This book had all the best of Kleypas, and it was wonderful. A true joy to read! At first, the book starts the way you'd expect a bad porno to start, but thankfully it gets better from there. The premise is that the paragon of high society is going to teach the newly rich Bronsons how to act in society to get further ahead. Usually with these kind of governess stories, the governess doesn't actually teach anything. If anything, the kids get wilder but the governess is now in on it. Here, the Bronsons actually seem to learn a thing or two, and we get to see how Lady Holly teaches them their lessons and why they're important. What ensues is a fun and engaging read.

What's truly amazing is both the hero and the heroine really transform. The heroine realizes what was holding her back from accepting true love, and without spoiling too much, is the one that has to make the grand gesture. It's refreshing to see the heroine go after what she wants, even when there's a risk that she'll fail. For Bronson's part, he learns how to be gentler and more patient while also being in more control of his life.

Another great thing about this book is the supporting cast. Bronson's sister and mother, Holly's daughter, brother-in-law, and even ex-husband all had personalities and motivations and were interesting to read about. The best part, however, is that none of them detracted from the main romance that was Holly and Bronson. While I was invested in Elizabeth's budding romance and Paula's growing confidence, I never once forgot about the romance between Holly and Bronson, which was sweet and something more. ( )

Londres, 1830. Lady Holland Taylor lleva tres años de luto por la muerte de su esposo George Taylor, a quien admiraba y amaba con todo su corazón. Aunque ella no quiera hacerlo es el momento de seguir adelante sin la persona con la que imaginó que pasaría el resto de su vida, y el baile de lady Bellemont es el evento escogido para reaparecer en sociedad. No obstante Holly no puede soportar estar allí sin George y huye a un sitio más tranquilo a esperar su carruaje, donde se encuentra con un desconocido que no sólo le roba un apasionado beso sino que además despertará en ella el deseo de volver a poner en funcionamiento su vida.
Zachary Bronson es rico y poderoso, pero no es un caballero y toda la alta sociedad lo sabe; no sólo porque por todos es conocido que sus orígenes son humildes, sino porque Zach gozará de dinero y poder, pero no así de modales ni buen gusto. Cuando bese a la inocente y hermosa lady Holland en la oscuridad confundiéndola con otra persona, Zach habrá encontrado un nuevo reto que superar. ¿La excusa para tenerla a su lado? Que les enseñe a él y su familia a comportarse con clase y elegancia. No obstante, el amor que irá sintiendo por ella le impedirá soñar con algo más que una relación de amistad por el bien de la propia lady Holland.

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. ( )

I am not extremely anxious by nature, but we all have times when life is taxing. Perhaps we are trying to clear the desk so that our vacation can actually be a vacation. And of course we all feel how we feel when someone murders children for the hell of it and the Supreme Court decides women have no right to make our own medical decisions without permission from the state. When all that happens, I know I need a little Kleypas therapy.

This was a sweeet story with wonderful central characters, and a truly unexpected last 75ish pages. It is, however, earlier Kleypas, and she was still writing some pretty darn purple prose. In a few places I shuddered in revulsion, but for the most part this was pretty great ( )

I have no idea how or why I only gave this four stars on my first read because this book is so much better. Zachary Bronson’s epic pining and doing anything to have Holly was perfect, and I also loved how she grew and became so fiercely in love as well. ( )