| Title | : | Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1629725528 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781629725529 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 285 |
| Publication | : | First published May 14, 2019 |
Maryann Morrington doesn't match anything on Timothy's list - except for wealth. An heiress in her own right, she is tired of men pursuing her only for her money. But at nearly twenty-two years old, and not a particularly stunning beauty, she can’t be as picky as her friend Timothy is.
The two friends end up playing matchmaker for each other. Timothy will find a decent gentleman for Maryann, and Maryann will prove to Timothy that his “perfect woman” doesn’t exist.
Until Miss Shaw comes to London.
Now, with Timothy's heart captivated by the blonde, blue-eyed beauty, Maryann must decide if she should risk her heart and reveal her true feelings for her friend, or if she should settle for someone else. It's an up-and-down game of “he loves me, he loves me not” with both hearts and friendship on the line.
Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family, #2) Reviews
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4.5
“He loves me, he loves me not…”
Maryann, an heiress, is in London for the season in search of a husband. A man who would want to marry her for love, not for her money.
There, she is introduced to Timothy, who is in search of a rich wife. He is determined to win Maryann over, but when his rich Uncle offers him wealth and security if he finds a suitable wife, he decides to marry for love and not money. But he has a list of requirements that his future wife should meet. And none of those qualifications are even close to Maryann’s bearings and demeanor.
Would Timothy find the perfect woman? Does she exist? Or would he eventually realize that what he so desperately is looking for, has been right in front of him all the time.
Daisies and Devotion, is a refreshing and enjoyable historical romance you wouldn’t want to put down.
Thanks to the author, Shadow Mountain publishing and the NetGalley for my advanced copy. -
$2.99 on Kindle 5/6/20
https://amzn.to/2YIIO8a
I didn't quite know what to think about Maryann and Timothy at first- she seemed without personality and he appeared to be a light headed dandy. It made me curious, and I absolutely loved getting to know them as aspects of their personalities unfolded and characteristics were revealed. Their friendship is unique in that they are completely upfront with each other- blunt almost to a fault. They appreciate the honesty in each other... until feelings get hurt. Unrequited love is one of my favorite tropes because it has such a strong element of longing. Maryann is a lovely friend and does want Timothy's happiness, even at the expense of her own. He had to experience for himself the value of her devotion in contrast to the empty fantasy, and the final scenes in the book are oh-so-sweet and a wonderful give and take in their complex relationship. Highly recommend!!!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own) -
This book was given to me by netgalley in exchange for a honest review .
The book was better than a most of the historical romance I have recently read . The story was was good though it felt slightly predictable in the middle but it later turned out to be filled unexpected twist . It was easy read nothing too intense or crazy.
The characters were simple yet well defined with certain uniqueness . -
This is the second book in the series. It can be read as a stand alone but it'll make more sense if you read the other one first.
At the beginning of the story, Timothy and Maryann have a frank relationship. She's a young lady with a fortune and he's looking to make an advantageous marriage, but he also wants someone he can grow to love.
As Maryann is tired of men only wanting her for her money, she asks Timothy to be honest with her about his intentions.
But then Uncle Elliott calls Timothy to tell him of his "marriage plan" and with his circumstances much improved, Timothy feels like he can pursue a different kind of woman to marry.
This changes the dynamics of the relationship between Maryann and Timothy and they declare themselves friends. Maryann feels she no longer has a chance since she doesn't meet any of the attributes on Timothy's list.
In the beginning, Maryann's feelings for Timothy were lukewarm at best, but as the story progresses, so do her feelings for him. Timothy, on the other hand, has much to learn as he realizes his perfect woman is more than a pretty package.
Timothy was very clueless at times and even says some hurtful things to Maryann. She's very self-deprecating and gets to the point where she doesn't think she deserves romantic love.
Despite their flaws, and maybe even because of them, I enjoyed seeing the main characters learn their lessons and discover where they truly belonged.
I also enjoyed seeing the characters of the first story.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion. -
What a fun and adorable romance! I haven’t read the first book in the Mayfield Family series, Primroses and Promises (unfortunately, I doubt I ever will because I’m rather sensitive to stories about widowers), but I thoroughly enjoyed Daisies and Devotion. I started it late at night, which was a mistake because I inhaled it in a single sitting and as a result got very little sleep.
