Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas Series: The Ravenels #4
Published by Avon on 1/27/18
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 405
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New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas delivers a scintillating tale of an unconventional beauty who finds passion with the spy who can’t resist her
A woman who defies her time
Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.
A man who breaks every rule
As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission g
Hello Stranger was romance and heartbreak and sweetness all in one. It’s one of my favorite Lisa Kleypas books. A standalone that brought me to tears more than once, with a story that stole my breath! A fantastic read that I more than recommend. Down below you’ll find my review and an excerpt of what you can expect in Hello Stranger!
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Angie’s Review
4.5 “OMG. LOVE” Stars!
“I’d love you night and day, if I could,” he whispered. “There’d be no limits for us. No shame. You and me, in the dark . . . that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
No one writes like Lisa Kleypas. No. freaking. one. She so eloquent. Everything from her lush descriptions to the detailed scenes to the multidimensional characters to the sensual build of the romance is alive and vivid and tangible. You can’t help but fall madly in love with every detail that makes up her stories. It’s magic. Pure, unequivocal, heart pounding beauty that I am so in love with. I swear, I’m swooning as I write this! I am such a HUGE fan! And you know what’s so crazy? I haven’t even been reading this author that long. In fact, I only discovered her books a couple months ago when I discovered the historical romance genre.
:::cue massive gasp:::
I know! I can’t wrap my head around that either. It’s like once you discover a Kleypas novel you learn what romance SHOULD be. It’s bliss with deep feels. She’s the ONLY author I’ve ever read that makes me lose myself every single time I read her. ANOTHER level. I truly can’t recommend her enough.
“Forget me,” he whispered after their lips parted. And he left swiftly, without looking back.” <<— OH, THE FREAKING FEELS!
Hello Stranger is the 4th book in Ravenels series. Though I have yet to read the first three, each novel is a standalone and I had ZERO issues following along. From the start I was engrossed as Garrett Gibson—the only female Doctor in London—finds herself in a precariously dangerous situation. I was riveted by this woman’s self-confidence and sharp whit. She’s interesting, funny, intense, quirky, fierce, and so freaking smart. Her personality charmed me through and through.
While Garrett tries to maneuver herself out of this situation our hero shows up! And it is ELECTRIFYING! Ethan Ransom is dark and alluring and dangerous, adding an intensity to this story that has your breath catching. These two leave you dizzy, their chemistry off the charts delicious, their interactions bursting off the page with sizzle. Ethan’s been watching Garrett for awhile now, compelled and drawn to her in a way he can’t explain. And a friendship and romance ignites that leads to some serious excitement in Dr Gibson’s life. Maybe a little more than she ever expected.
Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. I was fevered for these two, desperate to know more about them. Lisa’s talent shines as she takes the time to build these characters, to give them depth and backstories that bring them to life. Ethan’s secrets unfold right before your eyes and Garrett is the perfect woman to deal with them.
I absolutely loved watching as they fell in love, loved experiencing the twists and turns that Hello Stranger provided. This couple find themselves in some intense situations that had me on the edge of my seat, with tears in my eyes, wholly invested. Everything from the sweet romance to the suspense was perfect. And I must say, West Ravenel is the ultimate charmer, a delightful addition to this story that had me consumed too.
Overall, I can’t recommend this enough. It was sweet and sexy, yet deeply emotional and suspenseful all at the same time. I had so many emotional moments where I gasped, sighed and swooned. Lisa is a masterful storyteller and Garrett and Ethan’s turbulent romance was breathtaking from start to finish.
Excerpt
He heard her muffled chuckle. She continued to lean against him while the trio of constables expressed sympathy for the unfortunate patient. Eventually the men departed with a chorus of hearty farewells. Ethan discovered that his other arm had stolen around Garrett. Making himself let go of her was like trying to uncoil a steel spring.
“You should go up to your father now,” he said with difficulty.
“Eliza will look after him while I take a few minutes to show you some slides. I have insect wings . . . pollen grains . . . flower petals . . . What would you like to see?”
“The inside of a hansom cab,” he said softly. “I can’t be alone with you, darlin’.”
Garrett touched the edges of his vest, fingers clamping on the thin leather. “Ethan.” A blush rose in her face, like light glowing through pink frosted glass. “I don’t want to end this. We . . . we could meet in secret, now and then. No one would have to know. We would make no claims on each other. We’ll just . . . do as we please.”
The way she fumbled with the words, so unlike her usual precise way of speaking, devastated Ethan. He could only guess what it cost her to lay open her pride like this. He wasn’t certain what she was offering, or even if she knew. Not that it mattered. He wanted, craved, needed anything she was willing to give. But he had to make her understand that it was impossible. And even if it were, the idea was beneath her.
“Have you had that kind of arrangement with a man before?” he brought himself to ask.
Her eyes were the green of deep summer and lush growing things. “I’m a woman who makes her own decisions and handles the consequences.”
“That means no,” Ethan said softly. At her silence, he continued, “You’d be risking your reputation. Your career.”
“Believe me, I understand that better than you.”
“Have you ever shared a bed with a man? Even once?”
“Why is that relevant?”
Her evasive response sent a pleasure-pang down to the pit of his stomach. “That means no,” he said again, his voice even softer than before. He took a slow breath, trying to steady himself, while his blood sang with the knowledge that she’d been waiting for him. She was meant to be his. God, he wanted her beyond any reckoning of earth or heaven. But her well-being mattered a thousand times more than his own desires.
“Garrett . . . I’m a man full o’ trouble. When I vowed to let nothing harm you, I included myself on that list.”
A frown crimped her forehead. She closed her grip on his vest until her fists were tight as pine knots. “I’m not afraid of you, or your trouble.” Her green eyes were narrowed and intent as she tugged him closer. “Kiss me,” she urged in a whisper.
“I have to go,” he said shortly, and pulled back while he was still able.
But Garrett moved with him, her hands reaching up to grip his head on either side, the way he’d taught her at Baujart’s. The strength of her fingers electrified him.
“Kiss me,” she commanded, “or I’ll break your nose.”
The threat startled a ragged laugh from him. He shook his head as he looked at her, this fearsomely capable woman who loved geese and was afraid of spaghetti, and could either wield a scalpel in a complex surgical procedure or use it as a throwing-knife.
There had always been a cold streak in him, but he couldn’t seem to find it now, when he needed it most. He was breaking apart inside. He would never be the same after this.
“Christ, you’ve ruined me,” he whispered.
His arms went around her, one hand gripping the heavy silken mass of her braided chignon. She guided his head down, and he lost the battle, all his will vanquished as he began to kiss her as if the world were about to end.
For him, it was.
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She is a RITA award winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction. Her novels are published in fourteen different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.
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