Tempt Me at Twilight (The Hathaways, #3)

Jan 20, 2011

Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* rated it

Shelves: romance-historical, series, author-lisa-kleypas, reviewed, owned-read, favourites

(4.5 Stars - Edit: Revised on further consideration to 5 Stars)

I really enjoyed Harry and Poppy’s story. But I did feel there was a little something missing, hence the 4.5 Stars. (Edit: But now in looking back, I can't bear not to give 5 Stars to each and every Hathaway book, so while I acknowledge there was a little something "missing", I loved it and will definitely read it again!)

I especially loved how the description of Harry Rutledge conjured images of Rich...more

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Jan 03, 2010

Dina rated it

Shelves: historical-romance, dik, to-blog

What can I say? I just love Lisa Kleypas's writing and, as far as I know, she can do no wrong. Okay, I haven't read all her backlist yet, but almost everything I've read so far was excellent. The only exception was Mine Till Midnight, but even so it was good enough and definitely worth reading.

Poppy Hathaway is in London for her third season and, as it has become usual, she's staying with her family at the Rutledge Hotel. As the story opens, she's chasing her sister Beatrix's ferret,...more

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Jun 24, 2010

Shawna rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of Kleypas & anyone who loves a wonderful historical romance

Shelves: historical-romance, lisa-kleypas, historical-romance-victorian, series-hathaways, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, favorite-romance-series, heroine-odd-spinster-wallflower, heroine-naïve-virgin-like-a-virgin, hero-commoner-self-made, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorites, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-alpha‎, hero-antihero-gamma, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-cad-rake-rogue‎-scoundrel, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, heroine-i-adore, i-read-own-faves-keepers, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, made-me-cry, married-couples-married-convenience, revenge-deception-secrets, 2010-reads, best-top-favorites, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, animals-matter, hh-sweet-nice-paired-vs-gruff-cynic, best-faves-of-2010, 5-stars-or-higher, hero-redeems-himself-reformed, hero-brooding, hero-daddy-warbucks-wealthy, love-triangle-vying-courtships, hh-big-constant-misunderstandings, hh-rags-to-riches, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, hero-besotted-so-smitten-its-sexy, best-wittiest-banter-dialogue, controversial-memorable-event-scene, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, hero-bad-guy-ruthless-villainous, a-all-time-fave-hero, a-all-time-fave-heroine, hero-entrepreneur-mogul-tycoon, a-all-time-best-of-best-fave-dik

5++ stars – Historical Romance

“Her chances of a decent marriage were about to be dashed-and all because of a ferret.” And thus begins the wonderfully romantic third installment in the saga of the eccentric Hathaway family, Tempt Me At Twilight.

Poppy Hathaway loves her quirky family, but she yearns for a conventional, quiet, normal, stable, peaceful, predictable, albeit boring, life. She believes wholeheartedly that she’s found her true soul’s desire in her beloved Mich...more

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Jun 28, 2010

DarienMoya rated it

Shelves: historical-romances, 2010-reads, fave-books-of-2010

PURE TEMPTATION!!!

The Hathaway's are back and better than ever. This is the third instalment of this quirky, fun and unconventional family,that everywhere they go a scandal follows. This is one is about Poppy the intelligent and beautiful sister who is in London searching for a husband. The hunt is on!

Harry Ruthledge is an enigma in London everyone wants to know who is, where he’s from. Not everyone is privy to that information and that’s how he wants to keep it. He i...more PURE TEMPTATION!!!

The Hathaway's are back and better than ever. This is the third instalment of this quirky, fun and unconventional family,that everywhere they go a scandal follows. This is one is about Poppy the intelligent and beautiful sister who is in London searching for a husband. The hunt is on!

Harry Ruthledge is an enigma in London everyone wants to know who is, where he’s from. Not everyone is privy to that information and that’s how he wants to keep it. He is a famous Hotelier a very rich business man . He keeps everyone at a distance so they wont get too close. So in other words he is a very lonely man, not something he would admit to but its clear for everyone to see. There is only one person who lights his fire and that is Poppy Hathaway. This strong willed independent woman needs a strong man who can appreciate her for who she is, and Harry feels he is just the man. Seems her heart is set on someone else, and Harry will have to use every under handed trick in his book to have her even if she ends up hating him.

Poppy knows she scares men away because she tends to chatter away and bring up subjects that are inappropriate, plus she is intelligent. No man wants an intelligent wife its just not done. So Poppy is in love with a Michael Bayning and he is going to offer for her, he just needs to convince his father that she is his perfect match. You see no one wants a Hathaway as a member of the aristocrat because of the scandals and two of her sisters are married to gypsies. So said proposal does not go through and in sweeps Harry who charms a very sad Poppy and leads her into one great big scandal. So in order for them to diminish the scandal a wedding needs to happen pronto. So Poppy is now getting to a man she hardly knows and has no idea if she even likes him. Love matches are for fairytales and marriages of convenience is the norm.

This marriage is built on lies and both Harry and Poppy have to come to trust each other and then will they realize that they are perfect together. Lets say that the rest of Poppy’s family did not like the scheming way Harry made Poppy his and they let him know it. Which was hilarious, there’s nothing like having two gypsies threatening your life. The ending was very anticlimactic which I expected more but it doesn’t take anything away from the book. So a woman who has always known love teaches a man who has never had it.

