Seduce Me at Sunrise (The Hathaways #2)

by Lisa Kleypas

book data

515 ratings, 3.95 average rating, 87 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		33%
4		38%
3		20%
2		7%
1		0%

edit

published

October 1st 2008 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 360 pages

characters

Winnifred Hathaway, Kev Merripen

setting

The United Kingdom

isbn

0312949812 (isbn13: 9780312949815)

description

He has tried hard to forget her.

Kev Merripen has longed for the beautiful, well-bred Winnifred Hathaway ever since her family rescued him ...more

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | compare prices…

new topic
discuss this book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Next Best Boo...: The Last Letter Game	1133	905	2 hours, 20 min ago
Alpha Heroes &...: * Watcha readin'??	180	199	1 day ago, 11:16AM
75 Books 2009: Jackie's 75 Book Challenge	52	107	4 days ago, 07:01PM
Romance Readers R...: Nikki's Reading List	17	69	4 days ago, 07:53AM

friend reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

My Favourite Historical Romance

171 books | 139 voters

Best books of 2008

876 books | 3303 voters

More lists...

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 719)

sort: default (?) | date
filters: all | text-only

08/13/08

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-reads

Read in October, 2008

I still have a sappy smile on my face! "Seduce Me at Sunrise" is one of the best historical romances I've read this year starring one of the most tortured heroes. This 2nd book in Lisa Kleypas' 'Hathaways' series brings us the story of the wild Rom boy, Kev Merripen, and his journey to love with Winnifred Hathaway.

Winnifred has loved Kev since the day he came into her home when she was still a young child. Her understanding and care of the feral boy hasn't made living wi...more

Like this review? yes (12 people liked it)

9 comments

06/17/08

Daisiemae rated it:

bookshelves: books-read-in-2008, books-to-i-will-never-part-with, historical, queuemyreview-books, series-romance

recommended to Daisiemae by: www.queuemyreview.com
recommends it for: My friends who love a great romance. Whew this was a great one!

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
It has been years since I have read a Lisa Kleypas novel. I admittedly get stuck on a certain type of genre at times, and honestly stopped reading historical novels for a while. When I had the opportunity to read Seduce Me at Sunrise I jumped at the chance. Knowing that I have loved Lisa’s books in the past, I wondered if the magic was still there. It is. I had forgotten the lyrical way she tells a story. I forgot her addictive s...more If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
It has been years since I have read a Lisa Kleypas novel. I admittedly get stuck on a certain type of genre at times, and honestly stopped reading historical novels for a while. When I had the opportunity to read Seduce Me at Sunrise I jumped at the chance. Knowing that I have loved Lisa’s books in the past, I wondered if the magic was still there. It is. I had forgotten the lyrical way she tells a story. I forgot her addictive storylines and her unbelievably tortured, sexy heroes…what was wrong with me? I am so glad I read this book. I simply loved every moment of it.

Kevin Merripen has loved Winnifred Hathaway since they were kids. Abandoned by his gypsy clan, and rescued by the Hathaway’s he has always thought of himself not good enough for her, but he feels he must protect her from any pain and suffering that may come her way. Winnifred has always loved Kevin. Strong and silent, he gives her comfort with his quiet presence and fills her nights with unrequited longing.

When Winn catches scarlet fever Kev is devastated. Afraid he might lose her, he nurses over her day and night. When her condition worsens, he remembers a remedy from his clan, and administers it to her. When Winn starts to recover, the bond between them grows even deeper. But, Winn has become weak from the fever and never fully recovers. Weak bodied, and not wanting Kev to settle on half a life with her, she knows she must do what she can to become healthier if she is ever to have Kevin’s love. When she hears about a Doctor that is practicing alternative medicine, this gives her hope to become better and be the woman she wants to be with Kev.

Kev does not Winn to go. She is his light in the darkness he calls his life. After refusing his wishes for her to stay, he becomes ever more withdrawn and surly in her absence. As the years go by, Winn writes Kev, but he only writes her back once. Frustrated by Kev’s lack of communication she starts getting more involved with the handsome Doctor who helped her with her almost full recovery. When she arrives home, she is surprised by the dangerousness and loneliness that surrounds Kev. Even with the Doctor’s affection, Winn cannot forget the man she loves and the man she refuses to live without, so she decides to fight for him and what they can have together.

