His Secret Sin (Notorious Bachelors #3) by Emma Wildes   
Historical Romance
November 2, 2010
Paperback, 336 Pages
Signet

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “It was irritating to think that everyone was concerned on how she pleased him, but no one seemed to worry over whether or not he pleased her.”

Julianne Sutton has been committed to marry the Marquess of Longhaven since birth. But when the current Marquess, Harry, dies, it’s his brother Michael who is to be her bridegroom. Julianne soon realizes that it’s not only her wedding plans that have changed.
Michael Longhaven has spent years battling intrigue and deception in the game of espionage. But nothing prepares him for a beguiling and innocent wife who challenges him in the most important game of all- love.

In the 3rd book of Emma Wildes Notorious Bachelor’s series we get to know Michael Longhaven; the last bachelor in a group of men who’s friendships solidified in war and lasted beyond. Well written with an suspenseful and romantic storyline ; Ms Wildes takes us in to the shadowy world of spies, espionage, and revenge. Charismatic characters fill the storyline with personality and wit as Michael and Julianne find their way through marriage, love, and trust. I have enjoyed this series immensely. The first one, My Lord Scoundrel captured my heart with it’s sweetly romantic tale. The second one, My Wicked Mistake, was a little bland but made up for it with a secondary romance that had me laughing the whole book. This one, My Secret Sin, follows along the same lines as Ms. Wildes first one and captured me from the very start.

Julianne Sutton, our heroine, is a delightful character. Seemingly fragile and a trifle dull in the beginning; you learn learn that appearances can be deceiving and she is extremely intelligent, observant, and courageous. How can she not be? She marries a man that she knows nothing about and rather then beat her fists against fate-she does what she can to make her marriage work.

Michael Longhaven, our hero, is contained. That is the best word to use. Settled so long in the spy game; distrust and deceit are but second nature to him. He keeps his emotions well buried and only allows you to see what he wants you to see. When his older brother Harry dies, he is summoned back to England and assumes his brothers betrothed as his own at his parents insistence.
They are both rather alike in personality though I’m sure they would deny it. Neither given to overly emotional dramatics (thank goodness) or displays. Yet, when they do speak of their feelings, it comes across more poignant because of how they are.

Ms. Wildes slowly builds their relationship one step at a time. After all, they don’t know each other at all and trust is a hard emotion to command. The sexual play comes fast (after all they ARE married) but she doesn’t have our heroine swooning out of bed though she does do some serious swooning in bed. *fanning myself* Michael tries very hard to keep his wife and life separate and while Julianne doesn’t raise a fuss about it, you can see how certain things Michael does hurts her. This shows in certain scenes where you are given each of their reactionary POVs. It’s amazing how a simple sentence or event can be construed differently. I enjoyed the fact the Julianne doesn’t hide her intelligence and questions Michael about his actions and motives. She calls him out; but in a gentle manner and not through nefarious or jealousy invoking schemes. Though I did wish to see some reactions of anger or jealousy between them. They were a bit too calm at times and each of them have secrets that should have been disclosed in the beginning. It’s only through a series of events that Ms. Wildes has our couple face their trial of fire and emerge unscathed with their love and hearts intact.

Of course, there is always a secondary romance in Ms. Wildes stories and this one does not disappoint. Our couple here has some explosive secrets and issues of their own that could possibly affect our hero and heroine and their story intertwines and blends well into the main storyline. This couple is such a polar opposite of our main couple that the differences are exciting and humorous to watch and compare. The ending is rather climatic and provoking affair that wraps everything up quite nicely and answers a lot of questions. I will admit that to those who have read the series; one particular development will have you, like me, hoping that Ms. Wildes write a fourth book so we can find out what the results of that admission is.

Rating: B

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Goodreads

This Series Includes:
My Lord Scandal 
One Wicked Mistake 
His Sinful Secret

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