I'm convinced that when Lisa Kleypas wrote this book, she had me in mind when she wrote out Beatrix Hathaway. As a lover of animals and of nature myself, I related entirely to Beatrix on a level that I can't even comprehend. There was also her love for writing letters, another thing that we have in common. Just like me, she wrote lengthy ones as well. 
 Loved, loved, loved reading this book. 
 Beatrix belongs to a family filled with plenty of love and overfilling with laughter. They're considered an odd sort of family, but they're accepted regardless and Beatrix herself is well-liked by just about anyone who comes across her, despite her affinity for bringing animals with her wherever she goes. When her friend Prudence, expresses how much she dislikes her 'future' fiancee's letters that are filled with lonely words of war and a dog that stays by his side she convinces Beatrix to write in her stead after an expressed interest in the aforementioned dog. 
 What starts out as a simple, unassuming letter ends up as an passionate exchange of long letters where Christopher clings onto Beatrix's (whom he assumes is Prudence) words of comfort from home. When Beatrix realizes that she's fallen in love with Christopher, she quickly ends the entire thing with him, heartbroken at the knowledge that he's fully convinced that Christopher believes her to be someone else. And then Christopher comes home. It isn't until he spends time with Prudence that he comes to the realization that she isn't the woman who wrote all those beautiful letters. 
 This is probably the first book of Lisa's I've come across where the two main characters completely understand each other, but allow certain circumstances and even slight prejudices to get in the way of could only lead up to their happy ending. BUT! This was such a good book. Beatrix is a warm and charming character; she's compassionate, loving, forthright, and independent. Christopher has his flaws, of course, but despite all he's gone through, he oozes honor, loyalty and intelligence. They were an imperfect, perfect fit and I loved them both so much.