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english_lady03's review
4.0
I’ve read a fair few Regencies in the past couple of years, and I would rank this amongst one of my favourites. The notion of a retelling of the Book of Ruth set in the Regency period was clever and generally well done, with a realistic and accurate historical setting, and a stock of well-drawn characters. Letty /Lettice(which I imagine was short for Letitia), a hurting woman whose abusive marriage destroyed her belief in love struggling to survive in society. Major Deverill, the dashing and honourable war veteran who quickly befriends out heroine and leads and defends her through many trials, and Viscount Beaumont, the noble rake who is not all he seems.
There are enough balls, hobnobbing with high society and glamorous dresses and period delights to please fans of Regency. I enjoyed the story itself on one level for what it was not- it was not what I call ‘fluffy’ romance in which the protagonists are constantly dwelling on the physical attractiveness of the other, or kissing at every given opportunity. Admittedly Beauford is smitten with Letty (but not she him), but in came across in a way that seemed almost- chivalrous- not soppy or silly.
The struggles, attitudes, outlook and language of the characters seemed to fit in with the time period, and did not seem too Americanised, which is something of an issue for me. No doubt the reason was that the author is British, so it’s pleasing to find a British author with a successful work Christian Fiction genre.
I did have one or two complaints. One was the lack of religious commitment on the part of the male protagonist, who is meant to be the Boaz character of the story, (for those unfamiliar with the Biblical account he was the faithful Jewish landowner who married Ruth- the non-Jewish woman who embraced their faith and people) which was a fact that did not seem to change towards the end. Perhaps it’s not a wholly founded complaint, but it seemed to me that for Christian Regency, there was not a lot that was ostensibly Christian.
I think perhaps the author was trying to make the change in his character more subtle, in line with the theme of redemption though love central to the story. Finally, there was some of the language- in the sense of swear words, yes they were understandable in light of the circumstances and the feelings of the characters- but I somehow thought it seemed distasteful to keep saying ‘damn him’ of a person who was already dead.
Generally, a solid and enjoyable story it’s easy to get lost in, with faint shades of Austen. I would certainly be interested in reading Mrs Keyworth’s next novel, due out in September.
There are enough balls, hobnobbing with high society and glamorous dresses and period delights to please fans of Regency. I enjoyed the story itself on one level for what it was not- it was not what I call ‘fluffy’ romance in which the protagonists are constantly dwelling on the physical attractiveness of the other, or kissing at every given opportunity. Admittedly Beauford is smitten with Letty (but not she him), but in came across in a way that seemed almost- chivalrous- not soppy or silly.
The struggles, attitudes, outlook and language of the characters seemed to fit in with the time period, and did not seem too Americanised, which is something of an issue for me. No doubt the reason was that the author is British, so it’s pleasing to find a British author with a successful work Christian Fiction genre.
I did have one or two complaints. One was the lack of religious commitment on the part of the male protagonist, who is meant to be the Boaz character of the story, (for those unfamiliar with the Biblical account he was the faithful Jewish landowner who married Ruth- the non-Jewish woman who embraced their faith and people) which was a fact that did not seem to change towards the end. Perhaps it’s not a wholly founded complaint, but it seemed to me that for Christian Regency, there was not a lot that was ostensibly Christian.
I think perhaps the author was trying to make the change in his character more subtle, in line with the theme of redemption though love central to the story. Finally, there was some of the language- in the sense of swear words, yes they were understandable in light of the circumstances and the feelings of the characters- but I somehow thought it seemed distasteful to keep saying ‘damn him’ of a person who was already dead.
Generally, a solid and enjoyable story it’s easy to get lost in, with faint shades of Austen. I would certainly be interested in reading Mrs Keyworth’s next novel, due out in September.
books_n_blossoms's review
3.0
If you're new to reading Regency novels, I think this book would be a good place to start. I didn't realized at first that it was a loose retelling of Ruth. I could definitely see it as I got further into the story and we meet Letty's sister-in-law Theo and mother-in-law, Clarissa. I didn't see Lord Beauford as much Boaz as I did the Major.
It's clear from the start that Letty losing her husband isn't the worst thing in the world. What a scoundrel. We also meet a lot of people along the way who help shape the main characters. I felt so bad for Letty and what she had to endure with her husband and they way people saw her afterwards. I really loved how the Major came along to encourage her and build her up.
Meanwhile, you could see Beauford's interest in her albeit a very faint one since he was so used to be fawned over by the ladies. Towards the end of the story we learn why he had such a hard time being kind to Letting initially. I think it's reasonable for a woman like Letty to react the way she did to most men after the situation she came from. The last thing she wanted was to give her heart to anyone else or be beholden to someone.
I enjoyed the banter between Letty and Beauford. They kind of drove each other crazy, and I actually like those kinds of storylines. I also enjoyed the relationship between Letty and Sophie! They made sweet friends and I liked that they wrote to each other so often, a lost art these days.
