Seven Secrets of Seduction Book

UPDATE: December 2016 ' new rating: 4 stars
Reread and enjoyed (almost just) as much as the first time! Lowered rating from 4.5 to 4. Such a terrific read, but I have to admit that sometimes, it seems like Mallory is trying way too hard to write flowery and pretty prose'so much so that I finish the sentence or paragraph or page and have no idea what the f*ck I just read lolol. I hate to say it, but it's true!! I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person, so I really don't think it's me. So over-the-top; don't know how I wasn't bothered by this previously the first time I read it, because it drove me absolutely nutso this time around.

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~ A *must-read* with a wonderful story, two complex leading characters, and sizzling chemistry (4.5 stars) ~

[1820 - London, England:]
This is my first book by Anne Mallory and *oh my lord* - what a book it was!!! For some reason, Mallory's other books have never appealed to me and/or I haven't gotten around to reading them yet, but the premise of Seven Secrets of Seduction sounded interesting so I took a chance and pre-ordered it from Amazon. I am unbelievably glad that I did! The book starts off with an utterly delightful first encounter between the hero and heroine that will put a silly grin on your face, leave you reeling and wondering, and have you anxiously awaiting their next battle of wits.

Miranda Chase and Maximilian, Viscount Downing are interesting, complex, imperfect, drastically in need of love (and both very lovable), so easy to root for, and basically just all-around fabulous. Miranda is a shopgirl in her uncle's bookstore who has wonderful dreams of travel and excitement, yet finds herself unable to reach for the real thing and instead relying on books as a substitute. Max is Mr. Bad Boy in society, always featured in the gossip pages along with his scandal-prone family, and is unbearably mysterious, dangerous, and attractive. The book is essentially about these two characters becoming who they were "meant to be" and revealing their "true selves" (enough corny phrases for you?). Each sees the unbelievable potential in the other, though they are unable to see it in themselves, until their complicated friendship and then unexpectedly intense love opens their eyes.

The supporting characters are engaging and multi-dimensional (Miranda's friend Georgette is hysterical!), though Mallory does a good job of focusing on Miranda and Max and not throwing in needless distractions. There is no errant madman-murderer on the loose, no random kidnapping in the last chapter, no evil blackmailer who knows some horrible family secret. I found all of this a nice change from most historicals and thought it made the romance and character development of the hero and heroine all that more fleshed-out and enjoyable. Despite there being no mystery subplot in this book, there are unexpected twists and turns and they are all very well-written and orchestrated. My only complaint is that the ending was a little too abrupt and could have used a few more pages or an epilogue.

Writing about the chemistry in this book is unbelievably complicated, because the entire thing is absolutely sizzling ... yet they don't kiss for the first time till p194 - more than halfway through the book!! Nonetheless, your fingers will literally be singed by the pages right from the get-go and you'll be fanning yourself with whatever you can find handy, lol. Writing as a reader who *hates* romances where the attraction is instantaneous or we hear on and on from the first page about how much they lust after each other like crazy, I have to say that Mallory has done an exquisite job here. The book is fraught with sexual tension, yet it is never exaggerated or gratuitous, but rather very playfully and skillfully done.

One aspect of Seven Secrets of Seduction that was unusual for the genre was that the first half - if not more - of the book was mostly told from Miranda's perspective; the first time we hear Max's thoughts are on p119. Unlike in Candace Camp's novels, where I have found this is almost universally the case, it was not at all detrimental here. Quite the opposite in fact, as it brings the reader along for Miranda's ride and makes us feel just as unbalanced and unsure, yet excited, as she does. Max is increasingly revealed to us as the book progresses and the more we begin to see his true character, through both Miranda's perceptive observations and the passages written from his POV, the more wonderful, intriguing, and sigh-worthy he becomes.

Basically, I urge you to run to your nearest bookstore or put your mouse on "Add to Cart" and grab your credit card - this book is not one to miss and I absolutely cannot wait to read it again in the future!

Secrets Series
Book 1 - Seven Secrets of Seduction
Book 2 - One Night Is Never Enough
Book 3 - In Total Surrender

Recommendations
Books similar to this one or that I think you'll enjoy if you like Seven Secrets include:
- And Then He Kissed Her (Girl-Bachelor Series, Book 1) by Laura Lee Guhrke, 5 stars
- Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran, 5 stars
- Thunder and Roses (Fallen Angels Series, Book 1) by Mary Jo Putney, 5 stars
- One Moonlit Night by Samantha James, 5 stars

(Written on May 28, 2010)