FIRMLY UPON THE SHELF…Miss Olivia Redfield labors under no misapprehension that anything other than spinsterhood lies in her future. Not for lack of dowry, or breeding, or education, but because of one tiny flaw…. one might even call it… a curse. Removed from society for this ill-fated defect, she’s resigned herself to caring for others in a somewhat dreary existence. Until, that is, she … she falls for the charming but unattainable, Lord Kingsley.
TOO MUCH TIME ON HIS HANDS…
Gabriel Fellowes, Earl of Kingsley is doing a favor for a friend by overseeing the dangerous–– but promising––mine on the border of Viscount Hallowell’s property. With time to spare, he finds himself irresistibly intrigued by the viscount’s daughter, Miss Olivia Redfield, and delights himself in their mutual provocation. In no position to promise more than a dalliance, but unable to stay away, Gabriel takes the unprecedented step of befriending a woman.
IS FRIENDSHIP EVEN POSSIBLE…?
Their flirtatious attachment threatens to erupt in passion, but duty and honor forbid anything more. Will love be defeated when tragedy strikes, or can Olivia and Gabriel overcome Society’s dictates and put the notion of Olivia’s curse to rest once and for all?
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Yet another wonderful book from the fabulous Annabelle Anders! It’s a must-read for fans of historical romance!
Another wonderful book by Annabelle Anders! This is one of my favorite reads this summer.
There’s enough action , romance and superstion from the mindset of the time to keep the reader engrossed in its pages to find out it’s conclusion in the end .
It centers on the relationship between Olivia Redfield and Gabriel Fellows.
She , the eldest daughter of a Viscount has a flaw , that makes her different from all society misses. He , the Earl of Kingsley, has known her since they were children and a was not a nice person toward her then.
Follow along as the friendship grows to something neither expects , but prior agreements made in his youth , put a stop to what they want .
Did i mention the gold mine? No? Ahhhh, the backdrop of their budding relationship from friends to lovers….let the pages turn !Annabelle Anders
I absolutely loved book 1 in this series book 2 is no exception.. Once I started reading it I couldn’t stop.. It’s one of those books that just grabs at your heart strings.. This book is filled with tragedy, laughter love and steam.. And the happily ever after..
Beautifully written
Perfection!! Oh yes, delightful and the beginning was so humorous, but with a heavy sigh that made me fall in love with Grabriel and Olivia! If you read the first book in the series, you know of Olivia’s problems as her parents and society seems to banish her due to her imperfection of a lazy eye. She has grown into a beautiful woman, inside and out, but has relagated herself to being a spinster because no man will have her and she has stayed almost hidden away at her parents home. Fortunately fate steps in and she meets (or rather he comes upon her in the garden at her sisters premarriage ball, oh yes I could only grin like a cheshire cat!) Gabriel Fellows, Earl of Kingsley who she had know in her youth. But he had teased her as well due to her lazy eye and she had never forgotten it. But magic began to happen, when at first he did not know who she was due to the darkness and they began to dance in the gazebo. Of yes romantic, until her father found her and pulled her away to attend to her sister. It was Olivia all grown up! But the attraction was there and as she and Gabriel spent time together, he truly was healing to her with his sweet teasing and banter. Oh yes, I loved this guy.
I truly could not read this book fast enough, although I really never wanted it to end! Annabelle Anders has a magical way with words and her imagination knows no bounds! I had to stay up late to finish, but what is more important? Sleep or a story by this fabulous author? No contest on that one.. This one just made my heart sigh and I know I will be reading it again!!
Beauty really is only skin deep. It takes a pure heart to see much more than what’s at the surface.
I loved this book and for once I completely related to the heroine. Olivia had a flaw…. one that showed. When I was younger I had allergies that resulted in rashes on my arms and legs. Gym class was a nightmare having to wear a tee shirt and shorts. Everyone staring, some afraid to come near me, and others that made fun had me crying myself to sleep. I instantly related to her hurt and pain.
Olivia had beautiful eyes, it was just that one would wander when she was nervous. A flaw that may have been corrected in her youth, if her parents had cared more for her well-being than how it looked upon society. Her father considered it a curse. She was stashed away in a small cottage at the edge of their property and she felt as though she’d live her life out as a spinster.
