Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family Series) by Josi S. Kilpack {Review}

Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family Series)
by Josi S. Kilpack

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: September 4th 2018 by Shadow Mountain 

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

   

Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions.  If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance.

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

My Review: 5 Stars

The Regency books this author has been writing lately are so unique and fun! The very beginning of the book has a family tree and I loved studying that to try and get a feel for who the characters were before I began reading it, but I was kind of surprised that not many of those said people even made an appearance in the story. I'm definitely going to be watching for more in this series because I'm really curious now.

This particular installment focuses on Peter and his never-married uncle, Elliot. Peter needs a governess and finds one in Julia, but her mother, Amelia, has a connection to Elliot and disapproves of this position. Have I confused anyone yet? I promise, the story makes sense and is written in a very clean way, while showing four different points-of-view. This is such a satisfyingly sweet and cozy story that brought out all the feel-good feelings.

Julia doesn't need employment, but thrives in her work, especially as she comes to care for and teach Peter's two young daughters and assists in the dog breeding hobby on the estate. Those two things really set this story apart, adding interesting dimensions to the plot, to go along with the vivid characters. And those characters are what blow these books away--they are so dimensional and written so well. I've been reading books by this author since her early days of writing and I'm beyond impressed at how much she's grown and developed as a writer, which is apparent by the quality of her books.  

Content: mild romance