Have two copies, Kindle and paperback that I have kept for 40 years. I pruned a 2000 collection of Harlequins a long time ago but picked out favourites for keeping and have carried them with me all these years. They are as good as I remember and I am glad I kept them. This is book two of the Warrender series and I love how easy and fast the read is with pleasure at the ending. ( )

This is the second installment of Burchell's Warrender Saga. Oscar and Anthea feature prominently in this story, which is good because the main characters are not great, especially the hero. Quentin Otway is a festival producer who is working with Warrender to bring a new music festival to Newcastle. Tessa Morley is Quentin's faithful, lame (Burchell's term) secretary who is of course in love with him. Tessa is a talented opera singer but cannot have a stage career because of her disability. Her twin sister, Tania, is less talented but more beautiful (with no limp). Tania engineers a role in the festival and catches the eye of Quentin, much to Tessa's dismay.

Burchell is wonderful when writing about music, as always. This book felt more didactic (the omniscient narrator is strong and opinionated) and the romance was unconvincing. Quentin is a jerk most of the time, and Tessa is not always a doormat, so there are some sharp, even nasty, exchanges between them. On the other hand, Peroni is around and she is always good value. Conditionally recommended. ( )