Nineteen-year-old Amelia Fitzwater has never felt completely comfortable in her own home. Of her father’s love, she never had doubts. Her stepmother and stepsisters, however, never made her feel as if she belonged. When she’s informed that her stepmother has arranged for her to marry a complete stranger, it’s too much, and she heads off on an adventure to find information about her birth mother, a woman said to be a Chinese princess.
Jacob Hawthorne, the twenty-three year old son of a successful tradesman, has been informed that he will marry an unknown woman in two months. All his father cares about is that the woman comes with high-ranking connections. Jacob is granted those two months to do as he wishes, but informed that he must show up for the wedding.
When the paths of Amelia and Jacob cross, neither knowing that they are promised each to the other, and they take off in search of information on Amelia’s birth family, a delightful adventure unfolds. It isn’t long before they become friends. And not much beyond that before they each secretly fall in love with the other.
This was a sweet and entertaining tale. Jacob was everything a young woman imagines the man of her dreams should be: kind, caring, gentlemanly. Amelia is spunky and determined, even willing to undertake a dangerous trip to China on her own, if she must. When Jacob finds her in distress and comes to her rescue, their lives will take a path together that neither of them could suspect will lead to a happy ever after.
I loved this book. Both the main characters and the minor ones brought the book to life. The writing was excellent, and the way the plot unfolded proved completely charming. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author through BookSirens. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.