Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

My Fair Mermaid

 


My Grandma Paulsen loved the movie 'My Fair Lady', and shared that love with me. A singing Audrey Hepburn? What's not to like?! I also have a deep love for all things beach/mermaid/ocean related. So, when I found a book that was the plot line of 'My Fair Lady', but with mermaids, I jumped on that ship instantly. 'My Fair Mermaid', by Sarah Beran, is the story of a young orphaned mermaid named Maribel. After her parents died, Maribel was taken in by her uncle, who had five daughters of his own. Eager to please her cousins, Maribel will do anything that they ask, even if it may be dangerous or uncomfortable. However, Maribel finds herself in an overwhelming, and impossible, situation when her youngest cousin rescues, and then falls in love with, a human prince of the nearby kingdom. Her cousin manipulates her into becoming human alongside of her to win the prince's heart, even though the effects of becoming human are extremely painful. What's worse, is that there are dire consequences if her cousin fails to marry the prince within ten weeks when the seasons change. It's do or die for Maribel, and failing is not an option! This heartwarming story of sacrifice will take you on the journey of a little mermaid, who not only finds her voice, but her destiny as well. 

Monday, July 31, 2023

A Sweet Royal Romcom



 I love proper romance books, spicy romance ones are just not my jam. Most of the closed door romance novels I have read have been historical ones, taking place hundreds of years ago. Just recently however, I read my first modern day romcom book and I am here for it. It makes sense that I would love them, seeing as I love every Hallmark movie ever made. These books were exactly like those. You may know who ends up together in the end. parts of it may come off as a little cheesy, and sometimes the endings seem too good to be true, but man, don't you love the journey of watching two people fall in love? 

The series that I started with contains two books, though I hope more are on their way. They are called, 'Royally Rearranged' and 'Royal Gone Rogue', by Emma St. Clair. The theme of the books is different royals, trying to fall in love, in impossible situations. The characters are bursting to the brim with personality. The humor is laugh out loud kind of funny. The romance is sweet with a little spice thrown in, but definitely sticking with it's "closed door" mantra. And my goodness, they left me with wanting more. I have a feeling that this modern day romcom genre will become one of my new favorites. Instead of playing games on my phone before bed, I opened up my Kindle app and read these sweet stories. It was so convenient having them on my phone, my social media usage definitely took a hit, which is always a bonus. 

Sunday, July 23, 2023

The Summer of Broken Rules


Meredith doesn't know if she is more nervous or excited to be back at her family's annual reunion at Martha's Vineyard. It has been two years since she came with her mom, dad, and sister, but after her sister, Claire, died, her family couldn't muster up the desire to return. This year however, is not just a family reunion, but her cousin's wedding as well. While she is dying to see everyone again, she also dreads having to return to a place that holds so many memories for her and Claire. Not to mention facing all of the people closest to her that she shut out of her life as she battled her grief. Will they be angry with her for pushing them away? Will it be awkward interacting with them without her bubbly extrovert sister by her side? And can she forgive her cousin for her sister's death?

As Meredith struggles to reconnect with family, honor her sister's memory, and find forgiveness in her heart, she also is in one of the most intense games of her life. The game is called 'Assassin' and her family has been playing it for as long as she can remember. The players in the game are crazy competitive, but Meredith feels a strong desire to take home the trophy this year.... for Claire. As alliances are formed and battle lines are drawn, a certain groomsmen with a charming smile may very well threaten Meredith's chance at a victory.

'The Summer of Broken Rules', by K.L. Walther, is what summer dreams are made of. This book fills you with a nostalgia for someone else's childhood. It makes you want to spend lazy days at the lake, wander through small towns, and of course, enter the high stakes game of Assassin and obliterate your family members. It is heartwarming, adventurous, freaking hilarious, heartbreaking, romantic .... basically, it has allllllll the feels. In short, it is the perfect summer read!

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

November 9

 


November 9'th is a date that Falon wishes she could forget. November 9'th is the date when her life changed forever. Badly scarred from a house fire, Falon could no longer work as an actress. Her dreams were literally ripped from her grasp overnight. On the day before she moves to New York City to try and create a new life for herself, she meets Ben, an aspiring writer who doesn't look away from her deformed face. They spend the entire day together, and for the first time, November 9'th isn't so horrible. Together they come up with a plan. They are going to meet on the same day, every year, and Ben is going to write their story, a love story. However, can it truly be a love story if Ben has been lying to Falon all along for the sake of his book? Only time will tell.


