March 28, 2011
Kelly works an intriguing medical twist into an otherwise standard Regency romance. Forward-thinking Dr. John Blackmore cares for poor pregnant women in London's slums, earning him the enmity of powerful Dr. Steele, who counsels his wealthy female patients that suffering is their lot for Eve's Original Sin. Bathsheba, the countess of Randolph (and the villain in 2010's Sex and the Single Earl) needs to marry someone rich following the death of her first husband, who abused her and left her too debt-ridden to care for her mentally disabled sister. After a sizzling encounter, the very alphaâin the best senseâBlackmore plans to court Bathsheba, but she's set her sights instead on a titled gentleman with political aspirations and an ambitious older sister. Readers will adore the honorable doctor, but find the tormented Bathsheba a somewhat less novel character.
Starred review from April 1, 2011
While Bathsheba Compton, Countess of Randolph, doesnt miss her insanely jealous late husband one bit, she really could do without the crushing debts he left behind. Since both Bathshebas sister Rachel and her cousin Matthew, the new Count of Randolph, are depending on her to restore the family fortune, Bathsheba has no option but to find a wealthy husband. But before she can return to Londons rich-husband hunting grounds, she comes down with a life-threatening fever. Fortunately, Dr. John Blackmore happens to be in the neighborhood, and with his dedicated care, Bathsheba slowly begins to recover. Bathsheba is more than grateful for Johns help, but she never expects that she might fall for him. Especially since John doesnt have the one thing shes looking for in her next husband: a sizable bank account. In her latest sublimely sensual Regency historical, Kelly delivers wit, a tightly knit plot, a refreshingly different hero, and a realistically complicated heroine, who could give Scarlett OHara a good run for her money.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)