The begging of the book was a bit slow and the main Characters didn't have any chemistry at all. . I liked the plot. Therefore the rating was a ☆☆☆☆. Thanks to Netgalley, for this free copy. My opinion is my own

Stephanie Laurens' The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is the first book in a new series and I can honestly say that I loved everything about this book! I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next!

THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH is the first instalment in Stephanie Laurens’ historical, romance THE CAVANAUGHS series. This is Lord Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, the younger half-brother of Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne (The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh), and Felicia Throgmorton’s story line. THE CAVANAUGHS is a spin off from the author’s Cynster / Cynster Sisters Duo where we met Ryder Cavanaugh and his wife Mary Cynster.


Told from several third person perspectives including Rand and Felicia THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH follows the building romance between Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, and Felicia Throgmorton. With the approach of Birmingham Exhibition only days away, Lord Randolph ‘Rand’ Cavanaugh sets out to check on Cavanaugh Investments current expenditure- an exclusive stake in the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage. All too aware of the potential for sabotage from competing firms, Rand takes notice of a new stranger who appears to have designs on Felicia Throgmorton, a stranger with the gift of an artist but secrets to hide. What ensues is the building romance between Felicia and Rand; the preparations for the upcoming Exhibition; and the potential fall-out as the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage is targeted.

The relationship between Rand and Felicia falls victim to a lack of palpable sexual attraction. The limited interaction between the couple squashes any chemistry that could have otherwise turned passionate and romantic leaving this reader neither intrigued nor interested in the couple’s growing love. The emotional build up is absent.

The Cavanaugh siblings play secondary and supporting characters including Christopher aka Kit, Eustacia aka Stacie, Godfrey and Ryder. We are introduced to Felicia’s brother William John, and Clive Mayhew, an artist who has found himself in a precarious situation.


THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH is a well-written but slow building story line that gets caught up in the historical and technical information of building a steam-powered engine. As our trio struggle to perfect their entry into the upcoming Exhibition, the story line follows a path of industrial and mechanical jargon rife with bits and parts, and steam-powered details that deviated from the growing relationship between our leading couple, as well as the build up towards sabotage and ruination. The building romance falls victim to the constant return to the mechanization of the steam-powered, horseless carriage; the conflict resolution was quick and anti-climactic.

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I found the beginning of this book very slow and annoying as the author spent a couple of pages just describing the hero’s journey to his destination. This journey had absolutely no relevance to the story and made no sense. It was difficult to get interested in the story after this point. There is also not enough romance in between the hero and heroine. I felt the book was more descriptive about the process of inventing rather than the romance. A disappointing read from the author who gave us the amazing Cynster series.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

As Ryder and Mary's story is one of my favorites, I was thrilled when Laurens put out more books about the Cavanaughs. This one was a little slow to start but I did enjoy the characters and all the engineering. As always Laurens draws me in and keeps me coming back.

Stephanie Laurens is the author who made me fall in love with historical romances. The Cynster series was my favourite series and getting the opportunity to review a new series by this amazing author was a dream come true. Unfortunately, I was left with feeling of disappointment with this book.
The chemistry between the main characters was sadly lacking and unbelievable. I hate an insta-love romance. While the characters individually were good, together, they lacked chemistry.
While I did not enjoy this book, it does not detract from my love of Ms Laurens works. I will certainly read other offerings and hope this was a once off failing.
There was also too much time and energy devoted to the description of the steam engines. If I wished to learn about steam engines, I would have read a manual.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
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The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh
by Stephanie Laurens

Its a buy book.
I need to start with the negative to be honest. It is not one of her superb books. However, it is a good read! I like her characters and the story. I just wanted a little less head hopping and a lot more action. That is what I felt let down in. Again though, this writer never lets her readers down. It is a read that keeps you reading and keeps your interest even with some of the confusion of the head hopping area. A strong story line with characters you can relate to. So , buy and sit and enjoy! I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley
Regards, Anna Swedenmom

