More Than a Stranger: A Sealed With a Kiss Novel [Kindle Edition]

Erin Knightley (Author)

Book Description

When his family abandoned him at Eton, Benedict Hastings found an unexpected ally in his best friend’s sister. Her letters kept him going—until the day he had to leave everything behind. Years later, Benedict has seen his share of betrayal, but when treachery hits close to home, he turns to his old friend for safe haven….

After five torturous years on the marriage circuit, Lady Evelyn Moore is finally free to live her life as she wishes. So when her brother shows up with a dashing stranger, she finds herself torn between her dreams...and newfound desires. Despite his determination to keep Evie at a distance, Benedict cannot deny the attraction that began with a secret correspondence. Yet as they begin to discover one another, the dangers of Benedict’s world find them, threatening their lives, their love, and everything they thought they could never have…

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This sweet treat of a romance will entrance you with its delicious humor, dollop of suspense, and delectable characters. It'll make your mouth water!"

(New York Times Bestselling Author Sabrina Jeffries)

"More Than a Stranger is more than a romance – it’s a witty and engaging love story that had me turning pages well into the night, just so I could find out what would happen next. It’s a truly captivating tale of two headstrong friends who become much more to each other than they could have imagined."

(Lydia Dare)

About the Author

Erin Knightley is the author of several historical romance titles, including the Sealed with a Kiss series and the novella Ruined by a Rake. She lives with her husband in North Carolina. An AudioFile Earphones Award winner, Alison Larkin is a classically trained actress who has appeared on Broadway with the Royal National Theater and Off-Broadway with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her unusually wide range of voices can be heard in award-winning audiobooks, cartoons, and movies, from work by James Cameron to The Wonderpets. She recently narrated all twelve novels in Arthur Ransome's classic British series. Her bestselling novel The English American, which sprang from her hit one-woman show, made the top ten list of best author audiobook narrations of all time, along with President Obama, Jane Fonda, and E. B. White.

Product Details

• File Size: 620 KB
• Print Length: 335 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451237714
• Publisher: Signet (June 5, 2012)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0073XV358
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,110 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed immensely June 5, 2012

By Under The Covers Book Blog

Format:Mass Market Paperback

(more like 4.5 feathers)
Reviewed by Ann & posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

Erin Knightley's debut regency novel, MORE THAN A STRANGER is a surprise waiting to be discovered by all. Immediately upon starting this book, I knew that I had found something special.

Knightley has a distinct and unique voice that I instantly noticed and loved. Her writing is natural, seeming to flow without much effort at all. From the start, her writing captured my attention and didn't let go until the very end. In fact, it flowed so well that I didn't feel as if I was reading at all. The heroine, Evelyn aka Evie Moore and the hero, Benedict Hastings have been long time friends. Despite the fact that they are separated as Hastings resides in Eton, Evie and Hastings still keep in contact through letters. These letters introduces the lovely friendship and most importantly the trust they have developed for one another. Though sometimes teasing and snarky, they reflect a blooming long distance relationship that remains strong until one day, Evie stops receiving these letters from Hastings. Naturally, she wonders what happened to Hastings but no word has been heard from him at all.

Later, Evie's older brother, Richard and his best friend, Hastings return home but do not know that Richard's family is there and in particular, Evie. It appears that Hastings wants to keep his identity a secret because when he stumbles upon Evie, he lies to her face, introducing himself as Mr. Benedict instead of Hastings. With Evie's brother's help, Hastings is able to keep his true identity a secret. However, Richard's older younger sister soon finds out. The reason why Hastings wishes to keep his identity a secret is because he fears for Evie's feelings.... Their friendship ended, or rather had been stalled by his actions and he still feels terrible about it.

Normally, I would be angry at any hero who lies to the heroine. However, I couldn't find myself being upset by his actions. This time, the deception is one that readers actually want the heroine to discover because we know how well they got along through the letters.

Knightley achieves great sex ual tension between the hero and heroine. Evie cannot deny the physical attraction she has for Mr. Benedict. So though her body declares its need, Evie doesn't act on them because her heart belongs to someone else. Or so she thinks...

