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Sterling Trilogy #3
A Perfect Hero
Since she was cruelly left at the altar at the age of twenty-two, Lady Julianna Sterling has resolved to have nothing to do with men. So she is shocked to discover she has unwelcome feelings for the very worst of the breed - a dangerous, unbearably handsome highwayman who has set upon her coach in the countryside and taken her captive. Worse still, her righteous ire turns quickly to disappointment when the irresistible outlaw sets her free.
Viscount Dane Graville knows he should not have revealed his face to the enchanting Lady Julianna - for he has compromised the secret mission he has undertaken for the Crown in the guise of the notorious Magpie. Now their paths are crossing once more, and Dane aches to taste again the sweetness of her kiss. But he must resist what his heart demands, for their passion can only lead to perils beyond imagining.
Viscount Dane Graville knows he should not have revealed his face to the enchanting Lady Julianna - for he has compromised the secret mission he has undertaken for the Crown in the guise of the notorious Magpie. Now their paths are crossing once more, and Dane aches to taste again the sweetness of her kiss. But he must resist what his heart demands, for their passion can only lead to perils beyond imagining.
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
63 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Samantha James
82 books499 followersGrowing up in Joliet, Illinois, Samantha James had many childhood aspirations--being a writer was never one of them. When she was ten, she was certain she was destined to be an astronomer. That soon changed (happened a lot during those pre-teen years!) when she decided archaeology was in her future. Detective work was her next goal, thanks to the Trixie Belden mysteries she was reading, and before long, nursing beckoned (courtesy of the Cherry Ames series). In college, she set her sights on teaching history, then briefly entertained the notion of becoming a flight attendant, only to discover she did not like to fly.
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 25, 2020
"A Perfect Hero" is the story of Julianna and Dane.
AH SO GOOD!
The book begins with our heroine being jilted on her wedding day at 21, and being utterly heartbroken. She gives up her belief in love, and the story moves six years later.
Now on the shelf and off the bridal market, she seems content with her life. On the way back home after hiding in countryside for ages, her carriage is accosted by a highwayman, and she is kidnapped. Waking up from unconsciousness, she finds herself facing a handsome rogue and his very temperamental cat. Initially trapped in a room, opportunity soon arises when she ends up shooting the hero, but that is where her conscience and kindness takes over. There soon develops passion, a separation followed by a revelation, old scars are opened and eventually wounds are healed.
A WONDERFUL romance with a kind hearted heroine, a caring hero, great chemistry, well written lovemaking scenes, a satisfying resolution and a heartwarming HEA.
Heavily recommended!
Safe
4.5/5
AH SO GOOD!
The book begins with our heroine being jilted on her wedding day at 21, and being utterly heartbroken. She gives up her belief in love, and the story moves six years later.
Now on the shelf and off the bridal market, she seems content with her life. On the way back home after hiding in countryside for ages, her carriage is accosted by a highwayman, and she is kidnapped. Waking up from unconsciousness, she finds herself facing a handsome rogue and his very temperamental cat. Initially trapped in a room, opportunity soon arises when she ends up shooting the hero, but that is where her conscience and kindness takes over. There soon develops passion, a separation followed by a revelation, old scars are opened and eventually wounds are healed.
A WONDERFUL romance with a kind hearted heroine, a caring hero, great chemistry, well written lovemaking scenes, a satisfying resolution and a heartwarming HEA.
Heavily recommended!
Safe
4.5/5
January 13, 2025
This was a okay story. Found it a bit boring in parts. Got better about 60% in.
November 23, 2018
I finished the Sterling trilogy and I loved it. SJ is my new favorite author. Her stories are romantic, passionate and her epilogues melt my heart! Great read.
May 17, 2023
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Pues bueno, pues vale, pues bien. No es que haya estado mal pero ha sido algo raruno, como si a la escritora se le hubieran ido ocurriendo cosas de la nada según iba escribiendo y las ha ido metiendo. Así, hay medio libro aislado que parece una historia y otro medio que es un batiburrillo donde algunas cosas están bien y otras te dejan loca en el mal sentido.
Samantha James escribe bien pero aquí no se ha lucido. Además, la protagonista es una blanda de cuidado.
En cualquier caso, me he entretenido leyéndolo y tampoco ha sido tan malo como para darle menos nota.
