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Don't Bargain with the Devil (School for Heiresses #5)

by Sabrina Jeffries (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 1,219 ratings · 64 reviews

New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries delights and entertains with this novel of Regency manners and roguish passions -- fifth in her dazzling School for Heiresses series.

The future of Charlotte Harris's fi nishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard -- world-famous magician Diego Montalvo -- arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pl...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published May 26th 2009 by Pocket Books (first published May 10th 2009)

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Jan 27, 2011 May Mostly Romance rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

นี่เป็นหนังสือที่หยิบขึ้นมาอ่านแบบไม่คาดหวังอะไรทั้งสิ้น ส่วนหนึ่งเพราะเราเคยพยายามอ่านเรื่องนี้มาแล้วรอบนึง แต่ก็ไม่เวิร์ค จนต้องวางลงไปก่อน แถมหลังจากเรื่องนี้ออกขายแล้ว แม็กซ์อ่านงานเขียนของซาบรินา เจฟฟรีย์เรื่องต่อ ๆ มาอีกสามเล่ม และผิดหวังทั้งสามเล่ม

ดังนั้นเราจึงเตรียมใจผิดหวังเต็มที่เลยค่ะ แต่ก็เป็นอีกครั้งที่ต้องผิดหวัง นั่นเพราะเราไม่ผิดหวัง (อ่านแล้วงงไหมเนี่ย) เรื่องนี้สนุกกว่าที่คิดเยอะเลย

Don't Bargain with the devil ของซาบรินา เจฟฟรีย์

เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มห้าในชุด The School of Heiresse...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Joan rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sometimes-i-like-camping

I bought this book off the clearance shelf at the Borders. And until page 195, I couldn't imagine why it had been there. This book had me from the very beginning: adorable, but spunky heroine? Check. Slightly rakish hero with an accent? Double check.

(view spoiler)...more

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May 26, 2011 Netha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

School for Heiresses, book 5

salah 1 daya tarik membaca series ini adl ceritanya yg tidak berputar2, bahasa yg mudah dimengerti, emosi yg selalu dapat, chemistry yg bagus diantara tokoh utama juga tak lupa korespondensi diantara Charlotte Harris, owner & Headmistress School & her late husbands cousin, michael, orang yg memberikannya dana untuk mendirikan skul.
juga tak lupa "adegan" nya yg hehehhehee menyegarkan tp bukan berarti sepanjang novel ceritanya begitu lhoooo
ga kok.........

ini mem...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

I think Sabrina Jeffries can now officially be added to the extremely short list of my favorite romance authors. This book was pretty awesome. Non-English hero in a Regency romance? Not a single bit of the book set in London? An obstacle to the main characters being together that wasn't just stubbornness or miscommunication (an obstacle that honestly left me wondering how on earth they would manage to work it out with neither making major sacrifices)? The heroine making a conscious and clear-hea...more

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Oct 04, 2009 Lexie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-romance-historical, review-blog, books-owned

When I originally began this I wasn't so certain I'd like Lucy. She seemed too impulsive and reckless in her feelings. Then also her 'love' was such a jerk I worried for her common sense. It's one thing if the man is a jerk to the heroine, but is secretly doing so for her own good, or out of a twisted sense of revenge or because he was hurt in the past--pretty much any reason would assauge my irritation, but for money? Really? I was ready to thwap him upside the head!

Luckily the jerk wasn't the...more When I originally began this I wasn't so certain I'd like Lucy. She seemed too impulsive and reckless in her feelings. Then also her 'love' was such a jerk I worried for her common sense. It's one thing if the man is a jerk to the heroine, but is secretly doing so for her own good, or out of a twisted sense of revenge or because he was hurt in the past--pretty much any reason would assauge my irritation, but for money? Really? I was ready to thwap him upside the head!

Luckily the jerk wasn't the man 'destined' for Lucy anyhow. Oh Diego! Its not too often that I read a regency romance with a Spanish hero--read plenty with them as secondary characters, but not too often as heroes. I kind of see why if they are all as charming as he is! Forget the French--I would have fallen head over heels in love with a Spaniard back in the day. I also wonder that he shouldn't have given the 'rake' lessons that Madeline convinced Anthony to give in Let Sleeping Rogues Lie, or the two of them together because between them I think they could have covered almost every pick up line, seduction technique, charming grace and wicked words that any rakehell would try on the girls.

