LOVE IN THE LIBRARY by Cheryl Bolen

LOVE IN THE LIBRARY is Book 5 in Cheryl Bolen's Brides of Bath series. This is the first book I've read by Cheryl Bolen, but I was still able to enjoy the book without having read the previous books in this series. Catherine Bexley is in a quandary. She is a widow who does not wish to marry again after the neglect she received from her late husband. However, she lacks the money to be financially independent unless she finds her stolen rare Chaucer manuscript. Dr. Melvin Steffington is the man she believes can help her, since he is a scholar and book lover.

There is a little of everything in LOVE IN THE LIBRARY: twins, fake identities, a mysterious theft, romance, humor, and a very obnoxious suitor. I liked how well-suited Melvin and Catherine are. Rather than starting out consumed by passion for each other, the two like each other first and begin a friendship. For me, this makes their attachment to each other more realistic. They have so much in common -- similar political beliefs, a dislike of gambling, both wanting to be self-sufficient, a love of historical novels and Shakespeare, to name a few.

In spite of the problems of the missing manuscript and Mr. Longford - the odious admirer of Catherine's, I felt like the biggest obstacles to their romance were each other. The two are such a natural fit together that a romance between them should be a no-brainer. However, Catherine is a little unsure of herself, possibly because of how her late husband treated her, and Melvin has some insecurities of his own to overcome. Melvin has always been the studious academic and somewhat socially awkward twin, whereas his brother Elvin has always been more outgoing and successful with women. It's maddening at times, how everyone can see how much Catherine likes him but himself.

The mystery of the missing Chaucer manuscript adds an intriguing element to this historical romance. I enjoyed following Melvin and Catherine on their journey to uncover the culprit and track it down. I liked that Catherine wanted to be involved in every step of the investigation. This mystery kept me guessing throughout the book.

I liked the supporting characters and hope to read a story about Melvin's twin brother, Elvin. LOVE IN THE LIBRARY is an entertaining historical romance and I look forward to reading more in this series and other books by Cheryl Bolen.

Certain the "smart" Steffington twin is the person who can
help her recover her late husband's nearly priceless stolen
Chaucer manuscript, Catherine Bexley tearfully persuades the
scholar to assist her. A deal is struck. She's particularly
pleased that the Doctor of Letters is not interested in
seducing her because she's finished with men (owing to her
late husband's multitude of unfortunate alliances with. .
.doxies). Regaining the manuscript and its subsequent sale
will give her independence to ensure she never has to marry
again.

Once he learns the poor, delicate widow is in danger of
losing her heavily mortgaged home if they cannot find the
valuable hologram, Dr. Melvin Steffington vows to do
everything in his power to restore the rare Canterbury Tales
to her. It's obvious the pretty little thing needs a man to
help her. Not normally the twin to take note of pretty
little things, Melvin can't help but to observe that Mrs.
Bexley's physical appearance is much like the beauties so
admired by his twin brother.

He hadn’t counted on the fact he would have to pose as
her husband as they race against the banker's ticking clock.
He hadn’t counted on the mysterious thief attempting to kill
him. Most of all, he hadn't counted on how close he would
become to the lovely widow or how the kissing of said widow
would become the most pleasant experience in his entire
seven and twenty years. . .