Working class Rafe Audley was absolutely perfect in Along Came a Lady, Christi Caldwell’s reverse Pygmalion tale!

Miss Edwina Dalrymple strolls into Rafe’s coal mining operation all sunshine and brightness looking for the man she’s going to transform and bring home to his father in London… her lightness creates the ultimate contrast to Rafe’s dark and brooding personality.

These two are so similar in many ways, but butt heads the whole time as they war over Edwina’s mission to get him to London. As they battle and then work together, they come around to see that there is so much more to the other than meets the eye!

This romance had everything I expect from a Christi Caldwell book- dark heroes, working class characters, gritty/ realistic historical settings and hot and passionate romance!

Sometimes a Pygmalion story can run flat for me- I’m not a fan of makeovers changing peoples’ lives- but this role reversal and the unravelling of truths that were always there was done so well. I absolutely loved how Rafe and Edwina come to see, accept and appreciate all of the facets of their own lives and of each others.

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell was released August 24th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkley Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#AlongCameALady #ChristiCaldwell #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

ALONG CAME A LADY is a fantastic reverse My Fair Lady retelling, where Edwina Dalrymple, an etiquette instructor well-known in society for her impeccable manners, and Rafe Audley, illegitimate son a Duke, are brought together when she’s hired to tame his wicked ways. Edwina has encountered every manner of unruly through her job as a teacher, but she’s certainly met her match with Rafe. He’s definitely her biggest challenge to date, and will either be her greatest accomplishment (he’s well and truly that terrible), or her greatest failure (he’s well and truly that terrible).

Filled with charm, wit, and incredible banter, this book had everything I love in a good historical romance. Rafe and Edwina made such a perfect couple and the chemistry between them was palpable from the start. There’s also quite a bit of mystery throughout, as each character has secrets they’re trying to protect, and I loved the little bit of tension those secrets brought to the story. There are also a few important themes thrown in, particularly where it pertains to gender roles, and also how society unfairly views those deemed of a “lesser” class.

Bottom line — ALONG CAME A LADY is a delightfully witty and humorous enemies-to-lovers Regency romance with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. I adored these characters and Caldwell’s writing so much, and I’ll definitely be picking up the prequel to this series very soon.

*Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the digital arc.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Give me *all* the working-class MCs & Christi Caldwell’s Along Came a Lady has a hero named Rafe Audley with coal-stained hands 😍.

He’s also the illegitimate son of a duke & when etiquette instructor Miss Edwina Dalrymple approaches him on behalf of his father, urging him to travel to London, undertake etiquette lessons, & be recognized in London society, he is quite firm in his refusal.

What’s a determined woman—who is also illegitimate, though she’s told no one—to do, except everything she can to convince him, thereby ensuring her own professional & personal safety?

Along Came a Lady has such great interplay between leads—a grumpy, scowling MC who’s reluctantly intrigued by the other & a relentlessly cheerful, gracious, & stubborn MC who doesn’t get sarcasm, which the first MC finds “endearing.” I’d also like to add that Rafe blushes, a fact which has my adoration.

The internal conflicts for both MCs are compellingly drawn & Caldwell makes it apparent that being illegitimate is a source of commonality between them & has also taken its toll on them in different ways.

The unique pressures facing women—the ability of rich men to be irresponsible or neglectful without facing the consequences, if they wish—is explored throughout the book & Rafe comes to his own realizations about that (though I did want it explored even more in regards to his mother).

This is a sweet story with some bite to it, a Pygmalion retelling with moments of fun & heartache.

4 ⭐️. Out now!

CW: Rafe hears his mother die in painful labor when he’s a child. Parental abandonment & parental denial. Shame from illegitimacy. Sexual harassment.

[ID: an ebook with the book cover showing rests on a book inside a basket on top of a white sweater & a floral duvet. Next to the ebook is a copy of an old postcard featuring a white woman holding a parasol & standing next to a tall white dog.]

Trying to right decades of wrongs

Rafe has hated his father for as long as he can remember, seeing his mother - the duke's mistress - suffer in silence while bearing his children, until she finally dies in childbirth. Years later when the duke tries to make up for the past, Rafe is slow to forgive, preferring to hang on to the anger that has fueled his entire life.

