"Dodd's best work to date"

In 1843 London, Enid MacLean survives the collapse of her marriage by becoming a companion-nurse to ailing Lady Halifax. Enid buries her past though there remains a lot of speculation about her. However, her idyllic arrangement ends when she learns her husband Stephen is dying and needs her. As expected of a wife, she goes to help him with his final days though she hates him.

Considering her spouse is a wastrel, Enid is shocked to learn that Stephen is near death due to a bomb explosion in the Crimea. Though barely recognizing her husband due to the excessive injuries, Enid takes over his medical care. When he begins to recover she finds his personality has changed dramatically from the man she once loved. Perhaps the brush with death is the cause, but Stephen is kind and gracious, and soon Enid realizes she still loves her spouse, but begins to question whether this nice man could even be her husband?

LOST IN YOUR ARMS is a Victorian romantic rendition of the movie Sommersby, but you will have to read it to find out if it has a different ending. The story line is exciting as Enid struggles with nursing a person she loathes, but in spite of her independence she still performs her duty as defined by society's edicts. The plot works hooking the audience who need to know what will happen as the relationship between the lead couple changes as Stephen regains his health. Christina Dodd provides historical romance fans with her usual affable novel.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 26, 2002