ABOUT THE BOOK
Hannah Kent and Oliver Jennings pledged their hearts to each other as children. Now, years later, Hannah is thrilled to receive an invitation to spend the summer at Oliver’s family’s country estate. The path to wedded bliss is clear—so long as Oliver’s highbrow older brother, Damon, has ceased his juvenile antics, Hannah’s future looks bright indeed.But from the moment Hannah arrives at Summerhaven, nothing is as she expected. Oliver seems disinterested in renewing their acquaintance, and Damon is not the brutish boy she remembers but a man intent on avoiding marriage. Although she has loathed Damon her whole life, when he contrives a ruse designed to win them both what they desire, Hannah warily agrees. All she has to do to reclaim Oliver’s attention is pretend to be madly in love with Damon. But when Damon is surprisingly convincing in his role as a suitor, it proves difficult to discern the line between pretense and true love.
EXCERPT
Damon stepped forward, and his watch key and seal—visible reminders of his status and self-importance—clanked together. He bowed. “Miss Kent.”
Damon stepped forward, and his watch key and seal—visible reminders of his status and self-importance—clanked together. He bowed. “Miss Kent.”
“My lord,” I returned with a shallow curtsy.
The corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
“I see someone has managed to make a lady out of the wild girl I once knew,” Damon said, and before stepping back in line with his mother, he met my eye and added, “A pity.”
My eyebrows pulled together in surprise.
“Do try not to scowl, Miss Kent. It will crease your lovely brow.”
“Damon Jennings,” Lady Winfield scolded. “You have been taught better manners.”
“My apologies, Mother. Teasing a beautiful woman is one of few things that has yet to be lectured out of me.”
I gaped. Never in all my life had a man spoken so casually to me. Damon may have grown into a man, but he was not a gentleman.
REVIEW
I've read Tiffany Odekirk's other works: Love on Pointe, Love Unscripted, Love Sidelined, which feature modern strong female characters that face and overcome hard obstacles and trials. For me, Summerhaven was very different from her other works, beyond the setting in historical England's Regency period. The character, Hannah, wasn't necessarily a weak character, but a lost character in her naivety, sheltered, misconstrued perspective. This felt like a "coming-of-age" story as Hannah makes mistakes, struggles to figure out what's right, and comes to know herself and her feelings, and adjusts her perspective. Damon's character was likable from the beginning and felt like the right leading man for this story. The story's pace moves on fairly quickly and the scenes were entertaining to read. Overall, it's a fun romance and quick read. I am interested to see what the author comes up with next. To learn more, click here.
Please note that I was given a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links that help support this blog.
