Suddenly You

Well no wonder this book had such great reviews - it was really deserving. Characters are well rounded, witty, passionate and interesting! I love the storyline - a fleshy, "aging" spinster author with the sharpest mind around playing against a handsome, half-Irish rake with a mind just as brilliant. Loved this read, and finished it in a day. The sexual passages were expertly, tastefully, descriptively and passionately written **steamy but not lurid**. highly recommended, and bravo Ms Kleypas! will be reading more of your work in the future

This was a lovely done piece with a strong heroine that I enjoy but there were many times it took long stretches to "get to the point" many books I can't seem to put down but I skimmed many pages of this novel. A mediocre one for a Kleypas story

The book is emotional, fun, and sexy. The characters seem real and vibrant. While the story line does not always feel historically believable I found it didn't matter as I became immersed in the unfolding angst and drama of the story.

I received it in good condition. Exactly as described. I got it in the mail within days. Purchased for my Hardcover collection. I already own in paperback. Loved this book and was so happy to buy it at unbeatable prices and in excellent shape. Thank you for taking such awesome care with my purchases.

The author is fairly adept at the scenes of intimacy, but the whole thing doesn't hold together. The reader is never convinced that Devlin loves Amanda and his lust becomes just plain silly as it is so overdone. She doesn't ever display the character that he supposedly admires, and it's amazing how frequently he can mention her intellect when his every thought is erotic. Don't look for any entertainment in this one except for the sex.

I wanted to like this author, and this novel, but I couldn't finish. The premise was fun and presented in a unique way, but the author didn't deliver. The story seems to fast forward in places, so that the reader is running to catch up with a character's change of heart. The heroine is mean for way too long and with too little motivation, making the sweeping together and wrapping of the conflict rushed, confusing and unsatisfying. The final straw was the heroine constantly complaining/agonizing/feeling ashamed of her weight. Thanks for including a voluptuous female, but her hatred of it and his constantly having to prop her up over it stole that thunder, driving home that a full figure is something to be ashamed rather than proud of. At no point does she ever seem to feel good about herself, and I can't feel good about her either. First and last novel by this author.

Wow! I really enjoyed this book. Both the hero and heroine were strong, smart, interesting characters and their chemistry was smokin! When they finally got together at the end their relationship was one of mutual support, love and respect. Now that's true love! I've written my usual spoiler-filled summary below but if you think you're going to read this book than don't read the spoiler! Go and read and experience this book for yourself, you won't regret it!

<Spoiler Alert>
The book opens with the heroine, Amanda, visiting a discrete brothel to order herself a man for her 30th birthday. She's decided that she's going to give herself the gift of losing her virginity, now that she's firmly on the shelf and more or less guaranteed to spend her life as a spinster.

In this early part Amanda talked a bit in her inner monologue about how she was plumper than was fashionable and that's one of the reasons she never landed a man. The others being that she's too direct in her speaking and it intimidates men, and that she spent the best years of her youth cooped up inside nursing her dying parents. One of the things that always irks me in a romance novel is a heroine who spends the whole book making self-deprecating remarks about how fat she is. So when Amanda made a few comments to that effect early on, my red flags immediately went up and I almost stopped listening to the audiobook. I'm so glad I persevered though because after this initial part, Amanda rarely refers to her weight and is in general a fairly self-confident person.

Getting back to the story, when the big day arrives, a gorgeous black-haired, blue-eyed Adonis turns up on her doorstep and she yanks him inside before the neighbors see. The Adonis is, of course, the hero, Jack, and he isn't a prostitute but cottons on right quick to the fact that Amanda thinks he is. He's also VERY attracted to her.

Jack is a publisher and Amanda is an accomplished author. He's a big fan of her books and had already gleaned a great deal about her character through her writing before even meeting her, and he likes it all. Now that he's met her and discovered that her voluptuous figure is just his brand of heroin, he's basically smitten.

Amanda has had second thoughts about going through with her birthday plan and tries to send Jack away. He doesn't correct her misconceptions about his identity and instead woos her into letting him get to third base. He gives her her first orgasm and she's ready to go ahead and have sex but Jack does the honorable thing and leaves without taking her virginity.

A week later, Jack and Amanda meet again at a party and Amanda is furious that he kept his identity a secret. Jack is known for being ruthless to the point of near criminality in his business practices and Amanda doesn't approve. One of the things I liked about their relationship is how easy-going Jack was. Amanda would try to be all proper or righteous and he would just chuckle good-naturedly and tease her into a smile. They really worked well together personality-wise.

Jack makes Amanda a business proposal that she initially refuses but he talks, charms and lightly bullies her into accepting. She goes to his office, where she's treated like a queen, and happens to be there when an irate man barges in and tries to stab Jack. Amanda neatly saves the day by bashing the guy over the head and then she doctors a cut on Jack's torso. I loved it. I loved that Amanda was capable enough to save the day, and I loved the sparks striking off our happy couple while she tended his wound. Great stuff!

After that Jack makes a habit of dropping by her house unannounced in the evenings and getting himself invited to dinner where they share lively banter and become good friends. I liked that LK took the time to build their relationship outside of the bedroom instead of just focusing on the lust. But don't worry, through all this nice friendship building there are still plenty of lustful gazes and scorching accidental touches to keep the romance bubbling along nicely.

Jack is completely obsessed with Amanda by this point but also feels he's not good enough for her. His bad childhood led him to essentially close off his heart and he doesn't want to care or be responsible for anyone ever again. That means no marriage and no children. And he feels that Amanda deserves someone who can give her those things, so he tries to keep their relationship to friendship. It's a battle that's lost before it's even began though because, as I said, he's totally infatuated with her, and she's just as affected by him.

I really liked Amanda's character. She understood Jack, without prying into his private business, and her open, accepting nature led him to feel comfortable enough with her that he revealed secrets he'd never told anyone. They really just clicked with each other on every level. His compliments and obvious attraction to her helped her to get over her long-held hangups about her appearance. And his enthusiasm for talking with her and hearing her opinions helped her to overcome the hesitation she had at being so forthright, when everyone in her life had always told her that voicing her opinion and just being herself was wrong and scared all the men away. They both grew in to happier, healthier people because of their association.

Of course all this passion simmering just below the surface has to eventually boil over and when it does it's hot, hot, hot! LK did a great job of showing us just how completely infatuated Jack was with Amanda. He really did think she was the sexiest, most desirable woman in the world and he couldn't get enough. Amanda, likewise adored Jack and basically raced him to the bedroom whenever they were together.

At the start of their affair, Amanda put a stipulation on their involvement. She picked the arbitrary time limit of 3 months, reasoning that it was better to part willingly when they were still on good terms than to carry on until they got tired of each other or ended up angry and bitter. She also, rightly, pointed out that the longer their affair went on, the greater the chance that they'd get caught and if they did, she'd be the one to suffer the consequences much more than him. It was plain that Jack wasn't too keen on the time limit because he wanted her so badly that he knew 3 months would never be enough, but he agreed because that was her condition and he'd take her anyway he could get her. Although the subtext tells us that he'd fully intended to try to persuade her to keep seeing him after the 3 months was up.

So they embark on their sexy affair and they're both walking around with springs in the feet for 1.5 months because of it. In public they act like coolly friendly business associates but that starts to wear on Jack. He becomes increasingly jealous of any man who looks at Amanda and starts taking chances that could get them caught because of it. Like one time when they were both at the theater and he, to his mind, had to spend hours watching other men ogling Amanda's cleavage until he finally snapped and dragged her off to a private room and had sex with her up against the wall. A risky thing that could have easily gotten them caught.

Eventually Amanda's sister comes to town and lets Amanda know that rumors are flying about her and Jack. The sister advises Amanda to break things off before she gets caught and turned into a fallen woman. Even after Amanda admits that she loves Jack, the sister tells her that passion like that doesn't last. She's better off finding a nice man with whom she can be comfortably friendly. Amanda considers this and, with a heavy heart, decides the sister is right. She knows that Jack isn't the marrying kind and would never, ever, want to trap him into marriage. And she knows that they're skating on thin ice about being caught if the rumors of their involvement have already reached her sister way out in the country.

So Amanda makes the difficult decision to break off the affair, over a month ahead of schedule. Jack takes it hard. He tries to talk her out of it and promises that he'll protect her reputation. She asks how he possibly could, by marrying her if they get caught? He says that yes, if he has to, he'll marry her. Seeing how obviously he rebels against the idea, Amanda sticks to her guns and ends it.

For weeks they're both miserable. Amanda sits at home, refusing all social invitation and just missing Jack desperately. Jack throws himself into his work, hardly eating or sleeping. Amanda eventually forces herself to go back out into society and she runs into a nice older widower that she'd chatted with at a party once. The man is kind, charming and shares many interests with Amanda. On paper they're a perfect match. The man starts courting her and she lets him. She genuinely enjoys his company and finds that when she's with him, she doesn't feel the agony of missing Jack quite so acutely.

