This is the second book in the Dressmakers series by Loretta Chase and it’s yet another winner for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance that sprang forth between Harry and Sophy. They were such a cute couple and I enjoyed each and every single scene between the two. This book starts off not too long after the last book ended. Marcelline is the new Duchess of Clevedon and is deliriously happy with her husband. She’s in love and in that newlywed happy bubble, leaving the other two sisters to worry about what their sister’s happiness would cost their family business. They’re not unhappy with the marriage but they are worried.They’re worried that they’ll lose their biggest client, Lady Clara who used to be “engaged” to the Duke of Clevedon. Now, Lady Clara may have forgiven the Noirot sisters but her mother hasn’t and her mother is the mother hen of the ton. What she says goes, if she doesn’t want anyone going to the Noirot sisters for their dressmaking needs then you can bet the farm that nobody will.This book follows Sophy Noirot as she tries to save that relationship and the client. Lady Clara has been ruined at a ball, on purpose by a cad of a man named Adderly and instead of letting Lady Clara’s brother, the sexy Earl of Longmore meet that asshole at dawn, she talks him into helping Clara first. Lady Clara takes off and Sophy rushes after her with Harry.Harry is very attracted to Sophy Noirot. He’s also a big time flirt and accomplished womanizer. He’s biding his time with the lovely Miss Noirot but he means to have her. Sophy is just as attracted to Harry but won’t succumb to temptation because she won’t start a relationship and put their family business in further jeopardy by poaching another man of the ton. Not that her reservations mean anything to Harry. He wants her, plain and simple. To hell with everyone else.Watching Harry and Sophie come together was a great way to spend a few hours. Their story was sweet and refreshingly different from what I’ve been reading lately. I’ve been reading a lot of YA books and needed something different so I picked this one up and am super glad because I really enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the characters and it’s made me excited for Leonie’s story. I’m curious to see who she ends up with.Loretta Chase did a fabulous job of sucking me right back into the world of dressmaking and romance. She writes stories that just makes me sit up and take notice. It wasn’t any different with this book and while I couldn’t remember much from the first book, it didn’t stop me from jumping right into the thick of things with this book. It was an enjoyable read, one that I will definitely be re-reading. It’s a definite keeper so yes, I definitely recommend this book.Grade: 4.5 out of 5 This book was actually worse than the first one, and I was kind of iffy about how good that one was to begin with! This book was very boring, and the hero just rubbed me the wrong way. He seemed like an imbecile airhead, but at times he would act like an alpha hero, and Sophy used this to get her own way. In reality, I don't want a man I can manipulate and walk all over to get what I want, and I really dislike reading about men like that as well. I don't think I'll finish the series or continue with the author...it is just not worth my time to read such disappointing books.
What do You think about Scandale En Satin (2013)?
Not nearly as good as the first one in the series, sigh.
—julie
