Happy publication day to this lovely Sapphic Regency romance!
After reading Ratcliffe’s ‘The Secret of Matterdale Hall’, I was delighted to be asked to read and review this book. Thanks to Bellows Press for my review copy – as always, opinions are entirely my own.
This novel centres on American Louisa Silverton, the daughter of a wealthy businessman whose investments aren’t looking too healthy. To secure the family fortune, Louisa is sent to England to make a lucrative marriage. However, rich men – especially those who are prepared to take a risk on an American with iffy finances – turn out to be a bit thin on the ground. Instead, Louisa finds herself caught up with the Davenport family who own the extensive but struggling Kenilborough estate – and, in particular, the Honorable Miss Sarah Davenport. Sarah is unconventional, headstrong and fighting for her family’s future. Can either Sarah or Louisa afford to risk their families’ futures for love?
This is an enjoyable Regency romance with two strong female leads – I found both of them by turns charming and infuriating! It seemed that events continually conspired to keep them apart as misunderstanding followed setback followed family duty – all well-trodden paths for romance novels but this book really does offer something a bit different.
Both women are fiercely independent and fighting for their families – I liked that Louisa had a business background, while Sarah effectively acted as estate manager for Kenilborough. Neither were bound by convention – they merrily negotiate contracts, deal with moneylenders, operate businesses, wear what they wish and lots of other things that were probably highly unusual and scandalous. This ultimately makes them well matched as neither is dependent on the other.
The Regency setting is well-done and packed with historical detail – I liked the ease with which the novel immerses the reader in 1812 life with references to fashion, domestic life and social conventions of the period. Even the brutal portrayal of the marriage market – with men and women cynically vying for the best deal – felt quite authentic. After all, who could afford to marry for love when there are matters of inheritance to secure and costly estates to run?
Beyond Sarah and Louisa, there are some lovely characters in the book. I was rooting for Ann and Eleanor all the way through as characters facing their own challenges, yet remaining sweet-tempered and in good humour. There are also some good men – and some absolute horrors!
I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys Regency-era romances with a twist. There’s lots that will feel familiar and secure to a historical romance fan, but it’s refreshing to have a different dynamic at the novel’s heart. This isn’t about catching a Duke, but about women finding their way in a world where the odds are stacked against them by virtue of their gender. It’s definitely worth a read!
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Header photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