Edwina, her own scandalous past notwithstanding, is hired by Rafe's father and new stepmother as a tutor to not only polish Rafe's rough edges so he can assume his rightful place in Society, but she also has to convince him he wants to in the first place. No easy feat at all.

I loved the chemistry between these two, and how they brought out the best in each other. The plot moves along seamlessly with more than a few surprises, yet their eventual HEA was never in doubt. I loved getting to know Rafe's family and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

4 stars

This had a bit of an odd start, but once it got going this turned into an adorable historical romance.

Writing: ★★★★
Characters: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★

Edwina Dalrymple lives on the fringes of London society. The illegitimate daughter of an Earl who has no desire to claim her, she's made her living as an etiquette governess, one charged with teaching young charges the in's and out's of London's ton in order for them to make the best first impressions.

But when Edwina is hired by the Duke of Bentley to bring his illegitimate son, Rafe Audley, back into the London fold after being raised in the miner's community of the English countryside... Edwina realizes she might have bitten off more than she could chew.

Despite their similar life experiences as both being bastard-born, Rafe and Edwina have very different options on London's wealthy upper class and how it affects them.

Rafe Audley has no intention of leaving his life as a mining foreman and becoming a Duke's son. He's thirty-one and he's happy with his lot in life.

But Edwina can't let that stand—she's being paid a lot of money to secure his return to London society, and Edwina's future is at stake as her entire career is based on previous employer references.

Edwina needs to get him to London. Rafe swears that will never happen.

Cue the shenanigans.

I thought Along Came a Lady was cute, filled with commentary on birthrights and the hypocrisy of London's upper society, and surprisingly fun to read. Edwina and Rafe played the grouchy/sunshine trope to perfection and I loved all of their interactions. Would I read a sequel on them? YES!

My one caveat was that I thought the ending was a little abrupt... I wanted more of a conclusion/epilogue than the abrupt happy ending that we got. It was great, I just wanted to see them... enjoy that moment beyond the page. But overall, extremely cute and a great historical romance for fans of the genre.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Christi Caldwell launches her new series with a story that reeled me in and kept me entertained from start to finish. First of all there's the setup: duke discovers his deceased mistress gave birth to four children (his) and is determined to bring them (now adults) to London to take their rightful places in society, beginning with the oldest, Rafe. A gruff, broody, coalfield foreman, Rafe wants no part of the man he believes knew about them all along and only now wants to acknowledge them. Edwina is an accomplished governess/tutor who would give anything for the opportunity being handed to Rafe and needs the opportunity successful completion of this task will bring her. She's not about to let muddy coalfields, abrasive townspeople, or a scheming, grouchy man - even if he is gorgeous, surprisingly caring, and knows his way around a kitchen - derail her mission. Let the fun begin!

The sparks that these two set off could start a forest fire. I love the snappy banter, the unexpectedly sweet moments, the humor, and the battle of wills that ensue as these strong-willed characters go head to head. They both stretch, grow, and slowly unveil facets of their characters that are only brought out by the other. They are so much fun to watch evolve and grow closer together even though Edwina knows nothing can ever come of that closeness. Or can it?

Caldwell is so good at creating a sense of place. I had no trouble at all envisioning the atmosphere of the perilous, muddy coalfields (a definite Poldark vibe and, yes, I did happily envision Rafe as a deliciously gruff Aiden Turner through the entire book), the dark but lively village pub (Regency "karaoke" scene is *chef's kiss*), and the duke's grand mansion. Her vivid descriptions bring the reader into the scene, no longer an observer but a part of the actual story.

The sibling dynamic is also very realistic with each of the Audley siblings holding their own unique place in the family. I'm already invested in all of them and eager to read each of their stories.

My only quibble with the book (and it's small considering how much I enjoyed this story) is that the ending seemed a bit rushed, especially as it pertains to Edwina's family situation. That was such an important part of her character; I really wanted to see it given more attention. As for Rafe and Edwina, I was happily satisfied with the outcome of their relationship and am looking forward to following their progress as a couple through Rafe's siblings' stories.

It's worth noting that Caldwell has written a prequel novella to this series which tells the duke's story. It Had to Be the Duke is a heart-tugging, second-chance love story that can be read either before or after Along Came a Lady. I adored it.

