The story was really heavy, while reading it I was wondering if there were any redeeming values and if the way they would be written could balance the gloom in the book. The events happened years after Lysette and Max got married and in here they already have three children. So it's time for Max's twins to take the stage. Enter Philippe, whom I found boring in the first book because of his righteousness, and Justin whom I didn't necessarily like in the first book, but came to love in this one.I've read the negative feedback about this book and I agree with some of them, but Lisa Kleypas wrote of an unconventional hero, and she made it work. The heroine wasn't really to my liking, but she matched well with Justin. The reason why they fit together is because opposites attract, and in this case, Justin was the only person who saw Celia's real person, and perceived her innermost desires, and brought it out of her. She's annoying at times when she gets too emotional though.Another part I liked about the plot is just when we think they would end up via the usual means, there would be conflicts, and it makes the read worth while and more interesting. ( )

This is a PIRATE romance! Which is very cool, because I inadvertently read it on Talk Like a Pirate Day. And I didn't know until I started reading it that Only With Your Love was a pirate book. There's a pirate god out there somewhere, isn't there?

Celia Vallerand is on her way to New Orleans with her new husband Philippe when their ship is attacked by pirates. More than that, they're just about to make love for the first time when the attack comes. Celia is taken by the pirate Legare to be a "treat" for his brother--whose women don't tend to live long.

Back ashore, as she's pleading for her life, she swears that the Vallerand family will ransom her. Hearing the name Vallerand prompts rival pirate captain Griffin to fight for her, then to rescue her.

I really can't go any further into the plot, because there are surprises around every turn.

Suffice it to say that both Celia and Justin (Cpt. Griffin) find themselves in impossible situations, both emotionally and otherwise. Only With Your Love has the type of emotional impact I truly enjoy--when it seems that there's no good choice for the characters, and I can't guess how the author's going to manage to give them an honest HEA. ( )