I love Lisa Kleypas she knows how to write a ruthless bastard, plus the Hathaway’s as a family is pure genius. They are funny and they just don’t give a damn about society’s norm of how they should be. Plus Beatrix is the funniest of the lot, the younger sister who loves animals and treats everyone she encounters as such, I can’t wait for her book. Even if you are not a fan of historical romances you will appreciate this series for what it is, a great and fun filled read and sexy men in breeches.(less)

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May 13, 2011

Juliana rated it

Shelves: historical-romance, 0-own-in-dead-tree-form, 0-reviewed, 2009-reads, 2009-sep-reads, best-romance-heroes-ever, 0-add-info, 2010-reads, 2010-jun-reads, 0-to-reread, all-time-best-romance-heroes-ever

A solid Kleypas read with a wonderful "villain" hero and another charming Hathaway sister (3.5 stars)

At last!! Another Kleypas novel - now we all just have to survive the wait for the story we've all been waiting for: Leo and "Marks" (or Catherine/Cat, which we learn in this novel is her first name). I completely agree with the reviewer Luckee that this book was definitely satisfying and enjoyable, but there was just a little something missing. Is it worth rushing o...more

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Mar 24, 2011

Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it

Recommends it for: historical romance fans, especially those who like a hero who needs "fixing"

Shelves: covers-to-covet, historical-romance, author-lisa-kleypas, books-i-own, books-i-go-rabid-over, my-hottie-harem, sex-me-up, the-hymen-club, read-in-2010

It has been a very long time since I picked something up that wasn’t paranormal. But Kleypas’ work makes the transition easy! I’ve only said this about one other author, but whenever I read Kleypas’ books, I don’t feel like I’m reading. Her writing is always so smooth and flawless and every single line flows beautifully. Tempt Me at Twilight is such an enjoyable read! I found myself laughing out loud at some of the lines in here. I need to read the other books!

A large part of the re...moreIt has been a very long time since I picked something up that wasn’t paranormal. But Kleypas’ work makes the transition easy! I’ve only said this about one other author, but whenever I read Kleypas’ books, I don’t feel like I’m reading. Her writing is always so smooth and flawless and every single line flows beautifully. Tempt Me at Twilight is such an enjoyable read! I found myself laughing out loud at some of the lines in here. I need to read the other books!

A large part of the reason why I enjoyed this book so much was because of Harry. Despite his deception and manipulation, Harry is such an interesting character. From the very beginning, I enjoyed his interactions with Poppy. But after his deception and efforts to make Poppy his wife, I will admit I was a little bit upset to know that he would go through such extremes to have her. It was romantic to know that he would do anything to have her, but I also felt sorry for Michael (even if he was a wuss). I think the reason why Harry was such an appealing character was because he always gets what he wants. And who am I to stop him? His ruthlessness makes him desirable to all females.

Poppy was such a great heroine to read about. She’s intelligent, funny, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I love the fact that her family is such a large part of her life. She finds comfort in them, but she is also able to stand on her own and still shine. I also adored the fact that she didn’t try to change Harry. Instead, she accepted him for who he was. Not once did she look at his childhood and grimace at his neglected upbringing that makes him so reserved. She accepts it and in turn accepts him, which seems to be a first for Harry. Poppy gives him the chance to be loved for the first time in his lonely life.

I also enjoyed the mocking and jabbing between Catherine and Leo. Together, they bicker and criticize each other and it’s downright entertaining to just read about them. I was so stunned to find out about Catherine’s relationship with Harry but in a good way.

Tempt Me at Twilight is a great read. The Hathaways series is one that I will keep reading and rave about. LK is truly gifted in what she does.

Favourite Quote:
The chef looked deeply concerned. “You think there’s a problem with his carrot?”
“Watercress, carrot – is everything food to you?” Jake demanded.
The chef shrugged. “Oui.”
“Well,” Jake said testily, “there is a string of Rutledge’s past mistresses who would undoubtedly testify there is nothing wrong with his carrot.”
“Alors, he is a virile man...she is a beautiful woman...why are they not making a salad together?”
Pg.203
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Jun 21, 2010

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* rated it

Recommends it for: Historical Romance Lovers

Shelves: 5-stars, author-lisa-kleypas, series-hathaways-kleypas, historical-romance, historical-romance-series, reviewed-by-me, abused-neglected, 2010-reads, animal-steals-the-show, starts-with-q-thru-t

Harry Rutledge was both a neglected child and an abused child. The only son of an aging hotelier, Harry wasn’t raised in a home where a youngster could run and play, laugh out loud and just be a kid. Even at 5 years old he knew the rules: The Guests come first. Stay out of sight. Don’t make any noise. Don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t…don’t… don’t. Is it any wonder that as an adult, Harry is so rigid, so disciplined and so aloof? One of the richest men in London and one of the most myste...more

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Dec 21, 2011

Erika rated it

Recommended to Erika by: Rizka Felyna Drogo

Shelves: historical, 5-stars-romance, heroes-to-die-for, great-time-laughing, favorite-authors, kindle

“I will never forget that you took away the man I loved and put yourself in his place. I’m not certain I can ever forgive you for that. The only thing I am absolutely certain of is that I will never love you. Do you still want to marry me?”
“Yes,” Harry said without hesitation. “I’ve never wanted to be loved. And God knows no one’s done it yet.”

My author Lisa Kleypas,
I'm sure everyone have already know how lovely your books are. But I must thank you for writing a book th...more

“I will never forget that you took away the man I loved and put yourself in his place. I’m not certain I can ever forgive you for that. The only thing I am absolutely certain of is that I will never love you. Do you still want to marry me?”
“Yes,” Harry said without hesitation. “I’ve never wanted to be loved. And God knows no one’s done it yet.”

My author Lisa Kleypas,
I'm sure everyone have already know how lovely your books are. But I must thank you for writing a book that made me laughed a lot, screamed a lot, made me held my breath and swept off my feet. It was one kind of a pleasure. May I say the main reason that made me almost looked like a crazy while I was reading it? It was because you has created a very, very cold-hearted and yet irresistible character named Harry Rutledge.

