Hawthorn and Silver Birch: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Lucy Marin

She overheard his heartless requirements for a wife. He mistook her for a servant and insulted her family. Their parting in Ireland was catastrophic. Now Mr Darcy has followed Elizabeth Bennet to Hertfordshire, armed with apologies and a she's the only woman he’s ever loved. But can words heal wounds this deep? Can a man who wounded her pride win her heart?

For readers who love their Darcy groveling, their Elizabeth fierce, and their romance sweeping—set against the magic and mystery of Ireland in the regency era.

Enemies to Lovers • Forced Proximity • Class Conflict • Overheard Insult • Groveling Hero • Second Chance Romance • Irish Setting

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2026

About the author

Lucy Marin developed a love for reading at a young age and whiled away many hours imagining how stories might continue or what would happen if there was a change in the circumstances faced by the protagonists. After reading her first Austen novel, a life-long ardent admiration was borne. Lucy was introduced to the world of Austen variations after stumbling across one at a used bookstore while on holiday in London. This led to the discovery of the online world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction and, soon after, she picked up her pen and began to transfer the stories in her head to paper.

Lucy lives in Toronto, Canada surrounded by hundreds of books and a loving family. She teaches environmental studies, loves animals and trees and exploring the world around her.

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would a variation be without misunderstandings and insults between Elizabeth and Darcy.

The beginning setting is Ireland where Elizabeth is accompanying her deceased aunt's best friend, Mrs. Ryde. But calling her that lady's companion sinks Darcy's opinion of her even lower than the fact that she is without wealth or connections. They part on a direct insult from Darcy as she is leaving Ireland.

Back in England, Elizabeth continues to spend time with her friend and we have a number of other romances occur there. For me the story dragged a bit and there was really little angst as we know there will be a HEA for our main characters. Lady Catherine takes up a portion of the story and gives us reason for Elizabeth's return to her family at Longbourn.

I do enjoy this author's stories and will "borrow" them on KU when I see a new release.

There are a number of longer reviews so I was short here on purpose.

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 3.5* rounded up to 4*

Under the Hawthorn tree.

The Emerald Isle is the delightful setting where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy first meet. However, an overheard conversation and false assumptions cause both to erect barriers against each other.

“It is insupportable to find a gentleman at once so appealing and completely offensive!” (quote from the book)

Elizabeth has been invited by her dearly departed aunt’s best friend, Mrs. Ryde, to visit Ireland with her. She is thrilled with the opportunity to explore new places and spend time with Mrs. Ryde who originally came from Ireland. Elizabeth falls in love with people, the folklore and the hawthorn trees.

“But I could never be attracted to a poor woman, especially one like her! It is impossible! He might as well marry a governess.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Darcy, in the meantime, is accompanying his cousin, Viscount Bramwell, to Ireland. His parents Lord and Lady Romsley, want him removed from London where gossip is rampant where their son is concerned. They also insist that Viscount Bramwell finally marry a woman of their choosing when he returns. Both Darcy and Bramwell have both come to terms with the idea to marry and soon. Hence, the overhead conversation Elizabeth hears near the hawthorn tree.

“Once the hand of fate has shown you the person you are meant to be with, you know it. Unless you are being too stupid to accept it. I shall not fall into that trap.” (quote from the book)

Thus begins their journey in Ireland, London and Hertfordshire. However, they are not the only ones finding love and resistance. It was enjoyable seeing original characters created by Ms. Marin from previous books. I also loved the portions of Ireland that were displayed. Ones I would have preferred more of as I have a strong connection to Ireland and N. Ireland.

The story is well written, but I found at times it was more telling than showing. I will also admit, I do not like a lot of vacillating with my Darcy and Elizabeth. I did not have that ‘spark of joy’ with this story as I usually do with Ms. Marin’s novels. So dear readers, please read other reviews from those who loved it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[lori huff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, but....

A good friend of Elizabeth's late aunt Bennett is Mrs Ryde, a widow and sister to Lord Halsley. Mrs Ryde considers Elizabeth an honorary niece, takes Elizabeth with her for a lengthy trip to Ireland, and later invites Elizabeth to stay with her in London during the season. Elizabeth meets Darcy and his cousin, Viscount Bramwell , in Ireland, and her first impression of Darcy is poor, that of an arrogant and conceited gentleman. Her opinion gradually changes in London, but Darcy manages to offend Elizabeth. She struggles with her growing attraction to him.

