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MY REVIEW

If you remember book two from the Somerset Stories, you’ll recall that Katherine Beresford set her cap for Lieutenant Charles Heywood and caught him too. Now, in this fourth book of the series, their siblings find romance.

Shy Hannah Heywood is only outspoken when it comes to the mistreatment of animals. Afraid of London’s vastness, she elects to have her debut season in Bath instead. It’s not remarkable that the Beresfords choose to join the Heywoods in Bath, given the imminent nuptials between their families, but it is suspicious that the Beresford heir, Viscount St. Clare, comes to her ball with the sole purpose of dancing with her.

The viscount, James Beresford, has cultivated a proud and icy exterior to protect himself and his family from the scurrilous rumors swirling around them. With so many bullies and naysayers arrayed against them, he needs a consummate hostess as wife to help re-establish the Beresford name in good society. And timid Hannah Heywood is…not that. At the same time, James is drawn to Hannah’s gentle spirit and cannot resist pursuing her. In a proposal reminiscent of Mr. Darcy’s first attempt, he bungles things badly. Will Hannah give him another chance to win her affection and demonstrate his own?

This book gives the enjoyment of reacquaintance with some of the previous characters in the series. Charles plays the serious big brother to perfection. We get a sneak peek of mischievous Jack Beresford, who will likely need his own book soon. And the scene where James’ father calls him on the carpet about his pursuit of Hannah was deeeeeeee-lightful. The romance was well-paced and well-executed, and I appreciated the nod to Pride and Prejudice with the failed proposal. I really enjoyed the look at printed journal articles and Hannah’s venture as an anonymous author to build awareness about the social issues of her day.

My one quibble with this book is that the characters felt more two-dimensional than many of Mimi Matthews’ other characters. Hannah sometimes felt like a symbol (“girl who cares about animal rights”) rather than a fully developed heroine. James was also a bit flat, with his sole fixation being upholding the family’s good name. Maybe it is my own own lack of interest in pets and animals in general, but I could not find James’ saint-like acceptance of Hannah’s adoption of a donkey believable. In an effort to highlight Hannah as a strong female character (despite her initial appearance), the story had James just roll over and accept whatever animal rescue she attempted no matter how unusual.

That said, this was still a lovely romance that gives a revealing window into the Heywood and Beresford families, and it keeps the reader anticipating whichever Somerset Story is next!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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