Review & Giveaway: Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

HELLO STRANGER
Series: The Ravenels #4
Genre: Historical Romance 
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Release Date: February 27, 2018

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas delivers a scintillating tale of an unconventional beauty who finds passion with the spy who can’t resist her

A woman who defies her time

Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.

A man who breaks every rule

As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett’s skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he’s ever known.

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This woman owned the sum of him, his tenderness and violence, everything good or bad.

All.
Of.
The.
Swoons.
*dreamy sigh*

I am not typically a reader that enjoys the instant connection and road to love that was shared between Garrett and Ransom, but boy did it ever work for me here. I can’t even tell you why. I think it was a combination of several things, starting from wonderfully crafted and multilayered characters and ending with an engaging story and swoony romance. Whatever the case may be, I simply adored this book. ADORED IT.

Lisa Kleypas is almost always a guaranteed winner for me, and Hello Stranger definitely delivered on all sides.

Dr. Garrett Gibson is not your typical historical heroine. (side note: I love that she was loosely based on an actual person). This is a woman that’s not satisfied being the status quo. A brilliant doctor, her practice and career has always been her prime concern. She doesn’t want to be an accessory for a husband to be put away on a shelf when she’s no longer needed. But the last man she expects to draw her interest is the enigma that is Ethan Ransom.

Have I made you uncomfortable? I beg your pardon.”
Ransom lifted his head to reveal eyes glinting with laughter. “Not at all. It’s just that I’ve never heard a lady talk as you do.”
“As I told you . . . I’m not a lady.”

I love how these two characters balance each other out. Ethan is fiercely protective of Garrett, but Garrett can also hold her own like no other lady. They couldn’t be more wrong for each other. With his current dangerous mission, Ethan’s days are numbered. He knows he can’t offer Garrett the forever that she rightfully deserves. But Garrett knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to go after it.

There had always been a cold streak in him, but he couldn’t seem to find it now, when he needed it most. He was breaking apart inside. He would never be the same after this. “Christ, you’ve ruined me,” he whispered.

Admittedly it took a little bit to fully get into the swing of things for me, but by 30%, I was completely riveted to the pages. The romance was equally swoony and heart achingly emotional. It was perfectly written and I couldn’t get enough of these two. It’s so charming to see a man as ruthless as Ransom brought to his knees by Garrett and showing his sweet side. And boy did this man have a sweet side. GAH!

A queen, you are,” he said softly. “I could travel the world the rest of my life, and not find another woman with half your ways.”.

Hello Stranger was an incredibly satisfying romance that was as swoony as it was gripping. It tugged at every single heart string I had, and I absolutely adored the fierce connection shared between these characters. Yet another winner from one of my favorite go-to authors, and I’m already craving more. I’m hoping West’s story is next because I was super intrigued by the little of him that we got in this book.

GERI’S REVIEW

“She was sunlight and steel, spun into a substance he’d never encountered before.”

One of the things I love Lisa Kleypas’ books is how vividly written her characters are especially her heroines. In Hello, Stranger, we see Garrett Gibson, the first female physician in England and Ethan Ransom, former detective of the Scotland Yard and current spy fall in love. It was glorious.

I liked their banter and how their relationship progressed. Garrett was intrigued by Ransom but was also suspicious about where his loyalties lie. Ransom for his part can’t help but be attracted to the doctor but because of the nature of his job, he felt that he can’t give Garrett what she needs. But they’re drawn to each other and even with the risks involved, a romance developed between them.

I simply adored Garrett’s character. If you follow Lisa Kleypas on social media or have read Devil in Winter, then you know that Garrett was inspired by a real living female doctor in Victorian England. Garrett was such an interesting heroine. Yes, she’s strong but she also shows vulnerability and isn’t afraid of showing it.

Ethan Ransom was a good Lisa Kleypas hero but not really an exciting despite the fact that he’s a spy. He’s definitely not my fave Kleypas hero. As much as I love how he’s all in with Garrett, I find some of his background problematic and convenient. I could do without the orientalism bit which may not bother some people but it’s definitely there. What I’m saying is, I wish his characterization is a lot deeper than what we got and less problematic. Other than that, he and Garrett are perfect together.

Hello, Stranger is another solid entry to Ms. Kleypas’ Ravenels Series. And speaking of Ravenels, I’m so happy we get to spend more time with West before his book comes out. I already adored his character. I can’t wait!

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas graduated from Wellesley College with a political science degree. She is a RITA award winning author of both historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction. Her novels are published in fourteen different languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband Gregory and their two children.

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