Lucy was spirited, but as I said I worried for her common sense at first. Well I worried for it as the book wore on, but less so when I realized she had lost her common sense for love with an honorable man. She was clever though, resourceful and surprisingly open-minded honestly. Without revealing too much there is a scene a little more then halfway through that Lucy proves just how dangerous a woman on a mission can be. Her technique to make Diego bend to her will worked and one can only hope she doesn't pass it on to her friends looking to snag a husband.

The 'letters' between Mrs. Harris and 'cousin' Michael grow decidedly more tense as the book goes on as well, reflecting the dire straits that Mrs. Harris finds herself in, but also reflecting on her growing concern and suspicion over her supposed relation. By the end their relationship has hit an appropriate plateau to make the next book, Wed Him Before You Bed him, eagerly anticipated. I have thoughts, and hopes, for the next book in regards to who 'cousin' Michael turns out to be and have been avoiding spoilers as much as possible.

A lot of familiar faces re-appear all throughout the novel. Most of the heiresses husbands appear and everyone else is at least mentioned. There is a scandal, a true sad scandal, that happens as a sub-plot (that has been built upon throughout all the novels), regarding a heiress dubbed 'Silly Sarah' by her peers, who married Kirkwood, but the matter isn't given a lot of time as it happens around the time of a scandal involving Lucy. Just as well, since the heiress in question did not have a book of her own and was a vain, silly creature.

As I said Wed Him Before You Bed Him is the next, and last, installment of the School For Heiresses book series. We finally get to know all of the secrets teased throughout the book about Mrs. Harris and her mysterious relation!(less)

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May 27, 2009 Juliana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Don't Bargain with the Devil is a wonderful read - I rushed out to buy it this afternoon and didn't put it down until I had finished! If you haven't read all (or any) of the other "School for Heiresses" books don't worry because this book can be read alone - though many of the characters from previous ones do reappear, so that's something to look forward to if you have. I myself only read the first book, Never Seduce a Scoundrel, yesterday and am looking forward to catching up on the other ones...more

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May 19, 2013 Cláudia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, romances-históricos

Este foi o 5º livro que li de Sabrina Jeffries. No entanto, devo confessar que a autora me parece ter um padrão que segue praticamente em todos os livros que li. Um personagem feminino(PF) forte, inteligente e determinado, que não pretende essencialmente o casamento com o personagem masculino (PM) principal. E, este último, é sempre arrogante, sedutor, desconfiado com a noção de "amor", e com um trauma pessoal anterior (esta parte chateia-me um pouco).
A evolução da história parece-me no geral se...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Heather rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bored-now

The unhappy truth is that Georgette Heyer has completely ruined my ability to read other regencies. In the past, I would have read this book and I wouldn't have thought it was good, exactly, but I would have thought it was fun and finished it. And now I just can't. My little finger has more historical accuracy that DBwtD -- although I would like to point out that it does feature a headless heroine on the cover, so at the very least I can add it to my collection.

In short: a girl is orphaned in Sp...more The unhappy truth is that Georgette Heyer has completely ruined my ability to read other regencies. In the past, I would have read this book and I wouldn't have thought it was good, exactly, but I would have thought it was fun and finished it. And now I just can't. My little finger has more historical accuracy that DBwtD -- although I would like to point out that it does feature a headless heroine on the cover, so at the very least I can add it to my collection.

In short: a girl is orphaned in Spain during the Pennisular campaign, adopted by the colonel of the regiment, brought back to England where, inevitably, she chafes against Rigid English Propriety because her Hot Spanish Blood is urging her to Run Free. She grows up, is working as the watercolor instructor at a girls school as a favor to a friend, when the famous magician Diego rents the neighboring estate. He has a mustache which is the first point against him. The second point against him is that he is not really Diego the Magician but a Spanish nobleman who lost his estate during the war and is now doing a job for another Spanish nobleman who will reward him with money to pay off the mortgage when he is done. The job? To find the elderly nobleman's kidnapped granddaughter and bring her back to Spain! And how will he know said granddaughter? By the birthmark on her thigh, of course! That will prove she is the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania! Her elderly nurse smuggled her out of the castle and prevented her from being killed by the evil wizard and she has grown up in a simple peasant cottage dancing in the forest with the woodland creatures and singing sweet songs to them... sorry, wrong book. Although I'm not kidding about the birthmark part.

