The Inns of Devonshire (Timeless Regency Collection) by Sally Britton, Annette Lyon, and Deborah M. Hathaway
Three novellas, three times the romance, and
three times the love . . . in this brand new Timeless Regency
Collection: The Inns of Devonshire
THE SEVENTH STAR INN by Sally Britton
After
years of looking after one another, Susan Baxter and her mother view
their neighbors in Totnes as family. When a new landlord inherits the
leases on their homes and businesses alike, Susan dreads knowing her
world could change at the whim of a stranger. But when she meets Collin
Stonecroft and his inquisitive daughter, her feelings shift quickly from
cautionary to hopeful. Collin has lived in the confines of London
boarding houses all his life, and he’s determined to give his daughter
more. They check into the Seventh Star Inn with plans to return to
London as soon as possible, but both find Miss Baxter and her local
history lessons far too enchanting to leave behind. When Susan learns of
Collin’s proposed changes to her beloved neighborhood, will she be able
to help him see that some things are perfect the way they are?
THE TRUTH ABOUT MR. BLACKMORE by Annette Lyon
Leigh’s
life at the Old Grey Inn is drudgery broken by flights of fancy thanks
in part to novels by Simon Blackmore. When Mattias McGrady comes to the
inn for a fortnight, Leigh captures his attention. A relationship
develops, and she dreads the end of his stay, which will mean a return
to an unhappy life. An urgent letter to Mattias leads to him inviting
Leigh to an event that stands to change both of their lives forever. If
all goes well, Leigh will have a life of her choosing after all. But
half-truths and lies have a way of complicating matters. When their
plans go awry, Leigh loses her reputation and Mattias almost surely
loses his career. Can either of them find happiness?
THE COACHMAN'S CHOICE by Deborah M. Hathaway
Ever-reliable
Mary Thorne has helped her widowed mother run The Golden Mermaid Inn
for years. She spends her days greeting guests, ensuring the inn runs
smoothly—and dodging flirtatious remarks from passing coachmen. But
she’s far too busy to pay any attention to such men, even the enticingly
attractive Mr. Northcott. Known far and wide for his horsemanship,
punctuality, and dallying reputation, Robert Northcott relishes his life
as a coachman, especially his freedom to flirt with numerous women from
inn to inn, all without the messy details of commitment. There’s just
one woman who's immune to his charms: the lovely, single landlady of The
Golden Mermaid. Robert is determined to win Mary over, just as heartily
as she is determined to keep her distance from him. But his carefree
life is threatened when his pursual of Mary becomes more than just a
game...
AMAZON *** GOODREADS
My Review: 4 Stars
I love Regency romances and the great thing about this set is that the characters are all considered to be spinsters, as well as working class. Of course, the upper crust would be a blast, but there weren't all that many of them, so it's relatable for them to be "normal," strong, everyday women.
THE SEVENTH STAR INN tells the story of Susan and her mother, and their new landlord, Collin, and his adorable daughter. I loved the charming, rich history of this town and the wonderful relationships, and the way Susan fights so hard to keep things as they are. Seeing Totnes through her eyes was beautiful.
A hidden identity is a major factor in THE TRUTH ABOUT MR. BLACKMORE. The way the inn plays a role in Mattias's secret was endearing, but the tangled web soon ensnares him. Mattias had to overcome a lot in his life and I enjoyed watching him navigate things, especially an attraction to Leigh.
THE COACHMAN'S CHOICE was a wonderful way to end the collection. We all have choices to make in life--the good, the better, and the best--and I delighted in watching Robert try to have his cake and eat it too. Mary has new opportunities to pursue and has choices to make of her own, and it heartwarming to watch them figure their lives and desires out.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