I like this author. She's a reliably good writer and storyteller. For me, this wasn't one of her better creations simply because I couldn't like Darcy in this version. He's a complete doofus with absolutely no backbone, rather too much like Bingley is usually portrayed. Unfortunately, when Lady Catherine becomes part of the story, and Darcy is deciding how to deal with difficult relations, I started skimming large parts of the text out of frustration, and out of a conviction that I didn't really want Elizabeth to end up with him.

Of course ODC achieve their HEA, but it wasn't at all satisfying. The book is well written and well edited, but since the romance suffered so much, I can't recommend it.

[CEK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed emotions

I usually love this author's stories, but am concerned about this one. This story has the most wishy washy, lily livered Darcy I have ever read about, one who alternates his hesitations with arrogance and thoughtless behavior. With a cute meeting in Ireland, the stage is set for our dear couple to get over some misunderstandings and find romance and they do, accompanied by a great many internal dialogues from Darcy as he ponders disappointing his family. When it comes down to the point, he develops a migraine, which is his excuse for disappointing Lizzy (and the reader). There is happy ending, but no champagne for me in this tale.

[Jen B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*

Lucy Marin's works (I've read a good chunk of them) have never let me down. I do enjoy her writing style and her tweaks to ODC characters that take them down different paths. For some reason I have always thought of her period works to be on the angsty side (maybe because I've read and re-read Being Mrs Darcy so many times), but this one is not. I quite liked the story from Darcy's perspective (it does alternate between ODC): Darcy is portrayed as more awkward than in canon (still a snob) while Elizabeth is most stubborn about her impressions and opinions (and this time the overheard 'insult' is not about her at all, just about his expectations of the status of his wife, before they have even met) - at least in Ireland - she is a bit more introspective when they meet again in London.
What would ODC be if there weren't some miscommunications and misunderstanding? And we have them here - thanks to a conflict adverse Darcy (once we get to London). Shaking my head at him for not following the Colonel and Bramwell's very good advice - but where would be the fun in that?
All to say this is another solid work by Lucy Marin (and I am also pleased to support a fellow Canadian).

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Levi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

[Francine Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to say, but I found it rather boring

I typically appreciate work from this author; however, this was a one-note-dullard, few highs or lows. I struggled to finish it.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

During her stay in Ireland Elizabeth overhears a gentleman telling his companion his expectations of marrying a well connected and rich wife. Elizabeth doesn't like this mercenary look on life and as she is later introduced to the gentleman and his cousin she is sure that her first impression of him being aloof and haughty is more than correct.
But due to mutual acquaintances they spent much time in company during their stay in Ireland. Her heart begins to soften for him but then he utters an assumption about her that shatters all of Elizabeth’s beginning friendship with him.
When they meet again in London some months later, Fitzwilliam Darcy apologizes for his cruel remarks. Elizabeth is determined to put him on arm’s length but as their mutual friends enjoy spending time together they are frequently forced to be in each other's company.
Elizabeth now begins to see a new, caring side of Darcy and slowly falls for him. Darcy, on his part, begins to realize that Elizabeth has enchanted him from the very first moment.
Will Darcy overcome his former expectations of marriage and will he instead choose love and Elizabeth? Will Elizabeth trust him after his uncharitable thoughts about her? Or will others interfere in their growing relationship?
The story was very well written by the author Lucy Marin. I always enjoy her books very much and this one was no exception. Lucy Marin is one of the authors who has installed her own secondary characters in her stories. Therefore you can be assured that, when Rebecca Darcy, Darcy’s cousin, is there she later becomes the love interest of Lord Bramwell, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brother. I dearly love to encounter these side characters and I love that I already know, right from their first encounter, where their journey will lead them eventually, even when the story does not seem to do so in the beginning ;-)
Normally I’m a Darcy-girl and in most variations he is my favorite character. But in this variation I liked Elizabeth most. Yes, at the beginning she clings to her prejudices after overhearing Darcy’s conversation with Bramwell, but eventually she sees Darcy act in company and comes to know him better due to spending time in his company and she recognizes that her prejudices were hasty. She realizes that Darcy is an interesting character and quite nice and therefore changes her opinion of him after having the proof of false assumptions on her part. I like that she is not too stubborn to change her point of view and therefore slowly falls in love with Darcy. And I was so glad that she took her time after Darcy injured her in the last part of the book. It was the right reaction, an immediate forgiveness would not have felt right after the things he did to her.
I love the relationship between Elizabeth and Mrs Ryde, Elizabeth’s late aunt’s best friend. Mrs Ryde is the knowing and listening aunt Elizabeth needs and she also is the link to Elizabeth’s friendship with Darcy’s cousin Rebecca because Mrs Ryde is already friends with Rebecca’s as well as the Colonel's parents. Therefore Elizabeth’s connections are not that low as Darcy assumes in the beginning.

