The Loving Spirit

by Penelope Stratton

On her death-bed, Amelia makes her husband promise to marry the children's governess. He reluctantly accepts. As does the governess, Kate. For Amelia was her only friend who protected her and concealed her guilty secret. Over time both Justin and Kate fall deeply in love, but will this new love be strong enough to cope with her secret...

Genres: Regency, Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Amazon, Marriage Of Convenience

238 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

Penelope Stratton is an 'off-shoot' of Lucy Gordon. (See Lucy Gordon's Author Page) As Lucy I write modern books, as Penelope I can indulge my love of history. There have been only four Stratton books, but readers have often written to me with some very kind comments, and one, THE UNROMANTIC LADY, finalled in the Romance Writers of America's RITA award, in 2005. I have now started to publish these historicals as ebooks, and since Penelope and Lucy are the same person I have decided to publish them under the name of Lucy Gordon. The first book, THE LOVING SPIRIT, is already up on Amazon in the Lucy Gordon list.

Reviews

[Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moc with the bff’s widower for the children’s sake? A sure shot way for angst and heartbreak, especially if the H-ow seem like soulmates. The first wife dies in childbirth in the second chapter, extracting a promise from both the h/H to marry instantly after her death.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to go there but having read it, I can say that the angst is a bit diluted and gets side-tracked with other issues. So don’t expect extreme emotions or achy-breaky scenes. The h’s past makes for more angst than her present.

*Don't read the spoilers if you wish to read the book*

The H actually comes around pretty easily for a grieving husband (a year in timeline but still..) and in fact I found some discrepancy in his characterization. While the first wife was alive, he seems like a brusque, aloof person who melts only for his beloved wife - not even for their children. But after marrying the h, strangely and rather suddenly he seems like a much more relaxed, sociable person. So he goes from being a standoffish alpha to an amicable beta. Usually it happens the other way - where a loved ex-wife is involved.
In the past, his children were scared of their father. Why didn’t the wife, a gentle empathetic soul (or even the h, the governess) try and bridge the gap between father and children for more than a decade. Okay, so the h has to be credited with something but that was pretty contrived imo.

There’s an exchange of ILYs midway but then other mus raise their heads in the shape of the h’s past - her son’s father/ her rapist/ the villain of the story. There's some annoying keeping-secrets behavior from the h - with reason it seems as the H's not the most open minded person. The H comes up with some belated asshattery and there's a blaming/shaming scene - the one angsty scene that stands out in the otherwise emotionally bland book!

It should be mentioned that unlike other triangles, there’s no competition between the h and the dead wife’s memories for a place in H’s heart. The dead wife’s presence hovers between them and is in fact welcomed by both of them especially the h. She was a gentle and kind soul- a true and abiding friend to the h who helped the h when she was in real dire straits and also kept her secrets, never sharing it even with the H, her husband. Let me clarify that the h/H (strangely) never felt any attraction in the 12 years that the ow was alive and the h lived with them as a governess.

So it can be called a true love triangle, as there was actually a three-way love between the three. An emotional ménage of sorts!

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book.

It was a weel written marriage of convenience story. The way they dealt with every situation and their feeling was praiseworthy. The author did a really great job here.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random read. It was pretty much a traditional regency. On the whole it was well written and well plotted. I really enjoyed the first 2/3rds. The direction the plot went in the last third bugged me. It is not a plot element that I particularly enjoy so I slogged through it. Others of course may not dislike that plot element heroine is blackmailed by the guy who raped her years ago and didn't fess up immediately to the hero. This blackmail thing in regencies is kind of tired and there is really only one way it can end up when the hero finds out, and of course he will. I really enjoyed the emotional journey the hero went on to get over one wife and learn to love another an I think the book would have been better if the author had concentrated on that. I mean obviously the spoiler element I talked about before needed to be handled but I would have preferred a different way. Still this was a pretty lovely regency leaving that aside and was worth the read.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me hooked from the first page. It's extremely well written with complex characters and a much richer plot than you normally find in a category romance.

It's always nice when you come across a gem. This was a pleasant and delightful surprise.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Amelia Farringdon and her husband, Lord Justin ‘Ned’ Farringdon still love and adore one another. Pregnant with her fifth child, Amelia cannot help but reflect on how wonderful her life is.

Her children’s governess, and lifelong friend, Mrs Kate Hendriks is wary of Justin & finds him often rude and imposing, but he makes Amelia happy.

Kate’s own life hasn’t been the kindest and sweet-hearted Amelia constantly tries to ensure that both her and her restless son, Tom, are happy. As the war with Napoleon drags on, Tom is desperate to join the army and Justin is more than happy to help, but Kate fears they will find out her secret.

After all, Tom’s father may have been a soldier but he wasn’t called Hendriks, and legally, neither is she. She’s done her best to forget Leon Danby, the soldier who seduced and raped her at the tender age of fifteen, and only Amelia knows the truth.

In the days leading up to Amelia’s labour, the two must endure Justin’s icy and malicious cousin Lady Millicent Thorpe, as she prepares for her niece’s Charmaine’s debut.

However, tragedy soon strikes. Amelia’s labour goes awry and though a healthy baby girl is delivered, Amelia is dying. Summoned to her deathbed, she makes Justin swear he’ll remarry – but not just to anyone; to keep their children safe from Millicent, she wants him to marry Kate & at once so that Millicent doesn’t become her children’s’ guardian.

Within a few hours of Amelia’s death, they keep their word and marry.