Jack, meanwhile, is being eaten alive with jealousy but recognizes that Amanda's widower is the better man and really is better for Amanda, so he stays away. Amanda senses that her beau is moving towards proposing and tells herself that she should accept. He's the correct choice. The one who is comfortable and kind and she can see them growing old together in amicable companionship. Even if she could never love him the way she loves Jack and isn't really attracted to him.

Then she realizes she's pregnant with Jack's child and that throws things off. She knows Jack never wanted children and doesn't want to force responsibility on him so she makes plans to move to France where she can pretend to be a widow and raise her child without scandal. But when she tells her widower goodbye he gently pries the truth out of her and happily proposes to her anyway. He says that he always wanted to be a father and would adore her child and raise it as his own. However, he insists Amanda tell Jack about the baby first, to give him the opportunity to step up. He says he could never forgive himself if he denied another man the right to be a father when he himself wants to be one so badly. Amanda accepts his proposal and goes to see Jack.

At his office, Jack is looking pretty haggard. He's taken to drinking and smoking heavily and still isn't really eating or sleeping because he pines for Amanda so desperately. She tells him that she and the widower are going to announce their betrothal at a party that night. Jack gets angry and they exchange words, but it's not really a fight. Ultimately, though, Amanda leaves without telling him about the baby. Jack attends the party that night, ostensibly to offer the widower congratulations and issue a warning that he'd better treat Amanda well. However, when he corners the widower, the truth about the baby comes out. Jack is floored, then pissed that Amanda wasn't going to tell him. But underneath it all, he's supremely glad this has happened because he wants Amanda to be his for life and the baby makes that possible.

He grabs Amanda and drags her straight back to his house where they have sex while Jack impresses upon Amanda that she belongs to him, heart, body, soul and baby. They're married in short order and their life together is great. Jack supports her in everything and raises her up by publicly treating her as an equal in all things, including his business dealings. They're blissfully happy. Then the Black Moment hits and Amanda has a miscarriage. She insists on mourning alone at first, thinking that Jack never really wanted the baby in the first place. But he soon breaks through her grief and shows her that he's just as devastated as she is. They exchange I Love You's and the epilogue wraps up with them having two kids and a thriving publishing business.

<End Spoiler>

So, yeah. I really loved this one. I liked how great their emotional connection was, how their personalities complemented each other, and how sizzlingly hot their romance was. No one did anything despicable. They both did what they thought was best, and they were right, on paper. But these two were destined to be together and would have been miserable the rest of their lives if they were apart. <Happy sigh>. Well done Lisa Kleypas!

P.S. If I had to list one complaint for this book it would be the number of sex scenes. There were A LOT of them. And while they were all well done and showed the molten chemistry these two had, it did get to be a bit much even for me. I think one or two of them could have been glossed over with a "fade to black" without losing anything.

What do you get yourself for your birthday when you are going to be a thirty-year old virgin? Well a night with a man of course. No sense sitting on the shelf never touched when there is a perfectly good Madam who can provide just the man to see to your curiosities. Except what if said Madam decides instead to send someone who isn’t a lover for hire but a man she thinks you’d be perfect for?

Suddenly you had a great premise and I really loved the meeting of Amanda and Jack. It is clear right off to the reader that he isn’t a man of the night sent to take her virginity, but Amanda is pretty adorable with him and he is completely intrigued by her. Jack was just there to talk about an idea for her to write a book for him, he was completely surprised to be in a situation where he gets a much more intimate glimpse at the quirky novelist.

Jack was easy to like with his blend of charm with just a small tinge of brokenness. He is a self-made man and has some very progressive ideas on women’s rights in this. He pushes Amanda to reach higher for herself and try to do more than she thinks she can. Why can’t she do something just because she is a woman. Thank you, Jack you are a breath of fresh air in the Historical Romance genre.

I very much enjoyed about 80% of this book. The only issue I had was the wrap up of the story taking far to long. There seemed to be about 3-4 extra chapters that just didn’t need to be there. I think it might have ended a little better for me if we stopped at the proposal and then had an epilogue. But this is being nitpicky.

It was just enough fluff to substance for me and a nice change up from Lords and Dukes to a man who works hard for a living. Jack is dashing and Amanda is a little naïve and sometimes too pragmatic but overall likeable and someone you could relate to. Just a fun time all around

Audio:

Beverley A. Crick was able to capture the Irish accent of Jack and perform the story well. It was easy to follow and I felt connected to the main characters. This was a solid audio performance.

Quotes:

“How do I look?" Amanda asked.
Jack shook his head ruefully as he glanced at her. No one could mistake the remaining flush on her cheeks, or the soft sparkle of her eyes, or her lusciously swollen mouth, for anything other than the results of physical passion. "Like you've been ravished," he said flatly.
She astonished him by smiling. "Hurry, please. I want to go inside my house and consult a looking glass. I've always wanted to know what a ravished woman looks like.”

Amanda Briars is unmarried and about to turn 30-years old. She’s an accomplished novelist, independent and self sufficient in an era that’s pretty hard on women without husbands (19th century London). But, she does not want to reach that age milestone without experiencing carnal love. So, she discreetly arranges with the town’s brothel owner for a man. The next day, a gentleman shows up on her doorstep the very next day. Jack Devlin is a successful publisher, known for printing some racy material. He’s got a bit of a reputation but that’s not stopping him from trying to sign on Amanda...as a client and a lover.

I chose this book because I liked the idea of an older, independent woman in 1800s England. It turned out to be a delightful story as Amanda was smart and talented, Jack an extremely interesting and complicated man. Their first encounter was sensual and their relationship evolved slowly throughout the book. The banter was clever and funny but the serious moments were just as compelling. The later conflicts were inevitable, as we were forewarned, and they were handled well, despite a lapse in ethical behavior on Amanda’s part.

This was my first experience with the narrator, Beverley Crick, and I really enjoyed her performance. Kleypas is one of my favorite authors so I had high expectations that were more than met. I hated when the story ended as I liked being in Amanda and Jack’s world. The epilogue, however, left me in a really good place.

(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review)

I've been wanting to read this standalone by Lisa Kleypas for a while now. One, it's a standalone, so I don't have to worry about acquiring the rest of the must-have series; and two, it's about a heroine who is a writer and a hero who is a publisher, and there's plenty of delightful book chatter, which I love.

I finally finished the book today (weekend!), and it was a solid addition to Kleypas's already considerable repertoire. Set in the very last year of the regency era (1836), SUDDENLY YOU starts off with Amanda Briars, who is not very happy about being single, alone, and thirty (although not necessarily in that order). Her unusual profession, a litany of family sorrows, and unfashionable figure have prevented her from landing a match the way her sisters have, so when we first meet her she is consulting a madam in a brothel about having a male prostitute delivered to her house for her thirtieth birthday. At the last moment, she decides to renege, little knowing that the surprised man who greets her on her porch that day is anything but a prostitute.

Jack Devlin is probably one of the better romance heroes I've read this year. He's the alpha hero done correctly - strong, capable, possessive, and charming, but not psychotic, and willing to yield to the heroine, ask for consent, and give her space when necessarily. The romantic scenes between Amanda and Jack were awesome...although incredibly numerous. My friend sraxe pointed out that the last half of the book actually got a little boring because there was so much sex crammed into it, and I agree; SUDDENLY YOU has way more sex in it than any other Kleypas book I've read to date.

And as much as I wanted to like Amanda's character, her constant put-downs of herself were wearing after a while. It made me sad, because some people are that insecure, and I liked how the love of a good man just didn't instantly fix that and make her think that she was a love goddess, but it was annoying to read about nonstop about how Amanda thought she was too heavy and too short, over and over. I also didn't like how she reacted to a traumatic event at the end. Said traumatic event was thrown in without warning towards the end of the book and seemed like a last-ditch attempt for drama. Amanda reacts in an insecure fashion, and puts Jack through the emotional wringer.

SUDDENLY YOU is still a decent read, though. The book chatter was wonderful, and I almost wish that some of the sex scenes had been cut out to expand on the glittering Regency publishing world. There were so many interesting characters in SUDDENLY who were introduced only fleetingly. That said, Jack was awesome, and probably this book's saving grace. If you enjoy books about books, older heroines, and kind alphas, you will probably enjoy SUDDENLY - especially if you like erotica, too.

3 out of 5 stars.

I was very disappointed in this book. I love Lisa Kleypas and have read many of her books.

There were waaay too many sex scenes in the book; it almost seemed that the author was only using the plot points to facilitate more sexual encounters between Jack and Amanda. There was not enough character development, just scene after scene of (very detailed) sex.

