Elliott Mayfield has spent his life trying to secure his family's fortunes and futures. He has decided to offer incentives to his nephews and nieces who improve themselves and make a respectable match, starting with his widowed nephew Peter. When he broaches the idea to Peter, however, he is turned down flat.
Peter is busy enough trying to distance himself from scandals that his family has brought upon him, take care of his estate, and care for his two young daughters. Marriage is the furthest thing from his mind. What he needs is a governess. When he goes to choose one at an agency, Julia Hollingsworth seems like the perfect fit. But she is young and beautiful and might prove to be a distraction. Through a series of events, Julia ends up being the governess and Peter must find a way to keep his feelings in check. He's happy enough with his life as it is. Or is he?
Julia loves being a governess and finds the perfect position with Peter Mayfield's family. Unfortunately her mother has a painful history with the Mayfield family and will do anything to force her daughter to resign her position and come home. But will a mother sacrifice her daughter's happiness over past hurt? Or can they all heal enough to truly let love bind up a broken heart?
I really loved Peter and Julia. There were so many cute moments from their first meeting to their first realization that they have a connection beyond employer/employee. They both had things to work through as they slowly came to be friends and then more. I loved how tender Peter could be and how much joy he found with Julia. Their romance has such a sweet push and pull to it, that readers will be spellbound. There was also a secondary romance as well, sort of a bonus, that I loved seeing resolved.
Another bonus is that Ms. Kilpack treats the readers to a well-imagined town and estate that helps the characters come alive and serve as an engaging backdrop to the romance. The strict society rules of the day are also observed and expertly woven into the story. For me, those things are essential to a good historical romance and Ms. Kilpack does not disappoint.
Promises and Primroses is a romance with lots of missteps and miscommunication, but it showcases Ms. Kilpack's skill in bringing together a complicated plot and making it into a story that will keep readers up long past bedtime. I could hardly put it down! And I really can't wait to see who the next book will be about and hope we get a peek into how the characters from this book are faring as well.
Here's the back copy:
Lord Elliott Mayfield has done his best to take care of his family, first his siblings and now his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, he sees this new generation moving in the same direction of bad matches and scandalous relationships as the last. In hopes to change their course, he establishes a “marriage campaign” to motivate them to improve themselves through making respectable matches. With his heart in the right place, what could possibly go wrong?
Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young 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.
Lord Elliott Mayfield has done his best to take care of his family, first his siblings and now his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, he sees this new generation moving in the same direction of bad matches and scandalous relationships as the last. In hopes to change their course, he establishes a “marriage campaign” to motivate them to improve themselves through making respectable matches. With his heart in the right place, what could possibly go wrong?
Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young 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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