On the whole I enjoyed reading the book but in contrast to "The Danger of Desire" by the same author, I wasn't as captivated by the story. It was nice but somehow the characters were lacking some depth and left me wanting, well, more. Just - more.

Oh, alright, not everything should be more, there's enough morality and censure around that make me definitely want for less. The problem is that the heroine is more or less characterized by her upbringing without any real clues to her being more than just nice and creative and woefully oppressed by her aunts. The hero is...well, he is nice and he has a good sense of business. One aunt is really nice and open and very warm while the others are just judging and berating our heroine.

The story is okay albeit somewhat foreseeable but on the whole nice. And despite my cry for "more", I was upset when the heroine was shamed by her aunts and I was furious when "we" realized that they had tricked her and lied to her over and over again. Somehow I don't see how that is morally acceptable but, well, they didn't ask me, did they?

This book is nice but it won't make it on my "Can-be-read-over-and-over-again"-list.

Miss Elspeth Otis is twenty four & her two aunts give her a lace cap for her birthday but then a battered old trunk is delivered along with a letter from her other Aunt Augusta in Edinburgh, The Murray Aunts refuse to bring the trunk into the cottage & Elspeth learns her Aunt Augusta has sent presents each birthday which she’s never received. So Elspeth returns to Edinburgh with the trunk. She is welcomed with open arms & learns the trunk contains some scrawled-upon foolscap sheets. Mr. Hamish Cathcart third son of an earl wants more than anything to avoid the hasty marriage to a brewer’s daughter his father, the earl, has arranged to revive his fortunes. Hamish’s only hope is his failing publishing company, whose only asset is a scandalously banned book by an infamous, but unfortunately deceased, author Mr John Otis. But when a new novel written by the same man lands on Hamish’s doorstep, delivered by a country miss, he is intrigued by her.
Another very enjoyable read from the author, whilst this is the third in the series it could very well be a standalone book. It’s a relatively short read slightly longer than a novella but shorter than a novel. The characters have depth & are well portrayed. Elspeth blossomed with her Aunt Augusta & Hamish as at last they appreciated her for herself. The plot is well paced but I found the ending a little rushed hence my four star rating. The attraction between Hamish & Elspeth is apparent from the start & steadily grows, no coup de foudre but a gentle straight forward falling in love.