The Country House Courtship...Review

About the book:
It is 1818 and Miss Beatrice Forsythe is determined to marry well. After all, her sister married the Paragon, Mr. Phillip Mornay, five years earlier--which all but guarantees that she, Beatrice, can also make a famous match to a wealthy man.
But her sister and husband have disappeared from high society as they raise a family at their country estate.

Can Beatrice persuade them to chaperone her in London?

Meanwhile an old acquaintance, Mr. Peter O'Brien shows up at the house as the candidate for a vicarage to which Mr. Mornay holds the rights. Will old passions and jealousies be revived? Or can Mr. O'Brien and the Mornays ever live near each other as friends? And what about Beatrice's rash promise to marry the curate, made years earlier? At seventeen now, she has no wish to marry a mere clergyman--despite his agreeable countenance and winsome gentle ways.

When Mr. Tristan Barton comes on the scene as the tenant of the Manor House, Beatrice's hopes seem to have found their object. But when Ariana falls gravely ill, secrets come to light, motives are revealed, and the pretenses that are easy to keep up in the sunlight begin to crumble. Hearts are bared, truths uncovered, and when all is said and done, a country house courtship like no other has occurred!


Linore Rose Burkard's books are simply delightful.  This is the third and final installment in the stories of Forsythe/Mornay families.  Beatrice is an endearing, charming character.  A bit jealous of her sister's situation in life, Beatrice longs for her own wealthy match.  She's disappointed that her sister and Mr. Mornay have retired to their country estate and have no plans to return to London, and Beatrice worries that she'll miss her season of coming out.

However, drama comes to the country as an old acquaintance shows up to apply for the position of curate.  At the same time, a charming, if not roguish visitor also moves into the neighborhood.  Beatrice finds her attentions divided as she grows up and learns that what she searches for is often right in front of her.

A simply charming story and a fitting end to the Regency trilogy.  The books Before the Season Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square as well as this one all stand alone, although I recommend reading them in order, simply for wonderful stories, as well as character history.

Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review.  You can learn more about Linore Rose Burkard here.

Read 7/10

* * * *
4/5 Stars


Comments

  1. I didn't like this one as much as the second in the series (I missed the first) but they're so charming that I'll read on. I hope the author keeps this series going for a while. :)

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