Lynn Spencer's Reviews > Let It Be Me

Are you in the mood for a joyful dream of a historical romance? One in which you know for sure the couple will have a long and happy life together? This is just such a comfort read. Not only does the author tell a lovely love story, but the descriptions of Venice and the story's roots in music made this one feel like a delight for the senses.

I've not been reading this series in order, so I can definitely say that this book stands on its own just fine. The heroine, Bridget Forrester, is the middle sister and has been somewhat eclipsed by her conventionally beautiful and more socially adept elder sister. After a disastrous experience with the London Season and humiliation due to her stage fright, she is at loose ends. A second chance comes in the form of damage to the family home, which makes her mother decide an escape to Venice might be in order.

Not only does Bridget have a change of scene, but she senses an opportunity. After all, Bridget is a fantastically good pianist. She is so good that, back in England, she attracted the attention of the noted composer Carpenini. She took his promise of lessons to heart and upon settling in in Venice, she seeks him out. While Carpenini doesn't remember her (and frankly has his own issues), his friend Oliver Merrick does.

Through a series of plot twists, Bridget ends up as a student of the great Carpenini. However, it is Oliver that helps her overcome stage fright and heal her rather bruised sense of self. I loved the musical scenes in this book, but I also enjoyed the friendship and budding relationship between Oliver and Bridget. The two have a mutual respect for each other that I found refreshing. (What can I say? I grew up in the 90s. Historical romance had a lot of alphaholes back then.)

Not only does Ms. Noble write her characters in such a way that one can believe in their HEA but she also structures the entire novel in such a way as to underscore it. This book was a happy breath of fresh air that I needed.