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A review by scoutmomskf
An Unconventional Countess by Jenni Fletcher
4.0
Good book. I especially enjoyed that the setting and characters are outside the usual London during the Season location. This book takes place in Bath, and the two main characters are a shopkeeper and a naval officer. Both have aristocratic blood, but it is more of a hindrance than a help in their eyes. Samuel is a Royal Navy captain, a veteran of Trafalgar, who is home recuperating from an injury. Though recovered, he is stuck waiting to find out if he will inherit an earldom. He doesn't want it but may have no choice. Samuel's father was disowned and disinherited by his family because of his profligate ways, and Samuel was ignored along with him. He is somewhat bitter about being expected to give up the life he loves for a family that didn't want him. Bored with inactivity, he accompanies an old school friend to a local biscuit shop. He is to distract the owner while his friend flirts with her assistant.
Anna is the owner of the biscuit shop. Her parents started it, and after her father's death, Anna took over. She spends her days working in the shop and caring for her widowed mother. She is not happy about the men's arrival as she has a low opinion of "gentlemen." Her mother is the daughter of a duke and was disowned by her family when she married a footman. Anna is angry over the way her mother was treated. She also has a more direct reason for her attitude thanks to poor treatment by a supposed gentleman when she was younger.
I liked the first meeting between Anna and Samuel. She suspects his motives but drawn to him anyway. At the same time, she intrigues Samuel. She's sassy and smart and says what she thinks. They connect over his naval service as he answers her questions about what life is like for her brother, a lieutenant in the navy. After hearing Anna's concerns about his friend and her assistant, Samuel feels a bit guilty about his part. That guilt comes into play a little later when Anna requests his help to protect Henrietta from making a mistake. This scene is highly entertaining, as Samuel recruits his grandmother, Lady Jarrow, to deter the ill-intentioned suitor.
This begins a series of events that throw Anna and Samuel together. Anna doesn't trust easily, and Samuel makes a couple of missteps that reinforce her feelings. As they spend time together, they have a chance to get to know each other and discover that they have more in common than they knew. Anna and Samuel each recognize and understand the other's inner turmoil, which draws them even closer. There are some marvelous scenes of them together, from sharing of their pasts to teasing to unexpected flares of attraction. Anna is especially resistant to the idea of a relationship, believing that Samuel's possible elevation to earl puts him too far above her. Samuel, however, is confident that she can handle anything. There is one misunderstanding near the end caused mostly by Samuel's insecurity, but some well-timed advice from Lady Jarrow helps them get past it. I liked their big moment at the end. The epilogue was a terrific lead-in to the next book. I can't wait to see what happens there.
The secondary characters were great. Anna's assistant, Henrietta, comes across as a bit flighty initially, but she quickly wises up. I liked seeing her growth through the book and her maturing into much more than Anna's assistant. Anna's mother was sweet but also had a strong will. She survived and thrived in unusual circumstances for one of her class. I enjoyed her part of the story and the unexpected twist that Lady Jarrow brought to her life. Lady Jarrow was a force to be reckoned with. She has definite opinions and voices them whenever she wants. She also meddles when she believes she knows best. I enjoyed watching her "guide" Samuel and Anna where she wanted them to go. I also liked how she reunited Anna's mom with her family.
Anna is the owner of the biscuit shop. Her parents started it, and after her father's death, Anna took over. She spends her days working in the shop and caring for her widowed mother. She is not happy about the men's arrival as she has a low opinion of "gentlemen." Her mother is the daughter of a duke and was disowned by her family when she married a footman. Anna is angry over the way her mother was treated. She also has a more direct reason for her attitude thanks to poor treatment by a supposed gentleman when she was younger.
I liked the first meeting between Anna and Samuel. She suspects his motives but drawn to him anyway. At the same time, she intrigues Samuel. She's sassy and smart and says what she thinks. They connect over his naval service as he answers her questions about what life is like for her brother, a lieutenant in the navy. After hearing Anna's concerns about his friend and her assistant, Samuel feels a bit guilty about his part. That guilt comes into play a little later when Anna requests his help to protect Henrietta from making a mistake. This scene is highly entertaining, as Samuel recruits his grandmother, Lady Jarrow, to deter the ill-intentioned suitor.
This begins a series of events that throw Anna and Samuel together. Anna doesn't trust easily, and Samuel makes a couple of missteps that reinforce her feelings. As they spend time together, they have a chance to get to know each other and discover that they have more in common than they knew. Anna and Samuel each recognize and understand the other's inner turmoil, which draws them even closer. There are some marvelous scenes of them together, from sharing of their pasts to teasing to unexpected flares of attraction. Anna is especially resistant to the idea of a relationship, believing that Samuel's possible elevation to earl puts him too far above her. Samuel, however, is confident that she can handle anything. There is one misunderstanding near the end caused mostly by Samuel's insecurity, but some well-timed advice from Lady Jarrow helps them get past it. I liked their big moment at the end. The epilogue was a terrific lead-in to the next book. I can't wait to see what happens there.
The secondary characters were great. Anna's assistant, Henrietta, comes across as a bit flighty initially, but she quickly wises up. I liked seeing her growth through the book and her maturing into much more than Anna's assistant. Anna's mother was sweet but also had a strong will. She survived and thrived in unusual circumstances for one of her class. I enjoyed her part of the story and the unexpected twist that Lady Jarrow brought to her life. Lady Jarrow was a force to be reckoned with. She has definite opinions and voices them whenever she wants. She also meddles when she believes she knows best. I enjoyed watching her "guide" Samuel and Anna where she wanted them to go. I also liked how she reunited Anna's mom with her family.