WINNIE'S REVIEW:
The cover and premise of this book caught my eye and begged me to read it, and what a charming story it was. Set in the Gilded Age in New York City, and Newport, Rhode Island, it’s an entertaining look at society during this time. The heroine, Willow Dupré, is delightful and caught in the unenviable position of having to choose a husband from thirty men deemed eligible by her parents. The board members of her father’s sugar company insist that she have a husband by her side to aid her in running the company, as her father’s health is failing. Educated and capable, Willow is perfectly able to run it by herself, but she goes along with the activities planned to winnow down the list of bachelors within a few short months.
With wit, charm, some intrigue, and a lot of crazy antics, the tale comes to a delicious and satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed meeting the suitors—some more than others. I’m looking forward to more books in this series from Grace Hitchcock.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.
PAULA'S REVIEW:
Madcap fun.
What a predicament Willow Dupré finds herself in. She is an educated, business-minded miss who is set to take over the sugar empire her father has built. However, the board members want her to find a husband who can rule beside her. Her parents, one of the foremost families in elite New York society of 1883, have given their daughter an ultimatum: Choose a husband in only six months from 30 hand picked suitors.
What a whirlwind romance. Willow has a good heart and relies on her faith to guide her, but oh, the decisions she has to make. And the planned and unplanned circumstances that she gets into! She is down to the final choices and everything comes apart. She has asked God to guide her but can she trust her own heart? And can she see the true motives of her beaux?
Very interesting was a lesson in the meaning of flowers and what messages they send to a courting couple.
An enjoyable spin on The Bachelorette, with added intrigue and promise of more to come from The American Royalty series. I know I want a story about Willow’s best friend, Flora.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Review Crew and BPH Open Book. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 Stars and a solid faith thread.
Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society's elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn't expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.
I have the ebook on hold through my Overdrive library account and CAN NOT wait to read it...sounds hilarious, witty and fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reviews Paula & Winnie!