Always a gentleman — at least in public — Phillip views her reappearance as a deliberate attempt to gain more money from him, reunite with his brother, or maybe even both. Maria, however, merely wants to bake tarts, pies, cakes, and other pastries in her own shop, which unfortunately happens to be perfect in every way except for its proximity to Phillip.  In addition to working long hours to establish her new business, Maria finds herself facing additional conflicts:  She can’t help wondering if her old romance with Lawrence will be rekindled by her return, and even though she believes Phillip to be haughty and overly proper, she also finds him physically attractive.

Secret Desires of a Gentleman provides mouth-watering descriptions of Maria’s baking prowess mixed with delightfully descriptive details about the passionate natures of the two main characters. Laura Lee Guhrke adds a pinch of mystery and tops it off with a light sprinkling of humor.  This fun historical romance contains all the right ingredients and proves to be a delightful confection, until the final few pages when for many readers, the ending — like a nearly perfect cake baked in Maria’s patisserie — falls just a little flat.