About the book: Charlotte Darby’s ship is sinking. Penniless and alone, she is struggling to care for herself and her young sister in the harsh seaport town of Hull. But when a solicitor from London brings news that she is the heir to a vast estate in Kent, it seems her days of rough seas are over. Willowkeep is prosperous and grand, far too much for a shipping merchant’s daughter to manage, and she quickly comes to rely on the help of Henry Morland, the estate’s kind and handsome steward.
Henry has worked hard his entire life, but all the money he’s saved won’t be enough to get his father out of debtor’s prison. And Henry’s fondness for Charlotte and her sister is only another reminder of his low status and lack of wealth. Though he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Charlotte happy and looked after as the county’s wealthiest lady, she can never be his.
Courted by a charming man of the ton, threatened by those who want her money, and determined to keep her sister safe from the same fate that cost her the rest of her family, Charlotte must face some heartrending decisions. For no matter the size of the fortune, life—and love—are never smooth sailing.
My review: I LOVED this book by Julie Daines. I loved the way I was sucked into Charlotte's story from the very beginning.
Charlotte is a really amazing character. She's been left as an orphan after her mother committed suicide and her father disappeared on his ship. Not only was she left alone, but she was left to care for her younger sister, Susie, who has some mental challenges. And she was left to care for the two of them with virtually no money.
Life becomes much easier for Charlotte when she learns from a solicitor that she has been left an estate called Willowkeep in her uncle's will. And she will receive an income of 12,000 pounds a year. I love the way that Charlotte can't really fathom that she is now rich and her and Susie's circumstances have changed. I love the way she cares for and protects Susie as her first concern throughout the whole book. She is one of my very favorite characters.
I also love the way she refuses to ever think of marrying anyone. She has seen some messed up things in her short life and wants nothing to do with carrying on any of it.
Then there's Henry Moreland. He's the steward of her new estate. He's a kind and caring man and he is so great with her sister Susie. He quickly becomes the only one that Charlotte can confide in both with Susie's situation and her whole life in general.
This whole book is so great. I loved the backstory, the plot and of course the romance!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
About the author: Julie Daines was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.
She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her verveine.
To learn more about Julie Daines or to contact her, visit her website at www.juliedaines.com.
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Labels: Clean Romance, Covenant Communications, Julie Daines