My hero Harry Rutledge,
What have you done?
You met Poppy Hathaway, few minutes later you kissed her, another minutes later you decided that she had to be your wife. Just like that? She was in love with another man and you just walked into her life, and did everything, even the worst, to made her yours.
Just like that and perhaps about 90% of romance readers who had read your story, fell in love with you. We were falling hard. Who could blame you? After you said that you wanted her more than anyone.
You had some very ruthless ways to get what you wanted. But you didn't lie to defend your self. You didn't walk away even though they rejected you. Behind that heartless mask you wore, the truth was you were a man who just afraid to love and afraid to be left. Who could blame you either? After we know what had happened to your childhood.
But you survived.
What a lucky woman Poppy was. All those things you said and done...
You were one of a kind.
There was one thing that I thought it shouldn't have happened to you. But still I loved your story and I was happy because Poppy was just perfect for you.

“I know I should apologize for coming between you and Bayning.”
“Yes, you should,” she said.
“I can’t. I’ll never be sorry about it. Because if I hadn’t done it, you’d be his now. And he only wanted you if it was easy for him. But I want you any way I can get you. Not because you’re beautiful or clever or kind or adorable, although the devil knows you’re all those things. I want you because there’s no one else like you, and I don’t ever want to start a day without seeing you.”

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May 01, 2011

Fani rated it

Shelves: romance-historical, 2010-purchase, best-of-2011, emotional, favorite-hero, hero-is-bad-boy, heroine-i-loved, in-lust-from-first-sight, keepers-romance, love-triangle, marriage-forced-or-convenience, unrequited-love, hero-is-ruthless, top-20-heroes, hero-is-jealous-possessive

Loved, loved, loved this one! What can I say? Much as I love a hero who'll fight his feelings till the very last page, I also adore those men who instantly recognize the right woman for them and do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to hold on to her.
Harry will always have a special place in my heart and I have absolutely no doubt that I'll be re-reading this one in the future.

Dare I say that I don't have much expectations for Leo's and Miss Marks' story? I'm very reluctant to pic...more

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Jan 08, 2010

Pamela(AllHoney) rated it

Shelves: favorites, desert-island-keepers, hr-regency-victorian, married-couple, hr-bluestocking-wallflower, tortured-hero

"In the fairy tale you mentioned last night, I would probably be the villain. But it's possible the villain would treat you far better than the prince would have." Harry

Harry was a prince in disguise as far as I'm concerned. He knew what he wanted and it was Poppy. And then he did whatever was necessary for Poppy to be his. Maybe not the smartest thing to do but...

I loved Dodger in this story. He was definitely a star.

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Sep 07, 2010

Auntee rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of Historical romance

Shelves: historical-romance, lisa-kleypas, part-of-a-series, 2010_reads

Ahhh....I don't even feel like writing a review for this one except to say "Move over Cam, and make room for Harry!"

I found out something about myself--I love a romance where the hero really needs for someone to love him, whether he realizes it or not. And handsome hotelier Harry Rutledge (early 30s), who both wanted and feared affection (due to a heartbreaking childhood)--he captured my heart. Yes, he started out as a manipulative, selfish devil, (the way he got Poppy ...more

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Oct 05, 2009

Rane rated it

Recommends it for: Fans of LK's Devil In Winter

Shelves: victorian-romance

Poppy Hathaway longs for a normal life, although she loves her very unconventional family, she wants something more stable and safe, when she falls in love with a man she thinks can bring her happiness, is heartbroken when he turns her away for his title which leads her into scandal and the arms of …
Harry Rutledge, who is a well-known ruthless hotel owner, known to always gets what he wants “always” and when he lays eyes on Poppy he knows he must have her at any cost but when th...more Poppy Hathaway longs for a normal life, although she loves her very unconventional family, she wants something more stable and safe, when she falls in love with a man she thinks can bring her happiness, is heartbroken when he turns her away for his title which leads her into scandal and the arms of …
Harry Rutledge, who is a well-known ruthless hotel owner, known to always gets what he wants “always” and when he lays eyes on Poppy he knows he must have her at any cost but when they marry they find they must learn to trust and break down their defenses to find the love their both have always seek…

As I started to read this, I was quickly drawn into the story, with deep shades of LK’s Devil of Winter written all over it. If anyone could turn a villain into a beloved hero, LK could and she does it with true style and grace with Harry.

Poppy is the only “normal” Hathaway, coming across as the kind caregiver of the family with a heart full of love and kindness. At first she comes across as narrow-minded in her views of love and what happiness is. She kept reaching for a safe haven in someone. She comes from her shelter when she’s heartbroken by her first love and then has to learn to trust as she falls in love with Harry. Because of her desire to want love and a safe marriage, Poppy was blinded by her first love and his faults. Harry opens her eyes to a bigger and better world, where she can have so much more.

Harry was a complex puzzle, a mechanical genius and ruthless hotel owner; he shows many sides, and keeping you guessing whom the real Harry is. I don’t think Harry even knew whom is really was. Always thinking and trying to have everything in his life in order, when things don’t go the way he wants he relies on the cold part of his mind to find a way to fix it or make it his.
I really loved Harry, when he wanted something he took it with both hands by hook or crook. Did I agree with what he did was right? I do. He knew Poppy’s first love didn’t have the balls to take Poppy and if he really loved her and wanted her, he would risk it all. Poppy’s first love was given many chances, but he didn’t take it and became a wimpy baby because he missed his chance.
If there was a man out there as hot as Harry who wanted me as much as Harry wanted Poppy- I tie myself up and tell him “take me away”
Harry was drawn to Poppy due to her brightest and kindness something he lacked in his own life, and as his defenses are torn down, he starts to move away from his past hurts, he becomes his true self and finds his heart along the way.

