By Julie Klassen
Another Borders spree purchase.
Living in the time of Jane Austen, Mariah Aubrey is sent to live in a gatehouse at the estate of her aunt due to an “indiscretion” which has ruined her socially. While there, Mariah works on her novels (which she publishes under a pseudonym) so that she will have enough money to cover the bills and becomes friends with some residents of the local poorhouse and a Captain Matthew Bryant, a newly arrived and newly wealthy naval officer who is trying to win the love of a lady who once rejected him due to his inferior status. Throughout the novel, Mariah attempts to come to terms with her “sordid” past and its consequences as she learns to accept her current life.
The story in this book was OK. At times I felt the characters were a bit too modern in their behavior and speech. The author is definitely channeling Jane Austen and the behaviors in this book weren’t always in line with something that would happen in a Jane Austen novel. The middle of the book where there is some play production going on was boring. I also thought some of the scenes were really contrived and the long drawn out reveal of what really happened during Mariah’s fall was too long and too drawn out as it lasted almost the entire course of the book. I was pleased that her fall from grace was a bit scandalous because I get tired of these books that are like “she is a scarlet woman!” and we find out that the character made out with some guy once and no more. Eye roll.
Final verdict: Not terrible but don’t expect to be wow’ed.
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