Darcy was really not my favorite character in the book. Sometimes he acted quite stupid. Don’t get me wrong, he was not a bad person, but he stubbornly clings to his assumptions about Elizabeth and it takes him ages to act on his affection for her. He nearly loses her because he lets others decide what he has to do in life despite his cousins contradicting their parents and choosing love above duty. Darcy has his sweet moments in the story and he is, most of the time, very attentive to Elizabeth, but in times of crisis I was disappointed in him. I had hoped for other reactions and, mostly, a commitment to Elizabeth.

The story mostly takes place in Ireland and London, therefore the circle of characters is reduced. The story centers about Darcy, Bramwell, Fitzwilliam and their love interests. Bingley and his relations as well as Elizabeth’s family at Longbourn play no great part in it.

Therefore there are no machinations to endure from Caroline Bingley. Even with Wickham Darcy and the Colonel have dealt in advance. Therefore there is only Lady Cathrerine to interfere, but she does it properly. Fortunately she has no large part in the story and she is not successful in the end but she nevertheless causes much harm.

Overall I give 4,5 stars rounded up to five. I liked the story, but I found the explanation for Darcy’s rude behaviour in the last part of the book rather weak. And I couldn't understand why his cousins Bramwell and Fitzwilliam, the sons of the Earl, fought for their loved ones while Darcy, financially and parentally independent from the Earl, did at first as the Earl told him and nearly lost Elizabeth in the process. I can not imagine the Master of Pemberley and many tenants, a man accustomed to making decisions on his own, compliant in such a way that another can tell him what to do in matters of the heart without having something to blackmail him and therefore making him do as told. And there was no blackmailing in the story.

If you like to know how an overheard conversation in Ireland will later lead to true love for Darcy and Elizabeth you should definitely read this book.

I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth has connections Darcy doesn't know about.

At the onset of this story, which starts out in Dublin, Ireland, Mr. Darcy seems even more prideful than he does in Pride and Prejudice. Although he doesn't disparage Miss Elizabeth Bennet directly, she overhears him stating his requirements for a wife (a sizable dowry and excellent social connections) when she happens to stop on the opposite side of a hawthorn tree from where he's speaking with his cousin, Viscount Sterling Bramwell. Darcy's vocal inflection and statement amuse her. Not soon after, they are introduced, and she recognizes the haughty voice she had heard earlier.

When Darcy and Bramwell call upon Lord Halsey, Miss Bennet is described as the "companion" of Mrs. Ryde, the earl's sister-in-law. This leads Darcy to believe the young lady is a paid servant. If true, this would place Elizabeth's social status even lower than in canon.

At this point, the reader already knows that Elizabeth's godmother, now deceased, was a close friend to Mrs. Ryde, who has known Elizabeth since she was a child. After Aunt Bennet's death, Elizabeth and Mrs. Ryde maintained their connection. When Mrs. Ryde decided to accompany Lord Ramsey on this trip to Ireland, where she spent her youth, she invited Elizabeth to join them.

