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Jet-setters & Jeopardy #1
The Frenchman
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B00QJGFZMM
Meet The Frenchman.
His name is Louis Messette. He’s rich. He’s ruthless. And he’s in for a surprise when he meets American Fleur Smithers. The daughter of his family’s arch enemy — Marie the Mercenary, the sworn eradicator of crime in Toulon’s ports — is sexy as sin. And gullible as hell.
College grad Fleur Smithers thinks moving to France to spend a year with her newly found biological mother will make her more sophisticated. Only . . . everything about the country emphasizes her inexperience, especially one hunky, brooding, international rugby star named Louis Messette.
When their first encounter goes wildly awry, Fleur’s determined to avoid the rude Frenchman. But her attraction bests her, and soon she's seduced into world of wanton pleasure by Louis who seems to open up to her in the hub of the glittering Côte d'Azur and the along the soulful Seine in Paris.
But even Fleur, who makes it a point to avoid asking tough questions, begins to suspect something is wrong. Should she find out who her Frenchman really is, far more than her heart will be at stake. And Fleur will be forced to face the toughest question of all—what is she willing to sacrifice for love?
This is a stand-alone book in the Jet-setters & Jeopardy Series, which contains strong language and sexual content. For mature readers only.
Meet The Frenchman.
His name is Louis Messette. He’s rich. He’s ruthless. And he’s in for a surprise when he meets American Fleur Smithers. The daughter of his family’s arch enemy — Marie the Mercenary, the sworn eradicator of crime in Toulon’s ports — is sexy as sin. And gullible as hell.
College grad Fleur Smithers thinks moving to France to spend a year with her newly found biological mother will make her more sophisticated. Only . . . everything about the country emphasizes her inexperience, especially one hunky, brooding, international rugby star named Louis Messette.
When their first encounter goes wildly awry, Fleur’s determined to avoid the rude Frenchman. But her attraction bests her, and soon she's seduced into world of wanton pleasure by Louis who seems to open up to her in the hub of the glittering Côte d'Azur and the along the soulful Seine in Paris.
But even Fleur, who makes it a point to avoid asking tough questions, begins to suspect something is wrong. Should she find out who her Frenchman really is, far more than her heart will be at stake. And Fleur will be forced to face the toughest question of all—what is she willing to sacrifice for love?
This is a stand-alone book in the Jet-setters & Jeopardy Series, which contains strong language and sexual content. For mature readers only.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2014
22 people are currently reading
583 people want to read
About the author
Lesley Young
4 books246 followersLesley Young writes compulsive stories with unforgettable heroines who experience thrilling life- and love-altering journeys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
February 17, 2015
☆ I received an RC via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ☆
The Frenchman was a great start in this brand new series that I have decided to stalk and keep an eye on!!
Granted, it could have used some expanding and fleshing out with the plot and characters a tad bit more, but over all, I enjoyed it a lot.
★★★★★★★
So, the story:
After learning of her birth lineage, Fleur LaSalle Smithers, travels to a small seaport town in Toulon, France to get to know her of her roots and new-found mom.
Upon entering a local bistro with a friend, she meets Louis Messette, Toulon’s very own badboy star rugby player and a powerful aristocratic, and from there---their lives are irrevocably and completely changed.
They embark on a tumultuous and passionate relationship shrouded in lust, secrecy, and keeping their affair under wraps. Not to mention, an entangled web of an underlying yet prevalent undercurrents of Fleur’s mother’s utter distain for Louis and his family, and her own hurtful past.
I really liked this story as it really showed me the toll of what pride, loyalty, family, unconditional love, honor, misunderstandings can do; and the lengths you will go to in order to protect those that you love.
For Fleur—it was about finding herself and reclaiming her identity
For her mother—it was about redeeming herself and finding some sort of solace and redemption.
And for Louis- it was about fighting for his family and his and Fleur’s love.
★★★★★★★
I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t a bit disappointed when I found out that bk2 wouldn’t feature any of the Messette brothers…But, beggars can’t be choosers so I’m just glad in general that there will be a bk2, which will be titled, The Australian, coming out this April! Omigah! I want!! *makes grabby hands*
Can’t wait for the next installment in this series as we jump from “The Frenchman” and his American gal, to “The Australian” and his ladylove!!
The Frenchman was a great start in this brand new series that I have decided to stalk and keep an eye on!!
Granted, it could have used some expanding and fleshing out with the plot and characters a tad bit more, but over all, I enjoyed it a lot.
★★★★★★★
So, the story:
After learning of her birth lineage, Fleur LaSalle Smithers, travels to a small seaport town in Toulon, France to get to know her of her roots and new-found mom.
Upon entering a local bistro with a friend, she meets Louis Messette, Toulon’s very own badboy star rugby player and a powerful aristocratic, and from there---their lives are irrevocably and completely changed.
They embark on a tumultuous and passionate relationship shrouded in lust, secrecy, and keeping their affair under wraps. Not to mention, an entangled web of an underlying yet prevalent undercurrents of Fleur’s mother’s utter distain for Louis and his family, and her own hurtful past.
I really liked this story as it really showed me the toll of what pride, loyalty, family, unconditional love, honor, misunderstandings can do; and the lengths you will go to in order to protect those that you love.
For Fleur—it was about finding herself and reclaiming her identity
For her mother—it was about redeeming herself and finding some sort of solace and redemption.
And for Louis- it was about fighting for his family and his and Fleur’s love.
★★★★★★★
I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t a bit disappointed when I found out that bk2 wouldn’t feature any of the Messette brothers…But, beggars can’t be choosers so I’m just glad in general that there will be a bk2, which will be titled, The Australian, coming out this April! Omigah! I want!! *makes grabby hands*
Can’t wait for the next installment in this series as we jump from “The Frenchman” and his American gal, to “The Australian” and his ladylove!!
March 20, 2015
DNF @ 40%.
This book was unbearably bad because of the h. This idiot grows up with a strict adoptive mother who teaches her to behave like a lady and not be slutty. Then the h goes to live with her birth mother in France for a year. One night this donkey is out with her slutty BF and they meet a couple of guys. The H and the h do not communicate with each other AT ALL bc he only speaks French (or so she assumes). The h's BF pressures her to take the guys to an apartment. Never mind that they are in a foreign country where they do not know the language, they just met these group of men, and they can bearable communicate with each other. But what the hell, lets take them to a private area where no one can hear them scream. So the h's BF takes 2 of the guys into a bedroom and leaves the h alone with the H. She is a virgin and very innocent but my GOD the guy is so HOT. Even the h's BF keeps saying who cares about anything, just look at how hot the guy is!! Despite growing up with a strict mother the h suddenly becomes sexually aggressive and rips the H's shirt. While the h's BF is being tag teamed in the next room, the h is letting a complete stranger sex her up. The whole time she is thinking, wow I've never done this before but I just want to get rid of this pesky virginity and besides, look how hot the guy is. After all, she is in France where people are ok with being sexually open. Anyway this moron, lets it slip that she has never done this before and the H bolts. After this the h still goes after the H and he even calls her a whore which is so offensive to her. I mean she met a stranger and took him to an apartment for sex, what about that makes her a whore. She still pursues him and is just so pathetic I want to bash my head on a wall. If she is not doing something stupid, she is saying something stupid or thinking something stupid.
This book was unbearably bad because of the h. This idiot grows up with a strict adoptive mother who teaches her to behave like a lady and not be slutty. Then the h goes to live with her birth mother in France for a year. One night this donkey is out with her slutty BF and they meet a couple of guys. The H and the h do not communicate with each other AT ALL bc he only speaks French (or so she assumes). The h's BF pressures her to take the guys to an apartment. Never mind that they are in a foreign country where they do not know the language, they just met these group of men, and they can bearable communicate with each other. But what the hell, lets take them to a private area where no one can hear them scream. So the h's BF takes 2 of the guys into a bedroom and leaves the h alone with the H. She is a virgin and very innocent but my GOD the guy is so HOT. Even the h's BF keeps saying who cares about anything, just look at how hot the guy is!! Despite growing up with a strict mother the h suddenly becomes sexually aggressive and rips the H's shirt. While the h's BF is being tag teamed in the next room, the h is letting a complete stranger sex her up. The whole time she is thinking, wow I've never done this before but I just want to get rid of this pesky virginity and besides, look how hot the guy is. After all, she is in France where people are ok with being sexually open. Anyway this moron, lets it slip that she has never done this before and the H bolts. After this the h still goes after the H and he even calls her a whore which is so offensive to her. I mean she met a stranger and took him to an apartment for sex, what about that makes her a whore. She still pursues him and is just so pathetic I want to bash my head on a wall. If she is not doing something stupid, she is saying something stupid or thinking something stupid.