The plot was wonderful—Timothy, a man desiring love but needing to marry for money, and an heiress, Maryanne, become friends as they explore the possibilities of a match. When Timothy comes into an unexpected inheritance, he relishes the freedom to now marry for love and seeks to find the perfect woman. Unfortunately for Maryanne, she doesn’t fulfill any of the requirements of Timothy's rather shallow list. Although heartbroken that her love for him is unrequited, because of her friendship and feelings towards Timothy, she desires to help him find happiness outside of herself, during which Timothy comes to realize who he really wants.
Maryanne was a wonderful character—very witty, open, and honest. I really related to her fears and insecurities about her perceived 'averageness' inhibiting her from finding love. (She was a lady after my own heart, considering I struggle with similar insecurities as I near thirty and remain unmarried.) I really liked Timothy, who was so happy, optimistic, and sincere, with a love for life and many boyish antics. He was a fabulous hero. (As a side note, he seemed to be an almost exact reincarnation of one of my favorite characters from my own fairy tale series, which only endeared him to me more.)
The journey between these two characters was adorable yet heart-wrenching. They begin the book with a wonderful friendship that not only deepens throughout the story but gradually blossoms into love. While Maryanne was always aware of her tender feelings towards Timothy, I enjoyed watching him come to realize the traits that were truly important to have in a wife, and that his friendship with Maryanne was something deeper. Throughout the story, he slowly lets go of his unrealistic image of what he expects his soul mate to be like and instead embraces the woman he already has. Although opposite in many ways, he and Maryanne's individual traits bring out the best in one another, and their friendship creates a solid foundation for their love.
Overall, Daisies and Devotion was a unique but charming regency, with an adorable romance and a beautiful journey character journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. -
How I love this new series by Josi S. Kilpack! She's been one of my favorite authors since before there were e-readers (yes, I'm that old). Remember from the previous book that Elliott Mayfield has come up with a "marriage campaign" to help his nephews and nieces make better choices in marriage partners.
Timothy Mayfield is very forthright about needing to marry someone with money, but he also wants to have a marriage of love. He's described as "fun-loving, overly -optimistic, energetic, engaging, and silly to some" and honest, which is important to Maryann Morrington because it seems as if all of her callers have heard about her inheritance. Maryann is a older (22 years old) than the other young women in London for the Season, and more mature because she's been running her family's household since she was 15, when her mother became ill. She's not what you'd call a beauty, but her inheritance more than makes up for that in the eyes of her suitors.
When Timothy learns of what he'll inherit from his Uncle Elliott upon making a match he's thrilled that he no longer need marry for money--he can marry purely for love and sets out to find his perfect mate. He's got quite the list of requirements--"blonde, tall, graceful, with blue or green eyes, a bow-shaped mouth, dainty fingers, and rosy cheeks. Come from a large family, possess a hearty appetite without being plump, and have a tinkling laugh. Enjoy dogs and riding horses, traveling at a moment's notice, dancing in the rain, fine wine, and society events. Her mother should think him wonderful. She should speak French and Italian, have musical ability, love babies, and possess an affinity for art, especially watercolor." Maryanne is quite the opposite of Timothy's ideal wife.
Timothy seems to take their honesty with each other a bit too far when he tells Maryann Your laugh is very much like the bray of a donkey. Of course he realizes he hurt his feelings and apologizes with daisies again.
In the course of the story Maryann finds someone she thinks she could happily live out her days with, but it turns out he's not the man she thought he was. I was impressed by how she handled the the news and the aftermath. By the time that relationship has ended Timothy does indeed find his perfect woman.
I loved Timothy and Maryann's friendship. I liked when she gave him fashion advice and how surprised he was by the compliments he received when he followed it. Silly men don't think women know what we're talking about. Timothy had had a difficult upbringing and I found it wonderful that he was such an optimistic person. I thought it funny how he liked to run home after church because he didn't like sitting still for such a long period of time.
