If You Desire (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 2)

This is the second book in a trilogy about three cursed brothers. The second book picks up before the end of the first so, if you have read the first, you know something the main characters do not. I highly recommend reading these books in order. Jane is afforded more freedoms than most young women of her age and has a definite independent streak. Her attitude hides a deep hurt caused when Hugh left her without a word at a young age. Jane had been sure they would be married. Hugh had never planned to marry due to a family curse and felt that Jane was above his station anyway. Although he had always loved Jane, he had never realized what his abrupt departure had done to her. When Jane's life is in danger, her father convinces Hugh to take drastic measures to protect her. They are thrown together, in close quarters, with all their unspoken feelings and fears. This is a real page turner and a great weekend read.

I have to say that I loved Courtland's story and thought that this book couldn't be as good, but it was. It literally picks up where the last one left off; Hugh leaving Court to race back to London to protect his beloved Jane after receiving a letter saying she was in grave danger. He has been in love with her for over 10 years. And his attraction to her is nearly driving him crazy. He believes there is a curse on his family; a curse saying that if he and his two brothers marry and find love then their wives will come to a tragic end. So he stoically stayed away from Jane. Untill now. But he vows he will go protect her and than leave her again as soon as she is safe. In order to protect Jane, Hugh and her spend many long weeks together. The sexual tension between the two is so strong. They are both so in love. Jane was such a strong character. She knew what she wanted, and that was Hugh, and she was willing to do whatever she could to seduce him. And Hugh wants nothing more than to be with her completely, but knows he risks her life if he does. I loved watching the two interact. He was so strong and yet so tender with her. And his Scottish brogue made him even sexier. I loved watching him try to resist Jane, and then finally giving in. He was dark, brooding, and six and a half feet tall. He was also a fierce protector, and I enjoyed watching him take care of Jane. But he also had a vulnerable side to him, he never thought he was worthy of her love, never thought he was good enough. And on top of all of that, he is hiding an important part of his life from Jane, a part he fears she cannot accept. This book is not to be missed. I can't wait to read Ethan's story.

Hugh MacCarick and his brothers have lived their lives believing that they are cursed to never be married or have children because of some book that deems it so. The day after they read the book as teenagers, their father dropped dead making them believe the curse is real. Hugh has loved Jane from afar since he was 18 but knew he could never have her and so it was easy for him to accept an assignment from her father as an assassin to the crown of their political enemies. Ten years after he last saw Jane, Hugh receives a message from her father that one of their enemies intends to kill her and he wants Hugh to protect her he rushes home to find that her father wants him to not only protect her but to marry her. Jane has loved Hugh since she was thirteen and always thought he would marry her. After 10 years and he hasn't returned, a now 27 year old jane is furious when he comes back and just thinks she will marry him without explanations. She and her wild cousins have spent many a night trying to decide why Jane still cries for Hugh. But after her father commands it to keep her safe, Jane goes away with Hugh. After years of denying one another their passion is boiling and they give into them, but Hugh keeps telling Jane that he can never stay married to her. He won't tell her about the curse so she fights his words in the only way she knows how, seduction. This is an awesome book. Hugh is the ultimate in every woman's fantasy, rough and gentle, huge but soft, handsome but not pretty. I don't blame Jane for waiting 10 years for him. He is however hardheaded at times, so you know why she gets aggravated with him....just really good

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first in the series. I'm a sucker for unrequited love stories and "If You Desire" fits the bill. Kresley Cole did such a convincing job of making this reader feel the emotional turmoil Hugh MacCarrick went through for the love of his life. I had no doubt that Hugh and Jane would be together forever. Jane and Hugh have loved each other for ten years. However, Hugh felt he was never good enough for her so he left without a word to become an assassin for the Crown. Ten years later, Jane is on the cusp of becoming engaged to an earl and has moved on with her life, or so she thought. Danger has struck and only one man can protect her, but at what cost? He must marry her, against both of their better judgements, to protect her. For it will be a temporary marriage, to remain unconsummated, and dissolved as soon as the Danger has been disposed of. Jane, angered at the decision, vows to torture Hugh with lust and she succeeds. Hugh has loved her for so long and is powerless to resist her, but resist her he does. What follows is an intense love story with super hot sensual tension, very steamy love scenes, hero-jealousy, and the hero is to die for. I took off half a star because the dialogue was a bit too modern for the time period and threw me at first, but by the end I was so engrossed it didn't bother me at all. "If You Desire" is a definite keeper and I cannot wait for "If You Deceive". I also recommend: Captain of All Pleasures and The Price of Pleasure by Kresley Cole.

Whether she's writing paranormals or historicals, Kresley Cole knows how to blend witty dialogue with sexual tension to create a book you simply can't put down. Her voice is unique in both genres, and although that voice is also very modern (and her heroines are also modern) the stories are so engaging that I don't think you'll mind the contemporary feel to those of her books (like this one) that take place in the 19th century. If You Desire features Hugh, a man with two main secrets regarding his job and his family. He has been in love with Jane Weyland for years, but because of his profession and his belief in a curse that appears to have doomed himself and his brothers to unhappiness, he runs and hides from her for a decade. When circumstances force them into marriage, the fun begins. The romance between Hugh and Jane is at turns suspenseful, romantic, sensual, and angsty. I thought the narrative flowed perfectly and as soon as I turned the last page I wanted to read Ethan's story (coming next month in If You Deceive). Jane is sharp, smart and sarcastic, but all in an endearing way while Hugh is stalwart, a little bit dangerous and so smitten it's impossible not to root for him to have what he wants. I truly enjoyed this novel. Kresley Cole gets better with every book she writes and I think this is definitely my favorite historical she's written.