December 5, 2014
I was first introduced to Lesley Young's work last year when I read Sky's End, an absolutely brilliant Sci-Fi romp through the stars with some hothothot aliens and enough sexual chemistry to boil ectoplasm. It was exactly my cup of tea: action, thrills and spills, mystery, a fiesty heroine and a dash of romance. Loved it! So it was on the strength of that alone that I agreed to try this book out, despite the fact that erotica isn't really my forte. I'm not even sure The Frenchman needs to be labelled erotica. Although it definitely contains blush-inducing, explicit sex scenes, it was nothing stronger than the likes of, say, Kresley Cole's IAD series, and that's just classed as romance, so... I'm not sure. I wish I had a plethora of other, similar books to compare its eroticness to on a scale of one to OH-MY-GOD-YES! for you. Sadly, I do not. All I can say is - it was freakin' HOT!
The book is written in first-person, which I've found works really well for me. Any fans of Samantha Young or Jaime McGuire will also appreciate the intense immediateness of the first-person romance. All the feels, all the sensations, as though you are the heroine. It's pretty heady stuff! And I also love the way it makes the hero more mysterious. We have to play at guessing his feelings and the motivations behind his actions, which is always fun.
And what a mysterious young man our Frenchman is! Louis Messette has certainly got a lot to hide. He's also sinfully sexy, almost intolerably arrogant, explosively passionate, and just downright irresistible. Honestly, there are times when you'll try and resist him - when he's being an out-and-out arse-face - but it's futile, so don't waste your energy.
As for Fleur, she's a bit of a late bloomer in the sex department. Still carrying around her V card in her early twenties, she sees the trip to France to reunite with her long lost Mother as a chance to rectify that and start a new, exciting life. Has she picked the right person in Louis? Does his kind of excitement need to come with a safety warning? You'll just have to read the book to find out;)
To sum up, if you like your bad boys bad, rich, dangerous, and demanding in the bedroom, then you really can't go wrong with this read. The international flavouring hits just the right spot, and there's enough background plot to keep this mystery-lover turning the pages way into the wee hours. Awesome!
4 Stars ★★★★
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book is written in first-person, which I've found works really well for me. Any fans of Samantha Young or Jaime McGuire will also appreciate the intense immediateness of the first-person romance. All the feels, all the sensations, as though you are the heroine. It's pretty heady stuff! And I also love the way it makes the hero more mysterious. We have to play at guessing his feelings and the motivations behind his actions, which is always fun.
And what a mysterious young man our Frenchman is! Louis Messette has certainly got a lot to hide. He's also sinfully sexy, almost intolerably arrogant, explosively passionate, and just downright irresistible. Honestly, there are times when you'll try and resist him - when he's being an out-and-out arse-face - but it's futile, so don't waste your energy.
As for Fleur, she's a bit of a late bloomer in the sex department. Still carrying around her V card in her early twenties, she sees the trip to France to reunite with her long lost Mother as a chance to rectify that and start a new, exciting life. Has she picked the right person in Louis? Does his kind of excitement need to come with a safety warning? You'll just have to read the book to find out;)
To sum up, if you like your bad boys bad, rich, dangerous, and demanding in the bedroom, then you really can't go wrong with this read. The international flavouring hits just the right spot, and there's enough background plot to keep this mystery-lover turning the pages way into the wee hours. Awesome!
4 Stars ★★★★
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2015
I looooved ittt!
The Frenchman is the first book I have ever read by Lesley Young, but I can assure you, it wont be the last. I loved this book!
The characters are Awesome, every single one of them. Fleur is definitely my favorite female character, even though she can be a bit spineless, I can live with that. I mean how can you be angry when you have a hot guy spitting compliments at you in french? Another great thing about Fleur is her realness. besides for being spineless, I was definitely able to relate and connect with her. I mean come on shes from Austin how much more connection do we need?!?!
Louis at times bugged me with his controlling ways, but damn, it was also hot. I couldn’t stay upset with him. He was such a charming asshole without being charming, if that makes any sense at all. I’m still not sure what is really up with his whole family, whether they are good or bad, or what. But Louis is part of a crime family, which I wont even lie, is pretty hot as well. I have a weakness for the bad boys :)
I recommend this to anyone who is into a good NA romance!
The Frenchman is the first book I have ever read by Lesley Young, but I can assure you, it wont be the last. I loved this book!
The characters are Awesome, every single one of them. Fleur is definitely my favorite female character, even though she can be a bit spineless, I can live with that. I mean how can you be angry when you have a hot guy spitting compliments at you in french? Another great thing about Fleur is her realness. besides for being spineless, I was definitely able to relate and connect with her. I mean come on shes from Austin how much more connection do we need?!?!
Louis at times bugged me with his controlling ways, but damn, it was also hot. I couldn’t stay upset with him. He was such a charming asshole without being charming, if that makes any sense at all. I’m still not sure what is really up with his whole family, whether they are good or bad, or what. But Louis is part of a crime family, which I wont even lie, is pretty hot as well. I have a weakness for the bad boys :)
I recommend this to anyone who is into a good NA romance!
March 10, 2015
I absolutely loved this story from the first page! I loved that there was more than first appeared.
It's a love story, but with twists that are awesome and I found myself agreeing with the main character going WHAT.. WHY.. OOOOOOHHHHH..
I found myself really rooting for them to find a way to make it work through all the turbulence and lies they end up dealing with, which is rare for me. Normally I expect it, but I really didn't know if they would be able to make it work and was pleading for them to find their way.
There is more than a single plot line going on and it was really fun to see how they actually all worked together so seamlessly, another rarity. Normally I get bored when there is too much going on but this was just the right mix to me.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
It's a love story, but with twists that are awesome and I found myself agreeing with the main character going WHAT.. WHY.. OOOOOOHHHHH..
I found myself really rooting for them to find a way to make it work through all the turbulence and lies they end up dealing with, which is rare for me. Normally I expect it, but I really didn't know if they would be able to make it work and was pleading for them to find their way.
There is more than a single plot line going on and it was really fun to see how they actually all worked together so seamlessly, another rarity. Normally I get bored when there is too much going on but this was just the right mix to me.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
March 15, 2015
Tiffany's Review:
I don't think I have ever read a crime/romance novel...best of both worlds!! The main character Fleur is so innocent when she first travels to live with her birth mother in France. It didn't take long for her to find love...or was it trouble?! Fleur and Louis relationship had me happy one minute and angry the next!!! I was also dying to know about her birth parents relationship!!! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another Lesley Young book! I give The Frenchman 4 stars!
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
I don't think I have ever read a crime/romance novel...best of both worlds!! The main character Fleur is so innocent when she first travels to live with her birth mother in France. It didn't take long for her to find love...or was it trouble?! Fleur and Louis relationship had me happy one minute and angry the next!!! I was also dying to know about her birth parents relationship!!! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another Lesley Young book! I give The Frenchman 4 stars!
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
March 11, 2015
Have you ever just went into a book with very little idea of what you're getting yourself into? At the time I signed-up for this lovely blog tour, the gorgeous hunk you see above was not on the cover yet. The premise and the French setting intrigued me and of course I adore a good romance. I for some reason was picturing an older/mature Frenchman. Maybe cultured etc. Wise. How did I miss the hot, international rugby part?
I thought to myself "What the heck, it sounds good and I would love try something new and adventurous." Lesley Young's The Frenchman ended up being a fast, easy to read and a very well-written romance. I'm sure if I had the paper version my fingers would be singed and little puffs of smoke would curl out from the pages. Ahem. Okay ... let's get to the story and just what all the hoopla is about here.
The Frenchman will take you on an adventure to France where crime families, police, high profile sports (rugby) all collide with a steamy romance, surrounded by scrumptious food and some fantastic French settings. Like any romance, the focus is very character driven and surrounded by a mystery regarding the Messette's, a well know crime family in France, and Fleur's mother who is a inspector with the French National Police.
The story is written in first person, through Fleur's voice. She barely speaks French, and as she arrives to meet her biological mother, you can't help but feel her excitement, her nervousness, and new love for this city. Enter Louis Messette, an international rugby star who crosses paths with Fleur, and neither will be the same again. Everything is very intense, seen through Fleur's eyes. She comes across a bit naive and too trusting at times, but who wouldn't have stars in their eyes in France with someone like Louis around. Though she show's some surprising feistiness that had me laughing at times. Louis is a bit of a mystery to her. He's dark, can be domineering, with a bad-boy vibe rolling off him and at times he's closed-off. Yet ... there's moments when you know he feels so much more.
