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The Mrs MacKinnons
England, 1799: A traumatised soldier returning to a derelict inheritance. A widow with a small son and a manipulative father.Major Matthew Southam returns from India, hoping to put the trauma of war behind him and forget his past. Instead, he finds a derelict estate and a family who wish he'd died abroad.Charlotte MacKinnon married without love to avoid her father’s unpleasant choice of husband. Now a widow with a young son, she lives in a small Cotswold village with only the money she earns by her writing.Matthew is haunted by his past, and Charlotte is fearful of her father’s renewed meddling in her future. After a disastrous first meeting, can they help each other find happiness?
564 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2018
470 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Davis
20 books123 followersI was born in England, near the Welsh border, and lived in several places while I was growing up, including a spell in Singapore and in Malta. Malta was where I got hooked on historical romances - my parents rented a furnished house, and the owners had left most of their books there, including a whole set of Georgette Heyer novels.
Loving Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, I longed to write similar novels myself. I toyed with the idea several times over the years, but real life intervened and I've had several careers, including as a non-fiction author under another name. That wasn’t quite the writing career I had in mind…
So here I am, finally publishing my stories. I hope you enjoy them!
Loving Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, I longed to write similar novels myself. I toyed with the idea several times over the years, but real life intervened and I've had several careers, including as a non-fiction author under another name. That wasn’t quite the writing career I had in mind…
So here I am, finally publishing my stories. I hope you enjoy them!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
September 24, 2024
I loved this book. I didn’t think I was going to like it, because the prologue is a grim war scene, but this is merely a brief backdrop to the main story. Yes, it’s important, but the author never dwells on the details, and so it becomes, as it should, the underlying thread of explanation for many of the characters, and not the central focus.
Here’s the premise: Major Matthew Southam returns from India after unexpectedly inheriting a title and a small estate. His surviving family, his stepmother and half-brother and half-sister, rather wish he had died in India, and have been quietly helping themselves to his fortune for years. Meanwhile, the inherited estate is neglected and empty of servants and furniture. Matthew is too traumatised by his war experiences to do more than drink, and then drink some more.
Meanwhile, Mrs Charlotte MacKinnon, a widow with a young son living in the nearest village to the estate, is hard-pressed to make ends meet. She writes cute children’s stories and a nature column for a London publisher, helps local businessmen manage their finances and generally uses her education and brains to earn what coins she can. She shares her home with another soldier’s widow, also called MacKinnon, so the two are rather charmingly known to the locals as Mrs Captain and Mrs Sergeant.
And if that were all, this would be a standard Regency romance between a strong man damaged by war, brought back to reality and happiness by the love of a good, if impoverished, woman. But this is not quite that story, and part of the reason is, perhaps, the most fascinating character I’ve come across for some time, Sergeant Webb, who’s returned from India with Matthew and attached himself to him. Matthew is so wrapped up in his own misery that he more or less hands over responsibility for getting things straight to Webb. He hasn’t a clue about fixing up houses, but he’s a man who’s happy to go out and find people with more knowledge than him, which includes Charlotte. And so she and Matthew are thrown together, and gradually, very, very gradually, aided by Charlotte’s young son, Charlotte’s common sense, Webb’s organisational abilities and the house itself, the two reach an accord.
There’s some drama in the later stages caused by their pesky relatives, but at bottom this is a beautiful slow-build romance, with the underlying theme that even grievous war injuries needn’t define the rest of your life. I loved the main characters, I loved their first kiss and I loved seeing the house gradually brought back to a healthy and functioning state alongside Matthew’s own recovery. I never would have thought that details about furniture and linens and paintwork would be so interesting, but they were. And if Sergeant Webb became implausibly clever at organising everyone, he was so much fun that I quite forgave him. The humour isn’t the conventional Regency romp style, but the sort that jumps up and slaps you on the head when you least expect it, and lightens a book that might otherwise be quite dark at times.
A great read, and highly recommended for anyone looking for something a little more meaty than the average frothy Regency. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Major Matthew Southam returns from India after unexpectedly inheriting a title and a small estate. His surviving family, his stepmother and half-brother and half-sister, rather wish he had died in India, and have been quietly helping themselves to his fortune for years. Meanwhile, the inherited estate is neglected and empty of servants and furniture. Matthew is too traumatised by his war experiences to do more than drink, and then drink some more.
