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Maria Martingale has dreamed of opening up her own pastry shop since she was a little girl. Finally, she has found the perfect storefront. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with the perfect neighbor. Years ago, Phillip Hawthorne, Marquess of Kayne, put a stop to his younger brother’s plan to elope with Maria. Now, the temptress has rented the shop next door to their townhouse and Phillip is determined to save his brother from making the same mistake twice. But the more time he spends with Maria, the more he begins to realize that his brother isn’t the one in danger of falling for Maria. The third book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s Girl-Bachelor Chronicles is an enchanting tale that recreates the themes of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Phillip Hawthorne is about as prideful as they come. He is constantly aware of propriety and the separation of the classes. He strongly adheres to the notion that the two should never mingle, and as such, believes he did the right thing when he separated Maria and his brother Lawrence. Maria Martingale is a spirited heroine who doesn’t back down. I loved that about her. She doesn’t cower to anyone—especially Phillip. And she refuses to let anything stand in the way of her dreams. Put these two strong characters together and you get a compelling historical romance chock full of angst and simmering attraction. I loved how difficult it was for Phillip to overcome his beliefs. At times he’s deliciously haughty towards Maria and this makes for some truly great scenes between the two of them. And yet, there’s a vulnerability to Phillip, especially in regards to his feelings for Maria that makes for superb hero material. Though the ending did feel a bit rushed after all the build up between Phillip and Maria, it showcased Phillip’s character growth beautifully, and for that reason, I was able to enjoy the abrupt ending without feeling it slighted the story. If you’ve enjoyed Ms. Guhrke’s other Girl-Bachelor books, you’re sure to love this one. If you are new to Ms. Guhrke, I urge you to give this and her other books a try. She does not disappoint. I can’t wait for the next Girl-Bachelor book!
Reviewed by Cindy |
GIRL-BACHELOR CHRONICLES BOOK
3:
Posted October 2008 |
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