This is a lovely novella from Jane Lark. (Previously published as 'Captured Love' but renamed and re-released as a FREE Novella by HarperImpulse as part of Jane's Historical series)
I read this story on a train to London. When I arrive in London I walked through Russell Square Park towards the British Museum, wondering how many romantic scenes the trees had witness. Did the huge tree on the corner have a favourite couple and is so what era were they from? How many chose the big tree on the corner in the shade to rendezvous or kissed beneath it's branches. Were initials carved into the bark that went back over a century? The reason for those thoughts were brought on by reading this short story and sent my mind back to the first in the series, where Ellen and Edward secretly met in a park. How dashing must a gentleman have looked stood underneath that tree waiting to walk beside you in a park as part of a courtship. (Swooooon)
I continued to reading the novella later that day on a bench in the London's National History Museum (it had been a long day and I was resting my feet while others went to see a Wooly Mammoth), plus it was an ideal place to read a historical romance. I finished it off on the train ride home. (Picture of it in my bag)
While it was a quick read, I would have liked it to be longer and more developed. It did seem compressed at times but I accepted it for what it was, a short look at another characters love life, Rupert, who we met in the first story of this wonderful series. (The Illicit Love of a Courtesan. Reviewed on this blog)
It tells a story of how women were used as bargaining chips by their fathers to gain higher status in society, and the pressures put on them to attain the best marriage they could to help elevate their fathers position. Conveying the snobbery where climbing the social ladder was frowned upon by those born into titles and no amount of finishing school could rub off the stigma attached to that. You would always be a polished turd. Unless you marry someone of great power, then no one would dare think it again for fear of your husband shunning them in business affairs.
Meredith's character reminded me of Brittany Murphy in Clueless. A red head who had been made over to look the part but would often giggle too loudly and seemed out of place. She foolishly set her sights on one man and falling head over heels in love for him even though she knew he would never marry anyone as low born as she.
Unfortunately for Meredith, Rupert couldn't stand to be around her. She was his sisters pet project and a thorn in his side. Her gooey eyed looks, her over tight claim on his arm when escorting them across a room, drove him crazy... but he wasn't blind to the assets she possessed and how well she used them. It irritated him that she stirred his loins and that his cousin, Edward, encouraged her advances.
The pivotal scene depicts Meredith being thrown into a desperate situation, thanks to her fathers greed in business, which results in her making a rash decision that affects not only her life, but Rupert's too. Being a noble man Rupert takes responsibility for his part, as the actions cannot be undone. His happiness will be forfeit in order to protect the family name and his honour.
For those who don't understand history and the ramifications of those actions, it can seem a little far fetched, but in reality this is what happened in society and a man's word was his honour. A man would be held accountable for his actions by his peers and mistakes were not easily brushed under the carpet.
The story is wrapped up pretty swiftly as it is novella but I don't think it matters very much as we will see more of them in the other books in this series. It had the right amount of sexual tension and historical drama, plus there was a happy ever after for not just one character in this book, but several. Along with piquing our interest in other characters who we know will be the main protagonists of other books in the series.
Rumour has it that HarperImpulse will be leaving this story as free. The only downside to that is 'Free stories' often receive low reviews by people who would never have purchased the book, are not interested in the story or era, and only want to write a review so it appears as 'verified review' and bumps up their 'reviewer rating'.
This was a lovely read, ideal for a quick train journey or Sunday lying around with your feet up. Several of my friends have read the story and enjoyed it too. Now it's your turn.
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