This time it wasn’t the book’s fault – it was mine. This is a sweet and humorous read that lasted me one hot bathtub’s worth of time. It is light and uplifting, and perfectly suited as a remedy for a long series of dreary reads. Unfortunately I didn’t need that remedy right now, and so I was vaccinated against its charm.

Derek Sinclair is a good-for-nothing younger son in 1998 California. One night he has a vivid and erotic dream of a ghost asking him to come with her. After he drowsily agrees, he finds himself butt-naked in England in 1498. The only way home for Derek is through a magic emerald in the possession of Lady Allison of Pelsworth Castle, whose ghost enticed him through time. And the only way to acquire the emerald is to pretend to be Allison’s True Love and break her betrothal to her boorish fiancé, Sir Wilfred.

But the living Lady Allison has no knowledge of what her ghost will be up to 500 years into the future. While a Pelsworth must marry her True Love, she has no feelings for the lazy, bold-eyed and inept Derek. So, she puts him through knightly training that would faze a drill sergeant, and through training in courtly love, including writing poetry to her. Derek resents her treatment of him, and when the tables are turned, treats her with cold courtesy. Allison slowly grows to recognize that her annoyance actually is love. What remains for her to do is to regain Derek’s trust, win his love, and convince him to stay.

The writing is very finely tuned, with an excellent choice of words. My Lady in Time has an ethereal quality, like filigree jewelry or spun glass. At times, this feeling was so strong I was tempted to clap for Tinkerbell. It is a light and humorous read but not a romp. In fact, it is downright solemn in places. There are many instances that provoke a smile, but this is not a book for guffaws.

The light touch also extended to the setting. I would recommend My Lady in Time to readers who prefer their romances untroubled by historical detail, since this book does quite well with a lighter historical seasoning.

My Lady in Time will likely be part of my conversion kit for very young, potential romance readers – it has many qualities in common with classic fairy tales, such as Cinderella and Snow White, while still being a romance. I feel a bit guilty that I couldn’t appreciate this book at its true worth. Do try it if you’re looking for something sweet and humorous.