Meanwhile, Mrs Charlotte MacKinnon, a widow with a young son living in the nearest village to the estate, is hard-pressed to make ends meet. She writes cute children’s stories and a nature column for a London publisher, helps local businessmen manage their finances and generally uses her education and brains to earn what coins she can. She shares her home with another soldier’s widow, also called MacKinnon, so the two are rather charmingly known to the locals as Mrs Captain and Mrs Sergeant.
And if that were all, this would be a standard Regency romance between a strong man damaged by war, brought back to reality and happiness by the love of a good, if impoverished, woman. But this is not quite that story, and part of the reason is, perhaps, the most fascinating character I’ve come across for some time, Sergeant Webb, who’s returned from India with Matthew and attached himself to him. Matthew is so wrapped up in his own misery that he more or less hands over responsibility for getting things straight to Webb. He hasn’t a clue about fixing up houses, but he’s a man who’s happy to go out and find people with more knowledge than him, which includes Charlotte. And so she and Matthew are thrown together, and gradually, very, very gradually, aided by Charlotte’s young son, Charlotte’s common sense, Webb’s organisational abilities and the house itself, the two reach an accord.
There’s some drama in the later stages caused by their pesky relatives, but at bottom this is a beautiful slow-build romance, with the underlying theme that even grievous war injuries needn’t define the rest of your life. I loved the main characters, I loved their first kiss and I loved seeing the house gradually brought back to a healthy and functioning state alongside Matthew’s own recovery. I never would have thought that details about furniture and linens and paintwork would be so interesting, but they were. And if Sergeant Webb became implausibly clever at organising everyone, he was so much fun that I quite forgave him. The humour isn’t the conventional Regency romp style, but the sort that jumps up and slaps you on the head when you least expect it, and lightens a book that might otherwise be quite dark at times.
A great read, and highly recommended for anyone looking for something a little more meaty than the average frothy Regency. Five stars.
September 26, 2019
This was a lovely story with a full cast of characters to care about. Two widows with the same last name live in the same home and are best friends. There’s humor, and a bit of romance for each of them.
Major Matthew Southam is a traumatized soldier who returns home after 10 years to find selfish relatives helping themselves to his inheritance. Part of that inheritance is a derelict estate, and he hunkers down there with his loyal friend as they try to make the place livable again.
Major has horrible PTSD and drinks heavily to cope. I thought his battle with alcoholism was realistic. He cut down gradually, to avoid getting sick, and he had relapses.
Despite an unpleasant first and second meeting, Charlotte (one of the young widows) and the Major eventually develop a mutual respect and even friendship. I really enjoyed how the neighbors in this small town took care of each another. Slowly, the Major and Charlotte begin to rely upon one another, and maybe start to have stronger feelings.
* This is a clean read. There is some talk of desire, and the successful gentlemanly effort to tamp down those feelings. There’s anticipation of wedding nights, but nothing on page beyond kissing.
Major Matthew Southam is a traumatized soldier who returns home after 10 years to find selfish relatives helping themselves to his inheritance. Part of that inheritance is a derelict estate, and he hunkers down there with his loyal friend as they try to make the place livable again.
Major has horrible PTSD and drinks heavily to cope. I thought his battle with alcoholism was realistic. He cut down gradually, to avoid getting sick, and he had relapses.
Despite an unpleasant first and second meeting, Charlotte (one of the young widows) and the Major eventually develop a mutual respect and even friendship. I really enjoyed how the neighbors in this small town took care of each another. Slowly, the Major and Charlotte begin to rely upon one another, and maybe start to have stronger feelings.
* This is a clean read. There is some talk of desire, and the successful gentlemanly effort to tamp down those feelings. There’s anticipation of wedding nights, but nothing on page beyond kissing.
November 8, 2019
This is my first book by this author and I intend to look for more books by her. It was well written and the characters deep developed and easy to relate to.
The only thing that could have made it better for me was if the couple had got together a little earlier in the story. I would love to have more time with them.
I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed very much the narration.
Mathew recently returned from India where he had a very traumatic experience to find his family in England wishing him dead. Thin, traumatized and drunk most of the time he felt like his life had no meaning.
He ends up visiting one of the estates he recently inherited just to find out his family had stolen most of the furniture and his tenants were starving and their cottages falling apart.
Slowly, with the encouragement of a friend, he starts to put himself together and to see to the estate needs and in doing so he meets the heroine Charlotte, a widow with a kid that comes to the estate to help with the books and the renovations.
