I don't know why I requested this novel when I don't enjoy 'the widow trope'. A disappointing read from Sabrina Jeffries

Strange novella that was like a teaser for something else. A young man in love decides to arrange the kidnapping of the lady who holds his affection, only to be stabbed by the lady in question. Honestly, the lengths Quinn Raines went to, to prove his love for Merkel Vyse, were outrageously inane. When it turns out his love has been spying for the Government for years, Quinn wants to sink through the floor, or storm out. Plot and resolution came quickly. The whole ‘true love’ affair was dealt with in four chapters. Unfortunately it blitzed past my retinas in a nano second, scarcely imprinting itself.

A NetGalley ARC

A Talent for Temptation was a quick and enjoyable read. This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Maybe it's because I rarely read short stories, but I felt like there wasn't enough pay-off in this one. Partially because I expected it to be at least novella length, but I guess it really was at short story level. I felt like the romance started too far in (I was thinking "Wait, they are already in love and just not able to tell each other? Tell me the beginning!") and then the core conflict wasn't enough to hold me.

That said, the side plots were interesting and linked to the main series so that was good. And I really enjoyed both characters and the banter. I'm a big Sabrina Jeffries fan, and this fit with her other writing in my opinion. The only real issue with this story was that there wasn't enough of it!

A digital copy was provided free of charge by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Widow Meriel Vyse is stunned speechless when someone tries to abduct her on her way to a ball. Fortunately, Quinn Raines, her secret beau, shows up to foil the attack. Unfortunately, as the two of them are struggling with her abductor, Meriel accidentally stabs Quinn with a knife. Unbeknownst to Meriel, Quinn set up the fake abduction so he could play the hero and win her hand in marriage. But now that his plan has gone disastrously awry, can he convince her that he’s still the man for her?
First off, I’m a huge fan of this author and love all of her stories. I’ve yet to find one that is a disappointment. This was one was a quick novella that was pretty straightforward and I absolutely loved it! I recommend to any fans of the genre.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

A quick fun read. It was short and to the point. Characters were witty.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

This was a fun short read. I haven't read the rest of the series, but I was able to enjoy this just fine. I liked the two main characters, and I got a taste of a side character as well. I definitely plan on checking out the rest of the series.

A novella, set in the Sinful Suitors series, it wraps up some character lose ends. Merkel Vyse and Quinn Raines have conducted a secret romance. Though it has not gone beyond to physical pleasures, they do love each other, not that either have made that confession to the other. Merkel does not think she is good enough for Quinn and he would not accept her past as a spy. Quinn's determination to marry her results in a fake kidnapping. He planned on being the hero, but instead is accidentally stabbed by Meriel. What follows as she treats his wound is both coming clean. Will they mutual love conquer all? A very enjoyable short but nice addition to this series.

A cute little novella telling us more about the woman that has captured the heart of Quinn Raines who we met in "The Pleasures of Passion". It was nice, somewhat fluffy and sweet but I was lacking some real action. This is more of a glimpse instead of a long story but I really liked it. The characters are also nice but due to the shortness of the story, they are lacking some depths. Nevertheless, this book is a nice and sweet addition to the Sinful Suitors series and if you loved the other books in this series, you will also love "A Talent for Temptation".

I’ve read a lot by this author so I was excited to read this book. It did not disappoint in that it was well written and clearly written. Was an entertaining read.

Very quick read, but a good story. I love Sabrina Jeffries books. I loved Meriel and Quinn together, they had some very steamy moments and found their HEA.

This is a very short read, but the only thing it leaves you longing for is more.
I liked Quinn and Meriel. They are a well matched pair. The story May have been short, but there was humor, conflict and teary eyes, as well as a good resolution. And, bless Gregory's heart, I would love to see him find someone who would love him.

This is a really fun book, albeit a bit too short. It sets the setting for the final novel quite clearly.

A Talent for Temptation by Sabrina Jeffries is book 4.5 in the Sinful Suitors series. It's a short but sweet novella.

Widow Meriel Vyse is the sister in law of Spymaster Gregory Vyse. She owes him a big debt of gratitude and for that reason, she goes above and beyond to help him when he needs her to spy for him. Even cancelling her secret dates with the love of her life Quinn Raines. She does love Quinn, but she hasn't yet said the words, and although he wants marriage, she doesn't believe she is good enough for him, so she tries to settle for knowing she will never be his wife.

