Book Review: Miss Armistead Makes Her Choice

Today I'd like to tell you about a regency romance, Miss Armistead Makes Her Choice by Heidi Ashworth.

This book is reminiscent of Jane Austen's style with witty dialogue, great historical setting and detail, and some fun twists and turns on the road to love.

We are first introduced to Miss Armistead, a young woman who has come from India to England to get ready for her marriage to a Mr. Cruikshank.  While she is in England, her carriage breaks down and she is forced to knock on a gentleman's door and ask for assistance.  This certain gentleman, a Mr. Lloyd-Jones is cynical of women and their trustworthiness since he's just had to cry off his engagement to a woman who wasn't what he thought she was.  He isn't very kind to Miss Armistead at first, but soon becomes intrigued with her forthright manner.

I loved the interactions between Miss Armistead and Mr. Lloyd-Jones.  Their attraction is forbidden of course, since she is betrothed and he has promised his best friend to avoid all entanglements of the heart.  This makes it easy for them to be in one another's company since they feel safe that nothing emotional will happen between them.  But sometimes it's hard for the head to rule the heart when you meet the person you know you were meant to spend your life with.

I won't tell you how it all ends when Miss Armistead's betrothed eventually comes to England, but it is heart-wrenching and wonderful all at the same time.  A really well-written story that I enjoyed immensely. If you like historical romance, this must go on your to-read list.

Here's the back copy:

Miss Elizabeth Armistead, India born and raised, is happily betrothed to British soldier, Duncan Cruikshank. When she arrives in London a month prior to the wedding she meets Mr. Lloyd-Jones and soon finds that he has invaded even her dreams. Besides Duncan, Mr. Lloyd-Jones is the only man who makes her feel as if he sees past her exceptional beauty to the person within. Her mother would prefer Elizabeth marry the rich and well-connected Mr. Lloyd-Jones while his sister is ecstatic that he is now free to woo Miss Armistead since he has broken off his engagement to the disgraceful Cecily Ponsonby. However, Elizabeth's commitment to the man she promised to marry is at odds with the likes of Mr. Lloyd-Jones who has cried off from one engagement already. How can she betray the man she believes to love her for her virtues so as to indulge her love for a man she fears she cannot trust?

Jaded and betrayed, Mr. Colin Lloyd-Jones and Sir Anthony Crenshaw make a solemn vow to avoid the Marriage Mart for the duration of the London season. When Sir Anthony is called away on a journey in the company of his grandmother's ward, Miss Delacourt, Colin finds he cannot abide by their agreement, especially when his father expects him to squire his sister to society's endless balls and routs. When Colin encounters the breathtakingly beautiful Miss Elizabeth Armistead, he is intrigued by her lack of fascination for his great standing in society, family fortune, and captivating charm. When he learns that she is already betrothed, he feels himself safe from hurt in her company until he discovers the secret she has been guarding, one that threatens to batter his vulnerable heart all past mending.

You can get your copy here