Gideon has repeated often that there's no magic in Artane. When Zachary Smith, modern architect and reluctant time- traveler, discovers himself standing in Artane, circa 1258, he decides the repetition has been carefully crafted. Although often snared into helping various medieval spouses of his family and friends become acclimated to the modern world, Zachary never thought he would be thrust into another century without preparation.

Mary de Piaget hasn't had much use for men outside of her family, trusting to find reasons to be on emergency babysitting runs or out with her horses whenever prospective matches appear. The matches do not stay for long, as none can meet her father's high standards or his skill in the lists. Mary worries that no one else can feel the evil emanating from Geoffrey of Styrr, the most persistent of the suitors. After meeting Zachary Smith, who is no smith, Mary wonders if she might have been hasty in her sweeping judgment of the opposite sex.

Although part of a series, TILL THERE WAS YOU is an excellent stand-alone book for those readers who want to start the "beach reading" early. Frothy in its lightness, TILL THERE WAS YOU still entices one with complex plotlines and interesting character development. The damsel is in distress, but she has strength, cunning, and a supportive family on her side. The dashing knight or handsome prince is not a knight or prince, but his modern ingenuity is gift enough. TILL THERE WAS YOU is an excellent demonstration of how romance can still be written with cleverness and humor.