4.5 stars

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Along Came a Lady is the first book in the All the Duke's Sins series by Christi Caldwell. A steamy slow-burn historical romance with an undeniable chemistry between the main characters. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down. I had to know what would happen next.

3.5 stars
Oh My, this had an interesting premise. A man and his siblings were disregarded as illegitimate for years only to finally have the Duke wish him to come to London as his heir. Does he wish to go, hell no. Does he want anything to do with the Duke, Double Hell No.

The Duke decides to send a governess to take his son in hand and make him ready for the Ton. She is smart, crafty, and thinks she will be able to make things happen, it is her way.

Let these two headstrong people meet and see what happens.

Welcome to my blog tour book review! Thank you to Netgalley for this e-galley.

Billed as a reverse My Fair Lady, Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell is a lovely just-released Regency Romance, the first in a new series. I haven’t read this author before, but I’ll definitely be following this series.

Rafe Audley is the illegitimate son of the Duke of Bentley. Since age thirteen, he has been raising his siblings alone, with no help from the man who sired him. Growing up in a coal-mining town, he went early into the mines and has risen to the respected position of foreman. Despite the dangers to himself and his younger brother, and despite the lack of opportunity for his sister, Rafe is proud of his accomplishments and has no wish to ever meet the father he despises.

Edwina Dalyrmple is the illegitimate daughter of an earl who acknowledged her once upon a time, but then cut her off in deference to his wife. Alone in the world, unable to take a place in “Polite Society,” Edwina embarks on a career as a governess-of-sorts to young women who have the opportunity to rise socially but need polish. If anything, Edwina knows the rules. She would give anything to regain her place in her father’s heart, but, in the meantime, she has to guard her reputation carefully and stay out of his sphere.

When the Duke of Bentley decides he wants to acknowledge Rafe’s existence, he hires Edwina to teach the coal miner how to behave properly, then bring him to London. Rafe, infuriated, is dead-set against it. However, Edwina will not take no for an answer. She’ll give him those lessons whether he wants them or not.

This is a fun story with surprising depth. While Rafe can be very rude and bullying, he also has a heart and turns contrite before losing the reader’s sympathy or Edwina’s. Edwina is an intelligent, feisty heroine whose reliance on perfect manners and sometimes forced good humor make her more than a match for Rafe’s scowling sulks. The sex scenes are steamy, which could seem a bit hypocritical given the protagonists’ judgey-ness of their respective parents’ extramarital indiscretions, but they recognize this. It leads to better understanding and self-awareness. These two belong together. They earn their HEA.

From the publisher:
Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of the Sinful Brides Series and the Heart of a Duke Series. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. She enjoys torturing her couples before they earn their well-deserved happily ever after. Originally from Southern Connecticut, Christi now resides in North Carolina, where she spends her time writing and being a mommy to an energetic little boy and mischievous twin girls who offer an endless source of story ideas. Learn more at christicaldwell.com.

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the complimentary digital copy of Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this emotional novel prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating.

Along Came a Lady is another well-written Regency romance with delightful characters and a heartfelt plot. The pacing pulled me in from the first page and held my attention to the last, and there’s no slow-down in the middle!

Edwina Dalrymple is the lovely heroine. She’d had to find a path professionally that will give her access to the ton as a woman who can train young debutantes to face the rigors of high society. Because of her illegitimacy, she carries a lot of shame and doesn’t believe she can fit in anywhere. I could feel her emotions and sympathized with her. I loved her grit and her never take no for an answer!

Rafe Audley is the hero, and his loyalty to his family won me over right away. He’s had to carve out a place of importance as a foreman in the coal mine. When his powerful father finds a way to circumvent his determination to never give in to the man who sired him and abandoned him and his sibling, my heart went out to him.

The romance between Edwina and Rafe is sweet and grows into what I believe is an abiding love. Another aspect of this romantic tale is the sexual tension between the pair. I love this in Regency romance. I truly wanted them to find their way to each other. This is difficult since both suffer from feelings of abandonment and find it nearly impossible to trust anyone. At least Rafe has his siblings who support and love him. Edwina has no one.

If you enjoy Regency romance with endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot, then you will love Along Came a Lady. Ms. Caldwell is an amazing author. I have yet to read one of her books that didn’t pull on my heartstrings. Happy reading!

Fractured familial relationships!