But course, Lucy and Diego fall in love. I will not provide the details about how he confirms the existance of said birthmark -- use your imagination -- but, of course, she puts up a fuss because she is Spunky and Uncoventional and then there's also the afore mentioned Hot Spanish Blood. So he drugs her and abducts her and she swears she will never, ever, ever forgive him. But of course, she does and divers alarums and excursions occur and they have sex and their parents threaten to come between them and then they all conclude that Love is the Most Important Thing. And probably Diego will discover, as well, The Healing Power of Love which will cure whatever trauma he expenienced as An Innocent Young Boy during the war which led him to make A Sacred Vow To His Father to recover the estate. And they all live happily ever after.

And I actually stopped ready after the never, ever, ever forgive him part, but if it doesn't end the way I predict then I'M the lost heir to the throne of Ruritania.

And Georgette, writing 80 years ago, would have NEVER come up with a story that retrograde. There's nothing else for it -- I'm going to have to start reading contemporaries. Hello, my name is Heather and I'm addicted to Georgette Heyer. (less)

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Jan 31, 2013 Mey Buentipo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

The fifth book. It started slow for me and as the story progresses I got tired of the secrets and lies that heroine has to endure. For hero's character something is lacking. Why is it every time a hero sees a heroine they fall for her easily. I got tired of the same scenario of every HR book I read. It is the same for heroine who is supposed to be heartbroken from her previous love. I just wanted a different feeling when an h/h meet. Well inspite that, the story progressed well. I think the hero...more

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Jan 06, 2010 D.L. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I place Sabrina Jeffries on the second tier of my favorite authors list: her books may not be my top picks, but I can always rely on them to give me a fluffy but satisfying read. Don’t Bargain with the Devil was both fluffy, satisfying, and a good set up for the next book in the series involving Charlotte Harris and cousin Michael.

Initially, I enjoyed the passionate sparring between Diego and Lucinda. They have an instant, fiery connection that made me root for them from the beginning. However,...more

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Jul 16, 2009 chanceofbooks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-keepers, 2009-read

I don't know what it is with me and foreign heroes. I feel bad that I seem to have some sort of bias against continental heroes in historicals. However, I do and that took away from a tiny bit of my enjoyment here. I loved, loved, loved this heroine, and this wasn't quite the backstory or the hero I was expecting for her. But, it was a very fun romp. It was delightful to see a take-charge heroine, especially given some of the plot twists here. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending, but it...more

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Jul 27, 2009 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-reads

"Don't Bargain With the Devil" is the sixth book in Sabrina Jeffries 'School for Heiresses' series. This time we get the story of Lucinda, one of the former students but now stepping in as a teacher to help out the owner. This is a tale filled with Jeffries' humor, sensuality, and the search for a missing heiress.

Lucinda Seton is furious, hurt and furious. The man she thought was going to propose DID come up with a proposal...but not for marriage! Well, she'll show him! Her Spanish blood doesn't...more "Don't Bargain With the Devil" is the sixth book in Sabrina Jeffries 'School for Heiresses' series. This time we get the story of Lucinda, one of the former students but now stepping in as a teacher to help out the owner. This is a tale filled with Jeffries' humor, sensuality, and the search for a missing heiress.

Lucinda Seton is furious, hurt and furious. The man she thought was going to propose DID come up with a proposal...but not for marriage! Well, she'll show him! Her Spanish blood doesn't mean she can't behave like a proper society miss and as soon as she finds a husband, she'll make sure the ex knows just what he passed up! Of course, the husband will need to be a proper British lord, not that Spanish magician...even though he is very handsome, and flirtatious, and WHAT! trying to build a pleasure garden next to the school? NEVER!