Maryann is a wonderful character--she's not like the younger debutantes, she knows what she wants and speaks her mind, but she's kind to others. I felt her pain when she wanted to be more than Timothy's friend and he couldn't see it.
When you read a love story the reader already knows the two main characters are going to end up together, but we don't know how the author's going to do that. That's what pulls me into a book. Once Maryann's relationship with Colonel Berkins ended I thought for sure she and Timothy would get together, but no, but that time he'd found his "perfect woman"! I didn't see how Maryann and Timothy would get their happily ever after--it didn't come easily , or quickly, but it finally came.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for a copy of this book to review. All ideas and thoughts expressed are my own. -
Sigh. This book was so sweet. So gentle. I just loved how softly it fell around my heart.
Maryann is a fantastic character. Her personality is well defined and I love how she is unlike the "norm" for the time. She speaks her mind, stands up for herself but never in an unkind way. She is gentle but strong too. She laughs loudly when amusement fills her. Maryann is exactly the kind of person I would love to be friends with. Evidently, Timothy feels the same way. Poor Maryann. Try as she might, she just cannot help but wish for more with Timothy even when he insults her (multiple times) and puts her firmly in the friend box.
It's such an interesting dynamic between Maryann and Timothy. I was invested and interested in them from beginning to end. I loved the ending chapters because by that time I really felt like I knew both Maryann and Timothy. The anticipation for me as a reader was heightened and all my emotions were there. I LOVE that.
This book is part of a series but I think each book can stand on it's own. I would recommend reading them in order just for your own enjoyment.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. -
What a delightful story! Maryann and Timothy have a wonderful "accord" with one another and I love how comfortable their friendship is. While Maryann harbors an unrequited crush, she is still willing to help Timothy find his perfect wife, one who matches every quality on his list. She is opposite of everything on his list and can't afford to be choosy, yet Timothy is willing to reciprocate the favor.
Let's talk about the characters. Maryann is "older" and not a stunning beauty. She possess a quick wit, full of sarcasm and honesty, and while she has money, she isn't one to settle for just anyone. I love how resourceful she proves to be. Meanwhile, Timothy is "silly" and full of boyish antics. He's constantly "in the dog house" and resorts to sending daisies and notes of apology. Although these two are opposite, they bring things out in each other that provide stability and balance. Their friendship is what seals the deal for me.
Kilpack delivers a charming tale that isn't full of stereotypical characters and scenarios. The unique breaths of fresh air deliver a newness to this beloved genre that captured my interest and my heart. This is Book 2 in the series, but can stand alone.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.* -
If you are a Regency fan and love a good book series, I highly recommend that you pick up the Mayfield family series. I really have enjoyed both of these books. Especially the characters.
I loved how Timothy and Maryanne were open and upfront at the beginning of their story. The middle of the story didn't quite pan out as I thought it would, but their honesty and frankness at the beginning of the book was refreshing and really helped me feel endeared to Maryanne. Ok, Timothy as well, but I think it set up the story for Maryanne to truly speak her feelings and thoughts and be more open. On the other hand though, Timothy's frankness could be considered a moment of, 'open foot, insert mouth.' Ha! Good ol' Timothy just need some time to figure out what he was saying...after he said it. But even with his foot in mouth moments, I loved when he realized what he did and that he wasn't afraid to fix his mistakes.
There are plenty of ups and downs throughout this book but I loved how it worked and added to the story and development of the characters. There are several great moments (and quotes I want to share) at the end that the author did such a great job of bringing closure to the story and the reason for the ups and downs. But I'm not going to share them. Sorry if I got your hopes up. I don't want to spoil anything for you when you read this one.
I'll admit that there were a few moments where my heart ached for both of these characters. We get to see their backstory and what makes them who they are and why. A good book for me is when a character is developed and I get to see what makes them be them. How they got to where they are at and what motivates their desires, dreams and actions. This book was no exception is portraying these characters in a way that I connected with them and wanted to cheer them on to find their way through the unknown and struggles, to have hope for their dreams and love.
