Review: Carving for Miss Coventry by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

With his deceased father’s woodworking business now failing, Edward Steele will do anything to see its return to prosperity, even if that means accepting work from the Coventry family far outside of Bath. His two goals? Finishing this new task swiftly and making as few acquaintances as possible. But such things are easier said than done, especially when the Coventry’s daughter finds it necessary to spy on him at every turn.

Marianne Coventry doesn’t mean to stare, but such a task is difficult when a man as handsome as Mr. Steele works right before her eyes. Besides, at twenty years old and not yet out in Society—due to an unmarried elder sister and a strict, rule-abiding father—she will take any distraction she can get. Perhaps turning to a dashing woodworker for entertainment isn’t a wise decision, but does she really have any other choice?

As Edward becomes aware of Marianne's sheltered life, an unexpected friendship sprouts between them—a friendship her family cannot discover, especially when Marianne begins to realize she’s been living half a life. Still, Edward’s heart remains cautious, for becoming distracted and losing his family’s business would mean forfeiting his livelihood and everything his father worked so hard to achieve. Despite the forces working against them, only the two of them can decide what they want most in life—and if they’re willing to risk everything for love.

My Review

I am so excited for this new series from some of my favorite authors in the Regency genre! It's off to a strong start with the first book. Edward is a hero that is easy to have sympathy for, he has a strong integrity and work ethic, but is dealing with the aftermath of an undeserved reputation. The opportunity to work for Marianne's father is not one he takes lightly, which makes their unlikely friendship all the more risky. I love the way they naturally take to each other, and his protective nature widens to include her along with his family, yet it seems he must choose between them. The story has a steady pace with plenty of scenes between Edward and Marianne as their romance blossoms despite their disparate circumstances, and I enjoyed every page I read!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Sons of Somerset series . . .

 

 

 

Review: On the Second Day of Christmas by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Slipping on the ice is bad enough—being treated by the physician she rejected years ago is simply unbearable.

Headstrong and independent, Miss Lucy Lincoln wishes to find a husband who shares her taste for adventure. Until then, she is determined to live her life without regrets. Well, except for the one she already has—humiliating poor Benjamin Kent after his unwanted marriage proposal years earlier. After an accident at the Frost Fair draws that same insecure gentleman to care for her injury, she finally asks for forgiveness. But Dr. Kent, now a respectable gentleman and physician, is unwilling to accept her apology.

Benjamin Kent wants nothing more than to live out his days in peace and seclusion away from London Society—and away from his memories of Lucy Lincoln. But when his conscience forces him to treat the woman, he cannot pass on the opportunity to finally let her know that she no longer has him under her spell.

Rather than being relieved with Benjamin’s indifference, Lucy struggles to accept the fact that little, shy Benjamin now shows irresistible confidence—and an unsettling apathy toward her. When sparks smolder between them, though, Benjamin must fight to keep his old feelings in the past, and Lucy must realize before it’s too late that either Benjamin has changed… or her own feelings have.


My Review

Second chance romance isn't my favorite trope... unless it's done really well, and this one is! It has tones of Austen's Persuasion (which ties with P&P for my favorite Austen book), with the choices and regrets and character growth. There are some differences in the early experiences of Lucy and Benjamin, particularly with her teasing of him and his shyness, and the vulnerable struggles behind each. They have amazing chemistry, but it takes some realizations, apologies, forgiveness, and risks taken for their attraction to develop into romance. By the end of the story I was one hundred percent invested in the characters and loved their happy ending despite the challenges from Lucy's aunt. An absolutely lovely read for the holiday season!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair
Sweet, Regency Christmas Romances

Review: The Cottage by Coniston by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

What could possibly go wrong by asking someone else to make all of her decisions?

After a misguided kiss and subsequent rejection by yet another gentleman, Miss Amy Paxton convinces her brother to make all of her future decisions, especially in finding her a husband. His strategy? She must seek his advice before doing anything. Desperate for a happier future and a fresh start, Amy adopts her new way of life with relative ease. That is, until her new, self-assured landlord begins to meddle in her affairs.

With the passing of his oppressive grandfather, Mr. William Eastwood is finally free. Free to explore business ventures, free to help his parents—and free to marry his childhood friend, Miss Charity Winslow. But matters are complicated when he must help his new tenant, Amy Paxton, stand up to her overbearing brother. William soon discovers, however, that Amy is not as defenseless as she seems.

Anxious to discover the reasoning behind her behavior, William determines to uncover the real Amy, and an attraction sparks between them. But when challenges arise, Amy must protect herself as William struggles to choose between what his heart longs for—and what his duty demands.

