Publishers Weekly
12/16/2019
The choice between true love and a marriage of convenience is at the heart of this appealing G-rated Regency romance from Walker (A Beautiful Love). Amelia and Clara Moore live with their dying stepfather. If at least one of them cannot secure a marriage before his death, they’ll wind up homeless, unable to inherit. When the sisters receive an invitation to stay with the wealthy Demsworth family, they jump at the chance, as Clara has her eye on Sir Ronald Demsworth and Amelia is determined to help her catch him. Upon arrival, they discover that Clara has a rival for Ronald’s affection in Miss Georgiana Wood, and Georgiana’s brother, Peter, is equally dead set on helping his own sister. As Peter and Amelia play matchmaker, they develop feelings for each other, but when Amelia receives word that her stepfather has died, Lady Demsworth offers Amelia an arranged marriage with her nephew. Though the drama throughout is slight and quickly resolved, readers will find it easy to invest in practical, business-minded Amelia as she learns to follow her heart. This gentle love story is a treat. (Apr.)
Julianne Donaldson
Charming…beautifully written, and hopelessly romantic. Sure to be a new favorite!”
Booklist
"What starts as rivalry quickly intensifies into undeniable chemistry, and Amelia must choose whether to stick with logic or gamble with love. Set in 1820, Walker's standalone proper romance features an elegant game of cat-and-mouse amidst high-stakes matchmaking. Themes of love and trust, paired with rich period details, make this an immersive drama of the lesser nobility. From rounds of parlor games to chaperoned afternoons on the Lakeshire Park estate, Walker effortlessly amplifies the decorum of Regency England with chic wit and delightful characters who will stop at nothing to reach their nuptial goals."—Booklist
Booklist
"What starts as rivalry quickly intensifies into undeniable chemistry, and Amelia must choose whether to stick with logic or gamble with love. Set in 1820, Walker's standalone proper romance features an elegant game of cat-and-mouse amidst high-stakes matchmaking. Themes of love and trust, paired with rich period details, make this an immersive drama of the lesser nobility. From rounds of parlor games to chaperoned afternoons on the Lakeshire Park estate, Walker effortlessly amplifies the decorum of Regency England with chic wit and delightful characters who will stop at nothing to reach their nuptial goals."—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
2020-01-27
A young woman in desperate straits hopes a house party will find her sister a happy match with their host, but she doesn’t expect to fall in love herself.
After the death of their mother, Clara and Amelia Moore are left in the begrudging and belligerent care of their stepfather, Lord Gray, whose health is failing. The sisters’ future is precarious, since he’s informed Amelia that once he’s died, his family won’t support them. Their hopes rise when Sir Ronald Demsworth—Clara's would-be suitor from their recent season—invites them to a house party. Amelia keeps their dire situation from her sister, hopeful things will turn out. A match between Clara and Sir Ronald looks promising, but Georgiana Wood, another guest, seems set on Sir Ronald herself, and her brother, Peter, is doing everything he can to help his sister win their host's regard. In order to keep each other from interfering, Clara and Peter agree to spend more time together, yet as an attraction grows between them, Georgiana’s behavior toward Ronald becomes increasingly assuming, putting Amelia’s friendship with Peter at odds with her support for her sister. When an opportunity arises for Amelia to make a good but loveless match, she must decide between security and love, especially once Georgiana goes too far and risks everyone’s happiness. Austen-esque themes abound in this historical romance of manners and masks, yet Amelia’s first-person narrative undermines her character, since she’s continually justifying her decisions and then changing her mind or her behavior a few pages later, while the absolute lack of communication among the characters is frustrating.
A sweet, somewhat engaging Regency romance hindered by exasperating character choices.