Orphaned, illegitimate children ignored and left to fend for themselves! Why does their father, the Duke of Bentley feel some eighteen years after their mother’s death, that he should bring them his children by his mistress the fold? As we are told in the first line, “Rafe Audley hated the Duke of Bentley.” It had fallen to him to protect and raise his siblings from the time he was thirteen. Life was harsh and requests for help from the child Rafe to their father had been deafeningly ignored. Now Rafe and his brother successfully lead a team of coal miners brokering wages and working conditions with the owners .
Imagine Rafe’s antipathy that years later the Duke wants to acknowledge them. This from a man they have never seen in all their lives. Rafe has continually refused to be involved and repudiated all the Duke’s efforts. He is scathingly angry and refuses to have anything to do with the man who left them to suffer, the man who threw them away. The man didn’t care if they lived or died.
Refusing to accept Rafe’s decision, the Duke changes tack and employs Edwina Dalrymple, the equivalent of a modern life style coach, who prepares young daughters from wealthy families and / or newly minted nobility to confidently run the gauntlet of polite society. When the Duke and Duchess approach her to bend her considerable abilities towards inducing Rafe to come to London, and to train him to be able to take his place in society, the thought of gaining a foot into the hitherto closed paths to even more elevated ton families finally persuades her.
Her stance with Rafe is often hilarious, and her final push is completely underhanded. I was both shocked and impressed by her campaign. Talk about an iron fist in a velvet glove!
The thing is Edwina has her own raft of secrets, and this position with the Duke will consolidate her reputation, bringing her larger plan to fruition. What Edwina didn’t plan on was the feelings she would have for the stubborn Rafe and his siblings.
An interesting switch on the governess / make over “preparing a young woman for society,” read lower class riff raff, type trope.
I was amused at times, floored at others. A very different and original plot!

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley

I haven’t read this author in years, but after reading this I really have to question my own judgement. She is a great writer!

This book starts out with our heroine, a governess who is the illegitimate daughter of an earl, and the daughter of a lady. However she is on her own, making her own life, making her own way, and she is, at present, being offered the chance of a lifetime. She is being asked to help a duke’s illegitimate son become worthy of the title. She is to give him lessons on the peerage and tutor him on anything necessary to survive London. As much as she wants to take them on as clients, because having tutored a duke’s son would be quite excellent for her business, for her reputation, and for her future…the only problem is that the duke’s son doesn’t want the title. Or the attention from his father. Or anything attached to his father’s name. Oh, and by the way, he’s a thirty year old coal miner.

Yeah.

So she decides to gather as much information as she can by staying in the rooms above the local pub for a few days before actually introducing herself. And when she does introduce herself, she nearly falls down a mine shaft. Rafe saves her, and sets her on her feet and tells her to leave. But what I loved about all of the scenes in his village is that they clearly show the fish out of water with her in her lovely dresses and lacy parasol, while everyone else is in working clothes, and well, working. But they never humiliate her, or make her feel bad. In fact, I am kind of reminded of the movie Legally Blonde. She’s definitely not one who fits in with the group, however, after the initial shock wears off everyone realizes she’s pretty awesome and a hard worker.

Rafe included.

So he bets her that she can’t last a week in the kitchen with his younger sister, and if she does, then he’ll go off to London with her. Not only does she do well, his siblings help convince him to go.

Rafe in London is definitely not what I expected. (I won’t spoil it). He’s mad at Edwina for a while, rightfully so, until he remembers that the two of them declared war early on, and just because he is starting to feel feelings for her, she was following the rules of engagement he threw down. I was wondering how the author would handle that particular part, and I was pleasantly surprised.

The ending was rushed a bit, in my opinion, and I didn’t love the way a certain scene went down, but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book by any means. I think this will be a fun re-read for a rainy day. Oh, and I do so love the duke and duchess. They, and Rafe’s siblings, have definitely intrigued me. I look forward to the next book in this series. In the meantime, I’ll be picking up more Christi Caldwell books.

