As so many in the historical romance community, I was
instantly infatuated with Dr. Garrett Gibson, introduced
previously in The
Ravenels. I counted the days until the release date
of this book, and for this reason, my review might not be as
polished as it should be. I will not attempt to spout
lyrical drivel, my opinions of HELLO STRANGER come straight
from the heart, from a reader completely enamored of a
literary character, that of Dr. Gibson.
In the summer of 1876, Garrett Gibson is the only female
medical doctor in England, and for a few weeks she's had
the impression of being watched. And she is, by Ethan
Ransom, of the Home Office. Dr. Gibson sees to the medical
needs of the poor in London's East End, but even though she
knows self-defense, the streets at night are dangerous for a
woman. Garrett and Ethan had met twice, he admired her from
afar and swore he would not let harm come to her. And the
day comes when Ethan's shadowing Garrett was not for
naught. He can help her improve her self-defence skills if
it's the only thing he can offer her because of his work as
a spy, while his presence makes Garrett realize that she is
a woman as well as a scientist.
Lisa Kleypas is known as a wordsmith extraordinaire, and her
prose is as scintillating as ever: the dialogues
irreproachable; the characters works of art; but what makes
HELLO STRANGER a truly exceptional novel is Ms. Kleypas'
outstanding attention to historical detail. The author's
meticulous research on medicine is most enlightening, adds
to the depth of the story and also contributes to character
development. There is not a single element in HELLO STRANGER
that does not serve a purpose, and everything is brilliantly
done. HELLO STRANGER is also a romance that will convince
cynics true love exists and is worth fighting for, but it is
also one of the most accurate depictions of the spy world I
have ever read. What is truly amazing is how well all the
various parts form a coherent and captivating whole.
As much as I love Garrett, Ethan is also a spectacular
character, and I think I fell in love with him even quicker
than Garrett did. Ethan is a spy, and the suspense is
remarkably well-crafted and kept me on the edge of my seat
until the end. And the romance, the all-consuming passion
that develops between Garrett and Ethan rivals that of the
classics; I believed in every gesture, every word, every
caress; it is glorious! HELLO STRANGER is a very intense
story, and thankfully the irresistible West Ravenel provides
a dash of relief with his charm and quick wit; we haven't
seen the last of him. Don't overlook the Author's Note as
it provides fascinating insights into the writing of HELLO
STRANGER.
Now that I have devoured HELLO STRANGER, I will savor it
slowly, again and again. In closing, this sentence from Lisa
Kleypas summarizes all that this extraordinary romance
encompasses: "Your shadow on the ground is sunlight to me."
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
herA 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.
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