What can I say about this book? Kev and Winn are a couple I loved to read about, I absolutely adored the Hathaway family! Not only is Seduce Me a Midnight the love story, but it is a story about survival and recovery from loss of loved ones and the determination it takes to have a happy life. Winn is a heroine that is smart, stubborn and knows how to fight to get her man. I can honestly say that most of the time I don’t like the heroines that I read about, but Winn is definitely a character that I cheered on and would like to call myself friends with. I cried with her, I cheered with her and I loved every romantic moment in this book. I truly hated for it to end, and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

Seduce me at Sunrise can be read as a stand alone book. It is actually the second in the Hathaway series. Mine til Midnight is the first book in this series. Although, honestly I haven’t read Mine til Midnight yet, (I ordered it and will remedy that immediately), I had absolutely no trouble understanding the storyline and was able to follow along without any problems.

Seduce Me at Sunrise has opened my eyes. Not only has it earned a coveted place on my crowded keeper shelf, I have re-discovered one of my favorite authors Lisa Kleypas. If you love a well told beautiful romance with a brooding, sexy hero and a super smart heroine, this book is for you! For more information on the Hathaway series and other books written by Lisa Kleypas, please visit her website at: www.lisakleypas.com (less)

Like this review? yes (10 people liked it)

8 comments

11/13/08

Eastofoz rated it:

Book 2 in the Hathaways is better than book 1 but not great like some of her other series. The writing is very good as usual, she has an incredible talent for bringing words to life without being flowery or “over-writing” a scene especially when it comes to describing the setting, and the steam is steamy but you have to wait a while to get to it and the getting there gets frustrating (not in a good way either). This latest installment didn’t really get me to care that much for Kev and Wi...more

Like this review? yes (6 people liked it)

10 comments

10/07/08

Isis FG rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, author--lisa-kleypas, info--full, reviewed, romance--historical-england, z2008-july-dec

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Isis FG by: continuation of a series

I think I'm one of the few people who like Mine Till Midnight better than this book! Not that I thought this book was bad or anything. Far from it. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but for whatever reason, I just like the first book in this series better.

I'll skip over doing a more in depth summary since plenty of other people have done that...

The storyline/romance for Seduce Me At Sunrise was set up in the previous book...a sort of forbidden love between Win and Merripen. I...more

Like this review? yes (5 people liked it)

2 comments

04/26/08

Tammy rated it:

bookshelves: 2008--reads, historical-romance, keepers, lisa-kleypas

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: East, Auntee, Azurehearts, Julie and Kathrynn - anyone who enjoys a good, historical romance

Kev Merripen was taken in by the Hathaway family after he was beaten in an attack on his tribe and left for dead. Merripen almost immediately has a special connection with the Hathaway's third child, Winnifred. The sound of Win's voice has the ability to calm and soothe the restless gypsy boy as he is lying on his death bed. Merripen silently adores Win and grows to love her (from a distance). However, he refuses to reveal his true feelings as the years pass, determined to deny his own happiness...more Kev Merripen was taken in by the Hathaway family after he was beaten in an attack on his tribe and left for dead. Merripen almost immediately has a special connection with the Hathaway's third child, Winnifred. The sound of Win's voice has the ability to calm and soothe the restless gypsy boy as he is lying on his death bed. Merripen silently adores Win and grows to love her (from a distance). However, he refuses to reveal his true feelings as the years pass, determined to deny his own happiness because of his dark past.

In the last book, Mine Til Midnight, we see that Win suffered from Scarlet Fever as a teenager, shortly after her parents die. The disease leaves her sickly and fragile. In the beginning of this book, Win leaves for a radical health clinic in France, determined to become stronger. Before she leaves, she reveals her true feelings to Merripen. Hurt that she is leaving and determined to hold onto his past, Merripen stupidly rejects her.

Win returns from France three years later, healthier, stronger and more robust. Without giving away any spoilers, I have to say that I love the way that Win and Merripen reunite after her return to London. While I have always enjoyed Lisa Kleypas's books, I have never really found them to be humorous. Seduce Me At Sunrise has humorous moments, most of them involving the Hathaway's brother, Leo. (Look for his criticism of Merripen's only letter to Win during her three year absence!)

Merripen is probably the most tortured hero I have ever read about. (East, I guarantee you'll love him!) Kleypas takes angst to new levels in this book. And while Winn may be a fragile, sickly creature, she is strong in spirit and does not fit the TSTL profile of most heroines. I also enjoyed reading the back story of the Hathaway family - if this has been included in the first book, I might have appreciated it even more!