***ARC courtesy of Berkley Romance

This is a story of two people who have much in common but whose differences or perceived differences in some instances keep them apart

✔️ I liked the “My Fair Lady” retelling storyline
✔️ I loved the Audley family dynamics - definitely not a perfect family but lot of love
✔️ the setting - that Rafe works at a coal mine gives this story a very unique setting

Book Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover rating : 💫💫💫
Smut rating : 💋💋💋
Netflix factor : 🎥 🎥 🎥 🎥

I love a book with fantastic character development. While Along Came a Lady has that in spades, I’m learning I feel very meh about books with characters who start off absolutely terrible.

Edwina is an infuriating character at the start – I found her to be self-involved, unaware of the realities of the world (despite her upbringing), and while stubbornness and determination can be great traits at times, she was something to behold at the beginning as she traipsed about a mine in slippers and a dress. I nearly couldn’t get past her pushiness and absolute disregard for her own safety and the safety of the mining staff.

Another theme I dislike is when characters think they’re saving others from some horrid life, just because they aren’t part of high society. Edwina felt very entitled at the beginning, and I was 100% on Rafe’s side of every argument for a fair chunk of the book.

That being said, both Edwina and Rafe grow so much, and this book is really driven by that development. I loved seeing how they forced each other to reflect and adjust and change to be better people (and not just for each other!). That moment when Edwina and Rafe finally start to communicate with each other and just understand one another better *chefs kiss*. It was just perfect seeing them open up, even just a little, and be vulnerable with one another.

Another thing I loved was how realistic each character was – their voices were entirely unique and characters fleshed out. Again, fantastic character development and growth. I do wish there were more quiet moments of communication and connection between the characters outside of them clashing (including the dynamic with the siblings and their father). The end was a bit rushed and I wish the characters had been given just a little more time to grow and breathe – it would have been perfect.

Overall, definitely a character driven book with a slow burn romance. I enjoyed it immensely after I got through the first quarter to a third of the book – Edwina at the beginning just was not my cup of tea. But the book surprised me in its depth and I’m curious to read the next book in this companion series to see how the other siblings find their HEA.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 2/5
Overall: 3/5

eARC gifted by Berkley and Penguin Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this grumpy/sunshine historical romance.

Rafe and Edwina couldn't be more different and that is what makes them such interesting characters. The witty banter and chemistry of this couple is off the charts. Their initial meeting is pure gold; it is hilarious and indicates right off that this is going to be an entertaining book.

I liked that there were also deeper issues to deal with relating to both Rafe and Edwina’s backgrounds. There were some difficult family issues in this book that were important to the story and gave it more depth.

This is an excellent start to a new series! Recommended to readers who like Bridgerton, witty banter, and grumpy heroes.

Along Came a Lady is Christi Caldwell’s debut with a major trade publisher, and I’m so excited for this new milestone in her career. While “tradpub = more legitimate” is a belief that is dying among readers, it is still the primary market for booksellers and libraries, so I’m excited for more people to discover her work within those markets.

And she definitely picked a strong story to start on, taking recognizable archetypes and tropes and injecting something fresh and very much in keeping with her style. Rafe is described as “brooding,” but I loved how his position in life and the way he was raised made him cynical in a realistic way, not to mention his hatred for the aristocracy being something I could very much empathize with, given the way he and his siblings were treated.

I really liked how Edwina, feeling the lifelong sting of rejection from her own aristo father and also being illegitimate, complemented Rafe in empathizing with what he went through, yet also wanting him to take advantage of the new opportunities he was being given, as she had long wished to be acknowledged as he had been. I loved seeing them clash over their varying worldviews (although it should be noted Edwina keeps her origins a secret from Rafe). It was a beautiful transition from a “business” relationship with an underlying romantic tension to coming to see kindred spirits in one another that connects them on a deeper level.

I like that Caldwell wasn’t afraid to explore the complexity of family relationships and justify that a negligent parent should work to earn their child’s forgiveness through actions, instead of it just being a given or doled out through financial compensation. She wrote a prequel where the Duke of Bentley reflects back on his actions with his children’s mother with regret (and him receiving support from his first love, who becomes his wife), leading to his intent to make it up to them, and while you could go into this one without reading that, I feel like that enhanced the reading experience. This also colors Edwina’s own experience with her biological family throughout the story, and I appreciate that that was there for a comparison/contrast.

This book was perfection, just the right balance of humorous and heartfelt. Longtime Christi Caldwell fans will adore this. And if you haven’t read her before, but love historical romance, you’ll also find a lot to love here.