I am no prude, and a good sex scene is fine with me, but this book was over the top with them. When I compare Jack Devlin with my favorite hero, Sebastian St. Vincent, Jack makes Sebastian seem like a monk.

I skipped over several parts of the book. I liked the basic plot but I felt that she could have given it so much more development than she did. Not a keeper for me.

4.5 stars. This book has many similarities to two other older stories by Kleypas: Dreaming of You (whose hero is Derek Craven) and Where Dreams Begin (the hero is Zach Bronson). It's a standalone but "feels" derivative .... which probably isn't the correct usage of the word when describing two works by the same author. But I am going to use it that way because except for this one technicality (same author), I think the word derivative is quite apt, and is the single biggest negative about the story. Kleypas has written many stories that are linked or similar but this one seems different --- as if parts are not as fresh or bold. HOWEVER, I've probably read this story at least a half dozen times, and ditto Where Dreams Begin and Dreaming of You. That's because the "heroes" of these three romances stories are probably three of the best I've ever read by anyone. Kleypas even admits that Craven & Bronson are very special to her --- and I think Jack Devlin should be in that club, too. Which is why this story got 4.5 stars from me - it's by a phenomenal writer, has an amazing hero, and is a great story even if the underlying narrative has been around the block a few times.

Sry but heroine described as chubby , wide hips, short legs, who hires a male prostitiute, indecent!! I prefer to read about moral attractive people.The hero sounds extremely attractive & Interesting which kept me reading, however when kinky sex came up I told myself, I dont think I can read anymore of these books!

Another delightful story from Maggie Fenton. She has a really unique and funny way of telling her stories. This was hilarious, much more funny and quirky that the first book of the series. It also managed to surprise me a few times. There were a couple of twists or surprises that I didn't see coming, but that they easily made sense in retrospect as they were explained. That is not something I am able to read often and it alone makes this book deserving of praises. My one complaint was that at times it was a bit too slowly place, mainly the first half of the book.
Overall: 4.5

Writer and spinster, Amanda Briars, decides to gift herself with a man for her 30th birthday. She has decided that she wants to lose her virginity for her birthday, so she visits a local brothel and places an order.

When her birthday arrives she is having second thoughts about her birthday gift to herself. When Jack shows up on her doorstep she makes it clear she isn't sure she is going to go through with her original plans but Jack takes matters into his own hands (pun intended) and although he doesn't divest her of her virginity, he still manages to give her a birthday to remember.

This story was actually very cute. Amanda cracked me up with her boldness and the rules she set forth for their relationship. She was constantly warring with her insatiable curiosity and her sense of morality. Jack and Amanda are two original main characters with their complex personalities and unusual views of the world for that time. Jack and Amanda have immediate chemistry and an easy camaraderie that they don't try to deny. That's not to say there aren't any relationship issues, because eventually there are, but it all just adds to the flow and feel of this fabulous book.

I laughed, I cried and then I laughed some more. I was so engrossed in this book that I would not stop reading it for anything and at one point I stood at the stove making dinner; wooden spoon in one hand, book in the other. I loved it!

Cherise Everhard, April 2008

Some friends of mine suggested I read a Lisa Kleypas novel because, according to them, she is a wonderful historical romance writer. Since it's obvious that my romance phase is insatiable and will last a while, I decided to give this author a whirl. I picked Suddenly You to be my first Kleypas read because the plot of this book intrigued me. The year is 1836 in London. Amanda Briars is a respectable and successful novelist who, as an unmarried woman about to turn thirty, is pretty much "on the shelf." But just because she is a spinster doesn't mean she should go through life without experiencing at least one night of passion, which is why she hires a gorgeous male prostitute as a present for herself to celebrate her thirtieth birthday. She gets tall, dark and gorgeous Jack Devlin. However, he isn't who she believes he is. An illegitimate son of a nobleman and a publishing tycoon, Jack has never lived by society's rules, so when he convinces Amanda to write for his lucrative publishing company, he plans a seduction that she cannot resist, and in turn they both get more than they'd bargained for. There are various twists throughout the novel.

As said earlier, the plot centering on a thirty-year-old spinster hiring a male prostitute as a birthday present to herself seemed interesting to me and that is why I decided that this would be my first Kleypas book. And it *was* interesting! The characters and the story are beautifully developed and nicely woven and I was able to sympathize with both characters. I loved Amanda! This is a woman with her head firmly on her shoulders who refuses to compromise her dignity at all cost. I like how she sets her terms to Jack regarding having an affair. Some may say that she was insecure and wary of his actions, but I think that was a smart move. After all, Jack brings up the fact that he wants neither marriage nor children in his life several times. Jack is a great hero. He is a tortured soul, but once he realizes what he wants in life he stops at nothing to obtain it. And so, I enjoyed the development of their feelings. I admit that Amanda's insecurity about her age and looks got on my nerves at times, especially when Jack always reassured her that none of those things mattered to him. Ugh. The novel loses momentum toward the end. There is some conflict to keep the story rolling, but it was very slow-paced at that point. I know what the author tried to convey in those final chapters, however, and I'm glad that she developed their relationship further. And even though I loved the very hot sex scenes in this novel, I thought there were far too many in the last few chapters. Most of them served no purpose other than to fill the pages or to illustrate the hero's virility and insatiable desire for Amanda. Anyway, I also enjoyed the descriptions of the fashions and customs in pre-Victorian England. I don't know if unmarried older women had as much freedom as the author made us believe they did though. I'll have to look that up. All in all, Suddenly You is a beautiful novel and I'm glad I gave Lisa Kleypas a whirl. She is an author whose work I will read again.

I first read Suddenly You about two years ago, when I first began reading romance. I did not write reviews at the time but would make a few notes to myself concerning how much I enjoyed the book - if it were keeper status - and then assigned a grade to it. Of course I gave Suddenly You the highest rating two years ago but my only notes were "Read again and again and again!" Although I have a fairly large keeper shelf, I seldom read books that second time. I think I'll change my mind about that because I enjoyed Suddenly You as much or more the second reading and it still goes back on my keeper shelf. It is a great romance with a bit of naughtiness and great leads. I remember that I had relished Kleypas' unusual characters in that they were - refreshingly - not members of the aristocracy. And even though I have literally read hundreds of romance books since Suddenly You, I still remembered the opening scene. It really sticks in your mind. Where else in romance have I read of a nineteenth century spinster hiring a man to take her virginity for her thirtieth birthday present to herself?
Amanda Briars is a strong mature heroine who also is a well-known author. She lives a contented life in London in her small home with three servants. She is not rich but she has a comfortable income and decides that before she is too old, she wants to experience a physical relationship with a man just once. She never plans to marry and believes it would be foolish to hope for marriage at her age. Although she is very attractive, she does not see herself as much beyond plain. The night of her thirtieth birthday, a man shows up at her door to talk with her about publishing one of her books and Amanda mistakes him as her "gift".
Jack Devlin is a man who knows what he wants in life and accomplishes almost anything he sets out to do. He has risen from a penniless youth to own the largest publishing house in London and has diversified this publishing business into many additional sources of income. He is our classic hero with an extreme amount of arrogance, alpha deluxe, handsome, and rich. He is a workaholic basically and doesn't care much for society unless it is to advance his business interests. He visits Amanda Briars one evening to discuss publishing with her and is greatly surprised to find that she believes him to be her hired "gift" for the evening. The resulting scenario is quite entertaining but Jack ends up being a good guy in the end (he thinks) by not completely fulfilling the "gift" role. He leaves without making Amanda aware of his true identity.
Within days of this encounter, Amanda formally meets Jack for the first time at a party and is greatly mortified and incensed that Jack played along - even a little - as her birthday "gift". The delicious repartee between the two fill pages as they get to know each other and as Jack pursues Amanda concerning publishing one of her novels. But Jack doesn't just pursue Amanda for business purposes. They both are highly attracted to the other and although each is determined not to indulge in an affair - it seems it is beyond their control. The book is highly entertaining and quite sensual. The sensual rating is a strong 4.50 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Amanda keeps a pretty sound head throughout it all. I thought most of her actions seemed realistic and well warranted considering the social expectations of the day. Jack is not as protective of Amanda's reputation as he should be and thus the story spins.
Suddenly You is probably my favorite Kleypas book to date. I have read nine of her books and I can't remember being disappointed in any if them. Once I began reading her books, she quickly became one of my favorite authors. She also holds the status of a "must read" author when she releases a new book. She consistently writes highly entertaining historical romance.

This novel enveloped me in its warmth of emotions with such intense and passionate characters I started this book and took
it everywhere with me, for Jack Devlin and Amanda Briars would not let me go. The story is spectacular in its simplicity telling
about love, independence, strength and two imperfect people whom fit perfectly together and their journey of acceptance.

