Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Leo and Josh Ashburton's parents died when they were very young. Leo was taken in and raised by his great-aunt, a cold, emotionless woman who refused to take Josh and keep the brothers together. A family friend took Josh and gave him a loving home. Unfortunately, that home was in India, creating a years-long separation. As the book opens, Josh arrives in England for the first time in more than twenty years. Though they wrote letters during the intervening years, Josh can't wait to see Leo and immediately heads to his London home. He's dismayed to see a ball taking place and goes to the garden to wait for the right time to approach Leo. There he meets the lovely Lady Elizabeth.
Beth escaped the ball to hide in the garden, avoiding facing Leo. An understanding between Leo and her late father has Beth all but engaged to him. Her father's death and massive debts put Beth, her sister, and her mother in dire financial straits, and her mother pressures Beth to push the engagement forward. Leo feels honor-bound to follow through on his promise though he doesn't wish to marry just yet. Beth doesn't want a loveless match but believes she has no choice.
I loved the first meeting between Josh and Beth. Josh and Leo look enough alike that Beth mistook him for Leo at first. There was an immediate connection and attraction between Beth and Josh, but they fight it. Thanks to Leo's extreme reluctance, Josh and Beth frequently find themselves thrown together. Unfortunately, Beth's shrewish and selfish mother keeps the pressure on Beth to bring Leo up to scratch. The more time they spend together, the deeper the feelings grow between Josh and Beth. I liked how Josh's attention helped Beth find some of the strength she needs to stand up to her mother. I especially enjoyed the theater fire scene and Beth's determination to help.
In a terrific scene at the beach, Josh and Beth finally give in to their feelings for each other and plan their future together. I ached for Josh, who didn't want to hurt Leo but felt both of them deserved love in their lives. Leo impressed me with his frank talk with Josh, and I had high hopes for Josh and Beth's future. Then disaster struck with Beth's younger sister Annabelle. Beth's mother pushes all the buttons that work on Beth's guilt, and suddenly they are right back where they started. I hurt for Josh, who is brokenhearted and ready to run back to India, and I wanted to shake Beth for not standing up for her own needs. When Beth discovers how far her mother is willing to go to get her way, she realizes the depth of her mistake. I loved seeing Beth in the position of begging for Josh's forgiveness because of what she did. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue showed a bright outlook for their future.
Though Leo often comes across as cold and unfeeling, his interactions with Josh show otherwise. When Leo, Josh, and Beth visit the great-aunt, her attitude explains a lot. I liked Leo's willingness to follow through on his promise while ultimately allowing Josh and Beth to reach for their dreams. Another glimpse into Leo's true self came during his interactions with Beth's sister. I liked how he stepped up to help at the end.
A mystery surrounds Beth's sister Annabelle, who never leaves their home in the country. I ached for both of them with the revelation of their history and loved that they were so close. Their mother is selfish, snobbish, and manipulative, and deserves more trouble than she ultimately receives.
Beth escaped the ball to hide in the garden, avoiding facing Leo. An understanding between Leo and her late father has Beth all but engaged to him. Her father's death and massive debts put Beth, her sister, and her mother in dire financial straits, and her mother pressures Beth to push the engagement forward. Leo feels honor-bound to follow through on his promise though he doesn't wish to marry just yet. Beth doesn't want a loveless match but believes she has no choice.
I loved the first meeting between Josh and Beth. Josh and Leo look enough alike that Beth mistook him for Leo at first. There was an immediate connection and attraction between Beth and Josh, but they fight it. Thanks to Leo's extreme reluctance, Josh and Beth frequently find themselves thrown together. Unfortunately, Beth's shrewish and selfish mother keeps the pressure on Beth to bring Leo up to scratch. The more time they spend together, the deeper the feelings grow between Josh and Beth. I liked how Josh's attention helped Beth find some of the strength she needs to stand up to her mother. I especially enjoyed the theater fire scene and Beth's determination to help.
In a terrific scene at the beach, Josh and Beth finally give in to their feelings for each other and plan their future together. I ached for Josh, who didn't want to hurt Leo but felt both of them deserved love in their lives. Leo impressed me with his frank talk with Josh, and I had high hopes for Josh and Beth's future. Then disaster struck with Beth's younger sister Annabelle. Beth's mother pushes all the buttons that work on Beth's guilt, and suddenly they are right back where they started. I hurt for Josh, who is brokenhearted and ready to run back to India, and I wanted to shake Beth for not standing up for her own needs. When Beth discovers how far her mother is willing to go to get her way, she realizes the depth of her mistake. I loved seeing Beth in the position of begging for Josh's forgiveness because of what she did. The ending was terrific, and the epilogue showed a bright outlook for their future.
Though Leo often comes across as cold and unfeeling, his interactions with Josh show otherwise. When Leo, Josh, and Beth visit the great-aunt, her attitude explains a lot. I liked Leo's willingness to follow through on his promise while ultimately allowing Josh and Beth to reach for their dreams. Another glimpse into Leo's true self came during his interactions with Beth's sister. I liked how he stepped up to help at the end.
A mystery surrounds Beth's sister Annabelle, who never leaves their home in the country. I ached for both of them with the revelation of their history and loved that they were so close. Their mother is selfish, snobbish, and manipulative, and deserves more trouble than she ultimately receives.
