More or Less a Temptress in book three in the Somerset Sisters Series by Anna Bradley. Out of the three books, this one is the weakest in my opinion. I had a difficult time liking the hero Lachlan Ramsey. He was too hard, harsh and gruff to fit with a delicate creature as Hyacinth Somerset. “She’d thought him terrifying enough when she saw him beat another man to a bloody pulp, but he was far more frightening up close. He was the most enormous man she’d ever seen-a veritable giant-with shoulders wider than a doorway, straining at the seams of his coat, a wild shock of inky black hair, and hands the size of horse’s hooves.”
I thought he was too cold and critical to be likable. Hyacinth is a sweet young lady who is consumed by fear. I am going to continue to read Bradley’s work. Book two in this series has been one of my favorite books of the entire year. This one missed the mark for me.

I really enjoyed Hyacinth and Lachlan's story!

Can you imagine being accused to murder the first night you show up in London? Lachlan has a lot to do to live down after that accusation that Hyacinth levels at him. She feels horrible about what she did and will do what she can to help Lachlan and his siblings start to navigate the ton. We also have a lot of mean girl action going on that leads to all kinds of drama for the H/H. It was great to watch Hyacinth grow from the timid young lady that she was around her sisters into this woman that stands up for herself and her friends!

I'm hoping that we will get Lachlan's sibling's stories soon too!

After three novels, I am feeling more and more confident diving into an Anna Bradley novel. They are easy to read and do not feel like a chore to get through. In other words, they are solid. And this one was of the same vein. It didn't knock me off my feet, but it was nice. I enjoyed the writing and characters.

Hyacinth Somerset is a unique heroine among more recent historical romances in that she is timid and quiet. She is afraid of most things and suffers from anxiety when she tries or thinks to try to overcome her fears. She is the youngest of five girls, and her family is in the habit of coddling her.

Lachlan Ramsey discovers he is not the oldest of three and actually has a long-lost older brother, who is the Marquess of Huntington and Hyacinth's brother-in-law. The discovery could not have come at a better time as Lachlan and the siblings he grew up with are needing to leave Scotland.

What I liked the most is Hyacinth's journey to shedding her shell. It was done in a mostly believable way, with her family having to leave her side due to other circumstances, and Lachlan seeing beyond the timid facade and coercing the more assertive side of Hyacinth out.

If I am being critical, I would note that there parts of the plot that are sweeping and glossed over or conveniently explained as needed, but it didn't matter much to me because Ms. Bradley focuses on the characters and the romance. This is what makes it very readable and ultimately enjoyable to me.

I probably least liked the "resolution" to the problems enacted by Hyacinth and Lachlan's sister toward the end. It probably could be classified as TSTL, in fact, I would say that it was. But all's well that ends well, and this does.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm in disbelief, this can't be the end of the series. I'm invested in the Sutherland/Somerset families. I like them, want to be friends and have house parties. I know they're not real but our best friends are often imaginary.

Do you like the strong, silent, Scottish type? If so, then Lachlan Ramsey is for you (and me too). As his mother is dying she reveals a life altering secret. Lachlan is the son of her first husband, the late Marquess of Huntington. To add insult to injury he's not Scottish, he's (ack!) English. There was a terrible accident and Lachlan killed his sister Isla's fiancée. Since all of the village has turned their backs on the Ramsey family, and he has a brother in England, he needs to pack up his siblings and move tout de suite. On the way to London the Ramsey brothers have a bloody fist fight in the courtyard of an inn. Unbeknownst to Lachlan, Hyacinth Somerset and her grandmother are staying at the same inn and the young lady has seen the fight and its aftermath.

Hyacinth Somerset is the last of our sisters in this series. She's shy, meek, timid, name it and it's her. To placate her family she has agreed to a London season and is now terrified. It won't turn out well and she senses this. She's also the new sister-in-law of the current Marquis of Huntington, see where this is going? No one knows or understands that Hyacinth is hiding behind a façade, the most biddable young lady in London. The hidden Hyacinth is much braver, has a sharp wit and dreams of how wonderful her life could be.