This is the first book in a new series about the Cavanaugh siblings. This is the story of Randolph Cavanaugh. When his mom dies, Rand decides he needs to stop wasting time and get on with his life. He decides to pursue forming a consortium to invest in new mechanical ideas that can shape the future.
The steam powered horseless carriage is one of his investments. When he finds out the project is in trouble, he decides to stay and help get it on the road and to the Science Fair. This is when he meets Felicia, the sister of the inventor.
The story evolves from there mixing in a little bit of history, with romance and mystery and sabotage.
The book flowed nicely. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh has become a very successful backer of new inventions. He’s smart and can tell what will and won’t succeed. When he doesn’t hear from one of his inventors who is working on the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage he decides to stop by his home on the way to visit family. He learns that William Throgmorton has died, but his son, William John, is trying to finish the engine without much luck. Rand decides to stay and help as he has quite a lot of money invested in this. He is also attracted to Felicia Throgmorton and realizes she knows a lot about the engine also. The three of them work together on the engine as they are determined to attend the Birmingham Exhibition. Prince Albert will be judging the inventions. Felicia notices an artist in the area who wants to paint her home, but is that the only reason for him to be there? She later realizes he’s trying to keep them from attending the exhibition. They make it safely to Birmingham but someone at the exhibit tries to meddle with the engine. Does the Horseless Carriage win?

This is a romance so of course there is a love story. Rand and Felicia fall in love almost immediately and work together very well, which leads to marriage. One of his brothers is attracted to one of the bridesmaids who ignores him. Can’t wait for that story!

FINAL DECISION: I found the topic very interesting dealing with an invention of the combustion engine, but I thought the romance bland and the ultimate story line didn't have much consequence. I liked the characters, but the story didn't give them enough to delve into.

THE STORY: Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is determined to make something of himself through his investments. Traveling to Throgmorton Hall to see the status of an investment in an engine and finds that the inventor has died. The son has taken on the task of finishing the engine. The daughter, Felicia, has been keeping the family afloat for years and is not a fan of inventors' obsessions. With someone out to make sure that the invention fails, Rand and Felicia must work together to save all their fortunes.

OPINION: I really love the Cynster books and I loved the story of Rand's brother, but I couldn't love this one.

The characters were really nice and I liked them, but just about everything about the story failed them. Nothing was particularly interesting to me.

The romance was really bland and I never felt a connection between Rand and Felicia. There romance felt formulaic to me without any real spark between the characters. I ultimately liked how they related to one another, but I never felt that these two had the desperate passion between them that I would expect. The whole romance felt too left brain for me.

Then there was the story itself. The beginning felt like it would be dramatic and interesting and while the Victorian topic of engines was interesting, the story itself didn't feel compelling. The twists hinted at in the blurb ended up less intriguing that I supposed.

The entire book felt too cold and plotted for me and lacked the passion on all levels that I look for in Laurens' books.

WORTH MENTIONING: Ryder and Mary Cavanaugh make a significant appearance here.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DESIGNS OF LORD RANDOLPH CAVANAUGH is the first book in the Cavanaughs series. This book is connected to THE TAMING OF RYDER CAVANAUGH which tells the story of Rand's older brother.

STAR RATING: I give this book 2 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

In the throes of the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s inventors competed ferociously with each other to push the technology of the time to its available limits and beyond. Even more ferocious than the inventors were the investors, however, with fortunes made and lost by investing in the inventions which would power the future.

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is such an investor, and William John Throgmorton’s horseless carriage is, he hopes, the greatest invention yet. The only problem is that it isn’t ready, and now there might be a saboteur out to make sure it never will be. Riding herd on the inventor might be the only way it will ever be ready in time for an upcoming exhibition.

What Rand doesn’t count on is the inventor’s sister, the lovely Felicia, who has no love for inventions after her father devoted his life and the family fortunes to them. He has to win her over to his way of thinking, which quickly becomes a desire to win her heart as well.

I actually really enjoyed the romance between the two. It was a quiet growth of respect and admiration, and a recognition between two like-minded souls, rather than the insta-lust which is too often what is portrayed as love in romance novels. It was really well done.

