A follow-up to Josi S. Kilpack's bestselling Proper Romance title The Vicar's Daughter.
Lenora Wilton has spent her life hiding behind the keys of her beloved
pianoforte and the vibrancy of her younger sister, Cassie. But Lenora is
ready for a change and travels to Bath to live with her Aunt Gwen and
teach music at an all-girls’ boarding school. She is different in
Bath—more comfortable with herself—and enjoys the freedom and
independence of her new life there.
When Lenora meets Aiden
Asher, she finds herself attracted to him, but her unexpected feelings
become more complicated when she learns that Catherine—Lenora’s newest
and most troublesome student in the school—is Mr. Asher’s niece.
Catherine is a difficult student, and Lenora works hard to make progress
with the girl.
When the chemistry between Lenora and Aiden
increases, they share a passionate kiss by the River Avon, and Lenora
feels it is the beginning of a new forever—until she learns that Aiden
has withheld an important detail about his life that changes everything.
Lenora closes her heart to him, and Aiden, caught between his
obligation and his heart, must do what he can to make amends. And
Lenora, after years of hiding from everyone and everything, faces a
decision only she can make.
My Review: 9/10
I love love loved this book! It was so nice to read about a heroine who was shy, timid, mild... an introvert. I loved the way Lenora grew in quiet strength, and how she used her sister as inspiration when she needed an extra dose of boldness or courage. I also loved Catherine’s difficult character – It was so well done. Her behavior early in the story (and frequently throughout) made me fidget with discomfort and I could only imagine being in Lenora's shoes. I loved the way Catherine was not easy to love, that the relationship with her took time to build patience, trust, and eventually understanding.
I liked Aiden’s character as well– His steadiness and integrity especially. However I did have an issue with the way the story ended.
*SPOILERS * I did not agree with Aiden's statement that he believed people be committed to their own happiness (when put between what is right or what will make you happy). This is huge to me. Happiness is a fleeting feeling that is not always synonymous with what is good or right. It should not be the basis for our moral compass or the foundation for our decisions. In my opinion, he should have dissolved his tacit engagement to Miss Kiley, acknowledging that it was wrong to marry someone simply for his niece's stability, especially if he was NOT prepared to be devoted to her. An unhappy marriage would not provide stability for Catherine and they were making plenty of progress, just the two of them. Not to mention that it would be completely wrong to marry her while nursing feelings for someone else. And then there is Miss Kiley's lack of morals herself, which should have been enough for him to dissolve the relationship right then and there. He should have broken the engagement, not for Lenora, but because it was the right thing to do.
*SPOILERS* I also did not agree with his desire to not be honest with Lenora because he wanted to know that she would fight for him. Lenora was right to NOT fight for a man who was promised to someone else! After everything they had been through, I was disappointed in her for kissing him, again, when she believed that he was still engaged.
However, these flaws did not ruin my enjoyment of the story, and I would not let it stop me from recommending the novel to others- it gives us something to discuss.
