What will be found when you are looking for answers?

Synopsis

A daring young lady and dashing lord

At Prebbles Flying Circus, the daring Eliza Gray captivates audiences with her breathtaking feats on horseback. Yet beyond the applause, she harbours a longing to find the family she lost as a child and discover who she truly is.

Fate, however, takes an unexpected turn when Eliza is unceremoniously knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Raven, Earl Purfoy. Dazed but intrigued, she cannot help but notice Purfoy’scommanding presence.

For his part, the dashing lord, is mortified at his carelessness and resolves to assist the spirited yet intriguing young woman. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances.

As a most accidental debutante, Eliza has to navigate the complexities of high society and her new friendships. Her quest for family and belonging becomes perilously entwined with Zadoc Flynn, an American heir in search of an English bride, and the unfathomable Lord Purfoy.

Can Eliza uncover the truth of her past and the family she longs for? And will it be Mr Flynn or Lord Purfoy, or indeed her new female friends, who help her find her place in the world?

In a tale of courage, passion, and self-discovery, this lost orphan must decide where she truly belongs.

My review

Eliza Gray does not know who she is, as when she was just a young child, she got lost and she never knew who her family was. That brought her to Prebbles Flying Circus, where over the years she has built a name with her talents on her horse. But now Eliza wants to know where she came from and thus she leaves the circus on her personal quest. A quest that starts with her being knocked down by a cubicle driven by Earl Purfoy. Raven is shocked that he is the cause of Eliza’s accident, and wants to make amends, by making sure she is looked after by his best friends. Corinna and Alick Wolfe are more than ready to help Eliza, not only to look after her, but also to find out about her past. And why not, even sponsor her into society. The more Eliza gets to know about society, the closer she gets to find her answers. But also the more time she spends with Raven, the more she realizes that there is something. But an Earl and a nobody, that is just not done, right? And let’s not forget that Raven isn’t looking for love at all…

Regency books always intrigue me, as they show us, yes perhaps a romanticized version, of a time not that far ago, how different things were. Yet, even it intrigues me, I am sure I don’t want to live in that era, as I wouldn’t be allowed to have a voice or mind of my mind, something that I for sure have 😊.

I am also very close to my family, even if there are moments that the Langone’s are a bit too much, even for me 😊. So I cannot imagine not knowing who my tribe is, who my relatives are. Especially if just like Eliza, knowing that there is a family out there, but not remembering them. Isn’t that an awful thing to imagine?

So of course I could understand Eliza’s need for answers, she wants to know where she truly belongs. I don’t know how things worked in a circus back then, and it doesn’t seem like a free environment. But I could see how despite that situation, Eliza not only has built some real friendships, that support her and encourage her. But we also see how working in the circus has made her connect with horses. A connection that we continue to understand better the more the story evolves.

Growing up in the circus also made sure that Eliza does not take cr*p from anyone. She is a strong woman, standing her ground, not letting take anyone advantage of her, even talking back isn’t something that scares her, but she is also the kind of person that respects those who are kind to her. She is loyal to them, and when she has made a mistake, she does whatever she can to make it right again.

But on the other hand, Eliza is also someone that doesn’t want to stand in the way. She doesn’t want to add any worries to her loved ones. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone, and she for sure doesn’t want to force anyone in a situation they are not comfortable in.

Even if that means not admitting the growing feelings she has for Raven Purfoy, the man that caused her accident, but also helped her afterwards.

Raven for sure is that typical dark, mysterious, distant Earl that we expect from these kind of book. But he is also that typical man, typical Earl, that hides behind a façade and even feelings of guilt.

He is a loyal friend, that is for sure. For those in his circle, he would even try to move the moon. But he is rather closed for outsiders, and doesn’t let people easily in. That obviously comes from somewhere, and I couldn’t wait to discover what that was, and if and how Eliza would be able to bring those walls down.

Where the ‘relationship’ between Eliza and Raven starts as accidental, they slowly bond over a shared passion for horses, and Eliza adapting to Raven’s way of life in a way. Their lives and upbringing couldn’t be more different, but with Eliza stepping into society, and Raven’s determination to help Eliza with her quest, bring them closer and closer.

That quest isn’t that straightforward, but that is also to be expected. And I have to say, that while there is one outcome that I was pleased about, I felt a little bit unsatisfied with the truth, and also with the actions and manners of some people that turn out to be related to Eliza…

This book shows us that love and feelings that truly matter, don’t look at where you come from, but what is in your heart. We see an unlikely even an impossible matching in the making. But isn’t it impossible because we, and society, makes it impossible? That fear and guilt can make us miss out what could turn out to be the best possible thing.