Lisa Kleypas is a great author. I've liked almost every one of her books, and even the odd book I haven't been crazy about (I'm probably the only one who didn't love The Devil in Winter) has still been well written and well plotted. Foretunately, this is one I enjoyed.
Here's the basic set-up: The ramshackle Hathaways have recently risen in society when Leo Hathaway inherited a title and a moderate income. Leo, however is griefstricken upon the death of his fiancee and is engaging in what today we would call risky behavior. Frankly, he is trying to kill himself. Drinking too much, brawling, smoking opium. So it is left to his oldest sister Amelia to look after her three younger sisters, Winnifred, Poppy and Beatrix. She encounters half-gypsy Cam Rohan, introduced in TDIW, who agrees to help her search for her missing brother. They have a few other chance encounters and he becomes more involved in the affairs of the Hathaways.
There were just a couple of things I had to overlook to enjoy this book. I had lukewarm feelings for the heroine, Amelia who keeps refusing Cam's proposals, even though she is sleeping with him and desperately needs his support, both financial and emotional. Also I was never really convinced that Cam loves Amelia for who she is. Their romance didn't come across as 100% believable.
Those elements were minor and didn't affect my overall enjoyment of the book. The plot is not at all straightforward, with a complications thrown in from a hive of bees, a fire, a former suitor and a long lost treasure.
This served as an excellent intro to the Hathaways and as a set-up for the future books in the series. Winnifred's story is next with the intriguing Merripen who is also a gypsy and family friend. I also look forward to Leo who suffers much in this book and should make a great hero.
Grade: B+
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