Another well written romantic tale that is everything a love story should be…

This third book in Sarah Maclean’s Love by Numbers series is bold, emotional, and takes the reader on a sensual adventure that will make your breath catch and little butterflies swarm your stomach. It is everything I wanted Juliana’s story to be and I am once again reminded why is a force to be reckoned with in the historical romance genre. I strongly suggest that you read the other two books in this series – Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake and Ten Ways to be Adored when Landing a Lord. Both books are permanent fixtures on my book shelf and you will be introduced to the two fantastic lead characters in this final book.

The reader first meets Juliana Fiori, the young half-sister of our hero’s, Nick and Gabriel from the first two books, in the first story in the series. Juliana has come from Italy with a dislike for the stringent rules of English society and a rebellious bent that gets her in trouble and in the gossip sheets time and time again. When she meets Simon, she thinks that she has finally found someone who can care about her as a person and not see her as a scandal waiting to happen. But Simon is not who he seems and is in fact the notorious Duke of Distain, Simon Pearson the Duke of Leighton. He is well known for his strict adherence to propriety and wants nothing to do with Juliana once he discovers who she really is. Throughout the series, Simon and Juliana butt heads until finally they get their chance at love.

In this book, Juliana pits herself against the duke in an attempt to prove to him that what they once felt for each other is more powerful than his need to be scandal free. Simon, for his part, can’t stop thinking about Juliana. But his family has a secret that will destroy them all and the last thing he needs is to be linked to a scandal hungry girl when the cards are laid on the table and only his reputation can save his family. He sets out to prove to Juliana that living a life in society doesn’t have to be boring but that she must play by the rules. However, they both find love closing in quick and neither is ready for the havoc it wreaks on their lives.

I fell in love with Juliana when she was introduced to me in the first book. I love her spirit and desire to be different. She may appear to be strong with a devil-may-care attitude but she is secretly insecure and terrified of ending up like her flighty mother who abandoned her and her brothers. Juliana’s depth as a character and her vulnerability make her one of my favorite heroines.

Simon ticked me off many times as I read this book. He is so rigid and firm on his stance of propriety, I want to smack the boy. He is the typical strong, arrogant aristocrat yet his sensuality just gives the reader the shivers! But he finally sees the light and I respect that he is smart enough to know when his goose is cooked and he goes with the flow. I wouldn’t say that he is my favorite hero but he is definitely appealing.

The plot is very strong in this book as are the many characters – a few of which the reader will have met in other books. I really enjoy Sarah’s witty writing style and the way she totally sucks the reader into her vision of regency England. She is an absolute delight to read.

The love scenes are emotionally charged and heated which fits right in with the way Sarah has written Juliana and Simon’s love story.

Overall, this book was a fantastic read and it will definitely find its place on my bookshelf with Sarah Maclean’s other wonderful books. I highly, highly recommend this book!

~ Danielle