Louisa Bell has been singing in a saloon for years, but she knows that a career based on her vivacious good looks won’t last forever. When she learns that her scapegrace brother Bradley is in trouble again, this time with his army superiors, she heads to Fort Reno to try to help. When Major Adams, a widower trying to raise two spirited daughters, mistakes her for the governess who is supposed to be en route, Louisa goes along with the deception. Over the next months, she struggles to keep up with the girls’ studies and to contain her burgeoning feelings for Major Adams. In the end, the truth must come out–but will the gentlemanly major be scandalized to learn that he’s fallen for a dance hall girl and not a proper governess?
This charming story made me burst out laughing in several places. Major Adams, although a competent military man, is out of his depth trying to manage the irrepressible Louisa. When he mistakes Louisa’s brother Bradley for her beau, his jealousy leads to all sorts of antics. We also meet handsome Jack Hennessy, the Major’s loyal wingman and the hero of his own book in The Lieutenant’s Bargain (Fort Reno #2). All in all, this was a delightful read. Recommended.
Rosanne E. Lortz 