Her Officer and Gentleman by Karen Hawkins, Just Ask Reeves #2, Avon Historical, Rating: B

This is the sequel to HER MASTER AND COMMANDER. Christian Llevanth is doing his best to ensure the inheritance goes to him so that his brother's house for retired sailors will continue and propser. Also on his agenda is finding out who was behind the false imprisonment and falsifying documents that led to his mother's imprisonment. His clues lead him to Massingale House. The man he believes is responsible happens to send his daughter to London for a season despite her age of 25. Lady Elizabeth did not get a proper season due to deaths in the family.

Lady Elizabeth is an interesting heroine. Not your typical girl during her first season. She has no desire to marry and puts on an interesting act in order to deter various suitors who are clearly just after her for the large dowry her grandfather has provided. She is drawn despite her misgivings about his character and intentions to Christian. When she learns the truth about him suspecting her grandfather she even offers to help him, assuming of course her grandfather is innocent.

Christian Llevanth is having an easier time adjusting to his life as a Viscount after years of being Gentleman Jim, the highwayman. He sets his sights on Lady Elizabeth hoping to put his plot of vengeance against his mother's betrayer into action. He does not count on the fact that she's an endearing woman whose innocence he does not wish to tarnish.

The butler Reeves serves as a backdrop for this book as well. It is learned at the end that he will be leaving his post to publish a book on being a butler, using his experiences with the Llevanth's as a backdrop for said book. An enjoyable read, one that did actually leave me curious as to who the person was behind his mother's imprisonment until things started clicking together toward the end. I rate this one a B.

©Susan Falk and phantomroses.com