The love scenes are few and far between, but in LK fashion are built up to and she doesn’t disappoint, as they are pretty hot and steamy.

The Hathaway clan is still pretty pronounced through the story as Poppy turns to her family for advice and help. I loved the Hathaways and how tight knit they are and how they accept Harry into the family (even giving him some much needed advice along the way)

I felt what brought an overall awesome story down, what the sudden filler toward the end. If LK wanted a bigger word count, I feel leaving it out would have been better.
Also the cliffhanger, what was that?! It didn’t feel like LK at all, almost like she was forced to add this. I really didn’t care for it as it brought the overall story down. I wouldn’t have minded a seek peek into the next book, but a cliffhanger was just plain stupid IMO.

Overall: an wonderful story, with great leads but could have done without the sudden filler and cliffhanger
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Feb 22, 2010

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it

Recommends it for: Lisa Kleypas fans, Historical romance fans

Shelves: historical-romance, part-of-a-series, owned-copy, victorian, stalkerific-hero, ruthless-hero, favorite-or-autobuy-author, tortured-hero, marriage-by-manipulation, favorites, hero-to-die-for, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek, heroine-i-adore, family

What can I say about this book? After reading the last pages of this novel, at approximately 1 am, I set it down, knowing I couldn't possibly be ready to write a coherent review. Reviews are like soups or dishes with tomatoes and hearty seasonings. They should sit and rest, letting the spices and the tomato paste mingle together, so that the flavor can be maximized. Accordingly, I let myself ruminate in a bovine fashion about what I would write in my review of the latest historical by one of...moreWhat can I say about this book? After reading the last pages of this novel, at approximately 1 am, I set it down, knowing I couldn't possibly be ready to write a coherent review. Reviews are like soups or dishes with tomatoes and hearty seasonings. They should sit and rest, letting the spices and the tomato paste mingle together, so that the flavor can be maximized. Accordingly, I let myself ruminate in a bovine fashion about what I would write in my review of the latest historical by one of my favorite authors, over the far too short weekend.

First and foremost, Ms. Kleypas wrote yet another wonderful book that cements her place on my keeper and favorite author shelves. Secondly, she took a concept that I thought I was familiar with, but managed to surprise me, and keep me on my toes as I read. I thought I had this story all figured out, by some of the comments from my Goodreads friends, and in Amazon.com romance forum discussions, and my own preconceived notions based on the blurb, and what I know about how Ms. Kleypas writes books. But, I was still surprised.

Harry Rutledge: This is a hero that is very hard to define. At times, frankly, I disliked him. I thought, he's not a nice man. He's very cold, and he's ruthless. But I loved him, at the same time, for being all the things I mentioned. He is definitely a standout for me because of the complexity of his nature. And I loved how Ms. Kleypas was unstinting in showing Harry in the worst light possible. She didn't go the heavy-handed route, in steering us into loving him because he was the hero of the story. And I respect her for that. In fact, I am glad for the naturalistic approach she adopted. Because, as I read this story, the man that Harry is, deep down, the man he wants to be, shows through. And for that, I have to give this author a high five. Harry is a carefully engineered survivor. What he went through in his childhood is not even close to the worst I have read about in fiction. However, for this admitted idealist who believes children should be loved and cherished, valued and tended carefully like the creations of beauty and worth that they are, it was pretty awful for a child to suffer that way. Harry grew up priviledged, but he was neglected in all the ways that count. If that wouldn't make a social maladroit out of a person, I'm not quite sure what would. But, at the same time, Harry managed to make something of himself. He didn't become a shiftless dilettante who did nothing but drinking, fornicating, and spend other people's money. He became a brilliant inventor, businessman, and empire-builder. Even a few of his enemies respected him enough to name their children after him. To be able to do that, I have to respect him. He was a monolith of admantine will, but so vulnerable in some ways, that few were privy to. In truth, only Poppy, that I could perceive, reading this story.

When Harry Met Poppy: We all have defining moments in our lives. Harry had several. But the one that would change the course of his life irrevocably, was when he encountered Poppy. Ever wanted something so very much, the fierce desire for it burns like thirst in a parched throat? That's how Harry wanted Poppy. And that motivated him to do some very lousy things. In his mind, it was okay because Michael Beyning didn't deserve her. I think that he was right about the last part. Beyning didn't deserve a woman that he wouldn't fight for to all the heights and depths of his available resources. He barely even tried for her. And Harry's actions proved that. In medical terms, he performed an elective surgery that was more agressive than needed, but achieved results that no one could argue weren't successful. Yet, there were some significant side effects. For one, Poppy married him with the cold precision of a general going to war, and told him that she would never love him. Not the ideal way to start a marriage. Yet, in Harry's unfathomably analytical mind, he didn't care, because all he needed was her as his wife. The ends justified the means.

What does a man do with a wife? What does a wife do with a husband that didn't fit her expectations of the husband she always wanted? Harry and Poppy had to learn these things. He couldn't put Poppy into a little cubbyhole to take out and amuse himself at his limited leisure. He couldn't wind her up like an automaton. Poppy was a living, breathing, force of nature, that would settle for no less than what she deserved. At times, Poppy came off as immature, in a sense. Hanging onto a fairy tale dream of marriage. But, I had to admire her for sticking to her guns about what she would and would not tolerate from her husband. She needed to do that, because Harry was very used to getting exactly what he wanted, by using the powerful force of his personality, and threats, if necessary. And Poppy did show that she could compromise and surrender in the ways that were important to make a marriage work. It's about meeting each other half-way, and they both had to learn to do that. I liked the dynamic between them, how they danced around each other, getting to know each other as husband and wife. Although the circumstances are purely out of romantic fiction, I think that aspect of marriage is very true to life. A young couple has unrealistic expectations of what they will experience in marriage, and the first year is a wakeup call, as they realize that real life isn't as cut and dried. Marriage takes compromise, time and energy, and lots of communication. You could see this being played out between Poppy and Harry. This is one deeper level that took me by surprise, although, knowing Ms. Kleypas, it probably shouldn't. She writes extremely romantic stories, but there is always some degree of realism in the intricacies of interpersonal relations that play out in her stories. I think she writes married stories very well, but then, she's been married for a long time, so she probably draws on the bank of that experience to develop such a rich narrative.

