Joanna Johnson

Good story about two people who must learn to trust again before they can find happiness together. Julia was awkward, clumsy, shy, and introverted as a child. This made her a prime target for teasing. Taking the lead was Samuel, the boy Julia had a slight crush on. Other kids followed his example but were much meaner, making her life miserable. Her mother was manipulative and condescending rather than supportive until Julia visited Italy with her aunt and returned a changed woman. Now, her mama was determined to snag the best possible match for Julia, while she wanted nothing to do with those who tormented her as a child.

Samuel returned to England after spending time in Italy. He fell in love with a woman there who later betrayed him. Though he knows he will eventually need to marry, he is wary of risking his heart again.

The first time they see each other again, Samuel doesn't recognize Julia. Her beauty bowls him over, but he doesn't understand why she is so cold to him. Meanwhile, Julia thinks he's just another person who believes she's worth his time now that she's beautiful. But when Samuel rescues Julia from an icy stream, it puts them into a compromising situation. Never one to waste an opportunity, Julia's mother insists they marry to prevent a scandal. Neither is happy about it. Julia wanted a man who would love and appreciate her for who she is and is stuck with a loveless marriage. Samuel wasn't ready to marry at all, especially a beautiful woman.

I liked watching the development of their relationship. Once Samuel discovered why Julia disliked him, he sincerely apologized and took pains to treat her with caring and respect. He begins to see glimpses of the girl he remembers beneath the façade she has developed and is attracted to the softer Julia. At the same time, Julia starts to notice that Samuel has grown into a kind and caring man. Unfortunately, she still lacks confidence in her appeal and has trouble believing he could care for her. There are some sweet scenes between the two as they get to know each other, and the sparks of attraction build. Neither is ready to admit to their growing feelings.

But just as things look promising between them, Samuel's past comes back to bite him. Instead of dealing with the matter immediately, he puts it off, complicating matters when Julia finds it. I ached for Julia and the hit to her self-confidence. Her feelings of betrayal were devastating. I hurt for Samuel also, as he realized the depth of his feelings for Julia. I liked how he supported her right to her feelings and gave her the space she needed. I loved seeing his examination of his past, his mistakes, and what he learned from them. I loved Samuel's big moment at the end and his emotional demonstration of his love for Julia. I also liked that she had her own "aha" moment regarding who she is.… (altro)

Honoria Blake#s came from America to England and her husband basically abandoned her, now Lord Lovell has arrived at her door to tell her she's a widow. What she doesn't realise is that her ex husband left a legacy with his pregnant sister. His unmarried, young, pregnant sister. Honoria is left penniless and Lord Lovell insists that she will have to stay with him for Christmas.
And of course sparks fly but once the truth comes out it complicates things.
It was a sweet romance with interesting twists and a bi-racial female lead. I enjoyed it.… (altro)

Good book about two lonely and stubborn people. Frances inherited her uncle's farm when he died. Frances is the illegitimate daughter of her mother and a married man, a man who abandoned her mother when she needed him most. Uncle Robert raised Frances to be independent and wary of trusting any man after her mother's death. Frances was bullied, ostracized, and ridiculed all her life because of her mother. Now she is left to work the farm alone, exhausted at the end of every day.

Lt. Jonah Gray returned from Waterloo to find that his brother-in-law stole their life savings and abandoned Jonah's sister and two children. With what little money Jonah had left, he purchased a dilapidated cottage and hoped to find a way to support them all. After meeting Frances, he thinks that marrying her may be the path to a better life for Jane and the children if he can win her favor.

Neither Jonah nor Frances ever planned to marry. Frances has severe trust issues regarding men - and who can blame her with the way she is treated? Jonah saw enough of the bad side of marriage from his abusive and negligent parents and Jane's marriage to swear off the institution. The first meeting between Jonah and Frances wasn't promising. Jonah is a handsome man and used to women chasing him, but his attempt to charm Frances falls flat. The next couple of encounters don't go well either. It isn't until Jonah comes to her defense against an obnoxious man that she begins to soften slightly. Jonah realizes that he needs to win Frances's trust before anything else.

