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Siddons Sisters #2
The Nanny Arrangement
A family in the making
Becoming nursemaid to Paul Holmes's orphaned niece seems like the perfect solution to Becky Siddons's problems. After having her romantic hopes dashed, she's determined to focus solely on her charge and not the little girl's handsome uncle. Until Becky realizes she is losing her heart to a man determined to keep his own under lock and key….
Paul had hoped hiring Becky would allow him to keep a distance from his niece, a reminder of his late sister—and his failings in raising her. Yet he soon finds himself enjoying spending time with outspoken, impulsive Becky and the child. Can he take a chance on this unexpected, joyful new family?
Becoming nursemaid to Paul Holmes's orphaned niece seems like the perfect solution to Becky Siddons's problems. After having her romantic hopes dashed, she's determined to focus solely on her charge and not the little girl's handsome uncle. Until Becky realizes she is losing her heart to a man determined to keep his own under lock and key….
Paul had hoped hiring Becky would allow him to keep a distance from his niece, a reminder of his late sister—and his failings in raising her. Yet he soon finds himself enjoying spending time with outspoken, impulsive Becky and the child. Can he take a chance on this unexpected, joyful new family?
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 6, 2022
Hmm... Let's see if I can sort out my thoughts on this one.
For one thing, the characters were definitely complex. Only sometimes it was hard for me to understand how the different facets of their personalities worked together as parts of the same person. Or maybe it was just that most of the scenes we actually saw from, say, Paul, were of him in a certain role, so when we were told that he was also another way, it was harder to believe when we hadn't actually seen it. And then it was hard to tell at times exactly what was supposed to be meant by certain vague references--someone gives Becky a warning that sounds just like what the narrator and Paul have already admitted to him being, but then someone else backs off from it with "oh, no, she was exaggerating...he's not that bad". Okay--how bad is he, and how bad is he not? It was really hard to tell.
Also, it felt like we skipped over a lot of the parts that I wanted to see as far as people changing, getting closer together, etc. We were told that they had worked together a lot in between certain scenes, but it felt kind of choppy when we skipped over all that work and just heard about it afterward. And that made it hard to really get behind their relationship in particular, just because I had to take the author's word for so much of what was happening.
There were a few pieces of the plot that really seemed to stretch either historical accuracy or just plain common sense. The biggest one being--who on earth takes a TWO-YEAR-OLD up to London for the Season?!? And especially when said two-year-old is just beginning to get adjusted to the rules and routines that everyone's stressed are super important? For one thing, I'm 99% sure that even much older children were not usually brought along for a Season in London. But beyond that, ANYONE who knows the least bit about either kids or travel is going to tell you that that's going to majorly throw her off her routine. And then we're going to take her along for long walks on the London streets? Just--I get what the author was trying to show, but that whole plot point made no sense to me. There were a few other things that didn't really seem to fit with the time period, like the whole Bible study and the way it was conducted--not that I didn't appreciate it, but it just seemed very anachronistic from what I know of the period and even later.
And the spiritual thread left me a little confused. Paul's turned his back on God after certain tragedies, and then he comes to a church service and hears a verse that sets him thinking on whether God might have plans for his life, and then he makes a decision to take a moral stand that costs something, and then all of a sudden he's a full-on Christian and talking and acting like it. Don't get me wrong--it was nice to have more than just a generic "thinking about God" endpoint, but the way we got from point A to point B was kind of invisible and left me confused as to how he had gotten there.
Finally, just a minor issue, but there's just about no indication anywhere that this is the middle book in a series, and I was kind of annoyed by all the references to the sisters' history and Susannah's story that seemed mostly unconnected to Becky's story in this book, and which I didn't really understand the relevance of until I went to look it up and discovered that both Susannah and Nan have their own books as well. It's just one of those things that would have been nice to know going in. :)
That sounds like a lot of complaints, but there were things I liked about the story--the pieces of Paul's and Becky's characters that we really got to look at, the realistic way Juliet was written ;), the messages about letting go of perfectionism and embracing life in all its messy reality. It's just a little easier to put my finger on the things that bothered me a bit than on those that didn't. :)
2.5 stars
Content--mentions of wild behavior, including drinking and gambling; mentions of drinking to forget; mentions of needing to keep up propriety and a young woman warned against spending time with a man; mentions of a child born out of wedlock; mentions of wounds and blood (not graphic); mentions of deaths
For one thing, the characters were definitely complex. Only sometimes it was hard for me to understand how the different facets of their personalities worked together as parts of the same person. Or maybe it was just that most of the scenes we actually saw from, say, Paul, were of him in a certain role, so when we were told that he was also another way, it was harder to believe when we hadn't actually seen it. And then it was hard to tell at times exactly what was supposed to be meant by certain vague references--someone gives Becky a warning that sounds just like what the narrator and Paul have already admitted to him being, but then someone else backs off from it with "oh, no, she was exaggerating...he's not that bad". Okay--how bad is he, and how bad is he not? It was really hard to tell.
