Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Cavanaughs #2
Publication Date: 4/30/19
Number of Pages: 384

Kit Cavanaugh first met Miss Sylvia Buckleberry (I love her name) in the first book of the series, The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh, and it was not an auspicious beginning for them. She treated him coldly and it seemed that she couldn’t wait to get away from him. So, while she intrigued him, he left his brother Rand’s wedding never expecting to see her again.

Kit spent some time with his older brother, Ryder, and his family and then left for Bristol where he is starting a yacht building business. He rented the perfect warehouse for building the yachts and all he had to do was to wait for the charity that was using the warehouse to vacate the premises. He wondered what sort of charity was using the warehouse.

The next day, an absolute force of nature in the guise of Miss Sylvia Buckleberry accosted Kit in his offices. She was quite different from the cold, aloof woman he met at Rand’s wedding. She demanded his help in relocating her charity school since he is the cause of them having to move. Kit had no idea it was a school he was dislocating and he was anxious to help with the relocation, the costs – whatever was needed. Sylvia couldn’t believe this was the same man whose reputation she had so much about before.

Kit and his partner, Wayland Cobworth, can hardly wait to begin work. Bristol’s shipbuilding industry is floundering since the invention of iron ships. Luckily for Kit and Wayland, that leaves the finest craftsmen available for hire. They are fortunate to put together a top-notch crew including a secretary that keeps it all together.

Kit and Sylvia spend more and more time together because of the school. Who knew that a charity school could have an enemy? But it does. Then again, who knew that a new business providing many jobs to an impoverished community would have enemies? But it does. Add to that – someone is watching Sylvia. Are they all related?

The road to romance is fairly smooth with each person coming to know and respect who the other really is. It is the danger to the school, the business, and Sylvia that moves the plot along. The mysteries are interesting and you won’t know who the villain is until the solution presents itself.

This is an excellently written book with interesting and compelling characters to whom you can totally relate. I really liked Kit who is not at all what his reputation makes him out to be. I also admired Sylvia who set a goal for her life and then went about making it happen. She’s quite an admirable heroine.

I definitely recommend this book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.