Title: The Unexpected Duchess
Author: Valerie Bowman
First published April 29, 2014
354 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9781250042071 (ISBN10: 1250042070)
Rating: 3.75
Overview
Can falling in love ever be unexpected? Lady Amelia has always been content with her life, even if it means she’s never been in love.
But when her best friend, Lord Edward, asks for her help to deter an unwanted suitor, the Duke of Pembroke, Amelia devises a plan to help him. However, things don’t go according to plan when she finds herself falling for the duke’s charms.
Meanwhile, Lord Edward has made a promise to his dying friend to marry the demure Cassandra, who happens to be the Duke of Pembroke’s sister. As Edward tries to court Cassandra, he finds himself constantly clashing with the spirited Amelia.
With unexpected feelings blossoming and promises to keep, can true love conquer all?
About the Author
Meet Valerie Bowman, an accomplished author of Regency-set historical romance novels, also known as Racy Regency Romps! She published her first book in 2012, and since then, her work has garnered praise from esteemed publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. Valerie has been nominated for several awards, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter.
Additionally, two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.
Growing up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s the seventh), Valerie had access to an enormous collection of historical romance novels that fueled her passion for the genre. She completed her studies in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, enduring cold and snowy winters before relocating to Florida.
Today, Valerie resides in Jacksonville with her family and her mischievous dogs. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, traveling, and switching between binge-watching reality TV shows and PBS.
If you’re a fan of Valerie’s work, be sure to check out her website and sign up for her newsletter. You can also stay updated on her latest sales and releases by following her on Bookbub.
Editoral Review
Luanne Rice’s “The Letters” is a beautifully written novel that delves into themes of family, love, loss, and forgiveness. Published in 2008, Rice’s novel tells the story of Sam and Hadley West, a couple struggling to come to terms with the death of their young daughter, and the letters they begin to receive from an unknown source.
The novel is a contemporary work of fiction that will appeal to readers of women’s fiction, specifically those who enjoy books about relationships and the challenges of family life. Rice’s prose is simple and elegant, and her characters are well-developed and relatable.
The novel is set in a small coastal town and explores the intricacies of small-town life, where secrets are difficult to keep and relationships are complicated by history and proximity. The novel is told from multiple perspectives, which adds depth and complexity to the story, allowing readers to understand the motivations of each character.
The central conflict of the novel revolves around the mystery of the letters, which lead Sam and Hadley to investigate a past tragedy that has come back to haunt them. The tension builds gradually, as the mystery deepens and the characters become more emotionally invested.
Rice’s pacing is excellent, and she manages to keep the reader engaged throughout the novel, building towards an emotional climax that is both satisfying and heartbreaking. The novel also touches on issues of grief, guilt, and forgiveness.
Rice explores the many ways in which grief can derail a life, and how difficult it can be to move on from a tragedy. She also shows us how guilt can eat away at us, and how hard it can be to forgive ourselves and others.
Overall, “The Letters” is a moving and engaging novel that will appeal to readers of contemporary women’s fiction. Rice’s writing is spot-on, and her skillful weaving of the characters’ perspectives creates a rich tapestry of emotion and depth, marking her as an author to watch.
The book’s only flaw might be that it is a bit predictable, with the mystery unfolding in a fairly straightforward way. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent novel.
Rice’s “The Letters” is a book that will stay with readers long after they finish it, and we highly recommend it to those who enjoy books that explore the complexities of family relationships and the intricacies of small-town life. The novel receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5, with the only major deduction being because of its predictability.
Rice’s writing is otherwise exceptional, and we look forward to reading more from her in the future.