Lisa Kleypas has captured the essence of love for me with these two stunning characters and the tale they tell. Jack is so
focused on his success as a publisher and the money he makes that the meeting with the vibrant Amanda takes him by
surprise. They both want so much out of life, living it on their own terms and both are controlled by the rules of society
though Jack has a healthy lack for certain rules which is expected from a man with a scoundrel status. From the moment they
meet it is a chemistry of emotions that results in a sexual energy that radiated from the pages, luring the reader to read on
and on and before you realize it you have finished the story and feel utterly spellbound by the romance, the characters and
the tale Lisa Kleypas told with Suddenly you!

As this is my first novel by Lisa Kleypas all I can say is that she delivered a high quality regency read that will compel to many
readers in this genre. Suddenly you blends all the regency elements together with a high level of emotions and sizzling heat
that will resonate with the reader. The supporting cast of characters is one that I enjoyed meeting and told so much about the
personality of both Jack and Amanda that it adds more depth and understanding to where they are coming from. All though there
is no real plot in this novel it doesn't need one for it speaks of a man and a woman with their thoughts and feelings and that is all
I needed!

With flair, passion, talent and unforgettable characters Lisa Kleypas written a book that will become an instant favorite!

courtesy of realmsonourbookshelves

30 year old spinster Amanda Briars hires a male prostitute to satisfy her birthday whims - only to find herself ensnared in a web of desire after meeting Jack Devlin - a notorious rake who is the icon of a publishing company. Billed as the most sensual romance of the year, SUDDENLY YOU by Lisa Kleypas starts out tantalizingly with a kinky feel as Amanda discovers her sensuality in herself with Jack. She is, however manacled by the confines of the society to continue the liaison - but when Jack threatens to publish her first novel The Unfinished Lady which may raise a scandal, she agrees to meet him and convince herself to publish the maiden effort. She finds dimension and nuances in Jack but his sordid past makes him an inferior match to Amanda - and she knows their affair could only be transient, until she finds herself pregnant... and their insouciance could no longer be feigned.
SUDDENLY YOU is definitely a scorching read with amorous foreplays and sexy bedroom romps - and Jack Devlin makes an irresistible hero who with his liberal mind, embraces the power of feminity and is a wonderful paragon of a affectionate husband. Lisa Kleypas may have injected her latest novel with blazing passion, but the emotional quotient flags - her ability to draw readers into heartfelt turmoils in her previous novels seemed incapacitated here.
Ms. Kleypas glosses the pages with a touch of humour and is deft at characterization - she portrays the languid mood with lazy sensuality and baroque atmosphere in passionate scenes. However, the dialogue and repartee is trite at times, and could be polished to heighten the romantic feel. SUDDENLY YOU marks her suddern bold effort to titillate readers and tempt their hearts - and perhaps with more emotions this novel could become more of a credible effort.

...to Lisa Kyeypas.
This is the first Kleypas novel that I ever read but it certainly was not the last. I really loved every word of it. It was warm, romantic, charming, sexy fun from start to finish. I wish I had the courage and spirit of Amanda. I think she is just plucky. And Jack!!! I adore him. This couple is one of my all time favorites. Their story is so sweet and innocent somehow in spite of that fact that it is also so spicey. Their relationship is very hot. There is simply no other way to put it. They just burn up the pages. The only fault the book has is the silly plot twist near the end. I suspect that the book was a little shortish so she stretched it out here. Asside from that the book is perfect. I have to admit it had me blushing for a long time. I must have blushed all the way home from work on the bus. But it was worth it.
After this book Lisa Kleypas became an instant buy for me and I have never been disappointed with her yet. Even her early novels are good. Not great but still you can see where she was going. In Suddenly You she got there.
What more can I say, this book is perfect. I wish every book could draw you into it's world and hold you within from page one. Once Amanda and Jack meet the sparks fly and they don't stop until the very last page. Lisa is very good at what she does. She turns on the heat and lets it slowly simmer to a boil throughout the story. And when it boils you only want more.

In 1836, Amanda Briars is making her way alone in the world as an almost thirty-year-old spinster author. As her thirtieth birthday present to herself, she wishes to hire a male companion for the evening. Jack is everything she desires in a man, even though she knows that she will probably never see him again.
But see him again she does, and he is someone entirely different than who she thought he was. Though he is thorougly charming and irresistably handsome, Amanda does her best to keep her distance from him. Jack, illegitimate son of a nobleman and maid, is attracted to her as well and surprisingly shares parts of his well-guarded past with Amanda. Will their mutual attraction lead to anything more than a simple affair, especially for Jack who has told Amanda of his distaste for marriage?
Amanda is a truly delightful heroine. Though she sees herself as a plump bookish spinster, Jack is able to convince her that he is attracted to her beauty as well as her brains. In an era where helpless females were revered by men for their complacency, Amanda's spirit shines through.
The love story exhibits a quality of its own as physical attraction and intellectual attraction are so carefully intertwined that one cannot always see where one begins and the other ends. Lisa Kleypas again provides readers with a page-turning novel.

If the ocean was made of Lisa Kleypas' historical romance novels I would gladly drown in it! The deeper I read through her backlist titles, the more startling the storylines, the more dazzling the characters, the more poignant the love stories.
Ms. Kleypas is currently and admirably expanding the scope of her story-telling in her contemporary romance series Friday Harbor (read my reviews of Rainshadow Road and Dream Lake) with subtle and graceful touches of magic realism. But it's yet another historical romance novel (one of her earliest actually, originally published in 2001) to solidify her status as a master of her craft...her story-telling abilities are simply incomparable, her prose technically strong, her writing style always meticulous and highly-descriptive, her tales always enchanting and heart-warming.
So, through tantalizing dialogues, strong romantic and sensual focus, vivid characterization of lead couple and Victorian setting, Kleypas delivers another stunning exploration of that clash between moral settings and unbridled passion featured in many of her historical novels. She brings together two unforgettable characters, ushering them quite deftly in the midst of fateful turns, over-the-top sexual chemistry, drama, and life-changing decisions.
Proper Amanda Briars, the spinster novelist "with her quills and papers and ink-stained fingers" is a recognized figure in London literature circles. At the age of twenty-nine she is still unmarried and enjoying her independence too much to relinquish it. She has friends, a comfortable home, an interesting and profitable occupation. The truth of the matter is that she is afraid of men, always had an awkward kind of relationship with them...never really flirted with them, inspired respect and admiration maybe, but always kept them at distance. Her position in society as a respected spinster and writer represents a safe zone, where men and the disappointments they usually bring along are not allowed. As the time goes by, Amanda feels like she is missing out on something that every woman should experience at least once in a lifetime, an experience that would certainly help her with her researches and writing process. On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Amanda decides to "hire" a lover for a one-night stand, but for a delicious twist of fate the gorgeous man that shows up at her door is not the gigolo she was expecting.
John T. Devlin ("Jack") is a notorious and high-profile figure in London's literary society, a man with a mysterious background, questionable moral ethics and ruthless business practices, but with a golden touch that helped him transform a small printing shop into the largest publishing house in the city, and quickly rise to astounding power and wealth. Cast-off son of a member of the aristocracy, he grew up between his father's rejection and the physical abuses and violent practices of the Knatchford Heath School, a place where education and upbringing had the sound of whip lashes and the taste of food deprivation. His imposing shoulders and magnificent back are the scarred map of harsh punishments, sometimes undeserved but gladly and silently taken in order to protect smaller and weaker kids. No wonder the man who's now dominating the British publishing field is as driven as ruthless: hunger, anger, and revenge are great motivators, but they starve the body as much they embitter the soul.
Physical descriptions and character development easily brought to my mind the familiar faces of Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe, starring as John Thornton and Margaret Hale in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, another distinguished and beloved couple among historical romance fans.
After their first fortuitous and rather "steamy encounter" (mind you, Suddenly You is probably one of the most scorchingly sensual romance novels Kleypas has ever written), they shift their relationship to a mere business level. Devlin, in fact, convinces Amanda, author of standard three-volumes novels, to convert her past production into serialized editions, normally considered of less quality but more and more popular among readers, not to mention more profitable. Restraining their relationship to a mere publishing agreement will be too hard, though. The chemistry between our lead characters is too tempting and far too irresistible. Sizzling love scene after sizzling love scene, Devlin and Amanda carry their affair on a path of uninhibited passion and sensual exploration that will relentlessly lead them to a much deeper emotional attachment. But they will be both held back by personal demons and moral brakes to be able to admit and embrace their mutual feelings without going through conflicting emotions, stupid pride and heart-wrenching misunderstandings. The resolution of this steamy and poignant love story will be as heart-warming as ever. In this respect as in many others, Lisa Kleypas never fails to enchant. A remarkable milestone in the historical romance field. Highly recommended. As originally posted on Mina's Bookshelf

This book left something to be desired. This is the first book I've read by this author. While the characters were very enjoyable, and the circumstances of their first meeting were original and fun, for one thing, I felt like all of the minute things that they were hiding from each other, while getting to know one another, left the reader too much in the dark also. Which left me with the feeling that I really didn't grasp their true characters. And I should have, considering the story was the couple.
Maybe that was the writer's intent, because the relationship was the book, therefore the only intrigue that existed. Other than having sex with each other (which seemed to me to be 80% of the book), they went to a couple of social gatherings and worked. In a way I guess it's better than having to read through text that's redundant, too descriptive or just isn't relevant to the story. But, then again, I like books that have more elements, such as outside threats to the characters, a bit of a mystery intertwined, ect... When the story is left only to stupid circumstances or misunderstandings, I feel like I wasted my time.
I love romance novels. Julie Garwood and Amanda Quick are my favorite authors. I've also stumbled upon a couple new ones, Gaelen Foley and Liz Carlyle. While the relationships are progressing between their couples, you learn their pasts, enjoy their battles of wit, and become totally involved with the mystery and adventures the characters go thru together. This book seemed to me to be what some would describe as fluff.