The 19th century engineering detailed in the text was lovingly researched and accurately written; Ms Laurens has obviously done her research on early steam-powered engines. As a former engineer, I found it intriguing but I suspect that the average reader might find it quite dull, as there was a lot of talk about valves and pistons and pressure - which is about as interesting as a discussion of modern-day motor mechanics to most.

I can imagine that many might think the 1840s too early for a steam-powered vehicle to be traversing England’s roads, but I checked up and there were similar vehicles being successfully built and demonstrated from the 1820s onwards.

This is a beautifully written period romance with so much historical accuracy behind it, and some genuinely unique and intriguing characters. I hope other readers aren’t put off by the sheer amount of engineering included in the book; it really is an integral part of Felicia and Rand’s story. I loved this and I’m happy to give it five stars.

It took me a while to really get into this book. There’s a lot of work that’s gone into setting the stage for everything that takes place during this story. From the plight of the Throgmortons to the history of the Cavanaughs to the ‘corporate’ espionage that makes up the intrigue we’ve come to expect from a Stephanie Laurens title, there’s quite a lot to set up for. I enjoyed this book, though to me, it didn’t really get rolling until I was about half way into it. A great deal of time was spent focusing on the details of the invention that I don’t think needed to be that detailed. Most of us reading this book aren’t going to appreciate the nuances of the different valves and pistons and drive shafts involved in assembling it. I especially enjoyed watching the relationship between Rand and Felicia develop. Obviously, there was instant attraction between the pair, but the relationship itself was a sweet, slow progression that felt very organic. I loved that Felicia was bright, intelligent, and capable, but wasn’t the usual sort of ‘managing female’ that often populates regency fiction. Rand, while being scarred by past events in his family, was still open to possibilities. He doesn’t have any great personal demons to vanquish which made this a tender, light-hearted romance. I adored the ending and look forward to seeing how Kit’s story plays out.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

2.5 Stars

I debated on how to rate this as there are pros and cons I felt on the book. It’s been a while since I last read Stephanie Laurens and her Cynsters (I really need to catch up on those) so I was excited to read her new series that set in the Cynsters universe. Only it turned out not as I expected and not totally in a good way.

One of the things I like about this book is the heroine’s smartness and take charge nature. In an era when female still considered second-class citizens, Felicia’s adroitness - not only in taking over household management but later on involved in the process of ameliorating the invention - were rather refreshing; she wasn’t the typical lady of society. The love interest was also more than a wealthy, handsome young lord. He was independent, quick-witted, and shrewd in his dealing with inventions and inventors; not only that, he’s quite adept in giving hand to his financed inventors if necessary. That saying, the sparks between Rand and Felicia felt tame to this reader that the escalation to them practically married bar the ceremony didn’t sound convincing.

Moving on to what galled me. After the prologue where the to-be-villains identity seemingly being disguised, the revelation quite early in the story - and without ceremony at that - was rather disappointing. Here I thought, it would lend the cloak and dagger aura to the story; instead, they added the meh factor to it.

The other part that had me gritted my teeth was the switch of POVs. The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is a multiple POVs in a third person account. Normally, I don’t have issue with this kind of storytelling. Heck, I’m one of those up-for-anything readers really. But the change of POVs between Rand and Felicia (and between the villains) were quite rampant and could happen every other paragraph, I found myself at times lost as to who’s telling what.

In a nutshell, while I cheer for the MCs personalities, I was unimpressed with other aspects of the story. It’s disappointing as this is the first entry in a series and after this I’m not sure if I’d be jonesing for the rest of the installments. What a bummer.


