Hello Stranger (The Ravenels, #4) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Jul 15, 2022 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3500-2022, audiobook, 2022-library-love-challenge, historical-romance, nc-br-digital-library, 2022-audiobook-challenge, group-read, 2022-beat-the-backlist-challenge

the setup…
Dr. Garrett Gibson is the only female doctor in England, having been educated and trained in France since women were banned from doing so in her home country. She was given an opportunity by Rhys Winterborne when he hired her to assist his doctor in providing medical services to his workers. It’s given her credibility and a successful career, though sometimes it means visiting some of the rougher areas of the city to see patients. For some time she’s had the feeling she’s being watched the setup…
Dr. Garrett Gibson is the only female doctor in England, having been educated and trained in France since women were banned from doing so in her home country. She was given an opportunity by Rhys Winterborne when he hired her to assist his doctor in providing medical services to his workers. It’s given her credibility and a successful career, though sometimes it means visiting some of the rougher areas of the city to see patients. For some time she’s had the feeling she’s being watched and one evening when three men try to assault her, the man who’s been following her shows his face and assists her in taking the attackers down. Ethan Ransom is an inspector with Scotland Yard’s secret service and he’s made it his mission to protect the beautiful doctor. But protecting her isn’t the only thing on his mind.

the heart of the story…
Ethan and Garrett had crossed paths in an earlier story so that spark of attraction began before this night. Both are very attractive people who are very skilled at what they do and the attraction is no wonder. I enjoyed their romance but the intrigue around Ethan’s paternity and his job are even more compelling. There’s a conspiracy afoot at the highest level in Scotland Yard that threatens the stability of the government and Ethan’s in the thick of unearthing the traitors. I liked this bit of mystery and suspense that eventually affects his relationship with Garrett and introduces him to the family ready to embrace him.

the narration…
Four books in and the narrator continues to be the voice of this series. She’s such a good storyteller no matter who’s front and center. I’ll be listening to the rest of the books as she delivers such great performances and heightens the reading experience.

the bottom line…
I enjoyed the story for the romance, mystery and suspense. Suspicions about Ethan’s paternity were hinted about earlier so it came as no surprise but his acceptance by his new family made the story more interesting. I also loved seeing Garrett’s skills being put to use as she adds to the cast of remarkable women in this series. It’s not a complicated story but I liked everything about it.

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Jul 16, 2022 Anita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I loved the historical elements; I loved the romance, and I really loved the suspense elements. This book ticked all my boxes for a wonderful Historical Romance.

As the only female physician in England Dr. Garrett Gibson has faced trials unlike any other woman at this time. But she found a champion in Mr. Winterboune who hired her and let her run her clinic that way she wanted to. The only thing missing from her life is someone to share it with.

Ethan Ransom has wanted Garrett from the moment he ...more

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Jul 14, 2022 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022, historical-romance

Ethan Ransom, a former detective with Scotland Yard, met Dr. Garrett Gibson over a year ago and has been fascinated by her ever since. When three soldiers attack Garrett while she is walking home, Ethan comes to her rescue. Garrett is the only female doctor in England. She is smart and independent; and she knows how to take care of herself. But when Ethan offers her instruction on street fighting, she agrees to let him teach her. Attraction blooms between them. Knowing that his latest mission ma ...more

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May 19, 2018 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: victorian, virgin-heroines, stem-heroine, historical-romance, original-occupations, covert-operative, physician

Hello Stranger
4 Stars

Note: This review reflects my reading experience prior to learning of the racism controversy surrounding the book. To be honest, this issue escaped my notice as the suspense plot and the potent chemistry between the leads grabbed my attention. In any case, for those who are interested, there is an interesting discussion of the matter in the comments section of SBTB's review

On to the review:

Garrett, the first female physician in England, is presented as an intelligent, resour Hello Stranger
4 Stars

Note: This review reflects my reading experience prior to learning of the racism controversy surrounding the book. To be honest, this issue escaped my notice as the suspense plot and the potent chemistry between the leads grabbed my attention. In any case, for those who are interested, there is an interesting discussion of the matter in the comments section of SBTB's review

On to the review:

Garrett, the first female physician in England, is presented as an intelligent, resourceful and independent woman. Many reviewers claim that her agency is undermined by Ethan's rescue and by her eagerness to marry and start a family. To me, these arguments are spurious. To begin with, it naive and unrealistic to believe that a woman (or a man) would be able to overpower three trained soldiers bent on rape - even Ethan has Garrett's help. Moreover, the view that woman are incapable of having successful careers and satisfying personal lives plays into the hands of misogynistic narratives concerning a woman's "place" in the world. Garrett's actions are, in fact, consistent with the idea that women can and should do whatever they choose to do - this is real feminism.

