A Perfect Groom 
asked by caramel on November 20, 2006 12:49 PM
Perfection is in the eye of the beholder . . .
Proud of his reputation as a rogue, Justin Sterling intends tobe the first to bed "The Unattainable"—the Season's most luscious debutante—and win the wager that's the talk of the ton. However, he never expected the enchantress in question to be Arabella Templeton, who once stole his heart and owns it still. Now the notorious scoundrel will have to prove to her that his intentions are honorable . . . while protecting her virtue from every other rascal in London.
Arabella will marry only for love—and she does not need her childhood nemesis to act as her self-appointed guardian! Though the arrogant cad seems sincere, she is well aware of his rakehell history and won't be swayed by his considerable charm and disarming good looks. For it would be pure madness for Arabella to ignore the voice of reason that whispers "beware!" and heed instead a traitorous heart that insists Justin Sterling would make . . .
Reviews
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Samantha James has written another great novel. She has never failed me yet. A Perfect Groom is a wonderfully written and very sexy book. The reader will feel the despair, the heartbreak, passion and the joy of Justin and Arabella in this very excellent character driven romance. Samantha James has the ability to break down her characters souls and feed their emotional struggles onto the pages. I also found the characters to be multi-dimensional. The plot and characters seemed fresh, the pace was quick, and it was a totally engrossing read. Full of enjoyable supporting characters and stories. The characters are colorful and unforgettable. I love how this book shows what child abuse does to the adult and how it took someone who loves Justin completely to heal his wounds. Justin is handsome, sexy, intelligent, but embittered by life. I am always a sucker for stories with "heartless" heroes who find their souls through the love of a good woman.
reviewed by smiling on November 27, 2006 7:14 PM
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The second in Mrs. James's Sterling Family Trilogy, A Perfect Groom, is a wonderfully enjoyable read with a hero that you'll love. Justin Sterling has lived through the scandal of his mother's desertion as a child and his father's abuse (until his death). As such, he has enjoyed a life of privilege--including an endless stream of beautiful lovers in his bed. It was this wicked behavior that led to him being hit in the nose by a young girl that overheard him "breaking it off" with one such lady. Never forgetting this insult, Justin is amazed to years later find the seasons most sought after maiden, "The Unattainable," (Arabella) is the same young lady that once bested him.
Forced to marry after being caught in a compromising position, the couple must wed. Resulting in a passionate, yet emotional love that helps Justin heal from his past and Arabella believe in love. Throughout the story, Justin is the most dynamic character (of the book) and it is his development that really held my interest. When a predictable twist in the story shatters their happiness and nearly rips the couple apart, it is Justin who I feel is injured the most. However, in the end, Arabella finally comes to her senses and reclaims her "Perfect Groom."
Forced to marry after being caught in a compromising position, the couple must wed. Resulting in a passionate, yet emotional love that helps Justin heal from his past and Arabella believe in love. Throughout the story, Justin is the most dynamic character (of the book) and it is his development that really held my interest. When a predictable twist in the story shatters their happiness and nearly rips the couple apart, it is Justin who I feel is injured the most. However, in the end, Arabella finally comes to her senses and reclaims her "Perfect Groom."
reviewed by anexpert on November 29, 2006 2:42 AM
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In the second installment of the Sterling Family trilogy, Justin Sterling is touted as the `handsomest man in England' but underneath the handsome visage he bears deeply ingrained scars from a less than perfect childhood. For years he has carried a deep secret guilt that has directed his wild and notorious reputation as a love`um and leave`um unfeeling rake. When challenged by an acquaintance with a similar reputation in a private wager to be the first to bed the season's latest debutante stunner labeled "The Unattainable" he decides to at least learn who and what the talk was all about.
Discovering that the unattainable miss, was his childhood nemesis Arabella was indeed a shock especially as Arabella's opinion of him as an adult hadn't altered much - other than to probably despise him more so for the wicked rumors that followed his adult footsteps. The fact that she had blossomed from a red-headed harridan brat into a goddess surely disconcerted him and he was totally enjoying the challenge of matching her rapier sharp wit with his own double entendres. When goaded enough he left her complete dazzled with a burning hot kiss....and romances being what they are, Arabella began to look at Justin in a whole new light as he, shaken himself, decided that perhaps it was time to turn over a new leaf!
*** I really liked this story even though it was a relatively light plot, there being no big mystery, villain or such. For me it was just an emotional, sometimes tearful, progression of two people who fell in love, yet naturally had such a hard time admitting to it (Ah, the stuff romances are made of!) Eventually, Arabella, with the help of Justin's brother Sebastian, came to understand the demons that drove him and was finally able to convince Justin that he was `worthy' of being loved. With an impeccable writing style I truly enjoyed, and a tasteful sensual prose, I found this to be a sweetly satisfying read that most are sure to enjoy, and I truly am looking forward to the last Sterling sibling, Juliana's, story.
--- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---
Discovering that the unattainable miss, was his childhood nemesis Arabella was indeed a shock especially as Arabella's opinion of him as an adult hadn't altered much - other than to probably despise him more so for the wicked rumors that followed his adult footsteps. The fact that she had blossomed from a red-headed harridan brat into a goddess surely disconcerted him and he was totally enjoying the challenge of matching her rapier sharp wit with his own double entendres. When goaded enough he left her complete dazzled with a burning hot kiss....and romances being what they are, Arabella began to look at Justin in a whole new light as he, shaken himself, decided that perhaps it was time to turn over a new leaf!
*** I really liked this story even though it was a relatively light plot, there being no big mystery, villain or such. For me it was just an emotional, sometimes tearful, progression of two people who fell in love, yet naturally had such a hard time admitting to it (Ah, the stuff romances are made of!) Eventually, Arabella, with the help of Justin's brother Sebastian, came to understand the demons that drove him and was finally able to convince Justin that he was `worthy' of being loved. With an impeccable writing style I truly enjoyed, and a tasteful sensual prose, I found this to be a sweetly satisfying read that most are sure to enjoy, and I truly am looking forward to the last Sterling sibling, Juliana's, story.
--- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---
reviewed by smiling on November 29, 2006 10:10 AM