Diego's lost everything during the war. His father to maurading British soldiers, his family's estate to try and care for his mother afterwards, his mother who never recovered from her treatment by the same soldiers that killed his father, and his pride when he was caught stealing. But instead of turning him in, the man taught him his trade...that of the magician, and now Diego is one of the most famous in Europe. Yet when the wealthy and influential Spanish Marques de Parama offers to return his family's estates, Diego is determined to get them back. All he has to do is track down the Marques' granddaughter, stolen by her nurse during the war and taken back to England. Which will be stronger? Love or land?

I laughed through most of this one. Reading about Lucinda, with her fiery temper and quick retorts, trying so hard to be proper...it was almost impossible not to laugh! And Diego, ahhh Diego. I think we should all get a shot at a Diego once in our lives, don't you? Although at times I did keep picturing Gomez from the Adams family show when he would start kissing Morticia's arm...well, maybe that was just me.

So a bit of a mystery with the whole missing heiress and who are the real parents bit, lots of steamy seduction, scintillating battles of wit, and even a kidnapping. "Don't Bargain with the Devil" is a delight for regency lovers and historical lovers both. And Sabrina Jeffries' final book of series "Wed Him Before You Bed Him" is already out (Jun09) so I can mark these off my list.(less)

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Dec 31, 2011 Sue rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, romance, failed-the-100-page-rule

What?? A bodice-ripper not passing the 100-page rule? This, friends, is unheard of - my standards for these books are pretty low. So, it appears, are Sabrina's. Really, all I want is a little distraction from the books that I've been reading - whatever they may be.

I don't know which was worse - the characters or the story. Truthfully, if after 100 pages I don't care whether your two main characters get together, you haven't done your job. I haven't loved the School for Heiresses in the past, but...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Rowena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

I started this book thinking to hell with reading the other books in this series...let's see if this book will be enough to make me want to read the other books in the series. While I thought the book was enjoyable enough, it wasn't enough to make me rush out and want to read the others.

Lucy Seton has taken a teaching job at her old finishing school to help Mrs. Harris out was supposed to be easy peasy. She'll teach some girls how to draw and she'll try to meet someone who is richer and has more...more I started this book thinking to hell with reading the other books in this series...let's see if this book will be enough to make me want to read the other books in the series. While I thought the book was enjoyable enough, it wasn't enough to make me rush out and want to read the others.

Lucy Seton has taken a teaching job at her old finishing school to help Mrs. Harris out was supposed to be easy peasy. She'll teach some girls how to draw and she'll try to meet someone who is richer and has more prestige than that no good Peter Hunsforth. Peter, who told Lucy that she was the kind of woman that a man dallies with, not one a man would marry. Can you imagine someone saying that to you? How the heck is that supposed to make you feel? I was so facking pissed off when I read that, I wanted to find Peter and choke the ever living life out of him.

What a jerk!

So enter Diego Montalvo...sexy Diego Montalvo. He's thrown into the mix because he's a master magician and he's thinking of buying the property that borders Ms. Harris' Finishing School. He wants to turn that property into a pleasure garden.

Can you imagine that? Building a pleasure garden right next door to a finishing school where there will be plenty of young misses waiting until dark to ditch their dorm rooms and rush off to see the sights over on the other side? Goodness. So Lucy and Mrs. Harris' have a whole lot of things they need to get sorted out and they all surround a possible pleasure garden.

Diego's on a search to find the long lost granddaughter of the man who holds the deed to his family home, Aboleda. He has tried buying it back from the man but this man is desperate to meet his granddaughter (and also for the heir that she could provide him with so that he can die in peace) that nothing short of Diego bringing his Catalina's Lucinda back will make him happy enough to give Diego back Aboleda. So as soon as the terms are set, Diego sets out on a mad search to find the missing Lucinda Seton.

He's been all over the place under the guise of searching for some property to purchase for a pleasure garden and when he finally meets Lucy and determines that she's the one that he's been searching for...he's kind of mad because he's far too attracted to her to not stay away from her. He's drawn to her and he likes spending time with her. He can't offer for her because he doesn't think that he's worthy enough for her since she's destined for greatness as the granddaughter of this Spanish nobleman and he's a lowly Count with no lands and nothing to his name. He's known the world over for being the best magician ever but that's not enough for him to want to claim Lucy as his own. He knows that he will never get to be with her since her grandfather wants to marry her off to the richest of the rich and blah blah blah.

