The Reclusive Lord Kirk has hidden himself away for years from society. Having been horribly scarred in a tragic accident that claimed the life of his beloved wife, he has grown tired of society staring at him. He need not be bothered with the niceties and good manner and clothing of the latest fashion. He has forgotten the happiness that comes from companionship. He seems content with his life until he literally bumps into Dahlia Balfour. Instantly their friendship forms and the pair spend time in together talking about everything from books to politics.

Dahlia's always dreamed of a fairy tale romance. Although Viscount Kirk is only seven years her senior, because of his abrupt nature and lack of social graces she thinks of him as the older neighbor. She is completely unaware that he sees her as something more. Dahlia is quite shocked to see Lord Kirk at the Duchess's house party, trying to fit in with the invited guests trying to adhere by the society's rules he always seems to mocks. At the Duchess's house, it seems like she is just really noticing him for the first time. His good looks, muscular body, and that smile that seems to weaken her at the knees. Without the pretty words and the romantic gestures she believes true love is, can she open her eyes to the love that Lord Kirk is already showing her.

Lord Kirk is in love with Dahlia...he just doesn't seem to realize it. His brutal honesty gets him in more trouble than good and he is constantly trying to stay on Dahlia's good side. After a terribly failed marriage proposal, he needs all the help he can get. So he calls on his godmother, The Duchess of Roxburghe to help.

I loved this book. Very few times does one pick up a book and the characters are likable from the start, and not just the main characters either. The conversations between Dahlia and Kirk were comical and you just had to laugh. I also loved that this book uses a different angle on love. One of my favorite parts of the book is this conversation between Dahlia and Lady Mary.

Dahlia: "Kirk would rather have his right hand cut off."

Lady Mary: "Mr. Stewart is much the same. I once asked Alayne if she'd ever heard her father delcare himself to her mother, and she admitted that she hadn't. Not once."

Dahlia: "How sad for Mrs. Stewart."

Lady Mary: "I don't think she cares. In all of the holidays and summers I've spent with the Stewarts, I never once saw Mrs. Stewart get even one drop of rain on her, nor one guest of wind, disorder her hair. If it was windy, Mr. Stewart made certain his wife traveled in a closed carriage with the curtains fastened. If it was raining, he held an umbrella over her head, refusing to allow the footmen to do it. If the sun shone, he carried her parasol. If she was hungry, be immediately set about organizing dinner. If she was ill, he called the doctor and then sat beside her until she was better. Everywhere they go, everything they do, he makes certain she is safe, warm, and well. If that is not love, then what is?"

Some are a man of few words as Lord Kirk & Mr. Stewart are and don't necessarily speak what they feel. However, their loved ones have no doubt that they indeed love them..just by their actions. It gives the reader something to think about just as it gave Dahlia.

Although HOW TO ENTICE AN ENCHANTRESS is book three of The Duchess Diaries, I was able to follow along even without having read the previous books. If the previous books are anything like this one...then I will definitely will be adding them to my to be read list.

Book Summary

The third sizzling novel in New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’s Duchess Diaries series, featuring three unruly sisters and their headstrong godmother with a penchant for matchmaking.

Reclusive Viscount Kirk, horribly scarred by a tragic accident that stole the life of his beloved first wife, is a man defined by fury. For years he’s eschewed society, growing abrupt and curmudgeonly. But now, when he’d given up on life, he’s fallen madly in love with the refreshingly naive daughter of his neighbor, dainty and charming Dahlia Balfour. Desperate to win her attention, Kirk calls in a favor from the Duchess of Roxburghe and asks that she transform him into a fashionable suitor for Dahlia’s hand. But what’s easy to change on the outside, isn’t as easy to change on the inside…

Dahlia’s always dreamed of a fairytale romance. Although Viscount Kirk is only seven years her senior, because of his cantankerous ways and lack of social graces she thinks of him as her “older neighbor,” and is blissfully unaware that he sees her as anything other than an acquaintance. She is shocked to see him at the duchess’s grand house party, trying to fit with the very societal rules he so frequently mocks. Surprised by his attention, irritated at his bald honesty, and intrigued that he finds her worth the effort, Dahlia regards Kirk as the opposite of Prince Charming. Without the pretty words and grand gestures she yearns for, can true love find its way into her unwilling heart?