Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson (2012)

I read 'Heir to Edenbrooke' before the book, so it took a little bit of the question as far as what was going on in Philip's head, but even without it, this would have been a great read. There are more than a few fan/swoon-worthy moments in this clean read - who says you can't have pages that sizzle with chemistry without things being explicitly described? Donaldson proves that you can have passion and heat and keep it clean. Bravo!

As far as the story: unlike one of my other recent reads, this character's insecurity is something I understand and can relate to: her 'more beautiful' twin has always been the better English Rose. Sister Cecily excels at the things that society ascribes to a lady, while our heroine, Marianne, would rather ride horses, climb trees and twirl with her eyes closed. Cecily loves life in London with the Beau Monde. Marianne longs for the country and hates doing embroidery. Since their mother's tragic death, Marianne has lived with their grandmother in Bath; their father, in his grief, abandoned them to relatives and fled to France. The girls receive an invitation from an old friend of their mother's to come stay at Edenbrooke. Before Marianne leaves, her grandmother decides to disown her scoundrel of a nephew and leave her 40,000 pounds to Marianne instead, provided she learns to be more genteel.

On her way to Edenbrooke, their coach is attacked by a highwayman. He's driven off by her maid's quick thinking and when they arrive at the inn, the tall gentleman Marianne asks for help is snide in his refusal. She delivers a terrific set down to the man and he's appropriately chagrined. The evening that follows has him being contrite, engaging and very attractive. Only problem: he won't tell her who he is beyond his first name (Philip).

When she arrives at Edenbrooke, their paths cross again, she falls into a river, and he's gallant even as he teases her. Then she finds out that he's the son of the woman who invited her to visit! Philip proceeds to pour in the charm, she thinks he's a terrible flirt, and a comfortable friendship develops, even as he constantly is doing things that say his interest is more than just being a hospitable host. Things are going along swimmingly until he's called Sir Philip and she realizes that he's the man her twin has been mooning over during her Season. And what Cecily wants, Cecily gets.

Donaldson gives us a heroine who is all heart, a hero who is a true gentleman and plenty of obstacles to the happy ending. None of it is forced or cringe-worthy. All of it is the stuff you read historical romance for. I only wished it was longer. 

5/5 stars