The Frenchman is intense, steamy and the chemistry between Fleur and Louis will melt ice. I sped through this easily and enjoyed the light touch of mystery and the smoldering romance combination. The ending was perfect and gave me (warning: slight spoiler) my HEA that I craved. This is my first read by Lesley Young and it won't be my last. I'm looking forward to my next adventure in Sydney, Australia with a new couple in The Australian!
My Rating: 4 Stars. I liked it!
I thought to myself "What the heck, it sounds good and I would love try something new and adventurous." Lesley Young's The Frenchman ended up being a fast, easy to read and a very well-written romance. I'm sure if I had the paper version my fingers would be singed and little puffs of smoke would curl out from the pages. Ahem. Okay ... let's get to the story and just what all the hoopla is about here.
The Frenchman will take you on an adventure to France where crime families, police, high profile sports (rugby) all collide with a steamy romance, surrounded by scrumptious food and some fantastic French settings. Like any romance, the focus is very character driven and surrounded by a mystery regarding the Messette's, a well know crime family in France, and Fleur's mother who is a inspector with the French National Police.
The story is written in first person, through Fleur's voice. She barely speaks French, and as she arrives to meet her biological mother, you can't help but feel her excitement, her nervousness, and new love for this city. Enter Louis Messette, an international rugby star who crosses paths with Fleur, and neither will be the same again. Everything is very intense, seen through Fleur's eyes. She comes across a bit naive and too trusting at times, but who wouldn't have stars in their eyes in France with someone like Louis around. Though she show's some surprising feistiness that had me laughing at times. Louis is a bit of a mystery to her. He's dark, can be domineering, with a bad-boy vibe rolling off him and at times he's closed-off. Yet ... there's moments when you know he feels so much more.
The Frenchman is intense, steamy and the chemistry between Fleur and Louis will melt ice. I sped through this easily and enjoyed the light touch of mystery and the smoldering romance combination. The ending was perfect and gave me (warning: slight spoiler) my HEA that I craved. This is my first read by Lesley Young and it won't be my last. I'm looking forward to my next adventure in Sydney, Australia with a new couple in The Australian!
My Rating: 4 Stars. I liked it!
March 31, 2015
Good Gravy. This was sexy sexy sexy. A hot french arrogant rugby player with a criminal past. A sweet american college girl seeking to spend time with her mom. A fast paced storyline that dabbles in quite a few tropes. Drama, action, racy sex scenes, and heart swooning ending. My first time reading this author but won't be my last.
March 5, 2015
compelling mafia romance. Told from the heroine's perspective. Some Drama. Needed epilogue.
March 9, 2015
Originally posted on Lipsyy Lost & Found @ https://lipsyy.wordpress.com
To be perfectly honest, I didn't think much of the synopsis or cover of this book, but I was in the mood for a quick, light read so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm really glad I did!
The Frenchman is a page-turning romance (bordering on erotica), set in Toulon, France where innocent and naive Fleur Smithers is spending a year getting to know her police-officer birth-mum.
The relationship between the two is interesting. They are very different, but despite the past they get along and understand each other. Marie, Fleur's mum, along with her friend Jess encourage her to enjoy everything France has to offer, including the men, and one night in a tiny restaurant, she does just that.
She meets Louis, an aloof, brute of a man who also happens to be a famous Rugby player. From here, Fleur not only finds herself in an intense, whirlwind of passion, but she's also gotten herself into something deeper. Is Louis really who he says he is? Is her mother right to warn her against him and his family?
The Frenchman really surprised me. I was kind of expecting it to be sex, sex, sex, but I really enjoyed the story too, especially the crime element. It had a lot more strings to its bow than a lot of romance books I've read.
Louis is everything you could want in a leading man, too. Essentially, he's a bad-boy with a heart, or so we hope as we read on. And he's clearly pretty damn hot! I enjoyed the dynamic between the two characters, and how Fleur stood up to him on occasion. And although they get together pretty quickly, this definitely wasn't an instalove thing - there was more going on than that, which is always what keeps me interested in a story - it was a rollercoaster of a romance.
Overall, I was really impressed by The Frenchman. It's not the kind of thing I read often but I'd definitely like to continue with the series. Watch out E.L James!
To be perfectly honest, I didn't think much of the synopsis or cover of this book, but I was in the mood for a quick, light read so I thought I'd give it a go, and I'm really glad I did!
The Frenchman is a page-turning romance (bordering on erotica), set in Toulon, France where innocent and naive Fleur Smithers is spending a year getting to know her police-officer birth-mum.
The relationship between the two is interesting. They are very different, but despite the past they get along and understand each other. Marie, Fleur's mum, along with her friend Jess encourage her to enjoy everything France has to offer, including the men, and one night in a tiny restaurant, she does just that.
She meets Louis, an aloof, brute of a man who also happens to be a famous Rugby player. From here, Fleur not only finds herself in an intense, whirlwind of passion, but she's also gotten herself into something deeper. Is Louis really who he says he is? Is her mother right to warn her against him and his family?
The Frenchman really surprised me. I was kind of expecting it to be sex, sex, sex, but I really enjoyed the story too, especially the crime element. It had a lot more strings to its bow than a lot of romance books I've read.
Louis is everything you could want in a leading man, too. Essentially, he's a bad-boy with a heart, or so we hope as we read on. And he's clearly pretty damn hot! I enjoyed the dynamic between the two characters, and how Fleur stood up to him on occasion. And although they get together pretty quickly, this definitely wasn't an instalove thing - there was more going on than that, which is always what keeps me interested in a story - it was a rollercoaster of a romance.
Overall, I was really impressed by The Frenchman. It's not the kind of thing I read often but I'd definitely like to continue with the series. Watch out E.L James!
September 3, 2015
When Fleur Smithers, a girl from the States and someone who had grown up living a pretty sheltered life decided to head to France to find her biological mother , she never expected that she would turn out to be the daughter of a Police Inspector and not only that her mother's nickname is Marie the Mercernary , as she is one of the toughest cops around. Out one night with her best friend Jess, who has come to accompany her from the States, Fleur meets a table of French Rugby Players and one in particular catches her eyes - Louis Messette. One thing leads to another and they eventually almost have sex , until he discovers she still belongs to the V-club and leaves. She is hurt and dejected, until she discovers that he is in fact a playboy and that his family cannot be trusted as the Messette's are part of the biggest drug family in France and her mother is hunting them down. It seems though that when the heart wants something, then it goes straight for it and the pair start meeting secretly. What will happen though when Marie finds out about it and then the members of the Messette family are arrested ? Can Fleur choose both sides or will she have to choose between her head or her heart ? Family or the one she loves ? Also we find out the truth of Fleur's biological father in The Frenchman and why now after 23 years it was safe for Marie to contact her daughter ?
Another amazing story and now I look forward to reading more from this author and if you enjoyed The Frenchman, then also check out Book #2 The Australian - which has also been reviewed on The Phantom Paragrapher.
Another amazing story and now I look forward to reading more from this author and if you enjoyed The Frenchman, then also check out Book #2 The Australian - which has also been reviewed on The Phantom Paragrapher.
March 11, 2015
"The Frenchman" by Lesley Young. What can I say? I loved it!! This tells the story of Fleur and Louis. But there is also the story of Fleur and her new-found birth mom, Marie. Fleur is just adorable! She is so sweet and innocent when she arrives in France. Although she might not leave France as innocent, she never loses her sweetness. She often had me chuckling with her inner thoughts. Watching her grow and mature while in France was a pleasure to watch. She certainly goes through some crazy situations that help her not only grow, but discover some truths about love and life. Louis - what can I say about him? I was so back and forth with him - I'd hate him one minute and simply melt the next! He was certainly a charmer - both with Fleur and me! I enjoyed the relationship between mother and daughter as it grew too. Marie grew on me - I wasn't sure about her at first but, as both Fleur and the reader learn more about her, she became a woman to be proud of. I couldn't put this one down. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time - and not just due to suspense, but because I wanted to know what would happen next with Louis and Fleur. This book has it all - some mystery and action, love, steamy sex! What more could a girl ask for! I cannot wait to read Ms. Young's next book of the series, "The Australian". Thank you, Ms. Young, for writing a story that draws the reader in and keeps them there!! (received copy for honest review)
March 11, 2015
"I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads"
As a sworn Francophile and rugby fan, I definitely enjoyed the setting and the context of this story. As a diehard romantic, also fascinated by cop v family cartel action, the plot was guaranteed to keep me interested. The sum of these parts is even better than might have been expected. Ms Young is a writer who can turn herself to bringing to life hot chemistry fuelled nights, as well as scary encounters with the less amiable members of society. The fun elements based around the food blog, and potential desire to fall off the veggie wagon, along with the issues of family all add up to a very full story.
