Love, Come to Me by Lisa Kleypas

Love, Come to Me is set in post-Civil War Concord -- about Heath and Lucy -- a Southerner who with grand plans and Lucy, a local girl he pulls out from a frozen river.

Lucy is engaged to be married and she's been waiting impatiently for her fiance, Daniel, to set the date.

As the story progresses, it becomes obvious that Lucy and Daniel are a mis-match. Lucy is far too spirited and lively for Daniel. Daniel tries to contain her passions while Heath encourages her to express them.

Heath and Lucy are forced to marry and they are slowly building a life together in Boston. Lucy's love for Daniel comes between her and Heath from time to time --

Eventually, their love and appreciation for each other blossom.

There's a lot of historical detail in this story and it sets the stage for the love story of Heath and Lucy. There's a lot of things going against them but they also have a lot going for them -- their passions and spirits are compatible.

I'm really glad that Lisa Kleypas has finally allowed her earlier works to be reprinted -- and I found it an interesting exercise to read an author's earlier works and be able to compare it to her later works.

This early on, Kleypas already has a good sense for character and drama. Her later works are more polished and better-edited.

But this one was a lovely read, as well.