Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family #1) by Josi S. Kilpack



    

Publication: September 4, 2018
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Source: Publisher & Purchased my own copy

Summary:

Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions.  If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance.

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.


******

When Elliott tells Peter of his idea to help better his nieces and nephews, Peter isn’t 100% sold on it. He shrugs off the idea of himself needing help. He isn’t looking to get married and is already a respectable member of society. When Peter hires Julia to be a governess to his two daughters’ things seem to be going well. Well enough until Julia’s mother Amelia starts to make her opinions known. Peter is confident and headstrong. He likes to do things his own way, but it isn’t always the correct way to do things. That’s something he learns more than once in this story.

Amelia just wants Julia to say close to home, find a suitable husband and have children. However Julia has other plans. She wants more out of her life and more importantly, she wants to have some space from her semi-controlling but well-meaning mother; which is why she is looking for a new governess position. Julia loves her new position within the Mayfield household. And she adores Peters’ little girls and they adore her as well. How long can Julia's happiness last with her mother's interference?

Amelia is familiar with some members of the Mayfield family; especially Elliott Mayfield. Still recalling the pain from all those years ago and determined to not let history repeat itself when it comes to her daughter, Amelia attempts to take matters into her own hands. But can she judge the present clearly when she is still held firmly in the past?

I loved Julia. She is smart, independent (especially for the time period) and not afraid to be herself and say what she wants. Julia and Peter make a rather cute couple. I was rooting for them all the way. Amelia was the most frustrating character. There were several times I wanted to shake her and tell her stop being so ridiculous! 

Having this story told in multiple POV’s made it all the more entertaining to read. This was the first time I had read a book by Josi Kilpack and it will not be the last. The story was well written and it had a good steady pace to it. I very much enjoyed reading this book. Promises and Primroses made me fall back in love with historical romance all over again. It is a sweet story with traces of humor and warmth throughout. One that I hope you check out soon if you haven’t already.


RATING: 5 out of 5.



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