Lulie

by Jane Dawkins, Barry Fitzgerald (Photographer)

Life is over for Louisa Bryson. It has been a year since David-her fiancé, from whom she had been inseparable since childhood-was killed in a tragic accident, only days before their wedding. She is still inconsolable and resigned to a life of mourning her one and only love.

Two men, one of them her fiancé's brother, the other a stranger with an unusual past, both yearn to rescue Louisa from her torment but know they must tread carefully if they are to succeed.

Set in the English countryside of the early 1800s during the turbulent period of the Battle of Waterloo, Jane Dawkins, author of two acclaimed continuations of Pride and Prejudice, recounts Louisa's struggles to come to terms with life in this tale of love, heartbreak and redemption.

This is one of the best historical romances I have read in a while... a bright and shining example among the best... Ms Dawkins has created a memorable and special tale... a timeless piece...

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[June Ahern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish to preface my review by saying, I do not read romantic novels nor are particularity interested in the Jane Austin style of which this book is written. But, I made an exception and did enjoyed “Lulie”. The story is about a very believable young woman named Louisa (Lulie) Bryson, so bereaved by the death of her fiancé and childhood friend David’s tragic unexpected death, that life has ceased to exist outside their time together. The book is set in the English countryside in the early 1800’s and begins with Louisa “Lulie” standing at the gravesite of her beloved David. The reader is privy to her thoughts, which we follow throughout the book. Her grieving process is real. At times I did want to hurry her along but understanding how painful it is to loss of someone important to your life, I went on the journey with her. Her family is by her side throughout the process and soon we are entwined in their lives as the try in vain to rescue Lulie from her depression and bring her back to the present time. Two others, the brother of her fiancé and a stranger both yearn to be in Lulie life, but both move with caution, not wanting to have the fragile young woman retreat deeper into her silent life with David. Eventually winter of Lulie’s life turns to spring. The language is very true to the time period of which the story takes place and at times, Ms. Dawkins’ descriptive are poetic as she draws the reader into life in England during the 1800’s turbulent period of the battle of Waterloo. The Skye in June