The interactions between Lucy and Diego were what really drove this story for me but because the focus was on them, the secondary characters didn't really pop for me. It's like, they were there and they said and did things but I could have cared less about them because I only really cared about what was going on with Lucy and Diego. I found that quite peculiar since it's usually the other way around with the secondary characters stealing the main character's thunder but that wasn't the case in this story...at least for me.

The interactions between Lucy and Diego were my favorite parts of this book. It would have been nice to get to know her friends a little more but for the most part, I enjoyed this story. Lucy was a good heroine and Diego was a hot hero, but some of the decisions he made in this story I just couldn't get behind. His whole I wish I didn't have to do this but I'm gonna do it anyway internal battle he was fighting with himself before he drugged Lucy kind of irked me. I forgave him in the end because he really did love Lucy. I guess my issues with this book werekind of personal preferences, like more depth to the secondary characters (even if they've already had their own stories). I love character driven stories and though this was one of those, the secondary characters didn't get much love and I really wish they would have.

So this book was good but I'm not in any kind of rush to find out what happened to the other characters in the other books. I'm sure there will be plenty people out there that will enjoy this book more than me.

Word on the web is that Mrs. Harris and her "Cousin Michael" have a book coming out, I'm kind of curious about that book but the jury's still out.(less)

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Jan 06, 2011 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, romance, gift-shelf

[original review posted on my blog the happily ever after.. in 2009.]

I jumped in on this series with this fifth installment of The School for Heiresses series without having read the first four books. I was told it could be read as a stand alone, which turns out is indeed true. I had no problem figuring out the details surrounding the series story arc and while there were a few references to characters and couples who obviously starred in previous novels, it was easy enough to fill in the blanks...more [original review posted on my blog the happily ever after.. in 2009.]

I jumped in on this series with this fifth installment of The School for Heiresses series without having read the first four books. I was told it could be read as a stand alone, which turns out is indeed true. I had no problem figuring out the details surrounding the series story arc and while there were a few references to characters and couples who obviously starred in previous novels, it was easy enough to fill in the blanks.

Don't Bargain With the Devil is a fun and fast paced, albeit fairly straightforward romance between a kind, open hearted young woman and an entertaining man who fell for the woman he couldn't have and would only end up hurting in order to fulfill promises made in his past. Most of all, I admired Lucy throughout the story for her strength and her resolve to stay true to herself and those she cares about. Her kind heartedness allowed her to give those she cared about the benefit of the doubt when it appeared they didn't have her best interests in heart. Plus I thought she had a great sense of humor.

Diego's honor and good intentions fell a little short for me. I understood his attraction to Lucy and his desire to have her as his wife, but at the same time, I wanted him to work harder at deserving her. He started his acquaintance with her with grand lies and soon resorted to trickery--and some really cheesy lines-- to keep her attention. He wasn't a mean or cruel man and didn't want to hurt Lucy, but he did it anyway. I understood the honor and importance in keeping the promises he made to his deceased father and those he made with the Spanish Marques to whom he is indebted, but if he loved Lucy, even if he thought he couldn't have her, I wanted him to come straight with her much earlier on than he did.

Sadly, Diego was not the only man who lied to Lucy. Other important men in her life lied to her or about her and while they all thought they had her best interests at heart, no one truly considered being truthful with her until they got caught up in their lies.

While the story was fairly straightforward and at times predictable, it was an enjoyable read and made me think how fun it would have been to be reading this series since it's first installment. I was happy that Lucy got the happily ever after that she wanted and deserved, but I hope the men in her life realize what an amazing woman she is to have forgiven them so easily for lying to her.(less)

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Jan 07, 2011 ATron rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-books-to-loan

I'm going to say 2.5* on this one for me... which says a lot because I'm a notorious easy 4* review. I don't know, I found myself at page 326 of 384 and still didn't feel terribly invested in this H/h. The author may not have employed the dreaded BIG MISUNDERSTANDING, but the book seemed rife with a lot of little misunderstandings and/or miscommunication/lack of good communication regarding feelings... At 95% complete (yep, a kindle read), the H/h were STILL trying to determine if there was to b...more

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Feb 26, 2010 Nisha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historicalromance, sexy-cover

I love the author's note. It made me reimagine Diego as Rodrigo Santoro. yummy.

