Rosy Seaton (who is 25) is staying at her second-cousin, Elliott Chalmer's, home for a while, helping him out with some secretarial work. (Recently Rosy's great-aunt died and that's when she discovered that she had a second cousin). Rosy is really enjoying getting to know Elliott and his friendly, pregnant wife, Bea. But Bea's siblings (Miranda and William) are concerned because they think Rosy is falling for Elliott so they aren't acting very friendly towards Rosy. They love their sister Bea, and they don't want to see Bea hurt. So they come up with an idea... let William introduce Rosy to some friends/guys he knows at Oxford. Rosy, who accidentally overhears what they are saying, is hurt that they could think this of her. She now feels uncomfortable staying at Elliott's home so she agrees to go to Oxford with William.

While Rosy is there she meets a man one day who is very sick and frail looking in a wheelchair. His name is Callum Blake (34) and he is recovering from an illness. (Callum is an economist who was shot and he picked up a bug/fever while he was in Ethiopia). After Rosy and Callum talk for a while she discovers that Callum is writing articles and planning lectures about his time in Ethiopia. He asks Rosy if she can help him out with his work. Rosy accepts. She also tells him about her problem with Elliott, Miranda, and William. Callum suggests that she move in with him for a while (platonic of course, since she and Callum are only friends) and pretend that they are a couple. That will convince Miranda and William that Rosy has no interest in Elliott. But, while Rosy stays with Callum she begins to notice him as a man as well as a friend.

This was such a sweet and lovely romance. It was nice to have a slow build up of sexual tension as the two got to know each other. They talked and listened to each other about their problems and tried to help each other out. Callum was a wonderful hero, he was kind and thoughtful and in love with Rosy from the start. Rosy was a good-hearted and compassionate heroine...always concerned that Callum may be pushing himself too hard and she tried to help. It was also nice to have an appearance by Bea and Elliott from "Some Sort of Spell" (a previous book from this series, "Bellaire and Chalmers".)

A fabulous read by Frances Roding (aka Penny Jordan)! ( )