At first, Charlotte thinks he is a drunk wastrel, but with time his qualities review themselves and she realizes what a great person he is. Meanwhile Matthew is enchanted by her intelligence, determination and character. He also builds a beautiful friendship with her son.
Some evil characters come along to block their path to HEA but some good friends come to the rescue. I specially liked the side characters and I wish they could all have a book of their own (Mainly Webb and Sir Vincent).
Great read!
The only thing that could have made it better for me was if the couple had got together a little earlier in the story. I would love to have more time with them.
I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed very much the narration.
Mathew recently returned from India where he had a very traumatic experience to find his family in England wishing him dead. Thin, traumatized and drunk most of the time he felt like his life had no meaning.
He ends up visiting one of the estates he recently inherited just to find out his family had stolen most of the furniture and his tenants were starving and their cottages falling apart.
Slowly, with the encouragement of a friend, he starts to put himself together and to see to the estate needs and in doing so he meets the heroine Charlotte, a widow with a kid that comes to the estate to help with the books and the renovations.
At first, Charlotte thinks he is a drunk wastrel, but with time his qualities review themselves and she realizes what a great person he is. Meanwhile Matthew is enchanted by her intelligence, determination and character. He also builds a beautiful friendship with her son.
Some evil characters come along to block their path to HEA but some good friends come to the rescue. I specially liked the side characters and I wish they could all have a book of their own (Mainly Webb and Sir Vincent).
Great read!
April 25, 2019
Fabulous.
Detailed, rich, engrossing.
A lot of Historical Romances are like candyfloss - they look good on the outside but when you start on them, there's absolutely no substance to them. This was different. It takes some while to get going - I paused at Chapter 10 to wonder just WHEN the two main characters were going to meet each other - but then it all fell into place effortlessly. And it worked, right to the very last line.
The setting is perfect, the characters engaging and believable, the plot rich enough to keep me reading much later than I should have done. The child in the story was a welcome addition, unlike so many children in novels who are spoilt, precocious and intrusive.
I'm not going into the actual plot. Suffice it to say this is a meaty and solid novel with an ending that left me cheering the author for having the guts to make it realistic.
An author to follow. 5 stars
Detailed, rich, engrossing.
A lot of Historical Romances are like candyfloss - they look good on the outside but when you start on them, there's absolutely no substance to them. This was different. It takes some while to get going - I paused at Chapter 10 to wonder just WHEN the two main characters were going to meet each other - but then it all fell into place effortlessly. And it worked, right to the very last line.
The setting is perfect, the characters engaging and believable, the plot rich enough to keep me reading much later than I should have done. The child in the story was a welcome addition, unlike so many children in novels who are spoilt, precocious and intrusive.
I'm not going into the actual plot. Suffice it to say this is a meaty and solid novel with an ending that left me cheering the author for having the guts to make it realistic.
An author to follow. 5 stars
May 28, 2020
3.5
It was good, quite realistic in some parts and its pace; but there was no adventure or intrigue or excitement.
It was good, quite realistic in some parts and its pace; but there was no adventure or intrigue or excitement.
December 23, 2019
Lovely. Slow to get going.
September 11, 2020
4.5 stars
My first by this author, but I suspect it won’t be my last. I loved this historical novel, a love story and a healing story, set in 1799 in rural England. It was slow and quiet, with most of the focus on the characters, but I liked those characters and their realistic struggles.
Matthew is a retired officer. His horrific war experiences in India left him wrecked with nightmares only brandy keeps at bay. He knows his alcoholism only veils his problems, but he can’t bring himself to care to search for solutions.
Charlotte is a widow with money issues, a young son, and a manipulative father. Her first meeting with Matthew is not propitious, but after a while, they start thawing towards each other. The more they come in contact – inevitable in their small village – the more they feel their biases melting away, gradually being replaced by understanding, affection, and even something deeper and more frightening. Both of them battle self-doubts. Both can’t believe in being worthy of love. It takes the drastic events in the denouement of the novel to bring up their HEA, and it was very satisfying for the reader.
The plot doesn’t involve any serious calamities (except in the very end), but small obstacles in front of the protagonists multiply rapidly all the time. Despite the mundane nature of most of the heroes’ woes, I was never bored. I wanted to know how their relationship progressed. I cheered for them and cursed their enemies. I enjoyed reading this low-key, very private story. A slew of interesting secondary characters enriched the tale too, as did its clean and professional writing. A little bit of humor didn’t hurt either.
Overall: a wonderful book, almost perfect.
