The Art of Temptation

Author: Lauren Royal
Published: October 2, 2007 (Signet)
Category: Regency Romance
Series: Sweet Temptations Trilogy #3
Rating: 9/10

It appears I was right about there being a dud in every trilogy, as The Art of Temptation was tons better than Tempting Juliana, and I think I might even like this final book better than the first in the trilogy, Lost in Temptation, which turned me on to Royal in the first place. And we finally see the end of Griffin and Rachael's drawn-out side story. I felt like they could've gotten hitched in the second novel, which may have improved it.

Although he had a bevy of beautiful admirers, all Sean Delaney cared about was securing a divorce-for his sister, that is. That's why he was impersonating John Hamilton, her famous painter husband. It was the only way the rotter would agree to a divorce. Little did Sean realize that duping Hamilton's dying uncle would require the help of the very woman who could inspire him to get down on one knee...

Budding artist Lady Corinna Chase never had an interest in getting married. But as the only person privy to Sean's secret, she's more than happy to help him pull off his hoax. Until, that is, she realizes she's met a man who might actually tempt her into tying the knot…

I'm wary of romances where the hero or heroine assumes another identity and we inevitably deal with the trust issue. I was already imagining the "How could you??!!" and "Don't you trust me enough to tell me the truth??" and "You're not who I thought you were!" At first, it seemed like it was going the bad way when Corinna refused to believe Sean when he denied being his brother-in-law. Thankfully, she's rather smart and realizes there's no way a colorblind man can be a famous landscape artist, and helps him in his role as John Hamilton. He's supposed to keep Hamilton's uncle company until he succumbs to his illness, but it doesn't make the task easier when it turns out the supposed jerk of an uncle is a wonderful and generous member of the peerage.

This was a really sweet romance (although naked posing didn't play as large a role as I expected), and Royal's usual obstacle-to-HEA came up near the end of the book. Sean realizes that once the ton realizes that he's been duping a much-loved sick man all along, he and anyone associated with him will be persona non grata. For once, the twist makes for good reading, and I'm glad to say that Hamilton gets his comeuppance.

The Art of Temptation was a good end to the trilogy, and I'm interested in what Royal will do for her next trilogy.