When the Ramsey's arrive in London they make straight for Lord Huntington's house and find a ball in progress. With much trepidation, Lachlan goes in alone to seek out his brother the Marquis and spots Hyacinth. He's dumbstruck, she's the most beautiful angel he's ever seen, golden hair, skin like porcelain and the most arresting blue eyes. As he makes his way over to her she turns pale (er), tells everyone he's a murderer and faints. Hello ton, nice to meet you. There is the obligatory meeting in the library where things are somewhat straightened out. Throughout his life Huntington has heard whisperings and rumors of family in Scotland so he accepts brother Lachlan and half siblings Ciaran and Isla into the family. After much talk, explanations, and plotting, it's decided that Isla will debut with Hyacinth, giving them each a shoulder to lean upon. Finn, the Marquis, is going to dower Isla, so hopes are high. Oh boy. Lachlan begins to see the true person behind Hyacinth's emotional wall and he likes her. He knows Hyacinth is scared and offers to dance the very first dance with her, getting it out of the way. Well, it's way hot and the kisses on the terrace are even hotter. They use tongue.

Lachlan, being a man, thinks Hyacinth would be better off out of his reach. Hyacinth, a lady who really likes the guy, puts on a low cut gown for the next ball and rocks his world. Another Lord notices hot Hyacinth and THE dress. Lachlan is very jealous but being the silent type he just growls a lot. Turns out this Lord knows all about the Ramsey family and has blackmail on his mind, he wants Hyacinth's dowry money. Our girl won't stand for it, takes Isla into her confidence and plans a reckoning. It works, sort of, but Hyacinth and Isla are ruined. Is there ever a situation where the female isn't ruined? Lachlan takes responsibility and says he'll marry Hyacinth. I believe the word suffer is used. Worst proposal ever. It's a no go and he's an ass. The ladies are aghast and the men need a drink. The next proposal goes better and you should read it for yourself, it's sweet.

If you haven't read this series please do yourself a favor and curl up with the Sutherland/Somerset families. They're fun, witty, tragic, impossibly good looking men and women, and each of their stories is as different as night from day. Temptress is a romance so we know there's a happy ending but the journey is lovely. Receiving an ARC is a privilege and being able to share my opinion is a pleasure. Both are free and without obligations. Happy reading.

Hyacinth Somerset struggles with shyness and is detrimentally shielded from life by her loving family. Lachlan Ramsey sees the true nature of Hyacinth and attempts to help her recognize her self worth. The start of their acquaintance is a difficult one when Hyacinth publicly accuses him of murder. In addition, Lachlan has a fierce (scowling) demeanor that can be difficult for all to deal with. I enjoyed reading their story and watching two opposites find each other and their place within their extended family. I read an ARC of this story via NetGalley and chose to leave a review.

This is a really delightful story. Lachlan is an older brother who suddenly discovers his heritage is not what he thought it was. He takes his siblings and heads to London to claim what is his...but he has a secret. Hyacinth is a bit of a mouse....because of over-protective family members...but under her quiet ways...there is a heart of a warrior. There are some great characters supporting this story...Isla and Ciaran and Finn. I really enjoyed their interaction...and I'll cheering for Lord Sydney too!

This is the third instalment in Ms Bradley’s Somerset sisters’ series. While part of the series each book can be read as a standalone.
Hyacinth Somerset is the youngest of the Somerset sisters, and has always been considered shy and sensitive, her sisters and grandmother are quite protective of her, to such an extent that they are willing to allow her to give up on a season because she may get upset.
Lachlan Ramsay has fled from scandal with his younger brother and sister to England to the only family they have left. An older brother who never knew they existed. As soon as they arrive Lachlan is once again thrown in to controversy when a shy wallflower accuses him of murder.
Hyacinth is distraught to have falsely accused a man of murder, to make matters worse, he is the brother of her sister’s husband. She is dragged into society to help fix the mess she created.
This is my least favourite in the series, I found myself strongly disliking Hyacinth, she lacked a backbone and was more than willing to allow everyone to treat her like a fragile child. She does get better as the story progresses but too little too late.
It is still worth a read and I’m sure that there will be many of historical romance fans who enjoy it, but it just wasn’t for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

Oh I so wanted to like this book!

I think Hyacinth was very hard for me to like, root for or respect or take seriously.

On the other hand, Lachlan was great and deserved a smarter, brighter, rational woman.