Secondary characters include Cam Rohan, Amelia, a new family governess and the Hathaway sisters. I loved Cam's part in this book and the dialogue he shares with Merripen, but again, I can't give anyway any spoilers.

I think it was KarLynP who referred to Seduce Me at Sunrise as a big improvement over Lisa Kleypas's last book - Mine Til Midnight. I agree 100% and then some! I LOVED this book. In fact, I devoured it in just a matter of hours and plan to re-read it. I highly recommend this one!
(less)

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

5 comments

10/13/08

Christel rated it:

bookshelves: 2009-reads, lisa-kleypas

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: any historical reader

Have you ever rea da book that totally involves you inthe story and characters? I could not put this one down. I fell in love with Win. Although she looks fragile and has been sick she has an inner strength that is remarkable. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was Kev. Sometimes I just wanted to slap him and tell him to wake the hell up. But it was a great story and cannot wait till the rest of the series is published

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

3 comments

07/01/08

Pamela rated it:

bookshelves: historical-romances, keepers

Read in October, 2008

Very pleasantly surprised that I liked it so well. I haven't read anything by Ms. Kleypas that was bad but the previous book "Mine Til Midnight" didn't WOW me like many of hers do.

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

3 comments

10/22/08

Lauren rated it:

I wasnt' sure how I'd like this book after meeting Kev and Win in Mine Until Midnight (which I absolutely adored). I shouldn't have worried. Kleypas walks a wonderful line between angst, societal realities regarding race and class and terrible longing.

Kev and Win have loved each other since they were children but he knows he can't have her. She's white, the sister of a titled noble and he's Rom. He loves her so much he resists her, pushing her away even though he wants nothing else ...more

Like this review? yes (3 people liked it)

add a comment

09/30/08

Cherise rated it:

bookshelves: historical-romance

Read in October, 2008

I get all mushy and gushy for a great forbidden love story and this one was excellent. A completely tender tale with just enough tragedy and heat to make the struggle to happily ever after interesting and plenty of romance and real love to make me wistful and a little weepy. I blazed through this book in a day, and it’s not a short one… But every page made me compelled to read the next and the next. The Hathaway clan is more intriguing as they continue to grow and evolve and I am schoolgi...more

Like this review? yes (4 people liked it)

2 comments

06/03/08

Sara rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, books-i-own, romance

Read in October, 2008

The verdict: TOTALLY HOT! Hahahaha.... Seriously though... YUMMMMM!!

ANYWAY, I really really liked this book. I was already invested in the characters after Mine Till Midnight, so of course I hated Dr. Harrow from page 1 (or HIS page one, anyway). The back of the book describes Harrow as "an attractive, seductive suitor". I remember zero seductiveness, just FYI. He's good looking, or whatever... but geez... NO, THANK YOU!

Merripen, on the other hand just O...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

2 comments

08/27/08

KarLynP rated it:

bookshelves: read-2008

Read in October, 2008

recommends it for: Kleypas fans, steamy historical fans

A wonderful story. Win and Merripen were a great couple, and their story was fun and steamy in that traditional Kleypas style. This book is a big improvement from the previous book (Mine Till Midnight) which I did not like. Win could easily be one of my favorite Kleypas heroines as she was likable, smart, and best of all was willing to take risks without ever pulling a single TSTL moment. The rest of the Hathaways came across as more likable too, even the brother Leo who I loathed in the first b...more

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

add a comment

11/30/08

Eleanor rated it:

Read in December, 2008

recommends it for: Lovers of Romance

Another keeper for my Kleypas bookshelf!

Confessions of a school librarian - I read light romantic historical fiction! Strong brave ladies - with a penchant for getting into trouble - and dark heroes who have a tendency to rescue the lady but usually both people have baggage from their pasts. Hmmmm, kinda reminds me of a certain "second life".

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

02/18/09

Juliet rated it:

Read in February, 2009

I really enjoyed this book with the cooky Hathaways and who doesn't love not one but two sexy half gypsies. I liked Kev. I liked how tortured yet how in love he was with Win. I liked that Win's brother (who was grief stricken and considered a scoundrel) had to get Kev out of jail and admit to his own demons. It was a very touching scene. I liked that Win, now that she was healed was determined to live her life on her own terms. It was a really good book with nice tension and nice familiar, funny...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

01/09/09

Michelle rated it:

bookshelves: historicalfiction, romance

Read in December, 2008

This story begins just after the ending of Mine Till Midnight. Win has left for the clinic to make herself better and Kev is utterly devastated to be without her. Time warp forward two years and Win returns healthy (for the most part) and anxious to hear about Kev who was silent during those years. Kev has turned hard without Win, but when he sees her the old feelings come back. Naturally, there is another love interest involved as Win is a beauty. Secrets are finally told and much drama ensues....more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