Ethan's backstory as an illegitimate Ravenel, and his history as a covert operative are very appealing. Unfortunately, neither story element is developed in a sufficiently cohesive manner. Rather, disjointed facts and comments are interspersed throughout the narrative, and, in retrospect, it is this lack of cohesion and nuance in the writing that results in the inappropriate use of "Orientalism" in his characterization.

The intrigues of the suspense plot and its heartwrenching consequences are the highlight of the book and turn it into a gripping page turner.

In sum, Hello Stranger is an entertaining read. However, Kleypas's focus on the accuracy of Garrett's portrayal comes at the expense of Ethan's, and the lack of awareness in her writing has had the unintended effect of alienating and angering readers. ...more

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Jul 18, 2022 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, series, audio-whispersync, buddy-read, love-hero, love-heroine, 2022-reading-challenges, romance

Hello Stranger is Dr. Garrett Gibson and Ethan Ransom’s story. We first met both characters in Marrying Winterborne; now, they are back with more intrigue. Ethan always had an air of mystery surrounding him since his introduction. He often does side jobs for Rhys Winterborne, like following his wife, Lady Helen, to keep her safe. He also shows up unexpectedly to follow Dr. Gibson when she is working in a shady London area. At other times, he is considered an assassin who may be working as a spy Hello Stranger is Dr. Garrett Gibson and Ethan Ransom’s story. We first met both characters in Marrying Winterborne; now, they are back with more intrigue. Ethan always had an air of mystery surrounding him since his introduction. He often does side jobs for Rhys Winterborne, like following his wife, Lady Helen, to keep her safe. He also shows up unexpectedly to follow Dr. Gibson when she is working in a shady London area. At other times, he is considered an assassin who may be working as a spy for or against England.

Dr. Garret Gibson has the unique distinction as the only female doctor in England. She had a hard time starting her practice because of the era’s prejudices until Winterborne hired her as one of his employees’ doctors. She often feels Ethan’s eyes on her when she is out seeing patients, but he always keeps his distance despite a mutual attraction.

I loved this story. I love the mystery surrounding Ethan Ransom’s heritage and his activities. I suspected what his backstory would reveal but learning it from his point of view was enjoyable and entertaining. He is a covert operative spying on people and activities. It isn’t clear if he is working for or against England. There is a good dose of suspense as we learn more about his spying and the people who want him dead.

Garrett is a wonderfully developed character. She is self-assured and determined. The chemistry between Garrett and Ethan jumps off the page. She is open to Ethan’s training her in self-defense, and Garrett is more than willing to do the training to keep Garrett safe in the seedier parts of London. I love her need to stay up-to-date with her medical practice. Garrett is willing to try new procedures when her patients require it. These are frowned upon by the male physicians, but she is confident in her research and abilities.

It seems like I change my mind with each new book in the series, but Hello Stranger is now my favorite book in this series. The story moves at a perfect pace with the right amount of romance, suspense, and character development. Each paragraph spurs the reader to continue to the next.

As I did with the previous books, I listened to the audiobook. Mary Jane Wells does an excellent job with her character voices, overall tone, and the interpretation of the events that all come together to add another level of enjoyment to a fantastic story.
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Mar 01, 2018 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-favorites, book-digital, lisa-kleypas, historical-romance, medical-doctors-science

Hermosa historia!!!

Siempre es un placer leer a Lisa, especialmente sus historias "románticas históricas". Pero éste libro es un doble placer más; primero porque su protagonista es una médica y segundo porque su inspiración son personajes reales y sucesos reales.

Dr Garrett Gibson ya aparece en libros anteriores de esta serie y es una especie de protegida de Mr Winterborne; una mujer médica en Inglaterra de 1876 es toda una novedad y la única mujer aceptada por la academia británica; personaj ...more

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Jul 02, 2019 Charlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: public-library, rated-not-reviewed, romance, victorian, historical-fiction, follow-this-series

Fictional first (and only) female physician meets dangerous undercover govt agent.

Kleypas writes good romance novels, with plot as well as intimate scenes [should you need to know beforehand]. I have enjoyed her books over the years. In this series, older characters from previous generations (i.e., earlier books) are also involved as parents of some of the characters.

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Apr 23, 2019 Mya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, romance, historical, great-leading-man, funny, audio-2500

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (Audiobook)
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
Series: The Ravenels book 4

5 Stars! - I loved this book more than I thought I would. Lately I have been reading too many “Modern women” in the historicals. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for a strong female lead, but I am becoming bored with the whole, “I don’t need marriage, I don’t want a relationship, I just want casual sex” attitude in historical novels. One of the main reasons I read historical romance is for all the rules. ...more

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