Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions. If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance. Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply … daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?
Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men–none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing–and increasingly attractive.
But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia–or between herself and Elliott.
Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.
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Praise from the Clean Romance Team:u2060
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“This is such a satisfyingly sweet and cozy story that brought out all the feel-good feelings.”u2060
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“The slowly blossoming romance between her and Peter was oh-so-good and despite the conflicting family dynamics, they are able to find their way to a happily-ever after. Such a wonderful Regency romance with depth and the promise of more to come!”u2060
I really enjoy reading sweet Regency romances and have enjoyed the governess-to-more trope. Josi Kilpack did an amazing job with this heartwarming and charming story, while also including a bonus romantic storyline in the book. I listened to this via audiobook and thought the narration was excellent! Although it is part of a series, I read the second one before this one with no issues and enjoyed them both. Looking forward to the other books in the series!
I’ve been eyeing this one for some time and finally listened to it through Audible. The narration by Justine Eyre is fantastic.
Peter is the first of several cousins approached by his Uncle Elliot regarding a marriage campaign the Viscount has concocted. Elliot is displeased with his siblings, their progenies, and their social behaviors. He is on a mission to save them from themselves and see them settled by promising generous inheritances. Peter, a widower and father of two, is the least of Elliot’s worries but included in the campaign. In the meantime, his daughters need a governess.
Julia is young and the last governess Peter would want in his household. He has no desire to move on from the loss of his late wife. Julia only wants to be independent from her over-reaching mother and well-meaning sister.
I loved this listen and am already several chapters into book two.
I received an ARC as a prize. I’m sure it isn’t any different from the actual published book. I loved it. It took a while to get into it and to get all the different characters and their POV with the pedigree chart at the beginning. I loved the dogs, I haven’t read any Regency period book that has included it. It was predictable but I loved it and now have a new love for primroses. I definitely want to read the rest of the books in the series to see how the campaigns turn out.
Promises and Primroses the first book in a new series, Mayfield Family, by Josie Kilpack is one definitely worth reading if you love a strong independent female lead character, secrets, country life, and dogs. For romance lovers this story is a real treat as it has two, yes two, different generations parallel love stories and you won’t be disappointed with either one.
Being a member of Josi’s Street Team I have had the honor of reading all of her historical clean & wholesome romance regency stories, but I must say that Promises and Primroses is her best writing thus far. Josi gave us such a captivating story from beginning to end with scenery and characters that were so picturesque they jumped right off the page, and out of the book making one feel as if you are right there in the thick of things. Plus there is never a dull moment. For those like me who have a tendency to cry when animals are involved have a hanky/tissue close at hand.
Now for a personal note: The field of Primroses was my favorite scene in the story as it was so enchantingly written. It reminded me of where I grew up, but instead of Primroses we had fields of Buttercups.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author as a member of her Street Team. I was under no obligation to write a review, and all options expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was a good story on forgivness and letting go of pride. I think this was a good introduction into the series. It was nice to see two romances blossiming. I enjoyed the character development and dialogue.
This is a wonderful historical romance from Josi Kilpack! And a promise of a wonderful new regency romance series.
I loved the premise of the book. Lord Elliot Mayfield has dedicated his entire life to recover and improve the Mayfield wealth and to take care of his nephews and nieces. He’s ashamed of how the Mayfield name is associated to scandal because of his brother’s and sisters behavior. And he worries this new generation is headed toward the same end. That’s why he devices a marriage campain for his nephews and nieces in which in order to inherit they have to secure themselves a good match.
This book is about Peter’s story, Elliot’s eldest nephew and the only one married -and now widowed with two daughters- and the only one who has a straight and decent life yet… Peter is grieving and hasn’t overcome yet his wife’s passing. But he’s not interested in a new wife, he just needs a new governess…
And Julia Hollinghead is the perfect match for this job, except that she seems too young, and too pretty… Julie love’s being a governess, and she loves children, so this seems like the perfect job for her. And Peter seems to need a bit of help in more ways than one. Peter also dedicates his energy to dog breeding, and Julia seems to know about that too!
But things will not be easy for them, as Amelia, Julia’s mother, discovers Julia works for Elliot’s nephew. And Elliot is just the man who broke her heart and she can’t ever forgive…
I won’t give away more of the plot. I’ll just say it’s really engaging and it kept me hooked until the end!
The characters have a depth that I love, and there’s so much to learn behind their interactions.
I loved that Julia was strongminded and knew what she wanted. And she didn’t let her mother rule her life.
The romance between them was really sweet.
And Amelia was hard to like at first, I felt like I wanted to shake her! … but thankfuly she’ll get her redemption as well. Lord Elliot was one of my favorite characters, he’s a wonderful man.
This a story I vividly recommend! Sweet and clean, even funny at times!
Very enjoyable and satisfying! And I’m really looking forward to reading more of the Mayfield family and their possible matches.
A must read! Five stars!
I received a copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. This is my voluntary and honest opinion.