Desires of a Perfect Lady is no typical historical romance set in ballrooms in Bath or London. Instead our heroine, Lady Olivia Rathbourne, is sent on a quest to gather some artifacts which her late husband had always wanted in his collection. But Olivia isn’t alone - her childhood love, the Earl of Wyldewood, feels responsibility for her and tags along.

Danger doesn't threaten for more than one or two moments, despite the complex travels of our hero and heroine. Author Victoria Alexander focuses much more on the troubled past between Olivia and Sterling (yet another chap called Sterling in a historical romance; I’m not sure that was ever actually a name for men at that time) as they try to overcome their respective disappointments with each other.

Although aspects of the plot rather stretch credulity, Desires of a Perfect Lady is overall an enjoyable read.