For the Lady of Lowena

Cornish Romance #2

by Deborah M. Hathaway

She’s everything he never wanted—until she was everything he needed.

Tired of the smoke, the smog, and the spoiled females of London, Frederick Hawkins leaves the city behind and purchases an estate in Cornwall, longing to escape his mother’s meddling—and to find a wife worthy of his devotion. When he happens upon a barefooted lady asleep on the beach and rescues her from the incoming tide, he believes he has found such a woman. But first impressions can’t be trusted.

Born into wealth, Sophia Rosewall is offered everything on a silver platter. That is, until her father reveals he has lost their fortune and can now no longer fund their affluent living. Even worse, the intriguing gentleman who’d rescued Sophia on the beach is no one else but the pretentious man now taking possession of her home. Uprooted from everything she has ever known, Sophia relocates to Lowena, a small cottage at the edge of the sea. She clings to her former life, but when Society rejects her, nothing will ever be the same.

As their paths continually cross, Frederick begins to see glimmers of the carefree Sophia he’d first met on the beach, and he cannot help but hope that there is more to the woman than a love of wealth and attention. He does what he can to help her find confidence in her new life and allow her true self to shine forth, but only Sophia can stop attempting to change her circumstances, and instead, change her heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Regency, Regency Romance, Fiction

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2019

About the author

Deborah M. Hathaway graduated from Utah State University with a degree in English and Creative Writing. As a young girl, she devoured Jane Austen's novels while watching and re-watching every adaptation of Pride & Prejudice she could, entirely captured by all things Regency and romance.

Throughout her life, she wrote many short stories, poems, and essays, but it was not until after her marriage that she was finally able to complete her first romance novel, attributing the completion to her courtship with, and love of, her charming, English husband.

Deborah finds her inspiration for her novels in her everyday experiences with her husband and children and during her travels to the United Kingdom, where she draws on the beauty of the country in such places as Ireland, Yorkshire, and her beloved Cornwall.

Reviews

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a risk when the main character of a story is flawed in a way bordering on unlikeable, but the author skillfully played with that line to show the beautiful redemption of Sophia as her world is upended in a most humbling manner and her values and priorities shift. Frederick plays a vital role in helping her understand what's really important in life and finding purpose in her days. I was as happy as Frederick to see her true self emerge that he glimpsed that first day on the beach. She still goes through many obstacles as her confidence takes a battering and she often feels lost and adrift, hovering between the upper and lower classes. Frederick has great hopes for her and their blossoming relationship, but still struggles with trust because of experiences in his past. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely book with an amazing Regency setting on the coast as Frederick and Sophia learn to reconcile their fears and grasp hold of what they most desire.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever dreamt of visiting England, and more specifically, the Cornish coast, but just haven't been able to yet...this series will take you there! I have loved this series and find myself dreaming even more about going to this part of England. I recently discovered that an acquaintance of mine was born and raised there. Upon learning that, I quickly started asking all kinds of questions. It was so exciting and only piqued my interest further of wanting to travel to many more locations in England.

I love the covers for these books, but as much as I love the beautiful colors of the sunrise and sunset, I have to say that this cover is absolutely gorgeous. After reading the book, I have to say that it conveys many of the emotions from the story very well.

Sophia was a character that at first glance I thought, oh I really like her. Then at closer inspection and the perception of other characters had me wondering if I really was going to like her. I kept telling myself to be patient and to not instantly decide her fate in my mind, yet. Especially with only being a couple pages into the story. I'm so glad I waited because I really enjoyed watching her character arc. Delving further into her comings and goings, her family dynamics, her struggles and sorrows and her learning and growing made for a great read.

I saw a little bit of Mr. Knightley from Emma in the character of Mr. Hawkins and loved how he befriended and helped teach Sophia. I loved the seashell and her grabbing at it near the end of the book. And the ending...happy sigh!

There were misunderstandings on several characters' parts. There were snubs from society. There were moments of trying to measure up to what others want you to be. There were moments of reflection and enlightening. There were moments of pure joy and friendship. There were moments of sorrow and forgiveness. And yes, there were moments of sweet and tender friendship and love.