Pues bueno, pues vale, pues bien. No es que haya estado mal pero ha sido algo raruno, como si a la escritora se le hubieran ido ocurriendo cosas de la nada según iba escribiendo y las ha ido metiendo. Así, hay medio libro aislado que parece una historia y otro medio que es un batiburrillo donde algunas cosas están bien y otras te dejan loca en el mal sentido.
Samantha James escribe bien pero aquí no se ha lucido. Además, la protagonista es una blanda de cuidado.
En cualquier caso, me he entretenido leyéndolo y tampoco ha sido tan malo como para darle menos nota.
January 21, 2016
If goodreads gave the option I would really rate this 3.5. I absolutely adored Julianna and Dane and their chemistry and the progression in their relationship was very believable. Plus the lack of unnecessary misunderstandings that seems to be in most HR books was refreshing. This was definitely the highlight of this series.
Read
January 8, 2025DNF
Still think book #1 is my favorite, while this one was lacking something. I grew bored quickly so I’m putting it away.
Still think book #1 is my favorite, while this one was lacking something. I grew bored quickly so I’m putting it away.
December 18, 2024
Hace años que me leí los dos anteriores de la saga y tenía pendiente este. Me ha parecido muy dulce y tierno, también algo ingenuo. La protagonista a pesar de haber sido plantada en el altar es muy inocente, cosa poco creíble Y aunque pueda parecer que empieza como un secuestro no tiene nada que ver con síndromes de Estocolmo. El protagonista me ha gustado es como dice el título un héroe.
La primera mitad es la que más me ha gustado que es cuando se van conociendo. Luego una vez que vuelven a Londres para mi gusto pasa muy rápido todo, normal el libro tiene solo 254 páginas. En esta trilogía además de ser muy tierna no hay escenas de cama especialmente explícitas. Por ejemplo de esta autora leí su libro el conquistador y me pareció un libro mucho más elaborado y con muchas escenas de pasión bastante explicitas y comparada con ese libro está trilogía es muy light.
También he agradecido que los personajes actúen como en la época que están. Porque últimamente los libros publicados en los últimos años de histórica pienso que son demasiado modernos en actitudes y lenguaje de los personajes, a veces siento que estoy leyendo gente disfrazada de época y este libro es del 2005 y prefiero libros así donde los personajes actúan como gente de esa época.
Y bueno de está autora ya me he leído 4 libros y tiene una forma de escribir tan tierna que a mí me llega a la patata. Lástima que en español haya pocos libros traducidos de ella. Le pongo 3.75 redondeando a 4.
La primera mitad es la que más me ha gustado que es cuando se van conociendo. Luego una vez que vuelven a Londres para mi gusto pasa muy rápido todo, normal el libro tiene solo 254 páginas. En esta trilogía además de ser muy tierna no hay escenas de cama especialmente explícitas. Por ejemplo de esta autora leí su libro el conquistador y me pareció un libro mucho más elaborado y con muchas escenas de pasión bastante explicitas y comparada con ese libro está trilogía es muy light.
También he agradecido que los personajes actúen como en la época que están. Porque últimamente los libros publicados en los últimos años de histórica pienso que son demasiado modernos en actitudes y lenguaje de los personajes, a veces siento que estoy leyendo gente disfrazada de época y este libro es del 2005 y prefiero libros así donde los personajes actúan como gente de esa época.
Y bueno de está autora ya me he leído 4 libros y tiene una forma de escribir tan tierna que a mí me llega a la patata. Lástima que en español haya pocos libros traducidos de ella. Le pongo 3.75 redondeando a 4.
April 30, 2014
OH MY GOD! I finished reading this last night and I'm like.... this is the very best! I've read Justin's story, the perfect groom and I fell in love with him but daaammmnnn.. I fell more deeply in love with DANE! Julianna is one of the best heroines I know and I also adore her to the bones! I haven't yet read the first book because I've jump with Justin's story first and I wish there's more! I wish there's a fourth book with an all out epilogue! I love the Sterling siblings! and I cannot fathom to compare it with Ms. Lisa Kleypas "The Hathaway Series" because I also loved all the stories in that series. But this! My gaaawwdd I slept happy last night! fantasizing Dane and Me (as Julianna) oh my my!!!