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

Suddenly You opens with one of the best paragraphs I have read in a long time. (here) The good and gentle Miss Amanda Briars was sitting with the scandalous Madam, Gemma Bradshaw* trying to determine what sort of man she wishes to purchase for her 30th birthday...to loose her virginity to. And there you have it. That is how Suddenly You grabbed me and didn't let go until "The End".
*One quick mention about the brothel owner Gemma Bradshaw is that she is a carry over figure from the Bow Street Runners book, "Worth Any Price". It was a delight to read about her again.

The thing is, as much as I loved the opening paragraph, it gets even more delicious. Exactly how Amanda and Jack meet each other will probably go down in my books as one of the best first meetings ever. It was my favourite part of the entire book.

Suddenly You is a stand alone book (not part of a series) that is not based around a Duke, Earl or even a Baron. Jack Devlin is a savvy business man in the publishing industry and Amanda is a best seller author who can financially support herself. It was such a breath of fresh air to read about a woman who was not dictated to marry, forced by her family to marry or was tricked to marry. With the exception of never experiencing a man in her bed, she seemed quite content with her life.
But having said that, Amanda did have a low self esteem issue and that is one part of her personality that was annoying to read about over and over again. Even though she was characterized as having frizzy hair, short legs and a rounder body I do think that her self esteem issues stemmed more from the lack of social experience with men. For her early "coming out" years and then the following subsequent years afterwards, she was the sole caretaker of ailing parents living far from London society.

Jack was an easy character to understand. As a reader you understood his drive and ambitions. He was not a careless rake that had bedded a lot of ladies. (another excellent character bonus) Jack was a determined man that wanted to build a publishing empire and Amanda was the one thing that softened him. I adored how the pair carried on and bantered. Highly enjoyable.

With neither character overly fond of marriage, the conflict of the story was centered around that wedded flaw. At times it was a bit frustrating with the lack of communication between the couple but I could easily overlook that since that was the main conflict of the story. Amanda and Jack did not have an easy time of coming together as a couple and even afterwards they still continued to experience ups and downs. I loved how everything about their lives finally came together.

Teasers: male prostitute selection, lots of blushing, memorable carriage ride, historical cradle robbing *giggles*

Suddenly You is such a wonderful and original story, that I really wanted to give it five stars and I would have if the flaw had not been so, well, yecchy. (More on that later.)

In Victorian London, Amanda is a published author, about to turn 30 years old. She had spent her youth nursing first her dying mother, then her dying father, while her sisters married and had families. When she is finally free from family obligations, she moves to London to pursue her writing career and make a life for herself different than her small hometown could offer.

Amanda is missing one thing, however, - a man in her life. Gut instinct tells her that the respectable but dull marriages of her sisters are not for her and besides at thirty, who would be interested in a dried up spinster? Wanting to experience sex, she takes the daring step of visiting a madam and asking her to procure a man for her 30th birthday. The madam, in a matchmaking fit, decides to send young publisher Jack Devlin to her house on that night - Jack thinks he is going there to discuss a business matter. He quickly realizes that Amanda is expecting him to perform sexually and up to a point, he is happy to oblige and then leaves with a mostly-satisfied Amanda none the wiser about his identity.

Of course, Amanda discovers the truth. She is mortified, especially when she learns he has purchased her first novel, long moldering with the original publisher, and she will have to work with him to edit the book. Eventually they succumb to the sexual attraction between them and fall in love. In one of the many realistic scenes in this bok, when Amanda learns that gossip about their affair has begun she realizes she must end it because she cannot live with the consequences of the gossip. At the same time, a very nice gentleman of their class becomes interested in Amanda and offers marriage. Amanda intends to accept it, especially when she discovers that she is pregnant with Jack's child. Her honorable fiance tells Jack of the baby because he feels he has a right to know and Jack and Amanda do marry.

Although Jack is very quick to tell Amanda that he loves her after the marriage (almost too quick - I was wondering if I had inadvertently skipped a page), not all is well as there are minor problems to resolve and most importantly, Amanda miscarries the baby. Ah well, it is a romance and so all is well and they live happily ever after, not only personally but professionally.

One of the wonderful aspects of this story is that it is clear that Amanda and Jack are a good match - they have much in common and can work together, so you can see how a relationship would last between them, unlike so many other characters in historical romance who seem to have nothing in common beyond the bed sheets. There were no "evil-for-no-apparent-reason" characters to move the plot along, "just" a great character-driven story. The characters were well-fleshed out, in Jack's case partly through the use of secondary characters telling his story. It would have been very easy to have Jack be one of those oh-so-typical dark and tormented males of romantic fiction given his upbringing, but Kleypas resisted that trite tempation.

Kleypas skillfully weaves scads of historical information and character development into an original plot, which kept me engaged to the very end. I wish more authors would write about groups other than the nobility, especially if they can imitate Kleypas, who so handily mixes historical background into the story without sounding like she plagiarized from a history textbook.

Now, for what I and my book group considered the yucky part. All in all, the love scenes were well written, erotic and exciting. However, there were two scenes that I could have really lived without - one "alternative orifice" scene involving Jack's finger and the final love scene after Amanda's miscarriage when Jack inserts raspberries where no raspberries have gone before. I know it takes all kinds and romantic fiction authors today seems to be trying to write something "new" in their sex scenes, but those were two sexual "options" that made me want to cross my legs - so only 4 stars instead of 5.

Heroine: self-described as voluptuous on her good days, plump on the rest
I'm a sucker for Historical romances, particularly if they have a British or Celtic setting. Show me a book cover with a brawny man in a kilt or a suit of armor, and I'll show you my wallet. :^) This particular story takes place in London during those years between the end of the Regency period and the beginning of the Victorian era. There are no kilts unfortunately, but at least our hero, Jack Devlin, is half-Irish and a devilishly handsome man with a dark and mysterious past.  
Our heroine is virginal old maid Amanda Briars, a novelist who lives alone after having cared for her ailing parents during their last years. Normally when in her right mind, she's a pattern-card of propriety. Her impending birthday however, has her feeling less than her usual self. She does the unthinkable and approaches a notorious madam in order to procure 'company' for her 30th birthday. On the appointed night she opens the door to find the devastatingly gorgeous Jack standing before her, never suspecting the real reason for his being there. 
What worked for me:
More than anything, I loved reading about a heroine I could relate to attitude and shape-wise. She sounds to be as short and round as I am, yet the author never portrays her as frumpy and dumpy unless it's from Amanda's own viewpoint. Some of the wonderfully descriptive phrases Ms. Kleypas used to portray Amanda: ripe, like a hothouse peach; plump, perfectly so; abundant.
Another thing about Amanda that I liked was the fact that she always seemed to be cold. It just made her seem that much more real to me, that she had that particular quirk. (And yes, this too is something I can relate to.)
I adored the way Jack went after Amanda; desirous of her extremely curvaceous body, yes, but also drawn to her keen intellect and sharp wit. Their banter was enjoyable, and their love scenes were wonderful; very sensual, but tastefully done rather than becoming all-out erotica. Still, I was grateful that I had the A/C on as I was reading some of those passages.
What didn't work for me:
There were times that the standard romantic fiction 'formula' showed through in the writing, and that jolted me a bit: Insert hero's devastating past here, add heroine's introspection here, time for the forced marriage, etc etc.
I understand with a name like "Briars" that virginal Amanda would be 'prickly,' but for me there was a bit too much missishness in her character and it slowed down the story for the sake of creating friction between hero and heroine. I also had some trouble understanding how she wrote books that were on the fringe of acceptable when she had never been with a man. True, the books were meant to show what deep-down she wished to experience, but how could she express these ideas if she really didn't understand what she was missing?
Overall:
A good read. There were some interesting twists in the plotline, particularly how Jack and Amanda came to meet, as well as the ensuing problems from that first meeting. In my opinion "Suddenly You" is worth keeping for those days I feel plump rather than voluptuous and need to hear a handsome man raving about luscious curves. :^) 
If you liked "Suddenly You" you might also enjoy "The Bride and the Beast", "The Accidental Bride", or "The Fire-Flower".

