Finalist for the 2018 Romantic Novel of the Year Award: At a historic site that recreates England’s past, two quirky coworkers may find a future together . . . Amy Knowles and Joshua Wilson both work at Monkpark Hall–a Yorkshire estate where tourists and visitors get a taste of history. Amy serves treats in the tearoom wearing the clothes of yesteryear, while Joshua provides demonstrations of … demonstrations of falconry, delighting folks with his beloved birds of prey.
Amy’s used to being the plain sidekick to her pretty best friend, so it’s a bit of a surprise when Joshua takes notice of her. He lives a lonely existence, but he has reasons for choosing isolation–and, in Amy, he may have finally found someone who understands.
Then a management change brings slick and well-spoken Edmund Evershott to Monkpark. He’s interested in Amy too, but for what reason? Josh suspects the new manager is up to no good–but will Amy? Because Josh is starting to worry that Edmund could leave her with much worse than a broken heart . . .
more
I absolutely loved this awesomely sweet and insightful novel. The characters were written with such compassion, depth, and tenderness that they simply became real as you absorbed this beautiful book about the day-to-day responsibilities of running Montpark Hall, a National Historical Trust Property, and the dedication and love with which those employed by the Trust felt for the property and the familial ties of those who had gone before.
The two main characters had their flaws, but they were “inward” flaws that only hurt themselves, and the author was so perfect at gently coaxing these into focus as you continued the novel. She presented the perfect little community where everyone could have fit in any neighborhood in any part of the world and been at home, flaws and all, worries and all.
Jane Lovering’s writing talent is superlative, and I finished this novel absolutely wishing there was a follow-up to tell more of Amy and Josh’s story and the future at Montpark Hall. Will just have to check out more of Ms. Lovering’s writing and definitely recommend her as a writer to invest in reading!
Favorite Quotes:
Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.
Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.
That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.
His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.
Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.
‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.
You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.
My Review:
This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.
Favorite Quotes:
Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.
Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.
That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.
His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.
Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.
‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.
You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.
My Review:
This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.