Owkay to list what I loved about this book:
1. Julianna didn't beg with Thomas. She accepted the fact that he is a dumbass. Why? BECAUSE IF HE DID THAT FUCKING GENTLEMANLY DEED WITH THE GIRL HE GOT KNOCKED-UP HE SHOULD AT LEAST WARN JULIANNA BEFORE HE ELOPE WITH THE GIRL! He made Julianna feel like a fool! Yes A FOOL! And I feel Julianna's dilemma in the whole story and I honestly imagine myself as her.. and my conclusion is, if I we're her I absolutely done the same thing. I'll travel the continent!! (I want tp do that but right now I'm still a student and penniless, sigh).
2. In my Gender Relation class, my prof (bless her!) discuss that if a guy liked a girl so much and when the girl is talking to him, she thinks he doesn't listen because the he's not looking through her BUT IN REALITY HE IS LISTENING IN EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. And in this story I'm soooooo fucking love Dane because he remembers EVERYTHING! EVERY SINGLE THING that Julianna said to him. e.g the names of the kittens Julianna named when she was a child. Right that moment I want Dane!!
3. This is not only a story of a boy meets girl but this is a story of love. Love not only in a boy/girl relationship but also love for a family. From the beginning the Sterlings have each other through thick and thin, scandals or happy times they always have each other. I tear up near the end when Justin said something to his brother and sister. I almost hug my own sisters! This is not only focusing on what a romance love can bring but also the happiness and true love of a family.
I salute Miss James! She express in every way the differentiation of her characters, the differentiation of their own identity and stories in every aspect of emotions! This is a must read and I'm sooo effin happy that Goodreads leads me to find this! Kudos! :)
Owkay to list what I loved about this book:
1. Julianna didn't beg with Thomas. She accepted the fact that he is a dumbass. Why? BECAUSE IF HE DID THAT FUCKING GENTLEMANLY DEED WITH THE GIRL HE GOT KNOCKED-UP HE SHOULD AT LEAST WARN JULIANNA BEFORE HE ELOPE WITH THE GIRL! He made Julianna feel like a fool! Yes A FOOL! And I feel Julianna's dilemma in the whole story and I honestly imagine myself as her.. and my conclusion is, if I we're her I absolutely done the same thing. I'll travel the continent!! (I want tp do that but right now I'm still a student and penniless, sigh).
2. In my Gender Relation class, my prof (bless her!) discuss that if a guy liked a girl so much and when the girl is talking to him, she thinks he doesn't listen because the he's not looking through her BUT IN REALITY HE IS LISTENING IN EVERY SINGLE DETAIL. And in this story I'm soooooo fucking love Dane because he remembers EVERYTHING! EVERY SINGLE THING that Julianna said to him. e.g the names of the kittens Julianna named when she was a child. Right that moment I want Dane!!
3. This is not only a story of a boy meets girl but this is a story of love. Love not only in a boy/girl relationship but also love for a family. From the beginning the Sterlings have each other through thick and thin, scandals or happy times they always have each other. I tear up near the end when Justin said something to his brother and sister. I almost hug my own sisters! This is not only focusing on what a romance love can bring but also the happiness and true love of a family.
I salute Miss James! She express in every way the differentiation of her characters, the differentiation of their own identity and stories in every aspect of emotions! This is a must read and I'm sooo effin happy that Goodreads leads me to find this! Kudos! :)
July 28, 2011
Best of the series. Julianna's story. Rescued from a carriage accident by a Highwayman--the Magpie--Julianna's life becomes more interesting that she bargained for. SJ is a good story teller, I enjoyed the twist of the plot,intrigue, spies, murder, reunions and the resolution of the Sterling family. I'm glad I gave Samantha James' books a try.
April 28, 2015
He gave her kittens at the end of the book, so how could I not love it?
October 30, 2015
To begin, I want to say I liked this book and would have rated 3.5 if I could.
Dane (the hero) whose age I could not figure out, unwillingly abducted Julianna (27). Dane was the infamous highwayman Magpie but he was actually doing it for the Crown, apparently some kind of a civil service. Dane and Julianna spent some time together in a cabin where apparently they developed feelings for each other. Then they had to part for obvious reasons. He was a highwayman and she was lady. First half ended
Then they met again. It turned out Dane was actually a viscount and all of a sudden they took their realtionship to the next level just a few hours after their reunion. This is where I asked: why? why not in the comfort of a cabin but in a carriage? nothing has changed so why is it ok now? but maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder. They realized how much they missed each other and boom first time in the carriage. Dane proposed the next day.