I would recommend starting with book one and not jumping into this second book. You definitely should read the whole series as they are interconnected. I loved seeing more about this Mayfield family, especially the uncle Elliott Mayfield who instigates all these great possibilities for his nieces and nephews to have joy in their lives(and add more books for us to read-especially if the next book is about who I think it's going to be about). This second book is taking place during the timeline of the first book so that was fun to have a couple little glimpses back into the story of Peter and Julia.
Last thing...I loved the build up of their friendship throughout this book, but the ending, oh my heart. I loved that best of all. Just wanted you to know that. It's a book that I didn't want to set down and one that I can't wait to share with many friends and my daughters. My older daughters loved the first book and their friends as well. I've had an advanced paperback copy for several weeks and they were all dying to get their hands on it. Lol! But I told them they had to wait until the book was released to enjoy it. I know, I'm such a great momma! We're all fans of Josi Kilpack's writing. If you can't tell. Go grab a copy, borrow a copy, request a copy at your local library, or however you read and enjoy this series. Definitely one I highly recommend!
Content: Clean.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!! -
Ah Timothy, there are times I would have liked to smack him upside the head. (I do become invested in the books I read.) This is the second book in the "Mayfield Family Series" and I think that the men in the family can be a little dense sometimes. Honestly, I loved the books and find the bumbling men amusing.
When I agreed to review this book I did not realize that it was the second book in the series. I loved the first, so it was a happy day for me. I wanted to read this book because Josi Kilpack is the author. She is one that I will try to read anything and everything she writes.
This is a sweet romance about friends finding love. Timothy wants to find the perfect woman to marry. He has a list of attributes that he finds desirable. Unfortunately, some of the qualities on the list are the exact opposite of Maryann. He wants a blonde with a "tinkling laugh." He was dense enough to tell Maryann that she "brays like a donkey". He does have good intentions, he just doesn't think about what he is saying.
This story has some light moments but carries a meaningful storyline. I see parallels to life where the pursuit of the wrong thing can make someone miss the best thing. This is a great read and I can't wait to find out what Mayfield gets their story told next. -
This story was a typical regency romance but what brought it to life was the two main characters. Maryann is at 22 a little old for the season. She has inherited money and is worried that she will be pursued not for herself but for her money. She feels she is very plain and is open and honest in her speech. Timothy begins the season looking for a wealthy mate as he has class but no money. Then his rich uncle informs him that if Timothy marries someone he approves of then he will give him a house in London and monies. Timothy and Maryann have developed a honest, open friendship; and she determines she will assist him in finding the perfect mate that ticks all of the boxes of his "list."
The story has a predictable ending, but the road to getting there is filled with fun, laugher, romance, and hurt feelings.
The depth of the characters made this a much more enjoyable read than the typical regency romance. The writing was well done. Even though this was the second in the series, it read well as a stand alone as I had not read the first.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shadow Mountain through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review. -
This book turned out differently than I thought it would, and I found myself enjoying it immensely. It is part of a series, which I didn’t realize til after finishing it, but I think it can also be read as a stand alone. It does make me more excited about the first book, as well as curious about future stories to come.
Maryann was a great protagonist. She was unique- different from your run-of-the-mill debutante. She is sensible, witty, sarcastic, older than most other girls, and views herself as plain. While she is not hailed as a great beauty, she shines with an inner goodness more and more as the story progresses.
Timothy is not your average swoony hero either. Yet he is a happy, positive, and kind man, who quickly becomes endearing the further you read. His interactions with Maryann were so interesting, and watching the way they kept up a friendship was refreshing.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say I really enjoyed this sweet clean regency romance. A gentle love story, which has me very excited to see more to come! -
OH. MY. STARRRRS. This was perfection from start to finish.
Maryann was a delightful heroine with her own mind...and her own fortune (something so rare in those days), which gave her freedom to be her own person. I loved every second of her boldness and honesty with Timothy.
Timothy was delightful, albeit a touch shallow at the beginning. Seriously, the loser had a LIST of perfect qualities in a mate.I am still reeling from the time Ross had a cranking list between Julie and Rachel. Call it PTSD if you want, but I was NOT a fan of that.But, at least I understood the "point" of the list.EYEROLL
Timothy and Maryann's relationship was EVERYTHING. They were the very best of friends, with a little something extra brimming under the surface. I adore Josi's writing and honestly...this one is going to be hard to top.