Family, the Beauty of it: I realize that the Hathaway books aren't high on the list of some of Ms. Kleypas's fans. But, I love this series. It was like going to visit some friends in their family home, and seeing their family interactions, reading this book. So intensely familiar, and heart-warming. I was immersed in the love and the chaos that is the Hathaway family, which is ever-expanding. I got the opportunity to visit with some characters that I easily grew to love in prior books: Cam (he is such a show-stealer), Amelia (the mother hen), Beatrix (how adorable she is with her animals, and her sharply- perceptive understanding of human nature), Kev (intense and forthright, as always), Win (sweet, loving, and peaceful), Leo (who is really coming into his own, has a wonderful sense of humor, and a surprising strength of character that I love), and Catherine Marks (she is shaping up to be a very tortured character who has me very intrigued).

Rounding up my thoughts: Tempt Me at Twilight turned out to be a very satisfying but hard to define read for me. There is something seemingly basic about it, compared to some of Kleypas's other books, but complicated at the same time. This book really is a book about marriage, and about letting the fairy tales go, and embracing the beauty in what is real, and accepting that your destiny doesn't come in the pretty packages that you shop for. Also realizing that the pretty possession that you wanted so bad, comes with a cost, and takes an emotional price in return. I feel that this book presents a deeper message about how your destiny comes exactly the way it's supposed to, although it may take growth on your part, and the partner that fate has decreed for you, to fully realize the potential that is there. As usual, Ms. Kleypas nails the Victorian period with the beauty of an Impressionist painting, not heavy, bold strokes, but with a light, careful, bright, and dreamy touch, that is all the more captivating to me as a reader. The end of this book marks the beginning of the next arc of this story. I am full of some reservations, and fears that my gentle heart is going to face some anguish ahead. I have questions and theories that have been brought to life by the conclusion of this story, if you can call it that. I suppose I will have to remember the adage to all readers of series: Keep Reading. I trust that I will be in for another delightful reading experience if I am able to do exactly that.(less)

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Jul 16, 2010

Adwina Ralston DiNozzo rated it

Shelves: lisa-kleypas, historical-romance

bnernya ini bisa aja gw kasih 5 stars
tapi adegan Harry diculik itu menggelikan dan sangat ga penting
kalo tuh adegan ga ada, bakal gw kasih 5 kali
apalagi gw suka hero & heroinenya
Harry ksian bgt, masa kcilnya kesepian gtuh
untung bgt deh dy nemuin cewe kayak Poppy

suka bgt ama pertemuan pertamanya Harry ama Poppy.
gw sih ngebayangin si Harry tinggi, gede, rambut item
bertampang murung dan pastinya GUANTENG
kalo Poppy? pendek, mungil, dan cant...more

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Aug 23, 2011

Sophie rated it

Shelves: audio, romantic

Mrs Kleypas discovered a fool proof formula and now uses it in every book:
He is tall, dark, strong, and brooding with a difficult childhood, aversion to marriage and tons of sexual experience. She is beautiful, delicate, sensitive and different than other women and of course she never has any sexual experience whatsoever. The two usually have some animosity between them and their pairing always seems unlikely. Half of the story is spent on the two getting together and then, when they final...more

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Jul 12, 2010

Yaseena rated it

Shelves: romance, lk

***Amendment to original review***

I just recently re-read this one and liked it so much better than I did the first time around! It still isn't one of my favourite in the Hathaway series but it's definitely a 4 star read if not 4.5. I loved Harry so much better this time around. His cold, calculating and manipulative nature could have been off putting - as indeed it sort of was for me the first time around - but when I re-read it I found him so much more intriguing and charming. I also...more***Amendment to original review***

I just recently re-read this one and liked it so much better than I did the first time around! It still isn't one of my favourite in the Hathaway series but it's definitely a 4 star read if not 4.5. I loved Harry so much better this time around. His cold, calculating and manipulative nature could have been off putting - as indeed it sort of was for me the first time around - but when I re-read it I found him so much more intriguing and charming. I also loved Poppy so much more although I still love Win and Beatrix best!

All in all another great read from Kleypas...maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this story when I first read it a few years back.

**original review below**

I would rate this a 3.5 stars because honestly at this point I can't fully remember this story. I rushed out to get it the moment it arrived on bookshelves last year, and proceeded to delve into another Hathaway book. I've come to adore this series by Kleypas as much if not more than some of her others. But for whatever reason Poppy and Harry's story doesn't stand out in my mind as one of her best or one her most enjoyable. I remember liking the interactions between the h/h. Harry's often cold, highly calculated and high-handed manor was at times off putting but given his background you tend to nod and go along with it. Poppy - I always liked from previous books, but she was admitedly not one of my favourites. She was one of the only Hathaway's who had a real burning desire to fit into society and I think given the nature of this odd-ball family I was slightly annoyed by her persistance. She wanted so badly to be seen as "normal" in the eyes of the ton. I think maybe because her character had been a little less explored in previous Hathaway books and because her personality, unlike those of her brother and three sisters was slightly more bland I wasn't entirely predisposed to like Poppy. But - and this is a big but - I still enjoed the progression of the story, the build-up of tension - how could you not have tension when the hero is desperate for the heroine from the first moment he sees her, in fact he goes to great and somewhat underhanded lenghts to make her his wife, on the flip side you have the heroine who declares that she will be Harry's wife, but she will never love him! TENSION TENSION.

