Viola Kingsley's world came crashing down when, after her husband's death, she found out that she wasn't actually his wife and her children were now considered illegitimate. It turned her world upside down. And now in her forties, she's trying to put her life back together. Hard at any time but especially in Victorian England when many people look down on her even though none of what happened was her fault. It's no wonder that one day, she feels like she needs to get away.
Many years ago, Marcel Lamarr, Earl of Riverdale, had tried to seduce Viola. Being a good wife, she had rebuffed his efforts. He was married once and has twins that are being raised by a very stodgy relative. His life is... boring. So when he runs into Viola at a country inn (her carriage broke down), he takes the opportunity to spend more time with her. Even if that only means spending the day at the local fair and then saying their goodbyes and parting for the evening. When Viola decides to take him up on his offer for a very good night, Marcel is shocked but still behaves honorably, giving her the space to change her mind. She doesn't. And it sets them down the road to eventually being discovered... and engaged.
Another book that Balogh lovers will enjoy.
Four stars
This book comes out May 1
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley
Would've been five stars if this book had been longer (8 pages!). There is a nice story of Marigold deciding that she is going to be a unicorn for a day but then deciding it is not for her. I'd call it an entrance drug to the Heavenly Nostrils series.
Like the other heroines of this series (only one other so far, but we're given the pattern), Adelaide Bankcroft has a reason to hide her past. She's in Burning Cove after escaping from an insane asylum; the place her husband consigned her to in order to get control of her inheritance. Now she's working as a tea shop waitress who also creates specific teas for the shop's customers - the tea can do things like create calm or help with insomnia.
Okay. I like Chase's writing and she has pretty great characters... usually. I just couldn't figure out why Megan fell in love with Alex. He was sort of an asshat. She doesn't like the outdoors -- but he's going to force her. Sure, he says he's going to go to museums with her, but we never actually see it happening. He thinks she works to much and doesn't share with her. But he hides that he is seeing his best friend every week and then runs off when there's a traumatic event. Other than the fact that Megan and her cousins think he's super hot, I don't see any reason to fall in love with this person.
I really liked the premise of this book. Self-help author falls apart, gets forced on a cruise by her friends, finds love hate with the man of her dreams who has Big Secrets. Seemed very similar to Breathing Room which is a favorite I reread fairly often.
If you are already an Ask a Manager reader, it's all the advice you've read but organized into neat lists. Nothing new really so longtime (years) readers probably won't gain much. For people just entering the workplace, just becoming mangers, or conducting interviews, this would be an invaluable book.