My first by this author, but I suspect it won’t be my last. I loved this historical novel, a love story and a healing story, set in 1799 in rural England. It was slow and quiet, with most of the focus on the characters, but I liked those characters and their realistic struggles.
Matthew is a retired officer. His horrific war experiences in India left him wrecked with nightmares only brandy keeps at bay. He knows his alcoholism only veils his problems, but he can’t bring himself to care to search for solutions.
Charlotte is a widow with money issues, a young son, and a manipulative father. Her first meeting with Matthew is not propitious, but after a while, they start thawing towards each other. The more they come in contact – inevitable in their small village – the more they feel their biases melting away, gradually being replaced by understanding, affection, and even something deeper and more frightening. Both of them battle self-doubts. Both can’t believe in being worthy of love. It takes the drastic events in the denouement of the novel to bring up their HEA, and it was very satisfying for the reader.
The plot doesn’t involve any serious calamities (except in the very end), but small obstacles in front of the protagonists multiply rapidly all the time. Despite the mundane nature of most of the heroes’ woes, I was never bored. I wanted to know how their relationship progressed. I cheered for them and cursed their enemies. I enjoyed reading this low-key, very private story. A slew of interesting secondary characters enriched the tale too, as did its clean and professional writing. A little bit of humor didn’t hurt either.
Overall: a wonderful book, almost perfect.
January 27, 2018
- A lovely story of patience and love overcoming obstacles where true love trumps adversity, with the requisite misunderstandings to make the story interesting!
- I didn’t mind that it was a long book, I like a story which takes me more than a couple hours to read.
- I enjoyed many things about this story. There was lots of great detail and the descriptions made it very easy to picture the physical surroundings, the emotions and body language of the characters. Ms Davis have a wonderful ability to write lyrically descriptive phrases.
- The conversations were written very naturally. There were several distinct and different character types, who would communicate differently so not all conversations sounded the same.
- The hero was kidnapped, which is a bit unusual. More often it’s the heroine who is rescued by the hero. I enjoyed the turnabout where both the hero and heroine are kidnapped and saved by the heroine’s young son. And of course the first kiss was quite memorable.
- Sex scenes were handled very nicely and skillfully in the novel. Lots of promise and enough hints to make things interesting but nothing too explicit to frighten off sensitive or younger readers.
- I was sorry that Richard didn’t appear more in the story but hopefully there will be a next book about Richard finding his HEA.
Full disclosure, I did a beta read of this book and so received a free copy of the beta version.
I will definitely be watching for other books written by Jayne Davis.
- I didn’t mind that it was a long book, I like a story which takes me more than a couple hours to read.
- I enjoyed many things about this story. There was lots of great detail and the descriptions made it very easy to picture the physical surroundings, the emotions and body language of the characters. Ms Davis have a wonderful ability to write lyrically descriptive phrases.
- The conversations were written very naturally. There were several distinct and different character types, who would communicate differently so not all conversations sounded the same.
- The hero was kidnapped, which is a bit unusual. More often it’s the heroine who is rescued by the hero. I enjoyed the turnabout where both the hero and heroine are kidnapped and saved by the heroine’s young son. And of course the first kiss was quite memorable.
- Sex scenes were handled very nicely and skillfully in the novel. Lots of promise and enough hints to make things interesting but nothing too explicit to frighten off sensitive or younger readers.
- I was sorry that Richard didn’t appear more in the story but hopefully there will be a next book about Richard finding his HEA.
Full disclosure, I did a beta read of this book and so received a free copy of the beta version.
I will definitely be watching for other books written by Jayne Davis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2018
Slightly Depressing!
I know many people have given this book a 5 star Review. However, I just couldn't do it. Major Matthew Southam returns from India, after being tortured. He inherits his father's money, a Title, a greedy stepmother, a viscous half brother, and spoiled half sister. They had thought he was dead, and wished he were. He does have an Awesome Sergerant who saved his life, and has to keep saving it daily!
Charlotte Mackinnon, is Mrs. Captain, her friend, she met on the boat returning after the deaths of their husbands, is Mrs. Sargeant, her last name being MacKinnon also. Charlotte has a young son, who never knew his father. Here is the grit of the story. The two women have done everything in their power to make themselves a nice home, yet Major Southam, who is their new neighbor, drinks himself into a stupor every night, or all day! He feels sorry for himself 24 hours a day! Yet, other men, have come back without an arm, no title, no money, no home, yet they work! This is a 565 page book, I don't care for people who can't see the gift that they have been given, and appreciate every day as special! By the end of this extraordainarly long , repetitive poor me syndrome, we get maybe ten pages of HEA? Which, even that, was not that great!