This is definitely much more than a simple romance, do give it a try.
Ps this is the first in a series, the next being The Australian - I hope I get a chance to read it soon.
As a sworn Francophile and rugby fan, I definitely enjoyed the setting and the context of this story. As a diehard romantic, also fascinated by cop v family cartel action, the plot was guaranteed to keep me interested. The sum of these parts is even better than might have been expected. Ms Young is a writer who can turn herself to bringing to life hot chemistry fuelled nights, as well as scary encounters with the less amiable members of society. The fun elements based around the food blog, and potential desire to fall off the veggie wagon, along with the issues of family all add up to a very full story.
This is definitely much more than a simple romance, do give it a try.
Ps this is the first in a series, the next being The Australian - I hope I get a chance to read it soon.
February 18, 2015
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! I sat down about five hours ago thinking I would read a chapter before bed and then ended up devouring the whole thing in one bite. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next. I was eager to find out if Fleur would ever figure out the truth. Mostly, I just hoped for a happy ending.
I loved Fleur and Louis as a couple from the start. Their instant attraction and constant heat kept their story going even through misunderstandings and conflicts. Her innocence was a great counterpart to his worldliness.
The plot was decent, but could have benefited from a little more details about the family, the gangs, and the cases her mom was working on. The story mainly focuses on the relationship between Fleur and Louis, which still makes for a great read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes a romance with a lot of sizzle.
I really enjoyed this book! I sat down about five hours ago thinking I would read a chapter before bed and then ended up devouring the whole thing in one bite. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next. I was eager to find out if Fleur would ever figure out the truth. Mostly, I just hoped for a happy ending.
I loved Fleur and Louis as a couple from the start. Their instant attraction and constant heat kept their story going even through misunderstandings and conflicts. Her innocence was a great counterpart to his worldliness.
The plot was decent, but could have benefited from a little more details about the family, the gangs, and the cases her mom was working on. The story mainly focuses on the relationship between Fleur and Louis, which still makes for a great read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that likes a romance with a lot of sizzle.
November 16, 2015
This book is absurd and absurdly readable. Even as I groaned at the cheesy plot and florid language--I'm pretty sure a clit doesn't "clench"--I kept turning the pages. I can't recommend this book at all and yet I've already bought the next in the series. I hate myself, I really do. ;)
Want to read
March 28, 2015Free on Amazon as of 3/27/15!
February 5, 2015
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions or the content of my review.
The Frenchman by Lesley Young is a romance with an irresistible bad boy. It is the first book in the Crime Royalty Romance series. It is also the first book that I have read by this author. I enjoyed reading it and found it to be interesting. I liked the plot of the story as well. I debated about which rating to give it. I ended up deciding to give it a 4 because it didn’t capture my attention right away. I did enjoy it once I got into it though so for that it deserved a higher rating. I was glad that I continued to read the book because it ended up being well worth the read. I really enjoyed Louis and Fleur’s story and plan on reading more books in this series.
Fleur has had a good life. She is a good girl and she loves her family and friends. Her life changes when she meets her birth mother. She is intrigued by her and eventually moves to France to get to know her birth mother better. While in France she meets Louis a famous rugby player and falls head over heels for him. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start but it is hot and intense and like nothing she has experienced before. He has her heart but has he given her his heart? She agrees to keep their relationship secret for a while but that is getting old because she hates lying to her mother and friends. Her life has certainly gotten more interesting since she moved to France. He keeps telling her that he is a bad man but she just can’t see it and doesn’t believe it. When danger hits close to home will she finally see what he says is true? Or will she remain blinded by her love? Will the new developments come between them? Or will their love remain intact?
Louis is famous for more than one reason. He is a famous rugby star but he is also royalty. His family is also known for their criminal activity as well. They keep things running smoothly at the port. He has lived his life with loyalty to his family and his sport. He has no need for Permanent attachments other than family. All that is turned upside down the moment he meets Fleur the daughter of the French inspector who is trying to take him and his family down. At first he wants to bed her just to annoy her mother but he finds that her innocence, personality, and beauty have won him over. He wants her body, mind, and soul but he also doesn’t want to corrupt her. He tries to keep away from her but there is something about her that draws him back in. He will do anything to keep her safe even if it means hiding their relationship. When she finds out who he really is will she still love him? Or will he have to live his life without her?
I really liked the relationship between Louis and Fleur. It shows that love knows no boundaries. I liked the interaction between the two of them as well. I thought it was funny that he loved her angry. Their chemistry is undeniable and their love is meant to be. The Frenchman was a great story once I got lost in it. I liked Louis because he was really a good guy. He wasn’t all hard or evil despite the fact that his family was well known for their criminal activity. I think he had a heart of gold when it came to Fleur. I liked Fleur’s character too. I thought she was a bit too naïve when it came to Louis though. I don’t understand why she chooses not to see who he truly was for so long. I think there were many blatant clues staring her in the face but she was so clueless. I guess that is a part of her innocence and part of why Louis fell so hard for her. I would recommend The Frenchman to anyone who enjoys romances that sizzle right off the pages.
The Frenchman by Lesley Young is a romance with an irresistible bad boy. It is the first book in the Crime Royalty Romance series. It is also the first book that I have read by this author. I enjoyed reading it and found it to be interesting. I liked the plot of the story as well. I debated about which rating to give it. I ended up deciding to give it a 4 because it didn’t capture my attention right away. I did enjoy it once I got into it though so for that it deserved a higher rating. I was glad that I continued to read the book because it ended up being well worth the read. I really enjoyed Louis and Fleur’s story and plan on reading more books in this series.
Fleur has had a good life. She is a good girl and she loves her family and friends. Her life changes when she meets her birth mother. She is intrigued by her and eventually moves to France to get to know her birth mother better. While in France she meets Louis a famous rugby player and falls head over heels for him. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start but it is hot and intense and like nothing she has experienced before. He has her heart but has he given her his heart? She agrees to keep their relationship secret for a while but that is getting old because she hates lying to her mother and friends. Her life has certainly gotten more interesting since she moved to France. He keeps telling her that he is a bad man but she just can’t see it and doesn’t believe it. When danger hits close to home will she finally see what he says is true? Or will she remain blinded by her love? Will the new developments come between them? Or will their love remain intact?
Louis is famous for more than one reason. He is a famous rugby star but he is also royalty. His family is also known for their criminal activity as well. They keep things running smoothly at the port. He has lived his life with loyalty to his family and his sport. He has no need for Permanent attachments other than family. All that is turned upside down the moment he meets Fleur the daughter of the French inspector who is trying to take him and his family down. At first he wants to bed her just to annoy her mother but he finds that her innocence, personality, and beauty have won him over. He wants her body, mind, and soul but he also doesn’t want to corrupt her. He tries to keep away from her but there is something about her that draws him back in. He will do anything to keep her safe even if it means hiding their relationship. When she finds out who he really is will she still love him? Or will he have to live his life without her?
I really liked the relationship between Louis and Fleur. It shows that love knows no boundaries. I liked the interaction between the two of them as well. I thought it was funny that he loved her angry. Their chemistry is undeniable and their love is meant to be. The Frenchman was a great story once I got lost in it. I liked Louis because he was really a good guy. He wasn’t all hard or evil despite the fact that his family was well known for their criminal activity. I think he had a heart of gold when it came to Fleur. I liked Fleur’s character too. I thought she was a bit too naïve when it came to Louis though. I don’t understand why she chooses not to see who he truly was for so long. I think there were many blatant clues staring her in the face but she was so clueless. I guess that is a part of her innocence and part of why Louis fell so hard for her. I would recommend The Frenchman to anyone who enjoys romances that sizzle right off the pages.
February 3, 2015
I was utterly thrilled to read something more written by Lesley Young. I loved her debut novel Sky´s Ends so deeply that I literally needed to read more of her work.
The Frenchman is the first book in the Crime Royalty series, a romance-erotic set of books full of suspense, steamy hot scenes and unforgettable characters. Every book is focused on a certain nationality, highlighting the wonders of the country, language and its people. By far this new series has The Frenchman, The Australian and The American. After reading the first one I have to say that my love for my neighbor country has grown and I plan on visiting France again soon, especially after discovering that the city where the novel is set exists! I have also refreshed my French, which by the way never was too good. I think I will enjoy the next two books, especially if there is an Aussie hottie on The Australian. And I would love to read one like The Spaniard, I love to read the perspectives that other people has over my country.
