Well this was just absolutely delightful, from the narration, to the romance, to the lush descriptions of food, clothing, and architecture. Also, the sexy-times were A+ hot. I absolutely adored watching cranky reformed rake West Ravenel fall head over heels for Phoebe, Lady Clare.

I especially enjoyed that Phoebe, as a widow, desperately loved her husband, misses him, and did not have to spend anytime worrying about West being jealous of her late husband. Also, I was glad that the "villain" in this story wasn't just a gross caricature. He very well could have been Phoebe's next husband, and he wasn't a terrible person, just not a great person. Or right for her. I loved too that Phoebe was allowed to revel in her choices. She could be fancy, she could be a bit uptight, she could mother. She could also want to take the reins of her son's estate and make the man she wants her husband. Go girl.

And oh West, you are a sexy beast and I love you the more for it. You are dumb for not marrying Phoebe forthwith, but whatever. You figured it out.

Bonus points for sexy shaving times, early morning rendezvous, mid-morning rendezvous in glass-houses, up against the wall rendezvous. Did I mention the sexy-times were A+?

I have not even come close to having read most of Kleypas's work, and for a while I was bit overwhelmed with characters from other stories, but it all worked out in the end. So, if read Sebastian's story at the minimum, and Pandora's if you can, but other than that I was fine.

I must also say the narrator for this story is superb. Will definitely seek out more of her work.