Anyway, I was a bit skeptical about starting book 5, mostly because it had an atypical cast (foreigners, I can't believe I could have been that prejudiced) with the typical SJ rogue-takes-virgin-under-misconception story. Well, thank god I was willing to read this so I can finally read Mrs. Harris' story.

Lucy Seton, is half-Spanish - which is a nice change to have some new flavor into HR. Usually, it's only limited to...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Shelly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook-version, favorites, regency-victorian-era, romance-historical

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love this series so much!!! I can't get enough of it, I'm ready to start over again after I finish the last one! This is by far one of my favorite series ever!

Lucinda Seton is the adopted daughter of a Scottish colonel who has always wondered about the parents who died when she was four, leaving her feeling out of place due to her Spanish blood in proper English society. Quick tempered and even quicker to speak before thinking, Lucy constantly feels she doesn't belong, but nevertheless tries t...more I love this series so much!!! I can't get enough of it, I'm ready to start over again after I finish the last one! This is by far one of my favorite series ever!

Lucinda Seton is the adopted daughter of a Scottish colonel who has always wondered about the parents who died when she was four, leaving her feeling out of place due to her Spanish blood in proper English society. Quick tempered and even quicker to speak before thinking, Lucy constantly feels she doesn't belong, but nevertheless tries to fit in, especially since the man she thought loved her left her high and dry when he inherited and earldom, telling her she's too much of a hoyden and her Spanish blood is undesirable now that he has a legacy.

Diego Montalvo is a world renowned conjuror, out to find the elusive Dona Lucinda, the only grandchild to a wealthy Marquess who was stolen as a child. Agreeing to find her to earn his family's estate back that has eluded him for 15 years, he is tired of traveling the world and yearns to go home and keep his promise to his dying father. Having never performed in England, he moves in next to the School of Heiresses under the ruse of wanting to open a pleasure garden, throwing the whole town of Richmond into a tizzy. Meanwhile he is searching for Lucy, who may or may not be the Spanish heiress.

When Diego finds Lucy with her hair down, shoes off and relaxing under the cherry trees, enjoying the fresh air, he is instantly enthralled. He finds her seductive and is irresistably drawn to her, but the more he learns of her, the more he despairs of her being 'the' Dona Lucinda. Kidnapping Lucy to take her to Spain, Lucy seduces Diego, not wanting to be married off to some stranger, hoping Diego will want her instead. When she learns what it means he will be giving up, she changes her mind, refusing to marry him, especially with his crappy proposal. Ultimately he grovels enough to beg for her hand and they live happily ever after!

These two are so cute together, and I think they are perfect for each other. They are not the most memorable couple to me, but the fit together so perfectly, it seems like they were made for each other or have always belonged together. Lucy fills some empty places in Diego's heart, and Diego treats Lucy as though she can do no wrong. It's an adorable love story, and the side story of Lucy's background is interesting and sad and heartbreaking when the secrets are all told and everything is unraveled. Also, the letters between Charlotte and 'Cousin' Michael get more and more interesting and heated, ultimately leaving Charlotte in silence after a quarrel between them has Michael ending their correspondence. The next book, Wed Him Before You Bed Him deals with Charlotte and the mysterious 'Cousin' Michael, and even though I've read it before, I can't wait to read it again!!! (less)

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May 17, 2012 Tasneem rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: regency

This was a fun, entertaining read with enough twists and turns to keep the plot interesting. I liked Lucy and Diego, they made a wonderful couple. Their passion was hot, and their journey to falling in love filled with the ups and downs brought about by honour, duty, and the need to do what they misguidedly thought was the right thing. The final balcony scene was hilarious. I just loved it and then, Diego's impassioned declarations of love were lovely. It made me cry ever so briefly, it was so r...more

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May 28, 2009 Rae rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This may have been my least favorite of the School for Heiresses series. It was a quick read but I didn't find this particular story or characters compelling. It also wasn't nearly as fun as the previous books. That said, it definitely got me excited for the sixth and final book of the series. Can't wait to finally find out who "Cousin" Michael really is and how Mrs. Harris' story turns out.

