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reading_aine's review against another edition
5.0
Timothy and Maryann were wonderful characters and their love story was unique and fun. This book was delightful and entertaining with a very happy ending. I enjoyed it immensely.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book - it's due out in May next year and I highly recommend it and I'll definitely be reading more by this author. Miss Maryann Morrington is in London for the season in order to find a match. Maryann has an inheritance and doesn't necessarily match current standards of beauty so she is always suspicious when a man shows and interest. She meets Timothy Mayfield through her sister - he was a school friend of her husband. Timothy is also in London to find a match - and he has a very specific list of what he's looking for in a woman. Maryann develops feelings for Timothy but as she matches none of the attributes on his list, she decides to help him out by introducing her to young woman who may be suitable. This is a very clever written and relatable romance novel.
katie_chandler's review against another edition
3.0
This second book in the series is much better than the first. I don’t think I would have read this if it hadn’t already been available. The chapters flowed much better without so many different character perspectives. However, it still has two perspectives which can really only mean one thing...
I’m a fan of strong independent female characters, and the blunt honesty was admirable. Another plus, in my opinion, was when the author derailed a stereotypical swoon moment to remind the reader that not all discretions can be resolved with a romantic gesture.
I’m a fan of strong independent female characters, and the blunt honesty was admirable. Another plus, in my opinion, was when the author derailed a stereotypical swoon moment to remind the reader that not all discretions can be resolved with a romantic gesture.
cari1268's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of those book that I almost didn't want the heroine to end up with the hero. He could be a clueless jerk. This was a fast, enjoyable read.
3.5 Stars
3.5 Stars
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the first book in this series of loosely-connected novels, so I was eager to give the second installment a go. Like its predecessor, DAISIES AND DEVOTION offers a sweet, clean Regency romance with a guaranteed HEA. It ran a little long (I prefer Regency romances to be around 200 pages -- this one stretched to 285), which irritated me a bit. Otherwise, I enjoyed this light, diverting read, and will definitely continue with the series.
zlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a newcomer to Josi S. Kilpack's writing, and now I can share my happiness in 'discovering' her writing. Kilpack has a talent for creating relatable, imperfect characters who show an unexpected kind of daring in their behavior: both heroine and hero choose to live differently, deciding not to conform to the cynicism, excessive snobbery, and occasional cruelty of upper class Regency England. This is, after all, and era when public hangings drew audiences, many of the upper ten thousand grew rich from brutal enslavement of human beings and colonization, and thieves could be transported to Australia for thievery.
Kilpack provides a neat twist on the marriage-of-convenience plot, with the protagonists trying to suggest mates for each other while struggling with their mutual attraction to each other. Events unfold at a pace just brisk enough; their shared affection builds in a believable way. As a librarian, I’d recommend Daisies and Devotion to readers new to historical romance, or those seeking engaging love stories that keep the bedroom door closed. I’d also suggest the novel to readers suspicious of inspirational or religious romances; there’s nothing saccharine here. To the contrary, the difficulty of sticking to one’s ethics and morals -- specifically, kindness, being mindful of other people’s needs -- are shown to be difficult but worthwhile endeavours. Enjoyed this novel and would like to read more from this author.
Kilpack provides a neat twist on the marriage-of-convenience plot, with the protagonists trying to suggest mates for each other while struggling with their mutual attraction to each other. Events unfold at a pace just brisk enough; their shared affection builds in a believable way. As a librarian, I’d recommend Daisies and Devotion to readers new to historical romance, or those seeking engaging love stories that keep the bedroom door closed. I’d also suggest the novel to readers suspicious of inspirational or religious romances; there’s nothing saccharine here. To the contrary, the difficulty of sticking to one’s ethics and morals -- specifically, kindness, being mindful of other people’s needs -- are shown to be difficult but worthwhile endeavours. Enjoyed this novel and would like to read more from this author.
themaritimereader14's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, I loved this book so much. What a sweet little love story. Can't wait to continue this fun series of proper romances.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
5.0
What a delightful followup to Promises and Primrose. While this book is a stand alone book, you will find a few of the characters from the first book intermingled in this book.
Love could be hard to find especially if you aren't sure what you are looking for in a potential spouse...OR your ideas were so off base and crazy that it kept you from realizing what is right in front of you. This was Timothy's case. He has this long list of characteristics that he thinks he wants in a spouse until he meets that perfect woman and realizes that just maybe his dream woman comes in another form.
Maryann is a bit older than the other debutantes and has the luxury of not having to settle for just any man that comes her way that doesn't appreciate or love her for her. She is very grounded and that helps her in seeking out a potential suitor. She is even clever enough to have her maid, Lucy, snoop around and find out information about those suitors - are they who they portray to her? Lucy is on the case and find out things for Maryann that she may not have learned otherwise and it helps her in a few situations.
This was a delightful read. I enjoyed all of the characters and their interactions with one another. Donna the protective older sister, and Uncle Elliott who has the answer to Timothy's marriage issues are two that stand out to me. Times were very different during that time period and what men and women went through to find the right match might make your head spin, especially since the women had to have a chaperone! Despite all that, Timothy and Maryann form a friendship that is the foundation for so much more if Timothy would open his eyes. My heart broke a little for Maryann when a certain gentleman wasn't who he portrayed himself to be to her. What a cad! But as the story unfolded, both Timothy and Maryann realized that sometimes the heart knows what it wants and won't settle for less.
If you are in the mood for a historical romance, this is a good choice! We give it 5 paws up.
Love could be hard to find especially if you aren't sure what you are looking for in a potential spouse...OR your ideas were so off base and crazy that it kept you from realizing what is right in front of you. This was Timothy's case. He has this long list of characteristics that he thinks he wants in a spouse until he meets that perfect woman and realizes that just maybe his dream woman comes in another form.
Maryann is a bit older than the other debutantes and has the luxury of not having to settle for just any man that comes her way that doesn't appreciate or love her for her. She is very grounded and that helps her in seeking out a potential suitor. She is even clever enough to have her maid, Lucy, snoop around and find out information about those suitors - are they who they portray to her? Lucy is on the case and find out things for Maryann that she may not have learned otherwise and it helps her in a few situations.
This was a delightful read. I enjoyed all of the characters and their interactions with one another. Donna the protective older sister, and Uncle Elliott who has the answer to Timothy's marriage issues are two that stand out to me. Times were very different during that time period and what men and women went through to find the right match might make your head spin, especially since the women had to have a chaperone! Despite all that, Timothy and Maryann form a friendship that is the foundation for so much more if Timothy would open his eyes. My heart broke a little for Maryann when a certain gentleman wasn't who he portrayed himself to be to her. What a cad! But as the story unfolded, both Timothy and Maryann realized that sometimes the heart knows what it wants and won't settle for less.
If you are in the mood for a historical romance, this is a good choice! We give it 5 paws up.