I recommend if you like drawn out, depressing books!
Carolintallahassee.com
I know many people have given this book a 5 star Review. However, I just couldn't do it. Major Matthew Southam returns from India, after being tortured. He inherits his father's money, a Title, a greedy stepmother, a viscous half brother, and spoiled half sister. They had thought he was dead, and wished he were. He does have an Awesome Sergerant who saved his life, and has to keep saving it daily!
Charlotte Mackinnon, is Mrs. Captain, her friend, she met on the boat returning after the deaths of their husbands, is Mrs. Sargeant, her last name being MacKinnon also. Charlotte has a young son, who never knew his father. Here is the grit of the story. The two women have done everything in their power to make themselves a nice home, yet Major Southam, who is their new neighbor, drinks himself into a stupor every night, or all day! He feels sorry for himself 24 hours a day! Yet, other men, have come back without an arm, no title, no money, no home, yet they work! This is a 565 page book, I don't care for people who can't see the gift that they have been given, and appreciate every day as special! By the end of this extraordainarly long , repetitive poor me syndrome, we get maybe ten pages of HEA? Which, even that, was not that great!
I recommend if you like drawn out, depressing books!
Carolintallahassee.com
March 12, 2018
Today we would say he suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; then he was simply another officer returned from India, to be envied or resented because of his wealth and title. As Matthew Southam struggles to find his place in England, his self-appointed batman Webb enlists the support of the widowed Charlotte MacKinnon and her son Davie. Charlotte has her own problems but is unable to resist Webb’s appeal for help and, despite his best efforts, Matthew cannot resist Charlotte.
Jayne Davis weaves an intricate tapestry of minor characters and subplots reminiscent of the great Victorian novels but, despite the detail in the border, Matthew and Charlotte remain the vivid centre. I worried about them, cared about them, hoped for them. Ms Davis’s writing is deceptively easy to read, flowing so well that it makes the complex simple. This is a long, slow read to be savoured and returned to again and again.
Jayne Davis weaves an intricate tapestry of minor characters and subplots reminiscent of the great Victorian novels but, despite the detail in the border, Matthew and Charlotte remain the vivid centre. I worried about them, cared about them, hoped for them. Ms Davis’s writing is deceptively easy to read, flowing so well that it makes the complex simple. This is a long, slow read to be savoured and returned to again and again.
October 18, 2019
3.25 stars.
I enjoyed this slow burn romance, with its realistic portrayal of a soldier's PTSD (not that it was called that at the time), his subsequent self-medicating with alcohol, and a woman's lack of rights at the turn of the 19th century. The characters, whether main or secondary, were fully wrought, and while I wouldn't categorize this as a riveting tale, the story was interesting enough to feel well paced. I appreciated the lack of intimate scenes; the romance was very slow building and sweet, without feeling overly angsty or annoying.
Unfortunately, the author's other full length work Sauce for the Gander features a rake who dallies with married women, so I'm skipping that one. However, I'm looking forward to more by this author.
I enjoyed this slow burn romance, with its realistic portrayal of a soldier's PTSD (not that it was called that at the time), his subsequent self-medicating with alcohol, and a woman's lack of rights at the turn of the 19th century. The characters, whether main or secondary, were fully wrought, and while I wouldn't categorize this as a riveting tale, the story was interesting enough to feel well paced. I appreciated the lack of intimate scenes; the romance was very slow building and sweet, without feeling overly angsty or annoying.
Unfortunately, the author's other full length work Sauce for the Gander features a rake who dallies with married women, so I'm skipping that one. However, I'm looking forward to more by this author.
February 4, 2021
I loved this as slice-of-life regency fiction; the plot moved along at a good clip without being over-the-top, the details felt very well-done, and the characters were a delight. The romance was a little less compelling, but over all a really fun reading experience and I look forward to my next Davis novel.
May 23, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"The writing is so clean...and the book is long enough at nearly 600 pages for the reader to be truly absorbed in the story and the characters."
shortlisted for Book of the Month
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"The writing is so clean...and the book is long enough at nearly 600 pages for the reader to be truly absorbed in the story and the characters."
shortlisted for Book of the Month
August 22, 2022
2.5 stars. Slightly reminiscent of Poldark but with less melodrama; if only this was as well written. It has a realistic setting and a slow-burn romance of the sort I like.
