I love this series by Michelle Griep! It has such a Dickensian feel to it and makes me ready to celebrate Christmas! I really liked the quotes at the beginning of each chapter like this one- “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when it’s mighty Founder was a child himself.”
I knew immediately that I was going to like Mina when she got caught reading a book and slid it under her skirt to hide it from her father! She also thinks at one point in the story that if the scene were a novel, she’d skip to the next chapter to see how things turned out. I loved that! How can you not love a heroine who loves to read and thinks books? She’s also very sweet.
I loved Uncle Barlow and how he showed mercy and grace to William by giving him a second chance -or two! And I liked how because of those chances, William actually did change. It reminds all of us to give second chances to others!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to review nor provide a favorable review.
A Tale of Two Hearts is the second in a series.
This book is a step back into Victorian England and the society of Dickens.
Mina Scott is a serving girl in her father’s eating establishment. She likes to sneak away to read novels by Dickens given to her by her friend, Miss Whymsy, a fellow member of the secret society to benefit poor women.
Will Barlow is a law clerk who with his friend, Mr. Fitzroy, frequents the Golden Egg, Mina’s father’s pub.
Their relationship gets complicated when Will asks Mina to pose as his wife in order to sway Will’s Uncle Barlow into naming Will as his heir. Conniving cousin Percy wants to put Uncle Barlow into an asylum so he can control the estate.
Can Will and Mina pull off the charade? Will Uncle Barlow find out about the duplicity?
This was a grand romp into Dickens’ England with quotes from his works atop every chapter. Mina and Uncle Barlow quote Dickens to each other as well, which bonds them together. A second chance coin first seen in the first book is instrumental in this book as well, conveying the theme of forgiveness and mercy.
I recommend this quick read for those fond of Dickens’ work.
BACK COVER BLURB:
Book 2 in Reader Favorite Michelle Griep’s Charming Once Upon a Dickens Christmas Series
London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.
William is a gentleman’s son, a charming but penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his scheming cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.
William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man breaks both their hearts. When the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.
Can two hearts survive such deception?
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Thank you ladies! We've had a fair number of reviews for Michelle Griep's books and can always count on them for a great read and great read!
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