Date of Reading: 31/03/2019
Author: Sarah Bennett
Publisher: HQ Digital
Publication Date: April 1, 2019
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4.5/5
(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)
About the book:
She wasn’t looking for love…
When Lucie Kennington flees the bright lights of London for the quiet Derbyshire countryside, she’s shocked to discover that the heir to the Bluebell Castle estate is far from the wizened employer she expected.
In fact, Arthur Ludworth might just be the most handsome man Lucie’s ever laid eyes on – and a terrible distraction! So when she stumbles across a legendary painting feared lost for centuries, she can’t believe her luck – perhaps this is the hidden treasure to save Arthur and his family from ruin?
But it’s only a matter of time before Lucie’s past catches up with her and by then it’s too late, she’s falling for him…
Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd
When Lucie Kennington flees the bright lights of London for the quiet Derbyshire countryside, she’s shocked to discover that the heir to the Bluebell Castle estate is far from the wizened employer she expected.
In fact, Arthur Ludworth might just be the most handsome man Lucie’s ever laid eyes on – and a terrible distraction! So when she stumbles across a legendary painting feared lost for centuries, she can’t believe her luck – perhaps this is the hidden treasure to save Arthur and his family from ruin?
But it’s only a matter of time before Lucie’s past catches up with her and by then it’s too late, she’s falling for him…
Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd
My Review:
I don't know which castle inspired this novel, but it sounds amazing. You can call me biased since I have a castle crush with its memories and unwritten histories and well, finding a hidden treasure is everyone's childhood dream. Sadly, there are not many secret tunnels left to unearth anymore, and so, even though the novel is a tad bit unrealistic, it fulfils every romantic's dream.
The book offers a very light and enjoyable read with one of the perfect happy endings. The castle and its beautiful scenery come alive through Bennett's mesmerising diction and I so wish it were all real . . . you could have always counted me as the permanent visitor there.
As for the characters, we get a dual point of view through Lucie and Arthur and for my part I favoured Lucie. She has a vulnerability in her that invites our protective instincts. In spite of the dent in her confidence, she is honest and honourable, a virtue that is difficult to encounter these days.
The castle community, now reduced to a small number, shows a camaraderie that can only be found in some medieval era. The stiff-necked Maxwell transports us almost to another time period and Betsy and Mrs. W adds to the effect. Arthurs's siblings, Tristan and Iggie are equally lovable and I am so looking forward to their stories (especially Tristan's, no offence Iggie) in the upcoming books.
Meet the author:
Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.
Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.
When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.
You can connect with her via twitter @Sarahlou_writes or on Facebook www.facebook.com/SarahBennettAuthor
Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove, Lavender Bay and Bluebell Castle series for HQ Digital UK.
Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.
When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.
You can connect with her via twitter @Sarahlou_writes or on Facebook www.facebook.com/SarahBennettAuthor
Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove, Lavender Bay and Bluebell Castle series for HQ Digital UK.