The three young people--Darcy, Elizabeth, and Bramwell--continue to encounter each other at social events as well as outings with Mrs. Ryde and Lord Halsey. Darcy fights his own attraction to Miss Elizabeth while becoming concerned that Bramwell is flirting with her. As she and Mrs. Ryde are about to leave Dublin, Darcy initiates an awkward conversation with Elizabeth that makes her livid.

Months later in London, Elizabeth again visits with Mrs. Ryde. While there, she renews her acquaintance with Rebecca Darcy, Mr. Darcy's cousin. Through Rebecca, she makes a new friend, Marian Strachan. (Interestingly, this character is half-African, and her biggest hurdle in Regency society is her generally disliked white father.)

Darcy finds himself pulled into social situations that place him in proximity to Elizabeth, making it impossible for them to avoid each other. Things slowly improve between them. But then Lady Catherine comes to town... 'Nuff said.

My favorite scene is short, but it tickled my funny bone. It's in the last section which, fittingly, is in Hertfordshire. The besotted Darcy's first exposure to the Bennet family, who are their usual dysfunctional selves, is thoroughly entertaining, as are Elizabeth's attempts to staunch the flow of humiliation.

Ms. Marin always has a lovely way with phrasing; her writing is a pleasure to read. It's quite well edited, too. I enjoyed the unique premise and what the author does with it.

However, for a smart guy, Darcy is awfully dense. Takes him a ridiculously long time to wake up and smell the coffee. And although the story moves at a good pace most of the time, there's one section that feels draggy near the end of the second act. It becomes too much of Elizabeth's and Darcy's thoughts--especially Darcy's--that are unnecessary and/or repetitive. Fortunately, things do pick up in the final act, and things get tied up neatly not long after the resolution.

Those flaws are relatively minor in an otherwise admirable novel.

Content is clean.

I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tzippy Sheffi Elgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting of this story is Ireland, where Elizabeth is visiting with a friend of her late aunt. While taking a stroll in the park, she overhears two gentlemen discuss their duty to marry according to Society's dictates. One of them sounds so arrogant that she mocks him in her heart. Later, she meets them and it turns out they are Mr Darcy and his cousin Viscount Bramwell, who are connected to Mrs Ryde, the woman with whom she is visiting Ireland. There will be insults and misunderstandings that will cause confusion and heartbreak to Darcy and Elizabeth.

I liked Elizabeth in this story. She is sweet, caring of her friends and family and loyal. Darcy believes duty to his position and family is of the highest importance. He is responsible and aloof but I wish he stood up to his family, especially the rude and obnoxious Lady Catherine, more strongly. He makes such a shocking blunder towards poor Elizabeth, which leads to some angsty heartbreak for them which concludes with Darcy grovelling for her forgiveness. I was anxious how Darcy would view Elizabeth's family during his visit to Hertfordshire, but thankfully, he had learned his lesson. Elizabeth's protectiveness of Darcy during his meeting with her family was very sweet. I also liked the characters of Viscount Bramwell and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Their teasing of Darcy was such fun, and I liked their outgoing personalities.

I enjoyed this variation even though Darcy really needed someone to shake him up so he would get a grip on himself and do what he thought was right for his happiness. It is charming and sweet and I am sure readers who loved Lucy Marin's previous books, will enjoy this one as well.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Koren | the_blue_eyed_bluestocking · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I found myself wanting to immediately plan a trip to Dublin or London after reading this fun P&P variation! This was a fun twist where Elizabeth and Darcy meet slightly earlier than canon and she has better connexions. However, with Darcy being himself, he only hears what fulfills his own ideas and prejudices, despite being better informed. He is drawn to Elizabeth from the start, and even though they are in company often and in the best of circumstances, he can't manage to really like her- thus his insult also comes a little earlier and maybe even harsher.

Throughout the story, Darcy attempts to claw himself into Elizabeth's good graces, and he nearly succeeds, only to bungle it again. He has enough redeeming moments that by the time he sufficiently grovels, Elizabeth has been half in love with him. Darcy really is the heel of the story- everyone else is finding and fighting for love, but he can't get himself together long enough to please a woman worthy of being pleased.

