Casee‘s review of Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas.
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven — and into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London’s most exclusive gambling house — a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world — with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress — and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion…and the promise of love.
Derek Craven. Ah, Derek. ::sigh::
Dreaming of You was the first historical that I read that was outside the norm. By that, I mean that it wasn’t about a Lord Whatshisface and Lady Livealifeofleisure. Sara Fielding was an author from the country. Derek was a self-made man that literally came from the gutter. How can you not be intrigued?
From the very beginning, it’s made clear that Derek is no gentleman. When he first sees Sara, he considers warning her that she’s in danger, but changes his mind. He can’t be bothered with a woman stupid enough to venture out alone at that hour of the night. So it’s irony that it’s Sara that comes to Derek’s rescue. It also opens the door for Sara to learn more about Derek’s club, Craven’s. Sara is painstakingly thorough when she’s researching and has no qualms about taking advantage of the situation she finds herself in. Derek reluctantly agrees to give Sara the run of the club for researching purposes.
They float into love instead of falling. It’s nothing instant. Derek is at once repelled and intrigued by Sara b/c she is so different from the type of women he is used to. Sara is drawn to Derek in a way that she has never felt for her almost-fiance. That’s distressing to her, but not something she lets herself dwell on.
This book wouldn’t have worked if it took place over the course of a few weeks. There were obvious obstacles that Derek and Sara had to face, obstacles that wouldn’t be easy to overcome. They both learn things about themselves and each other that eventually show them a way toward their new life together.
4.75 out of 5.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
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