The best Travises book, by far. Even if you decide to skip the other two, or find them lacking in any way, you should definitely give this one a try. Either do that, or you'll be in danger of missing out on the greatest romance of the series. I have to admit, although I did like Smooth Talking Stranger - and, although I liked it so much more than the other two books - I did not love it, at least not close to how much I love(d) all the historical romances Ms. Kleypas wrote. Those are still my favorites, but there is no doubt that this lady knows how to create one hell of a romance.