Lisa Kleypas continues the story of the Bow Street Runners series, and she doesn't disappoint. This plot line was interesting and was not quite as predictable as so many of these historical romances can be. A fan of a good love scene, I must say that I was a little shocked at how quickly in the story (page 6) we are given an in-depth imagined scenario, with the first male anatomy response reported on PAGE ONE. So OK, that's a little tacky, I think...

However notwithstanding, I did like the book. Its a good read. The male hero is just too incredible though. Wouldn't it be nice, if in reality...?
LOL :D

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Against the grit and glamour of London's crime-fighting Bow Street operation, Kleypas weaves an exceptional early-Victorian-era romance that is driven by much more than mere sexual attraction and sizzling loves scenes (of which there are plenty here). Political, social and familial conflicts heat up this story, and not all of the resolutions come easily. Ever since her younger brother died in prison, Sophia Sydney has had one goal in mindto find the magistrate who sent her brother to prison, worm her way into his office and his heart and then destroy him both politically and emotionally. Handsome Ross Cannon, London's most powerful and irreproachable magistrate, is not the hard-hearted devil she had expected, however. Known as the Monk of Bow Street for his celibacy following his wife's death, Ross is fair and forgiving, which Sophia soon learns when she takes up a position as his office clerk and housekeeper. The chemistry between the pair is palpable, but several obstacles stand in the way of their happiness, not the least of which is the shadow of Sophia's brother.

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this book was hard to put down! sophia was such a strong smart character, no damsel in distress act for her, but it is lovely to see her end up with a even stronger man who can take care of her, which is how every good romance novel should end. in my opinion. if you liked other lisa kleypas books i would definately recomend this one as it is one of her better works. but warning to the wise i read the bow street runner series out of order and wish that i hadnt because you will get much more out of them if they are read in order so read someone to watch over me first.

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A little manufactured but not bad. Lately this author had started to slip a bit for me...and this one was a bit more developed...even though the plot was heavy handed with devices to create conflict between the characters - I liked it because you could see why these two would like one another, and understand how they might come to forgive each another for past mistakes. Some setup for a future book.

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Excellent!
The second book in the Bow Street Runners series, Lady Sophia's Lover, is much more sensual than its predecessor. We launch immediately into the relationship between Sophia and Ross and Ross has a strong reaction to her.

While I still think Lisa Kleypas's earlier works (this among them) aren't quite as well-written as the later series like Wallflowers or Hathaways, she always writes irresistible characters with individual quirks and foibles. I love her characters and even on second and third readings, her books always resonate.

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This was a pretty good read. I really liked the main characters and how they came to really change each others life. Lot's of little twist and turns that were great to see play out at different times in the storyline. This book was well balanced in action, romance, growth and suspense in the coming together of these two characters. Absolutely loved the fact that Sophia did not whine and carry on over and over, she was strong and carried on.

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Nice sequel in the series and character continuation.

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Ross Cannon is the head of Bow Street and is looking for a new assistant. Sophia Sydney interviews for the position and even though Ross knows it is a bad idea he hires her anyway. He senses that she has some ulterior motive and wants to find out what it is... and he is of course very attracted to her. Sophia does indeed have another reason for being there. She is out for revenge and she will do anything to achieve it. She is determined to prove that Ross is dirty and expose him. To cap it off she wants to make him fall in love with her so she can spurn him and crush him completely.

I am a big fan of Lisa Kleypas and usually read her books in one sitting. Unfortunately this one was just kind of meh for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. It was just sort of... average. I found myself easily putting the book down to do other things. There was nothing horribly wrong with it; it was pleasant but rather bland.

Ross was a very nice man. I admired the fact that he held his wife's memory close and preferred to wait for a relationship with substance rather than sleep with just anyone. I respected the fact that he could admit it to himself that he missed the companionship of being married. What lowered his character in my eyes was the slow reveal of his relationship with his wife. The comment about his protector aspect just made me shake my head. I would have preferred that he loved his wife completely and was able to fall in love again anyway.

I went back and forth on my opinion of Sophia. I respected her reasons for revenge and wasn't bothered at all by her past indiscretion. I rather liked the fact that she was a little older and seemed more mature. I was a little bothered by how quickly her revenge was forgotten. I guess I was looking for more character tension as she had to struggle to reconcile her attraction to Ross while still hating him for what happened to her brother. I didn't want a book full of nonstop fighting, but I didn't expect her to just suddenly decide he's a great guy and give up any conflict. I guess I got the wrong impression from the book description.

Although I found Sophia and Ross (and their romance) rather tame, my attention was caught by the additional character reveal toward the end. I found the duality of his character very catching. I wanted to know more about him and be able to see from his point of view.

As I said before, there was nothing wrong with the book. It was just not what I was expecting and not really anything I wanted. I would still most emphatically recommend other works by this author.

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