Review: The Frenchman by Lesley Young

Rating: ★★★★★ stars
Date published: December 2nd, 2014
Publisher:  L.A.Y. Books 
Synopsis: 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. 

Bit by bit Fleur slips into the Frenchman’s realm of wanton pleasure agreeing to his one condition: that she keep their affair secret. She serves up her heart without reservation in the hub of the glittering Côte d’Azur, and the along the soulful Seine in Paris, unaware of the danger she is in. For her new lover’s family business will pit her against her mother, the police woman sworn to bring down the Messettes. And by then, far more than Fleur’s heart will be on the line. 

READER WARNING: This novel contains explicit sex.

What I Thought:

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.  

Purchase Links:

Amazon US Amazon UK

About the Author

Lesley Young is a genre-defying author of unforgettable heroines who experience thrilling life- and love-altering journeys. Her debut novel was Sky's End; her most recent stand-alone series, Crime Royalty Romance, includes The Frenchman and The Australian. She loves to hear from readers.

Author links:

http://lesleyyoungbooks.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/LesleyYoungBooks?_rdr 

https://twitter.com/LesleyYoungBks 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7142436.Lesley_Young 

*Thank you to the publicist for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*