Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Avon (2006), 384 pages
Description
She was unmarried, untouched, and almost thirty, but novelist Amanda Briars wasn't about to greet her next birthday without making love to a man. When he appeared at her door, she believed he was her gift to herself, hired for one night of passion. Unforgettably handsome, irresistibly virile, he tempted her in ways she never thought possible . . . but something stopped him from completely fulfilling her dream. Jack Delvin's determination to possess Amanda became greater when she discovered his true identity. But gently-bred Amanda craved respectability more than she admitted, while Jack, the cast-off son of a nobleman and London's most notorious businessman, refused to live by society's rules. Yet when fate conspired for them to marry, their worlds collided with a passionate force neither had expected . . . but both soon craved. Contains mature themes.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Ilithyia
In a time when women were not supposed to be curious about carnal pleasures, spinster Amanda Briars does the unthinkable and hires a male prostitute to relieve her of her virginity on the night of her thirtieth birthday. Unknowingly, Jack Devlin appears on her doorstep at that appointed time, and
The prim novelist and the unscrupulous Irish publisher make quite the interesting pair in this historical English romance. When Amanda finds out who Jack really is, his reputation - and his acquisition of her first novel - causes her outrage. But anger turns to passion as a whirlwind affair ensues. However, knowing about his past and believing that Jack will never marry her, Amanda tries to save herself from heartache. She breaks off the affair and - much to Jack’s torment - bending to convention and social demands, she plans to marry a fellow writer, whom she admires but does not love. But who wants to read a book without a happy ending? Circumstances push Jack and Amanda back together, and then disaster almost rips them apart again.
Character development was done pretty well in this story, though I wish we could have seen a bit more through Jack’s eyes. He has a great quote when Amanda asks why he would want to ruin the integrity of her novel by publishing it as a serial. He responds, “Because owning books shouldn’t be a privilege of the rich. I want to print good books in a way that the masses can afford them. A poor person needs the escape far more than a wealthy man.” Well said! There is also lots of discussion about women’s issues in this book, Amanda as an independent career woman in a time where most women must marry to be provided for.
This was a fabulously witty novel, fast paced and difficult to put down. Damn my day job! There were some pretty sensual scenes in this book, and most hilariously Amanda’s outrage at some of the things that Jack suggests they try, but she cannot deny her desire. As you should not deny the desire to read their story.
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receives quite an unexpected welcome.The prim novelist and the unscrupulous Irish publisher make quite the interesting pair in this historical English romance. When Amanda finds out who Jack really is, his reputation - and his acquisition of her first novel - causes her outrage. But anger turns to passion as a whirlwind affair ensues. However, knowing about his past and believing that Jack will never marry her, Amanda tries to save herself from heartache. She breaks off the affair and - much to Jack’s torment - bending to convention and social demands, she plans to marry a fellow writer, whom she admires but does not love. But who wants to read a book without a happy ending? Circumstances push Jack and Amanda back together, and then disaster almost rips them apart again.
Character development was done pretty well in this story, though I wish we could have seen a bit more through Jack’s eyes. He has a great quote when Amanda asks why he would want to ruin the integrity of her novel by publishing it as a serial. He responds, “Because owning books shouldn’t be a privilege of the rich. I want to print good books in a way that the masses can afford them. A poor person needs the escape far more than a wealthy man.” Well said! There is also lots of discussion about women’s issues in this book, Amanda as an independent career woman in a time where most women must marry to be provided for.
This was a fabulously witty novel, fast paced and difficult to put down. Damn my day job! There were some pretty sensual scenes in this book, and most hilariously Amanda’s outrage at some of the things that Jack suggests they try, but she cannot deny her desire. As you should not deny the desire to read their story.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Amanda Briars has achieved something very few other woman of the 1830s could boast of. She is a writer. A writer who is acknowledged by her peers for her provocative, progressive stories. But, unfortunately the realization of her vocational dream has also engineered the dilemma of being a virgin
Jack Devlin has a reputation for being controlling and ruthless in his rise from nobody to one of the most powerful publishers in London, and he doesn't intend to stop there. Jack has dreams of becoming not only the largest publisher but the largest book seller as well. When he arrives at the home of Amanda Briars to woo her into turning her first, unpublished piece of work into a serial novel, the last thing he expects is to be mistaken for a male prostitute.
