Isabelle and Alexander by Rebecca Anderson

 

Manchester, 1850

Isabelle Rackham knows she will not marry for love. Though arranged marriages have fallen out of fashion, hers has been settled for some time. Alexander Osgood is handsome, well-known, and wealthy, but he is distant and aloof, spending much of his time at his textile mill.

Moreover, Northern England is nothing like Isabelle's home in the Lake Country, and her marriage is far from the fairy tale she expected. Conversations with Alexander are awkward, when they happen at all, and Isabelle struggles with loneliness.

Sensing his wife's unhappiness, Alexander brings Isabelle to his country estate. During their time together, the couple begins to build a friendship, opening up to each other about the details of their lives. But when a tragic accident leaves Alexander unable to walk, their fledgling relationship is tested.

Isabelle is determined to see to her husband's recovery, and in caring for him, she discovers within herself an untapped well of strength and courage. In learning to rely on each other, the couple has an opportunity to forge a love connection that they both have longed for but never dreamed could be.

 * Amazon * Goodreads * Deseret Book *

So, I have some mixed feelings about this book.  It's told in first person, entirely from Isabelle's perspective.  This allowed a very extensive knowledge of Isabelle's thoughts and feelings, making her personal journey of growth obvious and gratifying.  Sometimes I got a little impatient with her internal musings and found myself skimming.  I liked Isabelle but I didn't love her.  I did love how she stood up for Alexander and wanted the very best for him regardless of how she was treated.

I liked Alexander but I didn't love him.  It was really hard to build a connection with Alexander given his personality and Isabelle's single viewpoint.  Especially when she didn't understand him for most of the book.  I didn't have a real emotional connection to either of them.  

The textile mill was a great part of the book and I enjoyed learning about that through Isabelle's eyes.  I liked this story, it was interesting and I liked the secondary cast of characters too.  It was good, just not my favorite.  Oh, and I think the cover is lovely.

 3/5 stars

Content:  mild peril

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author:

By night, Rebecca Anderson writes historical romances. By day, she sets aside her pseudonym and resumes her life as Becca Wilhite: teacher, happy wife, and a mom to four above-average kids. She loves hiking, Broadway shows, food, books, and movies. You can find her online at beccawilhite.com