Rating: 
Summary: Is he Hunter or isn't he???
Review: This is what kept me reading this book all night! I couldn't put it down. The herione was justifiably confused. By half way through I wasn't sure if I wanted him to really be Hunter or not. I loved the plot and haven't read the other book it was based on, so it was original twists for me. Don't start this book unless you can finish it that same day, it's just too tempting!! Kleypas is one of the few highly enjoyed regency authors that I can agree is worthy of high regards.
Rating:
Summary: Stand by a Loving and Faithful Man !!
Review: Writing this review is very difficult, for to write the story's essence would be to give away plot spoilers. So, I will resist the temptation to ruin the novel for another reader. The talented Lisa Kleypas always writes her male and female characters as clever, sensual, and very straight forward. These qualities support the winning Kleypas formula. Yet, in this book her female character, Larissa Crossland, the Countess of Hawksworth is simply a bonehead. Her attitude -- "Woe is Larissa". Once married to the loathsome Earl of Hawksworth, Larissa felt no remorse when he died. However, the earl, Hunter
Crossland, has returned, and Larissa is none too pleased. After all, his resurrection will undoubtedly ruin her freedom. The reader soon learns the man that has returned to Larissa is not the man to whom she was once married. This current husband is kind, loving, and very considerate, and now the question looms. Is this man an imposter or has Hunter simply changed for the better? Of course, the reader has the answer well in advance to Larissa's awareness. Onto the plot's pivot. Sadly, the reader begins to detect, that our heroine is nothing short of a skilled manipulator. Larissa devises ways to get what she wants. She teases the earl with her body, promising kisses and further physical discoveries, in return, for his political and monetary favors. All the while, whimpering, over the fact, her husband was once a horrid lover, and therefore, she does not want to endure another round in the marriage bed. Alas, this is the same woman who prides herself on her caring docile nature. Giving hope and kindness to the destitute of the land, but to the man who is only gentle and loving toward her, this protesting wife is harsh and thoughtless. Yet, this is a romance book and the idea of the story is to get Larissa to fall in love with Hunter. She begins to realize he is a wonderful man, kind to the orphan boy they have taken in, kind to her wounded sister, kind to the household staff, and exceedingly kind and devoted to her. Larissa's ice shield begins to melt, and slowly she sees Hunter as a friend and lover. Finally, the story blooms with love and all is well. Oh, no it is not! Chapter 18 surfaces and with it the realization of what a nitwit Larissa truly is. This heroine sets forth to accomplish the most foolish thing this reader has ever perceived in romance reading. STOP. I will not give it away. Nevertheless, let us just say; Larissa's deed is so frustrating; I wanted to hurl the book across the room. Of course, contentment is found in the end, but to get through chapters 18-21 is a burden. If you have never read a Lisa Kleypas novel, please, please start with "Where Dreams Begin" and appreciate this author's immeasurable romantic talent. Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.
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