This is the second book I've read by Melissa Schroeder (the first being [b:The Accidental Countess|2208390|The Accidental Countess (Once Upon An Accident)|Melissa Schroeder|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41wcEOqDlfL._SL75_.jpg|2214166] -- book one in the Once Upon An Accident series). Thus far I've thoroughly enjoyed both, and I hope the rest of her books are as good as these two.This book has some of my favorite romance staples. First, we have an emotionally abused, spinster heroine, who has been told all her life that she's plain but with a little confidence (and some new dresses lol), quickly discovers that while she'll never be a ravishing beauty, she's quite lovely. Then we've got a notoriously hedonistic rake, who due to an abusive childhood, avoids marriage like the plague. In addition, our hero and heroine were friends before they became lovers, which is another concept that I typically enjoy in my romances, because it's always fun to see a man completely befuddled when he starts to notice that there's more to his female friend than he'd once assumed.
Both characters do play an important part in Book One of the series, so I would suggest reading them in order, though it's certainly not necessary.
I simply cannot wait for Book Three to come out (due out in December 2010) as it is to be Daniel and Anna's story :)
4 1/2 Stars