Miss Rosewall and Mr. Hawkins are two characters that I would definitely like to call my friends. I know, they're fictional. But hey, I'd still like to be their friends.

Grab a copy and be whisked away to the wilds and beauty of the Cornish coast. Discover what true friendship is. Feel the joys and relief of forgiveness and love.

Content: Clean.

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author walked a fine line drawing the character of the heroine. She was utterly unlikable: vain, self-centered, and arrogant. However, the author did a credible job humbling her character and making her grow and ultimately more likable. However, in the end, I never felt like the heroine's journey to becoming a kinder, more gracious, and more mature person was impactful enough for a lifelong change. Surely I saw the beginnings of change, but I finished this book feeling like this story should've covered more time. Maybe a couple of months skipped over in the narrative would've convinced me more of enduring character growth.

The hero, on the other hand, while a bit one note, was admirable. I liked him a lot. I also liked quite a few of the secondary characters. It was nice to see the protagonists of the previous books of this series too. Overall, I enjoyed this, but only after I was able to endure the first half of this book. The heroine really was quite a spoiled miss and her transformation was slow in coming.

[Kathy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm one of those people who do not have a bucket list. But if I did, I would definitely add visit Cornwall on to it. Every time I read a book in this series, I'm transported to the beautiful seaside where I live and breathe everything Cornwall.

From the moment I met Sophia and Frederick, I was excited for their story. But after the first chapter, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to like Sophia or not. I quickly learned that I was not. She went from being the sweet person Frederick rescued on the beach to the person who is the complete opposite. I was with Frederick when he took an instant disliking to Sophia. She was a snob and pretty much thought the world should revolve around her.

But when tragedy strikes, and Sophia's family loses everything, she's thrown into an unknown world. A world where she realizes that she's no longer welcome among those of her previous class. As Sophia tries to navigate her new life, she'll learn some valuable lessons. Lessons that will have Frederick thinking twice about who the real Sophia is and if she's someone that he can see himself with.

But when Sophia's life takes another turn, will she choose to go back to who she used to be? Or will she choose to be the person she's become?

In true Hathaway form, I was made to feel all the feels. I enjoyed sitting down and strapping in for the emotional roller coaster of Sophia's and Frederick's lives. The lessons they learned on their journey are ones that we all can learn as well. I loved the realness of this book. I loved the reminder that even though we're flawed, it doesn't mean that we are not valuable, that we are not cherished. This book was just what I needed right now. It gave me the hope and peace that I have been seeking.

For the Lady of Lowena is another winner by Ms. Hathaway! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

And of course I can't forget my casting. I absolutely adore these two! What do you think?

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder why it takes you so long to read a series? There are some that I finally get to and think, ‘Why did I wait so long to read these?’. If you have been doing that with this series let me tell you right now to change your ways and bump these to the top of your TBR. The self-discovery in this book was amazingly written—for both characters. The conflict and romance in this are what sold this to me as a 5-star book. The writing was smooth and the storyline flowed so well that I couldn’t put it down. I have come to love these characters in Cornwall and can’t wait to share the rest of the series with you!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a delight!! A light read that features character development (from both hero and heroine), a gorgeous setting, and sweet romance (with plenty of interaction from our MCs).♡
I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book. Cornwall is such a fascinating little corner of England; I've wanted to visit ever since watching Poldark, so I already knew the setting would be right up my alley. I thought both Sophia and Frederick were wonderfully written, and I especially enjoyed Sophia's character arc. She was haughty, but not so much that her change of heart was unbelievable. I really enjoyed Frederick and getting to see Sophia's development from his perspective. I love that he was still a gentleman even when he didn't care for her very much; their relationship reminds me a bit of Emma and Mr. Knightly. Their romance was very sweet and perfectly paced, and I love that they were able to have time with each other to develop their relationship.
I can't wait to pick up the other books in the series!!

