Also in this series: Cold-Hearted Rake, Marrying Winterborne, Devil in Spring, Devil's Daughter , Chasing Cassandra
Series: The Ravenel's #4
Published by Avon on February 27th 2018
Genres: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Pages: 400
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0062371894
A woman who defies her time
Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.
A man who breaks every rule
As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett's skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he's ever known.
Hello Stranger is the fourth installment of this stunning series by a classic romance author, Lisa Kleypas. I will say that I viewed this story with some apprehension, not knowing if I would love it but with her usual flair….I did fall in love with this story and why do I doubt this author?? I have no clue, probably because I haven’t loved all the heroines in this series so far so I was most nervous about our heroine in this book. And even though I didn’t love her I did find her character fascinating.
Hello Stranger begins when our heroine, Garrett, is out on the streets and she is attacked and while she fights them off she is aided by mysterious, Ethan Ransom, a former detective. Garrett and Ethan have powerful chemistry, from the very beginning.
Every awareness converged as he went deeper and deeper into the mysterious soft depths of her, and there was no world but her, no breath, no language, no sun, no stars, nothing that didn’t begin and end with her.
But Ethan is reserved because he is on a dangerous mission, that anyone close to him could be put in danger and he doesn’t want to risk Garrett being put in harm’s way. But Garrett isn’t a whimpering flower. She is the only English Doctor, she is bright and clever and independent and goes after what she wants….and she wants Ethan. But when Ethan and Garett keep running into each other, and unable to resist what they feel for each other, the villain of the story is out to destroy them both….
You and me, in the dark . . . that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
What a powerfully written story and boy I fell in love with this book pretty quickly. Now it’s not my favorite of the series or even my favorite book by this author but so many delicious aspects of the story that made this reach the top books of the year so far. What I have always admired about this author, a talent that she has never faltered with is chemistry between a pair. Each and every book I have had the pleasure of reading from her, the sensuality and the sizzling chemistry is so vibrant and the chemistry between Ethan and Garrett is my FAVORITE aspect of the story. And honestly, it’s not like there are a ton of steamy scenes but this comes close to a steamy read because of the way that Kleypas writes her scenes. And honestly, with each interaction between these two, I just craved more and more because their fun bantering and their smexy times just leave you with a smile on your face.
Now for the characters….I want to say that I adored the heroine but frankly I didn’t. I honestly can’t put my finger on it exactly what I didn’t like about Garrett but her character kinda drove me crazy. I loved how clever and smart she is because she is so intelligent and she knows her medical stuff for sure. However, I felt that she was very patronizing to those that didn’t “think” her way which would be odd even for a female doctor. Because many in this era aren’t going to be as forward-thinking as she is and the way she treated some of her patients rubbed me the wrong way. I understand her way of thinking (because I, of course, live in modern times) but in this era, culture was so different and the way people are raised was so different and I felt it odd that Garrett wasn’t more understanding with those she treated.
She yearned to fling herself headlong into the experience of being loved, desired, possessing, and possessed.
What I did like about her character was how driven she is. That she goes after her own dreams even if that means going to a different country to obtain her education and certifications.
Now our hero….our lovely, delicious sexy hero….my goodness, to be honest, NO ONE writes heroes like Lisa Kleypas writes a hero. How am I always blown away by the heroes that she writes because they are always so amazing and swoon-worthy and I fell in love with Ethan. I was a bit nervous about him of course, but within the first two pages, I fell so at ease with his character and I knew instantly that I would love him just as much as her other heroes. He is dangerous, secretive, sensual, and loyal. I love his “mission” and how determined he is. He is a fighter and I love how he is described in the story. He is so protective but not overbearing to our heroine which I loved him even more for that. I love that he accepts her for who she is and encourages her to be herself. And boy he is so eloquent….some of the things that he says to Garrett is beyond swoony, man I want to keep him.
The first moment I saw you, I knew you were my share of the world. I’ve always loved you. If I could choose my fate, I’d never be parted from you. Acushla . . . pulse of my heart, breath of my soul . . . there’s nothing on this earth more fair and fine than you. Your shadow on the ground is sunlight to me.
The plot in this story is the type that just flows so beautifully with this story and I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book seeing where Kleypas was taking us with this plot line and boy, I fell hard for this plot because it totally had me in suspense and there were moments that just broke my heart but what really captures the attention is our couple and seeing how once they realize that they love each other….they FIGHT for each other and its so powerful to see them be tested in a certain way and come out on top as winners.
Hello Stranger is a beautifully woven tale that brings together sensuality and intrigue….a story of two people that fit each other perfectly….TRULY WONDERFUL!!
Now I will say that one aspect of the book that I DONT care for is the Cover. Yes, I love the pink and the background is lovely. However, her dress is horrid. In fact, it shocks me that Avon would have such a contemporary cover for a historical. But I really don’t like this cover at all because it’s NOT a historical romance cover in any way. I mean this dress you would see in prom or homecoming, not in the Victorian Eras of England. So pretty disappointing and even though overall I think it’s gorgeous….it rubs me so wrong every time I see it.
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