November 9, by Colleen Hoover, is told from Falon and Ben's perspectives on alternating chapters. It's a story of a girl who learned not only how to survive, but to thrive. It's a story about a boy who feels lost and haunted, who meets a girl he never expected to love. The plot line was intriguing to me, but I wasn't immediately hooked. I had to find out how it ended though, and I am glad that I didn't give up on it, because it had one of the greatest plot twists! It was seriously so unexpected my mouth literally hung open. I would recommend this book just for that reason alone. If you like adult romance novels, then you'll like this book. Steamy romances have never really been my thing, but this one wasn't terrible, it was actually pretty good. 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

A Thousand Heartbeats

 


Some people get excited about a new song that their favorite artist releases. I get excited about new books that my favorite authors publish. One of that authors is Kiera Cass, author of The Selection series. Thanks to an Amazon email, I was instantly informed that she had a new book coming out. Did I pre-order it? Why, yes. Yes I did.

A Thousand Heartbeats is the love story between two people who were definitely not supposed to fall in love. A real Romeo and Juliet kind of thing. Annika is a princess who isn't in control of her own life. Her father has become cold and unfeeling. He is determined to marry Annika off for political gain. Lennox is a soldier in the Dahrainian army, determined to reclaim what has been taken from him- Annika's castle and country. Only one of them can win. There is no happy ending meant for these two. With everything and everyone around them fighting against them, how can these two young lovers find a way to overcome?

Once again, Kierra Cass is the reason for late nights and very little sleep. This may be one of her longest novels, but it sure didn't take long to read. I couldn't put it down! I absolutely had to find out how it ended, and then was sad when it did. Dear Kierra Cass, please write another book ASAP. Sincerely, an overcaffeinated, tired, diehard fan. 

Sunday, February 26, 2023

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

 



Addeline LaRue is a young French woman who wants to live her life, her way. While all the other girls want to become wives and mothers, Addie dreams of freedom. Her friend Estelle has taught her to pray to the gods of nature, but never pray to the gods who answer after dark. When her parents choose a husband for her, Addie becomes desperate. She pleads with the gods to answer her prayers, but Addie doesn't realize that the sun has gone down. The wrong god comes to her rescue, but is she willing to sell her soul for her freedom? 

'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue' is a thought provoking novel full of history, romance, art, and human emotion. What does it mean to be human? What are our basic needs to thrive? How much would you be willing to sacrifice to make your biggest dream become reality? This story will have you contemplating all of these questions and more. 

This year I decided to do the 12 books in a year challenge that was going around on Facebook. Basically you asked your friends for recommendations for books, and then chose books that you have not read before. The idea is to broaden your reading horizons and read books that you wouldn't normally choose for yourself. I got a late start on the challenge this year, so this is only the first book from that challenge that I have read. I am so glad I started out the year strong. I definitely would recommend this book. It was one of those books that keeps you guessing until the very end. I am excited to continue on with this challenge, I have a feeling that it is going to be a great year of reading!

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen


 I was meandering around my local bookstore when I saw 'Long Live the Pumpkin Queen', by Shea Ernshaw, sitting on a shelf. Loving all things associated with Halloween, there was no way I was going to just pass it by, especially since it was the last copy. My kids and I are die-hard fans of the movie (who isn't?!), but sometimes spinoff stories don't hold up to childhood nostalgia, so I went into this read with somewhat low expectations. Boy was I surprised when the author had me hooked from page one. Ernshaw did her homework on Halloween Land and I loved delving deeper into Jack and Sally's world. Exploring all of the other lands besides just Christmas Land was such a treat! The author does such a wonderful job at staying true to the mythical worlds that Tim Burton has created, and by the end of the book I was crossing my fingers hoping that this would be turned into a movie as well. 