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Character Growth

I wish I could visit Cornwall which is the setting for this book. I would so love a cottage near the sea. Maybe someday. Sophia is a character who shows growth and change of the course of this story. That's always the most satisfying kind of character in the end, although that usually means that for a fair part of the book, you do not like them so much. This story was a gentle journey and I really enjoyed it.

[Rachel Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping tale of transformation in the face of adversity

When Frederick Hawkins meets Sophia Rosewall, they are mutually attracted to each other. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last. The next time they meet, Frederick finds that Sophia is just the sort of shallow society miss he hates. And Sophia discovers that to pay off his debts, her father has just sold their house—to Frederick. One or two obstacles to overcome there…

I struggled to get into this book at first as I had no sympathy with Sophia’s spoiled character, but as soon as Sophia started to come to terms with her situation and began to change, I was entranced. I found the middle of the book particularly gripping and liked the contrast between Sophia’s character and that of Gwynna Merrick, a miner’s daughter, and the intense emotion surrounding their relationship.

Favourite quote: "Do not dwell on the 'might haves' of the past. Such thoughts only lead to misery. You must take my word for it."

Low heat level and no bad language. Some trauma relating to an accident.

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will not summarize this story because it was already given in the description of this book and I do not want to give any of the plot away. The purpose of this review is to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading this book.

What I enjoyed about this book:

• During the opening scene I felt as if I was on a beach in Cornwall. I could see, hear, and smell the ocean. This immediately drew me into the story.
• I was amazed by the author's ability to present visual and emotional details. The pictures in my mind were so clear and vivid. The struggles with life that the characters went through, I could feel. The anxiety, anger, fear, and happiness they felt. I felt.
• Sophia, who was she really? I liked learning about her as she learned about herself.
• Frederick was disillusioned with society and their games. Did all women flirt and play games? Will his disillusionment with women ruin his chance for love?
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast.
• There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book. The story was well edited.
• This story had a satisfying ending.

I was given an ARC of this book. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book.

[Emock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally read a 2-3 novels a week. This one took me almost 2 weeks to get through because it just didn't grab my attention. I didn't find the characters very compelling, in fact, I actually found the main character annoying in her naivety and spoiledness. I know the author wants us to see her that way she that we appreciate her transformation.

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! What a delightful journey! I was a little unsure of this one toward the beginning - let's just say that both main characters need a lot of growth. But wow, their journey, and how they helped each other, was absolutely beautiful. 4.5 stars.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Lady of Lowena is the second book in “A Cornish Romance” series, but is easily read as a stand-alone. The description and dialogue immediately put me in the Jane Austen frame of mind, and cultural and social references as well as the manner of speaking effectively evoked the era. I struggled for a bit to relate to Sophia, but that may be the vast age difference (she’s young enough to be my granddaughter). Spoiled and selfish, she cares about no one but herself for the first quarter of the book, which I found frustrating. But the writing is strong, and I liked the other characters, so I kept reading. I’m glad I did. I won’t give spoilers, except to say that Sophia grows and matures into a likeable young woman. There are bumps along the way, and she gets hurt, but she is better for the lessons learned. Frederick is a wonderful hero, and I appreciate his integrity and faith. And despite his frustration with his mother, he loves her dearly and does his duty by her. The secondary characters are interesting, and I especially like Gwynna.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pleasant Book

This is a cozy read, good for an evening in. There were a few odd words used here and there and a couple of typos, but not overmuch.
I enjoyed the characters and how they grew through the story. Their interaction was believable and enjoyable most of the time. The setting was also lovely and written about in a beautiful way. I could really picture myself atop the cliff listening to the waves crash below.
If you enjoy sweet, clean, Regency romance, then you should try this one.

[Amanda Morrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book is a ride! I loved the meet cute but then when they meet again Sophia turns out to be a high and mighty society lady and Frederick is turned off by that. I did not like Sophia. When circumstances change and she has to move into a cottage her class and status is lowered. She slowly changes and sees the error of her ways and Frederick also falls for her. It is written so beautifully and I loved the gradual process of Sophia humbling herself and also falling for the man she once despised.

