The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general’s past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?
Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal–readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.
Review
When I get my hands on a Laura Frantz novel I know two things: I’m going to learn something of historical value and there’s going to be a lovely romance. My thoughts:
What I liked:
Frantz, as always, delivers on the historical front. Rare is the author who can teach you about the 1770s without having you skim several chapters to get back to the story. The facts and lifestyles of this time is effortlessly interwoven in the characters lives and when I put the book down, I felt smarter. She made it so interesting, I read every word.
Sophie. I thought she was a completely relatable heroine. Almost from the first page, I cared about what Sophie cared about. She’s fairly alone in a time where it doesn’t pay to not have relatives and she doesn’t let this get her down. She gets by and trusts that God is good. It’s probably why I felt so invested in her romance.
The romance. General Ogilvy and Sophie have a romance that comes along slowly at first and then burns bright throughout. One of the best things about their romance was the mutual respect and admiration they had for each other. They trusted each other with their secrets and with their talents.*
Lily Cate. I don’t usually like children in books. Loved Lily Cate!
Drama. I beginning to think Ms. Frantz likes the drama. We’ve got lost diaries, secrets, mysteries, etc. Never a dull moment.
Spiritually, the novel deals with believing and trusting that God is faithful even though circumstances don’t look that way.
What I didn’t like:
*Secret. So there is one secret that Sophie doesn’t tell the General. Her lack of telling him actually does not impact the story, but it just felt so counter to her personality.
Miscommunication. This was another strange thing. Sophie and the General shared everything. And yet there was this odd form of miscommunication that kept them separate for some time. I just wanted to say ‘speak your mind!’
Romantic scale: 8.9
Overall, a wonderful book. Read it!
**I received a copy from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**
remaininhislove 