Her Perfect Match

SPOILER ALERT!

1:00 am 26 July 2013

"She will do anything for him…except surrender.

Vivien Manning, the notorious Mistress Matchmaker, is tired. Tired of the parties, tired of the lovers, tired of being her. So she decides to leave London behind once and for all and start a whole new life.

But before she goes, she must tie up some loose ends, so she makes a list which includes one man she’s never been fully able to let go:

Benedict Graystone.

Benedict was broken when Vivien broke off their affairs years ago. So when she comes back into his life… and his bed, he isn’t certain of anything except the power of their desire.

But as Vivien moves ever closer to disappearing forever, both of them begin to question if the past can be overcome and if love might be the one loose end that cannot be neatly tied up.

Warning: This book contains scenes of a powerful woman, unafraid of her sexuality, trying to find her way in the world. There is a brief scene of a threesome M/F/M and then one woman falling madly in love with one man. Proceed with caution, a fan and tissues."

My Thoughts:

It's so difficult to write my thoughts for this book, because I loved it so much I can't even *sigh*. Benedict Graystone was so wonderfully written and he's a man in pursuit, which has become one of my favorite kinds. It's definitely my favorite book in the series. I liked Vivien so much and Benedict and her together was just perfect! Loved them together!

I think it was interesting that Vivien kept so much from others and kept her “mistress face” up around others... Benedict saw through that. Even some of her closest friends didn't see her inner most core. She's a strong woman for sure, but also someone who is not used to personal happiness.

"Although they had certainly shared long nights when they were last lovers, Vivien had never been comfortable being held. She found means of escape and built walls whenever he offered her tenderness rather than passion. Tonight, she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, gently tracing patterns across his skin, and made no effort to remove herself from the intimacy of their embrace."

There's a moment near the beginning of their renewed affair when they meet in a bookstore and I just about swooned...

Great God, Vivien…Miss Manning. I didn’t expect to see you here today.” She tilted her head. “Nor I you. When I heard your voice, I thought I was dreaming.” He arched a brow. “Do you often dream of me in bookstores?” She laughed even though the question was a loaded one.

and then they talked about books...

“And I see you have not resisted their lure either.” He motioned toward her books. “Might I look at your selections?” She hesitated and clutched her books closer out of habit. She had often felt that the books one read were a peek into the soul of the reader. That was why her personal library was kept in a locked room very separate from the places where her visitors went for her wild parties. Sharing these selections with Benedict felt so very intimate."

Seriously these two gave me all the feels!!! I really came to root for these two. They were so explosive when together. Vivien has had a difficult past and I thought it was interesting seeing her slowly opening up to Benedict. In the previous book, it was John who was closed off and had to open up to Mariah, but here it's Vivien. Benedict is very clear about his feelings and what he wants. He knows he can't ever live without her. He knows he can't because he had to live without her for 3 years, after she broke off the affair with him back then. Vivien is someone who has been taught that love is a weakness, so she really has to grow and figure out what she wants.

“Don’t you know, Vivien? You never have to demand from me. Simply ask for what you desire and I would give you anything.” He kissed her. “Anything at all.”

There's also the whole thing with her secret and private bedchamber which he guesses she has, and not her mistress bedchamber. The growing trust and intimacy is so beautifully done.

"In the dying firelight, Benedict’s face was relaxed in sleep. He was so handsome, so perfect. She brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and he did not stir with the motion. She smiled, but the expression faded as a strong desire welled up in her. A desire to do something she had never done before. She touched him again, to be certain he was not awake. When he didn’t move or react, she leaned closer, her hands shaking. “I love you,”

Did I mention I loved Benedict? Yup! <3<br/>

"He shook his head. “Most men have never attempted to look past your exterior show, let alone actually seen past it. And to their detriment, for to know you, even as little as you allow me, is a gift. You are intelligent, focused and as strong as any man I’ve ever known. Those things did not happen from some magical wave of a wand. They must have been built from a foundation of some kind.” She stared at him, surprised that her eyes filled briefly with tears. He loved her, truly loved her. With the kind of depth of feeling she had scoffed at in books or pretended only existed for others as she watched her best friends find love and true happiness with their husbands. It made the fact they could not truly be together all the more unfair."

But of course they do get their HEA and I loved it so SO MUCH!!!!!! I highly recommend this series to readers of Erotic Romance and Historicals. This series is amazing in my mind!

And I leave with one last quote (It's spoilery and from near the end of the book, so don't read if you haven't read the book):

“Benedict, you would be throwing away everything that matters,” she whispered, still reticent to steal him from his life.

He shook his head. “Have I not made myself clear? You are what matters. Perhaps it will take a few years to prove that to you. But I’m willing to work hard at making you believe. At coaxing you to accept that you love me.”

She blinked. “You think I must be coaxed? No, I know I love you. I accepted that, though reluctantly, shortly after we began this second affair.”

He blinked and there was such a wash of relief and joy on his face that she nearly stumbled at the sight of it. “You are willing to admit you love me?” he repeated.

She nodded. “I love you, Benedict. And that has been very hard for me to realize when I knew I would leave you.”

His face reflected sudden understanding. “That was why you had such desperation. Such pain.”

She nodded. “Because I loved you and I knew we were bound to lose each other.”

“But we aren’t. Losing each other is a choice, Vivien, and I refuse to make it. So what will it be? Will you force me to follow you from country to country, dodging the dangers of Napoleon as I declare my undying affection in ways that would put a novel to shame…or will you surrender now and allow me to love you the way you should be loved? Forever."

Classic Maiden

Her Perfect Match

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