Lost in Temptation

Author: Lauren Royal
Published: July 2005 (Signet)
Category: Regency Romance
Series: Sweet Temptations Trilogy #1
Rating: 9/10

Hurrah, a new author! And she writes in trilogies! The Sweet Temptations Trilogy tells the stories of the three Chase sisters, in their early 20s, and ready for marriage. Due to a series of deaths in their family, they've been in continuous mourning for a few years and have not been participating in the Season. Lost in Temptation tells the story of Alexandra, eldest of the three girls. Since their parents and oldest sibling (the heir) have passed away, their older brother Griffin is now the Marquess of Cainewood, and bears the unofficial title of "matchmaking mama."

This was a really refreshing historical romance in the way the siblings banter with each other. Because they are so familiar with each other and raised themselves, there's a very modern feel to the way they tease each other. If they were in 2007, I could see all the smacking and "nyah!" stuff going on.

Griffin was not prepared to become the marquess, and as a measure of respect to his older brother Charles, he's trying to save the newly planted vineyards on the estate (it was Charles's pet project before he passed away). He calls on his longtime friend, Tristan Nesbitt, now Marquess of Hawkridge. Alexandra has had a crush on Tris since she was a child, and he's finally reentered her life. The "falling in love with your brother's best friend" plot device is one of my favorites, because it lends to hilarious overprotective older brother incidents.

So Alexandra and Tris are attracted to each other, but it can't work out that easily, can it? Alexandra's younger sisters are constantly coming up with ways to leave the two together unattended, and kisses are stolen, but Tris says he won't marry Alexandra, or anyone. Apparently, there's a scandal following Tris. He only became Marquess of Hawkridge due to the death of his uncle. The circumstances around his death are a little suspicious. Because of his tarnished reputation, Tris is shunned by Society despite not being convicted. Oh, and Tris sleepwalks, so he's afraid that he may have killed his uncle in his sleep. And the sleepwalking? It gets Alexandra compromised, so they have to marry after all.

The men engage in some fisticuffs because someone couldn't keep his hands off someone's sister, and after that night-before-the-wedding fight, Griffin encounters Alexandra baking some traditional Chase family sweets in the middle of the night. At her request, he has to uncomfortably, and hilariously, tell her what to expect on her wedding night. That is partially why her marrying Griffin's best friend is so entertaining. It gets even more hilarious during the actual wedding night when Alexandra is puzzled over how everything isn't happening the way Griffin described and Tris keeps telling her to "stop mentioning Griffin!"

Everything ties up neatly because Alexandra solves the mystery of Tris's uncle's death. It was a bit drawn out and overdramatic at times, and I could see it coming from a mile away (this is why the book isn't a 10), but I will definitely be reading more Lauren Royal. It was truly lovely. I've already got a copy of the second book in the trilogy, Tempting Juliana.