Favorite quote:All quotes are pending publicationAll is not well if you are not laughing...I will not allow you to change any single thing about yourself to please anyone, least of all a man.
Ultimate Feels:
LOVE, SWOON, DEATH BY HAPPINESS
*Thank you SO much to the publishers over at Shadow Mountain for sending me an ARC.* -
LOVE
Fave line: “Timothy and the sea at the same time? Mercy.” -
This book is another triumph for this talented author. I look forward to every book Josi Kilpack releases. This book was no different. I loved it! Each character is unique and simply wonderful. I appreciate the character growth. There is a warmth to the story that I love.
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Very sweet romance. The Heroine and Hero take time to decipher their feelings for each other. And the writer keeps you guessing until the very end 😉
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Mayfield Family, book 2
Love the Proper Romance series, it is so refreshing to read and never have to worry about offending content and yet also know you will get a superbly written book chock full of emotion and heart!
It was fun to read the two books available now in the Mayfield series back to back and compare and contrast the storylines and main characters. They are both alike and yet different. Maryann and Timothy are unique and not traditional romance characters. They share a very honest friendship and through that more may bloom. We get to take part in the ups and downs and in and outs of their friendship (and maybe more?) and witness the heartbreaks and love that brings. You can feel the emotion with which this book is written and will feel you truly know these characters with whom the story is driven. It is a compulsive read, one you will want to read cover to cover as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing who book 3 will be about, maybe the rake of a cousin?? Can’t wait to read it!!
**I was given an e-copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed above are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain and Josi Kilpack for my copy!** -
DAISIES AND DEVOTION is a story of two people who are looking for marriage, but find an unexpected friendship. Full of characters and emotions that will tug on readers' hearts, this is one historical romance story not to miss!
I should just never be surprised when this author exceeds my expectations... This story brought out the laughter, the tears, and a good amount of swooning. I absolutely loved the characters! They were so easy to relate to. Maryann is average - at least she's always felt such. Not a great beauty and not particularly talented in the way society values. She surprises herself and Timothy when she is honest and direct with him. They were already somewhat friends, but this honesty forces Timothy to also be honest with her, and from there a real friendship begins with the chance for more between them. They show each other a side of themselves that no one else sees and that no one portrays in society. It's refreshing and makes each of them take notice of the other. Timothy is such a good man. A true gentleman and with a kind heart. He's somewhat misguided in his ideal wife, but under the circumstances, it makes sense. Oh the heartbreak! Timothy values Maryann, but he still doesn't see her for who she could be to him and her heart is broken over and over again. Thank goodness this line is known for its happily-ever-afters.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved this story! It brought out all the feels, the heartache making the the sweet moments that much sweeter. Highly recommended!
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the tour host/NetGalley, which did not require a positive review nor affect my review in any way. -
I got to read the first book in this series, Promises and Primroses, last year. This made me super excited to get to read the next installment. I loved the way the characters from that one made an appearance in this one. It just makes the series fit together so much better than if they hadn’t.
This one is about Maryann and Timothy. I loved the way these two characters are together! They’re honest with each other about everything, even down to Timothy needing to marry a woman of means at the beginning. And Maryann knowing that she was an heiress that was a big concern for her, she was always having to fend off men who just wanted her money.
Maryann is witty and just a fun character. I loved the way she cared fiercely for her family. She had given up her whole life to care for her ill mother. And she gives up much to care for her older sister in this one as well. It just shows the kind of person she is and how much family means to her.
Then there’s Timothy. I loved the way he was the kind of gentleman all the girls would have been looking for in the season. He was honest and watched out for Maryann’s reputation, surprisingly even more than she did. And when he heard Uncle Elliott’s plan to give him more if he got married, things changed for him. He no longer needed money the way he thought he did. I loved watching his character open up a bit at this point.
The list…Timothy has a list of things he wants or does not want in a wife. And that is a big part of the plot of this one. He and Maryann actually had a bit of a tiff over his list. And he was unkind to Maryann about a thing or two on his list without ever meaning to be. I loved how this factored into the plot and the story. Such a great addition to it.