The use of French expressions, words and vocabulary gives the story a sense of reality and I preferred the mixture of French and English rather than what other authors do, which is writing everything in English when there are foreign characters that speak another language. The fact that there are a lot of dialogues in French shows that the author has really took her time to research and go to trouble to get the Frenchness the main character was experiencing and to demonstrate it to the readers so we can also get the magic of France.
Fleur, the main character is so believable in her narration that it was like being inside her life, like I was her. And this feeling of being her was enhanced by all the shared things I had in common with her. It felt like what happened to her could also happen to me, and I think this is one of the greatest achievements any author could dream of, that readers feel like they can be that same character even after ending the book.
This book had the perfect combination to became an addictive reading: hot guys, a believable heroine, lots of exquisite food, an exotic setting and suspense. I loved how the author build the crime scene of the books, it started giving you little hints to make you aware that not everything is as it seems. Later on, when you are aware that there is something underneath the plot, it makes you want to discover what is really going on. I really tried to solve the mystery since I am studying criminology at university but I couldn´t grasp all the little hints and I was left utterly surprised because there were lots of thing I didn´t see coming!
Louis and Fleur are one of the most intense couples I´ve read in a very long time, it kind of reminded me of the main characters of Lesley´s first novel Or´ic and Cassiel though I really didn´t get Louis´s behaviour. He was the only thing that seemed out of my reach in the whole book, I really didn´t get his mood swings and odd behaviour. He wanted everything without giving nothing, though in the end when he finally realizes what he is losing he starts working to be a better man. Louis and Fleur´s relationship is like a storm, it came suddenly crashing over them, a downpour of lust that consumed them in an endless turmoil of feelings till love and hope made them surge stronger than before.
The Frenchman is a wickedly sexy story that brings a powerful rush of lust that will make you believe in real and raw love once again!
The Frenchman is the first book in the Crime Royalty series, a romance-erotic set of books full of suspense, steamy hot scenes and unforgettable characters. Every book is focused on a certain nationality, highlighting the wonders of the country, language and its people. By far this new series has The Frenchman, The Australian and The American. After reading the first one I have to say that my love for my neighbor country has grown and I plan on visiting France again soon, especially after discovering that the city where the novel is set exists! I have also refreshed my French, which by the way never was too good. I think I will enjoy the next two books, especially if there is an Aussie hottie on The Australian. And I would love to read one like The Spaniard, I love to read the perspectives that other people has over my country.
The use of French expressions, words and vocabulary gives the story a sense of reality and I preferred the mixture of French and English rather than what other authors do, which is writing everything in English when there are foreign characters that speak another language. The fact that there are a lot of dialogues in French shows that the author has really took her time to research and go to trouble to get the Frenchness the main character was experiencing and to demonstrate it to the readers so we can also get the magic of France.
Fleur, the main character is so believable in her narration that it was like being inside her life, like I was her. And this feeling of being her was enhanced by all the shared things I had in common with her. It felt like what happened to her could also happen to me, and I think this is one of the greatest achievements any author could dream of, that readers feel like they can be that same character even after ending the book.
This book had the perfect combination to became an addictive reading: hot guys, a believable heroine, lots of exquisite food, an exotic setting and suspense. I loved how the author build the crime scene of the books, it started giving you little hints to make you aware that not everything is as it seems. Later on, when you are aware that there is something underneath the plot, it makes you want to discover what is really going on. I really tried to solve the mystery since I am studying criminology at university but I couldn´t grasp all the little hints and I was left utterly surprised because there were lots of thing I didn´t see coming!
Louis and Fleur are one of the most intense couples I´ve read in a very long time, it kind of reminded me of the main characters of Lesley´s first novel Or´ic and Cassiel though I really didn´t get Louis´s behaviour. He was the only thing that seemed out of my reach in the whole book, I really didn´t get his mood swings and odd behaviour. He wanted everything without giving nothing, though in the end when he finally realizes what he is losing he starts working to be a better man. Louis and Fleur´s relationship is like a storm, it came suddenly crashing over them, a downpour of lust that consumed them in an endless turmoil of feelings till love and hope made them surge stronger than before.
The Frenchman is a wickedly sexy story that brings a powerful rush of lust that will make you believe in real and raw love once again!
March 25, 2015
GENRE: Contemporary
THEME: Romance, Crime,Sports
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
4.5 stars
REVIEW:
Rugby Hottie…check, sweet innocent heroine…check, crime family…check, momma cop and criminal daddy…check check! Bah! I’m such a hot mess after this book and it’s a good mess, I love the combo of crime and romance, especially with two totally opposite protagonist who fall head over heels for each other. Bravo Lesley Young, you totally one me over with this one, hands down!
The Frenchman follows sweet Fleur Smithers who has decided to take a year a get to know her biological mother in France. She is excited to know more about her unknown family as well as her kick butt mom who is a French inspector. While getting comfortable with her temporary home she meets and is baffled by the alpha male rugby star Louis Messette. Their first meeting doesn’t end well, but Louis sees that Fleur is someone he wants and must have. The bad thing is Louis’ family is known for their criminal background and Fleurs mother is doing everything she can to take down as many criminals as she can, including Louis’ family.
Fleur is a brave girl, leaving her Texas home to try and fit in and live in France. I’m not sure how some people can do it, but it would be such a culture shock to me, especially with the language and some people aren’t too kind when it comes to language barriers. But Fleur is determined to learn, live and love in France, as well as continue with her passion for food and blogging. She’s an easy character to adore, anyone would root for her to find happiness in connecting with her mother who in the end didn’t want to let her go. But the best tidbits are with Louis, their tension, and passion with so much angst is intense in every scene their together. My only issue is the “virgin” storyline is always used and I kind of wished it wasn’t in this book. However Young did a great job making it impactful but not dragging it on and having it be the big focus. The focus was on the romance, the mother daughter relationship and the criminal world that existed.
Louis was a force to be reckoned with, he was all alpha and all-powerful. He knew he had something special when he met Fleur and he went all in a charging to claim her. He was a bit of a mystery and made some big bad man mistakes but he just didn’t know how to handle what he was feeling with Fleur. He also has to deal with the fact his brothers don’t have the best reputation. But his love for rugby and his protectiveness of Fleur make him a good hearted man in the end.
Overall I could eat this book up, I love it so much, despite the virgin overuse in the romance world, I loved the characters, the connection of good and bad in law enforcement, and the family aspect all pulled into one. The pace was in full force from beginning to end, I never put the book down and when it was done I wanted to start all over again. I’m so excited for the second book and see what criminal royalty were going to get into next!
THEME: Romance, Crime,Sports
RECEIVED: Tour
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
4.5 stars
REVIEW:
Rugby Hottie…check, sweet innocent heroine…check, crime family…check, momma cop and criminal daddy…check check! Bah! I’m such a hot mess after this book and it’s a good mess, I love the combo of crime and romance, especially with two totally opposite protagonist who fall head over heels for each other. Bravo Lesley Young, you totally one me over with this one, hands down!
The Frenchman follows sweet Fleur Smithers who has decided to take a year a get to know her biological mother in France. She is excited to know more about her unknown family as well as her kick butt mom who is a French inspector. While getting comfortable with her temporary home she meets and is baffled by the alpha male rugby star Louis Messette. Their first meeting doesn’t end well, but Louis sees that Fleur is someone he wants and must have. The bad thing is Louis’ family is known for their criminal background and Fleurs mother is doing everything she can to take down as many criminals as she can, including Louis’ family.
Fleur is a brave girl, leaving her Texas home to try and fit in and live in France. I’m not sure how some people can do it, but it would be such a culture shock to me, especially with the language and some people aren’t too kind when it comes to language barriers. But Fleur is determined to learn, live and love in France, as well as continue with her passion for food and blogging. She’s an easy character to adore, anyone would root for her to find happiness in connecting with her mother who in the end didn’t want to let her go. But the best tidbits are with Louis, their tension, and passion with so much angst is intense in every scene their together. My only issue is the “virgin” storyline is always used and I kind of wished it wasn’t in this book. However Young did a great job making it impactful but not dragging it on and having it be the big focus. The focus was on the romance, the mother daughter relationship and the criminal world that existed.
Louis was a force to be reckoned with, he was all alpha and all-powerful. He knew he had something special when he met Fleur and he went all in a charging to claim her. He was a bit of a mystery and made some big bad man mistakes but he just didn’t know how to handle what he was feeling with Fleur. He also has to deal with the fact his brothers don’t have the best reputation. But his love for rugby and his protectiveness of Fleur make him a good hearted man in the end.
Overall I could eat this book up, I love it so much, despite the virgin overuse in the romance world, I loved the characters, the connection of good and bad in law enforcement, and the family aspect all pulled into one. The pace was in full force from beginning to end, I never put the book down and when it was done I wanted to start all over again. I’m so excited for the second book and see what criminal royalty were going to get into next!
