My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it
Nora Ellsworth, darling of London society, has her choice of eligible suitors, but since childhood, she has been expected to marry Jonathan Browning, a gentleman whose wealth and stability will someday secure the futures of Nora and her mother and sister. The family estate will pass to an odious male cousin upon the death of Nora’s father, and when he suddenly takes ill, her need to marry well becomes vitally important.
As Nora struggles with the idea of marrying without love, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Devlin Fausett, a man with dark eyes and intriguing conversation. But Devlin’s reputation as an indebted gambler is difficult to ignore. Despite the rumors from the ton and the marriage decision before her, Nora is determined to befriend the dashing Mr. Fausett, and his charms soon make it all but impossible to remember her duty. Until she learns the truth of her fortune. There is a way to keep her family’s estate, but the price is high: Nora must wed, as soon as possible. Torn between two very different men, she must make the ultimate decision. Will she be guided by her head or her heart?
Synopsis
A lovely Regency romance with nods to Austen! The most obvious similarity is the "odious male cousin" expecting to inherit the entailed estate a la Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice and Mr. William Elliot from Persuasion. More subtle is the similarity of the author's writing style to Jane Austen's in that the narrative is rich with details of daily life and the manners of society. It's not a book that can be read quickly but needs to be savored. I enjoyed Nora and her friendly relationship with Devlin which balanced on the edge of something more throughout the book, complicated by Devlin's gambling addiction and Nora's mother encouraging a courtship with Mr. Browning. Nora exhibits a good deal of compassion for her friend even after learning of his scandal, and also for her sister when she develops a mysterious illness. I appreciate when the heroine of the story is unselfish and caring, I find it inspiring for me in my own life. Devlin's perspective was fascinating since he doesn't fit the usual gambling rake persona. He's troubled by his relationship with his father and there are deeper issues that he's battling at the table. It created a level of anticipation as I read, wondering if Nora could motivate him to change what he needs to in order to find peace in his life. This is the second book by the author and ties into her first, but can be read as a stand alone.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)
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