They say time heals all wounds, but can it truly restore two shattered hearts?
Not every father wishes for his daughter to marry a physician. Fredrick “Fritz” Norman discovered that years ago when the father and brother of the lady he loved attempted to destroy him. Since then, he has become a great success in medicine. However, in the affairs of the heart, he has failed miserably to find anyone … miserably to find anyone who can replace his Belle.
Persuaded by the tears of her mother, a young Annabelle “Belle” Chapman once gave up the man she loved. For years, she has regretted that decision. Six years later and still unmarried, her father declares her a spinster and sends her to be a companion to her aunt.
As fate would have it, Belle’s aunt is one of Fritz’s patients, and no amount of persuasion is going to make her willing to give up the best physician in Bath. Belle and Fritz are just going to have to learn to see each other while knowing all the while that they can be nothing more than acquaintances. Or so they think.
However, as Belle and Fritz will discover, a love like theirs can neither be denied nor replaced by another –no matter what obstacles might stand in its way.
His Irreplaceable Belle is the fourth book in Leenie Brown’s Touches of Austen series. If you like second chance romances reminiscent of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, then you will love this sweet Regency romance about heartache and longing and a love strong enough to triumph over the agony of the past.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of His Irreplaceable Belle, and join Fritz and Belle as they navigate a reunion destined to grant them the happiness they were once cruelly denied.
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Book Length:
- just over 37,000 words
- 235 paperback pages
Heat level: Sweet
Books in this series:
- His Beautiful Bea (Graeme and Bea’s story)
- His Darling Friend (Roger and Victoria’s story)
- Her Secret Beau (Walter and Grace’s story)
- His Irreplaceable Belle (Fritz and Belle’s story)
- Her Convenient Forever (Boyd and Felicity’s story)
- His Sensible Heart (Miles and Charlotte’s story)
more
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” –Coco Chanel
Book 4 in Leenie Brown’s ‘Touches of Austen’ series. Mr. Norman’s story picks up where book 3 left off. A lady from his past has arrived in Bath and sets his world on end. Rating: clean and sweet.
“One shouldn’t gamble with what is irreplaceable and precious.” –Naomi Klein
Fredrick ‘Fritz’ Norman, a prominent doctor in Bath was conferencing with his patient Mrs. King [known as Aunt Augusta] on her regular visit. Her niece Belle [Annabelle Chapman] was in town and was in his office waiting room. It had been six years since he had last seen her. Fritz had been in love with Belle and wanted to marry her. He appreciated her intellect even though her father cruelly labeled her a bluestocking. Her brother didn’t approve of him courting his sister and suddenly rumors were circulating that Norman was inept as a doctor. The gossip cost him a position when he finished his training. Belle refused to elope with him because her father would prevent her mother from ever seeing her again. This reminded me of ‘Persuasion’ and Anne being persuaded away from Captain Wentworth.
We have characters from the previous book that holds a solid place in the life of Dr. Norman. They are so cute. I love how Brown seamlessly incorporates characters from the previous books into the new story and makes the reader want to be friends with them. I wanted to join their company as they proved to be a great support system for their friend. I couldn’t help but love them.
“A man does not recover from such devotion of the heart to such a woman! He ought not; he does not.” –Jane Austen, Persuasion
Dr. Norman was single and had a successful medical practice. So, naturally, we had a cadre of matchmaking mommas, fathers, and grandfathers, among his patients and acquaintances in Bath. All were more than happy to assist him in finding a wife. It was surprising how many people had an unmarried granddaughter, daughter, niece, or relation that they just knew Dr. Norman would love to dance with. Poor man, how like Mr. Darcy as he fought off the matchmakers in assemblies, balls, and soirées in the Pump Room and other gather places in Bath. If only he could get his head and his heart to cooperate with his quest for a wife… any wife… but not Belle… not her. It was a stubborn process.
“She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.” –Jane Austen, Persuasion
The rest of the story was the mild to medium angst necessary in bringing together our lovers. Of course, Brown is known for throwing a wrench in the middle of the works in her love stories. This story was no different. Belle’s brother Miles showed up and made his sentiments known when he discovered that Norman was also in Bath. Here was the beauty of Brown’s… what I like to call her ‘web of friendships’… characters from all the previous books were there in support of Belle and Norman and they let Miles know none of them ‘would abide any harm coming to him.’ Then Miles surprised everyone when he told them his plans for the future. No spoiler… how cool.
Then Belle’s father arrived looking for Miles. We suddenly had a mad scramble among our characters that was so amazing. The best part was when Aunt Augusta went toe-to-toe with her brother. I love Aunt Augusta. She had the backbone of a Lady Catherine only she was nicer. What fun. I highly recommend this delightful easy romantic story of abiding love recaptured from all that was lost.