Amanda Briars is still a virgin, and her thirtieth birthday is rapidly approaching. So Amanda, a popular author, does the unthinkable-- she goes to a madam and hires a man so that she will know physical love at least once. When sexy Jack comes to her door, she assumes he is the man for hire. She tries to send him away, but he gives her a little pleasure before he leaves.... Not long after this, Amanda meets Jack at a party and finds out, to her horror, that Jack is really John T. Devlin, publishing mogul and purveyor of scandalous literature. Amanda thinks he's a repulsive person, but Jack has just acquired Amanda's unpublished first novel. He wishes to publish it, but it requires editingShe feels she is dealing with the devil but agrees to the contract. Her passions get the better of her, too, and they begin an affair. This is a fast-flying novel with snappy dialogue, a most sympathetic heroine, and blazing, often unusual love scenes. A delightful and fun read!

I own many books by Liisa Kleypas and consider them among my favorite romance novels. She is a great storyteller and her characters and plots are always unique. I decided to read some of her older books. While the story and characters were different, I just couldn't.t get into the characters. I enjoyed the scenes with the Madame more than the main characters. I am usually a "don't stop reading 'till it's done" kind of reader and will burn the midnight oil for a great book and sometimes for even just a okay book. Suddenly You took me 5 days to read and even then I had to push myself to finish it.

Still a huge fan of the author, just not a fan of this book.

Amanda Briars is nearly thirty, unmarried, and firmly on the shelf. She makes a good living as a novelist, but though she enjoys her independence, she craves the touch of a man. So, taking matters into her own hands, she approaches one of London's most notorious madams, and orders herself a birthday present--a sexy male prostitute. When he arrives, even more gorgeous and sensual than she could have imagined, Jack shows her a pleasure she never imagined existed, though he stops short of taking her virginity.

Publisher Jack Devlin is rather shocked when the author he's come to negotiate with obviously mistakes him for a hired stud--but he can't resist her voluptuous charms. When they meet again, and she discovers the deception, she's understandably upset, but a working relationship blossoms into a friendship that quickly becomes much more.

If I were rating this book on characters alone, it would get six out of five stars. Amanda is a perfect mix of confidence and insecurity, completely convinced of her own undesirability, yet assertive in her professional life. Jack is the bastard son of a nobleman who clawed his way to the top of the publishing world by any means at his disposal. He is very damaged, convinced that he's not what Amanda needs, yet unwilling to let her go. Their chemistry is explosive, and in spite of--or perhaps because of--their initial encounter, their relationship proceeds at a perfectly slow pace. The love scenes are well-done and numerous without feeling excessive. Jack and Amanda are also quite a bit more adventurous than the average couple in historical romance, which I liked quite a bit.

Unfortunately, the plot doesn't always measure up to the high standards set by the characters. The main obstacles to their relationship are Amanda's fear Jack will tire of her and Jack's damaging past, and honestly, those are good ones, more than enough to be the crux of the plot. However, Ms. Kleypas seems to need to throw more and more things in their way, cluttering up the last 1/3 of the book. And just when you think Jack & Amanda will get their HEA, there's yet another issue! This book would have been much improved if the last 50 or so pages had been cut and jumped right into the epilogue.

If you love strong heroines and sexy, damaged alpha heroes, this book is definitely one to check out. Just don't hold the meandering ending against Jack and Amanda.

4/5 stars.

I just finished reading this book and I'm stunned at how good it was! What an engrossing tale Kleypas tells in "Suddenly You." I'm not a romance novel reader and definitely not a historical reader, but this has definitely changed my mind. This book was comical, thrilling, exhilirating, and written with true substance and finesse. Kleypas has a knack for describing her characters in such intimate details. I must admit, I was beginning to fall for Jack myself the moment he was introduced. The [intimate] scenes are not for the weak-hearted, but they just demonstrate how deep the characters love for each other really is. Their relationship is so beautiful and so romantic...everyone longs to find happiness like theirs. This is one awesome book and it's hard to put down! I hope this author continues to write books just as spellbounding as "Suddenly You."

When an author's historical novels just fly off the shelves, when everything she writes is a smash hit, when each new book is a rich, satisfying, hypnotic and sensual experience, it seems worthwile to examine her whole approach.
Lisa Kleypas is a genius. What she has discovered is a way to write romances that appeal both to historical fans, who love the sights and sounds and magic of the past, and contemporary fans, who just want a fun, exciting story about people who are funny and sexy and easy to relate to.
SUDDENLY YOU is technically a love story set in the 1830's, but the heroine's basic conflict is right out of SEX AND THE CITY. Can a successful career woman afford to gamble on a red hot sexual affair with a powerful man from her own professional circle? Amanda and Jack wear period clothing and live in lovely period surroundings, but they talk and think like fun, sophisticated, caring modern professionals who take it for granted that men and women are equal and that sex is a mutually pleasing and satisfying experience. They pursue a love affair that is modern and sophisticated, while holding on to the elegance and luxury of the past.
It's not hard to understand why there is such a huge audience for Lisa Kleypas' enticing romance. She knows how to give historical elegance to every tale -- with a modern spin.

Spinster Amanda Briars is a Dickensian era novelist living an independent life in London. As a gift to herself for her thirtieth birthday, Amanda has engaged the services of a top madam to find her a man to initiate her in the ways of love. Plain and nearly a wallflower, Amanda doesn't suffer from terrible insecurities, but she doesn't seem to think she could get a man without paying for him.
Jack Devlin is a hard-nosed publisher who started with nothing and in a few short years is leading all aspects of England's literary industries. Having recently acquired one of Miss Briar's early manuscripts, Jack shows up on her doorstep thinking a meeting has been arranged by a friend to discuss the publication of her work. He's a little surprised, but quickly adapts when he realizes that Amanda thinks he's a gigolo.
The premise might make you think that Amanda is one of those silly historical heroines who do stupid things just for the sake of an outlandish plot (and the first couple of scenes might not convince you otherwise), but as we dig into the story we find that she's actually a sharp, normal person. Kleypas's characterization is, as usual, first rate and you find yourself sympathetic to Amanda who just wants to experience a little bit more of life now that her "advanced" age allows her to do so. I'm an Amanda fan right up until about the last fifth of the book when her otherwise strong character begins to suffer for the sake of a conflict in the romance. Suddenly, she's unassertive, dishonest, and willing to play a quiet martyr, and I find my warm feelings for her starting to cool.
From the moment of their first meeting, Jack is taken with Amanda. He's read her work and respects her as a writer, but he's also compellingly attracted to both her body and her personality. I've been in kind of a drought where it comes to finding heroes who would make your toes curl lately, and I'm really happy that I ran into Jack in "Suddenly You". He's got a dark past, but he isn't overly weighed down by his baggage. There is definitely a reluctance to commit on his part, but when he does-watch out. And the love scenes? Don't burn yourself, they're very hot.
I was really into this story until about three quarters of the way through. The romance and characterization were so well done that things were wrapping up a little too soon I think, so the author had to introduce some conflict. I can understand why it was done, but the story really seemed to suffer for it. There's a reluctance on the part of both the protagonists to be honest that is completely out of character for both. No one wants to say how they feel after they'd been so forthright throughout the story to that point. It's like the romance just runs out of steam and there's a last ditch effort to revive it at the expense of the characters themselves. Toward the last few pages, things started to turn around and the hero and heroine were back on track, but it was hard to recover from the let-down of their unnecessary angst.
In the end, I have to give this book three stars, although if there were a three and a half star rating, that would be more appropriate. Lisa Kleypas is a first class romance author who consistently delivers stories worth reading and characters worth loving. If you haven't read anything of hers, I'd suggest you browse through her offerings and just pick the storyline that appeals the most to you, because you'll probably love it.

The Hero was the best thing about this book. Jack T Devlin, a successful hard nosed publisher who happened to be 5 years younger than the heroine, Amanda Briers, a successful novelist. Jack had long admired Amanda's books' and through an arranged meeting, unbeknownst to both of them being set up, they meet and the sparks fly.

Jack is enthralled with Amanda's mind and he likes her body. Amanda is not beautiful and the author takes great pains to repeat this over and over, always dwelling on her short comings. She's dumpy, plump with wide hips and a somewhat plain face.