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Jan 20, 2012 PoligirlReads rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Hmm...well, maybe not really 2 stars. Probably more like 2.5. It was an alright book in the series, nothing really worth writing home about though. The story and the characters were likeable enough, but not particularly memorable. Glad the magician angle wasn't pushed too far. It was nice seeing "exotic" characters who weren't either French or Scottish.

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Mar 20, 2010 Janet rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, bba-nominee

Well. After my last romance, this was a most welcome surprise. The writing was clear and concise, the characterizations worlds better than The Notorious Bridegroom, and the sex scenes sizzled without being too graphic. I actually found myself picking the book up during commercials—a true mark of how much I enjoyed it (or how bad the commercials were!).

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Jul 29, 2009 Aileen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

A very enjoyable read. At first I thought I'd get bored with the storyline, but this is the first time I came across reading a historical romance novel with a popular magician as the hero. Diego & Lucy sure are meant for each other. They are both stubborn in their own ways and passionate too. There was never a dull moment between the two of them.

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Dec 18, 2010 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Not one of the author's better books. I found it hard to get into and couldn't really stay focused. It was actually rather boring in the beginning but picked up momentum towards the end. If nothing else, it left you anticipating the final book and wondering who "Cousin Michael" is.

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Nov 05, 2009 willaful rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of the series, anyone loking for a light Regency

Shelves: bye

Wallpaper Regency romance with very familiar themes--he proposes because he "took her innocence" but he doesn't really love her, oh boo hoo!--but an entertaining, undemanding read. The magician hero adds some fun touches. I enjoyed this more than most of the series.

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Nov 25, 2011 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, read-2011

Although I occasionally felt as if I'd read this book before (as well as wanted to throttle Lucy Seton), I did enjoy the story. I think the reason the story felt so familiar is because I've read so many books from this series. Good read!

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Nov 17, 2009 Rachel Rogers rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not quite sure why I continue reading this series. A plus however, the last couple have actually included classroom time. Nice to see Lucy Seton return as a more significant character. The passage of time in these is a bit confusing.

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Apr 05, 2013 Annette rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book. It was like a mystery-romance.

Though I fear I need to ease up on my historical romance reading before I expect to see men sporting superfine breeches and Hessian boots shined to a mirror reflection.

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Feb 09, 2012 Brittany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, 2012-romance-challenge

I actually really enjoyed this book. The first few in the series I was disappointed in. They were ok but nothing special. This book was fantastic. The twists and turns in the plot were well placed. Diego had a haunting past and all he wanted to do was it make right, no matter the cost. It's almost too late before he realizes that it doesn't matter if you have a house with no one to share it with. Lucy thinks her life was normal and held no mystery until Diego came along and showed her that she m...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Mystique rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When a I pick up a Sabrina Jefferies book, my kids get sandwiches for dinner and no laundry is done and it's so worth it.
Always great books and fantastic stories.

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About Sabrina Jeffries

If having a colorful life turns you into a novelist, then I had no choice but to become a writer. My whole life changed when my parents moved us to Thailand when I was seven. Before I was eighteen, I'd eaten chicken heads and jellyfish, been chased by a baby elephant, seen countless cobras and pythons, had the entire series of rabies shots (yes, the ones in the stomach with those lo-o-o-ng needles...more

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Books by Sabrina Jeffries

The Truth About Lord Stoneville (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #1)

One Night With a Prince (Royal Brotherhood, #3)

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #3)

Never Seduce a Scoundrel (School for Heiresses, Book 1)

In the Prince's Bed (Royal Brotherhood, #1)

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Quotes from Don't Bargain with the...

“Lucy: I don't understand men.
Nettie: What is there to understand? If you feed 'em regular-like and give 'em a bit of 'sugar' now and then, they're easy enough. And if they don't behave, you just toss 'em out on their arses. That's what I always say.” — 12 people liked it

“Sometimes the way to a man's heart is through his talleywacker.” — 7 people liked it

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Don't Bargain with the Devil (School for Heiresses #5)

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