[Penelope Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. Very enjoyable read. I thought that the author did a fantastic job of showing character development throughout the book. Her descriptions of the countryside really set a gorgeous backdrop for the story too! The hero was just the right amount of noble and sweet and I fell in love with him from the very beginning. If you want a quick sweet read, I highly recommend!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was a solid and good story. Not all fluff and some heartache to go along with the happily ever after. I enjoyed it. I do wish however it was a little less wordy at times and that there would of been more interactions between the main couple.

I truly enjoy this author.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Cornish Romance

This book had a very flawed heroine that had major character development. It was fun to watch her change and grow. And the romance was sweet. Can I go to Cornwall yet?!?!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Lady of Lowena (A Cornish Romance Book 2) b
Deborah M. Hathaway is delightful Regency Romance set in Cornwell. It can be read as a stand alone.
"A Cornish Romance Series
On the Shores of Tregalwen (A Prequel Novella):
Behind the Light of Golowduyn (Book One)
For the Lady of Lowena (Book Two)":

This author is a new author to me. But I will be reading more of her books
Steady paced, well crafted, and flows seamlessly with charming characters. Follow, Frederick Hawkins, who purchases an estate in Cornwall, longing to escape is mother's meddling and society. Sophia Rosewall, who was born into wealth, is now faced with her father losses their fortune, now they can not continue to fund their affluent life.
Enter....Frederick.
"For the Lady of Lowena" has
twists and turns, drama,
secrets, personal growth with a HEA.
Fans of Regency, Romance, secrets, where the characters have personal growth and a steady paced story, will enjoy this novel. An enjoyable and satisfying romance.
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR

[Jennifer Pryke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a page turner

Not a bad story but it was a little slow. Easily put down and forgotten about. The ending was obvious from the beginning and not a lot of twists or turns to get there. Boy meets girl. Girl behaves as she was raised to be. Boy overreacts and judges girl. Girl changes everything about herself, boy changes nothing. When girl changes enough to suit boy he marries her.

[Karen Thornell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe it took me this long to get to the second book in the series! I LOVED this book! Hathaway writes characters and scenes that just jump out of the page. Sophia’s character arc, in particular, was SO well done! Love love love. It was realistic and enjoyable, and I can’t wait for more!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this story because it's a redemption story. usually it's the MMC that reforms for the FMC but the FMC undergoes her own redemption arc. I liked the message that people are capable of change if they're willing and recognize the joy in it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shakespeare once wrote, “O Fortune, Fortune! all men call thee fickle.” And it is the fickleness of friends, fame, and fortune that must be faced when they no longer prove faithful in the second book of the A Cornish Romance series, For the Lady of Lowena, by skilled storyteller Deborah M. Hathaway.

A Genuine Gentleman

Mr. Frederick Hawkins has purchased an estate in Cornwall, determined to enjoy a peaceful life near the sea and to marry an unpretentious country gentlewoman. He had been disillusioned by the disingenuous game-playing of the ladies in London.

“He didn’t want to marry just a ‘fine’ woman who cared more about her clothing than the thoughts and feelings of others. He was looking for someone different, someone real. A woman who was not afraid to be herself, especially with Society watching her.” (3)

When he meets a lovely and seemingly unaffected young lady on a Cornish beach, he is intrigued. But all is not as it seems.

A Lofty Lady

Miss Sophia Rosewall plays her part of coquettish, wealthy young woman well, always the recipient of admiration wherever she goes and convinced that she deserves it. One might accurately describe her as handsome, clever, and rich, with very little to distress or vex her. She has a fine dowry and has her pick of eligible gentlemen to choose from, and in her comfortable superiority, she cares not about anyone but herself.

Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen

Stunning revelation: Sophia’s father has lost everything—their wealth, their status, their copper mine, their home—and Sophia is convinced that horrible Mr. Hawkins is fully to blame for the Rosewall family’s downfall. How dare he purchase the estate where her family has lived for generations? Appalling audacity! Now she must live in—surely temporary!—reduced circumstances at small and drafty Lowena Cottage while she attempts to find a swift solution for her pitiable situation.