I really enjoyed Suddenly You for many reasons. Although the story was certainly character driven I found the display of the prejudices and customs described of the 1830s London to be very interesting. Only recently have I learned that book lovers can be just as prejudicial about what they consider "great literature" as any religious or political sect can be. I found the different views of what kinds of books considered proper in the society depicted to be very comparable to current day attitudes. I really enjoyed the relationship between Amanda and Devlin and was surprised at just how steamy the scenes were. Before reading Lisa Kleypas' stories I had thought that steaminess was a more prevelent feature in paranormals and had never connected this kind of writing with historicals. I had always assumed would be more staid in content. Obviously I was wrong.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing to read more of Kleypas' work. She hasn't disappointed me yet!
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spinster at the age of 30. In an uncharacteristic move Amanda decides to request a "birthday present" for herself from the local madam. Jack Devlin has a reputation for being controlling and ruthless in his rise from nobody to one of the most powerful publishers in London, and he doesn't intend to stop there. Jack has dreams of becoming not only the largest publisher but the largest book seller as well. When he arrives at the home of Amanda Briars to woo her into turning her first, unpublished piece of work into a serial novel, the last thing he expects is to be mistaken for a male prostitute.
I really enjoyed Suddenly You for many reasons. Although the story was certainly character driven I found the display of the prejudices and customs described of the 1830s London to be very interesting. Only recently have I learned that book lovers can be just as prejudicial about what they consider "great literature" as any religious or political sect can be. I found the different views of what kinds of books considered proper in the society depicted to be very comparable to current day attitudes. I really enjoyed the relationship between Amanda and Devlin and was surprised at just how steamy the scenes were. Before reading Lisa Kleypas' stories I had thought that steaminess was a more prevelent feature in paranormals and had never connected this kind of writing with historicals. I had always assumed would be more staid in content. Obviously I was wrong.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing to read more of Kleypas' work. She hasn't disappointed me yet!
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LibraryThing member mom2lnb
I am a big fan of Lisa Kleypas's writing, and Suddenly You is yet another worthy effort from her but not my favorite of her books. I have come to respect Ms. Kleypas as a writer who creates intelligent prose and unique sub-plots in her work. While Suddenly You begins with a unique premise for the
While the book does have some weaknesses, in my opinion, it also has many strengths. Fans of progressive, independent heroines should really like Amanda. Sometimes, these types of heroines can become abrasive and annoying to me, but I found Amanda to be a good balance of nice and naughty, sensitive and independent. Underneath his hard exterior, Jack was a kind, loving hero. One scene from the book that I absolutely loved is when Jack tells Amanda all the things he “prefers” about her, with her intellect being at the top of his list. He eventually succeeds in convincing her that she is beautiful in spite of her imperfect body, a storyline that I think most women can definitely relate to. Being a very progressive thinker himself, Jack is ultimately very supportive of Amanda's ideas and treats her as his equal. There were also a couple of plot twists toward the end of the story that I enjoyed, one of which was rather humorous and the other, though sad and tragic, added much more depth to the characters' relationship. The pacing of the book was good, and as always, Ms. Kleypas does a wonderful job with descriptive details. The love scenes were positively scorching, so much so that I was surprised the book didn't catch fire while I was reading it.;-) Even though this book did not quite measure up to some of Ms. Kleypas's other works for me, it was still a very enjoyable read.
