HELLO STRANGER
The Ravenels #4
Lisa Kleypas
February 27th,2018
Avon
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas delivers a scintillating tale of an unconventional beauty who finds passion with the spy who can’t resist her
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.
My Review
I love historical romance. The historic times, the glamorous parties, the dashing heroes and strong heroines who had to live by double standards set by society. What a loved about HELLO STRANGER was the glimpse of the coming modern times with a strong intelligent heroine in Garrett Gibson, a female in a "Man's" profession, that of one of the first female doctors in England, born in a working class home and helping those in the poorer parts of London. She even learned some self defense techniques since she worked in some less than genteel parts of town. Now that didn't mean that she wasn't a bit naive at times, and that comes to her meeting Ethan Ransom during an altercation with some drunken idiots one evening. Ethan shows her that some men don't play by the rules.
He becomes an important force in her life, watching over her and never thinking that he is good enough for her when the sparks ignite between them. His childhood was harsh, but it made him the strong man that he has become. Ethan knows that his real father was a wealthy member of the ton and he wants no part of his other "family." Little does he know how important they will soon be to him.
HELLO STRANGER is book four in the series, but the first in the series for me. I own the previous books, but buy them faster than I can read them, even favorite authors. So when the publisher asked if I would like to read this story, I quickly jumped on the tour. Now I know that I have to dog into my huge TBR pile so that I can discover more about Ethan's other side of the family who are drawing me into their world.
Garrett and Ethan are such strong well developed and multi-layered characters. Their delightful story is full of mystery, corruption and danger as well as a sexy new romance. It's different to have a heroine like Garrett who isn't bound by the rules of society like her wealthier counterparts. She wants Ethan and she's not afraid of her new desires and it was nice to see London at that time from the prospective of someone who was not a member of the ton and was blazing some new trails for women. I truly enjoyed meeting some of the Ravenel family members and can't wait to catch up with the rest of the series.
EXCERPT
He heard her
muffled chuckle. She continued to lean against him while the trio of
constables expressed sympathy for the unfortunate patient. Eventually
the men departed with a chorus of hearty farewells. Ethan discovered
that his other arm had stolen around Garrett. Making himself let go
of her was like trying to uncoil a steel spring.
“You should go up
to your father now,” he said with difficulty.
“Eliza will look
after him while I take a few minutes to show you some slides. I have
insect wings . . . pollen grains . . . flower petals . . . What would
you like to see?”
“The inside of a
hansom cab,” he said softly. “I can’t be alone with you,
darlin’.”
Garrett touched the
edges of his vest, fingers clamping on the thin leather. “Ethan.”
A blush rose in her face, like light glowing through pink frosted
glass. “I don’t want to end this. We . . . we could meet in
secret, now and then. No one would have to know. We would make no
claims on each other. We’ll just . . . do as we please.”
The way she fumbled
with the words, so unlike her usual precise way of speaking,
devastated Ethan. He could only guess what it cost her to lay open
her pride like this. He wasn’t certain what she was offering, or
even if she knew. Not that it mattered. He wanted, craved, needed
anything she was willing to give. But he had to make her understand
that it was impossible. And even if it were, the idea was beneath
her.
“Have you had
that kind of arrangement with a man before?” he brought himself to
ask.
Her eyes were the
green of deep summer and lush growing things. “I’m a woman who
makes her own decisions and handles the consequences.”
“That means no,”
Ethan said softly. At her silence, he continued, “You’d be
risking your reputation. Your career.”
“Believe me, I
understand that better than you.”
“Have you ever
shared a bed with a man? Even once?”
“Why is that
relevant?”
Her evasive
response sent a pleasure-pang down to the pit of his stomach. “That
means no,” he said again, his voice even softer than before. He
took a slow breath, trying to steady himself, while his blood sang
with the knowledge that she’d been waiting for him. She was meant
to be his. God, he wanted her beyond any reckoning of earth or
heaven. But her well-being mattered a thousand times more than his
own desires.
“Garrett . . .
I’m a man full o’ trouble. When I vowed to let nothing harm you,
I included myself on that list.”
A frown crimped her forehead. She closed her grip on his vest until
her fists were tight as pine knots. “I’m not afraid of you, or
your trouble.” Her green eyes were narrowed and intent as she
tugged him closer. “Kiss me,” she urged in a whisper.
“I have to go,”
he said shortly, and pulled back while he was still able.
But Garrett moved
with him, her hands reaching up to grip his head on either side, the
way he’d taught her at Baujart’s. The strength of her fingers
electrified him.
“Kiss me,” she
commanded, “or I’ll break your nose.”
The threat startled
a ragged laugh from him. He shook his head as he looked at her, this
fearsomely capable woman who loved geese and was afraid of spaghetti,
and could either wield a scalpel in a complex surgical procedure or
use it as a throwing-knife.
There had always
been a cold streak in him, but he couldn’t seem to find it now,
when he needed it most. He was breaking apart inside. He would never
be the same after this.
“Christ, you’ve
ruined me,” he whispered.
His arms went
around her, one hand gripping the heavy silken mass of her braided
chignon. She guided his head down, and he lost the battle, all his
will vanquished as he began to kiss her as if the world were about to
end.
For him, it was.
BUY LINKS
About The Author
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She is a RITA award winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction. Her novels are published in fourteen different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.
Connect With Lisa
Facebook: @LisaKleypas
Twitter: @LisaKleypas
Instagram: @lisakleypas
Review Copy Provided by:
Avon
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