Also, it felt like we skipped over a lot of the parts that I wanted to see as far as people changing, getting closer together, etc. We were told that they had worked together a lot in between certain scenes, but it felt kind of choppy when we skipped over all that work and just heard about it afterward. And that made it hard to really get behind their relationship in particular, just because I had to take the author's word for so much of what was happening.
There were a few pieces of the plot that really seemed to stretch either historical accuracy or just plain common sense. The biggest one being--who on earth takes a TWO-YEAR-OLD up to London for the Season?!? And especially when said two-year-old is just beginning to get adjusted to the rules and routines that everyone's stressed are super important? For one thing, I'm 99% sure that even much older children were not usually brought along for a Season in London. But beyond that, ANYONE who knows the least bit about either kids or travel is going to tell you that that's going to majorly throw her off her routine. And then we're going to take her along for long walks on the London streets? Just--I get what the author was trying to show, but that whole plot point made no sense to me. There were a few other things that didn't really seem to fit with the time period, like the whole Bible study and the way it was conducted--not that I didn't appreciate it, but it just seemed very anachronistic from what I know of the period and even later.
And the spiritual thread left me a little confused. Paul's turned his back on God after certain tragedies, and then he comes to a church service and hears a verse that sets him thinking on whether God might have plans for his life, and then he makes a decision to take a moral stand that costs something, and then all of a sudden he's a full-on Christian and talking and acting like it. Don't get me wrong--it was nice to have more than just a generic "thinking about God" endpoint, but the way we got from point A to point B was kind of invisible and left me confused as to how he had gotten there.
Finally, just a minor issue, but there's just about no indication anywhere that this is the middle book in a series, and I was kind of annoyed by all the references to the sisters' history and Susannah's story that seemed mostly unconnected to Becky's story in this book, and which I didn't really understand the relevance of until I went to look it up and discovered that both Susannah and Nan have their own books as well. It's just one of those things that would have been nice to know going in. :)
That sounds like a lot of complaints, but there were things I liked about the story--the pieces of Paul's and Becky's characters that we really got to look at, the realistic way Juliet was written ;), the messages about letting go of perfectionism and embracing life in all its messy reality. It's just a little easier to put my finger on the things that bothered me a bit than on those that didn't. :)
2.5 stars
Content--mentions of wild behavior, including drinking and gambling; mentions of drinking to forget; mentions of needing to keep up propriety and a young woman warned against spending time with a man; mentions of a child born out of wedlock; mentions of wounds and blood (not graphic); mentions of deaths
September 20, 2014
This is the second book to A Rumored Engagement, but can honestly be read as a stand alone, though I recommend reading the first one because it was a very good book. Ms. George just keeps getting better with every book she writes. I immensely enjoyed the first book but the second (this one) was even better! One thing I loved so much about this book was Paul, (the hero) his struggles were so real to the ones we face this day and time that it made his character seem so real. He struggled with loss early on in his life and in turn went to worldly pursuits to ground out the pain he felt in his life. Trying to drown out his sorrows in other things, rather than turning to God to help heal the pain he was enduring. When God started coming closer and life got a little harder he would run away. Until one day an accident traps him at his home for a few weeks, he becomes challenged in sorts by Becky Siddons (the heroine) and the nursemaid to his young niece. His heart then begins to soften over those weeks toward them both. I thoroughly enjoyed his journey with faith, hope and love. Another thing I enjoyed greatly as well was Ms. George gives us a good reminder of how our plans in life do not always come out the way we expect. How God may sometimes have different and better plans for us then we have for ourselves.
