Devil in My Bed

Grade: C-



Summary: The three-year-old girl sitting on the steps of Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen insists that one of its members is her papa. Aidan de Quincy feels obligated to help the wee thing, even though she certainly isn't his - or is she? To find answers, Aidan must first track down the lovely widow he swore to forget when their passionate affair came to a painful end. It doesn't help that Madeleine Chandler is as sensual and enticing as ever.
For three years, Madeleine had dreamed of seeing Aidan on her doorstep. The secret that once forced her to leave him now compels her to pretend that this sweet child is hers - a lie Aidan will surely never forgive. Yet the contented days and exquisite nights that follow are worth the heartbreak she knows must come. The truth will out - and when it does, there will be the devil to pay.



Review: This book intrigued me in the beginning because of the interesting way it starts off in the prologue. So kudos Ms. Bradley for having an interesting beginning and making me very curious as to where the story was going to go. Unfortunately, my curiosity and interest was lost along the way as I read on.
So right away I'm just going to say if you liked the movie "Three Men and a Baby" you'll probably like this book. I did not enjoy Three Men and a Baby, not even the 'stache could save it for me, therefore the 'funny' situations and hijinks that arose when inexperienced bachelors try to take care of a little girl were completely lost on me. I did find it somewhat endearing at times when Aidan (hero) was at a complete loss as to what to do and say to Melody (little girl). He was a complete tool at times I couldn't help but like the big fella.
Madeleine (heroine) on the other hand never endeared herself to me. I didn't like her and I didn't hate her, sadly just indifferent. Her whole murky past and reasons for doing things was violently sensational but never drew me in.
The storyline was decently strong so I think the problem I had with not connecting to the characters was the style this story was written. It was bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. By this I mean there was a lot of head hopping from character to character, especially in the beginning. The author probably wanted the reader to feel connected to all the characters but instead it backfired, at least for me, and I never became attached to anyone because I wasn't with anyone long enough. This writing style ended up making the story feel very disjointed and choppy. There wasn't much ever happening and not much story progression. Aidan wants to ask Madeleine to marry him finally does at end of book, Madeleine wants to leave but stays and tells Aidan about her past finally at end of book, and then Colin (friend of Aidan and future hero in next book in series) and Aidan want to find out who Melody's father is. The question of who Melody's father is, is not answered here and I'm assuming this will be a continuing thread through the next book. (Aidan was eliminated so it's between Colin and a yet to be met character Jack).
Anyway this could be called a decent book with small amounts of brief shinning moments. Skip it, there is better out there to entertain you all.


Next to be read: "The Seducer" #1 in Seducer series by Madeline Hunter. I'm bouncing from this series to start a new one.