A good read, worth the money and a keeper. A book I plan to revisit in the near future. Maybe the second time around with a little more attention (which i didn't have the 1st time around reading it in the space of 2 days between big assignments)I will come to reevalute my original perception and maybe come to really love this book as much as I do the other 4 in the series!(less)

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Jul 13, 2010

Jasmine rated it

Shelves: historical-romance, lisa-kleypas

This book actually left me with mixed feelings, yet I can't bring myself to give anything less than 5 stars to a Lisa Kleypas book. When compared with any other romance novel, Tempt Me at Twilight definitely stands out as a worthwhile read, providing all that a romance reader needs; strong characters, a hunky hero, lovely heroine, sensible dialogues, entertainment, affection, passion, tension... still something felt missing that I can't exactly put my finger on. Maybe it's because I had a hard t...more

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May 30, 2010

Ridley rated it

Shelves: 3-star, victorian, read-2010, ebook

This book was a serious see-saw of a story. It swings wildly from two-star eye rolling moments to five-star bits of brilliant dialog.

The premise itself is solid Kleypas fare.

Poppy Hathaway is in love, and is loved back, but the object of her affection is the heir to a very old and very blue-blooded viscountcy. He's written her a flowery love letter declaring his love for her, but stressing that they must be discreet while he works to bring his father around to the idea ...moreThis book was a serious see-saw of a story. It swings wildly from two-star eye rolling moments to five-star bits of brilliant dialog.

The premise itself is solid Kleypas fare.

Poppy Hathaway is in love, and is loved back, but the object of her affection is the heir to a very old and very blue-blooded viscountcy. He's written her a flowery love letter declaring his love for her, but stressing that they must be discreet while he works to bring his father around to the idea of their marrying. Unfortunately, Poppy's sister's ferret has made off with this secret letter, and is running around the halls of the Rutledge hotel with it.

Harry Rutledge collides with Poppy as she chases the ferret down a passageway hidden behind a fireplace (Wealthy - check. Eccentric - check.) After a short acquaintance with her, showing her around his curiosities room where he keeps the automatons he makes along with gifts from around the world (Sophisticated and worldly - check. Intelligence in spades - check.), he decides he simply must have her. He then secretly pockets her love letter, schemes to force this suitor out of the picture, and manages to force her into marriage with him (Questionable morals - check. We've got a Byronic hero here, folks, lest the hamfisted imagery escape you.)

Much of the book, then, deals with Harry and Poppy as a married couple. She discovers his scheming before they marry, so she spends this time trying to reconcile her feelings for the man she likes but resents for betraying her. While she maintains her feelings towards the outmaneuvered suitor, she also acknowledges that he chose not to anger his father by eloping with her, and that Harry did put up the bigger fight. Still, she's not terribly turned on by having been fought over like meat then had her future all but decided for her.

Harry initially tries to win her over by lavishing money and gifts on her. Because of his traumatic upbringing, he is a stranger to love and so treats Poppy like a precious collectible and doesn't understand why it doesn't thaw her out. They bicker, they argue and you can cut the sexual tension with a knife.

The novel's problem is that it relies on a lot of shortcuts, like the Byronic hero template I mention above. We get pretty much all of Harry's tortured past divulged to us in two instances of dialog info dump, one when Cam confronts him over how he trapped Poppy in marriage and then much later when Miss Marks tells her supa sekrit tale of woe. The hotel staff offers marriage counseling with a smile and a wink. They were so underdeveloped that they congealed into a single character, one so cheerful that I expected them to break out in a Disney-esque song and dance number at some point. The secondary characters are fairly one-dimensional and exist only to move the plot or vomit bits of back story.

A kidnapping plot late in the book, where Harry is held against his will and Poppy ostensibly saves him, is downright baffling. I still can't figure out what that was all about. It wasn't to force one or both of them to acknowledge their feelings for each other, as they had just exchanged poignant "I love you" declarations beforehand. It just seemed to delay the end of the book.

All of the shortcuts, convenient plot massaging and relentless series baiting adds up to detract from what should have been the main event. Kleypas seemed to be writing Poppy's story out of duty, when she really wanted to be writing Leo and Miss Marks' story. Harry goes from regarding Poppy as an object to falling desperately in love with her, but we're never really shown why. Additionally, we're told about Harry, who he his and how he got to be that way, but I never felt that I got to see him acting out these traits the other characters assigned him. He's just a cardboard cutout with "brooding Byronic dude" scrawled in sharpie across the front of it.

I did enjoy reading the story Kleypas laid out for me, but I never really got to connect with and feel I knew the characters. There were brilliant bits of conversation or action here and there, but they were bogged down in an awful lot of telling and convenience. Sadly, this is not one of my favorites of hers.

Also, that epilogue was freaking retarded. Dumb ass cliffhangers like that are for soaps and kids' cartoons. Did not like.(less)

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Oct 20, 2009

Michelle rated it

Shelves: romance-historical, read-own, favorites, 2009

I just LOVED this book! Poppy and Harry were such an interesting couple, so different yet perfect for one another. Poppy is beautiful, intelligent, and talkative. She’s the kind of girl who needs to be surrounded by loved ones and be shown affection. Most men are a little intimidated with her straight forwardness approach on life. Harry Rutledge, rich hotelier, gives off the impression that he’s an intimidating, unlikable man when it reality he’s a man that just needs to be loved. He will never ...more

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Aug 17, 2010

Videlia Giuliani Hastings rated it

· review of another edition

KEREN

Asli... cerita Hathaways kali ini bener2 keren menurut gw... Bintang 5 gw kasiih...

