Faraday on a public street. I could not imagine Faraday, a successful trained operative, would jeopardize his cover or risk blackmail by being open in his affections for Leo publicly. Finally I was surprised that Lily who was so worried about Julian's safety did not tell him about her brother's sexual orientation. Lily felt like this was not relevant but in fact it was totally relevant in Leo's death.
Overall this book has a charming couple, they have very romantic dialogue and sweet gestures. Their story was intense and Lily was a brave heroine but the final act of the murder mystery which started off this entire series was as deflated as a fallen soufflé.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Did not live up to its predecessors, April 16, 2011
This review is from: Three Nights with a Scoundrel (Mass Market Paperback)
The final installment of the Stud Club trilogy where Julian Bellamy may finally catch the murderer of his best friend - or better yet admit to his true feelings for his best friend's sister Lily. When the case threatens to shine light upon the ugly past of Julian Bellamy, he tries hard to deny his feelings for Lily and instead urge her to consider better men who are worthy of her hand. Will Lily heed his advice for once - or will she instead make a choice that may bring ruin to them both?
Three Nights did not tickle my fancy as its 2 predecessors. I could not really connect with the starring couple - and I don't know if my initial impression of Julian (negative) might have influenced my feelings toward him in Book 3. Lily seemed far too sweet and not feisty enough to garner much interest from me. Definitely read Three Nights if you are curious to find out the whodunit, but I would stop at Twice Tempted if it's the romance that has you hooked.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Favorite couple of the series, February 14, 2011
This review is from: Three Nights with a Scoundrel (Mass Market Paperback)
I liked the series didn't love it. I just think I am burnt out on this historical timeframe, 1800's. It is not exciting enough and the men are not manly enough for me. That all being said the 3rd book in the series does have my favorite and most likable couple of the trilogy, Julian and Lily, and I was looking forward to their romance. I think because of that romance, very sweet and genuine, I ended up enjoying this book. The mystery which started in the first book never really was that intriguing. The climax all came out of left field in the end. Sure the loose ends were tied up, but I wish they would have solved some of it through out the first 2 books instead of leaving it all until the last 50 pages. Very good Epilogue though, I like when the author comes back many years later to give a glimpse all the characters lives; how many kids they have, etc.
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