The real gems are the special characters that Lucy Marin included in her story- Viscount Bramwell and Rebecca Darcy (both Darcy's cousins on opposite sides) and Mrs. Ryde. They all work to create the environment in which E&D figure things out, get out of their (read- HIS) own way, and fall in love. There is a richness of conversation and a wittiness with the extra characters in play. Caroline and Wickham are only glanced over and only Lady CdeB does her villain thing.

Overall, it was a lovely, low angst variation and I really enjoyed the escape!

I received a copy from Quills and Quartos for consideration. All thoughts contained here are my own.

[Craftyhj · Rating 5 out of 5]

An elegantly crafted variation.

This excellent variation follows a rather different timeline with the story being set in Dublin and in London predominantly. The focus is very much on Darcy and Elizabeth throughout. What more could an avid reader want?

Just in case that isn't enough, the careful way in which the author has written Darcy is superb. His early comments, whilst not being the same as the Assembly comment, have the same effect on Elizabeth and she is not minded to like him at all. And then. Oh, Fitzwilliam Darcy! Has no-one ever told you that when you have dug yourself into a hole you should set down the shovel and not just keep digging and digging and ....

Once the action moves to London things seem to improve for a while and a tentative friendship turns into something deeper with the potential to become an abiding relationship. But unfortunately the dreaded Darcy Duty raises its head and all the good work seems to be in severe danger of unravelling.

The writing is excellent thought this book and the angst is carefully constructed and relies on quality dialogue and narrative rather than fireworks and temper tantrums.

This is definitely one I will return to again.

[Just JAFF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Premise: Darcy and Elizabeth meet while on holiday in Ireland. He (mistakenly) believes her to be a ladies paid companion, rather than a much-loved invited guest of her late aunt's best friend. Therefore, he's super snobby and dickish to her (when he's not mooning over her and thinking about how she's so pretty and smart, that is). Then he offends her deeply when she is preparing to journey home. When they meet again in London, he's got a steep uphill battle to win her approval, and her heart.

What I liked: Oh, this was delightful! It's fairly low-angst in spite of the obstacles for ODC coming together. (Lady Catherine is the main obstacle, aside from Darcy's own tendency to be a dummy.) And, having loved Being Mrs Darcy, it was wonderful to see old characters coming together in new ways. I LOVED that Bramwell and Rebecca Darcy were able to connect before he gave in to his parents arranged match.

Characterization: Darcy's perhaps a bit more starched at first. Lady Catherine is a smidge more forceful. The OCs are delightful.

Spice level: None. A kiss.

Any non-canon parings: Lydia won't end up with Wickham.

Other notes or issues: Nope, just good fun!

[PH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy’s liberation.

3.5 round up to 4.
Elizabeth and Darcy met each other in Dublin, away from the town and away from the ton. It should have been a beautiful place to meet new people, yet misunderstanding led to a sorry start. Now they were back in England and, miraculously, had so many mutual friends that avoiding each other was impossible and friendship seemed reachable. Certainly, the attraction was undeniable.

However, habits die hard, the ‘dutiful’ Darcy was struggled between maintaining the peace in the family which included his marriage expected by all his senior relations and his expansion of wealth and connections, and following his own heart and wishes. A megrim could not possibly explain the behavior of his and it would need a lot more effort than what he undertook to persuade me his sincerity.

The story is from beginning to end quite low-angst and relaxing. Even though characters struggled with their opinions and impressions, influenced by unexpected events and circumstances, the overall tone of narrative was serene and peaceful, without too much background noise.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ but not 5 stars. I loved the "travelogue" aspects of Elizabeth with her late aunt's good friend in Ireland, where Darcy and Elizabeth first meet. In addition to the misunderstandings and miscommunications of Darcy and Elizabeth, the stories of Darcy's cousins Viscount Bramwell and Colonel Fitzwilliam were delightfully woven through the story. Additional characters of Darcy's paternal aunt, uncle, and cousin, along with another lady of interest to the Colonel added to the tale.

My only complaint is that Darcy seemed to have little backbone when it came to his uncle and aunt, the earl and countess, but especially with Lady Catherine! I suppose some of it was needed to further the story along and provide a little bit of angst, but still, he was a complete wimp in places where he should have had more of a backbone. He should have listened to the advice from the viscount and colonel! Not to mention being more forthcoming to Elizabeth about his decision not to marry Anne, which allowed Lady Catherine to continue to spew her comments of their upcoming marriage. That was very badly done.

