Customer Reviews

Lady Sophia's Lover (Bow Street Runners)

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I resisted this book for months because it seemed like it was everywhere - supermarket, bookstores and all over amazon. I usually avoid things with mass appeal and, not having read anything from this author before, I was worried it would be in the vein of Stephanie Laurens (whose style I just don't care for). But my trepidation was without merit - I really enjoyed this book!

I found this a story fast-paced, well developed and teeming with sexual tension from the first page! Sir Ross Cannon, seemingly so cool and aloof, but smolderingly sexy just below the surface. He's a good guy who works too hard and holds himself to impossibly high standards. He is also very lonely. Since his wife died five years ago he has immersed himself in his work as Chief Magistrate at Bow Street becoming one of the most powerful men in London. But as they say "all work and no play . . ."

Enter Sophia Sydney. Daughter of a viscount who's fallen on hard times she comes looking for a job. But she has an ulterior motive - to seduce and disgrace the man known as the "monk of Bow Street" for the virutal death sentence he imposed on her brother years before. She expects Sir Ross to be a portly old man but he is far from it. So much the easier for the seducing - then again maybe not. For she is as attracted to him as he is to her. Could become a problem . . .

Well of course it does resulting in some really steamy encounters along the way. And when Ross is wounded, her scheme is completely abandoned when she realizes that she wants nothing more than to care for him. She's come to see what a kind, intelligent, well-intentioned man he is.

Ross knows that Sophia has secrets and he patiently waits for her to reveal them, but her last one is a whopper and it will threaten the very foundations of their relationship. The road is not easy for these two, but time and again, they prove their love and respect for one another when the going gets tough.

Great secondary characters as well - Ross's grandfather (naughty old fella!), mother, his staff/friends (ooh Dr Lynley needs his own story!) and not least Nick Gentry the well written, multi-dimensional villain of the piece. Read this when you've got lots of time, 'cause if you're like me you won't be able to put it down!

What can I say about this book? I was filled with anticipation over Sir Ross Cannon's story!! The most fascinating love stories are always about the elusive, mysterious man. Sir Ross Cannon appears to be cold and aloof on the surface, but underneath this man smolders!!

Sophia is another bold Kleypas ingenue. She sets out to trap Sir Ross to avenge her brother's death, yet, as she learns what makes Sir Ross tick, she finds herself caught in a trap of her own making.

This book is sensual and passionate. The chemistry between Ross and Sophia shows from page one. Also present is the usual "Kleypas twist" that always keeps the reader guessing.

Overall, I give this book a 5. This book has everything that you could want in a romance. What I like most about Ms. Kleypas is her ability to weave a sensually rich story in the most simplistic way. I also like the fact that the characters spend more time exploring their attraction to each other than fighting it. Even though both characters have suffered in his or her own way, they don't dwell on it and are mature enough to love again.

I read this book in one night because I couldn't put it down!! I even had to re-read a few passages because I was so intrigued. Ms. Kleypas is always willing to explore romance and sensuality in a way that very few romantic authors are willing to explore. I always come away wanting more after reading a LK novel. If you're already a Kleypas fan, you won't be disappointed. If you haven't read a Kleypas book before, you are in for a treat!!!

I can't wait to read Nick Gentry's story!!

Since her brother was sent to a prison hulk for a petty crime and died there, Lady Sophia Sydney has thought about avenging his death and her loneliness. She hatches a plan to work for and seduce the man who sentenced him and therefore left her without any family. Once she succeeds in getting him under her spell, she plans to ruin him personally and professionally.

Sir Ross Cannon has been in charge of the Bow street officers who are in charge of keeping London safe. When the beautiful blonde walks into his office applying for the job of his assistant, Ross doesn't know what hit him. But when Sophia starts taking over his personal and professional life, neither of them are ready for their fiery chemical attraction.

When I read the first book in this series Someone to Watch Over Me (Bow Street, Book 1), I wasn't that impressed; I liked it OK but it dragged a bit for me. But quickly into the first chapter of this book I knew I was going to like it a lot more than the first. I found it refreshing and charming. Lady Sophia isn't a simpering virgin. She's strong willed but not hard, resourceful, determined, sweet and beautiful.

Ross is a widower who has made up his mind never to love or marry again and for the past 5 years that has been a non issue. He has found it easy to rebuff the ladies that fawn over him. But Sophia is different and it's an attraction he doesn't want to ignore. He is equal parts alpha and beta male and that made him an irresistible hero.

This story was fun and sexy and there are some unexpected surprises that have me eager to read the next book in the series: Worth Any Price (Bow Street, Book 3). Enjoy!

Cherise Everhard, July 2008

With her previous effort Suddenly You as the pivotal shift to sensual romance, Lisa Kleypas displays an unprecedented fluidity in her latest, Lady Sophia's Lover to rival the smooth passion and chemistry between her main characters - Lady Sophia Sydney and Sir Ross Cannon. The spark of experiment and fun in Suddenly You may be missing but Ms. Kleypas delivers her characters in refreshing maturity steeped in moral quandry. Lady Sophia is determined to seek justice on her own mantle when she hears from her aunt that her brother John is mercilessly thrown into prison by the imperious chief magistrate who rules Bow Street with an iron hand. Sir Ross Cannon is assaulted by a perplexing attraction upon receiving Sophia's desire to be his assistant. With much reluctance he agrees - but swears that she will be under his protection.

Lisa Kleypas deftly intertwines romance with an explosive drama that fuels mayhem and treachery which conflicts with relationships and ties. The villain, Nick Gentry - a notorious gangster mob boss shows naunced emotions; Ross is broodingly dark with his demons while Sophia is trapped between loyalty and a blossoming love. The characters are handled with tact and emotions. Lady Sophia's Lover is Kleypas at her sizzling best with more steamy passion but it is ultimately her evocative romance that promises an enriching read which isn't just mere seduction.

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

My title for this review pretty much sums up my feelings for LADY SOPHIA'S LOVER. I have read a couple of LK's books and, while I did enjoy them, they were easily forgettable. This book, however, was fantastic.

Lady Sophia Sydney and her brother John were left orphaned at an early age and basically left to their own devices. As children they ran wild and John got involved with "the wrong crowd." He was later caught and arrested for crimes committed and sentenced to a prison hulk. Sophia was later taken in by a relative to work as a servant and later thrown out by said relative when it was found out that she had an affair with the son of a nobleman. The nobleman's son used Sophia for a brief affair and then abruptly left her when he tired of her. During this time Sophia got news that her brother had died of a cholera epidemic on the prison hulk and she forms a plan to get revenge on the Head Magistrate, Sir Ross Cannon, who sent her brother to his untimely death. She schemes to get a job at Bow Street so that she can find evidence of wrongdoing by Sir Ross and the runners so that she can bring about the downfall of Sir Ross who is one of the most powerful men in England. But, she doesn't want to ruin only his professional career, she also wants to make him fall in love with her and then leave him heartbroken so that she is sure that Sir Ross is completely a broken man. When Sophia does finally meet and get to know Sir Ross, she realizes that he is not the man she envisioned. She soon realizes that Sir Ross is a compassionate and fair man and she falls easily in love with him.

Whew! I know the above outline sounds like I have given away the whole story, but, believe it or not, it's just the tip of the iceberg. The meat of the story centers on Sophia's and Sir Ross's relationship. Their's is a real adult relationship that is usually lacking in most romance novels. Yes, there are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings, but they are resolved in a timely and logical manner. They are not dragged on for the entire book and used as page-fillers for lack of a real story. And the sub-characters are just that - sub. Some authors make their supporting characters too big which interferes with the main love story and causes (at least it does with me) much frustration as it drags the story/romance down.

Lastly, the chemistry between Sophia and Ross is palpable. LK did an excellent job with the sexual tension. When they do finally have sex it is erotic and heartfelt.

So, why only four stars instead of five? Well, as stated in my other reviews, I reserve five stars for my favorites which are Linda Howard's AFTER THE NIGHT and Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER.

Having read only one other book by Kleypas, DREAMING OF YOU, I was hopeful that SOPHIA'S LOVER would follow in its footsteps and please me just as much. I was disappointed.

Lady Sophia Sydney is the orphaned daughter of a viscount. After the loss of her parents, Sophia and her younger brother, John have only themselves to rely upon, and they find themselves doing things quite out of the ordinary for children of nobility in order to survive. Following a troubled path into a life of crime, John is eventually caught stealing. Both John's and Sophia's life is changed forever when a magistrate sentences John, a juvenile offender to one year aboard an old, unseaworthy ship used as a prison for his crime.

Believing that magistrate, Sir Ross Cannon sealed her brother's terrible fate, Sophia answers Cannon's add seeking a personal assistant. Sophia's goal is to bring Cannon down in the most devastating way that she can imagine-by making him fall in-love with her, breaking his heart and ruining his professional reputation in the process.

First, Sophia disappoints on several levels. She is an example of a trend in which authors simply throw characters into a time period and endow them with behaviors that could have never happened for that time. For that matter, so is Sir Ross Cannon. Sophia is just too progressive for her time and position. For instance, she is not ashamed to have had an affair with a married man during at her last post; her discomfort stems more from the fact that it ended badly than from the fact that it occurred at all. Sophia is also not as committed to her revenge as one would think, given her motivation. While it is possible that she would have qualms with her plan once it was set in motion rather than just planned in the abstract, she gave over her outrage, her disgust for Cannon too easily. Sophia should have been more conflicted and blind to Cannon's good qualities.

Cannon too suffered from anachronistic beliefs and behaviors. For instance, when a poor woman seeks his assistance, because the old woman's daughter has been locked in her room by a husband who is punishing his wife for cuckolding him, Cannon reacts with an icy rage: "In my opinion, a man who truly loves a woman would never intentionally harm her, no matter how great the betrayal," he says of this `brutalization.' Even today, the `provocation' of an affair is considered a mitigating factor in charging a man who KILLS his wife. It is just hard to imagine Cannon would have such forward-thinking beliefs, going so far as to entirely overlook Sophia's own extra-marital affair. It doesn't seem to faze him at all.

And there were love scenes that bordered on the impossible, language used that was completely out-of-character and abrupt accelerations in Sophia's and Cannon's relationship: For instance, while Sophia is organizing a ball for Cannon's mother(I don't know how this jump was made), Cannon's married brother, Mathew improperly solicits and attacks Sophia. When Cannon walks in on this, Mathew leaves and Sophia tells him that she was trying to seduce his brother (to discourage his interest in her). However, Cannon is not discouraged and within seconds has Sophia down on the carpet and his pants undone. By the end of the weekend, Cannon has proposed, but before the weekend began, the two barely knew anything about the other.

SOPHIA'S LOVER was light on historical accuracy, realism, character consistency and satisfying love scenes.

A Disappointment.

Lady Sophia had come to avenge the "death" of her beloved brother, the now notorious Nick Gentry...the same man that Ross (the man she thinks killed her brother John) is trying to catch.

Sophia waltzes into Ross's office, practically seducing and forcing him to give her the job of secretary and Ross finally agrees. However, her plan to seduce and incriminate him falls apart as she finds out that he is not the man she thought he was. And they begin to fall in love...with a few VERY steamy scenes which had me blushing like crazy (Sophia is not a virgin).

Then Sophia receives unexpected and expensive gifts from a stranger. As Ross investigates who his ladylove's stalker might be, the truth comes out as Sophia is "captured" by Nick Gentry. But how can Sophia marry Ross when him and Nick are sworn enemies? You'll have to read to find out!

The book overall was ok, though it was not the best thing I've ever read. The storyline was a bit weak, her plan to seduce him falls through rather quickly. Sophia's previous lover appears for one page and then disappears and Ross's brother's cameo seems unneccessary to the entire novel. Just a lot of secondary characters that were trivial and flat. And some parts were written, in my opinion, as if the author was just trying to find some way to squeeze in some love scenes.

I have been a follower of her books, and after 'Suddenly You' which I didn't particulary enjoy, I feel that Ms Kleypas has redeemed herself with this excellent book. I was anxiously waiting for Sir Cannon's own story and this book is definitely worth the wait. Tight storyline with a twist in it too and I devoured this book in a few hours. I enjoyed all her 'Bow Street' heroes and am looking forward to the next one and I especially like her 'non-noble' blood heroes. This book is up there with my all-time favourite Lisa Kleypas book 'Dreaming of You'. Highly recommended and a keeper.

I've read two books by Lisa Kleypas (Suddenly You, Where Dreams Begin) and I loved them. But this one was flat and boring in comparison. The characters were unsympathetic, the plot predictable. Even the love scenes were boring. And I'm not complaining about "gratuitous sex", it's just that they made me yawn!
Besides, it started to disappoint me since the first pages. I don't like when the hero or the heroine feel that "incredibly urgent passion" since the very first page. Some authors can make it believable, but this is not the case.
It seemed that the author "had" to write a sensual novel, but felt no enthusiasm or inspiration.
In the overall, it's not that bad, so if you're looking for a "relaxing read" this book could be a good choice.
But there's such a large quantity of romances out there, you could save your money for something better...