Julliana was jilted before. She was afraid of marriage and trusting again, understandably. So while she did care for Dane she was unwilling to accept his suit because she felt he only proposed because it was the honorable thing to do, not because he loved her. So the second half is basically about how Dane tried to convince Julliana to marry him and how Julliana was reasoning with herself. Throw in the Magpie mystery bit and a bomb of Julliana's mother's return to wrap up the series, the end.
It was a ok read. Not much angst. But Dane and Julliana are pleasant characters with a less-than-emotional conflict between them. I enjoyed it because I liked Dane and Julliana. The writing is not bad. Plots are bland but at least tolerable. Overall, not good enough to be 4 stars but a strong 3 stars read.
Dane (the hero) whose age I could not figure out, unwillingly abducted Julianna (27). Dane was the infamous highwayman Magpie but he was actually doing it for the Crown, apparently some kind of a civil service. Dane and Julianna spent some time together in a cabin where apparently they developed feelings for each other. Then they had to part for obvious reasons. He was a highwayman and she was lady. First half ended
Then they met again. It turned out Dane was actually a viscount and all of a sudden they took their realtionship to the next level just a few hours after their reunion. This is where I asked: why? why not in the comfort of a cabin but in a carriage? nothing has changed so why is it ok now? but maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder. They realized how much they missed each other and boom first time in the carriage. Dane proposed the next day.
Julliana was jilted before. She was afraid of marriage and trusting again, understandably. So while she did care for Dane she was unwilling to accept his suit because she felt he only proposed because it was the honorable thing to do, not because he loved her. So the second half is basically about how Dane tried to convince Julliana to marry him and how Julliana was reasoning with herself. Throw in the Magpie mystery bit and a bomb of Julliana's mother's return to wrap up the series, the end.
It was a ok read. Not much angst. But Dane and Julliana are pleasant characters with a less-than-emotional conflict between them. I enjoyed it because I liked Dane and Julliana. The writing is not bad. Plots are bland but at least tolerable. Overall, not good enough to be 4 stars but a strong 3 stars read.
March 16, 2023
No habíamos tenido demasiados datos de Julianna en los libros anteriores, más allá de que la dejaron como novia de pueblo, vestida y alboratada, en el mismísimo altar. En lo personal, después de este tipo de introducciones tienden a gustarme las historias de reencuentros, para darle en la torre - y bien fuerte - al ingrato enegúmeno q le rompió el corazón a la protagonista. Pero conforme fuismos avanzando aquí, me ha terminado x gustar esta trama.
Julianna es una chica independiente, q vive a su aire, a pesar de la época en q le tocó vivir - en la q si eres soltera no puedes ir sola ni al baño - y precisamente x eso la encontramos en medio de la nada, siendo asaltada x un malviviente q resulta ser no tan malviviente. De ahí van unos buenos días encerrados en una cabaña en medio del bosque y ya después la vuelta a la civilización para complicar las cosas todavía más. Para darle más sazón a la historia, hay un toque de suspense de parte de un oscuro personaje y de una dama desconocida q tiene q ver con figuras egipcias y dinero "raro".
En líneas generales, la trama es sencilla pero interesante. Con mucho romance, aventura y un chiki de suspense. Tenemos varias apariciones estelares de los hermanos Sterling, pero he echado en falta a las mujeres de la familia. La pareja de Julianna&Dane la encuentro muy sólida y creíble, aunq no taaann apasionada como los fueron en su momento Sebastian&Devo y Justin&Arabella. Pero cumplen su cometido y sobre todo la historia entretiene, aunq no más sea lo justo y necesario para q no sea un desperdicio de tiempo.
Un punto sumamente positivo de la trilogía: no repite el esquema de la trama y cada historia tiene sus puntos originales q la hacen única.
Julianna es una chica independiente, q vive a su aire, a pesar de la época en q le tocó vivir - en la q si eres soltera no puedes ir sola ni al baño - y precisamente x eso la encontramos en medio de la nada, siendo asaltada x un malviviente q resulta ser no tan malviviente. De ahí van unos buenos días encerrados en una cabaña en medio del bosque y ya después la vuelta a la civilización para complicar las cosas todavía más. Para darle más sazón a la historia, hay un toque de suspense de parte de un oscuro personaje y de una dama desconocida q tiene q ver con figuras egipcias y dinero "raro".
En líneas generales, la trama es sencilla pero interesante. Con mucho romance, aventura y un chiki de suspense. Tenemos varias apariciones estelares de los hermanos Sterling, pero he echado en falta a las mujeres de la familia. La pareja de Julianna&Dane la encuentro muy sólida y creíble, aunq no taaann apasionada como los fueron en su momento Sebastian&Devo y Justin&Arabella. Pero cumplen su cometido y sobre todo la historia entretiene, aunq no más sea lo justo y necesario para q no sea un desperdicio de tiempo.
Un punto sumamente positivo de la trilogía: no repite el esquema de la trama y cada historia tiene sus puntos originales q la hacen única.
October 30, 2013
I was so wanting to read a book about a caring,adorable hero and am glad I came across this one. This was one of those stories where although predictable and simply lovey dovey romantic but I adored both H & h ..'Dane' was a darling!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Thoroughly enjoyed it :)
May 11, 2017
Me pareció un libro muy romántico. Tenemos un héroe enmascarado montando un negro corcel que se hace pasar por ladrón de caminos para descubrir a los verdaderos malos. Caballero, atento, galante, no sabemos, ni sabremos, nada de su vida sentimental anterior pero a Juliana "se lo hace" muy bien. Con una infancia feliz, un pequeño trauma llamado Waterloo lo lleva a transitar caminos menos sangrientos aunque quizá más peligrosos para proteger a la corona.
Juliana, una protagonista no tan joven, independiente económicamente y decidida a no casarse nunca, queda seducida por este "granuja" enmascarado e insistirá con todas su armas de mujer para develar sus secretos.
November 2, 2015
4.5/5. Dashing highwayman and stoic yet vulnerable lady. Both not quite what they seem. He held up her carriage, then promptly saved her yet could not give her back her freedom. She shot him, then cried and saved him back. Two charming leads. What's not to love?
August 22, 2023
Preface
/A Perfect Hero/ was an ideal ending to the Sterling trilogy. I enjoyed that adventure and mystery was added along the romance. It think it helped to add a final flair to the last of these stories and to Julianna, the final sibling.
I enjoyed the plot and setting very much. I didn’t know romances with Highwayman were a thing… although, I SHOULD have guessed. I throughly enjoyed it, and will be search for more like it.
Dane was the perfect hero for Juilianna. Their banter and affection was adorable. And he gives her kittens with the same names to those she used to have. Hotter than a guy who knows how to please you in the chambers, is a guy who listens to you when you speak. Dane did that and more 😉.
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RATINGS:
Plot : 3 📚📚📚 A good amount of plot.
World Building(Immersion): 3 🌎🌎🌎 Submerged.
Angst : 2 👹👹 Having your arm pinched.
Funniness:3 🌝🌝🌝 I laughed out loud.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 4 💖💖💖💖 Very Romantic!
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 2.5 🫀🫀 💫 Someone died and I kinda witnessed it. There is description of animal cruelty.
Sadness: 1.5 🥲💫 A twinge.
Overall star rating : 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 On the edge of glory.
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🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▫️I did not expect their first time to be the way it was. I was perfectly astonished. Clutching my pears. Drawing out the logistics, etc…
Romance Safety:
Safe. The H (Dane) has us thinking he could let go of the h but from the first page he was raptured by the heroine (Julianna). He has a past but it is mentioned in passing. The h is a virgin spinster. There is a slight separation that makes for an awesome reunion. There is no cheating, no sharing. The Epilogue shows them and their children living happily ever after.
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🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 Every lean, solid inch of him was muscle and brawn. Amidst the dark, curly mat of hair on his chest, droplets of water sparkled like tiny jewels.As if he sensed her regard, he slowly raised his head.Their eyes caught.
👀 huh… that is awkward.
📌 Julianna squeezed her eyes shut, turned her head aside…and fired.
😧
📌”I shot you,” she said grimly. “Now I’m going to save you.”
LMAO WHAT?