The third book in the The Somerset Sisters’ series, ‘More or Less a Temptress’ follows Lachlan Ramsey, the brother of Lord Hungtington, from Book 1; however, this book can be read as a stand-alone story. After discovering this information from his dying mother and with nothing to lose from leaving, having been shunned by his friends, he takes his two half-siblings, Ciaran and Isla, from Scotland to seek out his brother. It is on the journey to London, that Hyacinth Somerset sees Lachlan fighting and killing a man, outside the inn that she is staying out. When they meet at the Huntington’s ball, Hyacinth accuses him of murder, only to discover that Lachlan was simply fighting with Ciaran. A scandal erupts within the ton and being fearful of the repercussions for Isla who is to make her debut into society, Hyacinth decides to stay in London to face the ton.
In this novel, we see the meek character of Hyacinth, become quite fierce in nature, as she battles to save Lachlan and his family from the ton’s scorn. It was quite refreshing to see her throw off the zealous protectiveness of her two sisters and to see Lachlan’s confidence in her. The relationship between Hyacinth and Lachlan grows slowly, reflecting Hyacinth’s growing confidence in herself.
Another great addition to this series!
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Hyacinth Somerset is the youngest of the Somerset sister, so it is only natural that her older siblings have stepped into the role of protectors since their parents passed on. She, in turn, found it easy to fall into her assigned role of fragile youngster of the family, sheltered and cocooned by those around her until her family became her shell and she rarely had to expose herself to the outside world. This is the year though, when she is about to finally commence her debut Season and her family are tentatively encouraging her to spread her wings and fly, even though she is not to leap off very far from the ground and from their watchful eyes at all, and they have safety nets aplenty ready to cushion her.

Lachlan Ramsey has just arrived from Scotland with his 2 younger siblings in tow to claim his place as the long lost, legitimate younger brother of an English marquess. He is running away from a scandal only to be caught up in another involving Hyacinth, the sister-in-law of his newly discovered elder brother.

His first night in London sees Hyacinth falsely accusing him of murder in front of who's who of the ton, which is not a stellar way to make an impression and regain respectability for himself and his younger brother and sister. This murder accusation is easily cleared up as his supposed victim, his brawl-happy half-brother, is very much alive bar a few impressive bruises and cuts. However, there is another crime in his past not so easily dismissed. Likewise, Hyacinth is another presence in his life not easily dismissed, for beneath her timidity hides a woman with intellect and fortitude, a woman who has been hiding from everyone including herself for so long but whom he has no trouble seeing clearly from the first moment he laid eyes on her, even as she was doing her usual invisibility act behind a column in the ballroom.

His big fingers toucher her jaw, and he held her still with her face centered in the looking glass. "No. Look." Hyacinth never lingered over her glass, but now, with his warm, gentle fingers holding her, she met her mirror reflection, and perhaps for the first time in her life, she truly looked... and it was her face - her brow, and her eyes, her nose and mouth, but somehow the sum of the parts now seemed to equal a different whole...

This is the best book of the series for me. The characters were likeable. It was a sweet and well-written story, with no major drama, just a slow build up of affection between the protagonists with a great cast of secondary characters. Lachlan was wonderful - protective, masculine and ultimately decent. Hyacinth's strength was more subtle but no less impressive - visible only to those like Lachlan, who took time out to look, to see through her outward timidity and frailty. The author did not try too hard with the story line or insert inappropriately kinky scenes in. She just infused a simple story with a bit of humour and a dash of charm, and voila, we've got a winner.

Ms. Bradley’s books are always interesting reads. She has a way of writing that draws you in and keeps you attached to the characters of the story. I have read all of her books and nothing is redone, it is all refreshing. What can I say about Lachlan – yummy – that is a bit trite isn’t it? Well, he is much more than that, he is loyal and caring and fights for what is right. He is definitely a worthy hero. Hyacinth is also a complex character. Not everything about a person is on their sleeve. Hyacinth has great fortitude and this makes her a great character in the story. I love both of these characters (even though Lachlan is an ass!). Looking forward to Isla and hopefully Ciaran’s stories.

Anna Bradely has hit one out of the ballpark with this book. I love all the Somerset sisters books. I especially loved this one. Hyacinth is so quiet and shy due to the coddling of her older sisters. I love how Lachlan brings her out of her shell and romance blossoms. Anna Bradley is definitely on my must read list!

I’ve greatly enjoyed all prior books I’ve read by this author, loved them both earlier books in this series, which don’t need to be read to read this one, all stand well alone. But this one took awhile to become interesting, and still never was as good as the others. Early in the story the H is brawling with his brother and I found it annoying, then the h is so meek and tends to swoon, she became tiresome immediately. The overall story is just not interesting. And the H paid court upon a “mean girl “ type who repeatedly is cruel to and gossips against the h. Not hero behavior. Really not the best book by this author.

The Hero, Lachlan Ramsey is shaken after he learns from his dying mother that he not Scottish but in fact English and the brother of Lord Huntington. After being shun by everyone in his village, he and his half-siblings at the bequest of his mother, travel to London in hopes of being taken in by his brother and starting a new life after an unfortunate incident that has labored Lachlan a murderer.