Gabriel was a boy from her childhood that made fun of her eye but when he came upon her as a grown woman saw her in a totally different light. He promised friendship, but wanted more. He couldn’t because he was betrothed for a very long time to a woman he promised his father on his deathbed he would marry. A series of family deaths in his fiance’s family prolonged their wedding for several years and after meeting Olivia, he was torn between what his heart wanted and living up to his promise to his father.
It was a beautiful story, one that twists and pulls at your heart. As each chapter passed, I hoped Olivia would find happiness, just as she deserved after a lifetime of being shunned by her parents.
My favorite paragraph in the book was:
People consisted of so much more than their appearance or their position in life. The quiet ones seemed to hide the most. Like very deep water, the surface rarely moved despite turmoil far beneath.
I think this summed up her book perfectly and gives much more insight than a historical romance story. I was gifted with an ARC and wanted to leave a review.
AHHHH, another compelling romantic tale by Annabelle Anders. I enjoy her writing because it always leaves me feeling hopeful in humanity and romantically fulfilled.
Olivia, has been taunted for her lazy eye all her life. Cast out by her own mother and father who feel she and her eye are a curse. Gabriel, Lord Kingsley helped to start the teasing by calling Olivia “Lazy Eyed Livvy”.
They meet years later and are drawn to each other but “no gentleman of any worth will make a respectable offer to a cockeyed gel” and how can he when he has been betrothed since birth. They go on a journey of friendship, tragedy, and romance that you don’t want to miss!
I was given an ARC of this book and chose to post a review.
Annabelle Anders has done it again. You won’t be disappointed in reading the Perfect Spinster. Olivia first appears in The Perfect Debutante and you can’t help but hope she gets her HEA. Both books are about sisters that struggle with perfection. Although they think they will never find love they do. The Perfect Spinster had me in stitches in the first chapter. Tragedy strikes then your in tears. This book was a rollercoaster. I wanted it to never end. The characters were perfect for each other and once I started to read the book I couldn’t put it down.Believe me when I say you can’t go wrong reading an Annabelle Anders book. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her writing.
I received an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
Miss Olivia Redfield sister of Louella from ‘The Perfect Debutante’, labours under no misapprehension that anything other than spinsterhood lies in her future. Not for lack of dowry, or breeding, or education, but because of one tiny flaw one might even call it a curse, she’s resigned herself to caring for others in a somewhat dreary existence. Until, that is, she falls for the charming but unattainable, Lord Kingsley.
Gabriel Fellowes, Earl of Kingsley is doing a favour for his best friend Cameron by overseeing the dangerous gold mine on the border of Viscount Hallowell’s property. With time to spare, he finds himself irresistibly intrigued by the viscount’s eldest daughter, Olivia, and delights himself in their mutual provocation. Their flirtatious attachment threatens to erupt in passion, but duty and honour forbid anything more.
Well she’s done it yet again! Each time I read one of the author’s books I wonder if it will be up to the high, high standard of her previous books & each time it is. Another lovely read, this is the second book in the series & yes it could be read on its own but characters & events do overlap. I laughed at squatting in bushes, I cried several times, I was angry at Olivia’s despicable parents & very happy how everything was resolved. I’m curious to know if Crestwood & Eliza meet again & if so the outcome. I loved Gabriel & Olivia & how their relationship developed with its ups & downs. The pace flow effortlessly & the pages just flew by. I’d highly recommend this book & all the author’s other books
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Having been isolated from society by her parents because of a cosmetic defect, Miss Olivia Redfield is a sheltered spinster. She’s totally focused on caring for others until she meets Gabriel Fellowes, Lord Kingsley. Gabriel is overseeing the mine on Olivia’s father’s land for his friend and her new brother-in-law. Gabriel has nothing to offer, having been betrothed for ages himself, but he and Olivia form an unlikely friendship. When their attachment threatens to escalate to more, Olivia distances herself from a rather distraught Gabriel. When tragedy strikes at the mine, it may be enough to put things into perspective and keep these two together or push them apart for good.