The story begins with Jack and Sally's wedding. They decide to go to Valentines Land on their honeymoon and have a wonderful day exploring this new land together, for this is the only land that Jack has yet to visit, saving it just for this momentous occasion. They unfortunately can only stay away from home for 24 hours however since it very close to Halloween day and there is just so so much to do still. As soon as Jack and Sally re-enter Halloween Land they are both bombarded by holiday preparations. As the new pumpkin queen, Sally is overwhelmed by all of the new expectations that sit on her shoulders. She begins to have high levels of anxiety about being a ruler, and she desperately wishes she could just be "Sally and Jack", and not "Queen and King". When the witch sisters begin fitting her for a new royal gown, the pressure becomes too much for Sally, and she finds herself fleeing her home in desperate need for some time alone. As she is wandering around the forest, Sally discovers a hidden door that has a moon on it. Leaving the door open unleashes the beginning of a wild adventure for Sally that leads her to a shocking discovery about her past. 

This book will become a Halloween treasure that both you and your kids will enjoy reading together time and time again. 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Lemon Tart


 'Lemon Tart' is Josi Kilpack's debut culinary murder mystery novel. Sadie Hoffmiller is a widow, substitute teacher, mother, and your typical nosy neighbor who prides herself on knowing everything about her neighbors. When a young single mother is murdered in Sadie's cul-de-sac, she is determined to help the police find the culprit, even if that means crossing the line a time or two. The victim's son is missing and the clock is ticking to find him before anything worse happens to him. There are plenty of suspects and Sadie soon discovers that she might not know her neighbors as well as she thinks she did. 

I haven't read mystery books in a while, but I found this one very intriguing. I love when books keep me guessing until the very end and this one definitely kept those pages turning. It was also refreshing to read a murder mystery that wasn't gory, disturbing, or too scary. I am pretty sensitive to those kind of books, but love mysteries, so this one was right up my alley. 

Sunday, July 3, 2022

The Valet's Secret


Rebecca Parker is a lonely widow whose only child is already grown and on her own. After her husband died she was forced to move back in with her abusive artist father and help him with his work to provide for her and her daughter. Her father has been drinking more and more, which also means he is becoming even more mean to her. She feels the future is dreary until one day when a valet named Malcom Henry almost runs her over with his wild out of control horse. In the moments afterwards she finds herself kissing this complete stranger, which is very unlike her. Rebecca believes that the love at first sight, fairy tale ending isn't meant for her, but she can't keep herself from thinking about Malcolm and the feelings that he stirs in her. She begins to fantasize about life with him and away from her father. However, when she helps serve at a dinner party for a rich family, she discovers that Malcom is a guest, and definitely NOT a valet, but the heir to an earldom. Rebecca is humiliated and all her day dreams of a better life come crashing down around her. 

Josi Kilpack is a proper romance genius. Reading her books is like reading a Hallmark movie. You know that the two protagonist characters will end up together, but you can't help being intrigued by the plot and the events that get them there. This book is all about second chances at love, overcoming trials and obstacles, hope, and of course, romance. It is an intriguing story that keeps the pages turning until the sun comes up.  

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet


 Henry is living in China town in Seattle during the second world war. His parents are so proud of him because he was accepted into the white school, but his classmates bully him mercilessly. When a Japanese girl name Keiko starts attending the school, they quickly become friends. Henry knows that his parents would never approve of this friendship, his father is highly prejudice against the Japanese, but Henry can't help falling in love with this smart, quirky, and kind girl. She is the sun within his dark world. That all changes after the attack on Pearl Harbor however. It seems like the entire country fears anyone with ties to Japan, and eventually Keiko and her family are rounded up and sent to a Japanese internment camp. Henry is devastated to lose his friend and is terrified of what will happen to her. He has no idea if he will ever see her again, but he hopes that they will be able to keep their promise to find each other after the war. 

'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet', by Jamie Ford, is a heart warming story of two young people fighting against prejudice to keep their young budding romance alive. It explores the injustice of the WWII Japanese internment camps and brings to light one of the darker moments in American history. The complexities of this wonderful novel are well thought out and very well written. It immerses you into it's beautiful story that may make you shed a tear or two or a ton. The plot held me captivated and curious until the very end. This is definitely a must read for everyone. 