This is set in England in 1799 at the edge of the Cotswolds. Matthew is an officer just returned from service in India, suffering from PTSD which he is treating with alcohol, and accompanied by a long-suffering loyal batman. His family is not pleased to see him alive since they’ve been overspending his money while he’s gone. He takes up residence in the neglected estate he’s just inherited and begins to try to restore it while slowly committing suicide.
Charlotte is a widowed mother of a 10-yr-old, also estranged from her cruel family, who is making ends meet by writing children’s stories. They meet badly (I do enjoy terrible first impressions) then gradually get to know each other when she helps with the logistics of restoring the estate.
There are some nice secondary characters, plus a dog, although I think the dog could have been given more personality. The villains are uninspired. It’s a slow, mildly satisfying story, with some improbable action to provide a dramatic ending. The writing is serviceable if not especially engaging. I was in just the right mood and I enjoyed it.
This is set in England in 1799 at the edge of the Cotswolds. Matthew is an officer just returned from service in India, suffering from PTSD which he is treating with alcohol, and accompanied by a long-suffering loyal batman. His family is not pleased to see him alive since they’ve been overspending his money while he’s gone. He takes up residence in the neglected estate he’s just inherited and begins to try to restore it while slowly committing suicide.
Charlotte is a widowed mother of a 10-yr-old, also estranged from her cruel family, who is making ends meet by writing children’s stories. They meet badly (I do enjoy terrible first impressions) then gradually get to know each other when she helps with the logistics of restoring the estate.
There are some nice secondary characters, plus a dog, although I think the dog could have been given more personality. The villains are uninspired. It’s a slow, mildly satisfying story, with some improbable action to provide a dramatic ending. The writing is serviceable if not especially engaging. I was in just the right mood and I enjoyed it.
May 31, 2023
Thoughtful, realistic and romantic. This story dives deep into the lives and hearts of a handful of people whose interactions shape each other. It is long and steady but not plodding, and full of interesting action and introspection. The characters are deep and intricate but realistic and relatable, while being delightful and endearing. The history is well-researched without encroaching on the reader’s enjoyment. And the romance was believably slow-burn and satisfying without superfluous obstacles. Except for what I thought was an overly long and complicated dénouement, this was a perfect story.
December 8, 2021
4.5 out of 5 stars
December 23, 2022
Well written interesting book. It’s a romance with a lot of heft to the story. It’s a story of nice people falling in love. The conflicts are mainly external. There is PTSD to deal with, evil relatives and a bunch of learning to do things outside of their comfort zones. Just an interesting story all around.
September 24, 2018
Well this is truly wonderful, I am simply amazed at the quality of this debut and will definitely be reading more from Jayne Davies. I was instantly hooked from the prologue which is basically a brief look into why the hero is how is, I make it no secret how much I love a vulnerable, troubled veteran and this one is a beautifully crafted one who will pull at your heartstrings. I loved those first few pages during the bloody war, it reminded me of a Bernard Cornwall book. It was honest and gritty and instantly made me sit up and take notice.
Our very unlikely hero; Major Matthew Southam returns from the war in India, he is basically a wreck of the man he was, emotionally anyway. He has seen and experienced way too much to ever have peace of mind with his wonderfully adapt Sergeant Webb at his side Matthew is forced to face having to take on the responsibility of an unwanted title and estate, pus having to navigate his way around a family who hoped he had died in the war as they have been helping themselves to his fortune for years. Matthew wants nothing more than to lock himself away with a drink…and another drink and try to forget everything or just to drink himself into a stupor he may never wake up from, which ever comes first. Anyone who has read any of my reviews will know how much I love a good war hero, and Matthew is a wonderfully flawed character, how he suffers from his experience from the war is heart-wrenching.
Charlotte MacKinnon is a widow, living a quiet life that is until her mother dies and suddenly she and her son are thrust into her malicious father’s gaze. The only reason Charlotte entered into her loveless marriage was to escape the marriage her father had proposed for her. To make ends-meat and make certain that she can always provide for her young son, she writes charming children’s stories and she has a column in the local newspaper. I do really admire Charlotte she has forged this life for herself, she is resilient and determined that her manipulative father doesn’t get his hands on her son. She is strong willed, intelligent and caring she takes no-nonsense form anyone.
