The Allure of Attraction

Julia Kelly

Jun 2018 · The Matchmaker of Edinburgh Series Book 3 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

The lyrical and enchanting Matchmaker of Edinburgh series returns with this third novel following a Scottish matchmaker who uses her uncanny ability to craft perfect matches—no matter what the couple may initially believe.

Lavinia Parkem, the most talented dressmaker in Edinburgh, has never forgotten her first love: Captain Andrew Colter. They were meant to be married years earlier but when Andrew’s ship was wrecked in the Caribbean her parents forced her to marry another.

Andrew may have survived a shipwreck to find fame and fortune at sea, but he never fully healed after Lavinia’s abandonment. Instead, he dedicated himself to the navy—and secret missions for the foreign office. Nearing retirement and back on British soil, he’s given a new assignment—infiltrate the home of a wealthy banker who’s suspected of being behind a plan to assassinate the Prince of Wales. But to do that, Andrew must recruit and turn the woman the banker once wooed: Lavinia Parkem.

Unable to shirk his duties, Andrew begrudgingly uses the influence of successful matchmaker of Edinburgh to convince the now-widowed Lavinia to help him take down his mark. She relents, telling herself that Andrew’s no longer the warm, loving young man she once knew. But the more time she spends with him, the harder it is to pretend there’s no longer any attraction there. And it’s tormenting Andrew that he must ask her to put herself in more and more danger and now, he must decide whether his duty to queen and country is worth risking the life of the woman he never stopped loving.

Ratings and reviews

Lavinia Parkem nee Malcolm, the most talented dressmaker in Edinburgh, has never forgotten her first love: Captain Andrew Colter. They were meant to be married years earlier but when Andrew’s ship was wrecked in the Caribbean & he was feared drowned & her parents forced her to marry another. Andrew may have survived a shipwreck to find fame and fortune at sea, but he never fully healed after Lavinia’s abandonment. Instead, he dedicated himself to the navy and secret missions for the foreign office. Andrew’s wanting to retire but is given one last new assignment, to infiltrate the home of a wealthy businessman who’s suspected of being behind a plan to assassinate the Prince of Wales. A man who happened to be interested in Lavinia. Unable to shirk his duties, Andrew begrudgingly uses the influence of Moira Sullivan the most successful matchmaker of Edinburgh to convince the now-widowed Lavinia to help him take down his mark. She relents as she also has an ulteria motive . Another engrossing read which I read in under a day, this is the third book in the series but could be read by its self, but why would you when the series is very good. We did meet Lavinia in the second book when she was modiste to Caroline so I was pleased to read her story. The characters are very well fleshed, I really liked Andrew & Lavinia & they were just meant to be together. Another bonus was Lavinia was a self made woman who had forged a life for herself when left with very little when her husband died. The pace of the story is very good & doesn’t lag but builds to a breathtaking & satisfying climax. I hope there are more books to come in the series My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Entertaining from beginning to end, this is a story of love once lost but with an unexpected chance to be found again. Lavinia Parkem and Andrew Colter had grown up as childhood friends and when she was 16 they became engaged. But Andrew was a sailor in the navy and in a turn of events, was lost in a shipwreck. Or so everyone thought! Lavinia was forced by her parents to marry another and when none other than Andrew returns looking for her, he is devastated she did not wait for him. So he devotes himself to the navy running secret missions for the foreign office which eventually brings him full circle back to Lavinia. Needing her help to infiltrate the home of a businessman, he uses the influence of Moira Sullivan, the infamous matchmaker of Edinburgh, to convince Lavinia, now widowed, to help him in his quest. Old feelings start to surface, but there are a few hidden secrets and danger lurking as sparks fly between the two. A delightful story that is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. But why would you want to do that? Enjoy!!

Time and circumstance tore them apart. Could a case of intrigue unite what was always meant to be? The Allure of Attraction is appealing romance hidden inside a spectacular adventure. Lavinia and Andrew are captivating pair.

About the author

Julia Kelly is the award-winning author of emotional historical novels about ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances and thrilling historical whodunnit mysteries. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London with her husband. Readers can visit JuliaKellyWrites.com to learn more about all her books and sign up for her newsletter so they never miss a new release.