Irresistible by Karen Robards

Irresistible by Karen Robards is the second book in The Banning Sisters trilogy. Irresistible focuses on the middle sister Claire and is full of espionage, adventure, comical situations and a lot of romance. Books like Irresistible and Scandalous remind me of why I used to read so many historical romances. Irresistible is a fun fast read.

Claire Banning fulfilled every debutante's dream when she married a rich nobleman. Soon, however, the celebrated beauty realizes she wed a dissolute wastrel. Bitterly hurt and desperately lonely, Claire vows nonetheless to take her expected place in society. Then on a journey home to her husband's estate on the coast of Sussex, she is abducted, and her life -- and her heart -- are changed forever.
Hugh Battancourt -- a dark and dangerous nobleman who long ago turned his back on the ton and now leads a life secretly dedicated to his country's service -- is determined not to be swayed by his prisoner's beauty as they share a cabin on a ship bound for France. Lives depend on his retrieving from her a letter full of secrets she intends to turn over to the enemy. But even as Claire and Hugh engage in a battle of wits and wills, captor and captive find themselves drawn irresistibly to each other. Is it possible, Claire wonders, that she could discover the true meaning of love that has eluded her with this handsome stranger? One who will lay his life on the line in order to protect her from someone who is intent on placing Claire in the path of danger?

Claire Banning Lynes grew up in a cruel home with her two sisters. When it came time for her season she took her time to choose she wanted to marry. She would soon find out that she married a fraud. He was not the man he presented himself to be. She makes do by visiting her sisters a lot. On the way home from one of these visits her carriage is attacked and she finds herself kidnapped. Using her wits she manages to escape only to find herself attacked and kidnapped once again. Only this time she can’t trick her way out she is stuck out in the middle of the sea. Surprised to hear that she is accused of being a spy she tries to prove she is not who her captor thinks she is. Can she convince him that she is Claire Banning Lynes rather than the spy he seeks? Or will she be tortured for treasonous act she did not commit?

Hugh Battancourt is a good solider. He is good at apprehending spies and interrogating them. He is strong and very persuasive. So when he was hired to take on his latest mission he expected it to go as it always had. What he didn’t expect is to come face to face with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, or that she would completely deny all charges against her. What he expected least of all is to be attracted to the enemy. Was she truly who she claimed to be? Then why was she at the rendezvous place? Could he carry out his mission? Could he really kill her? The more she talks the more he is inclined to believe her.

Irresistible has convincing main characters and some memorable secondary characters. I enjoyed Irresistible. I thought that it was better than the first book in the trilogy because it is has more action. I look forward to reading Shameless (the last book). Although the plot is a bit predictable in parts there are still some surprises and unexpected twists. Irresistible has a happy ending and is a delightful historical romance.