I'm not a huge fan of the Pennyroyal Green series because it annoys me that it seems to never end, but I'm sure glad I picked up this one. There aren't many romances out there where the hero is a vicar, and Adam doesn't disappoint. Oh, he certainly embraces being a man of the cloth and has the right temperament for it. He's also handsome, engaging, kind, and manly and makes all the single ladies swoon. He's also sexually inexperienced. I liked him instantly. I enjoyed watching him figure out his feelings for Evie, for he was serious about it and his emotions ran deep. Evie was a much more worldly woman but not quite as fallen as the villagers would believe. Evie was also good with a generous heart and caring nature. And quite lonely. After their initial astonishment over their mutual attraction, Adam and Evie (yes, I know) kind of danced around each other, not sure what to do with it. The sexual tension was pulled taut for most of the story before they actually "did the deed," but it sure was worth the wait because it was so poignant and satisfying. The usual jealousy, misunderstanding, and self-sacrificing were present, but they didn't overrun the story to make me frustrated. The final church scene between Evie and Adam was the stuff of romantic dreams, enough to make me hold my breath along with all the other characters. Overall, this is a captivating and delicious historical that won't disappoint and certainly deserves 4.5 stars.

Share/Like this Review?

This book was SO GOOD. I am in awe of Julie Anne Long for keeping up the high quality of this series, book after book. I am still invested in everything that happens to the Eversea and Redmond families, and nothing she has written has been a disappointment. But this book was top notch, one of the best, and gets 5 stars from me. It was deeply emotional and moving. The characters are unique and we know them so well by the end of the book, not by the descriptions but by their actions. I loved Adam and Evie(yes, I know). Adam was such a truly nice and honorable person, the opposite of a rake without being too good to be true. He made a very refreshing hero. Evie was strong and a determined not just to survive but to thrive and make the best of whatever life threw her way.

Compared to the previous book in the series "What I Did For a Duke", that one had more witty banter, and this one had more passion. There are a couple of cameo appearances by other Eversea men, but sadly not their wives, who I would like to see again. However there were a number of well done scenes highlighting female friendships, a nice touch. The ending wrapped up every loose end a bit too easily and quickly, but by then I was a goner, so it didn't bother me. In short, once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down.

Share/Like this Review?