Groomed to perfection…

A Perfect Groom by Samantha James is Book Two of the Sterling Family series.  Justin, the younger Sterling brother, made his appearance in the first book and seemed for all accounts to be an accomplished rake and rabble-rouser.  But, there was more to him than met the eye, and even a scoundrel can have a heart. I was eager to read his story, as he stole the scenes in the first book.

Justin believes that he can seduce anyone and wagers that he will be the first to bed the most sought-after debutante of the Season. “The Unattainable” has become the prize to be won, and others have wagered to win her. He knows he is in trouble when he finds that the debutante in question is his childhood nemesis: Arabella Templeton. But he cannot deny that she has grown to be a beautiful woman, and he proceeds to work his wiles, determined to release the passionate woman inside her.

Arabella is not amused by Justin’s sudden attentions. She will not to be swayed by his good looks, but as she gets to know him better, she begins to succumb to his skilled seduction. Justin uses every weapon of lust and temptation in his arsenal to defeat Arabella’s reluctance and hesitation.

Their passion grows, and the attraction that Justin felt in the beginning is eventually eclipsed by the need to possess her. He has no desire to marry, but he can’t fathom the idea of Arabella in the arms of another man. Still lurking in the background, Justin’s original wager, and the potential havoc it could wreak, should Arabella discover it.

Overall, the story is well developed, and the characters are enigmatic enough to make me care about their future. It’s definitely a keeper.