But I really found no saving grace about her and couldn't understand what Jack saw in her. not because of her lack of looks or her less than 'perfect body' but because for all of her success, and intelligence which Jack greatly admired in her character. Amanda's low self esteem eventually got on my nerves because her actions, reactions how she saw herself all of that came out in how she behaved towards Jack. She just could not wrap her mind around the fact that a hunk, like him could want a plain Jane like her, which shows her innate prejudice and shallowness. She only felt comfortable when she met her counterpart in plainness. Another successful author, Mr. Charles Hartley whom she would have married. They seemed perfect together, both plain, both successful. Yet Amanda couldn't ignore her love and attraction to the devilish Mr. Devlin (pun intended).

All in all, this book was well written, but I found Amanda's low self esteem, her constant putting herself down, her childish behavior when a crisis arose at the end of the book, her immaturity when it came to matters of men and women to be a big turn off. And let's face it, Jack was way too mature acting for a mere 25. It would have been more realistic to have Amanda be 35 and Jack be 28. I think his character was far too mature at 25. Men don't behave the way he did while still on the cusp between boyhood and manhood. No matter that he had an extraordinary start in life at Knatchford Heath.

I would recommend buying this book, its a good story. Just try to look past Amanda's shortcomings. Too bad the author didn't. She constantly brought it up and thrust it in the readers face. Alright already. I get that Amanda isn't the ideal slender blond heroine in most romance novels. Do you have to beat us over the head with that? If only you'd made her inner character be strong and I'm not talking about the fact that she's an independent successful novelist spinster. I mean, her self esteem. She should have thought highly of herself.

Well I am thoroughly de-virginized. My Lisa Kleypas novel cherry has been popped and I enjoyed it immensely. I've heard so much about this wonderful author and recently read a short story by her, but this was my first ever novel.

It was a perfect mix of sweet seduction and wicked activities = loads of sex + loads of emotional connection. It's also easy to see that the author definitely knows her historical facts - either that, or she is great at pretending she does. I'm not the type of person to check facts of history. I read for the romance, not the age of buildings or attire, but the neatly woven historical comments set the scene perfectly and pulled you back in time.

For the first half of the book I devoured each page, turning and turning without taking a breath. Amanda is a strong willed woman and Jack was definitely a honey. My heart even broke a little when things didn't go so smoothly for them during the middle of the book.

I did find the ending a lot slower though. There had already been a whole heap of sex (which continued) but the final dramatic moment didn't really grow them as characters to me. It only endeavored to confirm that they were right for each other...not sure if that makes sense, but oh well.

I am definitely putting Lisa Kleypas on my must read list and hope to happily devour more of her books in the near future.

Successful writer, Amanda Briars is preparing to celebrate her thirtieth birthday in a most interesting way. She's unmarried, believes she will remain alone, and she's a virgin. So she visits a local madam to hire a man as her special birthday present. But the madam decides to do a little matchmaking. By the time Amanda opens the door for her visitor, she's having second thoughts. What she doesn't know is the devastatingly handsome man at her door is Jack Devlin, London's most notorious publisher. Once he realizes he's not who she's expecting, he comes close to fulfilling her birthday wish, but he has other plans for her. Once she realizes her mistake, she's embarrassed and upset with him for not revealing his identity. He wants to publish one of her books, and uses the events of his visit to gain her agreement. Working closely together, it's not long before they succumb to the growing attraction between them. But they will have some obstacles to overcome before they can remain together.
First of all, this was the first novel I've read by Ms. Kleypas. When reading the back cover of this book, I was intrigued because it sounded different and original. The first half of the book was interesting, and I enjoyed the fact it was about the publishing world, and not the nobility. That seemed refreshing. Jack was certainly a sexy hero, so that was another good point. However, halfway through the book, I lost interest and just quickly skimmed through the rest. What should have been a character driven sensual romance, turned into a mundane, lackluster story. Except of course for the love scenes. And I use the term "love" loosely here, because I don't find it sensual to read about every which way you can sex. And the crowning glory was one of the last scenes, which gives new meaning to the term "fruit filling".

I gave this story two stars for the first half which I enjoyed, and I will probably try another book by Ms. Kleypas, because I do think she has writing talent. I just can't recommend this particular book.

This is not my favorite Lisa Kleypas novel and these are not my favorite LK characters. However, this book has one of my all-time favorite scenes in a romance novel. Without giving too much away, there is a scene at the beginning of this book in which the heroine (Amanda) decides to hire herself a male prostitute for her 30th bday because she doesn't want to be a virgin forever and she is already well "on the shelf" as a spinster. When a visitor arrives the night of her bday, she invites her prostitute inside. This is when things get hilarious, because she has no clue that he isn't exactly what she thinks he is. I loved this part of the book.

The rest of the book had all the classic LK romance elements, but I didn't love all of it as much as I loved the beginning. For one thing, Amanda's insecurities in her personal life didn't sit well with me because of her obvious accomplishments and bravery elsewhere. She was an independent successful career woman in a time and place where it was almost impossible to be one. I don't want to see a person with that sort of gumption be insecure about age or appearance. But overall, it was still a great romance. It's worth reading for the prostitute scene alone.

Amanda Briars is about to turn 30. She gets herself an unusual birthday gift--a man. She has decided to buy herself a man for the night of her birthday. She falls under the spell of the man that shows up only to find out later that he is Jack Devlin--a very successful publisher who wants her working for him! Amanda is faced with the decision of whether or not to work for the man she despises yet is attracted to.
Suddenly You is a fantastic read. It has very likable characters in it who aren't the usual rich nobility of London. The characters in this book are authors and publishers and the like. The story moves along at a nice fast pace leaving the reader no time at all to become bored. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book.
This was my first book by this author but I'm sure not the last. This is a great book that could possibly be read in one setting--it is that good and that enjoyable. A very pleasurable read to be read again and again.

Suddenly You is a fast paced story of two unlikely people having much in common. Amanda's a "brainy" novelist who's a woman before her time and turning thirty. To celebrate she decides she wants to lose her virgin status so that she can have memories to cherish in her old age. She goes to an exclusive brothel to hire entertainment for this purpose and when he arrives she changes her mind. There are immediate sparks even though in the end the highly acclaimed event fizzles. After this, they immediately discover that they move in the same business circles and begin a relationship that is filled with the author's most steamy scenes to date! They make a pact to continue their liaison for three months and then go separate ways. However neither anticipates the feelings that erupt as they begin to discover what love is all about. This is a great beach book, but make sure the umbrella's covering you to hide the inevitable blush this title is sure to produce. The bookcover boasts that it is "The Most Sensual Romance of the Year". I'd have to agree it ranks up near the top.

Reviewed by SUZANNE & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Miss Amanda Briars is a confirmed spinster and a very successful novelist and very happy with her life. However, it is approaching her 30th birthday and she decides to get herself a very unusual birthday present, a night of passion with a man, something she yearns to experience. When the man she hires arrives, she got far more then she bargains for...

This is one of my favourite Lisa Kleypas novels, it has the perfect combination of interesting heroine and gorgeous and tormented hero. Kleypas seems to have a direct window into my mind and creates heroes that I am bound to fall in love with, and heroines that I wish I had as friends.

As always this is written brilliantly, drawing you into the characters life's until you can almost feel their emotions. I think this was LKs most sensual books, the sex scenes although not annoyingly frequent are steaming hot and intense, charged with Amanda and Jack's mutual longing, desire and love.

Another fantastic book by Lisa Kleypas, if you haven't read it then I highly recommend you get your hands on it, if you have read it, there is always time for a reread!

Well I am thoroughly de-virginized. My Lisa Kleypas novel cherry has been popped and I enjoyed it immensely. I've heard so much about this wonderful author and recently read a short story by her, but this was my first ever novel.

It was a perfect mix of sweet seduction and wicked activities = loads of sex + loads of emotional connection. It's also easy to see that the author definitely knows her historical facts - either that, or she is great at pretending she does. I'm not the type of person to check facts of history. I read for the romance, not the age of buildings or attire, but the neatly woven historical comments set the scene perfectly and pulled you back in time.

For the first half of the book I devoured each page, turning and turning without taking a breath. Amanda is a strong willed woman and Jack was definitely a honey. My heart even broke a little when things didn't go so smoothly for them during the middle of the book.

I did find the ending a lot slower though. There had already been a whole heap of sex (which continued) but the final dramatic moment didn't really grow them as characters to me. It only endeavored to confirm that they were right for each other...not sure if that makes sense, but oh well.

I am definitely putting Lisa Kleypas on my must read list and hope to happily devour more of her books in the near future.

