An Unexpected Love

The Broadmoor Legacy #2

by Tracie Peterson

During a trip to England, Sophie Broadmoor falls head over heels for Wesley Hedrick, a wealthy widower who promises her the world. But Sophie soon learns that Wesley's promises are nothing but words and finds herself in a very compromising situation. Why does it have to be Paul Medford, the stringent young minister who works with her father, who shows up during her worst moment? Paul is full of promises, too, and it's clear that he has feelings for Sophie. But after all she's been through, can she trust him?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This trilogy could of been condensed to one book. The hokey schemes of Uncle Jonas continue throughout volume two, still leaving us hanging at the end. Will he succeed in stealing the inheritance...who cares...I will not pay the cost of the third book to find out!!!

[Aerykah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Went ahead and finished this last night since I won't be going back to work until Monday...

I liked this second book in the series better than the first. Perhaps it's because Sophie's story actually has a conclusion, rather than ending with a cliffhanger? And part of it may be that I just really like Paul a lot. ;) And much of my enjoyment was due to the narrator, Aimee Lilly. For the most part, I really enjoyed listening to her read! She has a nice voice and reading style that is easy to listen to.

Still not an exceptional book... but definitely better than the first one. Here's hoping that the third one will be even better! ;)

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in a series. I hadn't read the first prior to jumping into this one. It took a bit for me to connect to the characters, that probably would have been easier had I read book 1. About half way through it really took hold of me and I enjoyed the rest. Much to like about this book, yet I would recommend reading the series in order.

[Elise Cinatl (Basiletti) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed following the stories of 3 cousins in this trilogy. Those are my favorite types of books. Howver, I do feel that the book could have had some more twists in the plot

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this one. I am not sure if it is me or the novel, but I don't care for this series too much. It is predictable and repetitive to me. Many in my Christian Book Group adore it though...I must be tainted in my opinion or just in a weird stage in life for Christian romance novels.

[Cynthia L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kept reading this trilogy over a long, holiday weekend just to see if it got better. It did not. The writing is contrived and unnatural...trying too hard to be something like Pride & Prejudice...only highly irritating. I can see that the authors did vast amounts of historical research. That was interesting, but they tried to just throw it in at the most unusual places. It wasn't orderly.

[JJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Other than being set largely in Rochester, I thought this was blah, blah, blah. Totally written to get you to read her other books which I won't be.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loving this series! I loved the almost marriage of convenience trope in here and the loyalty of Paul who just wanted to love Sophie. It was beautiful! I'm going straight for the next book in the series!

[Cindy Guilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as good as the first book. I can’t wait to read book 3. I assume that we will hear about Amanda in this next book. I was very happy at the ending and the way book two turned out.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. I like that Sophie is spunky and isn't afraid to not confirm to a normal lady. Paul is just a gem. He is kind, considerate, and doesn't find fault with Sophie after she becomes pregnant. I thought that Wesley and Sophie were not a good couple since he was more than ten years older than her. It seemed like he wanted Sophie attention for the wrong reasons including for her money and just so he wouldn't be lonely.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather wordy, contrived, and somewhat unbelievable. Not really what I think of when I think "Christian fiction".

[Valerie L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sophi was a selfish annoying main character. Way way way to wordy and sappy and hokey.

[Deanne Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is love?

Sophie learns the nature of true love and God's blessed gift of forgiveness in this second book in the series.

