Lily Lawson lives a life of scandal and excitement, inflaming the passions of the men she meets and the jealousy of their wives. She seems to be everything a wealthy London gentleman wants in a mistress: beauty, a zest for life, a true gaming spirit, and a body that fills their heads with very naughty thoughts. But Lily quite mysteriously refuses to pursue anything other than a platonic relationship with any of them. Disowned by her family, she nevertheless jumps in to protect her younger sister from the attentions of a darkly dangerous man.
Alex Raiford is in search of a very proper, very well-bred, very boring young woman. Although he is committed to getting married, he feels no attraction for Penelope, a quiet woman who is absolutely terrified of him. He does, however, feel very strongly about her sister. His initial dislike of Lily quickly turns into attraction and a distinct impression that there is more to her than she lets anyone, especially men, see. Being a man who enjoys a challenge, Alex sets out to learn all he can about her.
Lisa Kleypas is well-known for her passionate, moving love stories, stories that bring a tear to the eye and make the heart pound. Part of the appeal is her knack for creating characters that are imminently likeable. Lily is a genuinely nice person who hasn’t let life or her mistakes beat her. Alex is strong, handsome, and masculine, yet tender and considerate. Her villains are very villainous, and she has a way of capturing the harsh judgment of society that brings a dose of reality to the fantasy.
If there are any flaws to Then Came You, they are few. At times the love scenes become perhaps a tad too explicit. The emotion and heartache border on melodrama. Despite those drawbacks, if they can be referred to as such, this is a sweet, touching tale that sits high among the best of her books.