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ryder Cavanaugh’s step-siblings are determined to make their own marks in London society.
Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is loyal and devoted but only to family. To the rest of the world he’s aloof and untouchable, a respected and driven entrepreneur. Rand yearns for more in life & is on his way to visit Ryder & Mary when he makes a detour to review a recent investment as the letters from William Throgmartin have dried up, he discovers a passionate woman who will challenge his ruthless self-control. Felicia Throgmorton intends to keep her family afloat. For decades, her father was consumed by his inventions and now, months after his death, with their finances in ruins, her brother, William John insists on continuing their father’s tinkering. Felicia is desperate to hold together what’s left of the estate. Rand arrives at Throgmorton Hall to discover the invention on which he’s staked his reputation has exploded, the inventor is not who he expected, and a fiercely intelligent woman now holds the key to his future success.
I love the author’s books & this didn’t disappoint, this was a straight forward story of two people meeting & whilst there was attraction they came to like, respect & finally love each other. No one was trying to separate them or sully their romance. It was a lovely love story, the kiss on the terrace was toe curlingly hot & showed that a well written kiss could far more sensuous than pages of sex as it was full of emotion. The story also revolved around the horseless carriage & a saboteur, this also had me gripped but it was the romance that made this a lovely book. I look forward to Kit’s story which was ‘set up’ in the epilogue

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

What a wonderfully, delightfully different take on a historical romance. It was such a refreshing change that I felt like starting at the beginning and reading it all over again. What, you might ask, is so different? Well, the romance itself. Rand and Felicia had never met – they didn’t hate each other, they weren’t childhood friends who had become enemies. There wasn’t a malevolent family member trying to do either of them harm. They were both warm and loving toward their families. Neither had any deep, dark secrets that they were in constant angst about. What wasn’t to love about it? Their relationship grew in trust, respect, honesty, and love over a period of time. They made a commitment to each other and vowed that nothing would deter them from that commitment no matter what happened with the things that were going on around them – and they stuck to that commitment. They looked toward the future and worked together through the obstacles that were put in their way.

It was lovely to see Ryder Cavanaugh’s brothers and sister all grown up and getting their own series. Ryder was paired with Mary Cynster in about book 20 or so of the Cynster novels – The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh. Rand, our hero in this novel, was actually Mary’s target husband in that book. Isn’t it lucky for us that Ryder won the lovely lady Mary instead? Now, all of Ryder’s brothers and his sister want the kind of love and marriage Ryder found with Mary.

Randolph Cavanaugh has been working hard to make a name for himself other than being a Cavanaugh and brother to a Marquess. He has a gift for financial management and investment and worked with Gabriel Cynster for several years while he learned the ropes. Now, he has his own investment firm – Cavanaugh Investments – and he’s doing very well. However, his latest investment seems to have hit a snag and he needs to check on it – since he’s in the area anyway. When he arrives unannounced, he discovers that his inventor has died and his son has taken over the project. The son is a capable inventor, but he’s run into some problems and the boiler has exploded. Ryder knows his reputation is riding on the successful completion of this invention and decides to stay around and manage the project himself. Of course, the inventor’s lovely sister, Felicity, wouldn’t be too hard to put up with either.

Felicia Throgmorton’s jaw drops when she learns that her brother William John has deceived Lord Randolph and that she has been, unknowingly, benefitting from that deception. She readily accepts Lord Randolph into their home and encourages him and her brother. Then, she discovers a long-forgotten affinity for inventing in herself and can sometimes help William John and Rand.

Then, you have the villain – and a wily dude he is – sort of – sometimes you just have to be careful who you hire. He wants nothing more than to sabotage the invention and assure it fails miserably. Rand and Felicia have to help work out the problems with the invention and thwart the villain all while they are very busily falling in love.

This book holds the first ‘form of address’ error I ever remember catching in a Stephanie Laurens book. Since this was an ARC, that may have been caught and addressed prior to the actual publication. She constantly addressed Rand as Lord Cavanaugh – and she even addressed his brother Kit as Lord Cavanaugh in the epilogue. Rand should have been Lord Randolph and Kit would have been Lord Christopher – or both could have been simply addressed (by close friends & relatives) as Cavanaugh, but that would have been confusing with three brothers who could have all been called that.

There was a lovely set-up for the next book contained in the epilogue. I can’t wait to read that one with Kit and Sylvia Buckleberry (don’t you just love that name?).