Successful writer, Amanda Briars is preparing to celebrate her thirtieth birthday in a most interesting way. She's unmarried, believes she will remain alone, and she's a virgin. So she visits a local madam to hire a man as her special birthday present. But the madam decides to do a little matchmaking. By the time Amanda opens the door for her visitor, she's having second thoughts. What she doesn't know is the devastatingly handsome man at her door is Jack Devlin, London's most notorious publisher. Once he realizes he's not who she's expecting, he comes close to fulfilling her birthday wish, but he has other plans for her. Once she realizes her mistake, she's embarrassed and upset with him for not revealing his identity. He wants to publish one of her books, and uses the events of his visit to gain her agreement. Working closely together, it's not long before they succumb to the growing attraction between them. But they will have some obstacles to overcome before they can remain together.
First of all, this was the first novel I've read by Ms. Kleypas. When reading the back cover of this book, I was intrigued because it sounded different and original. The first half of the book was interesting, and I enjoyed the fact it was about the publishing world, and not the nobility. That seemed refreshing. Jack was certainly a sexy hero, so that was another good point. However, halfway through the book, I lost interest and just quickly skimmed through the rest. What should have been a character driven sensual romance, turned into a mundane, lackluster story. Except of course for the love scenes. And I use the term "love" loosely here, because I don't find it sensual to read about every which way you can sex. And the crowning glory was one of the last scenes, which gives new meaning to the term "fruit filling".

I gave this story two stars for the first half which I enjoyed, and I will probably try another book by Ms. Kleypas, because I do think she has writing talent. I just can't recommend this particular book.

This is not my favorite Lisa Kleypas novel and these are not my favorite LK characters. However, this book has one of my all-time favorite scenes in a romance novel. Without giving too much away, there is a scene at the beginning of this book in which the heroine (Amanda) decides to hire herself a male prostitute for her 30th bday because she doesn't want to be a virgin forever and she is already well "on the shelf" as a spinster. When a visitor arrives the night of her bday, she invites her prostitute inside. This is when things get hilarious, because she has no clue that he isn't exactly what she thinks he is. I loved this part of the book.

The rest of the book had all the classic LK romance elements, but I didn't love all of it as much as I loved the beginning. For one thing, Amanda's insecurities in her personal life didn't sit well with me because of her obvious accomplishments and bravery elsewhere. She was an independent successful career woman in a time and place where it was almost impossible to be one. I don't want to see a person with that sort of gumption be insecure about age or appearance. But overall, it was still a great romance. It's worth reading for the prostitute scene alone.

Amanda Briars is about to turn 30. She gets herself an unusual birthday gift--a man. She has decided to buy herself a man for the night of her birthday. She falls under the spell of the man that shows up only to find out later that he is Jack Devlin--a very successful publisher who wants her working for him! Amanda is faced with the decision of whether or not to work for the man she despises yet is attracted to.
Suddenly You is a fantastic read. It has very likable characters in it who aren't the usual rich nobility of London. The characters in this book are authors and publishers and the like. The story moves along at a nice fast pace leaving the reader no time at all to become bored. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book.
This was my first book by this author but I'm sure not the last. This is a great book that could possibly be read in one setting--it is that good and that enjoyable. A very pleasurable read to be read again and again.

Suddenly You is a fast paced story of two unlikely people having much in common. Amanda's a "brainy" novelist who's a woman before her time and turning thirty. To celebrate she decides she wants to lose her virgin status so that she can have memories to cherish in her old age. She goes to an exclusive brothel to hire entertainment for this purpose and when he arrives she changes her mind. There are immediate sparks even though in the end the highly acclaimed event fizzles. After this, they immediately discover that they move in the same business circles and begin a relationship that is filled with the author's most steamy scenes to date! They make a pact to continue their liaison for three months and then go separate ways. However neither anticipates the feelings that erupt as they begin to discover what love is all about. This is a great beach book, but make sure the umbrella's covering you to hide the inevitable blush this title is sure to produce. The bookcover boasts that it is "The Most Sensual Romance of the Year". I'd have to agree it ranks up near the top.

Reviewed by SUZANNE & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Miss Amanda Briars is a confirmed spinster and a very successful novelist and very happy with her life. However, it is approaching her 30th birthday and she decides to get herself a very unusual birthday present, a night of passion with a man, something she yearns to experience. When the man she hires arrives, she got far more then she bargains for...

This is one of my favourite Lisa Kleypas novels, it has the perfect combination of interesting heroine and gorgeous and tormented hero. Kleypas seems to have a direct window into my mind and creates heroes that I am bound to fall in love with, and heroines that I wish I had as friends.

As always this is written brilliantly, drawing you into the characters life's until you can almost feel their emotions. I think this was LKs most sensual books, the sex scenes although not annoyingly frequent are steaming hot and intense, charged with Amanda and Jack's mutual longing, desire and love.

Another fantastic book by Lisa Kleypas, if you haven't read it then I highly recommend you get your hands on it, if you have read it, there is always time for a reread!

Greek god-like damaged male instantly falls in love with "smart" but dumpy author...and of course the sex is brilliant from day one! How much more formulaic and pandering to female readers can you get. I said it out loud, "OH PLEASE." This is the second Kleypas novel I've read and I'm going back to the brilliant Georgette Heyer. RISE UP LADIES AND DEMAND BETTER!

I enjoy historical romances in this period, but often feel the social rules of the era make the stories a little stuffy and the characters in such stories have a hard time actually getting moments alone (who wants to wait until page 300 before they kiss?). Not in this one. The sparks fly from the first scene, and they continue throughout the story. Our hero and heroine have amazing chemistry, and even their verbal banter is enjoyable.

The ultimate test for me? I gave this book to my mum (a romance novel addict who had never read a book by LK before), and when I saw her after she read it, she gave me a big grin and asked, "Do you have any more of her books for me to borrow?"

Okay thank you Lisa Kleypas for an unusual heroine and a wonderful love story. Meet Amanda Briars, upcoming writer, and overweight spinster. She decides for her thirtieth birthday she is going to give herself the ultimate birthday present, a man. She goes to a "madam who deals with ladies of the evening" and asks her to send a "man" to her home.
Jack Devlin is a very rich businessman who has a huge publishing empire. He goes to Amanda's house to attempt to convince her to help him rewrite an old story of hers that he bought from another publisher. Amanda mistakes Jack for her "man of the evening," and Jack is quite surprised and instantly interested in Amanda. This is an excellent story and you will not be disappointed.

Amanda, an author, decides to lose her virginity for her 30th birthday. Jack, a publisher, shows up at her house, on the fateful evening. Their encounter will pull them into a relationship, one that will be sexual, as well as professional.
I would be inclined to say, that the above paragraph sums up SUDDENLY YOU's plot or story. As Jack and Amanda become closer, their relationship will become more heated. Both characters are very likeable. But, a book about sexual encounters between nice characters, just doesn't have enough substance, for me. And, Jack's big secret at the end of the book, is almost too silly to include. Especially, since there are big hints throughout the book, about his secret. Romance light, Kleypas light, in this circumstance, just makes me miss the Kleypas style of some of her earlier books. She's always been a favorite author, but, if this book indicates her future writings...
I could have given this book just one star, but I have liked this author, alot, in the past. And, Jack and Amanda seemed like very nice people...

Like one of the other reviewers here, I also discovered this book years after it was first released; and can't believe I almost let it pass by me. The characters are unique, the storyline different and refreshing, and the scenes are written with enough color to paint a picture but not so much detail that you start skimming past to get to the dialogue. There's not the usual angst or silly misunderstandings that provide the tension for the hero and heroine, rather its that neither would settle for less than a great romance and yet neither ever expected it to happen to them. How they come to realize that they can actually trust in what they found is beautiful.

I wish someone would define sensual for me. Inserting raspberries and back door action doesn't really do it for me nor for a lot of other readers, I suspect.
Apart from that there is not much sizzle in the book at all, and his consummation of their relationship in a carriage is not the least romantic. The only thing that as improved is the sex is finally consensual in the book; often in a Kleypas novel it isn't.
Amanda is a twit-she lets' herself be talked out of her relationship and neither of them seem to c are enough about he other to fight for each other. She fully intends to marry another and them being forced to marry just does not convince us they will live happily ever after. For two people who inhabit the world of words they say very little to one another and can't ever admit their feelings.
They are both emotionally shallow and cowards even though they have no great depth of emotion for each other anyway. Another unmemorable novel which would have done better as a really intense short story than a long-winded narrative.

This book is intelligent, funny, and sensual. The main characters really make this novel a success. They are refreshingly unique. It's good to see a normal sized woman be the heroine. The hero actually appreciates and loves her figure! I was a bit surprised by this novel's lack of a villian or a mystery. It seems the author decided to stray almost completely from the usual historical romance formula. Though the lack of danger did leave an occasional lull, I still thought this was an excellent book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Lisa Kleypas.