When the laws of Regency can take everything away, there is the mystery of life and its curveballs

Synopsis

In Regency England, twenty-seven-year-old Leonora Appleby is considered by many – herself included – to be beyond her most eligible marrying years. With her childhood home, HasterleighManor, soon to be taken over by the heir to the land, George Lockwood, Leonora has happily resigned herself to a quiet life as a country Miss.

But life has a way of springing surprises and the return of the brooding war hero Earl Rokeby, presumed dead on the French battlefields, to the magnificent neighbouring Rokeby Abbey has the village atwitter with speculation. Earl Rokeby has returned, scarred in mind and body, with news for Leonora’s best friend Charlotte Blythe – news that will change everything.

Now Charlotte and Leonora must travel to Town for the Season and take their futures and fate into their own hands in the whirl of balls, parties and gossip. But will either of them return to Hasterleighwith a husband and a fortune, and what other secrets does the devastatingly dashing Alistair Rokeby have up his silken sleeves…

Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.

My review

Leonora Appleby is a young twenty – seven – years old woman. Yet according the Regency standards, she has passed her best years, and marriage seems to be no longer in her plans. Not that Leonora is depressed by this fact, but she is sad that her childhood home, will be taken over by the heir of the lands, George Lockwood. Yet Leonora is sure that she will truly enjoy her life as a country Miss. With the return of her neighbour, Earl Rokeby, Leonora cannot suspect what changes that will bring not only to her own life, but also to the life of her best friend, Charlotte Blythe. Because Alistair Rokeby reveals a secret about Charlotte’s parentage that will shake both women’s world. And that even will bring the friends to Town for the Season, where their lives will take a turn for the unexpected, filled with gowns, balls and glamour. But also with even more secrets and schemes… All this while Leonora is more captivated by the haunted – by – war Rokeby…

While I absolutely enjoy reading stories taking place during Regency, I am also very much aware that actually living in that era is absolutely nothing for me. I am for sure that at my age, I would be already be seen as an old spinster, no prospect of marriage or having children. And let’s not talk about loud and outspoken character! 😊

There are too many absurd rules to take in account, rules and expectations I could never live up to. And women for sure are seen as weaker, not expected to have a mind of their own.

So right when I started with this book, I liked Leonora, because despite everything that was expected from her by society, she ahs made her own life, and lived it like she wants. She does not dream of marriage, but she wants her peace and quiet. Yet she also knows, that being the only child and being a daughter, she cannot stay in her childhood home, Hasterleigh Manor. But she is happy enough to be staying in a nearby cottage whenever the heir, George Lockwood, decides to take up residency.

I truly found Leonora being a character living in the wrong era. Yet I also felt some kind of pride towards her, because she still does what is right for her, and not what is right for society. Yet she does what is right for the people she cares about, even to protecting those who are having a more difficult time than her.

Her first encounter with Rokeby is an odd one, as Rokeby isn’t for sure acting as a Prince Charming. I didn’t know what to think of him myself, as his behaviour and his questions go from one way to another.

Yet despite his peculiar behaviour, I couldn’t not have sympathy for him. Because what he had to endure during war, truly scarred him, literally and figuratively speaking. He has also been keeping a secret for so many years, and that has been weighing on him.

Rokeby for sure is an enigma for greatest parts of the book. But the more he is living in Rokeby Abbey, and is somehow spending time with Leonora, there is more light in him, there is, to say it with his own words, more music in his life.

It also needs to be said, I was pleasantly surprised by George Lockwood. Being the heir of Leonora’s home, it would have been so easy for him to play King of the Castle (or rather, Manor). Yet that is not who George is. He is this kind person, understanding and also just finding his place in the world.

Obviously I also need to talk about Charlotte, as she seems to be somehow an important key in this story too. Hers is a sad background, as she has been abandoned as a baby, but that doesn’t take away that she has been raised by lovely ‘adopted’ parents.

Yet the truth about her parentage links her with Rokeby and gives her a better prospect in life, but also with the revelations and the world knowing about it, opens the gates for vultures and even people wanting to tarnish her family’s reputation.

But beside Charlotte’s family secrets, she is also Leonora’s best friend. The love between the friends is so clear and genuine. These two women have the same vision on so many subjects, and have a great connection.

Perhaps there is one tiny remark I have, as I believed that maybe, just maybe, there were a few too many twists in this book. I could understand why the author added them, as it for sure added some more drama in it. But for a few, it felt like adding drama for the dramatic purpose, and not exactly giving an extra in – depth layer to the story itself.

But that doesn’t take away I enjoyed reading this story, about strong women, haunted Earls and a desire to find happiness, joy, love and music in your life. Obviously this doesn’t come easy, as the path to the end goal is filled with schemes, fear and miscommunications. But isn’t reaching the final goal worth it?