"Consummate ladies did not find themselves fearing for their lives often, if ever, but that certainly seemed to be what she was facing now."
Miss Camilla Pierpont and Mr. Owen Chesterfield had gotten off on the wrong foot (understatement of all understatements) . . . it was all a big misunderstanding of course when Camilla thought her knight in shining armor was nothing but a highwayman in disguise . . . except he rather looked the part as well, swathed in ill-fitting clothes and sporting a mighty big stature. To her chagrin, Owen turned out to be an extremely wealthy business magnate from West Virginia who had a little matchmaking opportunity in mind. Not with her of course, (of course!??) but rather Owen had traveled to New York in order to request her services for his hooligan of a sister. (who wasn't nearly as much trouble as her reputation)
It worked out rather well, really. Camilla needed to disappear from danger (the real highwaymen) and no one would ever expect her to flee to West Virginia, to a place where pigs walked (walked?) through yards of its mansions and giant cats became best friends with dogs . . . closely tied to meddlesome "meemaws" (cackle, cackle) who tried to sneak apple pie recipes under pillows and in pockets. What Camilla never expected and could hardly believe herself was . . .
So fun to read!!! So, so fun. The story's West Virginia setting gave the author ample room to expand her characters to act and react out of character, while moving the story forward at a charming pace, allowing Camilla to wave her magic matchmaking wand, setting Owen up for the surprise of his life . . . . he had somehow (in spite of Camilla's aversion to marriage) managed to meet his match . . . if they could only test out that kiss!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews! The opinions stated above are entirely my own! 4.5 stars
SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE AND PAULA
BackCover Blurb:
Miss
Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the
New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a
devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is
nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an
annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her
in a manner she wasn't expecting.
After learning that Camilla
Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand,
Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to
convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of
social rehabilitation.
Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla
agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia,
finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small
hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows,
disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever
made--her own.
Oh, my goodness—this is such a fun read! I am about halfway through, and I can't tell you how many times I have laughed out loud!
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