ARC Review: There’s Something About Lady Mary by Sophie Barnes
Author: Sophie Barnes
Title: There’s Something About Lady Mary
Release: November 13, 2012
Series: Summersby #2
Reviewer: Mona Leigh
Source: Edelweiss/ HarperCollins Publishers/Avon Romance
Purchase:Mary Croyden lives a simple life . . . and she likes it. But when she inherits a title and a large sum of money, everything changes. Forced to navigate high society, Mary finds herself relying on the help of one man—Ryan Summersby. Determined not to lose her sense of self, she realizes that Ryan is the only person she can trust. But Mary’s hobbies are not exactly proper, and Ryan is starting to discover that this simple miss is not at all what he expected . . . but just might be exactly what he needs.
Sophie Barnes finally gets it right in There’s Something About Lady Mary. And I say that in a joyful way. Why? I read a ton of historical romance books, and until now, her books has left me frustrated with too many needless descriptions and flat characters. But in this offering, her writing has a definite shine.
Mary Croyden is a courageous young woman who dares to follow in her father’s footsteps by becoming a surgeon. Her father believes many deaths could have been prevented if only other surgeons would have washed their hands prior to operating. When her father dies on the battlefield, she continues his practice and his forward thinking way of doing things. She also inherits a title and an estate that she never knew existed.
Ryan Summersby comes from a family of spies and is used to subterfuge, but when he meets Mary and learns someone is after her father’s journals, all sorts of red flags begin to fly. Mary depends on him to help her, but she doesn’t tell him she’s a surgeon, because she knows what will happen – he’ll demand she stop practicing. And she’s right. He does.
Ryan is studying to become a surgeon, too, and what he learns from Mary is enough to change his mind about barring women from the practice. The two of them have great chemistry and when her life is threatened, Ryan goes into action. The only problem is, he doesn’t know who’s threatening her. By the time he figures it out, it’s almost too late.
Ms. Barnes gives us all the right components for a good story and delivers all the way to the end. Emotions and prejudice run high, but the tension stays taut all the way to the climax. Even the happy ever after feels right, and that’s why I’m joyful.
Please excuse my typos. LOL
That’s an interesting twist. I’m just now starting to enjoy the historical romance genre but the book works best for me if the women go against type. This sounds perfect.
Historical romance can be so completely addictive that it’s difficult to switch genres. I love fictional women who go against type, and I admire any writer who can pull it off successfully.
I loved Miss Rutherford, so I have to disagree with you there. Can’t wait to read this new series. I am waiting for the print versions. Thanks for the review!
I’m glad you liked Miss Rutherford. I think part of my problem with it may have come from sandwiching it between more established HR writers. I really appreciate Ms. Barnes’s writing efforts, and with each book, I see more polish and progress. Before long, I expect her to be one of my favorites.
I only started reading historical romance in the last couple of years, and I started with Kieran Kramer’s first book, When Harry Met Molly, and I was hooked. There are great writers who are established & have a lot of books out there,but I love the newer writers like Kieran & Sophie, too! I also love to read blogs like this to get idea’s for new books.
Thanks, Sharlene. You never know what you’re going to find here with us. LOL
We Dolls seem to have rather eclectic tastes. One day you may get a classic and the next an outrageous erotica.
Since the day Kitt, Noa, and Day adopted me, I’ve found some very interesting writers. I plan to expose my dirty little secrets in some upcoming columns and introduce everyone to them.
I also look forward to hearing about our readers secrets, too. Why keep them all to ourselves, right? ;-)