"Is he or isn't he?"

An amusing and interesting author, Sabrina Jeffries has become one of my favorites. Her characters are always well-developed and by the time you finish the book, you really feel like you know them. A DANGEROUS LOVE was the first in the Swanlea Sisters trilogy and told the story of Rosalind and Griff. A NOTORIOUS LOVE was the second installment and continued with the lives of Helena and Daniel. The third book, AFTER THE ABDUCTION , concludes the series with the tale of Rosalind and Helena's little sister, Juliet. The plot of AFTER THE ABDUCTION relies strongly on events that take place in A NOTORIOUS LOVE, so I strongly encourage anyone interested in reading it to read the series in order. And after that lengthy and most likely boring introduction, I will move on to the story itself.

Two years have gone by since Juliet made the mistake of eloping with a lying smuggler, however handsome or charming he may have been. Two years have been spent in London's high society and she remains unmarried. Two years have been spent longing for Morgan and what might have been, but more important, she has always wondered why he left. And the rumors that have magically appeared have angered her family and her, sending them on a visit to Morgan Pryce's guardian, Lord Templemore.

Because Lord Templemore turns out to be identical to Morgan Pryce, no one believes for a minute that he is who he claims to be -- Morgan's twin brother and NOT Juliet's abductor. Juliet remains, throughout much of the story, unconvinced on this point and spends her time trying to prove that he is Morgan.

Sebastian Blakely, Lord Templemore, is a man of integrity and patience, not to mention wealthy, titled, and gorgeous. Readers are kept guessing almost to the very end as to his true identity. Is he who he claims to be? Or is he Morgan Pryce? Regardless of his real name, the tension between Juliet and Sebastian is intense and compelling, rich with Jeffries' hallmark passion and sensuality.

My biggest complaint about the book is it was slow-moving. I was halfway through it and didn't feel like I had gotten anywhere. It did pick up after that and left me feeling like I had read a pretty darn good story. It was only after reflection that I remembered the somewhat lethargic beginning, which doesn't ruin the story. You just have to be a tenacious reader.

Reviewed by Kelley Hartshorn
Courtesy Epinions
Posted November 22, 2002

Summary

What happens when a proper young lady gives in to a reckless love? After two London Seasons—and a score of resoundingly dull society suitors—lovely Juliet Laverick still longs for only one man: Morgan Pryce, the dashing scoundrel who kidnapped her two years ago. But her determination to bring him to justice hasn't waned, either—not even when the man she mistakes for Morgan, his twin brother Sebastian, tells her some shocking news: her mysterious paramour has disappeared. Sebastian Blakely, the Baron Templemore, dares not admit that he's the one Juliet seeks—that it is his kiss she still yearns for. Confessing to her abduction would bring disaster and scandal upon them both. But how can he convince Juliet to forsake her pursuit of her dream lover- when all he dreams of is holding her in his arms again?