Kagum sama Poppy.nya... terpesona sama Harry.nya... ternyata Tante LK bisa bngtz paduin pasangan ini dengan sempurna...

gax ada kata 'membenci' Harry karna dy berbuat 'licik' dalam cara mendapatkan Poppy... gax tw kenapa... tp mang dr awal cerita, gw udah suka sama Harry ini... apa lagi pas baca cerita dy kenapa dy kyk gt... Makiin demen gw...

pas Poppy sakit gara...more

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Jan 01, 2011

~♡♥♥♕♏46613♕♥♥♡~ rated it

Shelves: e-book, historical, sex-after-marriage, own

Harry bukanlah tipe laki2 baik yg gentleman, tp seorang laki2 yg menghalalkan segala cara demi mendapatkan sesuatu dan itu termasuk Poppy.

Dibentuk dari kecil yg kehilangan kasih sayang orangtuanya menjadikan Harry sinis dan tidak mempercayai cinta.

“I will never forget that you took away the man I loved and put yourself in his place. I’m not certain I can ever forgive you for that. The only thing I am absolutely certain of is that I will never love you. Do you still want t...more

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Nov 17, 2011

Aine rated it

Shelves: romance

Description from back of book:
He was everything she'd sworn to avoid. Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, though she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads her to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life, When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal - only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.

And she was everything he needed..
...more

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Jan 27, 2012

Amanda rated it

This is one of lowest ratings I have given a Kleypas book that I have actually finished. It makes me sad to do so, but nothing within me could honestly give more than 2 stars.

The story's synopsis is Poppy Hathaway is the compassionate, almost to a fault, member of her unconventional family. After three seasons in London society, she is still unmarried, but she has a hope that Bayning will propose to her despite his father's objections. That is until Harry Rutledge catches her lurkin...moreThis is one of lowest ratings I have given a Kleypas book that I have actually finished. It makes me sad to do so, but nothing within me could honestly give more than 2 stars.

The story's synopsis is Poppy Hathaway is the compassionate, almost to a fault, member of her unconventional family. After three seasons in London society, she is still unmarried, but she has a hope that Bayning will propose to her despite his father's objections. That is until Harry Rutledge catches her lurking about his hotel. In that moment the man who got everything he wanted set his sights on the sweet Poppy who wanted nothing more out of life but to be loved and live a life of peace. Ruthless and almost cruelly selfish he manipulates Bayning's father and Bayning himself so that Poppy will fall into his arms. And despite her family's objections, Poppy, for some unknown reason, accepts Harry's proposal.

There are several issues I have with this book. The first is that Harry is so cunning and manipulative he is almost disgusting. As striking and attractive Kleypas tried to make him, nothing can change how he used everything in his power to manipulate and bend her to his will. That kind of submissive/dominant behavior should be reserved for the bedroom only. The second issue I have is that Poppy in a desperate attempt to love her husband, as deeply as she loves her family has to sacrifice EVERYTHING she said she wanted out of life. She hates London, but lives in the hotel with Harry and acts happy about it. She can be shy and awkward, but suddenly after she's married she is popular and socialable. The third issue I have is that while Harry, admirably?, does want her to want intimacy, he arrogantly wants her to just bend to his will. He is such a man. He wants a willing warm woman, but wants her exactly how he wants her to be. That's not love! That's control. He cared very little for her pain, her loss of love, and being detached from her loving, affectionate family. She is so willing to be controlled it made me want to put the book down and not take another look at it. But since I paid money for it, I supposed I should get my couple bucks worth out of it. Bottom line, while I like the Hathaways (a lot), I didn't care for Poppy and Harry's love story. I liked them better in "Married by Morning". There Harry wasn't nearly as controlling and manipulative. Ruthless, yes, but not so selfishly cruel and demeaning. (less)

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Dec 27, 2011

Brittany rated it

Shelves: historical-romance

Book Three and I enjoyed it a great deal... it wasn't my favorite. I think it's because I really LOVED the beginning. SO much... then I really hated Harry, our Hero... SO much. He did redeem himself at the end but I was so disappointed in him as a person (which I know is so silly considering he isn't real!) -

Poppy was such a kind hearted character. She was dealt a crappy deck with the two men in her life! The one that she was desperately in love with turned out to be a waste of space....more

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Oct 02, 2011

Ange De l'aube rated it

Recommended to Ange by: Kathie (katmom)

I try to be objective about my reviews, especially of books...but GAH!!! I need to fangirl a little bit about this book... *squees in a most ladylike manner*

Okay, what can I say other than from all the Kleypas books I've read this is by far my favorite for several reasons.

Kleypas others books though lovely and quite entertaining are not on the same level of amazing this book is.

Simply put, where the other books where perfectly awesome in their own ways, this ...more

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Sep 18, 2011

Lady Rutledge (ex - St. Vincent) rated it

Shelves: historical, favorite-of-series, favorites, all-time-fave, wanna-wed-a-guy-like-this, lisa-kleypas, tortured-hero, family, there-s-3rd-person, married-no-love

Ow, yeah, I really hate it, my previous review for this book is gone! And I don't know why. *sigh*

This is my best book ever (till today). And my favorite hero ever!

Harry Rutledge made me fall for him, and I'm cheating on Sebastian St. Vincent. >.<
Harry, I'd had fell for you (just when you gave the pink rose), before Poppy gave her first thought to consider about your proposal!

