Book Review: Bees in the Butterfly Garden by Maureen Lang

Excerpt: "He's dead." Meg's words, like her heart, were untouched by the news. So it was over. Her hope that he would one day arrive knowing how to be a father to her, or to share with her anything of the family to which she was bound by blood. Bees in the Butterfly Garden, pg 5.

Back Cover: Raised at an exclusive boarding school, Meg Davenport has everything she needs but none of what she's wanted most - like the love of a family or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when she receives shocking news of her father's death, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns John Davenport wasn't the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age's most talented thieves.

Ian Maguire knows that John - his mentor - would never have wanted his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet she is determined to carry on his legacy, and her talent for garden design has earned her an invitation to stay with one of Fifth Avenue's wealthiest families. With friends like those, Meg could help Ian pull of his biggest heist yet.

But living in both worlds is more treacherous than Meg imagined. And as Ian's concern for Meg turns to love, he finds himself torn between greed and guilt. Can they find the legacy they both long for, on in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

My Review: Bees in the Butterfly Garden did not pull me in like I expected it to. The plot idea is interesting and the characters are fairly well developed, but something kept me from enjoying this book as much as I had hoped. That being said, the book has some very well done scenes, the characters are fun to get to know. I can't put my finger on what was "wrong" with the story, and I'm sure that others would not feel the same way. While I'm not disappointed that I read the book, it won't be staying in my library.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to readers who enjoy light historical romance with a little danger and intrigue thrown in.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.)