When Nev’s father dies unexpectedly, he leaves the family mired in debt, so he decides to make a convenient marriage to Penny, the fabulously wealthy but low-born daughter of a brewer.
This is the second book I’ve read by Lerner (the first being the fabulous A Lily Among Thorns), but it has many of the same hallmarks – an unconventional, rather unsentimental romance, a strong grounding in history, and plenty of intrigue and action.
I enjoyed the plot about the tenant rebellion, even if I thought Sir Jasper went a little off the rails at the end. I enjoyed the steady romance between Nev and Penny and how they came to accept that they cared for each other and finally admit it. I especially enjoyed how the author examines social class in Regency England in regards to Penny’s background and the relationship between the landlords and the tenants.
However, I did wish the romance got more attention in the second half of the book, which leans more heavily on the external plot instead. I also would have liked it if some plot elements were cut down on, such as Louisa’s romance – there’s already so much going on that you end up feeling like you’re in a chaotic whirlwind at points.
I think ultimately that while this is classed as a Regency romance, it might work better for readers who like theirs mashed with historical fiction, as the blend is rather heavy and those seeking only romance might go away disappointed.