The author does a lot of explaining about what's happening and why in the story. That part was a little distracting to me since sometimes it was a little too much. And some of them didn't make sense like Letty not realizing she'd been holding her breath for a few minutes. If I hold my breath for 30 seconds I know it. lol
The author used the word d*mn numerous times as well as "h*ll" which I'm not a fan of in Christian fiction even if it fits the time period.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
It's clear from the start that Letty losing her husband isn't the worst thing in the world. What a scoundrel. We also meet a lot of people along the way who help shape the main characters. I felt so bad for Letty and what she had to endure with her husband and they way people saw her afterwards. I really loved how the Major came along to encourage her and build her up.
Meanwhile, you could see Beauford's interest in her albeit a very faint one since he was so used to be fawned over by the ladies. Towards the end of the story we learn why he had such a hard time being kind to Letting initially. I think it's reasonable for a woman like Letty to react the way she did to most men after the situation she came from. The last thing she wanted was to give her heart to anyone else or be beholden to someone.
I enjoyed the banter between Letty and Beauford. They kind of drove each other crazy, and I actually like those kinds of storylines. I also enjoyed the relationship between Letty and Sophie! They made sweet friends and I liked that they wrote to each other so often, a lost art these days.
The author does a lot of explaining about what's happening and why in the story. That part was a little distracting to me since sometimes it was a little too much. And some of them didn't make sense like Letty not realizing she'd been holding her breath for a few minutes. If I hold my breath for 30 seconds I know it. lol
The author used the word d*mn numerous times as well as "h*ll" which I'm not a fan of in Christian fiction even if it fits the time period.
*I received this book for review. This is my personal opinion.
elylibrarysec's review
4.0
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The story starts off with me feeling sorry for Lettice May Burton. She's had to deal with a husband that we assume was all too common back then. It was uncommon for a woman to have a voice. Her outward appearances seemed a little timid and her inner voice silenced. Our story is one that takes its time to develop and having Ms. Lee reading to me made it very enjoyable.
Our author shows that romance can be seen with words instead of deed. Our narrator commands our attention as we get immersed in a time long past. Because we can't talk to anyone about that period in time we rely on the author to pull us into history as she weaves her story. It's a story that had me think "what if?"
If I ever make my way over to Great Britain, I can picture myself listening to this book as I walk the halls of the stately homes and castles that are available to tourists. In a way it's the merging of old and new. What a great way to learn a little about the history of a country where your ancestors lived. And you get to listen to a romance while looking at things that may have a place in Letty's world. If not for the narrator and the author, I may never have tried to make a connection to my own history.
Would I read the book? I'd have to say that's a maybe. I had a great experience listening to it that I'm not sure that I'd have with the written word. Also, why spoil a good thing. With an audio version of a book you can go anywhere and have headphones in so the narrator is just reading to you. With a book you have to put it down because your eyes are needed. Not with audio. I could find a field somewhere, lay on a blanket, or have a tea party as I listen to a story where Letty gives me a connection to some women authors that I never really thought about before. Plus my mind is needed more than with what I can see. So at the end I have to say "thank you" and hope you get a similar experience.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
The story starts off with me feeling sorry for Lettice May Burton. She's had to deal with a husband that we assume was all too common back then. It was uncommon for a woman to have a voice. Her outward appearances seemed a little timid and her inner voice silenced. Our story is one that takes its time to develop and having Ms. Lee reading to me made it very enjoyable.
Our author shows that romance can be seen with words instead of deed. Our narrator commands our attention as we get immersed in a time long past. Because we can't talk to anyone about that period in time we rely on the author to pull us into history as she weaves her story. It's a story that had me think "what if?"
If I ever make my way over to Great Britain, I can picture myself listening to this book as I walk the halls of the stately homes and castles that are available to tourists. In a way it's the merging of old and new. What a great way to learn a little about the history of a country where your ancestors lived. And you get to listen to a romance while looking at things that may have a place in Letty's world. If not for the narrator and the author, I may never have tried to make a connection to my own history.
Would I read the book? I'd have to say that's a maybe. I had a great experience listening to it that I'm not sure that I'd have with the written word. Also, why spoil a good thing. With an audio version of a book you can go anywhere and have headphones in so the narrator is just reading to you. With a book you have to put it down because your eyes are needed. Not with audio. I could find a field somewhere, lay on a blanket, or have a tea party as I listen to a story where Letty gives me a connection to some women authors that I never really thought about before. Plus my mind is needed more than with what I can see. So at the end I have to say "thank you" and hope you get a similar experience.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review
2.0
This Regency romance is head and shoulders above most others in the quality of the period detail and understanding of the social customs. Having said that, the story starts well (some good sparky dialogue between hero & heroine) but peters out about half way through. There are some questionable assumptions - is a widow really responsible for her husband's debts if his whole estate has been sold up already to pay his creditors? The main issue is that the focus isn't sufficiently on the H & H and their relationship - too many extraneous characters who don't really add to the story line.
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