“Did Miss Rosewall not realize how fortunate she was to not be living in the poor house? Was she so ungrateful to not even appreciate the fact that she had a roof over her head?

No, she was oblivious to it all.” (72)

Sophia strides onward with her characteristic selfishness until she can no longer avoid a harsh truth: to her Society friends, no money means no value.

“What was this feeling, insecurity? It was foreign. Unwelcome. She knew not how to be rid it.” (91)

In her acceptance of her circumstances, she is overwhelmed by her sudden inferiority.

“This was her new reality, being alone and forgotten. Being nothing.” (100)

With the help of some unlikely new friends, however, Sophia has the opportunity to gain the more altruistic perspective she has always lacked. But will she be willing to change?

Confrontations, Comeuppances, and Changes of Heart

The romance has a promising beginning, and that’s what kept me persevering through the parts of the story when the heroine was truly insufferable. She was realistically flawed, to be sure, and it was difficult to trudge through her viewpoint while she was being so insensitive and willfully ignorant and just generally unlikable. Not caring much for her did make the confrontations and comeuppances she faced all the more gratifying. And the contrast between her and the hero made him all the more sigh-worthy. I felt as though she didn’t deserve his goodness, but she did work to become more deserving, at least, and it was enjoyable to witness her eye-opening evolution. I also liked the glimpses of characters from the earlier books in the series; it’s always pleasurable to see how they are getting on once their time in the spotlight has ended.

In Conclusion

Historical romance admirers will enjoy the clean and sweet enemies-to-lovers journey in For the Lady of Lowena.

4 out of 5 Stars

https://austenprose.com/2022/03/18/fo...

[stl_reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far, one of the biggest things I have learned from this story is that if you are a beautiful woman, a man will still be wanting you and unable to get you out of his mind, even though you have shown yourself to have an arrogant, self-centered, unlikable personality. We all know that Freddy would not have retained a soft spot or sympathy for Sophia had she not been beautiful. Two beautiful people attracted to each other's attractiveness, despite not liking each other otherwise. Ah, love!

I'm almost halfway through the audiobook. I like the narrator very much. And to be honest, I loved the first approx. 1/3 of this book, because Sophia is just so unlikable that her fall from grace is quite satisfying!

And this could have been the start of an amazing story of slowly discovering another way of living and being, after you've lost the life you knew.

But apparently, that's not what we're getting. Because just when I'm settling back for the story of the heroine's slow road to redemption and self-discovery, there is a contrived event that leads Sophia to a miner's cottage, which in turn leads to the rest of the story, in which Sophia will--I assume--be quickly morphing into a kinder, gentler person.

The problem is that there is no way I see this contrived event--which involves self-centered, status-conscious Sophia suddenly bailing on the ball (and on the hired carriage and her father!) in order to walk home alone in the dark, thus setting up her getting lost, meeting the miner's family, etc.--actually happening. It does not seem consistent with Sophia's character at this point.

And later, when the story arc needs to take another turn, Sophia is is rescued by Freddy (who else?) when she gets the hare-brained idea to avoid him by taking a spectacularly unsafe path home. Literally, she thinks walking an arguably risky and lengthy path home is a better option than taking the shorter, safer path which will require her saying a polite "hello" to That Man. Again, a contrived way of making the plot go where you want it to go. Not a fan.

While I'm talking about the first half of the book, let me just add that I'm baffled as to why Freddy keeps trying to make a romance happen with the young secondary female character, Miss Kinsey. They're not a match, they have nothing in common, yet Freddy--though he talks about having choices--seems to continue trying to woo her. Like, there are other eligible ladies around, so why does it have to be either Miss Kinsey or Sophia? Why is there no third choice? (Well, we know why--because Sophia is beautiful, and Freddy cannot stop thinking about her, even though she's shown so far that she is just like the unappealing ladies in London.)

So now I'm moving into the second half of the story, already having an idea about where things are going. I might come back to give my thoughts on the second half later.