While staying at an inn, Hyacinth Somerset who has been labeled as one who swoons at the drop of a dime, witnesses Lachlan and Cairan his half-brother in a brawl and assumes that Cairan is dead after being knocked unconscious. Once they reach London, Lachlan appears the Huntington ball, and Hyacinth accuses him of being a murderer and causes a great scandal among the ton.

I’ve never read any of Ms. Bradley’s novels, however I loved reading this story. ❤ The author had a way of oozing out the hidden secret of the Ramsey siblings. It was great writing from the author and I also loved the tremendous support that Lachlan devoted to Hyacinth when she did not know her own strength. In some ways, she grew stronger and he at times mimicked her nonself-assured personality. The pacing was good and the intimate scenes between the H/h were spot on. Totally recommend this read and plan to read the others in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley/Author/Kensington Books for this read in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

4.5- Stars

G❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
I love reading this series its funny, and romantic, and the characters are so believable.
This is Hyacinths Hea , she’s been matched with Lachlan and a more unusual and less likely pair you never seen, at least in the beginning , they develop and melt together wonderfully.
Great writing, characters and storyline.
Can’t say better than that .

This is the third book of the series but can be read as a stand alone. Oh the scandals. It's one thing after another in this story. The characters were fun getting to know. The story was well written. It was worth the read!

This was a great book. It took me a bit to get into it, and stop being frustrated with the heroine, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. Lachlan Ramsey is trying to reconnect with the family he never knew he had so his brother and sister can have better lives than what they left behind. Hyacinth is "delicate" and shy and hides from the world behind her facade of poor health. The more protective Lachlan becomes of her, the more she learns to stand up for herself and really embraces her true self, rather than the fragile lady her family had seen her as up until this point. There was enough intrigue in this one to keep it interesting and some delightful secondary characters, as well as some good witty banter. Once I got past the first few chapters in which Hyacinth was just annoying to me, I really liked this book. I'd recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the ARC!

Finally the last Somerset sister gets her chance to find love. Hyacinth is an extremely shy, delicate debutante with a stammer. She is high strung and doesn't want to be the center of attention. She is thrust into the season and pushed to help the Ramsey siblings take their place among the ton. This story starts and ends with a scandal. While this book is well written, Hyacinth is my least favorite heroine of the series. I also wasn't a fan of the "scowlish" Lachlan. I do hope Ciaran gets a book. He was a great character added into the book. All in all I would give this book a 3.5 rating.
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.

I enjoy Ms. Bradley's books and was happy when this book became available. In this book, we get to see the youngest of the Somerset sisters. Hyacinth Somerset’s debut does nothing but fill her with dread. Painfully shy, and a stammer when she's nervous, Hyacinth can't think of anything more frightening than being exposed to the ton. When she first sees Lachlan Ramsey, she swoons after calling him a murderer. Such is the introduction to Society for the Ramsey siblings which she soon learns is part of her extended family. When she must admit her mistake, she wants to crawl into her bed and forgo her Season altogether.

Ms. Bradley slowly teases out the back story of why the Ramsey siblings were forced to leave Scotland and Lachlan's true heritage. I loved how Lachlan supported Hyacinth and encouraged her to stand up for herself. It was fun to watch Hyacinth grow from a frightened young woman to a woman who knew her mind and what she wanted. The pacing was good and the story moved along well. I can't wait to read Isla's story. Fans of regency romances will enjoy this story.

I love Anna Bradley and this series never disappoints! In More or Less a Temptress we finally get Hyacinth's story. Hyacinth is painfully shy and overprotected by her family. Lachlan, our sort of Scottish hero, is new to England and the brother of Hyacinth's brother-in-law. Other reviews go into the whole plot so I won't do that, but I will say this series is so worth your time! My only negative on this book is that is was not as fun or funny as the last one, which I LOVED and gave 5 stars. But, thats Hyacinth's character, as she is more quiet and reserved. Lachlan is also a tad serious for me, but again, thats his character, and he has reasons to be the way he is. Anna Bradleys writing is always spot on for me. I never get bored reading her stories! I can't wait for the next book, as its about Isla, Lachlan sister, who has more sass and spunk. I also LOVED LOVED LOVED his brother. He was a shameless flirt who danced and gave time to all the wallflowers. I cant wait to see which one he falls for! I received a free copy for my review and here it is! Get it, read it, love it (but not as much as the first two)!