Fans of Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas and Suzanne Enoch would enjoy this book in a new series. With Lord Raleigh's book next, I can truly say that I am excited for it and Knightley has gained a new fan in me.

*ARC provided by publisher Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Smart, funny and so charming this book had me hooked from the first page! June 5, 2012

By Bookaholics Reviewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

More Than a Stranger by Erin Knightley
Historical Romance June 5th, 2012
4 ˝ stars

Smart, funny and so charming this book had me hooked from the first page!

Lady Evelyn Moore misses her brother Richard dreadfully when he leaves to Eton. And when she discovers that she may be replaced as her brother's best friend with a boy named Hastings she is outraged. She decides to write this Hastings fellow and let him know that she would like to leave her brother alone. And to her surprise the impertinent boy writes back that he will not! Soon Hastings and Evie are furiously writing back and forth. Writing teasing and taunting letters that eventually result in Evie falling in love with Hastings. But when Hastings sudden stops their correspondence and then cuts her off, Evie is heartbroken and devastated. She vows never to let another man into her life again. She decides to stay at home to raise her father's horses instead of `displaying' herself each Season to catch a husband. But her plans are thrown in shambles when the handsome and charming friend of her brother visits...

But what Evie doesn't realize is that Hastings was recruited by the Queen's government and as such he had to cut all ties with anyone he knows. Now back from France he has discovered shocking news that will destroy his family and decides to hide away with his old friend Richard. Only to find that Evie is there and lovelier than he ever dreamed. Unprepared to see her he persuades Richard to introduce him as Mr. Benedict instead. And although he tries to stay away from her Hastings can't seem to stop himself from being drawn to her shocking wit and beauty.

This was a charming story.... I loved how the author introduces each of the character in the beginning through their funny letters. I could feel how they cared for each other and could easily form an attachment. Evie is a strong willed and extremely likeable character. She must struggle for her dreams but is caught off guard by an unexpected visitor who causes chaos with her emotions. I could feel the real connection between Evie and Hastings. Theirs is a first love that was denied and you want them to finally be together at the end. Hastings is an adorable hero who has been lonely all his life. The only thing I could not understand was how he could leave Evie and keep lying to her when they were so clearly meant to be together.

Charming characters that are made for each other and finally find love make this a satisfying, romantic read.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A winning debut, romantic and sweet story June 8, 2012

By Melissa VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

More than a Stranger is a unique romance in that the author takes a formulaic plot, a couple falling in love through correspondence, and breathes a spark of adventure in its story through mystery and quiet longing.

When Evie Moore was just eleven years old she began correspondence with her brother's friend at Eton. What began as silly little jabs at each other became so much more. In five years, Evie and Benedict Hastings had established a deep friendship through letters. Their friendship ended abruptly when Benedict left for the continent and he left Evie with a broken heart.

Seven years later, Evie is unmarried working with her father in his stables. Evie is simply horse mad and she does not ever want to marry, she has plotted out her life as a spinster plus she was exceedingly hurt by Hastings.

Benedict Hastings is in real trouble and he turns to Richard, Evie's older brother to assist him. He needs a quiet country setting to contemplate some really big decisions that will change is life permanently and he asks Richard if he will open up his family's country estate to him. He believes Evie and the family are in London for the season but he is astounded when he and Richard arrive and he finally finally sets his eyes on Evie for the first time. Oh, is he enchanted but he knows he cannot let her know his true identity and he and Richard keep his real name from Evie and the family.

Evie is just as curious about Hastings and she keeps feeling as if they have known each other for much longer than a few days. Their natural bantering that started with words on paper continues face to face. They are perfect for each other and falling in love so quickly that neither one knows how to deal with their feelings.... The mystery surrounding Hastings fits seamlessly into the plot and even though there is deliberate miscommunication between the leads it all makes sense in light of Hastings past.

I simply loved this novel, the tension in the story is founded on more than just physical longing for each other, in fact, there are not a lot of intimate scenes between the leads. This book is very tame in that regard, yet is incredibly romantic and I never doubted the sincere feelings and desires these leads had for each other. Read more ›

More About the Author

Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn't any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. Together with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina.

www.ErinKnightley.com