Book Review: The Danger in Tempting an Earl by Sophie Barnes

The Danger in Tempting an Earl (At the Kingsborough Ball #3)
Author: Sophie Barnes
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: 29 July 2014

Sophie Barnes does it again in this sizzling Regency-set romance where anything can happen at the Kingsborough Ball...

Lucien Marvaine never thought he was good enough for Katherine. As the younger son of an earl, he didn't have a title or prospects. Then fate steps in and gives him a second chance, and this new Earl of Roxbury is determined to make the beautiful Kate his own . . . one touch . . . one kiss at a time.

Katherine never thought of herself as a temptress, certainly not with Lucien. Why, she's known him almost all her life! Yet as she waltzes in Lucien's arms at the Kingsborough Ball, she can't help but be drawn to him. Has he always been this hard and masculine? And where did those dimples come from? Kate is not looking for a husband . . . but how can she not surrender to Lucien's charms when love is at stake?

Review

Lucien has been in love with Katherine since they were children, but he never felt that he could give her what she deserved as the second son. When Lucien leaves for the Continent, Kate marries another man and the two have little contact over the years. When Lucien returns, he is now the Earl of Roxbury and Kate is a widow, giving him the perfect chance to woo her and finally marry the woman he's loved for years. Unfortunately, various circumstances get rather in the way of said wooing- not to mention the fact that Kate has very little intention of ever marrying again.

I liked both Kate and Lucien. Kate had an unhappy marriage which tore down her self-confidence, but she's happier now with her daughter and intends for it to remain just the two of them. Whilst I sympathised with Kate, she could be very stubborn. I'd have melted in the face of Lucien's seduction much earlier.
Lucien is very sweet and I loved that his heart had been so steadfast in its devotion to Kate. His attempts at courtship don't exactly go to plan but eventually his determination pays off!

Kate and Lucien had great chemistry, which proves rather troublesome for Kate since she is determined to recover her comfortable friendship with Lucien. I also enjoyed watching Lucien and Kate rebuild that previous friendship and seeing Lucien gain Kate's trust.

I loved the twists and turns in the story and the resolution to the mystery that runs throughout about the shooting at the Kingsborough Ball. This is a very sweet and emotional second-chance romance. Yet another reason why Sophie Barnes is one of my go-to authors!

*I received a review copy from the publisher, via Edelweiss, for my honest opinion. Thank you!