If you know me and my reviews, you know where I stand on that trope, but here it’s no ghost who’s part of the conflict. He was looking for a responsible bride to round out his life.Īlex’s first fiancee died in a horseback riding accident, so Alex is hesitant to get close to anyone, especially a woman of such a free spirit. He has a little brother to care for and estates to run. (I admit to fanning myself to Alex’s reaction when Lily is painted with a serpent on her flesh!) Then passion yields to love when he realizes that Lily’s outward behavior is just a cover for the dark secrets that torment her. When Lily does succeed, Alex vows revenge and in scene after memorable scene, his vengeance turns to passion. She will use all her will and wiles to stop Raiford from marrying her sister. Upon hearing that her dear sister has been forced into a betrothal to the stuffed-shirt Lord Raiford and cannot marry the man she loves, “Lawless” Lily Lawson–as she is called–is determined to save the day. Now, she takes pleasure in shocking the ton. Many years ago, she was involved in a love affair with an Italian gentleman who turned out to be a cad. Lily is on the fringes of polite society as she is estranged from her family for her shocking behavior.

The reserved Lord Alex Raiford looks on, disgusted by her antics. She allows her hat to fly off into the waters of the Thames in an attempt to prod her male admirers into fetching it for her. The novel begins with Lily aboard a fancy sea vessel for a daytime event that bores her senseless. Back in 1993, the wild Lily Lawson was most unusual for a historical romance heroine. Today, Romancelandia is replete with hoydenish, unmarried non-virgins who thumb their noses at conventional rules. The heroine of Then Came You was, at the time of the book’s initial release, a unique female protagonist. Not to mention a captivating side character who earned his own book and would show up in about a dozen Kleypas novels. There’s a strong-willed (but charmingly so) heroine, a hero in my all-time hall-of-fame, steamy love scenes, and a magnificent love story. It has all the key elements to make this one I would adore. Then Came You written by Lisa Kleypas is easily one of my favorite romances. Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era Romance

Then came you by lisa kleypas