It takes two to tumble

*Starred Review* Captain Philip Dacre can't believe the reports of out-of-control behavior on the part of his three motherless children are really as bad as everyone seems to think. However, upon arriving home at Kirkby Barton for the first time in nearly two years, Philip discovers the rumors of his brood's antics may not have been greatly exaggerated. Fortunately, Philip immediately thinks he may have found one of the problems: Ben Sedgwick. While the local vicar may think he is helping out by temporarily taking on the duties of the children's tutor, his lack of discipline when dealing with the children will simply not do. As a naval captain, Philip has had no problem giving orders and getting men to do exactly what he says. So why is it so difficult to give Ben his marching papers? Sebastian's latest elegantly and eloquently written Regency historical, which puts a clever, same-sex spin on the classic employer/governess trope, slowly unfolds into an unforgettable love story that manages to be both sweetly romantic and sizzlingly sensual at the same time, demonstrating once again why Sebastian is one of the brightest new stars in the romance genre.--Charles, John Copyright 2018 Booklist

Vicar Benedict Sedgwick is betrothed to his dear friend Alice, who charmingly sits on a couch propped up by a flotilla of cushions as she recovers from an unidentified illness. Benedict is assigned to mind three rambunctious children who have been blacklisted by all the tutors in the area. Capt. Phillip Dacre, their father, is expected back in Portsmouth port two weeks. Enter the similarities with The Sound of Music: adventurous children, a domineering, military father, and a fun-loving tutor with a religious calling who realizes he is falling in love with the children's father. What follows is a page-turning story of two men who attempt to hide their attraction from observant relatives. Benedict grapples with his choices between Alice and Phillip and his vocation and spiritual values. An entertaining subplot involves Benedict's father, Alton, a free-loving poet who finally decides to settle down. Verdict Sebastian (The Ruin of a Rake) provides yet another sizzling romance with a robust plot that transcends time and setting. She has created a family readers will want to get to know better. [Previewed in Joyce Sparrow's "Love Is All Around," LJ 10/15/17.]-Joyce Sparrow, Kenneth City, FL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

*Starred Review* Captain Philip Dacre can't believe the reports of out-of-control behavior on the part of his three motherless children are really as bad as everyone seems to think. However, upon arriving home at Kirkby Barton for the first time in nearly two years, Philip discovers the rumors of his brood's antics may not have been greatly exaggerated. Fortunately, Philip immediately thinks he may have found one of the problems: Ben Sedgwick. While the local vicar may think he is helping out by temporarily taking on the duties of the children's tutor, his lack of discipline when dealing with the children will simply not do. As a naval captain, Philip has had no problem giving orders and getting men to do exactly what he says. So why is it so difficult to give Ben his marching papers? Sebastian's latest elegantly and eloquently written Regency historical, which puts a clever, same-sex spin on the classic employer/governess trope, slowly unfolds into an unforgettable love story that manages to be both sweetly romantic and sizzlingly sensual at the same time, demonstrating once again why Sebastian is one of the brightest new stars in the romance genre. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Vicar Benedict Sedgwick is betrothed to his dear friend Alice, who charmingly sits on a couch propped up by a flotilla of cushions as she recovers from an unidentified illness. Benedict is assigned to mind three rambunctious children who have been blacklisted by all the tutors in the area. Capt. Phillip Dacre, their father, is expected back in Portsmouth port two weeks. Enter the similarities with The Sound of Music: adventurous children, a domineering, military father, and a fun-loving tutor with a religious calling who realizes he is falling in love with the children's father. What follows is a page-turning story of two men who attempt to hide their attraction from observant relatives. Benedict grapples with his choices between Alice and Phillip and his vocation and spiritual values. An entertaining subplot involves Benedict's father, Alton, a free-loving poet who finally decides to settle down. Verdict Sebastian (The Ruin of a Rake) provides yet another sizzling romance with a robust plot that transcends time and setting. She has created a family readers will want to get to know better. [Previewed in Joyce Sparrow's "Love Is All Around," LJ 10/15/17.]—Joyce Sparrow, Kenneth City, FL (c) Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.