Stranger in my Arms

Stranger in my Arms by Lisa Kleypas (1998)

Pages: 344

ISBN: 038078145X

Description: Lara's had been an arranged marriage to a man who was cold and mostly absent, so when word reached Lady Hawksworth that her husband was lost at sea, she happily gave up her title and position and preceded to lead an exemplary life as a volunteer at the community orphanage. But suddenly - after over a year - Lara receives word that her husband is alive and on his way home. while Lara couldn't deny that the handsome man who appeared before her resembled her husband in many ways, and knew things that only he could know, the "new" Hunter was attentive and loving in ways he never had been before. Was it possible that her rake of a husband had reformed - or was Lara being seduced by a cunning stranger?

Review: From the beginning, its obvious that Lara and Hunter did not have a good marriage. He was heartless and uncaring and she was unattached. When she discovers that he perished in an accident at sea, she is more than happy to give the title away to someone else and live out her days as a widow. However, that was not too last. Suddenly, a man claiming to be her husband has returned and is more than willing to return to his marriage and especially marriage bed. However, Lara has other plans. She got a taste of freedom and often encourages Hunter to seek out other women. For the most part, I disliked this novel. The story was not that great and the characters even worse. There is nothing to like about Lara. She is cold, cruel, and selfish throughout most of the book. I think Kleypas was trying to redeem her by making her so interested in the orphanage. However, I think that made things worse. Lara appeared to be nothing but supervicial. I would recommend skipping this book. Most definitely not one of Kleypas' best works.

Score: 1.5 out of 5