I can’t wait to see how the author uses Uncle Elliott’s ideas in the rest of the series!
If you love Regency romances, you won’t want to miss this one. I think you could read this one first if you wanted, but I’d highly suggest that you start with Promises and Primroses. -
I was really excited to read another book from the Mayfield family series by Josi Kilpack. I am really enjoying the Proper Romance novels and this one fit the bill perfectly. The characters of Timothy Mayfield and Maryann Morrington are so much fun because they are great friends who can't see what's right in front of them.
The Victorian London setting is a favorite and I enjoyed being pulled back in time to imagine a little of what life must have been like in those days. So many nuances and proper expectations made it often difficult to really know a person and their motives.
A classic Matchmaker-gone-wrong story, this novel delights with wit, whimsy, and lots of tugging on heartstrings. -
Maryann is a heiress returning to London for a season to find a husband, but it's difficult to know who wants her for her money and who wants her for herself. Timothy is a penniless, but a gentle and sweet man. He is trying to find a wife, but he wants to find a woman that can improve his status, but also one that he can love. He begins to court Maryann and they form a bluntly honest friendship. When Timothy gets an offer from his generous uncle to improve his status, he is freed of his bonds to secure a wealthy connection. He makes a list of his perfect wife's virtues.
Maryann, already feeling in love with Timothy, is disappointed, but determined to see her friend happy, helps him with his ridiculous search for the perfect bride.
I love historical romances, but I tend to be pretty picky about the historical romances I prefer. This one hit all of the things I love. Maryann knows she's no prize beauty, but she has wit and honesty. I loved her. She's strong, level-headed, and smart. Timothy is a dreamer, artistic, and lighthearted. He has such a kind and sweet way about him. He is not like the brooding men in most historical romances.
This book made me laugh, smile, and tear up a bit. I felt the characters were well developed and life like. Those are the best kind of books. The books with the feels. A solid 4.5/5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review* -
This is the second book in the “Mayfield Family series” and I enjoyed this one just as much as book 1. Typically I find the Regency period a little boring but I was pleasantly surprised with book 1, so I didn’t hesitate to read this story and I’m glad I did!
Timothy and Maryann were great characters and I loved their friendship and banter back and forth. I liked how Maryann kept challenging him and kept him on his toes which was rare during that time period-for women to speak their mind and have an opinion. It was fun to read their different courting catastrophes and the dating etiquette and expectations in that time period.
Peter and Julia are mentioned (from book 1) in the last part of this story, so it was great to hear how their marriage was progressing.
I really enjoyed reading this story and series-highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own. -
From page one, readers will fall in love with Josi S. Kilpack’s sweet regency romancein Daisies and Devotion. This story is about friendship, making mistakes within that friendship, and falling in love when least expected. The characters come to life from the pages as Kilpack weaves a sweet, delicate, and loveable story of a friendship to love interest romance. From cover to cover, readers will be swept away into the regency time period as they dive into this delightful and charming story.
Series: Mayfield Family
Genre: historical, romance
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publication date: May 14, 2019
Number of pages: 304
Other books in the series:
1-Promises and Primroses
A review copy of this book was provided by the author via her street team. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own. -
I loved the first book of the series, and was excited to read this one. It started off way too slow for me. I almost gave up reading, but I don’t like to give up so easily in my reading. The book got so much more enjoyable. I liked the interaction between Maryann and Timothy in their friendship and throughout the story. 3.5 stars.
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Romance, clean; period; series, but stand-alone read.
