What I Read This Weekend
The Rogue's Reform : The Everard Legacy Book 1 by Regina Scott -- Inspirational Regency Romance
I was send an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review. This review will be unbiased.
Jerome Everard has worked his whole life to ensure that his legacy, his Uncle Arthur's estate, should prosper while Uncle Arthur was content to float through life enjoying himself with London pleasures. Now Uncle Arthur is dead and his solicitor reveals shocking news: Jerome is not the heir after all! Uncle Arthur has a secret daughter and the title and the estate pass to her from her father. Jerome will only inherit a minor estate and only after his cousin has a successful season with three offers of marriage and her governess's approval. Jerome heads off to Cumberland accompanied by his dashing brother Richard and his roguish cousin Vaughn to charm the governess into revealing the truth and expose their so-called cousin as a fraud. Jerome expects to find a scheming jade and her greedy governess, but instead he finds a young lady badly in need of comfort and a remarkable woman who stands as her friend. Adele Walcott, Samantha Everard's governess, is 27 and had her share of difficulties. She has been managing the Everard estate for the last ten years and she is determined to protect her cousin from the rogues who appear unannounced on her doorstep. Yet, as she watches Jerome go about estate business she starts to admire the serious, dedicated young man. The more Jerome gets to know his lively young cousin and her remarkable friend, he begins to feel protective towards the ladies and perhaps even something more for the lovely Adele. Adele once loved and lost and felt the light go out of her life. She has found a new Light to guide her yet she still remains cynical. As Jerome and Adele become close, someone seeks to separate them and will stop at nothing to achieve their aims. Adele must decide who to believe in and trust in her Lord to guide her and show her the way to truth and happiness. Before I share my opinion, I must begin by saying this book is the most Christian of all three of Regina Scott's Love Inspired books so far. It is not as easy to gloss over the Bible passages and prayers in this novel as it is in the other two. If you don't believe in Adele's God, then you probably won't want to read this book. If you do want to read this book, read on.
As usual Regina Scott excels at creating a wholly original story in a genre in which many authors borrow plots from Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and each other and toss in cliche after cliche. The characters are well-developed and are kept from becoming stock characters by Regina's excellent characterizations. Jerome is a nice hero but a bit too serious. He's on a mission which could be interpreted as caddish but he has good reasons for it and he grows and changes throughout the story. Adele is the weak link. She's a typical redoubtable spinster, capable of handling everything that comes her way calmly. Yet she's also more well-drawn than many Regency novel heroines. She has doubts and fears yet she isn't afraid to trust her heart. She could use a bit more of a temper to make her a bit more human but I quite like her, aside from her reliance on God to guide her way. I quite like Vaughn and I expect I shall entirely lose my heart to him once he has his own story. I also really liked Samantha who at times seems spoiled and childish but also has backbone and a good sense of humor. I look forward to seeing her grow up. The plot was interesting enough to keep me reading but dragged on a bit in the last third of the novel. My only major criticisms are that the mystery of Samantha's mother is easy to figure out and the romance happens a bit too quickly for me to believe. Finally, my biggest complaint is that since this book is the first in a series, the big mystery is yet to be resolved and I hate waiting!!! Overall, it's a good book but not as good as Regina Scott's older non-Inspirational books, but that's my personal opinion and I would recommend that those who like the Regency genre and don't mind Inspirational Regencies give this one a try.
This sequel to A Brief History of Montmaray picks up just after the first book began with Sophie's first journal entry in a brand new book detailing the FitzOsbornes new life in England. While Sophia is looking forward to her presentation at Court and all the lovely new frocks and Henry is running wild, Veronica is depressed. She feels responsible for the destruction of their home and feels helpless. She wants nothing to do with Aunt Charlotte's plan to marry the FitzOsbornes off to wealthy and influential suitors. Toby too resists Aunt Charlotte's grand plans for him. Fate has grand plans for the FitzOsbornes that differ from Aunt Charlotte's: the Spanish Civil War affects someone they know and Veronica finds relief in working towards saving starving Basque children and becoming more interested in international politics. In between all the parties and balls the young relatives (including Simon) plot and plan to save their home. When everything seems to go wrong, it's up to Sophie to keep her head and save the day. Not much happens until around page 400 and then the story picks up for the last few chapters. Most of the book is a typical coming-of-age novel. The plot is peppered with real-life historical events and people (The Kennedys make a cameo) as well as fictional situations. Henry provides the comic relief with her wild antics and Veronica's obtuseness about the workings of the human heart also provide some lighthearted moments. Again Sophie's journal is full of fabulous literary references : Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy, W.H. Auden, Virginia Woolf and more, which I absolutely loved. The biggest problem I had with this book is that I had a hard time following the political situation in Europe and the difference between Fascists and Communists. There were a little bit too many real-life facts and people thrown in (Including the Kennedys!) to keep track of, at least while reading late at night. Luckily the author has some great summaries on her website. This book also lacks the charming feel of the first, not being set in Montmaray. I especially loved the history and descriptions of Montmaray and I missed that in this book. It's still a great novel and I am eagerly awaiting the final volume in the trilogy.
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