How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back by Sophie Barnes

• Title: How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback, 368 pages
• Publisher: Avon Impulse (February 21, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062190334
• ISBN-13: 978-0062190338
• Author's website:  http://www.sophiebarnes.com/

"I'm not ready for marriage yet," he said. "But when I will be, there's nobody I'd rather marry than you, my dearest friend."

Emily and Adrian had been best friends for ages. When they were younger they came to what Emily thought was an understanding, that they would eventually marry. She wasn't the only one who thought so. When Adrian finally confided to his parents he was going to propose, his own mother thought to let Emily know of his intentions so she would be prepared for the proposal. The one that never came--at least not for her. She hadn't a clue there was someone else in his life nor did anyone else except the woman whom he proposed to, who just happened to be Emily's second best friend in all the world. To say she was devastated would be an understatement. Now she'll have to pick herself up and move on.

So I must confess the use of the anachronism "Got Her Groove Back" in the title made me a little apprehensive about reading this book. I mean, let's face it, "Got Her Groove Back" brings up thoughts of  a well known contemporary movie title and is a phrase that would never be heard in historical times. So while I loved the picture on the cover, I didn't know what to expect on the inside of this book. Would it be more of the same? Luckily, it was a traditional historical romance.

Now I know some didn't like this book, but I absolutely loved it. Perhaps this is one of those 'love it or hate it' type books? I don't know, but I actually had tears in my eyes as I read the first four or so chapters. I could so sympathize with Emily. I felt as if I were experiencing the let down as much as she did. She was sweet and had an innocent air to her that made you just wish she never had to experience such a thoughtless cruelty. Perhaps I reminisced about a time when I too had such an innocent and rose colored view of the world. I loved how she went from being the sort of person who avoids confrontation to growing a backbone and sticking up for herself. The way Ms. Barnes described the transformation in the character's posture from Francis' perspective when she gained the courage to speak her mind just made me smile.

Francis, Lord Dunhurst, is described as "a fine specimen: tall and lean with broad shoulders. His thick black hair, cut short, still retained an untidy look that Emily found oddly appealing. His eyes were dark, as though filled with concern and sadness: his nose perfectly straight like that of Michelangelo's David." *sigh* Who doesn't like the dark brooding type? Emily has known him just as long as she's known Adrian and, at one point, the two had been thick as thieves, but something happened that changed him. He'd never confided as to what it was, and the boy she had once known seemed to disappear seemingly overnight. She never had figured out the mystery of what had changed her fun loving friend into a brooding young man. I loved how we slowly learn what happened to him all those years ago that caused him to pull away from society and his closest friends.

I loved how the two reinstated their previous friendship and how it quickly turned into something more substantial. I just adored Francis and by the end was left asking "Adrian who?" lol The two seemed a perfect match that steamed up the pages with the undeniable attraction. I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read Ms. Barnes' next one. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.