Hello Stranger: The Ravenels, Book 4 (The Ravenels, #4)

by Lisa Kleypas

Mary Jane Wells (Narrator)

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 - perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James.

'Lisa Kleypas is the best' Sarah MacLean

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 rumoured 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 goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett's skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he's ever known.

'Kleypas can make you laugh and cry - on the same page' Julia Quinn

The Ravenels:
Cold-Hearted Rake
Marrying Winterborne
Devil in Spring
Hello Stranger
Devil's Daughter
Chasing Cassandra

Praise for Lisa Kleypas:

'Intricately and elegantly crafted, intensely romantic . . . from a not-to-be-missed romance author' Kirkus Reviews

'Witty, often hilarious, and delightfully passionate, this compelling, thrill-laced Victorian romance is another superb series entry' Library Journal, starred review

'Readers are introduced to the unforgettable characters and their original personalities through a delightful storyline peppered with sharp repartee and steamy sensuality' RT Book Reviews (top pick)

'Is it possible to give a book 6 stars? . . . [This] story has all of the forbidden romance, witty banter, and sigh-inducing declarations of love that you deserve' That's Normal

• ISBN10: 0062804154
• ISBN13: 9780062804150
• Publish Date: 27 February 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Rowena]

I really enjoyed this one. Ransom was everything and Garrett was pretty great herself. Kleypas wrote another winner for me.

Full review to come.

[stacey_is_sassy]

Book world confession time…again.

Before I start this review I have a confession...

I use my hubby’s snoring as an excuse to read more…

You may laugh, but that burden has been weighing on me for quite a while now and I've been feeling guilty. I tell hubby that his snoring woke me, he then feels guilty so goes out of his way to make things easier for me and gives me more reading time.

It’s a never-ending cycle. He feels guilty…I feel guilty…BUT WHY THE HELL WOULD I STOP?

I love my hubby! I love getting more reading time!

So, getting back to the book. First off, THIS OR THAT? I love the look of this bright and colourful cover, but is it really the right cover for a historical romance? I think that is very appropriate for the time, but do you think it’s a little dull? I almost wish I could have both. But, alas, us Aussies get the closer to historically accurate bland cover. Oh well, in the end, the inside is what counts.

I really enjoyed Hello Stranger. I’ve been dying to know these characters better for a long time. Garrett is one of the first female doctors practising in England and she takes her job very seriously. Ethan is a detective/spy/undercover operative and he takes his job very seriously. Because their work is so important to them, they have both written off the opportunity to find their happy ever after with the one they love. The funny thing about attraction, though, sometimes it can’t be denied.

Lisa Kleypas is one of my favourite historical romance authors. Her stories delight my senses and give me the step back in time that I crave. It’s obvious that she does her research and I’m fascinated with her mix of facts with fiction. I will admit, there are times I think the heroine is a little too ahead of her times, but I guess, we’ll never know if that is what women thought and felt back in the day.

I loved seeing the strength in both Garrett and Ethan. Garrett uses her mind and confidence in her abilities to show her strength. Ethan uses his physical strength and ability to blend in, to get the bad guys. Both Garrett and Ethan are admirable in their protection and healing of people. Station in life plays no part, they want everyone to be safe and healthy.

One of the highlights of Hello Stranger would have to be West Ravenel. His humour and kindness make him lovable and quirky. I hope we get more of him in the future, I’m even guessing that he might be up next.

Sorry, for the long and rambling review, but I woke up this morning at 4:45 (Sassy approved reading time) and battled my guilt to bring you this confession…I mean review.

[thebookdisciple]

Hello Stranger finally gives us the story of Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female doctor in England, and Ethan Ransom, a former officer with Scotland Yard whose current employ is...questionable! Both these characters have been on the fringe of the previous books and I have been so curious about both of them. I love that Garrett is a trailblazer. All the heroines in this series have been strong women in unique ways. I love that about Kleypas' writing.

"As a physician, I can assure you there's nothing humorous about involuntary erections."

Garrett is also still a woman. She begins to have feelings for Ethan and isn't sure what to do with them. However, in typically Garrett fashion, she pushes for what she wants and is direct in her communication. I appreciated that she didn't play the 'ton game. Both her and Ethan are unconventional and it was perfect! Their banter is not the flirtatious type, but witty and direct. They both appreciate the uniqueness of the other and accept them for who they are. After Ethan accuses Garrett of not having a romantic bone in her body, she responds with:

"I reassembled an entire disarticulated skeleton in medical school. There is no such thing as a romantic bone."

She obviously didn't misunderstand him. She is smart and witty and turned the comment back on him in a way that is so Garrett! One might see this as her not understanding non-literal language but that isn't the case at all. I love that she uses this type of language play as humor. Kleypas really shows the intelligence of her characters with little quips like this.

There is a bit of danger in what Ethan is involved in, which added a level of suspense to the story. He is trying to be a double agent, but no one seems to want him to survive! He wars with falling for Garrett, but also knowing that his life is too dangerous for her to be exposed to.

I enjoyed seeing more of West as well! I cannot wait for his story (and Cassandra's!) because he was humorous and charming through Hello Stranger.

Garrett and Ethan were as wonderful as I expected and Hello Stranger was as delightful and endearing as I hoped (and knew) it would be! Kleypas is the queen of historical romance and this book only further solidifies her reign! If you like smart, yet quirky heroines and passionate, principled heroes, Hello Stranger will be one of your favorite reads of 2018!

"Among other things, I'm afraid of cows"
"Because of their size?" Helen asked sympathetically.
"No, its the way they stare. As if they're plotting something"

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: regency


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: (show spoiler)[no] (hide spoiler)


• HEA: (show spoiler)[yes, but no epilogue. I kind of expected this since you get little peeks at the previous couples in forthcoming books] (hide spoiler)

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean, The Highland Guardian by Amy Jarecki, The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan Bryne, Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas...then you will probably like Hello Stranger!

 

Hello Stranger

 



See full review on The Book Disciple