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Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.
From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will she be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.
I read this on the recommendation of a friend. I am very glad that I picked it up. It is a very sweet romance (no sex) and a great story. Marianne is a good, simple young lady. She lost her mother a year ago and has been shuffled to her grandmother's house while her father grieves in France and her beautiful twin sister is having a season in London. Marianne has made the best, in her mind, of having a beautiful, outgoing twin sister. Marianne is quite lovely herself but gets outshined every time. So she decided at a young age to go a different direction from whatever her sister does so that she will not feel in competition with her. She loves her sister and does what she can to not feel jealous of her. She get invited to join her sister at a family friend's country home called Edenbrooke. While she is staying there she has been tasked by her grandmother to "learn to act like a Lady" by watching the other "Ladies" there. Thus begins her adventure and life changing events.
I highly recommend this to those who enjoy sweet historical romances. This was Ms Donaldson's debut novel and I am eagerly awaiting her next book.