The Secret Life of Bees

 


After you read the last word of this book, you close it, hold it to your chest, and let the emotions wash over you again and again. Its impossible to jump right back into your reality once this story is a part of you - it's one of those books. A book that makes you a better person and increases your understandings just by living within its pages for a while. I would rank this right up there with 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'Small Great Things'. 'The Secret Life of Bees', by Sue Monk Kidd, is a necessary read for all. It is impossible not to fall in love with these women, to cheer them on, laugh with them, cry with them, and wish that their bright pink house was in your neighborhood so that you could be best friends with them. The words are beautifully written, almost poetic. The lush descriptions have you completely immersed, and the character development is phenomenal. So obviously, to say that I recommend this book is a huge understatement -- just make sure to have the box of tissues close. 

Lily Owens is growing up in South Carolina in 1964 with an angry, abusive father, and a black woman servant who was the motherly figure that she didn't have. Lily is haunted by the day her mother was killed when she was just four years old. She struggles to remember the details of that terrible day, and is too nervous to ask her father about it. So when a series of events forces Lily to frantically flee her little town, she heads to the only place that might hold some answers to her mother's past. She doesn't plan on finding herself living in a home with three black sisters, but she thinks they might hold the clues she so desperately seeks. 

Sunday, August 16, 2020

The Giver of Stars

 

When Alice married an American man she was sure her life was about to be one big adventure. She was leaving her family, friends, and country behind for a man who was as dreamy as a movie star. However, Alice finds herself in a strange new land where she definitely does not belong. No one seems to like her, she can't seem to do anything right for her new husband, and her father-in-law is downright insufferable. So when news spreads in the small town of Baileyville, Kentucky that a library is opening up and all of the books will be delivered by women on horseback, she quickly volunteers for the job. 

'The Giver of Stars', by Jojo Moyes, is based on the  true stories of the pack-horse libraries that were set up by Eleanor Roosevelt to increase literacy throughout the United States. These women librarians would ride through all kinds of conditions, delivering books to people who lived in the furthest reaches of their communities. They were tough, brave, and strong women who were true literacy warriors. 

Being a huge book nerd, any book about other book nerds is bound to be an immense favorite, and this novel definitely did not disappoint! From the very first page I was hooked into a plot line so intriguing, suspenseful, and heartfelt I never wanted to stop reading and was incredibly sad to reach the end. There are rumors that this one is going to be turned into a movie so fingers crossed for that one! (They better not ruin it!) This story is one that I am sure I will be revisiting again and again. It was an instant favorite for sure!

Thursday, June 25, 2020

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', by Suzanne Collins, is another masterpiece in the Panem world. It is a prequel to 'The Hunger Games', and tells the story of Coriolanus Snow, an ancestor of President Snow.

Coriolanus is in his last year at the academy, an elite high school. He is a top student, is set to graduate with honors, and is on track to enroll into the university next year to complete his education and make a better life for his family. The Snow's have a long history of power, success, and wealth, but the war with the rebels has left them almost destitute.  The Snows are a proud family however, and are trying their hardest to keep up appearances of prosperity. Coriolanus having a good career is their only hope to make it to stay in the high social class in which they belong to.

Fortunately, Coriolanus has landed a spot as a student mentor during the 10'th annual Hunger Games. It is an honor since only 24 are chosen, two mentors for the 12 districts, one boy and one girl. His family status should get him a decent competitor, but when he is stuck with the girl from district 12 he begins to question his own worth and if his dean has a grudge against him for some reason. He absolutely has to receive one of the prizes awarded at the end of the games, so his hope is riding on an eccentric wild card from district 12.

'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' is both captivating and enthralling. I was glued to the pages and could not set it down. With so many cliff hangers, it was practically impossible to put down. My advice, don't read it when you have a lot going on because you will not want to stop reading! By the end of the book I was so invested in the characters I didn't know how I wanted it to end. It left me pondering life, sacrifices, love, and human nature at its core. It is tragic, beautiful, and heart-wrenchingly wonderful.

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Small Great Things

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

I began reading 'Small Great Things' by Jodi Picoult in December of 2019. Life got busy, as it so often does that time of year, and my reading rut began. Every once in a while I would try to pick this book back up, it captured my interest from chapter one, but for some reason I just didn't give "reading time" a priority for the first few months of this year. I do not believe that it is an accident that I read THIS book at THIS time. 

This book feels like one of the  most important books that I have ever read. It awoken my sleeping, ignorant, blind, naive little mind to the suffering of my black brothers and sisters in no way anything else ever could. I had no idea. I had NO idea. 