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hero and heroine's first meeting, I found much of the rest of the book to be standard soap opera plotting with a lot of repressed feelings and misunderstandings. I have also become a fan of the deep, dark emotions found in many of Ms. Kleypas's other books and which I feel she is masterful at writing. While this book certainly was emotional, it did not quite touch me to the core like some of her other works. I think part of the reason for this is the more sarcastic, sharp-tongued banter between the hero and heroine which sometimes worked for me and sometimes didn't. I also don't tend to be a fan of romances that begin as casual affairs. I like to feel that the characters are “in” love before they “make” love, and while one could tell that they cared for one another, I didn't actually sense real love until later in the book. It was also a little sad to see Charles Hartley get dumped, as he was such a lovable guy for a secondary character, but of course we know that Amanda isn't in love with him, and Jack has to win out in the end. While the book does have some weaknesses, in my opinion, it also has many strengths. Fans of progressive, independent heroines should really like Amanda. Sometimes, these types of heroines can become abrasive and annoying to me, but I found Amanda to be a good balance of nice and naughty, sensitive and independent. Underneath his hard exterior, Jack was a kind, loving hero. One scene from the book that I absolutely loved is when Jack tells Amanda all the things he “prefers” about her, with her intellect being at the top of his list. He eventually succeeds in convincing her that she is beautiful in spite of her imperfect body, a storyline that I think most women can definitely relate to. Being a very progressive thinker himself, Jack is ultimately very supportive of Amanda's ideas and treats her as his equal. There were also a couple of plot twists toward the end of the story that I enjoyed, one of which was rather humorous and the other, though sad and tragic, added much more depth to the characters' relationship. The pacing of the book was good, and as always, Ms. Kleypas does a wonderful job with descriptive details. The love scenes were positively scorching, so much so that I was surprised the book didn't catch fire while I was reading it.;-) Even though this book did not quite measure up to some of Ms. Kleypas's other works for me, it was still a very enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member dianaleez
Did you ever read a book where the author seems to run out of plot and substitutes sex? Which is fine, if you're in the mood for repetetive sex, but not fine if you're in the mood for plot? Kleypas can and has done better. There is little character development and the plot goes nowhere.
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This novel has a readable style compared to most romance novels, but what makes it stand out are the plot and characterizations which are about as far away from the conventional historical romance as you can get--in good ways. The heroine, Amanda Briars, is a women of independent means in Victorian
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England who makes her living as a novelist. She arranges for a male prostitute to come to her on her 30th birthday because she's tired of being a spinster virgin. Except what the madame sends is a man she thinks might be Amanda's match--Jack Devlin, a young publisher. And that's about as much I can tell you without it being a spoiler, except this breaks other romance conventions--which is the reason this was among my favorite reads on a romance reading list I recently worked through. I also think I find Jack just about the most appealing hero among the romance books I've read--he's a real entrepreneur, an ambitious self-made man and I for one find that a thousand times more attractive than a title. Show Less
LibraryThing member LadyWesley
I liked this mature, independent woman. And I like the dark, handsome not-a-gentleman hero who wasn't afraid of a smart woman. Lots o' sexytimes in this one.
LibraryThing member thatotter
Characters and premise were decently interesting.
LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
I reached half of chapter 4, the book is surprising... I usually like damsels in distress, and a brave hero who saves the day. But Amanda is a very unconventional character living in a world that a woman couldn't be independent alone, especially as a writer; Jack is not a hero coming to safe the
But still, it is not my favorite Kleypas... The sexual scenes are amazing but there is something missing for me. Though I liked that the heroine is full-figured and 30, it gave a nice twist to the book.
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lady, he is wicked, and could use anything to get what he wants. Ahhh, I love Lisa Kleypas!But still, it is not my favorite Kleypas... The sexual scenes are amazing but there is something missing for me. Though I liked that the heroine is full-figured and 30, it gave a nice twist to the book.
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
I reached half of chapter 4, the book is surprising... I usually like damsels in distress, and a brave hero who saves the day. But Amanda is a very unconventional character living in a world that a woman couldn't be independent alone, especially as a writer; Jack is not a hero coming to safe the
But still, it is not my favorite Kleypas... The sexual scenes are amazing but there is something missing for me. Though I liked that the heroine is full-figured and 30, it gave a nice twist to the book.
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lady, he is wicked, and could use anything to get what he wants. Ahhh, I love Lisa Kleypas.But still, it is not my favorite Kleypas... The sexual scenes are amazing but there is something missing for me. Though I liked that the heroine is full-figured and 30, it gave a nice twist to the book.
