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Tough minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian ballister, the notorious Marquess of Diain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And When Daines reciprical passion places them in a scandously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction...

Dawn the minx for tempting him, kissing him...and then for forcing him to salvage reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place -- and in some amorous position. And if this means marriage, so be it -- though sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remian aloof...and stell his heart to the sensuous, head strong lady's considerable charms.

I really loved this book. It was soooo good.

First of all, Dain isn't your normal hero. In the book he's described as looking like Beelzebub. He's called "big beak" and referred to as not very handsome and that's how Dain thinks of himself. Which I found was different. Usually you get these handsome Brad Pitt looking guys. It's not that Dain is ugly. He's not. He's just not like your normal hero.

Dain's mother, the only person who loved him, ran off when he was young. His father was pretty much disgusted with him. Well, maybe not disgusted, just disappointed. His father had 3 handsome sons who died. So to have a not so handsome son, Dain, left daddy bitter. So Daddy dearest sends Dain away to school. Because he's picked on, Dain learns to disguise his feelings by laughing things off and making witty remarks. He sounds as if he could care less. And he does. He has a front of being cool and collected. Until Jessica arrives.

You see, she wants her brother to stop hanging around Dain. Her family knows Bertie is an idiot. Dain knows he's an idiot, so Jessica thinks he's taking advantage of him. Which... I can't remember why Dain befriended him in the first place.

Jessica and Dain have a love/hate relationship. However, they both realize they are attracted to each other. Which is nice. Most of the time the heroines deny the feelings they have for the guy. Not Jessica. After meeting Dain, she complains to her grandmother how handsome he is and how she feels something for him. Jessica is smart, feisty, and knows how to stand her ground with Dain. She doesn't let him push her around. I love how Jessica spar back and forth with Dain. There is one incident where Jessica says she won't argue with Dain. Which of course he doesn't believe. After a month, Dain is desperate to have his Jessica back. He hates having a wife who listens and agrees with everything he says and does.

After getting caught in a compromising position at the ball, they are forced to marry. We get a glimpse of Dain caring for Jessica. He gives her a betrothal ring. He spent hours in a shop trying to find a ring for her. The jeweler gave Dain suggestions that made him want to vomit. A birthstone ring. A stone to match her eyes etc. Dain then finds the perfect ring and he knows the reasoning of picking it out is just as sappy as the jeweler's. It's a ruby for the girl who shed his blood (she shot him. You have to read it to understand) and diamonds representing the lightning that flashed when she kissed him.

As he waits for her reaction to the ring, he tries to tell himself he doesn't care what she think. But he does. He really wants her to love the ring. We see even though Dain is the tough guy, all he really wants is to be loved. He is a sensitive person but not whiney sensitive. When Jessica gives Dain a birthday present, he's shocked. He also treasures it and when asked to give his present up he refuses.

All in all I loved this book. The is much more to the story but you have to read it to find out. These are two quotes I love. There are many more, but these are what I have here at work.

Jessica to Dain

"I love these pet names," she said, gazing soulfully up into his eyes, "Nitwit. Sap skull. Termagant. How they make my heart flutter!"

Dain's reaction receiving the invitation to a ball is too funny.

"A part of his mind recommended he burn it.
Another part suggested he urinate on it.
Another advised him to shove it down Her ladyship's throat."

Go read this book!

Grade: 5/5

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