The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
THE STUDY OF SEDUCTION is a solid, entertaining, and overall satisfying historical romance. Sabrina Jeffries succeeds again with the tried but true formula of a conservative, unsociable, tall, dark, and handsome aristocrat who falls for a witty, flirtatious, challenging, and strong-willed attractive socialite.
When Clarissa’s cousin and guardian leaves the country to help out Clarissa’s exiled brother, Edwin promises to look out for her, squire her about town, and prevent her sleazy French suitor, Durand, from harassing her. Yet, Durand is irrationally persistent and won’t leave Clarissa alone, so Edwin marries Clarissa to protect her.
Edwin and Clarissa have known each other since childhood, and Edwin has been infatuated with her since her debut. What Edwin doesn’t know is that Clarissa had a bad experience with a man at her debut, which has made her reluctant to consummate their marriage.
So, there are two mysteries in the story: why Clarissa is afraid to have sex with Edwin and why Durand is so obsessed with marrying Clarissa. It was fairly obvious to me the more Clarissa protested and her memories were revealed what those mysteries were about and how they were possibly tied together.
Aside from Edwin’s back story, there weren’t very many surprises in the novel, and the villain was rather one-dimensional. Edwin is a more complex character, and I liked his compassion toward women and his willingness to admit when he’s wrong.
I liked the way Edwin and Clarissa challenged each other, how Edwin’s gifts for her were meaningful, and how Edwin was “in her corner.” I also liked Clarissa’s friendship with Edwin’s sister and their affirmation that women should stick together.
The novel’s conclusions about violence against women is a familiar narrative, partly because the shaming and silencing of victims-survivors-seems to be a never ending story. It’s too bad there doesn’t seem to be enough flexibility in the genre for heroines who are unafraid and unashamed to own their voices and speak their truths.
*ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