📌 No. No. I won’t marry a man who doesn’t love me, a man I don’t love! I—I’m content with my life. I have my family for companionship. I have a home in London, a lovely house in the country. My finances are assured. A woman need not have a husband to be happy. And I don’t want my child born out of duty. Out of obligation. I’d rather my arms were empty than wed a man I cannot trust. And I’m not sure I can trust any man again! A husband should be faithful and true. But how will I know? How will I know?”
It consider this a personal attack, do you hear me? A PERSONAL ATTACK!
📌 I congratulate you on your persuasive abilities.”Justin clicked his heels. “And I thank you for your gracious support.”Julianna muttered under her breath. Louts, the both of them!
The sibling banter is the sweetest
📌 It would have been impossible to say who was the more startled. Dane…or Julianna. Viscount… viscount.
The screech I just let out. I mean, it was obvious but no less satisfying.
/A Perfect Hero/ was an ideal ending to the Sterling trilogy. I enjoyed that adventure and mystery was added along the romance. It think it helped to add a final flair to the last of these stories and to Julianna, the final sibling.
I enjoyed the plot and setting very much. I didn’t know romances with Highwayman were a thing… although, I SHOULD have guessed. I throughly enjoyed it, and will be search for more like it.
Dane was the perfect hero for Juilianna. Their banter and affection was adorable. And he gives her kittens with the same names to those she used to have. Hotter than a guy who knows how to please you in the chambers, is a guy who listens to you when you speak. Dane did that and more 😉.
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RATINGS:
Plot : 3 📚📚📚 A good amount of plot.
World Building(Immersion): 3 🌎🌎🌎 Submerged.
Angst : 2 👹👹 Having your arm pinched.
Funniness:3 🌝🌝🌝 I laughed out loud.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 4 💖💖💖💖 Very Romantic!
Spice: 3.5 🌶🌶🌶💫 Blushing potential
Goriness: 2.5 🫀🫀 💫 Someone died and I kinda witnessed it. There is description of animal cruelty.
Sadness: 1.5 🥲💫 A twinge.
Overall star rating : 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 On the edge of glory.
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🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨
The Chapters:
▫️I did not expect their first time to be the way it was. I was perfectly astonished. Clutching my pears. Drawing out the logistics, etc…
Romance Safety:
Safe. The H (Dane) has us thinking he could let go of the h but from the first page he was raptured by the heroine (Julianna). He has a past but it is mentioned in passing. The h is a virgin spinster. There is a slight separation that makes for an awesome reunion. There is no cheating, no sharing. The Epilogue shows them and their children living happily ever after.
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🚨🚨🚨🚨 SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨🚨
Some ( Very Random) Moments of Notice Along With (Sometimes) My Very Live Reactions Straight From My Notes App to You:
📌 Every lean, solid inch of him was muscle and brawn. Amidst the dark, curly mat of hair on his chest, droplets of water sparkled like tiny jewels.As if he sensed her regard, he slowly raised his head.Their eyes caught.
👀 huh… that is awkward.
📌 Julianna squeezed her eyes shut, turned her head aside…and fired.
😧
📌”I shot you,” she said grimly. “Now I’m going to save you.”
LMAO WHAT?
📌 No. No. I won’t marry a man who doesn’t love me, a man I don’t love! I—I’m content with my life. I have my family for companionship. I have a home in London, a lovely house in the country. My finances are assured. A woman need not have a husband to be happy. And I don’t want my child born out of duty. Out of obligation. I’d rather my arms were empty than wed a man I cannot trust. And I’m not sure I can trust any man again! A husband should be faithful and true. But how will I know? How will I know?”
It consider this a personal attack, do you hear me? A PERSONAL ATTACK!
📌 I congratulate you on your persuasive abilities.”Justin clicked his heels. “And I thank you for your gracious support.”Julianna muttered under her breath. Louts, the both of them!
The sibling banter is the sweetest
📌 It would have been impossible to say who was the more startled. Dane…or Julianna. Viscount… viscount.
The screech I just let out. I mean, it was obvious but no less satisfying.
January 4, 2019
This author writes strong and independent heroines , enjoyed it and loved it .
June 16, 2015
Historic Romance Oh, my heart!
I am one who rates books purely based on the degree my heart is engaged, and, in this book, I was the heroine.