These are my favorite quote:
"In the fairy tale you mentioned l...more

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Sep 16, 2011

Marilyn rated it

· review of another edition

Three and a half, close to four. It was that good. The plot has been summarized and explained nicely elsewhere, so I won't take up the space doing it again. Poppy was a sweet young thing with more depth than I initially gave her credit for. Harry was such a wounded soul that at times this book nearly broke my heart. He was like a half-wild dog who is afraid to come close to the fire, not trusting, not believing that there can be good things in life without quid pro quo or threats and manipulatio...more

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Aug 24, 2011

Pam rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-listen-to-on-cd, books-kept, historic-romance, 2011-books-read

I enjoyed this book. Poppy was so good for Harry. She helped him heal the inner hurts of his childhood. She eventually teaches him to trust and then love for the first time in his life.

Poppy Hathaway has gone through 3 "London seasons" and she believes she has found "the man", Michael Bayning. Her family is staying at the Rutledge Hotel in London. Beatrix, Poppy's little sister loves animals and her pet ferret, Dodger has gotten loose. Poor Poppy is running t...more

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Jul 05, 2011

Mackenzie rated it

Shelves: regency-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Book 3 of the wonderful, self proclaimed unconventional Hathaway family. This book starts with the Hathaway still in London at the end of the Season and still staying at the prestigious Rutledge Hotel. Dodger, Beatrix's pet ferret, gets into mischief once again, this time running away with a very important love letter belonging to Poppy. Poppy chases the little devil right into a secret tunnel where she runs into the hotel's mysterious owner, Harry himself. After spending only a few moments ...moreBook 3 of the wonderful, self proclaimed unconventional Hathaway family. This book starts with the Hathaway still in London at the end of the Season and still staying at the prestigious Rutledge Hotel. Dodger, Beatrix's pet ferret, gets into mischief once again, this time running away with a very important love letter belonging to Poppy. Poppy chases the little devil right into a secret tunnel where she runs into the hotel's mysterious owner, Harry himself. After spending only a few moments with Poppy, Harry sees something in her and immediately wants her.

Unfortunately for him, Harry is not the type of person that Poppy wants. She wants to live a plain, old, charming ordinary life. Sort of like the life her family had before her brother inherited his title. Poppy is intelligent and enlightened about the world around her. She loves good conversation and the thought of family is extremely important to her.

In the beginning of the book, Harry wasn't the easiest character to read about. Very two dimensional and completely closed off, mechanical like. He wants what he wants and he goes and gets it, no matter what he has to do to achieve his goal. In the beginning of the book, he's very much like a spoiled child. Everything has to be HIS way, fit in according to HIS plan and Poppy looked like he wanted her to be another of his clock work projects that would just end up on his shelf. He really on some levels was quite unlikeable. His calculations paid off and he "worked" Poppy over, manipulated situation after situation until she was forced to choose social exile or... marriage to him.

Only moments before she walked down the aisle, she learns of his deception and is hurt and angry, but because she made a promise to him, she marries him anyway... (something that did annoy me for a bit at the time....) Although he feels no need to ask for forgiveness, he does on some level understand that he hurt her and vows to make her happy. He tries the gentle approach and begins to "woo" her, even though she is his wife. Poppy quickly learns that the wife of a hotelier is no easy thing. Harry continued on with his life and the running of the hotel, which takes an extraordinary amount of time. Finally, the staff of the hotel, coming to have a great deal of affection for Poppy, tries to take it upon themselves to push the two together and ... meddle.

Harry, as something of an inventor, devised a way to make guns more efficient. When Poppy overheard him talking to people from the British War Office about the gun, later that night she tells him not to make it. If he does, she will leave him. Angered by her ultimatum, he forces a kiss upon her which turns into something much, much more. Unfortunately, with her virginity in the way, he sees how much pain she is in as they try and consummate their marriage. He stops and awash with new feelings that he doesn't understand, has never experienced, feeling like a cage nearly trapping him, he leaves.

Poppy, who doesn't understand the situation at all, leaves and goes to her brother, Leo's home. Although her family has left for the country, he stayed behind as he had a feeling that sooner or later Poppy would see that Harry wasn't the one for her and wanted to insure that she would be all right. He agreed with her request and they left London at once for the country as well. When Harry finds out, of course, he follows her.

Before he arrives, however, Ms Marks, Beatrix's governess and chaperon, reveals to Poppy and Amelia that she is actually Harry's half sister and shares with them the horrible childhood that Harry had. It was one with no love, compassion, and bordered on abuse. Harry wasn't capable of love as he had never had such. Knowing his childhood helps Poppy understand him just a little better. And while they begin to figure out their relationship, Leo and Catherine Marks who have always had a love/hate relationship begin to find themselves together quite a bit.

Poppy and Harry remain for over a week in the country. During that time, Harry gave up wanting to work on guns and came up with a brilliant idea for advanced farming techniques. When they returned to London, he went to the War Office and said he wouldn't be working for them. One of the officers especially was not pleased to hear this decision and even threatened Harry.

When Harry disappears, Poppy is ready to turn the entire city of London on its head looking for him. Investigations keep pointing back to the war office and eventually homes are searched. It's thanks to Leo's architect background that Harry is found.

Harry and Poppy settle down to a wonderful life with the possibility of children. Leo, meantime, makes his way back to the country as he has a conversation he has to finish with one Ms. Catherine Marks..... (less)

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May 21, 2011

Sarah Eiseman rated it

I’m really enjoying this book by Lisa Kleypas. This is the third book in the Hathaway series. In this installment we meet up with Poppy during her third season in London. She’s ready to get serious with a suitor in town, but she ends up meeting a very intriguing man in the process, Harry Rutledge, an illusive hotelier. He basically tricks her into marrying her, but somewhere along the way he actually falls in love with her. His past, unfortunately, isn’t a good one for learning to love or ...more

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title link	preview: Tempt Me at Twilight
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Tempt Me at Twilight (The Hathaways #3)

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