Delightful prose populates this book from beginning to end. Stephanie Laurens is in a class of her own when it comes to a lovely turn of phrase. I’ll give you a quote here, but remember this is an ARC, so the quote may have been altered or deleted by publication.

“He was beyond grateful he’d found her – the right wife, the perfect helpmate, the partner-in-life he hadn’t had the faintest inkling could exist, much less that such an intelligent, independent lady was the bride he’d instinctively, if unknowingly, been searching for – the one lady in the whole world he needed to complete his life.”

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a wonderful romance.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh aka Rand, the younger half-brother of Ryder Cavanaugh, Marquess of Raventhorne has carved out a life for himself as an investor. He is currently on his way to see William Throgmorton, an inventor with a project due in less than a month, whom he has not heard from in months. Throgmorton's invention is the Throgmorton Steam-Powered Horseless Carriage. As the exhibition at Birimingham is going to be attended by Prince Albert, Rand wants to make sure the project is on schedule and ready for presentation - he has a lot invested in this venture and will do whatever is necessary to ensure Throgmorton's success.

He arrives at Throgmorton Hall just as a loud explosion sounds, followed by the members of the house filing out and smoke escaping the opened door. He immediately offers his assistance to an older woman coming down the stairs, he settles the woman and then sees a young man being led from the house by an enraged young woman. A woman that makes Rand look twice...

Miss Felicia Throgmorton is not a fan of inventors, she has seen the carnage their obsession can produce and wants no part of it! When the explosion shakes the house, she immediately gets her staff and Cousin Flora out and then gets her brother, William John out. On the lawn she notices a stranger - a very handsome stranger with Flora. The man introduces himself and she sees her brother go pale. Rand asks to speak to their father and learns that he passed away months ago.

Concerned about his investment, Rand decides to stay for a few days and work with William John. He is attracted to Felicia, but has no time for a romance, this project is and will remain his first priority. But that doesn't stop him from getting to know her a bit better. For her part, Felicia is shocked and angered by her brother's deceit regarding the funds he received for the invention - Felicia now realized how imperative it is that the engine is a success. She grudgingly offers her assistance and is soon pulled into the thrill of the invention process.

But there are those that are not as excited at the prospect of Throgmorton's success, who will do whatever is necessary to see the engine fail. Rand and Felicia will grow closer as they work together with her brother and each other to ensure the engine is ready for the exhibit and to thwart any attempts at sabotage. Along the way, they will find a love that neither was looking for, but soon realize has been exactly what was missing in their lives.

This book is classic Stephanie Laurens, it has all her signature elements, a strong, intelligent hero paired with an equally intelligent heroine, steamish love scenes, a dash of danger, a bit of intrigue, a soulmate type bond, a twist that changes everything and a wonderful cast of secondary characters. The book is a little wordy, but I kept turning pages to see what was going to happen next! I was fascinated by the invention process and I actually felt a little sorry for the villain. The epilogue perfectly set up the next book in the series without taking anything away from Felicia and Rand.

I happily recommend this book and am looking forward to Kit's story!

The Cynster Sisters Duo, book 2, introduced us to Ryder Cavanaugh and his family. Ryder married Miss Mary Cynster and was folded into the Cynster family. As a follow up to The Taming of Ryder Cavanaugh we are given the Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh which is about brother number 2.
Randolph has moved on with his life and began a career as an investment manager, specializing in invention. His investment group has given funds to William Throgmorton. Throgmorton is working on a horseless steam powered carriage. Haven't not received a report in months, Randolph stops by the Throgmorton estate on his way to visit Ryder and Mary. There he finds William has dies months ago and his son is doing his best to finish the invention.
Randolph decides to stay and help as he and his clients have a large investment in the invention and the carriage being present at the invention expo on time. While at the estate, Randolph falls for Miss Felicity Throgmorton the sister of William John.
No Stephanie Laurens novel is complete though with out a villain who can be redeemed and possibly star in a future novel, so enters Mayhew. Mayhew's uncle, a rival investment manager, will cover Mayhew's considerable debt if he will sabotage the horseless carriage. Mayhew has the soul of an artist and in the end he is too honest to do his uncle's bidding. That does not stop his uncle from trying to upset Cavanaugh's plans.
Of course everything comes out alright in the end.

