Happy Valentine’s Day all! I hope you have some good plans, whether it’s going out with a significant other or friends, or curling up with a book love. Personally, I’m celebrating by going to the dentist and then a physical therapy appointment, oh, joy.

But, you can celebrate by reading Love in Three Quarter Time.

 Evelyn Watt fell in love with Austrian marketing director Rudy Moser the moment he stepped into their Boston firm. With his ice blue eyes and chocolate-melting accent, he is as refined as she imagines his home country to be. When Evelyn finds herself unexpectedly unemployed right before Christmas, she is left with an unknown future until Rudy steps in with a job appraising, assessing and cataloging heirlooms, lending her American vernacular to the translated descriptions to give each item international appeal. Evelyn will live in Vienna for the months leading up to a grand auction at a party held in conjunction with the Opera Ball—on Valentine’s Day. 

Vienna is a magical blend of waltzing, antiques, and bottomless cups of Einspanner coffee at the Café Mozart. When a secret from Rudy’s family’s past blows in with the winter chill, Evelyn is forced to confront how well she knows the object of her affection. Her café tablemate, the gruff and enigmatic Klaus Bauner might be the only person who holds the key to Rudy’s past. But could that key also unlock her future? In the days leading up to the Opera Ball, Evelyn finds herself in the middle of the greatest romance of her life…as long as she doesn’t trip over her two left feet.

My Review

I’m always a huge fan when authors put a book baby out to the world that’s a project they’ve long dreamed of. In Rachel’s case, she came up with the name when she was 11, and after all these years has finally come to fruition. And what a result!

Love in Three Quarter Time is a lyrical romance that makes you feel like you’re lost in the stars of the night sky. Rachel creates a story woven with allusions that call to mind exactly what the characters are experiencing. While I enjoyed having the image painted in my mind, there were times that I felt that the scene was set without the extra wording. It’s a beautiful style of writing that fits well with the title and the story line, but may not be for everyone.

I loved traveling to Vienna through Evelyn’s eyes. As I will probably never manage to get there in person, Rachel does a fantastic job of inviting you into the sights, smells, and feeling of the city, drawing you into the characters. And, guys, KLAUS. He’s starts a bit like a curmudgeon, you soon learn that he has deeper levels, and you can’t help but fall in love with him a little more each page. He’s the bookish wounded hero the stuff our dreams are made of.

Here’s an odd thing: I DON’T LIKE COFFEE. Gasp. I know, but experiencing it through Evelyn’s eyes, I almost want to sit down and try all of the different coffees mentioned in the book. If you’re a coffee drinker, you’ll enjoy this aspect.

A note for my regular blog followers and Rachel’s readers: this story is a clean reads, but is not considered Christian Fiction. While there isn’t a faith theme, I think it does teach some great lessons about life, love, and making assumptions.

So, settle in and have a swoon worthy Valentine’s Day.

I received a complementary copy from the author, but was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are mine!