Review: Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Title: Dreaming of You
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Historical romance
Grade: A
Summary: She stood at danger’s threshold–
then love beckoned her in.
In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Feilding puts pen to paper to create
dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe
haven–and into Derek Craven’s dangerous world.
A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of
London’s most exclusive gambling house–a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously
wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding
into his world–with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here,
in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper “mouse” can be
transformed into a breathtaking enchantress–and a world-weary gambler can be shaken
to his cynical core by the power of passion. . .and the promise of love.
My Thoughts: Man, did I love this book. This is exactly what I want to find when I read a historical romance–well-drawn characters, sizzling passion, and an interesting premise.

For me, Sarah totally makes this book. I identified strongly with her, mostly because we’re the same age and I enjoy writing, too. And Sarah, unlike a lot of other heroines I’ve read, is capable of taking care of herself. I admired her quiet strength, and the fact that she really did show herself to be a lovely person. We didn’t need to be beaten over the head with her purity and sweetness and light.

Derek I liked, too. He’s had a lot of struggles, and he’s realizing that, like the song says, money can’t buy him love. I really like reading about heroes who are totally flummoxed by their feelings for the heroines, and that was Derek’s reaction.

My one quibble with the book was that I thought the evil other woman was a little over the top in her jealous craziness. Whereas most of the rest of the characters were drawn well and quite interesting, this woman rang a bit flat to me.

Other than that small detail, this was a very very well-drawn romance and I’m definitely going to be reading more Kleypas.