ARC Review: A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

There aren't enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. Not only did I love this book, but I simply adored it. Tessa Dare has created a world full of characters that not only do I care about but I'm not ready to let go of. The chemistry between not only the hero and heroine but that of their friends was spectacular. I found myself unable to stop reading once I started. I loved both Kate and Samuel so much that I just had to see how things were going to turn out between the two of them.

I just simply loved Kate, she was such a great heroine. I love that she always perseveres and sees the good in others. Kate has had a tough lot in life but she doesn't let keep her down. She just keeps on smiling and figuring out ways to make things better. Yes, she does want love and affection and she wants nothing more that to find out about her origins, but she doesn't let that keep her down.

As for Samuel Thorn, oh my goodness but I love him. His feeling for Kate are genuine and he is in a constant struggle to keep his feelings in check when he is around her. When they were children, Samuel tried to keep Kate sheltered and safe from harm. He took her and sent her off to a school knowing that they would care for her and guide her better than he ever could. He never expected to see her again but imagine his surprise, when he shows up in Spindle Cove and she is living and working as the music instructor.

Samuel has spent the last year in Spindle Cove trying to stay away from Kate even though every fiber of his being wants to claim her and make her his. He finds her beautiful and kind and way too good for the likes of him. When the Grammercy's show up in town claiming to be Kate's long lost relatives, Samuel smells something fishy with their story and just doesn't trust them. In an effort to protect Kate, he steps forward and introduces himself as Kate's fiance'.

What starts out as temporary faux engagement is quickly becoming so much more between the two. Kate is seeing Samuel in a completely different light and she is beginning to realize that she may be falling for the man. He may come across has hard and fierce, but she sees something else all together. She sees a man that will do anything to protect the ones he cares about and a man that is afraid to accept love because he thinks he isn't good enough when it's the farthest thing from the truth. While Samuel is trying his hardest to keep Kate safe and at arms length, he knows he is in a loosing battle. The more they are around each other the more Samuel is realizing that he doesn't want to let her go.

Oh the relationship between these two was so emotional. I honestly felt the love between the two and when they were together it was simply perfect. Not only did these two have great chemistry, but they had smoldering passion and were head over heels for each other. Samuel has got to be one of my favorite heroes that I've read about in a while. I just love his devotion to Kate. The way we are able to see him grow throughout the book is amazing. I loved watching him go from this surly man who hates everyone to someone so head over heels in love. He truly deserved to get his HEA.

This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf and has definitely made my list of top books of 2012. I just can't get over how much I loved it.

**ARC copy provided by Edelweiss**

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