A review by linz
Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

4.0

(I received a copy of this book from eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review.)


Like the first two books in this series, Marrying Christopher is a sweet, Regency-era romance. Each book focuses on a different sibling in the Thatcher family, and, as the title implies, this one is about Christopher.

After seeing his sisters, Grace and Helen, happily married and safe, Christopher decides it's finally time to live his own life, and he books passage to America on a steamship - the newest way to travel, though it isn't yet widely accepted. While aboard, he becomes acquainted with the other passengers. Not many people were brave enough to travel on a steamship, and all of the people on board are hoping to find a better life in America.

One of the passengers is Marsali, who is traveling to America to become an indentured servant to a wealthy businessman, and to reunite with her sister, who sailed to America a few years earlier. After the ship sets sail, Marsali learns some disturbing news about her future employer, but it's too late to turn back.

After taking care of his sisters for years, Christopher is tired of being responsible for others, and can't wait to reach America, where the only person he will have to look out for will be himself. After hearing of Marsali's plight, however, he discovers that old habits die hard, and he is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

I don't want to give away any more of the plot because I don't want to risk spoiling it for anyone. The plot twist came out of nowhere, and I was so shocked. It's usually hard to surprise me, but Ms. Holmes succeeded. The entire last half of the book had me enthralled, and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.

Marrying Christopher wrapped up the series nicely, but I do hope she writes more books about this family. If you're a fan of sweet, clean, Regency-era romance novels, I would highly recommend this book, and, indeed, the entire series.