Publisher's Description:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a new series that captures the simmering desires and intrigues of early Victorians as only she can. Ryder Cavanaugh’s stepsiblings are determined to make their own marks in London society. Seeking fortune and passion, THE CAVANAUGHS will delight readers with their bold exploits.

An independent nobleman

Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is loyal and devoted—but only to family. To the rest of the world, he’s aloof and untouchable, a respected and driven entrepreneur. But Rand yearns for more in life, and when he travels to Buckinghamshire to review a recent investment, he discovers a passionate woman who will challenge his rigid self-control…

A determined lady

Felicia Throgmorton intends to keep her family afloat. For decades, her father was consumed by his inventions and now, months after his death, with their finances in ruins, her brother insists on continuing their father’s tinkering. Felicia is desperate to hold together what’s left of the estate. Then she discovers she must help persuade their latest investor that her father’s follies are a risk worth taking…

Together—the perfect team

Rand arrives at Throgmorton Hall to discover the invention on which he’s staked his reputation has exploded, the inventor is not who he expected and a fiercely intelligent woman now holds the key to his future success. But unflinching courage in the face of dismaying hurdles is a trait they share, and Rand and Felicia are forced to act together against ruthless foes to protect everything they hold dear.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this newest book by Stephanie Laurens.
I have read her work before and have always found her books engaging.
In this one we have an absent minded inventor, his charming sister and a staff who pretty much ignores the occasional blasts.
Lord Randolph Cavanaugh is an entrepreneur who invests his money in inventions. He has come to Throgmorton Hall to review his most recent investment.
Felicia Throgmorton is the deceased inventor's daughter and the sister of the son who is carrying on with the job.
There is an almost immediate attraction between Rand and Felicia.
There is a hint of mystery in this book with the introduction of a saboteur. There is someone who intends this invention not to succeed.
Will the saboteur be the winner in this scenario or will this unlikely trip succeed in carrying through with the introduction of the invention?
Will Felicia's attraction to Rand and his to her be the start of a lasting love and lead to marriage?
I gave this lively romp 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 2 of 5 flames. In respect of intimacy this is a sweet as far as sensuality.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher to read and review.This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Stephanie Lauren’s knows how to write a historic romance, the many Cynster successes are clear proof of that. In this offering Laurens has Rand finding his match. We get the romance, strong character development and bit of intrigue you’ve come to expect from Ms. Laurens. While this one isn’t my favorite by her, it's a solid read her fans will easily appreciate.

I received an ARC of this book, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh showcases the unique ability of Stephanie Laurens to provide her reader with a variety of writing styles. Designs gives us a well-paced romance allowing our couple to spend time together learning from each other. Rand is working at making his own life out from under the family name. He is half brother to the Ryder, the Marquess of Raventhorne. Rand brings together investors and works at being successful. One of his future successes is the engine being built by William Throgmorton.

When he gets the Throgmorton Hall and meets the two adult children of the, unknown to him, deceased Throgmorton, he realizes he might want to stick around to see his success come to fruition. The exhibition in which the engine is to feature is coming quickly. William John, Throgmorton’s son, is just as capable as his father to complete the engine. Felicia becomes a help in unexpected ways and wins Rand’s admiration in the process.

The person sent to keep the engine from appearing at the exhibition is a talented artist who truly loves what he does, but has found himself in debt and seems to have lost his way. Clive Mayhew uses his artistic talent of sketching the family estate to get close to the engine without anyone being aware so he can sabotage it.

Although this story took place over a two week time period, Ms. Laurens writes in such a way that you believe our sweet couple has had all the time in the world to get to know each other. Their dedication to each other is heartfelt. Oh a side note, I was pleased and a bit surprised with the ending of the book in regards to Clive. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to the future installments.