Justin & Kate are both devastated by Amelia’s death. However Kate is strong & not only helps the children but also Justin even if it only to argue with him. After a night of passion Justin flees to visit his other estates as he’s consumed with guilt. He thinks of leaving England to travel & whilst in Portsmouth meets an old friend who is waiting to see if his grandson is among the injured on board a ship returning from Spain. Justin stays to see if Tom is on board & he finds Tom close to death from his injuries.
Oh what an emotional roller coaster. If you don’t like tearjerkers then avoid but you’d be missing a well-written heart-wrenching book. Kate has had a hard life but found her niche as a governess & then as a countess blossoms. Justin had a solitary childhood & is flawed but underneath the angry, aloof man is a warm heart. They’ve both suffered & you want them to have their HEA
I received an ARC copy

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank netgalley and Endeavour Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Mrs Kate Hendriks is governess to her best friends children, when she suddenly dies and Kate agrees to marry her husband in order to look after the children.
Justin, Earl of Farringdon was devoted to his wife, despite his outward behaviour to everybody else. He is devastated by the death and marries Kate only to make his late wife happy.
Can the two of them come to love each other?

[brittanys.booktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything - enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, and forced proximity.

One of the most interesting romance book plots I've ever read. The conflicts and resolutions were very well done. Though slightly predictable, it was extremely enjoyable!

I also really enjoyed the observer writing style and how it switched perspectives throughout.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly great read!

The Loving Spirit by Lucy Gordon is a truly great book to read! The main characters are wonderful and getting to know them is something to look forward to. Some surprise, fun and drama are in each chapter which will keep your interest throughout this book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good old fashioned romance!

[cheryl giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Well developed, interesting characters. And the plot is complex in unexpected ways. There was suspense, particularly near the end that was very compelling and had me gasping and cheering for the heroine. A great romance.

[ѕнelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

🔆 Received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review 🔆

I’ve started to think I’m in a reading funk... I mean this is another book for the DNF pile. Who doesn’t love a good historical romance?! What’s not to love - period dress, the innocent blossoming of love.. the lake scenes... ok I digress (#MrDarcyForever)

It’s very much a woe is me kinda book, a little depressing if I do say so myself. I know that it’s meant to be this grand story of a life lost and a life gain but I just didn’t feel it.

Maybe it’s because it was a little too serious... if you get what I mean. I want to laugh, love and have a few tears through a juicy romance.... unfortunately this just didn’t do it for me it was “meh”

[Cc · Rating 1 out of 5]

“A sound came up from her very depths, not a cry but something like a roar such as a tigress might have given.  She was discovering her true self, and her true self was a fierce blazing creature, wild, untamed, predatory, furiously demanding, brooking no refusal.  In the hot night, the tigress roamed through the jungle, seeking satisfaction, taking it where she pleased, mating with a creature as wild as herself, matching him passion for passion.”

Excerpt From: Lucy, Gordon. “The Loving Spirit.” iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.

Yeah, no. This hit my purpley meter out of the ballpark. I know the author is popular, but she's definitely not for me.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Fantastic,unusual story of 3 people linked by love! Amelia and Kate are school friends. Amelia marries, by accident encounters a destitute, unwed Kate with a 2 year old son! Kate serves as governess to Kate's 4 children. Amelia, dying in childbirth, makes Kate and her husband,Ned, promise to marry and rear the 5 children and give them a happy, loving family! This is their tearful, emotional journey to form a new life, fighting off all the mean, grasping, jealous people who wish them harm! Very emotional, realistic love story!

[2Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story. Didn't put it down until I was finished. Thought I'd found a new author. Although she's written over 70 books most are contemporary romances. I could find only 4 historical romances, all of which are presently available on KU (Kindle Unlimited). It appears The Loving Spirit was first published in 2001. The other 3 were written earlier. I went on to read The Devil's Lady. IMO it isn't as good. I didn't care for the beginning or ending but did like the middle 60%. The oldest book, Crown of Laurel, was written in 1990. It's over 500 pages so I'll skip that one. I'm half way through The Unromantic Lady. I don't care for h, not sure I'll finish it.

[Myth Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a SURPRISINGLY good Harlequin work. This one actually had a plot going for it all the way through. The twists were pretty well delivered and good plot points kept coming, although sometimes at the expense of expanding the relationship between the female lead, Kate, and her friend's children. It's easy to either care for the characters, or hate them or deliver a perfectly human way to do both at once, especially where Justin is concerned. Some things in this book actually shocked me a little. This is one Harlequin book I'd actually like to have its own movie adaptation. I might even read this one again at some point. Currently, it's the best Harlequin and best Lucy Gordon book I've read.

[Dorothy R. Till · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Happy Ending after heartbreak

I loved this book, though I worried that the book would end badly. It did not. I have known people like Justin, Amelia, and Kate and was worried that they wouldn't be able to overcome the obstacles they encountered, but they did. A wonderful book, well worth reading to find out how things turned out in the end.

[Diedre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a 5, but the stupidity of the heroine's actions at the end that contrived an agonizing escape was just not commiserate with the story. Excellent plot with the hero's deep emotional scars and the heroine's past, and the devout friendship between the heroine and the hero's first wife. Had me riveted.

[Swati Pant · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The male protagonist stretched the angst way too long, for such a short book. His flip towards the heroine was also too sudden, and unexplained (just because something untoward happened to someone in her life).

[Mum · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. It was a Gothic Regency romance. The plot premise was clever but had some overly melodramatic moments. I enjoyed reading it. I don’t think I would like the hero in real life but his flaws had a sympathetic author.

[RomLibrary]

A marriage born of tragedy, a reluctant bride and groom are forced to wed by a deathbed promise. Against the glamour of Regency society they struggle with a confusing mixture of hostility and passion.