It hurt so much Hurt, hurt, hurt!
But the impossible dilemma Juliana finds herself in provides the perfect amount of tragedy to make this book truly memorable.
And, (hopping up and down in my excitement here!), we have a true hero. You know me, my heroes must have courage, honor and compassion, Dane easily fits the bill. Plus, he's a good communicator and he's got a splendid sense of humor.
Highly recommended, 4.5 stars, bumped up to 5. By the way, I read this one first, now I'll have to go back and read the first two in the trilogy.
Adult only, several intimate scenes, more than I am comfortable with, but they were telescoped well so you can skip them if you like...in other words, they don't pop up in jarring places to take you by surprise. The language is clean.
I am one who rates books purely based on the degree my heart is engaged, and, in this book, I was the heroine.
It hurt so much Hurt, hurt, hurt!
But the impossible dilemma Juliana finds herself in provides the perfect amount of tragedy to make this book truly memorable.
And, (hopping up and down in my excitement here!), we have a true hero. You know me, my heroes must have courage, honor and compassion, Dane easily fits the bill. Plus, he's a good communicator and he's got a splendid sense of humor.
Highly recommended, 4.5 stars, bumped up to 5. By the way, I read this one first, now I'll have to go back and read the first two in the trilogy.
Adult only, several intimate scenes, more than I am comfortable with, but they were telescoped well so you can skip them if you like...in other words, they don't pop up in jarring places to take you by surprise. The language is clean.
February 2, 2009
The final book in the Sterling sibling trilogy, James writes Julianna's story. With high hopes for the author to wrap up the stories of characters the reader has become familiar with, the book does just that, but not nearly as well as the first 2 books. After 200 pages of the main characters, Julianna and Dane stuck in a cabin together recuperating from injuries, I was bored and wanted the story to progress. I finally skimmed the remainder of the book and read the epilogue just to read how it ended. And even then I just didn't care enough about either character. I'm glad the series is over.
January 2, 2018
I accidentally read this conclusion to the series instead of #2. It did not appear to matter. There is not much plot in The Perfect Hero. 2/5 stars
June 4, 2011
4 ½-5 stars – Historical/Regency Romance
July 22, 2020
Re-read: DNF 50%
Downgraded from 5 to 1 star
Downgraded from 5 to 1 star
July 12, 2014
Pretty interesting at first but unfortunately lost my attention as the story progressed.
September 18, 2014
Indeed Dane is a perfect hero ( # ^.^ # )
February 21, 2021
4.5 stars.
i do believe i hit the jackpot with this author. i have enjoyed all of her books in this Sterling Trilogy series and that rarely ever happens as i tend to be really picky when it comes to rating books.
in every Samantha James' book, i always end up loving the characters and this book was no exception! i loved Dane for his silly self, often teasing Julianna and not being a proper gentleman, always looking at her body and getting caught by Julianna. I liked how Julianna is always so done with Dane's teasing and jokes. It was amusing and lovely to see them get along so well with one another. Dane calling Julianna 'kitten' was a cute nickname i couldn't help but love.
it was heartwarming to see Dane healing Julianna's pain and allowing her to love again and for Julianna making Dane reconsider his goals in life and what he wanted. i loved how they bonded in the small cabin they were alone in for the longest time. it's a wonder Julianna became such a lovely lady, with how horrible her father was.
this book's plot had more action that the previous 2 books and i liked that the author did not allow for the action to overpower the relationship and romance between Julianna and Dane so i won't have to worry about not seeing enough of the couple.
as usual, i enjoyed the sex scenes.
i would say this book wrapped up nicely with a bow, with the 3 siblings finding out about their mother and talking about what happened that night their mother left them. i felt a little sad that she couldn't show her face in england again, and hoped to see her interact with her children and grandchildren, maybe they went to visit her in france or something. at least, we did see Dane and Julianna having children and moments with their children.
i do believe i hit the jackpot with this author. i have enjoyed all of her books in this Sterling Trilogy series and that rarely ever happens as i tend to be really picky when it comes to rating books.
in every Samantha James' book, i always end up loving the characters and this book was no exception! i loved Dane for his silly self, often teasing Julianna and not being a proper gentleman, always looking at her body and getting caught by Julianna. I liked how Julianna is always so done with Dane's teasing and jokes. It was amusing and lovely to see them get along so well with one another. Dane calling Julianna 'kitten' was a cute nickname i couldn't help but love.