UPDATE: Though predictable, the second half of the book was somewhat better, UNTIL THE UNBELIEVABLE FAKE MANUFACTURED "DRAMA" near the end. Spoiler: When Sophia is affianced by her parents to someone else, in exchange for the parents being restored to their previous lofty manner of living, she does not forthrightly relay that information to Freddy (who she suspects loves her), thus giving Freddy an opportunity to declare himself and make a counter-offer to the one made by the aunt. And then Freddyjumps to the conclusion that she is choosing money over him, and he doesn't give her much of an opportunity to explain. Freddy abruptly leaves, and I don't really care about either of these two silly people anymore.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For the Lady of Lowena” is #2 in the Cornish series by author Deborah M. Hathaway. I read #1 and wasn’t crazy about it, however this one is really good! I can’t think of any reason to give it less than 5 stars – and I don’t give 5 stars often! I’ve been to the Cornish coast and I could feel the wind and see the ocean…

My complaints about the #1 don’t exist in “Lady..” I really felt the evolution of Sophia Rosewall. She was raised with all the advantages of upper society. She knows of nothing else but what concerns the aristocratic society and all the connections it brings. One day while sleeping on a beach along the Cornish coast, a handsome man comes along to wake and warn her of the tide that is coming in rapidly. Sophia is appreciative but refuses to introduce herself.

A rude shock hits Sophia and her mother as they are informed by her father that their beautiful family estate has been sold. The reason is the bad debts and decisions have wiped out the family’s fortune. The new buyer, another rude shock, is that handsome man Sophia met on the beach.

What I really liked about this plot is that it took the selfish Sophia and stripped her away into humility, and finally into a caring person that has her eyes opened to reality. Ultimately, she has the support of Frederick and a few friends along the way. The pacing of the plot was perfect. It unfolded layer by layer throughout the whole story until we felt the depths of both Sophia and Frederick. Both had to learn some important lessons that were beautifully written. The shell scene was particularly touching. Imo, this would make a really good movie…probably not for my husband…but I’d love it!

This one goes in my personal library to read and recommend. Very well done, Deborah Hathaway. Very well done, indeed!

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Frederick Hawkins happens upon a woman asleep in the path of the incoming tide, gently waking her, and they share a moment that is utterly charming; the perfect beginning of a fairy tale romance. Sadly, the illusive damsel in distress is the daughter of Fredrick’s new business associate and after a dinner at their home, Miss Sophia Rosewall is not the woman Fredrick thought she was.

It takes a fall from grace to make Sophia realize just how right Frederick is, the situation she finds herself in truly humbling, opening her eyes to the truth that has been right in front of her, her privileged life blinding her for far too long.

I have adored the A Cornish Romance series thus far, but there is something special about For the Lady of Lowena. Maybe it’s the fact that the heroine is taken down a peg, not something you normally read about in regency era novels. Or the fact that all the characters are so well fleshed out that it feels truly believable!

The author does such an incredible job of bringing her stories to life. I could smell the sea, feel the cold and angst, as well as the wind of change that blew through Cornwall. I felt all the feels, including incredible frustration at the majority of the upper class and their privileged attitudes and behavior, and utter heartbreak at the working class and everything they had to endure, especially during that time period.

The ending was immensely satisfying, yet sad, but only because I wasn’t ready for this charming story to end! I adored this novel so much, and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the character development, setting, plot twists, themes of acceptance of ones true self and embracing authenticity. A very enjoyable regency romance! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️ I look forward to reading more by this author soon!

Fave quotes:

"To recognize one’s flaws is a wonderful thing. If I believed myself to be perfect, I would never change. But knowing I have flaws, then there is much I can do to begin improving myself. And should we not all be doing so? Bettering ourselves as individuals and helping others do the same? "

...

“I’m sure all you see now is the imperfection,” Mr. Hawkins said. “But with it, this shell becomes uniquely different from all the ones in the sea. With this flaw, we discover the journey it has taken to become beautiful with its distinctive cracks.” He brushed his finger over the shell, caressing her palm in the process. “Unlike this shell, however, we have the ability to change and become as flawless as we wish to be.”

