Another good read from my favorite romance author, this story was more character-driven. I found the pace slow before things happened between the hero and heroine, but I still liked it. Both of them gradually changed, Zachary awakened a deep-seated passion from Holly and she was able to tame his wild ways. I found the mourning period really long, she can't get over her husband's death and it seemed natural to feel she was betraying her husband's memory by being attracted to another man, lesser than her station and way too different from her class.

The atmosphere was really set, characters in place, good introductions and background really helped paint the picture of Zachary and why he's a social climber. It was for a good reason and despite his fierce facade, there's a compassionate and caring man Holly was able to see clearly.

There are a lot of things I liked about this novel (not in order). First is the lessons, which is the primary reason why Holly and her daughter Rose came to live under the same roof as Zachary together with his mother and sister. I was able to learn more of the rules of etiquette and the way children were brought up, differentiate between what's the proper way to do things, and basically how to be a lady. Second is the circumstance of their meeting. It was clear that Holly needed someone like Zachary because she was too sheltered, when she spent time with him she was able to grow and make use of her talents. Her eyes were opened to the harsh realities of the world because of the subject of Zach's beginnings comes up every now and then.

Even until nearing the end, it was wrought with tension with Holly's near-death-experience until we find a happy ending. With Lisa Kleypas, we always do. ( )

There were two big things I liked about this book, and two little things I didn't. Good stuff first: Lady Holly was extremely likable while being believably prudish. That can be a difficult line to walk, but Kleypas did a great job here. Secondly, I actually like Zach from the beginning. Many romance writers have their heroes lusting after the heroine to the exclusion of all else in a sort of threatening way. Zach says 'Tell me all about her.' It seemed to me that from the beginning he was interested in Lady Holly in more ways than one.
Annoying things: (SPOILER ALERT) Holly's near death experience was totally unnecessary. It felt trite and tacked on. Also, the orgasm-less widow is one of those romance novel cliches that always makes me roll my eyes a little bit. Oh well. Still quite good overall. ( )

"I'm not fair to Lisa Kleypas. I expect so much from her, what would be a good book by another author is only average by Kleypas standards. These are determents of being the Jane Austen of your generation."

http://romancepicayune.blogspot.com/2... ( )

I liked this book, for the most part. I like books of self-made men who challenge the aristocracy, and while this is not as some I have read (Rose by Lauren Royal, for instance), it is an entertaining and well-crafted story. Zachary is an interesting character, gentle at the same time he is powerful and conniving, and Holly is the epitome of all that is expected of a grieving widow in early Victorian society. The story is strong and compelling - until the last fifty pages, which were almost completely unnecessary and even a little bit corny. The story would have been better if she'd left it off after the wedding and left out Holly's rather cheesy near-death-experience. Still, I enjoyed this book despite its flaws. ( )

In Victorian London, a world of seemingly effortless beauty and grace that is governed by the strict rules of etiquette and behavior...where a single forbidden kiss can force a woman to choose between society's demand - and her own heart's desire.
I enjoyed this book. Sent to Eyhon in Malaysia. ( )