Despite being a member of the eccentric Hathaway family, all Poppy wants is a quiet life - and in Michael Bayning she thinks she's found it. But real life isn't a fairytale, and Poppy soon discovers that the serving maid doesn't always marry the prince. Sometimes she's left with the villain instead. And Harry Rutledge is certainly one of those.
In the third of the `Hathaways' series (
Mine Till Midnight,
Seduce Me at Sunrise) LK focuses on sensible, talkative Poppy. Intelligent and honest, she has moments of both endearing naïveté and iron-willed strength. Like all the Hathaways she has her own views on society and its rules, and a deep sense of integrity that she will never compromise.
Unlike Harry, who is truly ruthless - in the tradition of LK's most beloved heroes (Derek Craven, St. Vincent, Nick Gentry) - when he wants something, he'll stop at nothing to get it. I did take a while to warm up to Harry, I'll admit, but Poppy brings out the best in him. He's smart and a little too clever for his own good, but his past explains a lot, which is why his relationship with Poppy is such a delight to read. She's no pushover, nor is she overdramatic. She doesn't get hysterical or throw tantrums, and often Harry has no idea what to do with her. She certainly doesn't make things easy for him.
As with the rest of the series, Poppy's family plays a large part, with welcome glimpses of Amelia and Cam, Win and Merripen as well as further developments between brother Leo, and the mysterious governess Catherine Marks. (The epilogue leaves no doubts about the subject of the next book). There's also more from the youngest - and my favourite - Bea, with her wonderful menagerie of pets, including Dodger.
With all of them arrayed against him, Harry doesn't stand a chance.
Full of wit and warmth, and the problems of thinking too much about everything, the Hathaways continue in fine style.
