This was a very pleasant historical romance. The characters were well-drawn and interesting. Callie was innocent without being missish. As a spinster with not matrimonial prospects and a younger sister newly engaged to a Duke no less, Callie's disappointment with her life hits a peak. She was determined to change her life and makes a list of a number of things that she has not been able to do -- like "kiss someone passionately", She was a romantic and she believed in marrying for love. Callie has had a crush on Gabriel St. John, Marquess of Ralston, since he spoke to her kindly during her first season. Gabriel was a rake and a cynic who didn't believe in love at all. Being abandoned by his mother at age ten and watching his father die because of his love for her has convinced him that nothing good can come from falling in love. However, he needed someone of high breeding with impeccable manners to introduce his newly discovered half-sister to the ton. Since Callie needed Gabriel to help her cross off the items on her wishlist for her new freedoms, they struck a deal. There was nothing ground-breaking in this book. I have probably read 100 just like it. It was a light, cotton candy sort of book - sweet with no nutritional value. If you are looking for a fun historical romance to wile away a few hours, this is an excellent choice.