...

"She looked up at him, his eyes hopeful. He looked very much like a young boy asking for an extra serving of dessert."

...

"Her posture was no doubt envied by Roman statues"

...

"How you accept me, flaws and all. From the moment I met you, I knew I could be myself. It was as if my soul trusted you, as if it knew you before my mind even had the opportunity to decide.”

[Danielle Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable clean series

I have enjoyed this series a lot. I'm looking forward to reading the next.

At first I thought it may be boring compared to the previous one in the series. I love regency adventure love stories. But the plot kept me interested and engaged. It's definately worth reading. 😁

I do have one critique of the writing for the authors info if desired. The metaphors used many times didn't flow well. For example: "Clarity rushed through her like a blast of wind pushing open an unlatched window."
There were many of these that kept jumping out at me as though the author was trying too hard to come up with a comparison. Most of them just go too far. I'm no writer, but I know when I start noticing a repetitive phrase or style then something is wrong with it. It should follow naturally and not be noticed.

With most of these metaphors if she just left off the end it would have been unnoticed and flowed. For example: "Clarity rushed through her like a blast of wind." So simply ending it early in most instances would have made it flow nicely. The rest of the metaphor was unessasary.

I still feel the book was well written and the plot was fun.. so that but no means removed the enjoyment of reading the book.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophia Rosewall was the product of her own class and entitlement, trained to please everyone especially potential suitors... subscribing to the adage of 'manners maketh the man' in her case woman... hiding behind Politeness maybe even masking insincerity as well as Truth. She had her comeuppance when Frederick Hawkins bought Fynwary Hall her family home given that her father had a reversal of fortune. Hawkins allowed the Rosewalls the use of Lowena Cottage at the edge of their once~estate with some concessions to ease their transition from wealth and privilege to poor and unemployed. At the Madderns' Ball she had a massive jolt of Reality when nobody would even dance with her... Ostracism was a word she would most definitely know... constantly meet and painfully experience yet still she expected her father to work for her dowry. Until the Rosewalls finally accept accountability for their own past actions could any of them ever find Peace and maybe even happiness in their present circumstances. Even Hawkins had to deal with his own blindspot ~ Sophia. This one deals with a lot of soul~searchings and owning one's flaws with all the plausible outcomes... of which I am glad that it was treated with Realism without going overly Dickensian in terms of pathos and angst.

p.s. ~ I have issues about the use of Contemporary words and phrases that rattle the Timeline like in the following: Chapter 6 ~ in denial... and Chapter 9 ~ err in the side of caution.

[Cindy Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet read!

A life away from the city, alongside the sea, was all she had ever wanted. When she first met Frederick, she felt as though she could be herself and not whatever role her mother or society placed upon her. All too soon, her life dropped from under her, and Sophia no longer had the society life she had grown up in. Instead, she was outcast, with none of the fripperies that money brought with it. She had to change, which was a relief, because she really did not relish the way society ignored the working class people. As Sophia slowly found her place, she watched her parents fall apart. Where was the love that had glued her family together? Had money really been the bond instead of love?

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author is obviously gifted, and the lack of grammatical errors was refreshing, as was the gentle flow of the storyline. I anticipate the reading of the other books written by Ms Hathaway; she is a talented author who knows her subject and is able to give it life flawlessly. Thank you for a very goodread!

[Linda J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was all over the place on my feelings for the h. I started out liking her and then BAM my opinion of her went to the toilet. Granted you realize this is how she was raised. She didn't think of how her action, or non actions effected those below her station.

You slowly see the transformation in the h and you could see a future for her. The H didn't want a wife who didn't think of others first. This made for an interesting story because the h couldn't believe how the H went from admiring her to being disgusted by her.

This is a clean story with only a few kisses near the end. I wanted more in the epilogue as far as to how her transformation held. Did she help the miner's and their families. Was her miner friend at the wedding? What did their future hold for the community? None of this was explained and it should have been.

No cheating, no cliffhanger, bumpy road to HEA, romance and no spice. (ljb)