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When Bernadette Barrymore of Boston, Massachusetts, sets sail for England just after her eighteenth birthday, she could not have imagined the course her life would take. Accompanied by her wealthy parents, James and Eugenie, the beautiful and spirited Bernadette is taken by surprise when she encounters the handsome Lord Anthony (Tony) Devereux in the lobby of the prestigious Ritz Hotel in London. The attraction between the two is immediate. After a whirlwind day of sightseeing, Tony proposes to Bernadette, and to the astonishment of her parents and the disdain of his mother, they are married. Though the two are completely in love and happy, there are many differences between the man born of nobility and his American free-spirited wife. At World War I’s onset, Tony leaves to serve his country. While he is away, his mother uses all in her power to come between the two. Will her vengeful machinations work?
Set during the early twentieth century, this historical romance is a wonderful story of love and loss. The author addresses the cultural and societal differences between Bernadette’s American family and England’s nobility with its penchant for looking down upon those not of their class. Coia-Ramsay also does an exceptional job of capturing the hardships of England during the war and the horrific conditions of soldiers. Secrets play a big part in the novel and their sometimes dire consequences. The central theme of the novel, however, is the romance between Bernadette and Tony. These two characters are well-rounded, and their interactions can be quite humorous as they work to reconcile their different upbringings and worldviews. Both are endearing characters, and their love story is as delightful as those of other great lovers in literature. This page-turner touches the heart, leaving one in awe of the author’s mesmerizing storytelling.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review