March 10, 2015
This was my first read by Leslye Young and I have to say that I am hooked!!!! I absolutely love her writing style and story telling style. This book had romance, suspense and action all in one and kept my attention through the whole book. I could not put it down once I started. I was disappointed once I was done because it was such a good story and I wanted more from these characters.
Louis is a well known rugby player that never has to work for what he wants with women. His good looks and money seem to get him just what he wants. When he meets Fleur one night at a bistro, he goes after what he wants. Once Louis finds out that Fleur is a virgin, he removes himself from the situation and does not want to be the one to take such a valuable thing from her. Fleur is frustrated because she does not know what is going on or what she has done to make him mad. Fleur wonders if it could be due in part to the language barrier that they have between them. Fleur soon learns that Louis has no problem expressing himself in English.
Fleur is in France to learn more about her biological mom since she had been adopted by her mom in the US when she was really young. Fleur loves the idea that she can learn about her two cultures and has decided to spend a year with her mom in France to learn more about that culture and what her mom does. Fleur's biological mom is a detective and works long, hard hours to catch the criminals of the port in France. She has worked years on developing a list of the gangs and what she thinks is their hierarchy. She assumes that the Messette Family, Louis's family is part of the bad ones controlling the port and is determined to prove her point. She tells Fleur to stay away from Louis and that just makes Fleur more curious as to why and to learn more about Louis.
The connection between Fleur and Louis is unmistakeable and once they get past their first encounter, sexually, their feelings for each other blossom. I love how Louis is an Alpha Male and takes it upon himself to look after Fleur even when she has no idea that he is doing it. Louis takes care of what he claims as his own. Louis is just yummy in all his French Alpha Maleness. I could not get enough of him. I was mad at him at some points in the story but I so did not want to be because of how dreamy he was. I love the emotional roller coaster that this book had me on.
This story ended in a HEA but I would so love to read more of Louis and Fleur's story and I hope there is another book in the making for them!!! Thank Leslye for such a great read and I look forward to many more great reads from you!!
Louis is a well known rugby player that never has to work for what he wants with women. His good looks and money seem to get him just what he wants. When he meets Fleur one night at a bistro, he goes after what he wants. Once Louis finds out that Fleur is a virgin, he removes himself from the situation and does not want to be the one to take such a valuable thing from her. Fleur is frustrated because she does not know what is going on or what she has done to make him mad. Fleur wonders if it could be due in part to the language barrier that they have between them. Fleur soon learns that Louis has no problem expressing himself in English.
Fleur is in France to learn more about her biological mom since she had been adopted by her mom in the US when she was really young. Fleur loves the idea that she can learn about her two cultures and has decided to spend a year with her mom in France to learn more about that culture and what her mom does. Fleur's biological mom is a detective and works long, hard hours to catch the criminals of the port in France. She has worked years on developing a list of the gangs and what she thinks is their hierarchy. She assumes that the Messette Family, Louis's family is part of the bad ones controlling the port and is determined to prove her point. She tells Fleur to stay away from Louis and that just makes Fleur more curious as to why and to learn more about Louis.
The connection between Fleur and Louis is unmistakeable and once they get past their first encounter, sexually, their feelings for each other blossom. I love how Louis is an Alpha Male and takes it upon himself to look after Fleur even when she has no idea that he is doing it. Louis takes care of what he claims as his own. Louis is just yummy in all his French Alpha Maleness. I could not get enough of him. I was mad at him at some points in the story but I so did not want to be because of how dreamy he was. I love the emotional roller coaster that this book had me on.
This story ended in a HEA but I would so love to read more of Louis and Fleur's story and I hope there is another book in the making for them!!! Thank Leslye for such a great read and I look forward to many more great reads from you!!
March 6, 2015
This is the first book I've read by Lesley Young. I was drawn to The Frenchman, the first book in The Crime Royalty Romance series because of the international setting for the plot. This was a much welcome and refreshing change from what I've read recently.
Fleur LaSalle Smithers is in Toulon for a year in an attempt to build a relationship with her biological mother. She's lived a sheltered life with her adoptive mom in Austin, Texas and is now spreading her wings to find her family roots in France. Fleur came across as unworldly and rather naïve at times. Her attitude and responses made her seem far younger than her twenty-three years.
Louis Messette is an enigmatic man. To the outside world he's a professional rugby player with an aristocratic background, not forgetting his playboy notoriety. To others he's a member of a crime family involved in underworld activities. After all his family own the Port of Toulon, a perfect place to illegally smuggle drugs!
Sparks eventually fly between our protagonists after Louis originally rejected Fleur to protect her innocence, completely misreading that underneath her naivety is a passionate woman screaming to escape. It isn't long before their differing worlds collide as their mutual family connections clash. Is it possible for the daughter of a police inspector to find happiness with a man with criminal connections?
Overall this was an entertaining book and if you are unfamiliar with the French language you will learn a phrase or two as you become embroiled within the storyline. I struggled for the first third of the book to get into the story as it was a little slow, but the pace did increase to keep my focus and attention. The suspense aspect was as unexpected surprise added a welcome dimension to the plot. I particularly liked that the author showed the cultural differences between Fleur and Louis during their interactions, giving examples of what is fine and acceptable in US is definitely not au fait in France.
I know that the next book in this series is based around an Australian, but would be interested to know if the author will re-visit the Messette family again because I'm sure Georges, Henri and Philippe Messette have interesting stories to tell too.
3 ¾ stars – would have been 4 stars if not for the slow beginning.
***arc received in exchange for an honest review***
Fleur LaSalle Smithers is in Toulon for a year in an attempt to build a relationship with her biological mother. She's lived a sheltered life with her adoptive mom in Austin, Texas and is now spreading her wings to find her family roots in France. Fleur came across as unworldly and rather naïve at times. Her attitude and responses made her seem far younger than her twenty-three years.
Louis Messette is an enigmatic man. To the outside world he's a professional rugby player with an aristocratic background, not forgetting his playboy notoriety. To others he's a member of a crime family involved in underworld activities. After all his family own the Port of Toulon, a perfect place to illegally smuggle drugs!
Sparks eventually fly between our protagonists after Louis originally rejected Fleur to protect her innocence, completely misreading that underneath her naivety is a passionate woman screaming to escape. It isn't long before their differing worlds collide as their mutual family connections clash. Is it possible for the daughter of a police inspector to find happiness with a man with criminal connections?
Overall this was an entertaining book and if you are unfamiliar with the French language you will learn a phrase or two as you become embroiled within the storyline. I struggled for the first third of the book to get into the story as it was a little slow, but the pace did increase to keep my focus and attention. The suspense aspect was as unexpected surprise added a welcome dimension to the plot. I particularly liked that the author showed the cultural differences between Fleur and Louis during their interactions, giving examples of what is fine and acceptable in US is definitely not au fait in France.
I know that the next book in this series is based around an Australian, but would be interested to know if the author will re-visit the Messette family again because I'm sure Georges, Henri and Philippe Messette have interesting stories to tell too.
3 ¾ stars – would have been 4 stars if not for the slow beginning.
***arc received in exchange for an honest review***
March 5, 2015
Fleur Smithers has traveled to France to spend time the birth mother who gave her up. One night, she meets Louis Messette, star player on an international rugby team. Immediately attracted to each other, she takes him home only to have him reject her when he realizes she's still a virgin. But he cannot stay away from her - they quickly fall back into each other's arms... but with stipulations. The main one being Fleur must keep their relationship a secret. Confused but willing, Fleur agrees. She accepts a necklace of the family crest, a fleur-de-lis, as a symbol of their love. Soon, Fleur is caught between her biological mother who happens to be a high-ranking officer of the French Police Force and her lover, whose family she discovers is criminal royalty. Fleur's mother discovers Louis is her boyfriend and is enraged. Storming into his apartment, she quickly arrests Louis and his brother, Georges. When Georges is charged with drug trafficking, Louis tries to make Fleur realize her mother is not the upstanding police officer she appears to be. As an American in a foreign country, a girl finding her mother for the first time, and a woman who's heart is fighting to be heard, who does she believe?
I LOVED this story! It took me a few chapters to get into but once I was, I was hooked. I love how Fleur talks - she's a true American. Many of the things she would say are things that, I feel, many Americans would say when they are found in a foreign country with foreign laws. "I'm an American in France, what do I know?" You really start to feel her confusion as the book goes on. She knows Louis is hiding something and when she finds out, she's torn, being the daughter of a police inspector and all. But she loves Louis - all dominating, confusing, loving parts of him. As I read the book, I often questioned how Louis treated her but when you realize that Louis is also torn between protecting his family and protecting the woman he loves, you understand why he does the things he does. And the very end... *swoon* You will never question how much Louis loves Fleur when you reach the end. One of the best endings of a confused set of lovers ever. I cannot wait to read more by this author in her upcoming The Australian.