Quinn is getting fed up of all the times that their plans are put on hold because of Gregory, not knowing why, he believes it's because perhaps she is in love with the man. He thinks that she perhaps finds him too staid and boring compared to Gregory. He has often broached the subject of marriage to her and she always changes the subject just as quickly. In a bid to get her to think more highly of him, to think him a hero, he plans a fake abduction of her. He'll stop the bad guy, and yay, he'll be the hero and convince Meriel to marry him.

Unfortunately, his plans go awry when he ends up being stabbed by Mariel. Why on Earth is she carrying a knife? He can't believe it. Still, it gets her attention and he is further surprised when she sees to his wound herself. They have a heartfelt talk and when he realises that Meriel doesn't want a man of action, she just wants a man she can trust and feel safe with, Quinn realises his huge mistake in arranging the false kidnapping. What will she do when she finds out, does she even have to know? What a predicament Quinn finds himself in.

This was such a sweet story, our couple both have insecurities that they have to learn to overcome before they can even think of moving on in their relationship together. Gregory plays a great part, especially towards the end when he finds out that Mariel has pretty much been putting her own life on hold in order to help him with his spy duties. It may have been a short story but it didn't lack in content, and I really did enjoy it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.
Reviewed by AnnMarie for Buried Under Romance

I wanted more!!! A liked the story, short and straight to the point.

Great novella from Sabrina Jeffries! Meriel has been secretly seeing Quinn for months, but constantly cancels to spy for her brother-in-law Fulkham. Quinn hatches a plan to fake an abduction to impress her and it backfires.

Even with a novella, Jeffries turns the heat up! It's amazing how fast she can get you vested in characters! Hopefully we will see the, again when Fulkham gets his own HEA. Great addition to this series!

I received a review copy as part of the Regency Review crew.

What’s it About? While on her way to a ball widow Meriel Vyse is almost kidnapped but luckily for her, Quinn Raines shows up to save her. Unluckily for Quinn, Meriel accidentally stabs him. While she tends to his wound, Quinn debates on telling her the truth: He set up the abduction in order to play the hero and prove to her that there’s more to them than just the heated flirtation they’ve been engaging in for the past few months.




Overall reaction to the story? Sabrina Jeffries can charm the heck out of a reader with her lively characters and unforgettable humor, and even though A Talent for Temptation is a short novella, it contains everything I love about this author. Quinn and Meriel couldn’t have been more perfect for each other and I loved the tie in to the next book in the Sinful Suitors series.


Aside from Meriel getting her happy ending, we also get a glimpse of another side of Gregory Vyse, the Baron Fulkham who up until now was just this serious, stone like character with a whole barrel of secrets, and the tendency to use people as pawns as it suits his needs. It’s nice to see that he has some care for the people around him. He should be interesting, actually, I hope he falls hard, he needs to not be in control for once.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. A Talent for Temptation is a lovely bite sized serving of talent, charm, and fun.

This was a fun little story with a HEA. I like that it is short, sweet and to the point. He wants her and she is scared to move on. He decides that he must do something and concocts a scheme to accomplish his ends. It was quite an amusing journey.

3.5 stars-- A TALENT FOR TEMPTATION by Sabrina Jeffries is instalment 4.5 in the author’s adult SINFUL SUITORS historical romance series- a spin off from Jeffries’ ‘The Duke’s Men’ series. This is bank clerk Quinn Raines, and widow Meriel Vyse’s story line. A TALENT FOR TEMPTATION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Quinn and Meriel) A TALENT FOR TEMPTATION is a short story focusing on Quinn Raines’s attempts to woo the widow Meriel Vyse by staging an attempted abduction that ends with our hero a victim of his own stupidity. Hoping to win Meriel’s affection by rescuing a ‘maiden in distress’ Quinn quickly learns that Meriel is capable of defending herself, and is wickedly skilled with using a knife. What ensues is the quick building proclamation of love and affection between Meriel and Quinn, and the just as quick fall-out when Quinn’s ruse is revealed.

A TALENT FOR TEMPTATION is a sweet, humorous, and sexy short story about two people who believe each other is someone that they are not-Meriel will reveal that her life is so much more than a struggling widow. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful; the romance is naughty but nice. There is not much ‘meat’ to the story which covers but an hour in the life. A TALENT FOR TEMPTATION is a vehicle to introduce the next hero Baron Gregory Fulkham-a spymaster who was once our heroine's brother in law.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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this was just ok.
not too bad for a short read