This should be a mandatory read for everyone. If you haven't read it, please do. 

Ruth Jefferson has worked as a labor and delivery nurse at the same hospital for over 20 years. She graduated with her nursing degree from Yale University. She is a widow of a marine who was killed in the line of duty. Her son is an honor role student who is applying to some of the most elite colleges in the country. 

Ruth is also black.

Turk is married to the love of his life, Brit. They just welcomed their first child into the world and named him Davis. They are elated with their new budding family and feel like they are on top of the world. What could possibly go wrong? 

Turk is a white supremacist leader in the KKK.

When Ruth becomes the nurse to Davis, Turk is infuriated and demands to see her supervisor. A sticky note is placed into Davis's folder that states that no person of color is permitted to touch this patient. On a busy Saturday morning two of the nurses working with Ruth have to rush into an emergency C-section, leaving Ruth alone with Davis in the nursery, who just had a circumcision and needs to be closely watched for the next 90 minutes. When complications occur, Ruth is handed a dilemma. Does she save this baby even though she is strictly forbidden from doing so, putting her own career on the line? Or does she do nothing, follow the rules, and potentially cause the infant harm? 

It's an impossible, lose-lose, choice. 

This book will keep you on your toes. It will open a world to you you may have never seen before. It will slam you with the hard questions of racism and prejudice. It will ask you to choose a side. It will change you for the better. 

  

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Little Women

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are four sisters growing up in America after the Civil War. The novel, 'Little Women', by Louisa May Alcott, is the story of the sisters growing from adolescence into adulthood. Meg is the oldest. She is proper, somewhat vain, a wonderful actress, and dreams of marrying for love and becoming a mother. Jo, the second oldest, is the outspoken tomboy. Jo is unconventional, wild, a dreamer and a writer. Her ambitions are ahead of her time, especially for women. Beth is the third daughter. She is quiet, shy, pensive, and the mediator of the sisters. Everyone she meets feel drawn to her quiet temperament and can't help but love her. She is an animal lover and an exceptional musician. Amy is the youngest. Her dream is to become a famous artist and to travel the world. She has set her sights on marrying for money and leaving her poverty-stricken world behind. Each sister carries with them very different views of the world they live in, but their love for one another is a bond that cannot be broken. 

'Little Women' is a charming, lovely novel. It makes you a part of the story from the beginning and you can't help but feel invested in the lives of these remarkable women. It is beautiful in its simplicity, its morals, and its heart warming tales and adventures of four very different sisters. I started this novel a few years back but never finished it. I am so glad I picked it up again when I had more time to really devout to it. It is an intriguing book and a classic for a reason. 

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Little Paris Bookshop

"The Little Paris Bookshop", by Nina George, was a book of the month from my book club. It is about a Frenchman, Jean, who re-purposed a boat and turned it into a book store. Jean is a "pharmacist" of the literary world. He listens to people's problems and then prescribes a book that he thinks will help them through it. Jean is also a hypocrite of sorts. He is still mourning over a long lost love, the one that got away, and instead of dealing with his pain, he shoves it into the back of his heart and mind and continues on as an empty shell of a human being. For over twenty years he has become an expert at feeling nothing. His life is routine, he does not let anyone get close to him, he doesn't even really have friends. In his mind, that is the only way to keep his heart safe from being pulverized again. One day, an unexpected letter appears and Jean is forced to confront his past and set out on a journey of self discovery.
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I was really excited to read a book about "book love". Connecting with a character through the shared love of the written word is one of  the ultimate "nerding out" euphoric experiences for me. It is why I love Hermione and Belle so much. While I thoroughly enjoyed that aspect of the book, the plot fell a little flat for me. Maybe I just have not met these kind of men in the novel, but I personally have never experienced a man who cries so much. And it wasn't just the protagonist either. The emotions felt by all the men in this novel were just not realistic to me. I suppose I could have believed one "sobbing" melt down, but the continuous, raging emotions felt by all were over reaching. After so many crying sessions you really just wanted to scream, "suck it up buttercup!". It did have its moments of delight however, and I am glad that I read it at least once. If nothing else, it gave me some wonderful book recommendations and definitely lengthened my "To Read" list.
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"Often it's not we who shape words, but the words we use that shape us"
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"A bookseller never forgets that books are a very recent means of expression in the broad sweep of history, capable of changing the world and toppling tyrants"