ARC was provided by the editor in exchange for my honest review.
I LOVED this story! It took me a few chapters to get into but once I was, I was hooked. I love how Fleur talks - she's a true American. Many of the things she would say are things that, I feel, many Americans would say when they are found in a foreign country with foreign laws. "I'm an American in France, what do I know?" You really start to feel her confusion as the book goes on. She knows Louis is hiding something and when she finds out, she's torn, being the daughter of a police inspector and all. But she loves Louis - all dominating, confusing, loving parts of him. As I read the book, I often questioned how Louis treated her but when you realize that Louis is also torn between protecting his family and protecting the woman he loves, you understand why he does the things he does. And the very end... *swoon* You will never question how much Louis loves Fleur when you reach the end. One of the best endings of a confused set of lovers ever. I cannot wait to read more by this author in her upcoming The Australian.
ARC was provided by the editor in exchange for my honest review.
March 13, 2015
Rating: 4.5 Stars
SHORT REVIEW:
The complexity of the characters, the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of what is bound to happen between the two, and most of all, the surprising twists one after the other made this book a real unputdownable read. The inside is as sexy and as sinful as the cover.
LONGER:
Set in the romantic place of France, we are off to a hot, sizzling and dangerous journey of a young American woman, Fleur Smithers who just learned and knew of her roots. She is moving to the seaport town of Toulon for a year to live with her biological mother who is an inspector of the French National Police.
What she didn’t expect was to cross path with one of the sons of France’s crime royalty family and an international rugby star, Louis Messette. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s the kind of mystery you’d want to solve. The chemistry between the two of them was completely undeniable, and one kiss from him had ruined her for any other man. But who is this guy? He says he doesn’t play any games, but why does she felt like a pawn?
When they finally got together, she was forced to keep it a secret. And she dove in with both her eyes closed, took the risk and fell in love. Unaware of the danger she was in, she was having the time of her life with The Frenchman. When her secret world and real world collide – complications arises.
The mere thought of not knowing who the real enemy is had me kept reading this novel. It’s not easy to place labels on these characters. You don’t know who is good, who is bad – whom you should trust and whom you should be careful of.
The complexity of the characters, the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of what is bound to happen between the two, and most of all, the surprising twists one after the other made this book a real unputdownable read. The inside is as sexy and as sinful as the cover.
Review originally posted on my blog
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•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
SHORT REVIEW:
The complexity of the characters, the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of what is bound to happen between the two, and most of all, the surprising twists one after the other made this book a real unputdownable read. The inside is as sexy and as sinful as the cover.
LONGER:
Set in the romantic place of France, we are off to a hot, sizzling and dangerous journey of a young American woman, Fleur Smithers who just learned and knew of her roots. She is moving to the seaport town of Toulon for a year to live with her biological mother who is an inspector of the French National Police.
What she didn’t expect was to cross path with one of the sons of France’s crime royalty family and an international rugby star, Louis Messette. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s the kind of mystery you’d want to solve. The chemistry between the two of them was completely undeniable, and one kiss from him had ruined her for any other man. But who is this guy? He says he doesn’t play any games, but why does she felt like a pawn?
When they finally got together, she was forced to keep it a secret. And she dove in with both her eyes closed, took the risk and fell in love. Unaware of the danger she was in, she was having the time of her life with The Frenchman. When her secret world and real world collide – complications arises.
The mere thought of not knowing who the real enemy is had me kept reading this novel. It’s not easy to place labels on these characters. You don’t know who is good, who is bad – whom you should trust and whom you should be careful of.
The complexity of the characters, the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of what is bound to happen between the two, and most of all, the surprising twists one after the other made this book a real unputdownable read. The inside is as sexy and as sinful as the cover.
Review originally posted on my blog
Purchase Links: AMAZON
Follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | tsu | Instagram
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
March 26, 2015
Wow. I read this book in two hours and 45 minutes. That's about a page a minute. It's really, really, good. It also features many of my favorite elements like a famous athlete, a man with an accent, organized crime, drama, a bad boy, and a good girl. I knew before going in this book had the potential to impress me, but I didn't know how much.
The story grabbed my attention from the first page and didn't let it go until it was finished. I liked Fleur from the moment I met her. I could feel her excitement at being in Toulon and meeting her biological mother. I also understood how Louis could present such a temptation to her. I must admit their first meeting was certainly memorable and I couldn't believe the way it ended! I totally understood Fleur's frustration and confusion with Louis and the situation.
Louis was a mystery. I wasn't sure what he wanted from Fleur or if he wanted anything from her at all for a large part of the book. However, that certainly changed in a big way. I saw how his fame and family affected him. It was interesting to be in the know about these things and others, while Fleur was not. I think I was taken aback at Fleur's reaction when the truth came out about Louis and his family. It really hit me hard; my heart was beating fast and I could feel her pain at being betrayed. I wasn't expecting to be so surprised, but I guess because I connected with her, what she was feeling became real to me. I was also surprised by the twists in the story, especially those featuring Fleur's biological mother.
I definitely devoured this book and enjoyed myself while reading it. After finishing the book, I immediately went to see if it was available in paperback and when the next book in the series would be available. Fleur is truly a gentle flower and it was good to see her become more worldly even if it was done in a brutal manner. I would love to read more about Fleur and Louis, or even about Louis's brothers. Lesley Young has done a great job at capturing my attention with this book. I will be on the look out for more by her.
The story grabbed my attention from the first page and didn't let it go until it was finished. I liked Fleur from the moment I met her. I could feel her excitement at being in Toulon and meeting her biological mother. I also understood how Louis could present such a temptation to her. I must admit their first meeting was certainly memorable and I couldn't believe the way it ended! I totally understood Fleur's frustration and confusion with Louis and the situation.
Louis was a mystery. I wasn't sure what he wanted from Fleur or if he wanted anything from her at all for a large part of the book. However, that certainly changed in a big way. I saw how his fame and family affected him. It was interesting to be in the know about these things and others, while Fleur was not. I think I was taken aback at Fleur's reaction when the truth came out about Louis and his family. It really hit me hard; my heart was beating fast and I could feel her pain at being betrayed. I wasn't expecting to be so surprised, but I guess because I connected with her, what she was feeling became real to me. I was also surprised by the twists in the story, especially those featuring Fleur's biological mother.
I definitely devoured this book and enjoyed myself while reading it. After finishing the book, I immediately went to see if it was available in paperback and when the next book in the series would be available. Fleur is truly a gentle flower and it was good to see her become more worldly even if it was done in a brutal manner. I would love to read more about Fleur and Louis, or even about Louis's brothers. Lesley Young has done a great job at capturing my attention with this book. I will be on the look out for more by her.
January 24, 2015
I was very excited when I was given the opportunity to read the book because all I could think of when I read the blurb was France! It's set in freakin' France! I've never been to France. Actually scratch that. I have never been anywhere outside the Philippines so knowing that I'd at least get a glimpse of this wonderful country got me really excited and eager to read the book. And I'm so glad I did because now I'm not only more in love with the place I'm also very smitten with the very hot, very French, rugby player Louis Messette.
Fleur is a pretty likable character. She's fierce, she's got sass and most of all she doesn't take crap from anyone. And the moment she and Louis met, off the charts sexual tension ensue. Louis is sexy as sin. He's your typical bad boy - rich, jock, arrogant, possessive and with a dark past but a secret heart of gold. He's the kind of guy who feels things too strongly but is never good with conveying those feelings in words. The kind of guy who makes you shudder with a simple touch and a fleeting glance. The kind of guy who, when he looks at you, makes you feel like the most beautiful and most precious person in the world. The kind of guy you'd easily and undoubtedly get lost in. MY KIND OF GUY. (sigh)
I love how the setting came alive with Lesley Young's writing. Toulon seemed like a dark and dangerous yet mystifying place. (It actually reminded me a lot of Gotham.) I loved reading about the people and the culture. If I could have jumped right on the pages of the book I would.
I love the mystery and intrigue that was present throughout. I love how it kept me on edge because I had no idea who the real bad and good guys are. And I had no clue what was happening which I think is always a good thing if an author wants to keep the readers intrigued and invested in the story.
If you're looking for a dark, sexy, dirty, romantic and suspenseful read this book is for you. Recommended for mature readers only.