05/17/09

Dianne rated it:

bookshelves: fiction, historical, romance, set-in-uk

Read in March, 2009

I went through different stages of my feelings towards this book, depending where I was in the story. In the beginning the hero Kev Merripen was annoying. He was bitter and walked around with one of the biggest chips on a shoulder I've ever seen. It was so big I could see it a mile off! I did not understand why Win was in love with this very distrusting and bitter man. Despite this I was enjoying the story. After a few more chapters I was sick and tired of Merripen and his attitude and seriously...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

02/01/09

Kim rated it:

It's hard to put into words how much I loved this book. It's the kind of romance I would give to people who thought the genre was full of crap. I enjoyed the first five books of this series (4 Wallflowers then 1st Hathaway), but I wasn't anxiously awaiting the story of Win and Kev. I was very worried that Win would be no more than the saintly, fragile romantic heroine archetype. I should have trusted Kleypas's skill more (especially after reading her most recent contemporary Blue-Eyed Devil)...more It's hard to put into words how much I loved this book. It's the kind of romance I would give to people who thought the genre was full of crap. I enjoyed the first five books of this series (4 Wallflowers then 1st Hathaway), but I wasn't anxiously awaiting the story of Win and Kev. I was very worried that Win would be no more than the saintly, fragile romantic heroine archetype. I should have trusted Kleypas's skill more (especially after reading her most recent contemporary Blue-Eyed Devil).

Win proves to be a tough chick who knows what she wants and is willing to do anything to get it. And she wants Kev. Kev is so like many of Kleypas's tortured heroes...dark, fierce and wounded. Kev and Win's romance was beautiful, but what will stay with me about this book is how Kleypas has taken two characters in Cam and Kev and shown how our identity is shaped by more than the circumstances of our birth (though that's important, too!). Kleypas creates true fairy tales with all of the cliches but she always writes them in such fresh, heartfelt and humorous ways. I teared up a little and laughed out loud many times (Beatrix's backgammon comment was priceless). Kleypas really isn't given credit for being such a witty writer within the genre...most focus on her trademark tortured heros. She has mastered the sardonic wit and the situation comedy of a large family.

And I love this family! I absolutely love the Hathaways and the set up for the next story with Leo and the mysterious Miss Marks was so good I don't even know if it can live up to my expectations.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Though the appearance of the grandfather at the end was pretty predictable, I was very glad to notice that Kleypas mentioned that he was Anglo-Irish and I was hoping that there would be a long lost half-brother of the hero so that they could romance Poppy or Beatrix in a later story, but alas only three half-sisters. The fact that Kleypas mentioned these three half-sisters makes me wonder if their story will be yet a third "series" within the Wallflower world, after the original Wallflowers and the Hathaways. It actually would be nice to see more of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy in historical romances. One book at a time and I guess we'll see! (less)

Like this review? yes

add a comment

03/16/09

Jessie rated it:

bookshelves: romance

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in March, 2009

recommends it for: no one

This book was painful to read. The story felt like it was dragging its feet and I didn't feel anything for the characters.

It took me awhile to figure out "Kev" and "Merripen" are the same person because the names were used interchangeably in the very first part of the book without any explanation. A few chapters in, you find out that as a Gypsy, he isn't allowed to share his first name with anyone other than other Gypsies, so everyone calls him by his last name, ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

08/19/08

Addicted2Luv rated it:

recommends it for: Lisa Kleypas fans

Loved this book. I won't give a summary because others have done that very well. The hero and heroine were so good together. Enjoyed the interaction between Cam and Kev. Love those sexy Gypsy men!

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

06/03/08

AzuresHeart rated it:

Read in October, 2008

I love Kev... i wanted to bop him on the head for his stubborness but his true commitment and love was just so endearing.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

2 comments

11/24/08

Violet rated it:

bookshelves: fav-s, i-own

Lisa Kleypas is a New York best selling author and she has more than 19 books published.
The only question I want to ask after reading her book ‘Seduce me at sunrise’ is ‘Where were you for so long?’

Seduce me at sunrise is the second book in the series.
Although i like to read books in the order they are published, I make an exception for romance books. It really doesn’t matter, does it?

Okay, so onto the premise.
Win and Kev Merripen have known ea...more