it was heartwarming to see Dane healing Julianna's pain and allowing her to love again and for Julianna making Dane reconsider his goals in life and what he wanted. i loved how they bonded in the small cabin they were alone in for the longest time. it's a wonder Julianna became such a lovely lady, with how horrible her father was.
this book's plot had more action that the previous 2 books and i liked that the author did not allow for the action to overpower the relationship and romance between Julianna and Dane so i won't have to worry about not seeing enough of the couple.
as usual, i enjoyed the sex scenes.
i would say this book wrapped up nicely with a bow, with the 3 siblings finding out about their mother and talking about what happened that night their mother left them. i felt a little sad that she couldn't show her face in england again, and hoped to see her interact with her children and grandchildren, maybe they went to visit her in france or something. at least, we did see Dane and Julianna having children and moments with their children.
September 29, 2021
For me and my friends, this book is like those pairs of jeans from "The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants". We only have one copy of the book and it has been passed along from one to the other. I personally have to confess that this type of book is not something I would have read on my own, at my own will. I am going to give it 4 stars because of all the good times that I was able to spend with my besties after reading the book. I think that the love story developed too fast, I would have liked it to have a bit more of a plot. Also, it would have been great to have a bit more of Dane the spy, I would have loved to see that.
September 16, 2018
Dane was a great hero and Julianna was interesting as a heroine, especially after Dane proved himself to be genuine and she finally let him in. What bothered me about this one was the writing style I think. The superfluous exclamation marks and overuse of the nickname "Kitten" just about killed me. This lessened up a bit and we got some decent intrigue going towards the latter half of the book and I was finally able to get into it and finish it up, but it took me several months to finally finish this one. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, but it's definitely a slow burn.
November 1, 2018
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : In de ban van een schurk - Candlelight Historische roman 623 .
Ik moet bekennen dat ik hele stukken tekst overgeslagen heb - teveel gezemel en allerlei opvul blablabla om aan de gewenste pagina's te komen . En tja .. ik kan maar niet geloven dat de 27 jarige dochter / zuster van een markies die al bijna 10 jaar naar bals enz. gaat , de zoon van - en nu zelf een burggraaf niet kent .
Ik moet bekennen dat ik hele stukken tekst overgeslagen heb - teveel gezemel en allerlei opvul blablabla om aan de gewenste pagina's te komen . En tja .. ik kan maar niet geloven dat de 27 jarige dochter / zuster van een markies die al bijna 10 jaar naar bals enz. gaat , de zoon van - en nu zelf een burggraaf niet kent .
May 23, 2024
I very much liked the characters in this book. It was one of the aspects I most enjoyed about it. I particularly enjoyed the way their relationship grew and how they fell in love and learned to trust each other. However, I did find some of the dialogues and choice of wording somewhat cringe-worthy; the fact that Dane called Julianna 'kitten', even after she repeatedly asked him not to, being an example. And that, in a way, ruined the flow of the story for me and had me knocking off stars.
The other reason I didn't give this book a higher rating was the way events unfolded during the second part of the book. I was so looking forward to the moment Dane and Julianna finally stumbled across each other again and it was revealed who they really were, and all the drama that this would unfold, but I was sadly very disappointed by the events that transpired after this happened. The tension was now gone, there was no angst, no excitement, no nothing. And now all the reader was left to speculate on was the mystery aspect of the story, which in my opinion wasn't very interesting to begin with.
The other reason I didn't give this book a higher rating was the way events unfolded during the second part of the book. I was so looking forward to the moment Dane and Julianna finally stumbled across each other again and it was revealed who they really were, and all the drama that this would unfold, but I was sadly very disappointed by the events that transpired after this happened. The tension was now gone, there was no angst, no excitement, no nothing. And now all the reader was left to speculate on was the mystery aspect of the story, which in my opinion wasn't very interesting to begin with.
December 5, 2017
I really liked this one! The Sterling trilogy is the first Samantha James's serie that I read and I really like her style. Loved how the couple get along and share secret things in that hut. I was anticipating the moment of revelation and loved every bit! But I must confess that I imagined the hero with a golden hair! Idk why, it just the way my mind works lol
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