"Powerful early Victorian romance"

Bow St. Chief Sir Ross Cannon hides behind his desk to conceal his erection caused by the visit of Sophia Sydney. He pats himself on the back for holding a rationale conversation with Sophia though his hormones rage out of control. Sophia has applied for the Bow St. assistant clerking job, but Ross says no as the position is male only. He offers her a housekeeping position, but Sydney says both or none. Ross known as a monk for his celibacy allows his desires to decide and agrees to a one month trial.

Sydney blames the death of her younger brother on Ross, the magistrate who sent him to die in prison. However, the cold hearted villain with no room for compassion inside the law is not what Ross is. She realizes he is a kind individual who tempers justice and the law. As they fall in love, her deceased brother casts a specter on any permanent relationship between them.

Lady Sophia's Lover is a powerful early Victorian romance that provides a deep descriptive panorama of the era. The story line contains erotic scenes that are deftly written in as part of the fast-paced plot and not used to shock the audience. Ross is a great protagonist filled with passion and courage, but Sydney acts out of character at times as she occasionally seems weak for someone so brave. The rest of the cast is three dimensional and their roles propel the powerful plot. Lisa Kleypas provides a wonderful novel that will return the author to all the best selling lists.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 11, 2002