I am relatively new to the genre of romance novel. And by that I mean I’m a newborn baby, because this is only the second one that I’ve ever read. Luckily a good friend of mine is an avid romance reader and she has been my romance sherpa making suggestions. The first book I read was also by Lisa Kleypas so I figured if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This for me fit the Money bingo square in a number of ways. I mean, widow trying to make a farm work, and learn the ropes? Scheming land managers? Socioeconomic woes? This has it all. Plus ya know, eyebrow waggle.
Also, in an unprecedented turn for me, this is the 5th in the series and I haven’t read any of the rest. And by saying unprecedented, I am being literal because this is without precedent. I don’t think I’ve ever started a TV show, movie series, or book series, out of order. It feels weird, and a little freeing! I’m to understand that it doesn’t matter terribly for romance series (or at least this one) so I dove in because my friend was also reading it and we are going to do a virtual book club (yippee).
So, what’s the book about? Phoebe, aka Lady Clare, is still in mourning for her husband who was her childhood friend, first love, and spent his entire life ill, finally succumbing to his unnamed disease. She is left to raise their two young boys and in this book has traveled to her brother’s wedding and there made the “lust at first sight” acquaintance of West Ravenel, the stark opposite of her dearly departed, strapping, reformed rake, healthy as an ox. There are some conflicts and surprises but overall this is a pretty sweet romance, with lots of good verbal barbs and flirting. Also, I should add that I did this as an audiobook and it was my first audio romance and I really enjoyed the experience. It was the perfect balm during the stressful pre-election time period, and I’m excited to discuss with my friend and get to the next book, then start over with #1. Time will tell if I am a real romance fan, or a only sometimes kind of gal.
Yay, another romance reader in the making. At least this is one of the better later Kleypas romances in the Ravenel series (some were not up to her earlier high standards). What you want to do is go to her back catalogue and read her Wallflower books, especially Devil in Winter, which is the book about how Phoebe’s parents got married. It’s a beloved classic in the genre for a reason.