My Review

Poor Amy! She's a bit of a hot mess when it comes to men, although I admire her forthrightness, being on the shy side when I was young. She's willing to try a different strategy though, by following her gregarious brother's cues when it comes to attracting a gentleman for her to marry. This of course leads to humorous scenes and misunderstandings. There is a bit of a love triangle as Amy and William develop feelings while he is unofficially promised to Charity, providing the conflict in the plot as well as in the characters' emotions. This book stood out with the entertaining banter and vibrant personalities, while allowing me to connect with the more vulnerable emotions running below the surface. A lovely Regency romance!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Don't miss the other books in the Seasons of Change series . . .

Review: Near the Ruins of Penharrow by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

She never should have fallen in love with the mine owner's son.

Bal maiden Gwynna Merrick is more than prepared to resume her work at the copper mine, if only to keep her family safe from destitution. But when her upper-class friend convinces Gwynna to have one final night of enjoyment, a borrowed gown and a false identity give her a small taste of the freedom she has always craved. That is, until the mine owner's handsome son arrives and threatens to reveal her identity.

Heir to his father's mine, Jack Trevethan has returned to Cornwall to help with a new venture at Wheal Favour, though he prefers spending his time gaming, drinking, and chasing women—anything to forget the memories of his past. However, when he finds the bal maiden he'd met days before now attending the ball, he cannot resist learning more about this intriguing woman.

After a disastrous first meeting, Gwynna wants nothing more than to avoid Jack, but as her work at Wheal Favour begins, she's continually thrown into his company. As Jack's flirtatious façade falls, revealing the wounds of his childhood, Gwynna begins to see the real gentleman behind the rake. But rumors surrounding their relationship and Jack's past will not yield, forcing the two of them to either trust and lean on each other—or fall victim to ghosts of the past.

My Review

A lower class working girl and an uppercrust gentleman form an unlikely friendship and help each other heal from deep hurts. I loved learning about the rough lifestyle of the miners and specifically the bal maidens that work there. The grit and determination of Gwynna draws the attention of Jack, but it is her thoughtfulness and compassion that endears her to him. I struggled with him since he's selfish and thoughtless in the beginning, but Gwynna's friendship makes him wake up and realize that he doesn't want to be that person. It takes almost the entire book for him to make a genuine transition, including facing his demons and repairing his relationship with his father. All the while, Gwynna is caught up in helping those around her, even when dressing as a society lady brings her more trouble than it's worth. Her grief over her brother's recent death in the mine is a point of connection with Jack as he still struggles with the loss of his mother as a boy. The attraction that builds even as their friendship grows makes things more complicated since they are from two very different worlds, but I was happy with how it all worked out in the end. The setting is very atmospheric and I'm excited to add Cornwall to my list of future travels!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the previous books in the Cornish Romance series . . .

Review: Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Twelve days, nine women, and the challenge to not fall in love. He’d have nothing to worry about, if his best friend weren’t one of the nine.

Matthew Pratt wouldn’t change a thing about his life—especially when he learns his childhood friend, Meg, will be joining him and his family for the holiday season. To make matters even better, his mother promises to no longer push him to marry, so long as Matthew meets with nine ladies of her choosing between Christmas and Twelfth Night. For an added prize from his father, Matthew must also keep from falling in love with any of the ladies. Unable to say no to a challenge, Matthew agrees, but that is before he realizes that Meg is numbered with the nine.

Meg Baker has always loved Matthew as a friend, but only recently has she discovered that her feelings are growing beyond that of simple camaraderie. Anxious to discover Matthew’s own feelings, Meg decides to draw as much attention to herself as possible during Christmastide, all before he returns to school.

As the holiday festivities begin, however, and Matthew takes an interest in other women—a great deal of other women—Meg fears she is too late to win his affection. But when a change comes in their relationship, Matthew must decide if he will remain comfortably single forever—or if Meg is worth the risk of a happily ever after.

My Review

Oh what fun! A Regency Christmas story with all the traditions! Matthew's meddling mother puts him in a situation that has him looking like a bit of a player, while Meg is stuck in the friend zone harboring an unrequited love. He just wants to spend his holidays with his friends, but now he is stuck humoring the local ladies, and Meg is losing patience. I was losing patience with him too, and Meg was starting to come off as a bit pathetic, until he begins to think of more than himself and his perspective matures. It's funny that he doesn't suspect his mother of craftiness and his father of just trying to mix things up a bit, but everyone gets the ending they want after enduring some good holiday angst.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Belles of Christmas series . . .

Review: For the Lady of Lowena by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She’s everything he never wanted—until she was everything he needed.

Tired of the smoke, the smog, and the spoiled females of London, Frederick Hawkins leaves the city behind and purchases an estate in Cornwall, longing to escape his mother’s meddling—and to find a wife worthy of his devotion. When he happens upon a barefooted lady asleep on the beach and rescues her from the incoming tide, he believes he has found such a woman. But first impressions can’t be trusted.

