I quite enjoyed this, though I feel it did not make the most of an angsty set-up. I definitely laughed out loud a number of times, and felt this was interesting and unique, maybe because it’s a bit “old-school” in that it was written in the 1990s. This couple is in harmony from the moment they meet and it’s really the comedy of errors that moves the plot along more than the romance, which feels a bit like an afterthought at times. I liked Lydia’s dash of insecurity but it was rather minor considering the amount of abuse she experienced. And while her growth as a person is believable and genuine, I felt like her self-confidence regarding their relationship seemed kinda random, given that it’s been a marriage of convenience since the star, he’s treated her completely platonically except for boning her a couple of times before they get to his home, she sees him spend time with a beautiful woman while simultaneously ignoring her, and she is literally ruminating on her own lack of appeal right before she abruptly decides he will love her and she’ll fight for him? Again, just really a missed opportunity for angst and groveling (there is none of that in this sweet, lighthearted tale).

One other minor quibble, I wish the inner monologues, of which there were many, were in italics. It was occasionally confusing for there to suddenly be first person narrative. (3.5 stars) ( )

I liked this book. I've been reading a number of the older Carla Kelly books and this is one of the better ones. There are some pieces that didn't feel too authentic to me but overall it fell like a real historic period. The characters were interesting and the prose was good. I liked Lydia but I really liked Major Sam Reed who cared for his men. ( )

Some sweet moments between the hero and the heroine, and funny at times. I liked how vulnerable Sam was. Probably my favorite of the Carla Kelly books I've read (though the genre/author are not particularly my favorites). ( )

First book of Carla Kelly's that I read and I love it. Have read two more of her books and I have not been let down by her characters nor their stories. ( )

It all began as a somewhat innocent diversion during the seige of Badajoz. The inventive, adventurous, brash artillery officer Samuel Reed wanted to get his widowed mother off his back about coming home to marry and take up his responsibilities at home. He also wanted to access his aunt's wealth to begin restoring his estate from afar. So he and his buddies invented a drum-following bride, Delicious (Della for short). The gag took on a life of its own when one of his light-hearted lieutenants began a monthly correspondence with his mother & aunt as Della.

Three years later Major Sam Reed finds himself back in England, seriously wounded and single. He needs a wife before he returns home or he will have to confess and risk losing the income needed to restore his estate (and perhaps have to pay back all that has previously used). Enter meek, compassionate, intelligent, lovely Miss Lydia Perkins. After a sweet series of interchanges which establish their rightness for each other in the hero's and readers' minds events culminate in their marriage. Most of the rest of the book is a road trip honeymoon as the couple bond together and each grows through the loving intervention of the other.

The bonds the couple has formed are tested to the limit when they reach their destination and Lydia must find the courage to make a very risky decision which could have catastrophic consequences. Sam, for his part, must reach deep to honor decisions she makes in his/their best interest.

I have had difficulty letting this lovely story go. I would love to see it back in print. ( )