I adored Rafe and Edwina's story! Rafe was a stubborn man and Edwina never gave up on trying to complete her "mission". I throughly enjoyed the ride that these two took me on!

Since his father, the rakish Duke of Bentley, abandoned him and his siblings, Rafe Audley has wanted nothing to do with him. His sole interest is to protect his two younger brothers and sister, who have been his responsibility since he was thirteen, and to care for the population of his small mining village. Rafe has successfully sent three of the duke’s emissaries fleeing, but the latest offering is a different breed: a bold and determined lady who’ll stop at nothing to see Rafe take his rightful place in society.

Edwina Dalrymple has an impeccable reputation as a successful governess to the daughters of the gentry, but success with the son of the duke will provide her the entrée into the aristocracy that she craves. It should also be one of her easier jobs, simply fetching an errant son home to London and polishing him up for presentation to society’s elite.

But Edwina’s determination is sorely tested by the stubborn Rafe, even as the animosity between them ignites into something more. Whatever the outcome of their lessons, it’s clear that their attraction cannot be denied.

Wow these two were an unlikely pair. I’ll be honest, at first all my sympathies fell with Rafe and I really didn’t care for Edwina. I completely agreed with him about her being pushy, inconsiderate, and insolent and I was put off by her superior air and the hypocrisy of her refusal to give Rafe any information about herself while expecting him to be forthright and open with her. Fortunately, Edwina did eventually realize these shortcomings in herself and Rafe recognized his own failings and the two were able to meet in the middle, both demonstrating a good deal of character growth and development.

This was quite a slow burn, with the two dancing around each other in heated encounters that always cooled too soon for much of the book. Of course, they were explosive when they did come together, but I wanted to see a bit more conversation and communication between them when they eventually realized their feelings. Since this didn’t happen for quite a while, we didn’t get enough of this for me to find the ending wholly satisfying and it felt a bit rushed to me. I wanted more of them together being open about their feelings without the interference of others, especially the meddling duke. I also wanted a bit more for Rafe as I felt he kept having to compromise and make changes, but no one really seemed to see what he’d been through on his own. I enjoyed the scene we got with him and the duke having a genuine, serious conversation, but this too was quite short and left me wanting a bit more. In the end, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I might based on the first quarter or so, the characters felt very real and fleshed out, and I look forward to the other siblings’ stories.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Christi Caldwell's books and this one was no different. From start to finish this book was fantastic. The characters are well developed and the story itself pulled me in right away.

Both Rafe and Edwina had me interested in their stories from the start. Together they were something else - I loved how they first met and their continued interactions kept things interesting. Of course, the story itself was great as well and seeing how these two characters were able to find their HEA made it a great book!

I'll definitely be picking up the next book in this series when it is available. I'm curious to see how things turn out for the rest of the Duke's children. If you're looking for a new HR series to start, grab this one. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Edwina Dalrymple is presented with a challenge she can't afford to turn down - travel to coal mining country and convince Duke Bentley's bastard son to come home to London and groom him to take his place in English High Society. Edwina has transformed several young women of the gentry for their coming out in society . . . A Duke's son will be a piece of cake, right? Rafe Audley refuses to acknowledge the father who never claimed or supported him and his siblings. As the eldest of four illegitimate children left alone to fend for themselves, Rafe has raised and cared for his brothers and sister the best way he could. Now a grown man, he neither needs nor wants anything from his father . . . not even his fortune. The Duke has sent several men to try to convince Rafe to meet with him to no avail. What makes him think a woman will succeed where others have failed? The story that unfolds is hilarious beginning with the opening scene with Edwina strolling through the mud mire of the mining camp in all her finery carrying a parasol through repeated battles of wit to a heart touching conclusion.

Along Came A Lady is funny, heartwarming historical romance at its best. The banter between these characters is hilarious and grows more so as the attraction between them becomes undeniable. Caldwell's characters are authentic and a joy to get to know. The setting swings between the muddy mire of a mining camp to the fine ballrooms of London and our hero and heroine fit equally well in both places. Readers know Edwina is hiding secrets of her own that she keeps hidden from Rafe less they destroy her, serving to drive the action at a steadily rising pace. This author has brilliantly rendered a delightful, yet heart touching romance that fans of historical romance will love. Highly recommended.