Maryann and Timothy's story was a lovely, heartfelt read. Two characters learning to know their heart and find the one who will see them as they truly are. Timothy's stumbles, unkind words, and his friendship with Maryann as they navigate the season, and try to find matches for each other, their 'perfect' match', was heartfelt, honest, and heart-wrenching as Maryann is torn from him as he pursues another woman, and as he tries to set her up with someone too. Realizations, recognition, and understanding as they muddle through the season, and each deal with their romances, and the 'friendship' they have for each other, was painful, real, and sweet at the same time. This is by far my favorite of this series. Honest, hurting heart for Maryann, and honest, blind man in Timothy, coming to realize what is important, real and where his heart truly is bound. Beautiful, sweet, honest and poignantly sincere novel, well worth the read if you are a fan of period romance.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own. -
What a fun, enjoyable and just downright charming story! What particularly sealed the deal for me was the friendship between the hero and heroine. I definitely enjoyed the banter and the romance was sweet, but I loved seeing their friendship develop most of all. Now I need to go back and read the first one in this series! :)
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Oh, was I excited to start reading Daisies and Devotion the second book in the Mayfield Family Series! I'm one of those diehards that always recommend you read the first book in the series. It will make the whole second story richer and of course, makes more sense overall. Also, the cover is just gorgeous so it invites readers to delve into the pages quickly.
In this series Elliott Mayfield, Timothy's Uncle, promises him money and land if he'll marry someone he approves of. Elliott is doing the same with his other nieces and nephews. Timothy agrees because he was already in London looking for a wife with money but now he doesn't need the money so he writes his list. This list is of his perfect woman. The woman who'd held his interest previously was the rich Maryann who now realizes she doesn't quite fit the qualities he's looking for in a wife. From the beginning, these two characters have a unique relationship. They are good friends that help each other search for perfect marriage prospects. Of course, readers can see what will eventually happen, but this will lead them spending a lot of time together and they do grow closer.
Timothy is somewhat the clueless male that can't see what is right in front of him. Maryann puts up with a lot of nonsense from him but never speaks her mind and her true heart. There are many humorous conversations and situations that will make you laugh. There are also many things that happen that will make you frustrated. In the end, I loved this book! I enjoyed the wonderful character development and the growth of both Timothy and Maryann.
I would not call this your typical Regency Romance because Maryann is not your regular swooning heroine. I liked that and she reminded me a lot of myself that doesn't put up with a lot of nonsense and tries to protect my heart. Josi Kilpack has once again written a captivating novel of romance, humor, and witty dialogue that kept me reading nonstop. Regency Romance lovers will also love this one too.
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What a delightful followup to Promises and Primrose. While this book is a stand alone book, you will find a few of the characters from the first book intermingled in this book.
Love could be hard to find especially if you aren't sure what you are looking for in a potential spouse...OR your ideas were so off base and crazy that it kept you from realizing what is right in front of you. This was Timothy's case. He has this long list of characteristics that he thinks he wants in a spouse until he meets that perfect woman and realizes that just maybe his dream woman comes in another form.
Maryann is a bit older than the other debutantes and has the luxury of not having to settle for just any man that comes her way that doesn't appreciate or love her for her. She is very grounded and that helps her in seeking out a potential suitor. She is even clever enough to have her maid, Lucy, snoop around and find out information about those suitors - are they who they portray to her? Lucy is on the case and find out things for Maryann that she may not have learned otherwise and it helps her in a few situations.
This was a delightful read. I enjoyed all of the characters and their interactions with one another. Donna the protective older sister, and Uncle Elliott who has the answer to Timothy's marriage issues are two that stand out to me. Times were very different during that time period and what men and women went through to find the right match might make your head spin, especially since the women had to have a chaperone! Despite all that, Timothy and Maryann form a friendship that is the foundation for so much more if Timothy would open his eyes. My heart broke a little for Maryann when a certain gentleman wasn't who he portrayed himself to be to her. What a cad! But as the story unfolded, both Timothy and Maryann realized that sometimes the heart knows what it wants and won't settle for less.
If you are in the mood for a historical romance, this is a good choice! We give it 5 paws up. -
I have read most of Josi Killacks regencies. This one was unique and I enjoyed it.
Timothy was a different type of gentleman. I loved his joyful personality and outlook on life. I did wonder why he never thought about making his own money. I guess there weren’t as many respectable options back then but that still struck me as odd.
Maryann was also not your typical looking debutante. I really liked her for her forwardness. She was also not willing to settle for anything less that love, or what might grow into love. She was a good person through and through.
This story was immersed in the London season which is always fun.
Content: clean romance
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