I received a copy of the book to read and review.
Fleur is a pretty likable character. She's fierce, she's got sass and most of all she doesn't take crap from anyone. And the moment she and Louis met, off the charts sexual tension ensue. Louis is sexy as sin. He's your typical bad boy - rich, jock, arrogant, possessive and with a dark past but a secret heart of gold. He's the kind of guy who feels things too strongly but is never good with conveying those feelings in words. The kind of guy who makes you shudder with a simple touch and a fleeting glance. The kind of guy who, when he looks at you, makes you feel like the most beautiful and most precious person in the world. The kind of guy you'd easily and undoubtedly get lost in. MY KIND OF GUY. (sigh)
I love how the setting came alive with Lesley Young's writing. Toulon seemed like a dark and dangerous yet mystifying place. (It actually reminded me a lot of Gotham.) I loved reading about the people and the culture. If I could have jumped right on the pages of the book I would.
I love the mystery and intrigue that was present throughout. I love how it kept me on edge because I had no idea who the real bad and good guys are. And I had no clue what was happening which I think is always a good thing if an author wants to keep the readers intrigued and invested in the story.
If you're looking for a dark, sexy, dirty, romantic and suspenseful read this book is for you. Recommended for mature readers only.
I received a copy of the book to read and review.
February 7, 2015
HOT! HOT! HOT!
Fleur has lived a charmed life, she has been pampered and protected in the American South by her father. When her mother re-enters the picture and introduces Fleur to new things that she had never imagined before she sets off in an adventure to step off of the path of the straight and narrow that has been her norm for so long.
Fleur follows her mother to Toulon, a seaport town in France for a year. Her mother works for the French National Police investigating the crime family Messette . That's where she meets Louis, the gorgeous rugby player. Instantly her world has not only deviated from the path but exploded into a whole new street filled with things she has never felt before.
Louis commands her to silence as their relationship gets more intense and passionate and Fleur struggles with his demands and the lies that surround the beginning of their relationship. She can't see beyond the intense passion that blinds her to see who she's becoming involved with. Louis keeps telling her that he is a bad man but she refuses to believe it.
I haven't read anything by this author before but I will definitely be looking for more by her after reading this. Fleur and Louis are great together! Who doesn't fantasize about meeting that man who is filled with darkness but only you can tame the hunger in him. That is definitely who Fleur and Louis are to each other, they are drawn together like moths to a flame.
I liked that it wasn't just about the sex either, this is actually classified as a erotica but I wouldn't say that it was anything worse then I have read by Karen Marie Moning and definitely tamer then Laurell K. Hamilton. There was story and humour and mystery, Lesley really makes you care about the couple and the people that surround them not just about when the next sex scene will begin!
Definitely a great read that I recommend!
March 1, 2015
I adored Lesley Young’s first book the sci-fi, action, romance ‘Sky’s End’, so I kept an eye out for any new stuff she would be releasing. I had no idea what to expect when I bought The Frenchman but I was not disappointed. AND it definitely had me blushing on multiple occasions!
This is a super sexy read (the book advises that it contains explicit sex scenes, and it delivers on this throughout) but the characters Young has created plus the story line are all well thought out and built on. It wasn’t just sex scene after sex scene – there was an interesting and intriguing plot to back it all up. As the end neared there were a few twist and turns that kept you on your toes, wondering just who Fleur should trust. I could not put this book down and pretty much read it in one day (Hey, who needs a social life anyways!)
I loved the way the French dialogue and tip bits about their culture was woven into the story. It added a layer of realism and help immerse me into Fleur’s new life, seeing everything through her eyes for the first time.
I can definitely see every new Lesley Young book becoming a must have in my collection.
Review also posted at http://realityruinedmylife.com/?p=523
This is a super sexy read (the book advises that it contains explicit sex scenes, and it delivers on this throughout) but the characters Young has created plus the story line are all well thought out and built on. It wasn’t just sex scene after sex scene – there was an interesting and intriguing plot to back it all up. As the end neared there were a few twist and turns that kept you on your toes, wondering just who Fleur should trust. I could not put this book down and pretty much read it in one day (Hey, who needs a social life anyways!)
I loved the way the French dialogue and tip bits about their culture was woven into the story. It added a layer of realism and help immerse me into Fleur’s new life, seeing everything through her eyes for the first time.
I can definitely see every new Lesley Young book becoming a must have in my collection.
Review also posted at http://realityruinedmylife.com/?p=523
May 11, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
If ever there were two star-crossed lovers, Louis and Fleur are it.
FROM THE BOOK EXCERPT
"Fleur Smithers rarely veers off the straight and (excruciatingly) narrow. So moving to the seaport town of Toulon to live with her newfound biological mother--an inspector with the French National Police--for one year is a pretty major detour.
Son of France's crime royalty family and international rugby star, Louis Messette, is devoted to his sport, famille and nothing else. But the carefree American he meets one night changes everything. She sparks a desire in him like no other. Possession takes root. She will do as he commands."
This was a good book - I was pulled in right from the beginning. Fleur is fun and sweet, if a little naïve, but a very likable character. Louis is smoldering and intense... and a little emotionally stunted, but you can see what Fleur cannot: that he truly cares for her. There are lots of steamy love scenes, and drama, and an ending that left me wanting more.
I am looking forward to purchasing the next book in the series.
If ever there were two star-crossed lovers, Louis and Fleur are it.
FROM THE BOOK EXCERPT
"Fleur Smithers rarely veers off the straight and (excruciatingly) narrow. So moving to the seaport town of Toulon to live with her newfound biological mother--an inspector with the French National Police--for one year is a pretty major detour.
Son of France's crime royalty family and international rugby star, Louis Messette, is devoted to his sport, famille and nothing else. But the carefree American he meets one night changes everything. She sparks a desire in him like no other. Possession takes root. She will do as he commands."
This was a good book - I was pulled in right from the beginning. Fleur is fun and sweet, if a little naïve, but a very likable character. Louis is smoldering and intense... and a little emotionally stunted, but you can see what Fleur cannot: that he truly cares for her. There are lots of steamy love scenes, and drama, and an ending that left me wanting more.
I am looking forward to purchasing the next book in the series.
March 12, 2015
I greatly enjoyed this book, in which we get to read and learn about Fleur and her trials and tribulations in navigating the rocky, sometimes perilous world of romance. Fleur is a very likable character, although she did have her moments of naivete that made me want to shake her. I liked
that while Fleur was a virgin, she wasn't exactly virginal; she was on a mission to finally give up
her v-card. She meets Louis while out to dinner, and that is the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with the international rugby player.
It was hard to get a read on Louis for a good part of the story; his emotions changed so quickly I started to wonder if he was bipolar. It was to tell if he truly cares for Fleur, or if he had alternate reasons for being with her. But those questions are eventually answered in the last two chapters
of the book. Overall though, this is a story that tells of what someone will do to protect their family and loved ones, finding strength and courage to stand up for what you believe, and possibly seek redemption to right past wrongs.
Book provided in exchange for honest review.
that while Fleur was a virgin, she wasn't exactly virginal; she was on a mission to finally give up
her v-card. She meets Louis while out to dinner, and that is the beginning of a tumultuous relationship with the international rugby player.
It was hard to get a read on Louis for a good part of the story; his emotions changed so quickly I started to wonder if he was bipolar. It was to tell if he truly cares for Fleur, or if he had alternate reasons for being with her. But those questions are eventually answered in the last two chapters
of the book. Overall though, this is a story that tells of what someone will do to protect their family and loved ones, finding strength and courage to stand up for what you believe, and possibly seek redemption to right past wrongs.
Book provided in exchange for honest review.
January 25, 2015
I always love reading a story with a little bit of suspense, and The Frenchman delivered. I instantly could not put the book down! Fluer the book’s main character was extremely likable, I liked how she was able to be so sassy with Louis! She came to France to be with her biological mother for a year, while there she wanted to make new friends, and explore the cuisine. Then there was Louis, you can tell he was hiding something from the very beginning. I didn’t want to like him in the beginning because of how he treated Fleur, but he was hard not to like. Of course I may have fallen under his spell as well and was completely blindsided by some events.
I like how Lesley Young integrated the French culture in the story. She wasn’t one of those writers that said the setting was in France and that is all the culture we get. She was able to include some simple phases and even translated some with in the book for the readers, I was very grateful for that. I have a feeling I am going to say “Oui” more often now!
I like how Lesley Young integrated the French culture in the story. She wasn’t one of those writers that said the setting was in France and that is all the culture we get. She was able to include some simple phases and even translated some with in the book for the readers, I was very grateful for that. I have a feeling I am going to say “Oui” more often now!
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