- First date: From the very first page, Miss Madeline Gracechurch and I became friends. She is a bookworm and prefers collecting seashells to attending balls. Her father and stepmother want to see her married and settled. She is determined to avoid the season and all of its trappings. Therefore, she claims to have fallen in love. To avoid questions she claims he is Scottish and a Captain in the service. She even gives him a name and oh, how this little fib escalates. Elated her stepmother has her write him and thus begins the charade. Each week she writes him and lord her letters brought tears to my eyes as I laughed aloud. Truthfully, I already know what is going to happen but the anticipation of watching all of itunfold has me going back for a second coffee date.
- Second date: *snickers* Madeline’s sweetheart sadly lost his life and died a hero. She mourned him and still wears grey. Her Uncle bequeathed her a property in Scotland and there she happily resides. She spends her days drawing, reading and maybe feeling a little guilty for the charade. That is until Captain MacKenzie shows up at her door in full uniform (a sexy kilt) along with his men. What ensued was delightful and Logan made my heart flutter. He has her letters and intends to see them married. Madeline’s response to her fictional sweetheart appearing was positively wonderful, well for me, she is quite flabbergasted! Perfectly paced with delicious banter, snark and sexual tension the pages practically read themselves. Secondary characters particularly Logan’s men added depth to the story and I was rather fond of a few of them.
- Third date: We really get to know both Madeline and Logan as they dance a tango filled with attraction, fears and humor. Dare has this wonderful gift for creating strong characters who are flawed and allows them to grow. Logan has issues stemming from his childhood, but his loyalty to his men and his treatment of Madeline made him a swoon-worthy hero. I loved the growth, and the slow building romance that developed. Their conversations had depth and I loved the bit about their “remember when”. Each time my heart dipped. Dare brought out the feels, added a little drama/suspense before concluding this date. She then gave us a little dessert providing readers with an epilogue that truly satisfied.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer