This is a classic Barbara Metzger romance. It has everything that I love about her: humor, likable main characters, secondary characters that steal the scenes, and new twists on an oft-used plot. Cristabel is naive, but not stupid and Kenley is definitely cynical, but not so much that he doesn't appreciate good when he sees it. Yes, it was a little far-fetched that Christabel didn't catch onto Mac's racket sooner, but it was fun to watch the occupants of the house go about their daily (and nightly) business all the while trying to keep her in the dark.
My one major issue with this story was the whole Captain Chase/Lord Winstoke identity thing. I don't think the story needed it to go as far as it did and it was really unnecessary. I just don't understand why he didn't tell her that he was Captain Chase. And while I am usually against people holding grudges for long, I think she really let him off the hook too easily at the end when she found out. However, they did wrap everything up quickly and moved onto their Happily Ever After.
I would rate this book a solid four stars. I can see myself reading it again next year and still being entertained by the witty dialogue. My all-time favorite Barbara Metzger is definitely Miss Lockharte's Letters which has a heroine that is pretty similar to Cristabel. But if you want a not-so-typical read that is very well-written then The Hourglass is my recommendation.
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