Edenbrooke

Starred review from February 27, 2012
Inspirational publisher Shadow Mountain launches the G-rated Proper Romance line (romance “at its very best—and at its cleanest,” the introduction promises) with this delightful and completely engrossing Heyeresque Regency debut. The newly widowed Mr. Daventry sends his beautiful, elegant daughter Cecily to have a season in London and ships her “quiet and dull” twin, Marianne, to her grandmother’s home in Bath. When Marianne is allowed to visit the beautiful Edenbrooke estate and reunite with Cecily, she is overjoyed, despite her anxiety about the social niceties she abhors. But her journey turns tumultuous and she unexpectedly meets Philip, a devastatingly handsome man with an irresistible sense of humor and a great many secrets. When Philip’s true identity is revealed, Marianne must confront her fears as well as her growing affection for him. This beautiful love story will warm (only) the reader’s heart. Agent: Laurie McLean, Larsen/Pomada Literary Agents.