[Star-Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a review so much as it is a very meaningful quote from the book. I wish every woman considering abortion could read this portion and truly grasp what it is like to conceive a precious gift from God. Although this book never mentions abortion one of the main characters, Sophie, has become pregnant outside of marriage and the father has ran off to have nothing to do with them. Fortunately for Sophie another man has stepped up to marry her but we all know often that is not the case and young women are faced with many tough questions. However, I pray that we will stop allowing abortion, the killing of innocent babies, to be the answer. Here’s the quote from page 391:
“Sophie waited until Fanny had gone before pulling back the covers to view her daughter. She was so very tiny. Mrs. Atwell had assured her that was normal, but Sophie worried she might hurt the child.
Elisabeth began to fuss. Her mewing cry at first alarmed Sophie, but then something began to change. Something deep in Sophie’s heart seemed to awaken. This was her child—-her daughter. She drew her daughter close to her breast as Mrs. Atwell had shown her earlier. Instinct caused Elisabeth to settle a bit and begin rooting. Sophie guided the baby’s mouth to feed and gasped in surprise as Elisabeth latched on with surprising strength.
How natural it all seemed——the way Elisabeth fit in her arms, the way she nursed without coaxing. Sophie relaxed against her pillows in amazement as she continued to watch her daughter. In that moment a love more fierce and complete than anything Sophie had ever known took hold of her. She loved this baby. Despite the mistakes she had made in giving her heart to Wesley and the sorrow that had followed in his betrayal of her trust, Elisabeth was neither a mistake nor a sorrow.”

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book as I usually do books by Tracie Peterson. Having read the first book I was especailly interested in Sophie and Paul's story. I was disappointed that there really wasn't alot of interaction between them. I loved the scenes where they did interact as they had a lot of banter, but I wish there had been more. I liked Sophie ok. I thought at times she was a fun character, but at other times she annoyed me which, based on the first book, I expected. Paul was a great hero though and was who Sophie needed. As the romance progressed it was really sweet, but I had a hard time understanding it in the beginning. Mostly I couldn't understand why Paul loved Sophie. He said he loved her since he first saw her, which means he loved her beauty and that disappointed me. I expected something deeper from Paul. She is pretty much the opposite of Paul so it couldn't be anything she did that endeared her to him. He is a selfless christian who loves others and helps take care of them. Sophie is literally the opposite of him. But rant aside.. I did enjoy seeing their love start to grow and most of all Sophie's growth both spiritually and in maturity. I also enjoyed seeing the close relationship between Fanny, Sophie and Amanda. I'm looking forward to Amanda's story and seeing how this series is concluded (and FINALLY a happy ending for Fanny!).

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Unexpected Love was a good middle book. None of the issues from the first book were really resolved; however, they didn't feel overly prolonged either. The story of Sophie was engaging enough to carry the tale through to the next book. You could see where Sophie was going to end up pretty much from her behavior in the last book. So when things finally happen, it is the fall out that is more exciting than the actual occurrence. How Paul treats Sophie in the second half of the book is wonderful to observe, and I love the way he just loves on her and through it breaks down her walls. Sophie's reconciliation with the Lord is healing and beautiful. The way outside relationships are shaped and changed for the better through this experience is also a wonderful example of how God can work bad circumstances for good. Uncle Jonas is still the worst, and a big downfall is that he has not yet gotten what he deserves. I can't wait to see how everything comes together in the end.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shelby, Village patron, July 2017, 4 stars:

Amanda, Sophie, and Fanny are three young ladies who are first cousins and very close. Fanny is an orphan, and her Uncle Jonas, Amanda's father is her guardian and the trustee of her large fortune. Jonas is stealing Fanny's assets secretly. Amanda is a Doctor's assistant, She is slowly falling in love with the doctor in secret. Sophie is more outgoing, and meets a fortune-hunter in England. He does no know she is not an heiress. Sophie finds she is with child and tells Wesley. He refuses to marry her when he sees she is not rich. Sophie was saved from suicide by a family friend and minister, who has been secretly in love with her. He marries her and adopts her daughter. Fanny is anxiously awaiting the return of her fiancee from the Yukon. He is the son of the caretakers of the family home. Uncle Jonas despises him.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I enjoyed this book more than the first one. There were lots of challenges to overcome in this, surprises too. it was mainly Sophie's story, but as with the first book, all the cousins and the family are involved. I liked the bond that the 3 cousins have, there were other characters that I enjoyed finding out more in this book. I loved the reminder, in this book that God wants us to commune with him any time, not just when we are in need etc. He wants us to commune with him, as we would a friend. You really need to read the first book, I think, to really appreciate this book. I read this on my kindle. Looking forward to the conclusion of this series in the last book.

[Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely loved this book! An Unexpected Love had me hooked from the start. The plot was so good—full of surprises and moments that totally pulled at my heartstrings. I kept telling myself "Just one more chapter"... and then suddenly it was 12am.

The characters felt so real, and I was completely invested in their journey. I loved how the romance unfolded in such a natural, unexpected way. Tracie Peterson really knows how to tell a story that’s both heartwarming and meaningful. I didn’t want it to end!

This book definitely made my favorites list. If you're into sweet, compelling love stories with depth and hope, you need to read this.

[Dana Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the ending of book #1 in this series and the way it abruptly dropped off, I dreaded reading more about a stolen inheritance and Uncle Jonas not being held accountable. Fighting to read through the beginning chapters and the constant dogged efforts of Daniel towards Fanny, I wanted to quit reading. But things quickly changed once the ladies landed in England and the book finally picked up momentum with Sophie meeting someone exciting and new. The story captured my attention and kept me reading to the very end, finishing it by the end of the day. This book definitely had several twists and turns, but ended well and had me excited to finish the series with #3.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Tracie Peterson and have read several of her books. I am sorry to say this was not one of my favorites. It is not due to Ms. Peterson's writing. Tracie has a special gift for getting you involved in the story in short order. I did not care for the main character. Saying that I should probably give it a higher rating because Tracie did a great job of creating someone you can love to hate. A spoiled, privileged cousin and compared to the other sweet young ladies, she really stands out.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until Fanny turns 18, Jonas is her guardian and in charge of her
inheritance and well-sing. when jonas' father passed away and the
will read (the state was be split between himself, Quincy and Fanny)

His attempt to get Fanny married failed. She was adamant that she
was going to marry Michael when he returned from the Yukon.

Amanda is determine to become a medical doctor.

Sophie et Wesley when she was in England and fell had for him.

Situations concerning the girls have left each of them wondering what
the future will hold.

[Amy Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of depth to this book. Lots of misunderstandings and resolves that are cliche'. The reader sniffs when she feels the character is sad and tries to emulate emotion that is unnecessary and annoying. I enjoy the relationship of these 3 cousins and it is the reason I will continue with the series, but I suggest reading it yourself and hope that Peterson goes back to some of more in depth writing.

[Salinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I enjoyed this book a lot. I do think that Sophie lived pretty loosely. I see where Paul's take comes in, but I'm not sure he made the right choice for a minister. It didn't ruin the book though. I actually felt that it was well dealt with by the author and actually seemed real. I'd give the series together based on the books I've read so far 5 stars, but this book only 3.

[Caryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peterson and Miller have crafted a captivating historical romance. Deception and secrets kept me engaged in the drama. Sophie, Fanny and Amanda have been through much together. Their bond is unbreakable.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

I borrowed a copy from my library. I've expressed my honest opinion.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the story because I want to know the outcome of Fanny and her inheritance and Uncle Jonas's theft. It does drag on, however, with everyone being too spineless to stick up for themselves against unwanted companions, etc.

[Sue Ferryman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

Very entertaining. Enjoyed the dynamics between the cousins. This was written with humor, warmth and wit. There were some surprises and some unfinished business that will be brought out in Book 3.

[Alicia Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio. The British accents were not enjoyable at all.
I do wish these three books had been condensed into one. I still do NOT like Uncle Jonas. And I really hope he is brought down a few pegs in book three.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all books in this trilogy & each one was better than previous one. The first book was a little slow moving but this one was better. I enjoy books written during this time period & the setting for these books sounds like somewhere I would love to visit.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better

I can't put these down. Easy to be immersed.overinvolved....I am looking forward to the final book but almost sad it will end. Historical fiction is a pleasure to read when done right.