Born into wealth, Sophia Rosewall is offered everything on a silver platter. That is, until her father reveals he has lost their fortune and can now no longer fund their affluent living. Even worse, the intriguing gentleman who’d rescued Sophia on the beach is no one else but the pretentious man now taking possession of her home. Uprooted from everything she has ever known, Sophia relocates to Lowena, a small cottage at the edge of the sea. She clings to her former life, but when Society rejects her, nothing will ever be the same.

As their paths continually cross, Frederick begins to see glimmers of the carefree Sophia he’d first met on the beach, and he cannot help but hope that there is more to the woman than a love of wealth and attention. He does what he can to help her find confidence in her new life and allow her true self to shine forth, but only Sophia can stop attempting to change her circumstances, and instead, change her heart.

My Review

It's always a risk when the main character of a story is flawed in a way bordering on unlikeable, but the author skillfully played with that line to show the beautiful redemption of Sophia as her world is upended in a most humbling manner and her values and priorities shift. Frederick plays a vital role in helping her understand what's really important in life and finding purpose in her days. I was as happy as Frederick to see her true self emerge that he glimpsed that first day on the beach. She still goes through many obstacles as her confidence takes a battering and she often feels lost and adrift, hovering between the upper and lower classes. Frederick has great hopes for her and their blossoming relationship, but still struggles with trust because of experiences in his past. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely book with an amazing Regency setting on the coast as Frederick and Sophia learn to reconcile their fears and grasp hold of what they most desire.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Cornish Romance series . . .

Review: Behind the Light of Golowduyn by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

She’s the keeper of Golowduyn Lighthouse. He’s the captain who shipwrecked on her watch. A marriage of convenience can save her home—if secrets don’t destroy it first.

Abigail Moore will do anything to keep Golowduyn Lighthouse shining brightly, even if she must do so alone. When a shipwreck occurs near her home one stormy evening—bringing with it a dashing captain keen to offer his aid at every turn—her days of isolation vanish.

Captain Gavin Kendricks didn’t expect to end his naval career by crashing his ship against the rugged cliffs of Cornwall. When he’s pulled from the sea by the fearless and quick-tempered Miss Moore, a tentative friendship forms between them, and he begins to realize what has been missing from his life.

Before either of them can explore these newfound stirrings, death and deception hit Golowduyn, and Abigail is left with a choice. Either she loses everything she has ever loved, or she marries the captain and accepts his help. Unable to give up the lighthouse, she agrees to the union, and they work together to see that the light does not diminish. But when her childhood secrets are unearthed, and their property falls victim to troubling defacement, their marriage threatens to crumble. Gavin fights to gain her confidence, but only Abigail can forget the crippling memories of her past to trust Gavin with Golowduyn—and her heart.

My Review

I loved the setting in this story with great character development and a riveting plot. There's something special about lighthouses as they stand as a beacon in the storms. Abigail is overworked as she unofficially takes on the role of main keeper from her uncle, but is devoted to the lighthouse and its purpose. I admired her strength and stubbornness which was tempered by her insecurity about her past. Gavin quickly becomes a good friend to her uncle, but it was interesting how Abigail felt jealousy towards their rapport and felt left out and unappreciated by her uncle. She deals with complicated emotions during this time of upheaval as secrets are revealed in the aftermath of unexpected tragedy. I loved how Gavin is a source of strength and refuge for her as she humbles herself to accept his help and open her heart to a deeper friendship and relationship. His positive personality brings light and humor to the story and balances out the darker themes. This book was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: On the Shores of Tregalwen by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A Clean, Regency Romance Novella

When her estranged mother beckons her to London, Hannah Summerfield has no choice but to answer her call. Forced to leave behind her peaceful life in Cornwall, she bids farewell to the seaside, her grandparents—and her childhood sweetheart, Thomas. She becomes subdued at once by Society’s rigid rules and her mother’s censure, and when Thomas’s letters unexplainedly stop, she is left to wonder if she ought to embrace her new life in Town after all. But when her mother pressures her to accept an unwanted proposal, Hannah cannot help but flee to the one place she has ever called home—to the only boy she has ever loved.

After three years apart, Thomas Causey has all but given up hope of Hannah ever returning to Cornwall, fearing she has fallen in love with another. But when she appears on his doorstep, soaked through with rain and covered in mud, he allows himself to long once more for a future with the woman he still loves.

However, Thomas quickly realizes that Hannah is not who she was before. She has left London for a reason—a reason he cannot uncover. He longs for the truth they once so easily shared, but Hannah must first find the courage to rediscover herself—and what her heart truly desires.

My Review

This is a sweet romance without much conflict, but it was still a pleasure to read as Hannah follows her impetuous desire to visit Cornwall and leaves her manipulative mother and London society behind. Thomas and Hannah's renewed friendship turned to romance rather quickly, and I would have enjoyed more of them getting to know each other again. It works well as a novella though, and inspired me add Cornwall to my travel bucket list!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)