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
Felled by what appears to be either a pinched nerve or an alien incubating in my upper back (we are waiting with baited breath to discover which) this audiobook was a lovely companion. It hit so many of my favorite tropes and dealt with some difficult and emotional subject matter beautifully while
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not getting too heavy. (Kleypas is a real master at this, and it is not easy.) Also, the book featured a chubby heroine with curly auburn hair (women of my general description don't pop up much in books or films.) I do wish Amanda had been a bit less priggish at the start, and that there was some explanation as to why this woman who had excited no romantic interest in her first 30 years was suddenly the object of interest for many men, but even with those dings this was a real joy to listen to, and super dreamy. Show Less
LibraryThing member spinsterrevival
I loved rereading this, and I wish that we could have seen Amanda and Jack show up in another Kleypas. I believe this holds up well for being twenty years old as many romances written around the same time can't say the same. I loved both Amanda's and Jack's need for independence, but I think their
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final getting and staying together reflected well on both of them. Content warning for miscarriage which I honestly didn't remember from my first read, but maybe I'm paying more attention to it now as I know how it affects so many. Show Less
LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
3 stars. I was hesitant to read this, the premise sounded so ridiculous and contrived. But Kleypas did a good job actually of pulling it off without it seeming completely farcical. I think it could have been 4 stars if the editing had been a little tighter. The last third or so seemed to just
2nd read- I decided to try this one again, and I'm glad I did, bumped up to 4 stars. I enjoyed it more this time, I liked the humor, and the hero's rascally charm. Plus I especially love heroines who are writers and heroes who are Irish. =D
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wander. I liked it overall though.2nd read- I decided to try this one again, and I'm glad I did, bumped up to 4 stars. I enjoyed it more this time, I liked the humor, and the hero's rascally charm. Plus I especially love heroines who are writers and heroes who are Irish. =D
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LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Someone recommended this book to me as an angsty romance. Once I started it, I realized I read it before but hadn't marked it on GR. Anyway, it's worth the reread though I skipped over the many, many sex scenes so it didn't take that long.
The plot is interesting. Independent spinster/author Amanda
The plot is interesting. Independent spinster/author Amanda
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wants to lose her virginity before she turns 30, so she hires a male prostitute. Through some machinations, publisher Jack shows up instead but is glad to 'make her acquaintance.' There are some obvious plot complications on their road to true love and I never really thought of them in love with each other, but the story is okay and hey, it's Liza Kleypas. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Suddenly You
3 Stars
One of Kleypas's earlier works that, unfortunately, does not live up to its potential.
As an established and recognized author in Regency England, Amanda Briars is a unique and intriguing heroine. The fact that she is self-possessed and courageous enough to hire a male companion
Jack Devlin fits a common hero-type in historical romance. A ruthless businessman determined to overcome his traumatic upbringing as the illegitimate child of a nobleman, Jack has sworn off marriage and fatherhood, but cannot seem to keep his hands off the delightful spinster who crosses his path. Much of Jack's backstory is provided second-hand, which makes it difficult to appreciate and truly sympathize with his character.
In terms of the romance, much of Jack and Amanda's relationship is based on sex, and their interactions outside the bedroom are few and far between. In fact, it is never really clear what they actually see in each other beyond their physical attraction.
Overall, definitely not one of Kleypas's better books.
3 Stars
One of Kleypas's earlier works that, unfortunately, does not live up to its potential.
As an established and recognized author in Regency England, Amanda Briars is a unique and intriguing heroine. The fact that she is self-possessed and courageous enough to hire a male companion
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to divest her of her virginity only adds to her appeal. Regrettably, the promise that she exhibits at the start of the book does not extend to the middle or end as her character develops into a dishonest, insecure and irritating shadow of her former self. Jack Devlin fits a common hero-type in historical romance. A ruthless businessman determined to overcome his traumatic upbringing as the illegitimate child of a nobleman, Jack has sworn off marriage and fatherhood, but cannot seem to keep his hands off the delightful spinster who crosses his path. Much of Jack's backstory is provided second-hand, which makes it difficult to appreciate and truly sympathize with his character.
In terms of the romance, much of Jack and Amanda's relationship is based on sex, and their interactions outside the bedroom are few and far between. In fact, it is never really clear what they actually see in each other beyond their physical attraction.
Overall, definitely not one of Kleypas's better books.
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Awards
AAR Annual Reader Poll (2002)
AAR Top 100 Romances (48 — Most Recent Rank - 2007)
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001-05
Physical description
384 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
0061259357 / 9780061259357