Rating: 4
Everyone in Julia Cummings’s life has left her. Even her father has distanced himself to protect himself from further loss, knowing someday she would marry and leave. The deaths of the rest of the family have hit them hard and Julia lives without living. Lucas Jonquil, Julia’s last remaining friend, has run away to deal with his own grief, the loss of all his siblings and some dear friends. Lucas is determined to make their deaths matter by living life to the fullest. He forgot to include one thing in his plans, Julia.
Lucas returns home from his adventures to visit his parents and enjoy a short recharge before heading out again. They, however, have arranged other plans for him, and before the week is out he finds himself engaged to his neighbor, Julia. And Julia hates him. Which, for the life of him, he can’t figure out why. It takes moving to Lucas’s remote estate and his best friends, The Gents, descending upon them to knock some sense into him and draw Julia out of her shell.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s good. Don’t get me wrong. I have no regrets in buying or reading it. But… I’m not sure what to think about it. I love Sarah M. Eden’s books and, frankly, I don’t even read the back cover anymore on her books. She announces a new one and I purchase it. Haven’t been disappointed yet.
I wonder if the problem is simply my mindset. Maybe I wasn’t ready to transition mentally from the 1930s (the setting of the last book I read) to 1785. Possible. It’s also possible that because this is the beginning of a new series that I needed some additional history and background on the characters that wasn’t quite there. Except, I don’t remember having that problem with her other series or standalone books… I can’t put my finger on it.
Those who have read her Jonquil Brothers series and Lancaster Family series will find little Easter eggs scattered throughout. (Makes me want to go read them again!) Also, I love the Gents! I am super excited to get to know them better in future books.
