Cocktails and Books

How The Scoundrel Seduces is the third installment in the Duke's Men series. This was the first novel that I have read by this author. This book is part of a series, but I had no trouble at all following the storyline without having read the previous books. I immediately fell in love with the characters and the storyline. This book was a delight from start to finish.

Tristan Bonnaud, is his father’s illegitimate son. Tristan’s family is forced to move to France after his father’s death. While Tristan is in France he picks up skills that come in handy when he moves back to England and becomes part of an investigative agency. Tristan’s world changes forever when Zoe Keane walks into his agency’s office in desperate need of help. Tristan isn’t the only one that feels the sparks that fly between he and Zoe. Zoe is dead set against having Tristan handle her case. However, Zoe’s case fits tidily into Tristan’s plans to get revenge on the brother that betrayed him. And Tristan is the only one of the “Duke’s Men” that has the knowledge and background to help Zoe. Tristan and Zoe fight the desire that flows between them, but real love will not be denied. The passion blazes so hot that just reading a scene about a kiss sends the flames bursting off the pages. I loved the way the author described Zoe’s feelings in the heat of passion. It was humorous, but so realistic.

I loved, loved, loved all of the characters. Tristan appeared to be arrogant and self-centered, but he was really a little boy that learned to protect himself from rejection. Zoe is very intelligent, adventurous, and spirited. She took risks and wasn’t afraid to go against the conventional expectations for women. Tristan’s partner in the investigative agency is his other half-brother, Dom. Dom loves Tristan, and he is loyal to him regardless of the personal cost to him. Each of the characters was very complex and a joy to read. I even found myself feeling pity for the villain in the story. As the storyline developed you could easily see how the sins of the parents caused an array of difficulties for their children. I was totally vested in the characters and their storylines. The only sad moment was finally putting the book down. It was so good I took it to work with me because I couldn’t bear being separated from my characters until I knew that everything worked out for them.

I confess that this book took me on a roller coaster ride. It tugged on all my emotions, and by the end of it I felt like I actually knew the characters. I am definitely going to read the rest of the books in this series. Sabrina Jeffries has officially made it to my favorite author list.

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books