Still, I did enjoy it and recommend it.

[Sam H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

She had a low opinion of him even before they met.

At a chance overheard conversation, Elizabeth sincerely disliked Darcy. then they met and his behavior didn't raise him from the low opinion. Then he insults her for the second time.
Darcy learns to rue his mistaken impression of Elizabeth. Yet, when they meet again in London things seem to go better for the two.
In the social whirl of London, Elizabeth meets old and new friends and trusts in Darcy's character as she gets to know him better.

From the glories of Ireland to the balls of Town, there are multiple couples who find romance. If they'll only allow hearts to trust and love. And if their elders will stop getting in their way!

A charming story, well written and rounded out with this author's original characters. My own heart vacillated between Elizabeth's turmoil and Darcy's cluelessness.

4.5*

I received a free advance reader copy and voluntarily leave my review.

[Kathi Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy, Darcy, Darcy. This story has such a lovely flow, and I absolutely adored Bramwell. I found myself frustrated with Darcy at times, but then had to remind myself that this version of him was orphaned young, still emotionally forming, and carrying the weight of expectations he could no longer check against the parents he lost. That kind of silence leaves a mark. It’s been over thirty years, and I still sometimes wonder whether my own father would be proud of the choices I’ve made — so Darcy’s struggle felt painfully real and deeply human.

The angst is handled beautifully. It lasts just long enough to feel believable, but the author never forces us — or Darcy and Elizabeth — to wallow in it. Neither of them is perfect, and both have to learn how to change, forgive, and hope for the future they deserve.

Just the right amount of angst — honest, heartfelt, never heavy.

Please note: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was an interesting story. I don't think that I have ever read a variation of Pride and Prejudice that has the characters in Ireland. I found it fun. I liked Lucy's version of Darcy and Elizabeth. I also liked her original characters. They fit very well into the regency period. It was a fun read. I was able to escape my reality with its entertainment.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet story

Another sweet variation with a few new details, settings and character interactions. More focus on Darcy, Elizabeth and Darcy relations than the chaos at Longborn was a pleasure to see.

[Avy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, I really did. I like this author's other works. But I just could not get into the story, and after two weeks of repeatedly trying to come back to it and forgetting what happened previously, I DNF.

[Michelle David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

A very nice and charming little variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by the talented Lucy Marin. Low angst and lovely.

[Terri Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Well written .well plotted .
Such a enjoyable experience to read such a good book.

[Li Xin · Rating 3 out of 5]

weak, disappointing darcy

[Deena H · Rating 1 out of 5]

WImpy Darcy

Good book. Well written and thought out, but I Cannot stand a WImpy, Weak Willed Darcy. If you don't mind a cowardly Darcy, you might like it.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Ireland to Hertfordshire
This was an enjoyable Pride and Prejudice variation with a fresh opening that begins in Ireland rather than Hertfordshire. An overheard conversation leaves Elizabeth with a very poor opinion of Darcy before they even meet, and his behaviour when they are introduced does nothing to improve it. Their parting in Ireland is disastrous. After meeting again in London and spending time with mutual friends, just when things finally seem to be turning in a better direction for them, Lady Catherine interferes and Darcy makes a serious misstep that sends Elizabeth fleeing to Hertfordshire, where he follows in hopes of winning her forgiveness.

Lucy Marin’s writing is assured, as always, which is something I have come to expect from this respected author. I did enjoy seeing the return of some of her original characters. It was nice seeing Lord Bramwell and Rebecca again, but their romance felt a bit déjà vu from another of her stories.

For me personally, this story never quite stirred my reading spirit the way some of her previous work did for me. It was pleasant enough to read, but the dialogue and interactions did not move me to laughter or tears. I also found myself wishing we had spent more time in Ireland. The story opens there with such promise that I would have happily remained there longer before the action moved on. I do love a setting outside Meryton or London.

Perhaps this one simply was not quite my cup of tea. As always, I look forward to this author’s next book.

I received an advance review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review. I also purchased the published version for my Kindle library.