They may not appear at the first like peas in a pod, but there is something very magical about them. They both have not just personal issues with family getting in the way of them doing what they need to. But they do work well together, they bring out the lightness that has disappeared in their lives and I think it is rather beautifully done. Matthew needs someone special in his life that will love him and help him move forward from the horrors of his war past and Charlotte needs a man who will truly love her for herself and who will help her when her malicious father returns into her life.
For me though, the star of the show is definitely Webb, he is such a fun and magical character who can really make you laugh and sigh. This is a wonderfully different story that has reall heart to it. Their is darkness and passion in equal amounts, the charming characters draw the readers into their lives and you are gripped by the intricate and engaging story. Ms Davis has a stylish and articulate writing style that really captures the readers attention and I Cannot wait to read more from her.
Our very unlikely hero; Major Matthew Southam returns from the war in India, he is basically a wreck of the man he was, emotionally anyway. He has seen and experienced way too much to ever have peace of mind with his wonderfully adapt Sergeant Webb at his side Matthew is forced to face having to take on the responsibility of an unwanted title and estate, pus having to navigate his way around a family who hoped he had died in the war as they have been helping themselves to his fortune for years. Matthew wants nothing more than to lock himself away with a drink…and another drink and try to forget everything or just to drink himself into a stupor he may never wake up from, which ever comes first. Anyone who has read any of my reviews will know how much I love a good war hero, and Matthew is a wonderfully flawed character, how he suffers from his experience from the war is heart-wrenching.
Charlotte MacKinnon is a widow, living a quiet life that is until her mother dies and suddenly she and her son are thrust into her malicious father’s gaze. The only reason Charlotte entered into her loveless marriage was to escape the marriage her father had proposed for her. To make ends-meat and make certain that she can always provide for her young son, she writes charming children’s stories and she has a column in the local newspaper. I do really admire Charlotte she has forged this life for herself, she is resilient and determined that her manipulative father doesn’t get his hands on her son. She is strong willed, intelligent and caring she takes no-nonsense form anyone.
They may not appear at the first like peas in a pod, but there is something very magical about them. They both have not just personal issues with family getting in the way of them doing what they need to. But they do work well together, they bring out the lightness that has disappeared in their lives and I think it is rather beautifully done. Matthew needs someone special in his life that will love him and help him move forward from the horrors of his war past and Charlotte needs a man who will truly love her for herself and who will help her when her malicious father returns into her life.
For me though, the star of the show is definitely Webb, he is such a fun and magical character who can really make you laugh and sigh. This is a wonderfully different story that has reall heart to it. Their is darkness and passion in equal amounts, the charming characters draw the readers into their lives and you are gripped by the intricate and engaging story. Ms Davis has a stylish and articulate writing style that really captures the readers attention and I Cannot wait to read more from her.
June 27, 2019
The story is set in 1799 England, and the plot revolves around two widows of soldiers who had served in the East India army. The women, with the same last name but not related, share a cottage. Charlotte writes children's stories to support herself and her young son, while Mary runs a bakery. Major Matthew Southam, former prisoner of war in India, inherits a baronecy in the neighborhood, and moves into the hall. He is plagued with nightmares and resorts to drunkenness; in addition, Matthew needs to overcome his PTSD. Charlotte and Matthew have to resolve issues with dysfunctional families; members of those families create the tension in the plot. There are many characters, some romance, and the lengthy story moves very slowly through everyday events--the plot doesn't pick up until the last 20% of the book. People spend a lot of time drinking coffee, drinking tea, eating soup, taking hot baths, and working in the garden. In spite of its slow pace, I enjoyed the book, and will try another title by this author.
August 6, 2018
This is a pleasant and gentle historical romance set in the Regency era which pays wonderful homage to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
I very much enjoyed this heartwarming and well written tale. It’s a slow burner and it’s not one to be rushed either. It meanders along. At nearly 600 pages I thought it was quite a feat by the author, especially as it is a debut novel. I really liked the characters - I found myself quite immersed in their respective stories and was rooting for them throughout. In fact, I wanted to bash their heads together at times! They always seemed to be getting the wrong end of the stick. The only thing which bothered me were the little asides, I’m not sure they were always necessary. Just a small point, though.
An accomplished and absorbing debut. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I very much enjoyed this heartwarming and well written tale. It’s a slow burner and it’s not one to be rushed either. It meanders along. At nearly 600 pages I thought it was quite a feat by the author, especially as it is a debut novel. I really liked the characters - I found myself quite immersed in their respective stories and was rooting for them throughout. In fact, I wanted to bash their heads together at times! They always seemed to be getting the wrong end of the stick. The only thing which bothered me were the little asides, I’m not sure they were always necessary. Just a small point, though.
