So I've decided that on the authors I've ready multiple books from, I will do them all in one post when possible. This post is all about Karen Tuft. Enjoy!
This was a good read that felt extremely familiar, although I can't figure out why yet. Some of the scenes were familiar enough that I thought I'd already read the book but didn't remember I had. Turns out I haven't so I'm still trying to figure it out. It was the same with some of the minor characters. I felt like I already knew them. And maybe I do, I'm just not remembering where. However, I had a hard time with Elizabeth at first. It wasn't until I realized that her childhood was extremely traumatic that I began to empathize with her. Kit was fun from the beginning, and in the end it turned out well. It is a clean read that any romantic at heart would love.
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Lady Elizabeth Spaulding's world has fallen apart. Despite living her entire life to please her demanding parents, the Duke and Duchess of Marwood, she has little to show for it. After Elizabeth's second failed betrothal, her father's debts and appalling acts of retaliation force him to flee the country, consigning Elizabeth and her bitter mother to a life of poverty and exile. But Elizabeth's fortunes change one day when an elderly acquaintance makes her an offer she can't refuse.
Lady Walmsley, widowed and childless, is in need of a lady's companion—and who better than the lovely Lady Elizabeth? Determined to rescue Elizabeth from her dreary life in the country, Lady Walmsley secures the help of Kit, the dashing Earl of Cantwell, in her quest. But the young woman they find is a ghost of the charming girl they once knew. Taken in by Lady Walmsley, and with Kit's enthusiastic encouragement, Elizabeth finds herself pushed further and further from her empty solitude as she discovers the joy of truly living. Now, for the first time in her life, she must decide for herself who she is and if she deserves to be loved.
REALITY CHECK
I really enjoyed this story. It was fun to read a little behind the scenes on some of the bachelor type shows. It was fun to see the development of relationships in an unconventional way. It was fun to see how Lucy and Ethan changed. I loved traveling to the different places with the characters and getting to feel their excitement. I would highly recommend this read to any and everyone.
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After college graduation, Lucy Kendrick heads home with big plans for work, travel, and relishing her freedom—which means no romantic entanglements. But her two best friends have other ideas. Lucy is seriously steamed when she realizes they’ve signed her up to be a contestant on the reality dating show Soulmates, but she decides not to renege and soon finds herself in Los Angeles—a small-town Mormon girl vying for the love of millionaire bachelor Ethan Glass. At first this cute, smart, fun young woman, who would rather pray than party, bewilders Ethan. But his interest and admiration grow with every encounter. However, the conniving associate producer is determined to stir up some made-for-TV drama and takes strides to make this reality television show anything but real. When the show finally airs, Lucy has been recast as someone she unquestionably is not. Lucy is left humiliated in front of the world, and Ethan is left wondering who the Lucy is that he was falling in love with. Will the duplicities that have created this humiliation ever come to light? And will the truth emerge too late for the would-be soulmates?
UNEXPECTED
This book was a cute read, but not my favorite. Maybe it seemed a little to forced? I'm not sure. As this is Karen's first book, I can definitely see the growth in her as an author when reading several back to back. It is a good, clean read that would resinate with many. I would recommend it to anyone. It just wasn't for me.
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Eleven years ago, Ross McConnell was devastated by the betrayal of the woman of his dreams. Time does not heal all wounds, and after more than a decade, Ross is no closer to finding love. When his well-meaning family attempts to play matchmaker, he concedes by creating a list detailing his perfect mate: A member of the Church. Beauty-queen looks. College educated. Never married. Perhaps he’ll give love another try, if such perfection exists . . .
Natalie Forrester is no stranger to heartache. After two failed marriages, the beautiful single mother of three is determined to make it on her own. Without a college degree, she starts at the bottom: working as a housekeeper may not be glamorous, but it’s her first exhilarating step toward independence. And Natalie’s most recent cleaning job is ideal—the guy is always out of town, and the pay will go a long way toward supporting her missionary son. Maybe luck is finally on her side.
And then Ross and Natalie meet . . . and meet again. And following a series of awkward encounters, Ross is shocked by his growing attraction for this woman. Natalie couldn’t be farther from his ideal woman, and she is firm in her determination to keep her heart closed to love. But as their tenuous friendship develops and deepens, will the unlikely pair have the courage to set aside the disappointments of the past to catch hold of a bright new future?