Rebecca Siddions (Becky) is a hopeless romantic, that is until her hopes were one day dashed and from then on swears she shall never fall for another man again. So she becomes a nursemaid to Paul Holmes young niece. She feels this is her calling from the Lord, so she gives it her all even though she struggles with her headstrong charge. I adored Becky's character as well, she was kind, caring and loving. This was an amazing story about two strong-willed people determined to do best for Juliet, Paul's niece and charge. This was a very inspirational story, we could take many things from this book.
There are just one little thing I would have liked to have seen just a bit more of, that being more in depth thoughts from Holmes as God was working on his heart. But it didn't make it any less wonderful! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a regency romance and give it four stars! Also, I can not wait for Nan's story! She is the third sister in the Siddions family. I can't wait to see what Ms. George does with her story! I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review in which I have given.
Rebecca Siddions (Becky) is a hopeless romantic, that is until her hopes were one day dashed and from then on swears she shall never fall for another man again. So she becomes a nursemaid to Paul Holmes young niece. She feels this is her calling from the Lord, so she gives it her all even though she struggles with her headstrong charge. I adored Becky's character as well, she was kind, caring and loving. This was an amazing story about two strong-willed people determined to do best for Juliet, Paul's niece and charge. This was a very inspirational story, we could take many things from this book.
There are just one little thing I would have liked to have seen just a bit more of, that being more in depth thoughts from Holmes as God was working on his heart. But it didn't make it any less wonderful! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a regency romance and give it four stars! Also, I can not wait for Nan's story! She is the third sister in the Siddions family. I can't wait to see what Ms. George does with her story! I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review in which I have given.
August 12, 2014
Even though I have read other Nanny stories, this was the best by far. Lily George is a "writing artist". Character Development of Paul Holmes, a young uncle who is filled with shame, second rates himself for the future. He has allowed himself to become weak and without any goals. It is by accident (or providence) that he finds a maiden in distress that becomes a temporary solution to his problem of a spoiled abandoned niece. Becky Siddon's heart had been crushed by a first love and she thought the best thing for her was to write off marriage and have a career. But what career was she suited for? She was bored working in her sister's millinery shop and their relationship was losing the luster it once showed now that they argued more than they laughed. Paul offers Becky a chance to work for him as a governess as he does respect her and her family. She never imagined that Paul, who always teased her as a child, could be so determine and cold to have his way. But as her sweetness pours out along with her own evidence of a growing and loving relationship with Christ, Paul begins to see things with a new perspective. Even though he is guarded, when the Holy Spirit touches his thoughts, he begins to see how God could use him even in his nieces' life. And the feelings he attempts to squelch for his ward's Nanny, become deep and true. Will she allow herself to fall in love again and take a chance of becoming a wife? As she sees Paul make honest business decisions with integrity it pushes her along the path of love.
March 14, 2015
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
3/17/2015-
“Not the best LIH, but not the worst. It was okay.”
*Main Content-
Blood (semi-detailed); Paul drinks; Mentions of gambling; Curses are said, not written; Sarcasm; Minor cussing (idiot and stupid).
Embraces & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring; Juliet was born a few months after her parents were married; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
3/17/2015-
“Not the best LIH, but not the worst. It was okay.”
*Main Content-
Blood (semi-detailed); Paul drinks; Mentions of gambling; Curses are said, not written; Sarcasm; Minor cussing (idiot and stupid).
Embraces & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Staring; Juliet was born a few months after her parents were married; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
May 1, 2023
Becky is just getting over a broken heart when then man she thought would marry her, sends a letter that he is already married. She wants something other than working with her sister making hats. She and her sister clash over the hats she wants to make. Paul is a friend of the family and needs a nanny for his sisters daughter. The child is wilful and undisciplined. Becky and the child get on well but she is too much in the company of Paul and is starting to see him as more than an employer. She cannot let this happen again so does her best to distance herself. How to get beyond the misunderstandings and trust their own feelings is always hard. Good interaction between Becky and Paul as well as the little niece.
September 8, 2023
A girl falls in love with the guy after she is a nanny to his ward. I felt like this book was decent but had some religious content in it that felt a little strange. Everything in it felt like it was rushed and the story just could have been fleshed out better. A lot of point A to B just didn’t make great sense in my opinion.
January 23, 2018
Did not see the ending coming...it surprised me!
October 11, 2014
Becky isn't sure of her place in life. When her older sister married she took over the shop with her younger sister. But she has no freedom to express herself. She plans to marry soon and thinks that is her calling, but when she receives a letter stating that the man she planned to marry had already married, she finds herself lost.