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

The Body Reader

'The Body Reader' by Ann Frasier is about a homicide detective, Jude Fontaine, who has been living in captivity for the last three years. After she escapes from her kidnapper, the people who are closest to her question her sanity when she wants to return to her former career. However, having three years to read her captors face and movements, she is an expert at reading body language of both the living and the dead. Her new partner, Detective Uriah Ashby, is less then thrilled to be working with her, thinking she may have a psychotic meltdown at any moment. However, there is a madman on the loose in the city, killing young girls, and it is up to them to be a team and track him down.

This was an intense read, definitely a page turner! I liked the depth of the storyline, with each character having their own secrets, own agendas. The plot keeps you guessing and wanting more. Although it wasn't my favorite murder mystery book, it was really good and if you like that genre then you will like this book.

The Child Finder

'The Child Finder' by Rene Denfeld is the story of a private investigator named Naomi, who has a knack for finding the missing and the lost. She is hired by the Culvers whose daughter, Madison, went missing three years ago while they were picking out a Christmas tree in the Oregon forest. Naomi is their last hope to finding their daughter, but after three years, the outlook doesn't look good. This case takes Naomi deep into the cold Oregon forest in a search for a little girl, with no leads to where she went or who took her. While she is searching for Madison, Naomi's own past is trying to break through her defenses. She has blocked out her past and can not remember how she herself became a "lost child". 

This book is nothing short of riveting. It had me guessing until the very end. It also struck my "mommy heart" to the very core. I can't imagine losing a child and after reading this book I am now hyper aware of the dangers that exist in this crazy, cruel, messed up world. However this book contains a lot of hope and love and endurance. It shows the strength that a human spirit can hold. I really loved this book and can not wait to read the next one!

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Daisies and Devotion

In the second novel of the Mayfield Family series by Josi Killpack, titled 'Daisies and Devotion', Timothy Mayfield is ready to find a wife. He wishes to marry for love, but his finances are low and he knows that he must marry for wealth as well. When he suddenly comes into a fortune, his dreams of marrying his "perfect women" are now within his grasp. He has a very long list of what his future wife must look like, and how she must act.

Timothy's dear friend, Maryann Morrington, is a very wealthy women, who is tired of men chasing after her for her fortune. At age 22 she can't really afford to be picky, but finding her match seems impossible. Timothy and Maryann decide to team up to find each other's life long companions. Maryann tries convincing Timothy that his ideal women is a fantasy, but then a certain Miss Shaw, comes to London, and all of a sudden Timothy's dream becomes reality. Maryann tries to be happy for her friend, but she is battling intense emotions of her own, and is worried that she will never marry but become a spinster.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't think it was as good as the first one, but it was another proper romance novel that I liked reading. I especially loved the "realness" of  Maryann and Timothy. Their flaws and little quirks really made me fall in love with the characters. Josi Kilpack has definitely become one of my favorite authors and I can not wait for the next book in the Mayfield Family series.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Promises and Primroses

'Promises and Primroses' by Josi Kilpack is the stories within the Mayfield family and the scandals that seem to follow them around. In an attempt to keep the next generation from making the same mistakes as their parents, Lord Elliott Mayfield comes up with an idea that he calls "The Marriage Campaign", where he states that only his nieces and nephews who make worthy matches will inherit his fortune. His oldest nephew, Peter, things the idea is somewhat ridiculous and has no inclination to find another wife after becoming a widower and being left with two daughters to raise on his own. He does however, decide to hire a governess for his daughters, but worries that his choice in Julia Hollingsworth just may be a mistake, as she is very young and much to his dismay, very beautiful. Peter is not the only one who worries about attaining feelings for Julia however. Julia's mother, Amelia, has very different reasons for wanting to keep her daughter away from the Mayfields - something that ties herself to Elliott from long ago.

The last few years I have become a huge fan of both proper romance, and Josi Kilpack. Although this hasn't replaced my top favorite one of her novels, I think this could definitely be placed high up on that list. Yes, it is somewhat predictable, but then most proper romance novels are, something which I surprisingly don't mind because the events leading up to the two characters falling in love is the very best part.