An accomplished and absorbing debut. I look forward to reading more by this author.
February 20, 2020
This was such a great historical romance story, I’m so glad I read this book I really enjoyed it! This was a story based in 1799 in the English countryside, of two main characters, Charlotte and Matthew, their lives and their history and how they fall in love.
This book had great main and side characters who seemed real, well developed and witty. Charlotte is a strong intelligent widow and single mother with a manipulative father. Matthew returns home from India after being a prisoner of war and comes home suffering from the trauma of war to a rundown estate. The author did an excellent job of writing Matthews struggle. The story kept me reading where I didn’t want to put this book down.
This book had great main and side characters who seemed real, well developed and witty. Charlotte is a strong intelligent widow and single mother with a manipulative father. Matthew returns home from India after being a prisoner of war and comes home suffering from the trauma of war to a rundown estate. The author did an excellent job of writing Matthews struggle. The story kept me reading where I didn’t want to put this book down.
May 16, 2018
I LOVED this book. Which was actually unexpected as I don’t tend to read historical fiction. It was like Jane Austen meets Diana Gabaldon. Truly well written, authentic to the time period and incorporated action with not too much romance. The characters were well structured, relatable and I found myself rooting for Matthew. The writing showed the characters evolve throughout the narrative which I really enjoyed. The author also did this without dumbing it down and pointing out the obvious. Excellent work and I look forward to reading more. Thank you Voracious Readers Only for expanding my reading horizons! And for free!
September 4, 2018
FINALLY, a non-formulaic love story! I'm so delighted to find a new author capable of creating a unique, character-driven romance that doesn't depend on the standard, cliched "romance" formula found in most books written today regardless of the historical setting or location. This Georgian/regency-era story is intriguing with characters you truly learn to care about. The "drama" is believable for the time period and I even learned a bit of history in the process (bonus!). Sensuality is the "fade-to-black" style that make 1930s-40s movies such classics. A safe read for any age. I look forward to more from this author.
August 7, 2018
I fell in love with this book from page one, and really felt a connection with the two main characters Charlotte and Matthew. It’s a long book but so well written that it is well worth the read, I was immersed in the characters and the places and it made me want to keep reading. Fans of, Georgian, Regency romances will love this heart-warming novel. It is a real love story and a great debut from Jayne Davis, I look forward to reading more books from her. I give this book five stars and definitely recommend it, this novel will make a great Summer read.
May 4, 2018
The Mrs MacKinnons by Jayne Davis has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"I found it a very entertaining read with good characters and a well thought out story line, an easy read."
"Beautifully written. The perfect novel for a rainy day or to take with on holiday."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"I found it a very entertaining read with good characters and a well thought out story line, an easy read."
"Beautifully written. The perfect novel for a rainy day or to take with on holiday."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
August 24, 2018
Loved LOVED
Ok I was slightly intimidated by the length because sometimes books this long seem to fail at keeping me engaged in the story. This one; however, was great. I loved it from front to finish. I loved that it was not bogged down with crap that was irrelevant or distasteful. Thank you for a great read
Ok I was slightly intimidated by the length because sometimes books this long seem to fail at keeping me engaged in the story. This one; however, was great. I loved it from front to finish. I loved that it was not bogged down with crap that was irrelevant or distasteful. Thank you for a great read
February 7, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. I love both Matthew and Charlotte. I love the side characters, well the ones you’re meant to, anyways. I’m already looking to get copies of Davis’ other works. I just really enjoyed her style, I can't describe why just yet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. (Sorry it’s so late!)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. (Sorry it’s so late!)
June 21, 2018
A well constructed and paced read. If you enjoy a historical romance then this will keep you entertained. The behaviour of the additional characters will make you smile and chuckle. Family isn’t always kin.
April 9, 2018
Historical romance done to perfection
Full of humour, warmth and plot twists. I read this in one sitting. Can't wait to see more from this gifted author.
Full of humour, warmth and plot twists. I read this in one sitting. Can't wait to see more from this gifted author.
July 15, 2018
Unique story
Their individual stories matches the unique personalities of The Mrs MacKinnions. Each finds a hea for themselves. Bravo to Jayne Davis!
Their individual stories matches the unique personalities of The Mrs MacKinnions. Each finds a hea for themselves. Bravo to Jayne Davis!
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