Synopsis
Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.
Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls’ school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.
Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.
Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?
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Praise
“What a lovely romance. The historical details, the depth of the authentic characters, and the realistic dialogue all contribute to an immersive story. [A] beautiful and inspirational story about loving people just as they are.”— Katie Jackson, Regency Proofreading
“Phenomenal. This book was phenomenal. The very best in the series.”— Lyssa Armstrong, For Where Your Treasure Is
“This love story was unique and such an uncommon take on a marriage of convenience! [S]weet and well worth the wait!”— Ashley Johnson, Bringing Up Books
“Beautifully written, sensitive, poignant addition to the Mayfield Family series.”— Susan K., The Flipped Page
Review
I really enjoyed this historical romance especially since the characters were not perfect. Duncan has characteristics of the Autism spectrum (before they had any idea what it was) and Hazel has a club foot. Both have reservations about where their life will take them and neither believe that they will ever get married, that is until their Uncle Elliott sets up a “dowry” for each of them. However, they come up with the brilliant idea to marry each other (they really aren’t cousins by blood) to collect their “dowry” so that they can each live their life how they see fit. What they don’t expect is to fall in love with each other.
As I was reading this book and many of Duncan’s traits, I knew that he had to be on the spectrum. He wouldn’t look people in the eye, was very orderly, doesn’t like to be touched, and heaven forbid if things are out of sync with how he likes them. But at the same time, he realizes that life with Hazel isn’t so bad. He may not understand what it is like to fall in love, but at the same time, he does.
Hazel believes that she is inferior to her siblings because of her club foot. She is afraid any man that would marry her would just be in it for her dowry, which is a hefty sum. She is brilliant and a teacher and seeks to educate women and girls so that they can find better positions or just be better people all around. I admired that in her. What Hazel thinks that she wants and what she discovers are two different things.
I do love this series and getting to know all of the Mayfield family. While you don’t have to read the books in order, it does help to understand some of the characters, mostly Elliott.
We give this book 5 paws up.
About the Author
Josi S. Kilpack has written more than thirty novels, a cookbook, and several novellas. She is a four-time Whitney award winner, including Best Novel 2015 for “Lord Fenton’s Folly, and has been a Utah Best of State winner for Fiction. Josi loves to bake, sleep, eat, read, travel, and watch TV–none of which she gets to do as much as she would like. She writes contemporary fiction under the pen name Jessica Pack.
Josi has four children and lives in Northern Utah.
I am so glad that you enjoyed it too, Leslie. Kilpack is a very talented writer. I like how she gives her characters big challenges and big character arcs. Best, LA