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A review by fiction_aficionado
A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh by Carolyn Miller
4.0
Just when you find yourself lamenting the lack of undergroundologists in Regency romance, along comes Carolyn Miller to set things right. And if you’re wondering what an undergroundologist is, it’s exactly what it sounds like—and they don’t come much more honourable than Erasmus Gideon Kirby Carstairs. That’s one of the things I love about Carolyn Miller’s heroes: they’re original and down-to-earth, not in-your-face, “look at me, I’m a Regency hero” type men. And in this case, Gideon’s search for the fossilised remains of an ichthyosaurus added an interesting dimension to the story.
But Gideon’s scientific pursuits are only one part of his story, as he’s also caring for his sister Emma in her poor health and trying to keep her hidden from her abusive husband. In many ways, Emma is the central figure in this story, because it’s her budding friendship with Caroline that brings Caroline into Gideon’s company and causes Caroline to begin examining not only her manner towards others but her lack of belief in God. Actually, if I can let you in on a little secret, I think Emma was probably my favourite character in this book—along with Lord Kenmore. They added just the right liveliness of manner to balance the less effusive Gideon and Caroline.
Speaking of Caroline… Having met her briefly in previous books, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy reading about her as a heroine in her own right, but the author does a good job of portraying her as a young woman who is making an effort to amend her character flaws, even if she occasionally reverts to old habits. I can’t say she’s my favourite of Miller’s heroines, but I loved the authenticity of her character growth.
In terms of the romance, this is definitely one for Regency lovers who enjoy a gradual build up in the romantic tension, despite both characters having felt the tug of attraction at first sight. It was actually a little surreal reading Gideon’s response when he first laid eyes on Caroline, because it put into words exactly how I felt the first time I saw my own husband: “He couldn’t help but feel like a connection deep and marvelous had suddenly wrenched into awareness, something he’d be forever helpless to ignore.” Nevertheless, the complexities of Gideon and Emma’s situation—not to mention the usual strictures of propriety—mean these two take very tentative steps toward exploring that instant connection they feel.
The story winds up with a nice little bit of suspense, and amidst all of that, the glimpses we get of Ned Amherst and Caroline’s sister Cecilia have definitely whetted my appetite for the next in the series.
Readers who delight in being thoroughly immersed in the Regency world that exists outside of London ballrooms should definitely be picking up Carolyn Miller’s novels.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
But Gideon’s scientific pursuits are only one part of his story, as he’s also caring for his sister Emma in her poor health and trying to keep her hidden from her abusive husband. In many ways, Emma is the central figure in this story, because it’s her budding friendship with Caroline that brings Caroline into Gideon’s company and causes Caroline to begin examining not only her manner towards others but her lack of belief in God. Actually, if I can let you in on a little secret, I think Emma was probably my favourite character in this book—along with Lord Kenmore. They added just the right liveliness of manner to balance the less effusive Gideon and Caroline.
Speaking of Caroline… Having met her briefly in previous books, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy reading about her as a heroine in her own right, but the author does a good job of portraying her as a young woman who is making an effort to amend her character flaws, even if she occasionally reverts to old habits. I can’t say she’s my favourite of Miller’s heroines, but I loved the authenticity of her character growth.
In terms of the romance, this is definitely one for Regency lovers who enjoy a gradual build up in the romantic tension, despite both characters having felt the tug of attraction at first sight. It was actually a little surreal reading Gideon’s response when he first laid eyes on Caroline, because it put into words exactly how I felt the first time I saw my own husband: “He couldn’t help but feel like a connection deep and marvelous had suddenly wrenched into awareness, something he’d be forever helpless to ignore.” Nevertheless, the complexities of Gideon and Emma’s situation—not to mention the usual strictures of propriety—mean these two take very tentative steps toward exploring that instant connection they feel.
The story winds up with a nice little bit of suspense, and amidst all of that, the glimpses we get of Ned Amherst and Caroline’s sister Cecilia have definitely whetted my appetite for the next in the series.
Readers who delight in being thoroughly immersed in the Regency world that exists outside of London ballrooms should definitely be picking up Carolyn Miller’s novels.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.