While Jonah thinks he's being practical and calculating in his pursuit of Frances, he's disturbed by the protectiveness he feels toward her and his inability to keep his mind off her. Frances suffers from the same malady. She doesn't understand why he stirs feelings in her that she's never felt for anyone else. The sparks of attraction between them were evident from the start, as was their dismay about it. Jonah is smart enough to back off any indication of his attraction and offers Frances simple friendship as a way to get his foot in the door. The attraction still simmers under the surface, but Frances relaxes a little in his company. I loved that Jonah didn't push too hard but showed Frances the benefit of occasionally accepting help. It isn't easy for Frances to go against her training and her struggle is obvious.

Eventually, circumstances make it necessary for them to marry. Jonah suggests it as a business partnership, as neither wanted a spouse. There are certain benefits to marriage that they indulge in, claiming that it is practical, too. When friendship and attraction grew into love, neither believed the other could feel the same way. As Jane's health worsened and Jonah became desperate to find a solution to her housing situation, he made a boneheaded decision. I wanted to shake him and yell at him to talk to Frances and tell her the truth. The solution was right in front of him. Instead, his plan would betray Frances in the worst way possible. I ached for her when she found out about it; her pain leaped off the pages. I had high hopes that Jonah would do the right thing after all. I loved the ending, as Jonah had a very moving, emotional grovel scene while Frances made him work for his forgiveness. The final chapter was a good wrap-up for the story.… (altro)

Good book with an unusual twist. Honora's parents were a freed slave and a plantation owner's daughter who fell in love, married and lived in the mountains of Virginia. Honora fell in love with a visiting Englishman and married him against her parents' advice. Once in England, her husband Frank resumed his rakish ways and, after a couple of years, abandoned Honora. She hadn't seen him in three years when Isaac, Lord Lovell, arrived to tell her that Frank was dead, and she needed to attend the reading of his will.

I enjoyed the first meeting between Isaac and Honora. Isaac broke into her house, not realizing it was occupied, and she confronted him at gunpoint. The antagonism between them is fierce, as Honora believes Isaac was Frank's friend, and Isaac wants nothing to do with Frank's wife. However, when Isaac realizes that Honora doesn't have the money to get to the will reading, Isaac offers to take her with him. During the journey, it becomes evident that underneath the antagonism are sparks of attraction.

I liked the development of the relationship between Isaac and Honora. Honora is feisty and independent, thanks to her upbringing. Still under the impression that Isaac was one of Frank's friends, she makes no secret of her dislike and disapproval. Though she doesn't want to admit it, Honora is also attracted to him. Isaac finds Honora intriguing and is attracted to her. His mental chastisements to himself reveal his low opinion of marriage and his determination not to become involved with her. But when the reading of the will reveals that Honora is both penniless and homeless, Isaac steps up and invites her to spend Christmas with him and his ward while exploring her options.

Things begin to change when they are under one roof. Honora meets Charlotte, Isaac's young and pregnant ward. I loved watching the two women connect. Charlotte brings out Honora's mothering instinct, while Honora's practical attitude helps Charlotte adjust to her situation. Meanwhile, the more time they spend together, the more Honora realizes that she misjudged Isaac. Her feelings for him change and grow. At the same time, Isaac can't help thinking about Honora and how well she fits in his life. But he's keeping a huge secret that could ruin anything that they might have together.

Their lives become more complicated when complications of childbirth put Charlotte's life at risk, and she begs them to marry to protect the baby. Isaac's secret weighs on him even more, as he misses several chances to come clean because he's afraid of losing her. I ached for them both when the truth comes out. Honora once again feels betrayed and used. Isaac is heartbroken at losing the woman he loves. I loved how Charlotte gave him the kick in the pants he needed to make things right. Isaac's big moment at the end was sweet and romantic. I would have liked an epilogue, perhaps involving the promised trip to Virginia, to see how their future works out.… (altro)