Paul has inherited his sisters small daughter. When he learns that Becky is unhappy working with her sister he offers her the job of nanny for his niece. Becky snatches the opportunity not knowing how things will go. At first they argue about everything, but soon they learn how to work together and find themselves attracted to each other. Very enjoyable story with a happy ending.
Paul has inherited his sisters small daughter. When he learns that Becky is unhappy working with her sister he offers her the job of nanny for his niece. Becky snatches the opportunity not knowing how things will go. At first they argue about everything, but soon they learn how to work together and find themselves attracted to each other. Very enjoyable story with a happy ending.
May 10, 2016
Nice story. The heroine is a dreamy middle sister frustrated by her younger sister's practical running of the family millinery, plus her dreams of marriage are dashed when the handsome officer she had hope of marrying writes to tell her he married someone else. So when her brother-in-law's friend offers her a job looking after his orphaned niece coming soon from Italy, she sees it as God leading her to her purpose in life. Of course the 2-year-old girl is more difficult than anyone expected, much like her wilful mother, and the hero's intentions to avoid the child as well as all emotion and connection with anyone are foiled, slowly. It's a nice story.
October 20, 2014
Wow, what another wonderful book by Lily
In the Nanny Arrangement Becky becomes the nursemaid of a little girl whose mother died and is now living with her Uncle Paul.
Becky was a hat maker along with her sisters, before starting has a nanny.
A lot of things happen along the away and Paul and Becky eventually fall in love and marry.
I don't want to ruin the story for you so you need to get the book and read it for yourself.
In the Nanny Arrangement Becky becomes the nursemaid of a little girl whose mother died and is now living with her Uncle Paul.
Becky was a hat maker along with her sisters, before starting has a nanny.
A lot of things happen along the away and Paul and Becky eventually fall in love and marry.
I don't want to ruin the story for you so you need to get the book and read it for yourself.
November 7, 2016
3 1/2 stars, I was finished with my other books, and needed something, anything. I saw this on my bookshelf, and since it was historical fiction too, I decided to give it a go. It was cute, sweet, a quick read, and fit the Regency genre I've been immersed in lately.
I liked the love between the sisters, even when it got strained. In fact, there were interesting family dynamics on all fronts. I like a good Christian story, and this was that, and even better written than some.
I liked the love between the sisters, even when it got strained. In fact, there were interesting family dynamics on all fronts. I like a good Christian story, and this was that, and even better written than some.
February 25, 2015
This book fell in line with my favorite scripture of Jeremiah 29:11. God had a plan for Paul and Becky and the struggles they deal with in finding it, is heartwarming. Juliet is perfect in the story, as an untamed child who needs their guidance. This is my first read by Lily George and I throughly enjoyed it.
April 18, 2014
Becky is my favorite of the three Siddons sisters. She believed that God had a plan for her but she had no idea just how wonderful that plan would be.
Her attitude about her wedding attire shows just how perfectly perfect she is for Paul and Juilet.
Her attitude about her wedding attire shows just how perfectly perfect she is for Paul and Juilet.
Read
October 1, 2014" This story of the second Siddons sister shows how the hero’s plans end up circumvented by a determined heroine and a loving God. Familiar faces abound and one is left eager for the third sister’s story" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
December 17, 2014
I like Historical books. The Nanny Arrangement by Lily George was a very good book. Paul Holmes sister and husband passed away. Paul is in charge of his two year old niece now. He hires Becky Siddons to be in charge of his niece A romance is in the making. A must read.
July 7, 2016
I enjoyed Becky and Paul's bonding over raising Paul's nicece Juliet. Paul's conversion rang true and his forgoing his former vices was effective. That said, Becky's doubts about her skill as a nanny were tiresome, as was the author's use of 'twas and 'tis.
November 2, 2014
This wonderful book was really hard to put down. I enjoyed the Regency romance between Paul and Becky a lot.
March 14, 2015
BORING
Unbelievably DULL. Opened my kindle and realized I hadn't finished this book. Couldn't find my place and didn't care. So BLAH.
Unbelievably DULL. Opened my kindle and realized I hadn't finished this book. Couldn't find my place and didn't care. So BLAH.
July 20, 2015
3.5 stars. The story and the characters were well written. The book was quite dull in a few places.
December 5, 2014
How about 2.5?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews