FINAL DECISION:  A gently developing romance with a hero with a broken leg and a reluctant betrothed, I loved that this book is about Laurel and Graelem talking and getting to know one another.  There are people plotting against them, but the true center of this book is the time Laurel and Graelem spent quietly together.

THE STORY:  Laurel Farthingale literally knocks Lord Graelem Dayne off his feet.  Unfortunately, it is because of her headstrong horse which manages to break Graelem’s leg.  The accident ends up with Laurel becoming betrothed to Graelem against her wishes.  Laurel loves and intends to marry a childhood friend.  As the two end up spending time together, Laurel sees a different side to the gruff Scot.  Graelem must marry Laurel because he needs to marry in a month in order to retain his inheritance.  While he came to London intending on having a business relationship with his future wife, Laurel’s caring nature seeps into the soul of a man who has been alone for a long time.

OPINION:  There is something I really enjoy about Platt’s characters.  They are all gentle, nice people.  Don’t get me wrong, they are not boring, but rather there is a tenderness to their personalities that I really enjoy.

Laurel is caring and nice and she is willing to protect those she cares about.  Even when Graelem annoys her, Laurel deeply feels his pain and wants to comfort him.  What is a triggering part of their relationship is that Graelem almost immediately wants to care for Laurel in return.  Without knowing her and having good reason to dislike her horse, Graelem shields Laurel and her horse from being separated.

The books has a different feel since Graelem is convalescing for much of the book.  This gives him a weakness that should not be attractive in a hero.  Yet it manages to do the opposite here.  Graelem always appears in control despite his physical limitations.

This book also contains a special relationship between Laurel and her sisters.  I enjoy the interaction between these sisters which isn’t stereotypical but rather feels deep and real.  I also enjoy the meddling Farthingale family in general.  They are annoying, loving, nosy, unfair, judgmental, supportive and everything that a real family is like.

WORTH MENTIONING:  Because of the unique order in which these books are written, there are intriguing reveals no matter what order you read the books in.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  A MIDSUMMER’S KISS is the fourth book in the Farthingale series.  It is actually a prequel to the other books in the series and can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.

FINAL DECISION: I found this book so interesting because it was a different take on a plot that I have read before.  The characters were so likeable that I was completely satisfied to sink into their world and see how their difficulties would be resolved.

THE STORY:  Daisy Farthingale is determined to find the perfect suitor in order to regain her family’s regard.  Daisy voluntarily took the blame for an attempted elopement (but it wasn’t her).  Her family no longer trusts her opinions regarding men.  Daisy’s determination is challenged when she meets Lord Gabriel Dayne, rake and wastrel extraordinaire.  Despite her best intentions, Daisy finds herself attracted to Gabriel and she just senses that he is a better man than his reputation suggests.  Gabriel is indeed a better man but purposely cultivates a terrible reputation in order to disguise his missions as a spy against the French.  Gabriel cannot risk getting close to Daisy even as he finds her irresistible.  Gabriel must stay away from Daisy for both their sake.

OPINION:  What strikes me most about Platt’s Farthingale series is how likeable the characters are.  In every book, the characters seem like they would be people that I would enjoy meeting.  I also enjoy how each Farthingale sister is so different from the others.

In this book Daisy is the middle sister who wants to make things better.  She even took the blame for her older sister’s attempted elopement.  That act by Daisy has placed her in a difficult position in her family.  Although completely innocent, she is distrusted by her family.

In fact, Daisy and Gabriel are both seem incorrectly by their family.  Both have taken on actions not their own in order to protect.  Daisy to protect her sister; Gabriel to protect his country and those he loves.  It is therefore unsurprising that each recognizes something in the other and sees something beyond reputation.  This equivalency is done with deft care and a great deal of subtlety.

The romance is so sweet and I especially enjoyed how Gabriel is given reason to hope for a future by Daisy.  He is a damages soul that is healed by the gentleness and vivacity of Daisy.  I liked Gabriel a great deal and I loved that Daisy does not give up on Gabriel despite all indications.  She wants true love and when she finds it, she becomes determined.

This is not my favorite in the series, but it is really good and I look forward to going back in time and reading about Daisy’s older sister.  (We should also learn about the attempted elopement which gets Daisy in so much trouble).

WORTH MENTIONING:  I find the fact that this book is a prequel to the other two books in the series fascinating.  The remainder of the sisters’ stories will be told in reverse order.  What I like best about it is how rather than knowing about the past and having to wonder about what happens to the characters in the future, the future instead is already known and the past has many secrets.  This is a different way of building a series and I find it intellectually interesting what techniques Platt is using.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  RULES FOR REFORMING A RAKE is the third book in the Farthingale series.  The book is actually a prequel to the first two books and thus can be read as a true standalone.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 4 stars.