This book was beautifully deep and emotional and it was great to see Olivia finally learn to believe in herself. However, the pacing was slow and it took almost too long for Gabriel to step up and make things right for me to be totally interested and fully engaged. That said, I still enjoyed the story, the characters, and the writing and will continue with the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This author has a way of making her characters so real, you soon feel like you’re part of their family! Olivia is perfectly imperfect with her lazy eye and that part of the story really hits close to home because I had a crossed eye until I was operated on when I was 8 years old. I still remember the cruel names other kids would call me so I can really sympathize with Olivia. Thank goodness my parents weren’t like hers, though! Sheesh!! Now I have a daughter in law who has a lazy eye and it really travels when she’s overtired….she’s still beautiful and perfect to us:)
I adored Olivia and Gabriel’s story and I just loved how he became her friend first and gave her the confidence she needed to overcome everything her father had told her about her “curse”. Their story is also a bittersweet one, knowing that he’s betrothed to another. There’s heartache but also humor throughout the book and you really can’t help but want to keep on reading!!
There’s also the tragedy at the mine and how so many families were affected. I live in a mining town and my dad was an underground miner who got trapped down below when a rock burst occurred…he was one of the lucky ones who came out alive. This is another part of the story that hit close to home for me!!
All in all, a truly wonderful and heartfelt story written by Annabelle Anders. She never ceases to amaze me!!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story is about Olivia and Gabriel. Olivia had a drifting eye and she was always told she was flawed and no man of any worth would want her as his wife. From Gabriel calling Olivia Lazy-eyed Libby to Lovely-eyed Libby they become friends. Even though Gabriel was not free to marry her, he was attracted to her. You will fall in love with this book from the first chapter.
Annabelle Anders is a great writer and you will enjoy her writing style.
The Perfect Spinster by Annabelle Anders
I loved this book so much it is one I will read again and again! I literally laughed out loud reading the first chapter!!! I won’t spoil it for you but, I know you will laugh out loud too! What a great opening to this
beautifully written tragic to hea emotional story! I loved and had great empathy for the main character Olivia, who was so beautiful and kind however, was subjected to unbelievable cruelty by her own parents and society all because she had been born with a lazy eye.
The pages will fly through this action packed storyline that brings to light the damaging effects of society’s ignorant superstitious stigma of calling someone cursed and blame them for everything that goes wrong in the community. In addition to the impact of being subjected to cruel ridicule, and social unacceptance, can weigh on even the strongest of people! Gabriel was a perfect balm to Olivia’s plight with his witty playful teasing of her and the slow burn romantic feelings that ignited between them.
I highly recommend this book. It would be a better read if you haven’t read book one The Perfect Debutant, only because the first book has spoilers for this story. Even if you have read the first book this is still a fantastic read!
Happy Reading!
Wow, she has done it again. Ms Anders like to write about, what the world thinks is imperfect people. They are beautiful, charming and perfect in all their ways but are the ones the ton want to disregard. In this one she tackles the idea that a beautiful young lady with a lazy eye is cursed and should be relegated to the country on her own and forgotten about. And then there’s the gentleman who is quiet and reserved who could see past her imperfection but as a young man didn’t know how to deal with it. This is the story about how they find their happy ever after and what a romantic story it is. I also liked the hints that marriage in our HEA stories is not as easy as we are all lead to believe. These stories are different and emotional and Ms Anders knows just how to handle them with care and grace. I received this as an ARC and was very happy to review it.
Amazing love story about Olivia and Lord Kingsley. I’m so happy to see Olivia get the happy ever after that she deserved after being rejected by her parents for her lazy eye who believe that her eye was the devil’s eye and a curse. I can’t wait to see if Eliza will also get her happy ever after too.
The Perfect Spinster is book two in the Not So Saintly Sisters series by Annabelle Anders. I haven’t read book one in this series. But I will definitely go back now. This book was very well written. I adored Olivia Redfield. She is a heroine with the physical challenge of a lazy eye. I was touched at the way Anders gently approached this topic. She gives Olivia such dignity and such innocence. The hero Gabriel Fellowes is no angel. In fact, he is quite an awful rogue, especially in his relationship with Olivia. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Will be going back to read book one now. I was gifted a copy of this book.
A curse, really!! Olivia has been teased and hurt by so many people but remains strong. Gabriel was one of the ones doing the teasing. What do they say about a boy teasing a girl? Through a chance meeting, he realizes there was more to Olivia than she is given credit for. You could hate Gabriel but he is so lovable, loyal and sweet that you can’t. Olivia and Gabriel tell a story that will charm and enchant you to the end. There are so many dynamics to this book that you just don’t want to see it end.
Mrs Annabelle Anders is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors so far.
I do love her writing style, I’m unable to analyze it and say why but I’m always immediately sucked in the storyline, unable to put it down.
It is only because of a short night the day before I was unable to finish it in one sitting.
Mrs Annabelle Anders once again crafted more than fleshy characters, they have their flaws, their make errors but it is the reason they are so vivid.
Miss Olivia Redfield is an heroine as I love them, she was not been rendered bitter by her life circumstances, she is still a kind and compassionate woman. Despite being shunned and disparaged by those who should have protected her, she stayed true to her loving nature. Because of a slight squint, she is ostracized from polite society, worse, she had been removed from her father’s house to not cause “further embarrassment”, and is constantly told she is cursed and the cause of many misfortune.
My heart arched for her, she grew up believing everything was because of her, that she has no right to happiness.
All her hopes and dreams had been trashed because she was declared damaged goods by her kin. Her sole allie now far away, married, leaving her at the mercy of her doubts and unkind family.
She has been depreciated for so long, that it had been engrained in her. Why she is ready to sell herself short to the first and only man offering for her hand, feeling she deserves no better.
When Gabriel Fellowes wants to give her belief in herself, playing hot and cold with her, only reassure her she is not worth much.
The Earl Of Kingsley has been warned to not come closer to his friend’s sister-in-law. But he feels in his guts a pull, he can’t shake his mind to stay away from her. Even when he knows it is wrong, being betrothed for years does not excuse him to pursue a path he knows will bring only heartaches.
He is well aware of why it is wrong, yet, he drowns in her eyes, the ones she thinks are proof of her being cursed.
He kept telling himself at the same time he must avoid her as he has a promise to fulfill but he senses he is linked to her by much more than lust, or a sizzling chemistry.
He is an honorable man, he tried and failed. Time and distance will not diminish his attraction toward Olivia. But he is locked in a predicament of his own doing.
Mrs Annabelle Anders leaded Olivia and Gabriel in a merry chase with aplenty of heartbreaks while also cheering them to find their right path.
A five stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, but I had already purchased my own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
I’m a fan of the author and some of her books are among my favorites. This particular book is not my favorite from her. While I enjoyed the story of The Perfect Spinster and the heroine, Olivia, I just didn’t connect as well with the hero. I chalk it up to personal preference; there are some qualities that I found less than attractive. In the first half of the book, I found him charming with the exception of his frequently noticing Olivia’s “flaw.” But in the second half of the book, he seemed too conflicted and took too long to make decisions that I was hoping he’d sort out sooner.
3.5/5 stars
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I have always loved reading books of all different types of genres and tropes by authors writing their wonderful interpretations of characters with slight flaws to huge disfigurements, to beautiful and plain and all in different times. But, I really loved Annabelle’s story of both sister’s Olivia and Louella. To me, you would need to read the first book “The Perfect Debutante” Luella and Stanton’s book to understand more about Olivia and Gabriel in “The Perfect Spinster”.
In Olivia and Gabriel you have a young woman that has lived alone except for a maid in the dower house of her families home, since her little brother passed away due to the belief that she was cursed with a “roving eye”. in that time they really didn’t understand that it was only weaken and they just needed to use the weak eye more by covering the strong eye with a patch.
Olivia is the oldest of three, Luella, and her brother . When she was moved to the dower house the actions and the dividing of Olivia and Luella from living together hurt and changed how each perceived their selves but still stuck together in that they loved each other.
Olivia and Gabriel met when they were younger and Gabriel was picking on her and calling her names. When they met again it was at Luella and Stanton’s engagement ball. They flirted with each other and once remembering that they knew each other they decided to be friends.
But, will it be a friendship as “Brother and Sister” or could it be more? Annabelle has you seeing that they go through many decisions as to knowing they feel more for each other than they do, with Gabriel he has been engaged since before he was even born but with the many deaths that his fiance has gone through the wedding still hasn’t been set in around ten years. Then with Olivia, she has to make a decision to wed beneath her station to be able to have a home and family and not be able to interact with her beloved sister.
The ups and downs that Olivia and Gabriel go through to finally have a HEA is true Annabelle. She will bring you in to these characters and you can’t help but fall in love with them and want more. Through many feelings of laughter, getting to know each other, helping those less fortunate, to having a Duke that doesn’t seem to wait and rushes in to make so many unnecessary deaths happen and that will effect not just Olivia and Gabriel’s lives but everyone’s.
I really loved Olivia and Gabriel’s story and hope to read more of Annabelle Anders she is now one of most loved authors to read.